I find it more than curious that we, as residents of Lake Orion, have been asked for our ‘input? regarding the school district’s budgetary recommendations, and the forum in which we are to share our thoughts is being officiated by none other than the author of same, Mr. Ken Gutman.
I find it even more curious that the participation of the school board members is apparently completely voluntary at this same forum.
This meeting should be mandatory for every school board member.
Of course, isn’t this the same rooted group that elevated the enduringly ambitious Mr. Gutman to his lofty position with little to no attempt at due diligence in the way of a search for a suitable candidate (sound familiar?)
Does this not give some hint that these decisions may have already been made and any forum asking for public input is merely symbolic? Can this be considered accountable?
Isn’t it interesting that our superintendent has chosen not to lead by example and ‘take one for the team? where budgetary cuts are concerned?
Not even a token according to the presentation. This gentleman reportedly made $158,140 in 2009 with a $7,250 transportation allowance (WHAT?!), a $15,814 tax sheltered annuity and a $4,275 ‘longevity.? Are you KIDDING me?! Oh yes, just for reference, Governor Granholm earned $177,000 in the same period. When will we call enough, enough? This unsustainable trend simply has to stop, and why not start right here in Lake Orion?
Isn’t it interesting that ‘we? are being spoon-fed by a superintendent and a completely unqualified high school principal, neither of whom have anything at all to loose? They don’t live here (I understand Mr. Gutman lives in West Bloomfield); they don’t educate their children here, and they have no significant, enduring ties to this community. They simply collect (very) large salaries and go about their lives with no worry of consequence.
If all of this blows up in our faces, they exercise the ‘out? clauses in their contracts and off they go, leaving our children to suffer incalculable hardship.
Isn’t it interesting that Mr. Gutman’s agenda to eliminate Todd Dunkley from the district will finally come to pass with the subtle recommendation to ‘eliminate middle school assistant principal positions.? Clever. Did I miss something?
And to complicate matters (for some of us anyway), the political element has not been avoided in that Mr. Gutman has been appointed by Gov. Granholm ‘to represent a nominee of the Senate Majority Leader for a term expiring December 31, 2012. Mr. Gutman is also appointed to the ECIC (Early Childhood Investment Corporation) Corporation Board for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor.? While I am sure the ‘press release? will sing the praises of such political appointments, it gives pause to some of us who have already seen too much. As I said before, his track record clearly defines our superintendent as a very ‘ambitious? man.
Of course, these are just arguable points, and I’m sure to be called a fool for suggesting them, but so be it. I hope, at the very least, it keeps us all thinking.
Please Lake Orion, keep fighting the good fight!
Sven Pruett