Greece School critic in his own words
Recently we wrote about efforts of the Greece School District to silence one of its persistent critics, Doug Skeet. Mr. Skeet is a retired Greece school principal and frequently addressed the school board on the topic of academic performance. The School Board decided the community forum segment of its monthly meetings should be open only to residents of the town. Mr. Skeet, wouldn’t you know it, lives just a few yards over the border in Charlotte.
What happened? Here is Doug Skeet’s own first-hand account as it appeared on the Smarter CATS website:
We have reached a new low in Greece Central. Yes, it is true I have been banned from speaking at the BOE forums. I have been out of town since the last BOE meeting on Tue. Nov 4 2008. On Wed. Nov 5 2008 I called Lynne Armstrong to be placed on the list of speakers for the next BOE on Tue. Nov. 11 2008.
Lynne told me that I could no longer speak at the BOE meetings because I do not live in the Greece School District. I reminded Lynne that BOE President Julia, at each BOE meeting, always is asking for “Community” input, not resident input. Lynne responded with “Yes but the BOE has had a “discussion” about the BOE policy on “resident’s” forum and I will not be able to speak because I am not a resident of Greece Central.” Thus she could not put my name on the list of speakers for the next BOE meeting.
Now under the cover of “resident’s forum” I am currently banned from speaking at BOE meetings. In recent times, Judy Braiman-Lipson, from Brighton, spoke to the BOE on the ill health effects associated with artificial turf fields. Non-resident Greece teachers have spoken at BOE forums, especially at budget times.
The board is reconsidering its ill-advised policy, and will announce their decision at their monthly meeting on January 13th. If you expect them to do the right thing, don’t hold your breath. This body has a knack for painting themselves into a corner and sticking to their guns, regardless of how wrong-headed the outcome might be.
Related posts:
- Greece BOE silenced critic in order to listen to him
- If you can’t stand the heat, kick your critics out of the kitchen
- School Districts to cut programs - Greece a “perfect storm”
- Public Access TV going under for 3rd Time tonight in Greece
- Curse on Greece residents: “May you live in an INTERESTING school district.”
Then how do teachers speak? Many do not live there? Why is Ralph Esposito allowed to speak? He does not live there. It’s against the law. Contact the State Attorney General’s office immediately. I am certain that Mr. Cuomo will take great interest in your case. He’s taken great interest in GCSD lately, and this may work towards future board relations with the AG’s office.
Doug, maybe you can start bringing a comotose resident of Greece with you to each meeting. Sign their name and speak on their behalf. It could hardly be more ludicrous than the BOE’s nonsense.