Finding Ulysses is a center of news, opinion, reflection, exploration and debate for residents of Trumansburg and the town of Ulysses, in the heart of New York State's Finger Lakes region
The following message came to Finding Ulysses yesterday:
I write today because I am reaching out to the T-burg community regarding an important local issue that is quietly moving along very quickly.
A brief note was posted on the T-burg school home page this week that suggests a single candidate is being considered to replace our outgoing school superintendent. There will be a closed meeting on May 8th and an open community meeting May 12th to present the current High School Principal, Paula Hurley, as this candidate. The note suggests that these groups will provide feedback to the board of education “prior to any final decision.”
I firmly believe a broader search, that includes interested internal candidates, would be in the best interest of our school community. This issue could be closed very quickly if it remains below the radar screen of the people of T-burg.
______________________________
Paul Bartishevich
President/CEO Finger Lakes Productions International
119 S. Cayuga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
Ph: (607) 275-9400
pbart@flpradio.com
http://www.flpradio.com
The Trumansburg Board of Education with the guidance of their search consultant, TST BOCES DS Dr. Ellen O’Donnell, is in the process of evaluating the candidacy of an internal candidate, Paula Hurley. Ms Hurley has been principal of Charles O. Dickerson High School for the past four years.
On Thursday, May 8 and Monday, May 12 stakeholder groups will have an opportunity to evaluate her candidacy through an interview process.
Plans are being made to have representative teachers, support staff, administration and students interview and hear a short presentation from Ms. Hurley on May 8.
Interested community members will have a similar opportunity to ask questions relative to her preparation and vision for the future of the Trumansburg District. This will take place on May 12 at 7:00 PM in the Elementary Auditorium.
These groups will provide feedback to the Board of Education prior to any final decision.
Yesterday afternoon, the Trumansburg Schools issued the following press release:
“In conjunction with New York State and Trumansburg police, the Trumansburg Fire Department and TST BOCES officials, student and visitor search and access procedures were developed this afternoon. Tomorrow morning, Friday, April 25, any and all students and adult visitors other than Trumansburg Central School District employees will be searched prior to gaining access to any school building while school is in session.
Beginning Monday, April 28, the district will indefinitely be in a “lockout” mode. While students and visitors will not be searched daily and will be allowed access through designated entry points at each building at the opening of school each morning, there may be randomly conducted searches throughout the remainder of the school year. After first bell, each building will have a single point of access for the remainder of the school day. All adult visitors will be asked to show picture ID such as a NYS driver’s license. The incident continues to be investigated by state and local police.”
I want to say first that I appreciate our the quality of our schools, and the dedication with which the teachers and administration members of the schools work to provide a healthy, safe environment in which our children can learn.
But, as I read and think about this new policy, it seems like an over-reaction to me. Of course, I don’t have all the information about what’s gone on in the schools. I don’t know what the police know. So, if I’m missing something obvious in what I’m about to say, please correct me.
Last night, the bags of parents attending an informational meeting about the bomb threats were searched before the parents were allowed to enter. Why? Were they suspected of preparing to launch an attack during the meeting?
My oldest son is a first-grader in the elementary school. Will he be searched tomorrow? Why? The threatening notes and firecracker were found in the middle school on more than one occasion. No elementary school student would have been able to access the middle school - not even an enterprising fourth grader.
I suppose it is possible that a middle school student might come up with a nefarious plot to give a firecracker or even a weapon of some sort on a younger brother or sister, even a kindergartener, and then attempt to meet that sibling on the playground to get the weapon. That might take place, but it seems extremely unlikely and an obviously risky ploy. It doesn’t seem worth a permanent “lockout” policy at the elementary school.
Also, the search of visiting adults, with the requirement of photo IDs, seems completely unrelated to the actual threat. Given the nature of the firecracker device that was found, it doesn’t seem to me that there’s any evidence of an adult working to help a middle school student plan a violent attack. The idea of an adult visiting the elementary school being suspected of bringing a weapon that would then somehow be transfered to the middle school seems extremely far-fetched.
What good does requiring adults to have drivers licenses to visit the schools do? Is there a reason to suspect that there is an adult who cannot drive helping a middle school student in Trumansburg to terrorize the students there?
These tactics seem designed to make Trumansburg residents feel that the Middle School is safe, while not actually being part of a reasonable approach to actually ensure safety. It’s a bad lesson for students at the Trumansburg schools to learn - that when there is a threat, a show of security should be made, even if the show of security isn’t related to the character of the actual threat.
Also, I worry about the lesson that Middle School students may be learning from this over-reaction. Some may conclude that writing threatening notes and making violent displays is a good way to get attention, and an effective way to gain power over adults.
A far more valuable lesson for students would be that attempts at intimidation will not be rewarded with extravagant displays of fear, such as are being prepared by our schools.
I understand why the schools are doing what they do. I appreciate the sentiment that motivates their actions. If there is a good reason for these very extensive security measures that I don’t understand, I’m receptive to hearing about them.
Seeing us discuss this matter can be a positive thing for our community’s children. Watching us become overexcited will not leave a helpful impression.
Update: This morning, the Ithaca Journal quotes outgoing Superintendent Tangorra as telling the meeting last night, “Say tomorrow we find this person, the threat is not over. I believe there are adults and students across the nation that are capable of this type of behavior.”
Mr. Tangorra, “adults and students across the nation” are not in Trumansburg. The people who are in Trumansburg are in Trumansburg. Please, let’s worry about what is actually happening in the Trumansburg schools, and not extravagant paranoid fantasies about what might happen if someone from a thousand miles away decides to come to our village and kill our children.
If you find the person who lit the firecracker, then yes, “the threat” is over. There is no other threat. This other “threat” involving adults and students from other communities coming here and making our children unsafe is nothing more than a fantasy.
Tangorra also apparently told the crowd that, “Parents have been very comfortable and always had easy access to their children in the school. Realize you’re that child’s parent, but you are a stranger to everyone else.”
Actually, Mr. Tangorra, the parents of the other children at the school are often not strangers to each other. They live in the same community, after all. To the extent that parents are strangers to each other, then that’s a problem that needs to be solved. Searching adult visitors because a middle school student blew up a firecracker won’t solve that problem.
There are now budget increases to pay for additional security staff being planned. I would rather that money be used as a start for a community center to bring us together, rather than unnecessary guards to send the signal that we should be afraid of each other.
This evening, rumors are running hot around Trumansburg that a bomb has been found on the playground.
It runs like this: So and so heard from somebody else that someone else’s uncle was listening to the police scanner, and overheard that the police had found a bomb on the playground of the Trumansburg schools.
I don’t know if it’s true. I know I haven’t heard any sirens. I know that when I’ve gone past the schools this evening, I haven’t seen any sign of any police cars there, or even anyone watching the grounds just in case.
Maybe it’s true. I’m inclined to believe that it’s not.
An article published just 4 minutes ago by News 10 Now doesn’t mention anything about a bomb on the playground.
I think our village has gotten a little bit rumor-happy in relation to this incident. We’re getting skittish, all over a slightly enhanced firecracker.
If I were a middle-school prankster, that’s exactly the reaction I’d be hoping for.
Let’s not provide this prankster with further reward. Let’s remain calm, and not see a bomb in every shadow on the ground.
Update: Over at Channel 36, they’re quoting a parent as saying “It would be nice if they set up surveillance cameras on a regular basis.”
I, for one, do not want my children learning that they need to have authorities spying on them with video cameras, even when they go to the bathroom, in order to be safe. I don’t want them learning that one child who makes an intimidating display can diminish the freedom of everyone else in our community.
This following letter was sent out this morning by the Trumansburg Schools about the series of bomb threats that resulted in school being cancelled today.
On April 22 at approximately 2:15 pm a bomb threat note was discovered in the second floor boys’ bathroom of Russell I. Doig Middle School. The note can best be characterized as a generic threat to do damage to the middle school building on April 23, 2008. Following the district’s emergency response plan, Principal Astles contacted Mr. Tangorra, Superintendent of Schools; Mr. Babcock, superintendent of buildings and grounds; and the Trumansburg Police Dept. The building was thoroughly searched while Trumansburg Police Dept. conducted a threat assessment level. the search turned up no bomb and the threat assessment level was deemed to be extremely low.
On April 23rd, an “M-80″ (large firecracker-like device) was ignited in a toilet of the same bathroom. The New York State police were called and a sweep of the building occurred with the assistance of their specially trained dogs. While the investigation of that event was taking place another note was discovered acknowledging the morning’s event and threatening to act again on Friday. At approximately 9:30 pm, Mr. Tangorra was notified that upon further investigation it was determined that the device had contained small pellets of metal, BB-like, and could have caused injury had students or adults been in the bathroom when the device was detonated.
District officials consulted with New York State and Trumansburg police and determined to close school to allow time to investigate and meet with staff to review safety measures.
Mr. Tangorra will make himself available today, April 24th to meet with the media at 11:30 and at 4:30 p.m. in the elementary school auditorium. An informational session will be held for the community at 7 pm in the elementary auditorium.
Today, the Trumansburg Schools have cancelled their regular operation. There has been no announcement of this fact on the Trumansburg Schools web site.
In fact, that web site notes that today is Take Your Child to Work Day, and reminds parents that their children will need to have a note of excuse for their absence today.
It’s a good reminder of the actual nature of terrorism that there is almost certainly not a bomb at any of the Trumansburg schools today.
I understand why the schools are taking the precaution of having no one at the school, but I do wish that the student who called in the bomb threats would consider the impact of cancelled school upon their parents…
… oh, silly me. I never thought of my parents’ need when I was a child. Why would I expect today’s children to be any different?
Parents of Trumansburg, may you find your employers to be in an understanding mood today. What a lucky happenstance that today is Take Your Child to Work Day.
I found this recently-uploaded animated tour of a design for the Trumansburg schools playground, which is indeed being replaced.
My impression, after watching this tour, is that although this animated design gives children a great deal of space, it certainly doesn’t have the character of the playground castle that’s currently in place. The equipment looks quite generic and uninteresting to me, although of course I’m no longer a child myself.
I admit that I don’t know a great deal about the legalities or the politics behind the playground redesign at the schools. I’d love to hear the insights of other parents in the school district.
Tuesday is Super this week - it’s the day of presidential primary elections here in New York States and in 21 other states across the nation. By midnight tonight, we’ll have a much better idea of who the Democratic and Republican nominees are likely to be, although the elections have been close enough so far that it’s not predicted that either nomination will be completely wrapped up.
New York State has been assumed to be a Hillary Clinton state, but the actual result is sure to be mixed. Delegates will be awarded locally across the state, not in a winner-take-all statewide slam.
Here in Tompkins County, the vote seems strongly behind Barack Obama, at least if we’re to take lawn signs as, well, a sign. I haven’t seen a single Hillary Clinton lawn sign anywhere in the county, while Barack Obama signs are quite common.We’ve received three phone calls from the Barack Obama campaign so far, all from local grassroots activists, not robocalls or messages from people far away. The Obama campaign has sought our personal involvement, not just our votes.
All we’ve gotten from Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, is a generic flyer from the state headquarters that arrived yesterday. It doesn’t ask us to do anything for the campaign except to vote for her today.
I have seen a few Ron Paul bumper stickers, but no lawn signs for any Republican presidential candidates.
Today, kindergarten through eighth grade won’t be open in our schools, due to the need to grade standardized tests. So, for those of you with schedules that can work it in, it’s a great day to take your kids to the polls, and set an example of active citizenship for them to emulate when they come of age.
The TCSDF is not the same thing as the Trumansburg Central School District. TCSDF does not administer the schools, but exists as a separate non-profit organization with the mission of supporting education in the Trumansburg Schools. Think of it as an educational boosters group. They offer grants to teachers and administrators and work through a New Technology Initiatives to support the best use of technology in the classrooms.
There is already an impressive collection of people behind the Trumansburg Central School District Foundation, but the group is by no means closed. The Foundation is looking for people to help them in their work, by volunteering, through donations, and by spreading the word about the work of the Foundation.
A belated thanks to all who came out and voted on 10/23. The $9.6 million project passed by a vote of 302-243. The project information is on the district’s website, http://www.tburg.k12.ny.us/admin/Capital_Project/ and will hopefully be updated as it moves forward. Construction should start in May 2009.
The District also has a new calendar on its web site - http://trumansburgnyus.intand.com/. As jammed packed as the previous one, but easier to read and navigate. It always amazes me how many groups use the school buildings - I’m already looking forward to the annual craft sale the first week of December.
(Interestingly, Board of Education meetings are not included on the calendar. Since the Free Press has stopped covering meetings, I hope community members can attend and share what they learned/heard. )
Yesterday, our first grade son brought a letter home from Carolyn Lange, the elementary school principal. That letter informed us that a student in the high school has been diagnosed with MRSA - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is one of those superbugs that medical professionals have been warning us about for years, an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can infect and kill even people in the prime of their lives.
An article in the Ithaca Journal indicates that the student, a 14 year-old male, is staying home from school as a precaution, and is seeing a physician to keep track of the infection. The article, and the comments after it, indicate that there are rumors, unsubstantiated at this point, of further MRSA infections of students in the Trumansburg School District. An additional letter sent to parents, from Superintendant Cosimo Tangorra, states that there are no other student MRSA infections that have been reported.
Antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria have been a serious problem in hospitals, where the collection of people susceptible to infection in close quarters has contributed to their spread. MRSA, however, is different in that it is being transmitted outside hospitals as well, with strong, healthy people being infected. This isn’t the disease just of the old and frail.
There’s no need for panic, or to run around with masks over our faces, as some people did during the SARS outbreak a few years ago. Sensible precautions are called for, though - the kind of thing that we ought to be doing anyway.
The letter from the elementary school advises parents that students there are being told to wash their hands while singing the song “Happy Birthday To You”, and not to finish until they have sung it twice. You can choose your own song: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or “Crank That”, if you really want to. Pay extra attention to cuts and scrapes, taking care of them promptly and using a Band-Aid to keep them clean.
It’s worth keeping in mind that, although a new study suggests that around 19,000 Americans died of MRSA in 2005, more Americans than that die of the ordinary flu every year. MRSA is something important to pay attention to, but it is not The Black Death.
