The superintendent has donated her $42,437 bonus to the education foundation to be used for teacher incentives and to support schools and students.
I commend this step which shows that MaryEllen is aware of and sensitive to the trying economic times we are in. While it may be slower than some would like I believe this is another indicator that change is happening at the Hillsborough County School district.
I advised the superintendent some time ago this would be a positive gesture towards our employees and it appears she took that advice to heart. I believe she is sincere and is showing a willingness to sacrifice along side of our employees. I think that we should show the superintendent our support and approval of this very positive gesture, rather than view it through a cynical lens.
17 comments:
Turning down the bonus is both a meaningful gesture and a real sacrifice. It shows a desire to share in the hardship of the current economic downturn. I for one appreciate her sacrifice and commend her decision.
Nice gesture, but I would have preferred that she did not accept the bonus in the first place. The taxpayers are the ones who really donated this money to the foundation. She should have been considerate of all the citizens of Hillsborough County and let the taxpayers off the hook for the $42,000 bonus. Additionally, by accepting the bonus, the taxpayers will again be paying for the $42,000 increase in her salary at retirement calculation time.
Wow! I don't see how a two line memo could be a publicity stunt.
A big check in front of cameras, that would be a publicity stunt.
To me this appears to be a leader stepping up and doing what needs to be done.
While indeed this is a very generous gesture, her handling of the Alafia situation and the fact that she tried to deflect the blame to the parents and not put it squarely on Ellyn Smith's shoulders where it belonged still troubles me.
I'll commend her for this generous act, but I have still lost faith in her leadership skill.
Thank you April for bringing this kind act to our attention.
This only shows that Mrs. Elia is sesitive to her public image. This is another lame attempt at "good PR". Well, insightful people won't buy it. If Mrs. Elia REALLY wanted to make a meaningful gesture, she would have declined her bonus this year. I'm sure many out there feel she doesn't deserve one anyway. Besides, that $42,000 could have made a difference in so many ways at any of our schools.
The last 12 months have been disastrous for the district, and with each debacle we are assured, "We'll do it better next time". Mrs. Elia's reputation has been marred by accusations of poor communications, cronyism, and autocratic decision-making, to name a few. Her words say that its all about our students. What do her actions say?
Per my commitment, I have and will continue to post every comment, but I would like to ask that this topic not be used to bring up past issues people have with the superintendent.
I said in the original post "I think that we should show the superintendent our support and approval of this very positive gesture, rather than view it through a cynical lens".
I know this is a sincere gesture meant to show employees that she is sensitive to the very difficult times that we are facing and will continue to face for some time. Whether you agree with the bonus in the first place or not is beside the point.
This was a very large sacrifice meant to show our employees that we are all in the same boat.
Again, I am very outspoken when I feel I need to be. And right now I feel I need to let those who would question the superintendent's motives know that I am convinced her intentions are genuine.
April Griffin
April,
It is important that when you look at Mrs. Elia you look at the entire picture. I gave her credit for the act of kindness, though I disagree with your comment that it was "a very large sacrifice". The woman makes $6k a week, I'm sure she won't be going hungry without her bonus.
You can't look at 1 good deed and say a person is a good person. If Jeffrey Dahmer did 1 good deed, would that make him a good person?
Lastly, you stated "Again, I am very outspoken when I feel I need to be." Not to beat a dead horse, but you sat there quietly as Elia belittled the Alafia parents. Does that mean you agreed with her? All Elia's commentary did was extend this fiasco another month as we prepare to respond at the next board meeting.
greyghost,
I am speaking to the very specific issue of her giving up her bonus.
As to her statements at the board meeting I have never said I agreed with them. I will discuss this with you on another posting though. I have already stated that I wanted to stick to the issue of her bonus on this post.
You can also feel free to call me on my cell and discuss in detail with me 924-1742.
April
GreyGhost,
Step out from behind your comfy anonymous comic book pseudonym BEFORE you start to berate and judge April. Her real identity and reputation is out there for all to see unlike yours.
If we berate your anonymous identity on this blog, it has no lasting effect on you. In contrast, since April is not anonymous, your comments can have an indelible impact on her. Once published it is a matter of public record and cannot be pulled back. In spite of this she has the courage and integrity to publish your whiney drivel.
The least you can do if you are going to cast her in a negative light is to give her the courtesy of letting her know your true identity. Put a face to the words. Do you have something to hide or are you just a coward? Or maybe your just another entitlement minded middle class schmuck who thinks the world owes them something?
April,
I hate to contribute to this ugliness, but I need to respond to the last comment.
It disturbs me that whenever the taxpayers question the status quo they are characterized as ignorant, entitlement-minded rabble-rousers who have no right to question those in authority. It reminds me of something I read elswhere: "First blame the students, then blame the parents." I'm sure most of the people that respond to your blog are intelligent, hard-working citizens who for one reason or another have become concerned with what is happening in the district. Clerk or CEO they all have an equal voice here. Thank you for that, April.
I don't think anyone here was trying to cast you in a negative light. You once quoted Murrow, "Dissent is not disloyalty". You have stood by that mantra by allowing these posts to stand and that says alot about your bravery and integrity.
Fellow commenters, please do not disparage each other with name-calling and insults. It invalidates what April is trying to do here. She has shown that she has the ability to thoughtfully respond to both positive and negative feedback, and I hate to see her efforts tainted by such ugliness.
April,
I hope you're right about Elia. I admire your integrity and hope Elia continues to act in this manner. $42,000.00 ia a LOT of money to a LOT of people. Some NEVER make that in a YEAR of "regular" job paychecks--it takes teachers a 4 year degree AND lots of years to make that in "regular" salary. Again, I hope you're right. Have a wonderful Christmas--hope the New Year brings lots of "new" things for the district.
I remain--
anonymous
Anon @ 11:01
You criticize me, yet you yourself don't publish your name. What a hypocrite.
As fas as berating April, I think I hardly did that. I merely asked why, if she claimed to be outspoken, did she dupe the parents into not speaking. Then when Elia took advantage of that why did she remain silent? If I witnessed a wrongdoing I would harldy be quiet about. Thank you Anon for poiting out that this questions has still not been answered.
I have nothing to hide, nor am I a coward. You want to know who I am? Watch the next schoolboard meeting. Now that I am giving up my anonimity, will you do the same or are YOU the coward?
I am going to invoke rule # 2 that has been in place since I created this blog.
This has gone on a bit too long. I reserve the right at this point not to post comments I feel are not productive or are just continuing the argument.
I have already stated how I feel about the subject of this post and will not reiterate.
I have already stated how I feel and what happened with the Alafia situation and will not reiterate. Read past posts on this blog and you may gain more insight.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. You may not hear from me for a couple days as I plan on enjoying family and friends for the next few days.
At your service, April Griffin
Hey, Greyghost--
YOU are NOT a teacher--it's just a little risky to post openly! Check out how that is working for a few that have Blogs!!! Just because thoughts/opinions are expressed anonymously doesn't make them necessarily any less valid--the posters are just a little more cautious!
Anonymous, too
Thanks Mrs. Griffin, for giving us a place to express ourselves a try to help improve education in the district!
Anon 9:47.
Thanks for your response. For the record, I don't recall ever claiming to be (or not to be) a teacher.
I agree with you that opinions that are expressed anonymously aren't necessarily any less valid. I was merely responding to Anon 12/22 @ 11:01 who started the downward spiral of this post by calling me a coward by not posting my name.
April et al, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
I really do think this was a smart move on Ms. Elia's part. Perhaps is also means that she is trying to respond to criticism that she is insensitive.
Whether its a calculated political ploy or a genuine expression of solidarity, I feel happy that we have been heard.
I am saddened by the negativity on the various blogs, some of which I participated in. I too called an anonymous poster a "coward" and was justifiably called on it.
Ms Griffin not only stands up against the status quo but is also unafraid to post intelligent criticism of her. Personally I feel the post GrayGhost at 8:35AM was respectful and worth the read.
Keep up the good work Ms Griffin. I am grateful for this venue. I wish you a happy new year
Wow, she got a tax deduction by giving to a non-profit using tax payer money for a bonus the teachers and students earned for her. Nice. Earl Lennard did this years before. She didn't do this last year. This is not a sacrifice on her part but an attempt at positive PR that resulted from pressure. Hope she didn't dislocate her shoulder patting herself on the back.
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