Inside New Berlin

At its July 23 Board Meeting, the New Berlin School Board approved Joan Paque as Director of Student Services (which includes Special Ed.).

She will be replacing Virginia Wolters, who retired.

Ms. Paque is currently the principal of Orchard Lane. Orchard Lane is one of five elementary schools in the New Berlin School District.

So, Orchard Lane will need a new principal.
NBPS Superintendent Dr. Paul Kreutzer assured the School Board that the District was working to find a suitable replacement.
He also stressed that Ms. Paque wouldn’t be transferred to her new administrative role until a replacement principal was found, hired, and on site at Orchard Lane School.

After not posting a blog in over six weeks (the last one was June 15), Matt Thomas resurfaced to post one yesterday, July 29.

Is it about the New Berlin Public Schools budget? The tax levy? Some other School District issue?
Nope.
Thomas’ latest blog entry is a libelous, vitriolic attack against Paul Gallagher, whom he acknowledges is a private citizen not a government official. Thomas also took swipes at the mayor.

What’s Thomas’ gripe? Gallagher had the audacity to express concern about what’s happening in our City, even though he’s not a public official.
Gallagher filed a complaint asserting that Alderman Dave Ament should have abstained from voting on the Calhoun Rd. project because of conflict of interest.
Ament, who strongly opposed the 4-lane road widening of Calhoun Rd., owns a business located on Calhoun Rd in New Berlin---and has stated publicly that the widening would affect his business.

Apparently, Thomas thinks its okay for Ament but not Gallagher, to seek an opinion from the Ethics Board.
Ament wanted to vote on a land dispute he had with a neighbor--- an obvious No-No.

Is Thomas hoping his hocus-pocus attack on the mayor, will cloud the issue from today’s Ethics hearing and divert people’s attention from Aments’ ethics or lack thereof?

During his many years as alderman, Gallagher was not shy about voicing his own views publicly and it isn't surprising that he continues to express his opinions and thoughts on various issues. See his blog New Berlin Live.
For Thomas to suggest or imply that Gallagher is the mayor’s minion or is acting at his behest is downright laughable.

On the other hand, Thomas IS quite close to Ament. In fact, Thomas’ previous blog (June 15) merely conveyed Ament’s words. Talk about being someone’s agent/stooge.

Lots of folks, including Rep. Mark Gundrum, have composed guest blog entries and posted them on the Your Place/Your Stories section of the New Berlin Now homepage--why can’t Ament? Instead, Thomas (blog) serves as Ament’s go-between and booster.

Thomas resurrected his dormant blog to post the one on July 29-- less than 24 hours before today’s scheduled Ethics Board Hearing.

Here’s a copy of the Ethics Meeting Agenda/ Notice that's been posted on-line.

AGENDA
CITY OF NEW BERLIN
ETHICS BOARD
Monday, July 30, 2007
2:00 PM
NEW BERLIN CITY HALL
3805 S. Casper Drive
Conference Room A-B
Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call; Declaration of Quorum and Public Notice
Approval of Minutes from January 5, 2007 Meeting
New Business:
• Discussion and possible action regarding the Conflict of Interest letter from Paul D Gallagher.
• Hearing on Paul Gallagher ethics complaint against Alderman Ament.
Closed Session
• The basis for the items to be discussed in Closed Session are as enumerated in Section 19.85(1) (h) of the Wisconsin State Statutes.
(h) Consideration of request for confidential written advice from the Ethics Board
under Section 19.46(2), or from any County or municipal Ethics Board under
Section 19.59(5). More specifically, discussion on request for Ethics Board
opinion from Paul D Gallagher.
Open Session
• Discussion and possible action for the issuance of an Ethics Board determination
regarding the request for Ethics Board opinion as to whether there is a conflict of
interest with Alderman Ament and the Calhoun Road Reconstruction Council
agenda item.
Adjourn
PLEASE NOTE:
􀀹 It is possible that action will be taken on any of the items on the agenda and that the agenda may be
discussed in any order. Also Note: It is possible that members of and possibly a quorum of other
governmental bodies of the municipality may be in attendance at the above-stated meeting to gather
information; no action will be taken by any governmental body at the above-stated meeting other than
the governmental body specifically referred to above in this notice.
􀀹 Also, upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals
through appropriate aids and services. For additional information or to request this service, contact City
Clerk Marilyn Gauger at (262) 786-8610.

During my three years on the New Berlin School Board, I attended District Annual Meetings, but refrained from voting on School Board salaries.

Why did I abstain? Because casting votes on my own board pay seemed wrong, self-serving, and tacky.

Our current crop of School Board members have no such qualms.

The School Board President even voted for his own pay increase.

At the July 23 Annual Meeting, I observed School Board President Keith Heun voting yes to the motion to freeze board salaries at $3000 and increase the Board President’s salary from $3500 to $4000.

By the way, that motion was made by Angie Seidl.

Her hubby Ron Seidl was elected alderman three months ago with help from the political action group New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government. Aldermen are paid about $10,000 annually.
The president of New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government is Keith’s daddy Ralph Heun.

Not all school districts have an Annual Meeting in mid-summer. In fact, the Muskego-Norway District Office informed me last week that their District Annual Meeting will be in late October.
Why then? Because at that time, school districts will know such key information as the student enrollment count (officially taken the third Friday in September)-- and have the numbers from the state re: funding and state aid.

Muskego-Norway prefers to rely on actual figures rather than guess amounts.

In contrast, the New Berlin School District had its Annual Meeting on July 23. (yesterday) It was held in the huge Performing Arts Center at New Berlin West, rather than the usual Eisenhower auditorium location. The new PAC facility was not much of a draw, though. Only about fifty people attended the Annual Meeting (including board members and some NBPS employees). Given the size of the School District, that’s not much of a public turnout to vote on the tax levy and other matters.

Of course, summer is quite a busy time for many folks. A time to enjoy balmy weather and outdoor activities. Families, especially those with children, often take trips or vacations during the summer months.

I suggested that New Berlin Public Schools, like Muskego-Norway, hold its next Annual Meeting in fall.

The NBPS District Business Manager acknowledged that the amount of state aid the District will receive is unknown at this point and admitted it can vary from one year to another.

But he and the District’s financial consultant argued that most of NBPS’ money comes from property taxes and said the tax levy needs to be approved in summer so the District can do short-term borrowing to meet expenses.

Are we to understand that the New Berlin School District has a cash-flow problem, but the neighboring Muskego District does not?

The two school districts have similar size student enrollments and both rely heavily on property taxes for revenue.

The date of the next NBPS Annual Meeting is July 28, 2008.

The New Berlin School District held its Regular Board Meeting and Annual Meeting at New Berlin West yesterday in the new Performing Arts Center.

Those meetings were supposed to be broadcast today on the District’s cable channel.
However, there was a major problem with the transmission--a lack of sound.

I called the District Office about it this morning and was told they were trying to figure out the reason for the lack of audio and working to remedy it.

Ironically, last month the Board voted to cease holding its work session-board meetings at different schools in the District. And one of the reasons given for that change was poor sound quality.

Supposedly, the work session-board meetings will be held in the Eisenhower board room and the Board's Regular Meetings will be at City Hall.

But the Board chose to hold this year's Annual Meeting and the July Regular Meeting at New Berlin West.

During yesterday’s Annual Meeting, one District resident left his seat and came down to the podium requesting that a motion be repeated. Apparently, he didn’t hear it.
Not surprising. In news articles about the meeting, reporter Erin Richards describes the huge New Berlin West Performing Arts Center as “cavernous”.

According to the July 19-25 Shepherd Express newspaper, a special Legislative Council Committee on the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact, which met Tuesday, has until mid-September to reach a compromise on the compact. Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) serves on that committee and has opposed the compact.

Sen. Lazich's recent blog contains some quotes from that article.

But not these ones:

“Jodi Habush Sinykin, counsel for Midwest Environmental Advocates and a member of the compact committee, agreed with Ambs that New Berlin would directly benefit by supporting the compact.”
* The article identifies Todd Ambs as DNR’s water division administrator.

“ ‘It’s been difficult to understand why the New Berlin politicians have opposed the compact when it offers the best mechanism for them to move forward toward a diversion,’ Sinykin said.”

Also, in the same issue of the Shepherd Express-----

“Milwaukee certainly will be able to survive and get by,” state Rep. Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin) said about the Assembly Republicans’ version of the budget which makes steep cuts in safety and education programs that are targeted for Milwaukee.”

“Radical conservatives may applaud Gundrum’s comment, but it couldn’t come at a worse time for his constituents, many of whom work and play in the city and certainly want Milwaukee to do much more than “survive”. New Berlin is asking the state for Lake Michigan water, and it would need Milwaukee’s cooperation to make it work. Should Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett tell New Berlin residents to “survive” on bottled water, just as Gundrum wants Milwaukee to survive on limited resources?”

Additionally, today's (July 20) Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel editorial says:

“The compact as proposed is a big improvement on the current agreement. It sets up formal standards and definitions and includes an appeals process. It’s not perfect--Illinois, for example, gets a big pass on a big diversion--but it’s probably the best deal that can be worked out right now. Lazich is wrong to oppose it.”

Another administrator has departed from New Berlin Public Schools: Kurt Bergland, the Coordinator of Standards and Assessments resigned.

Many administrators have left NBPS recently. Several quit. Some retired.
See my July 2 blog titled NBPS Administrators Exodus for more information on this subject.

The New Berlin School Board officially accepted Bergland’s resignation at last week’s (July 9) Board Meeting.

At that same meeting, the School Board also approved the hiring of eight new teachers.
According to the written report provided, 5 of the eight hirees have zero prior experience.
And the other 3?
One has 1 year experience.
One has 3 years experience. Her teaching assignment is Chorus.
One has 4 years experience. Her teaching assignment is English/German.

Did you know that New Berlin Public Schools had a $7,228.67 luncheon for employees last month?
District administration calls it “a year-end appreciation gesture for staff”. According to the District Business Manager, the food was delivered to the District Office and each NBPS school.

The money for the luncheon was taken from a “separate” account, not the general fund. The revenue source was registration fees/tuition from a prior Aurora University contract with New Berlin Schools. (In the past, Aurora University used NBPS facilities).

The funds in that segregated account were designated by NBPS to be used for staff development or appreciation activities. However, administration admits the School Board could've directed the money be used for a different purpose--- if it chose.

The School District also paid for a retirement dinner held in May at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha. The cost to the District: $2,660.

Meanwhile, the School Board has been giving the impression that NBPS needs money. It's raised Middle School athletic fees for kids and is seeking to increase fees that groups, such as New Berlin Park & Rec., NBAA, Swim Club, Scouts, and select sports teams pay to use school facilities. Board members claim the School District can't afford to "subsidize" those community programs.

Yet the School District found a way to provide pricey retirement dinners and "appreciation" lunches for District staff at a cost of nearly ten grand.

It has come to my attention that an ethics hearing regarding New Berlin Alderman Dave Ament’s actions has been scheduled for July 30. Concerns had been raised about Ament’s votes and statements regarding the Calhoun Road project--- and his possible conflict of interest.
Ament’s business Ament Industrial Truck is located at 2140 S. Calhoun Road, New Berlin.

Public officials are supposed to avoid even an appearance of conflict of interest.

Also, a lawsuit was filed on July 3 against Ament Industrial Truck.
The plaintiff Yale Equipment and Services is alleging that Ament Industrial Truck failed to pay for goods and services provided. The court appearance has been scheduled for July 30.

For more information, check these links: New Berlin Live and Wisconsin Circuit Court Access

Dave Ament had been endorsed/supported by New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government.

Oh and speaking of Ament's business interests------

Alderman Dave Ament used our City's Fourth of July parade to promote his own business.
A vehicle in the parade had Ament Industrial Truck advertising printed on the side.
It was driven by Alderman Ament and pulled a wagon carrying Alderman Ken Harenda.
I'm not positive, but I think that was Alderman Ron Seidl in the parade, walking along side the vehicle.

Add Eisenhower Associate Principal Mark DiStefano to the list of administrators exiting New Berlin Public Schools. The School District reports DiStefano has resigned.

Human Resources Director Randy Hawley resigned last year, effective June 30, 2006. He was later replaced by Linda Thalacker, who was given the title Director of Staff and Community Services. Now it’s goodbye Thalacker. She has resigned.

Rick Kocchi and Virginia Wolters are gone, too. Their requests for early retirement were denied by the School Board in 2006, but approved recently. In fact, Poplar Creek principal Rick Kocchi departed from New Berlin Public Schools abruptly a few months ago, taking early retirement while school was still in session. Virginia Wolters, who was Director of Student Services, retired at the end of last month.

Count Fredrika Harper, Jill Anderson, Kristin Olsen, Richard Osterhaus, and Susan Bechard among the administrators who left NBPS during the last five years.

Subtract Administrators Ted Oertel and Terry Balster from the NBPS employment roster, too. Both were granted early retirement in 2004.

Current Administrators Anthony Goedheer, Terry Weingrod and Dave LaBorde reportedly have submitted early retirement requests. Goedheer’s retirement was approved for August 2008. He's the NBPS Business Manager. Eisenhower Associate Principal Terry Weingrod’s early retirement was approved for June ’08. I haven't heard whether NB West Principal Dave LaBorde's request was approved yet.

After 15 years as NBPS Superintendent, James Benfield has retired. The retirement agreement provides Benfield and his spouse some dandy benefits. If you'd like to see the agreement approved by the School Board (it's a public record), contact the School District Office at 262 789-6200.

Benfield’s 2006-07 salary: $151,345.

Exit Benfield. Enter Paul Kreutzer, the new Superintendent.
The contract our "conservative" School Board approved, gives Kreutzer, who has comparatively limited superintendent experience, a whopping $153,777 salary (not to exceed $185,000 total salary/benefits) for 2007-08.
There are plenty of perks in Kruetzer’s contract, such as: 20 paid vacation days, 10 personal days, 10 paid holidays (including Good Friday and the Friday after Thanksgiving); a $125 per month stipend ( the contract doesn’t specify what it’s to be spent on); 100% of the premium for a life insurance policy; paid annual membership dues to two different administrator associations; tuition reimbursement (3 credits per year).
Wow. Sounds like everything, but the kitchen sink. That contract is public record, too.