I’m disappointed in the New Berlin School District’s response to my August 8 email. 

In my email, I referred to the public notice of the July 28 District Annual Meeting published in the July 24 New Berlin NOW newspaper. I asked about a prior notice. 

The district response: It was published only that one time; it should have been published twice; a note has been made to do so next year.

The minutes of the May 12 Board of Education Meeting were published in the June 5 NOW newspaper. Because I couldn’t find the minutes of later New Berlin School Board meetings, such as May 19, June 9, June 16 meetings in any of my New Berlin NOW editions, I inquired about it.  

The district’s response: The minutes of those meetings had been sent to NOW on the days following the meetings at which they were approved. They were faxed not emailed. They’ve now been emailed to the editor and will be published in the next New Berlin NOW. The district employee who handled these responsibilities retired in May.  

My thoughts:

Apparently, the “reorganization” of administrative and secretarial staff at the District Office contributed to the deficient district communication.  Frankly, I don’t care whether the meeting minutes were faxed or emailed. There should have been follow-through. Nor do I care when the minutes were “approved”.

I do care that the meeting minutes were not published as required by board policy and law.

According to New Berlin School Board Policy, the proceedings of all regular and special meetings of the Board of Education shall be published as required by law. The New Berlin Citizen is the official newspaper. Community Newspapers (Journal Communications) replaced the New Berlin Citizen with NOW quite awhile ago.

The law (Wisconsin Statute) 120.11(4) states:
"(4) The proceedings of a school board meeting shall be published within 45 days after the meeting as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, in a newspaper published in the school district, if any, or publicized by school district-wide distribution prepared and directed by the school board and paid out of school funds. If there is no newspaper published in the school district, the proceedings shall be posted or published as the school board directs. For the purpose of publication, the proceedings shall include the substance of every official action taken by the school board at the meeting and a statement of receipts and expenditures in the aggregate. The school board shall make a detailed record of all receipts and expenditures available to the public for inspection at each school board meeting and upon request."

NOW is a newspaper published in the school district. Note that the statute specifies that the proceedings of a school board meeting shall be published within 45 days after the meeting and it's been well over 45 days since the May 19, June 9, and June 16 school board meetings were held.

Compliance with board policy and state law should not be dismissed by district personnel as a "detail" that was overlooked.  How sad that informing the public as required via notices and meeting minutes is something that "dropped through the cracks".

Regarding another botched district communication: A Meeting & Report booklet was given to the electorate at the 2008 Annual Meeting. The minutes of last year’s (2007) Annual Meeting are on pages 21 and 22 of the booklet. Most of page 22 of my copy is blank. Oddly, the motion /votes approving the tax levy, and setting a date and time for the 2008 Annual Meeting are missing from it.  

New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG) has endorsed a passel of candidates, including these fellows------

Ted Wysocki, who is the only candidate running for alderman in District 2. NBCRG is endorsing him anyway and apparently doesn't care about Wysocki's history of poor leadership decisions in public office that helped get the City into costly losing legal battles/lawsuits.

JJ Blonien, who is running in Aldermanic District 6. I guess NBCRG doesn't care that he's less qualified than the incumbent and lacks experience. A New Berlin resident for just a little over a year, Blonien has not held an elected public office. He's also been involved in numerous lawsuits. In contrast, the incumbent Bill Moore has been actively involved in our community, held elected public office (school board and now alderman), served our country (Vietnam Veteran) and passionately cares about the environment.

Speaking of the environment, the State Supreme Court has ruled against Harenda Enterprises, Inc. (an environmental consulting company) owned by Ken Harenda for violating government rules/regulations regarding asbestos, a hazardous substance/pollutant. See my blog:

NBCRG has chosen to endorse Ken Harenda, who is running for re-election (Alderman, District 4)

Ald. Harenda has been less than attentive to his duties:

On March 11, he pushed to table an item that's been on the agendas of Committee of the Whole/Common Council meetings month after month for 16 months---arguing that he was unprepared and wanted more time to review his file on the matter. Hopefully, a lawsuit against the City won't result from his failure to do his homework and this irresponsible stalling. See my blog:

At the Oct. 23, 2007 City Council meetings the mayor was absent so Council President Ald. Harenda presided. Vern Bentley seized the opportunity to give a privilege of the floor (POF) speech that included personal attacks against Ald. Bill Moore. Despite Council rules prohibiting personal attacks in POF speeches (those rules are read aloud by the City Clerk prior to POF), Harenda was silent and did nothing. One of Moore's constituents was so upset at Bentley's attacks being permitted against her aldermanic representative, she emailed Harenda to voice a protest. How do I know? I attended the Oct. 23 meetings. Later, I made an Open Records Request of Harenda, for any correspondence related to Bentley's speech/attacks.  Click here for a previous blog about Vern Bentley's letter containing false accusations against Moore. As Council President, Harenda is paid $600 more than the other aldermen.

By the way, Matt Thomas, who has been posting blogs very infrequently on NOW, recently resurfaced to post one about Ike basketball and surprise, surprise! present his views on the election. After bashing Ald. Moore, he goes on to attack Harenda's opponent Paul Lincoln Scheuble. Thomas refers to Scheuble as a perennial losing candidate, points out that he's currently running for three offices simultaneously and snidely remarks that Scheuble was elected alderman once back in the 20^th century. Actually, Scheuble was elected to a 3-year term which ended in April 2002. Thomas' one year stint as an appointed alderman also ended in April 2002. Thomas was serving simultaneously on the School Board and County Board when he applied for the aldermanic seat vacated by Wysocki. Thanks to Wysocki (who, as mayor, cast the tie-breaking vote), Thomas got the aldermanic appointment--making 3 simultaneous public offices for Thomas. Thomas chose to quit his school board office. But he kept his seat on the County Board which pays more than school board and served his one-year aldermanic appointment. Unlike Thomas, Scheuble served his entire elected term and did not quit in the midst of it.  Thomas has called Keith Heun (son of NBCRG leader Ralph Heun) and himself "political strategists".

NBCRG has endorsed Michael Gableman for Wis. Supreme Court judge. Did you see the disgusting, sleazy TV attack ad by Gableman's own campaign committee against his opponent Justice Louis Butler? It has been denounced by many judges and other people. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorials condemn the ad. The MJS Editorial Board, which evaluated both candidates, has endorsed Louis Butler and claimed that Butler is more qualified than Gableman for the Supreme Court seat.

My NOW blog, unlike New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government’s (NBCRG), conveys a person’s viewpoint (mine)---not a political action committee’s. And unlike NBCRG, I’ve never used my blog to endorse candidates for local public offices.

Ralph Heun’s (New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government) March 7 diatribe was so full of malarkey, it would take multiple blog entries to respond to all of it.   

I suspect many people are annoyed at the wacky remarks, goofy attacks, or falsehoods spouted by Ralph Heun and/or Vern Bentley. (see my Jan 28, 2008 blog entry). 

Ralph Heun’s insinuation that Ray McInerny Sr. is president of a small, inactive group was presumptuous and ludicrous.  Interviews of three New Berlin aldermanic candidates who are in contested races have been conducted. A fourth candidate ( current District #4 alderman--previously supported by NBCRG) was invited but couldn’t attend because he had other plans on that day.  To accommodate him, his interview was conducted later (Thursday, March 6) at Ray’s home. Heun, who is not a member or candidate was not at those interview sessions.  

A group’s choice (like Ray's) to interview and evaluate candidates before filing as an independent committee supporting specifed candidates by independent disbursement should not surprise Ralph Heun. After all, NBCRG has often done that. "Independent committees" must file special paperwork--including an oath identifying which candidates it will financially support or oppose. That notarized, sworn oath is required because registered "Independent committees" are banned by law from colluding with the candidates they are financially supporting.  

NBCRG claims on its web site that it has actively recruited and supported candidates in every year of its existence. Records indicate NBCRG typically supported candidates as a declared “independent committee”. However, when I was at City Hall earlier this week, the City Clerk informed me that NBCRG had not filed the oath/ disclosure of which candidates it was supporting or opposing in the upcoming 2008 election.  Shall we all jump to conclusions like Heun and label NBCRG a small, inactive group?  

If NBCRG follows its usual practice of supporting candidates by independent committee/ disbursement, I hope it doesn’t screw up again and neglect to file the required sworn oath/reports like it did in 2004.

In 2004, prior to the February primary and April elections, NBCRG distributed campaign fliers supporting several candidates. (the fliers conveyed that NBCRG was supporting the candidates as an independent committee).  NBCRG spent hundreds of dollars on the printing of those fliers. But it  failed to follow Wisconsin law requiring "independent committees" to file a sworn oath that it would not coordinate/ collude with the candidates or the candidates’ committees--- BEFORE it dispersed  funds in support or opposition to specified candidates.  NBCRG also failed to adhere to the law and report the names/addresses of the candidates it would be supporting or opposing in the election. That information is supposed to be listed on the oath--the oath that NBCRG neglected to file!    

After I notified the City Clerk of NBCRG’s deficient campaign finance reporting, she contacted the organization. According to the public records, NBCRG did not file the required oath/report until May 2004--- after the Feb. primary and April 2004 elections had already been held!  (and well after funds had been dispersed).  NBCRG also submitted an affidavit acknowledging its reporting mistakes/failures.

Incidentally, Matt Weiss was one of the candidates NBCRG supported n the 2004 election. Prior to that, Weiss had been the treasurer of an organization called Wisconsin Coalition for Voter Participation, a group the State Elections Board charged had illegally coordinated/colluded with Justice Jon Wilcox’s election campaign and funneled money into it. ( See my March 31, 2007  and April 23, 2007 blog entries)

In 2004, NBCRG supported candidates Weiss, Dave Ament, Roger Hegeman, Donna Rathsack, Bart Williams and Brent Chipman.

Reminder: No  New Berlin School Board Meeting tonight.

NBPS posted the agenda for Tuesday’s scheduled  7 pm Regular Board Meeting ( held in  the Eisenhower Library)-----

The Open Session's (which you can attend) Regular agenda includes:

• Approval of Superintendent’s contract
• Future Meeting Dates-- containing the information that the March 17 Regular Board Meeting has been cancelled.

Then following the closed session:

• Approval of finalized contract and retirement agreement for Dave LaBorde  (principal at New Berlin West) and retirement agreement for Rich Reinke.

The Closed Session lists these agenda items: 

• Employee Retirement Agreements
• Update on NBEA, SEP and AFSCME Negotiations
• Administrator Contracts
• Teacher and Long-Term Substitute Final Notices of Non-Renewal
• Resignation of Athletic Director
• Hiring of Athletic Director

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is February 14 and yet:

The most recent New Berlin School Board Meeting minutes posted on the NBPS District Web site are for the November 26, 2007 meeting!

The minutes of the December, January and February School Board Meetings are not yet posted on it.   

In contrast, the City of New Berlin Web site is more regularly updated.  

Click on the City's Web site, and you can view the minutes of the Common Council or  Committee of the Whole Meetings that were just held on February 12---as well as minutes of previous meetings.

Community residents have easier access to information because some data is published online-

NewBerlinNow teamed with Family Watchdog, a national organization, to provide a map  showing where registered sex offenders are living and working in New Berlin, as well as information about those individuals.

The New Berlin Police Department recently became the first in the state to offer an online service (run through CrimeReports.com), which allows citizens to view crime reports. Residents can also request daily, weekly or monthly email alerts with reports of crimes within a specified distance of their address. See NewBerlinNow article for more information.

The state Web site Wisconsin Circuit Court Access provides brief summaries of court actions from speeding tickets and civil actions to felonies. But this service has been targeted by some state lawmakers, who sponsored a bill to limit access to those online public records.

The bill would require people wanting to see court records to go to county courthouses, fill out a request form stating their name, address, and relationship to the person whose records they want to view, and wait while county officials decide whether the request is reasonable or not. But some folks would get special privileges--the bill allows judges, attorneys, and state newspaper reporters to continue to view the records online.

An article from Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, a non-profit group dedicated to open government (authored by Racine Journal Times editor Steve Lovejoy) sharply criticizes the bill. Arguing that court documents are public records in Wisconsin, it contends that making the records more difficult to view (or preventing them from being viewed) defies the state’s commitment to open government.  Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen also opposed the legislation, saying it would “exclude the general public from accessing information about court proceedings now available over the Internet absent special permission granted by government agents.” That, Van Hollen said, would “frustrate the state’s public policy in favor of public access to information.”

An October Journal Sentinel news story about a hearing that was held on the bill, reported that groups representing Wisconsin employers, landlords, and newspapers opposed the bill.

Hopefully, this backward bill, taken up by the Assembly Corrections and Courts Committee, won’t pass out of committee.

NBCRG President Ralph Heun and his son Keith are fond of labeling people “conservative” or “liberal”. For example, Ralph Heun has referred to Tom Augustine as “conservative”.

Re:   Tom Augustine’s political activities/affiliations/history------

He has served as New Berlin Alderman (District 2) since 2002.

In 1998, Augustine was the Democratic Party’s candidate for State Assembly (District #98) against Republican incumbent Marc Duff (R-New Berlin). Duff won the election. He received more than twice as many votes as Augustine.

Tom Augustine has donated generously to Democratic candidates (according to data from non-partisan watchdog organizations/sites like Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, The Center for Responsive Politics, and opensecrets.org, which track money in politics and/or disclose campaign contribution information). Their data indicates Tom Augustine donated:

• $200 to Jim Doyle (Democrat) in 2006, $100 in 2005, $100 in 2004, $100 in 2002
• $100 to Kathleen Falk (Democrat) more than once
• $100 to Dawn Marie Sass (Democrat)
• $100 to Chad VanDierendonck (Democrat), who ran for State Assembly seat against the incumbent Scott Jensen (Republican).
• Over $400 to Roger Danielson (Democrat), a Waukesha School Board member who ran for state Assembly.

Data indicates Tom Augustine donated $500 in 2004 to Senator Russ Feingold. (Democrat) and publicly endorsed Feingold for re-election. In fact, a 2004 Feingold Senate Committee Press Release specifically mentions: “Alderperson Tom Augustine of the City of New Berlin” in its “City Officials for Russ” endorsement document. See http://www.russfeingold.org/article_text.php?id=135

Is this the record of a “conservative”?

Ralph Heun/ NBCRG’s blog calls Augustine “conservative”. Vern Bentley and New Berlin School Board President Keith Heun have also tried to paint Augustine as “conservative”.

Their notion of a “conservative” politician is someone like Tom Augustine, a politically active Democrat who ran for state office trying to unseat a New Berlin Republican incumbent? An individual who has been a staunch supporter of Democratic candidates, such as Jim Doyle, Russ Feingold, Roger Danielson and has contributed generously to numerous Democratic campaigns? And who has used his position as City alderman to lend support to a Democratic Senator’s campaign????

Well, regardless of whether Augustine is “conservative” or “liberal” (or however Heun/Heun/Bentley try to spin it),  he’s a public official and accountable for his actions/record.

“Censorship” has been a topic discussed on some blogs recently (such as Matt Thomas’)

Attempts at suppressing speech are certainly not new in our community.

Here’s a couple of examples:

In 2003, the New Berlin School Board led by Jennifer Eitel altered Use of School Facilities Board Policy #1330 to ban political speech in school facilities.It specifically prohibited election campaigning activities, candidate forums, and activities related to the promotion of or opposition to a particular candidate or political platform. This outrageous policy passed by a 3-2 vote with Eitel, Matt Weiss and Tim Cramer voting yes. Kyle Kramer & Alan McGinty voted no.

Imagine if your car had a bumper sticker that supported a presidential or other candidate and you were barred by board policy from driving onto school grounds or parking in the school’s lot!

Think that scenario is far fetched? Well, NBPS denied senior citizen Jean Crotty’s request to use the School District cable channel to announce a voters forum she was holding at City Hall. The District cited Board Policy #1330 and claimed the cable channel could be considered a “facility”.

The policy banned campaigning activities, so how could students who sought election to student council, campaign at their school?

This horrendous policy approved by Eitel/Weiss/Cramer expressly prohibited voters forums, but not Satanic cults from using school facilities.

In his letter to the editor published in the New Berlin Citizen, Keith Heun not only supported this atrocious board policy that targeted one type of speech--political speech, he commended Eitel, Weiss and Cramer-- and even contended, “ In short, this policy doesn’t take away anyone’s free speech.”  Heun is current SB president.

Well, others disagreed. But the School Board clung to its repressive policy---UNTIL IT HAD TO RESPOND to a federal lawsuit, which alleged the  policy violated constitutional protections of free speech and assembly. Only then, did the School Board rescind that awful policy provision!

In 2004, the New Berlin Citizen published board members’ emails on naming a school after Ronald Reagan. Those emails are public records. School Board officers Matt Weiss and Jennfier Eitel responded with angry letters to the editor, chiding the newspaper. Eitel objected to the disagreements between board members being publicized (some of their email messages were rather sarcastic or nasty) and called it “a malicious opportunity to expose tensions on one issue.” Weiss called the publishing of the emails “childish” &“muckraking”. Both Eitel and Weiss argued that the newspaper should focus on the “positive” things that were happening, instead. Their letters were blatant efforts to muzzle the press from factually reporting or exposing information that wasn’t flattering to the School Board officials. And an attempt to demonize the "messenger"/a.k.a the press-- to divert attention from the board members' unsavory email communications.   

After getting no response from New Berlin Public Schools to my request submitted on September 28 for some information/records access, (See my Lady-in-waiting blog), I went up to two top NBPS administrators immediately after the October 22 School Board meeting and raised the issue. They assured me the information I'd requested would be provided to me by the end of that week. I’m pleased to report they kept their word. In fact, I got a call the very next day and arranged to pick up the documents on October 24.

I’ve been reviewing the information the District provided.  It’s quite interesting.

For example, There is a lighted, scrolling sign in front of Reagan Elementary displaying the school’s name.

My question--- What was the cost of the sign? 

The District’s response--- See attached response from VJS Construction Services.

The VJS Construction Services’ response is dated October 18, 2007. It states: 

Re: Ronald Reagan Elementary School

Monumental Sign Costs

Concrete foundation $1500

Masonry base $3040

Electrical $10,474

Poblocki sign $36,960

Total $51,974

 

$51,974!!!!!!  What extravagance!

I suppose it’s a question of priorities.

You may want to contact the so-called “fiscal conservative” New Berlin School Board and ask its members some questions, such as:

1. How do you justify that expense?
2. How does spending money on that costly, glitzy sign for that elementary school improve student performance and achievement?
3. Are there plans to install lighted, scrolling signs in front of the other schools in the District?

I gave the New Berlin School District Office a written request for some information/ records access over three weeks ago, but have received no response.  

I guess I'll have to remind the School District about Wisconsin Statute 19.31: Declaration of policy. In recognition of the fact that a representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate, it is declared to be the public policy of this state that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them. Further, providing persons with such information is declared to be an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees whose responsibility it is to provide such information. To that end, ss.19.32 to 19.37 shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of governmental business. The denial of public access generally is contrary to the public interest, and only in an exceptional case may access be denied.

What was in my information/records request? 

• Referring to the NB West noise abatement project, I requested to see the complaint(s) about noise at the school and asked what the District has done to remedy the noise problem.
• Requested to inspect the reports from EMC (the firm hired to test for mold) & the District's correspondence with EMC re: mold at District facilities, including Eisenhower. I also asked what type of mold was detected at Eisenhower.
• Requested to be notified ASAP when I can inspect the requested records.
• Asked what the scrolling sign in front of Reagan Elementary cost.
• Inquired about the cost of rewiring of doors/ installation of key bobs project that was requested by administration at the Sept. 24 Board meeting.  
• Questioned which of the District's schools had air conditioning & whether it was turned on or off at those schools this summer, and for how long.  I noted that the School Board had discussed decreasing costs by reducing energy use at schools during summer. 

Hopefully, I won't have to wait much longer for the District to provide the requested information and documents.

I'll revisit these issues in a future blog(s).  

 

      

   

        

The New Berlin School District has revamped its web site. Take a peek at the site’s colorful new look and updated format.

Getting online access to the 2007-08 budget information, which is posted on the site, can be a little tricky. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to open the PDF files.
However, if you don’t already have it, directions for installing Adobe Acrobat Reader are provided on the district web site.

So, check it out. Both the Superintendent’s recommended budget, and the zero levy increase budget option appear on the new District web site.
Note the proposed cuts, expenditures and impact statements of the budgetary proposals.

Start by clicking on the link above or typing in the web address www.nbps.k12.wi.us.
Find the Board of Education listing on the site’s homepage. Then click on budget information (which appears in the box next to it, on the right) or click here

The two budget proposals were presented at the April 23 School Board Meeting. For more information about it, see my previous blog Reagan School/Chess & NBPS Budget

Did you know that Matt Thomas, who often calls himself a “fiscal conservative”, filed for bankruptcy in 2004? The final decree was issued on January 25, 2005. The bankruptcy records list lots of consumer /credit card debt.

Hmmm. Spend. Borrow. Spend. Amass hefty debt. Get into financial trouble. Declare bankruptcy.
Hardly what I’d call being fiscally conservative or responsible.

Thomas, elected to the New Berlin School Board last year, is running for re-election. He’s been endorsed by New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government. Ralph Heun’s blog claims his NBCRG organization promotes “fiscal responsibility…”
Ah, that word “responsible”.
Do Thomas and NBCRG consider “stiffing” businesses and other creditors-- not paying them for their utilized goods/services--to be “responsible” action?

Most adults (including senior citizens) in New Berlin manage to pay their bills, even when it’s difficult, without relying on the Federal Government court system to come to their rescue via bankruptcy petition. Isn’t that called taking personal responsibility?

Thomas couldn’t manage his own financial affairs without subsequently declaring bankruptcy. But we are supposed to have confidence in how he deals with District financial matters/ public funds and trust his decisions that affect our tax dollars and children’s education????? !!!!!

The School District Budget is over $50 million! It’s much more than the City’s.
The School Board has borrowed huge sums to build the Reagan School and renovate New Berlin West and Poplar Creek. That amount, plus interest, has to be repaid. Administrators are retiring with generous retirement benefit packages. A new Superintendent has been hired at a handsome salary. There are projected budget deficits. Expenses exceeding revenue.

Hmmm. Spend. Borrow. Spend. Amass hefty debt……

Thomas is Vice President of the New Berlin School Board. He’s boasted that it’s the most conservative in the state. I hope New Berlin Public Schools doesn’t end up in serious financial trouble under the leadership of the so-called “fiscal conservatives”.

Thomas’ bankruptcy records are public records. You can view them or purchase copies like I did at:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 126 U.S. Courthouse
517 East Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI
(414) 297-3291

The New Berlin School district operates a web site. School board leaders should be ensuring that the minutes of their board meetings are posted on it in a timely manner. Doing that would be more in line with their official business, more beneficial to the community, and certainly more constructive than using the Web to make personal attacks against constituents and city officials.

About a week ago, I clicked on the school district’s web site and noted that the most recent meeting minutes posted were those of a July school board meeting. No minutes of the school board meetings held in August, September or October were posted.

Sadly, the New Berlin School District/School Board is often sluggish in posting board meeting minutes on its web site.

In contrast, the minutes of the Common Council’s most recent October 10 meeting (as well as those of the August and September meetings) were already posted on the City of New Berlin’s web site.

City officials manage to update their web site and keep it current. School officials could, too---if they wanted to. It is an issue I have raised at school board and city government meetings.

Which members of the government body were present at the meeting, how they voted, what action they took or did not take, and more---- are recorded in the meeting minutes. That is significant information.

School officials should be making such information readily accessible to district residents using the internet. Too often they don’t and that is unacceptable.