Mr. Riley--

Obviously you did not research your information on who pays for FIELDS (among other things) at the schools.  I spent three years as president of the Lakers Little League for Lake Fenton's School District.  We put a lot of money and time into the fields as did the Athletic Boosters. These improvements, etc. were not paid for by the school district.

Also, we sponsored the 7th/8th grade baseball/softball clubs for the last two years; again, not paid for by the school district.

Before you "speak" about issues you may to get your facts straight!!!!

----- Original Message -----  
From: "Ronald J. Riley" <info@QualitySchoolsNow.org>  
To: "Susan Revill" <SMRevill@webtv.net>  
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2001 8:04 PM  
Subject: Re: Error of Facts

----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Revill" <SMRevill@webtv.net>
To: <PS-ErrorOfFact@QualitySchoolsNow.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2001 8:01 PM
Subject: Error of Facts

<<Mr. Riley-->>

<<Obviously you did not research your information on who pays for FIELDS (among other things) at the schools.  I spent three years as president of the Lakers Little League for Lake Fenton's School District.  We put a lot of money and time into the fields as did the Athletic Boosters. These improvements, etc. were not paid for by the school district.>>

But the district did pay for the land and ongoing maintenance such as mowing, fertilizing, etc.  Those costs dwarf what the boosters have done.

Also, the school is paying for coaches, many of whom make poor excuses for teachers.  Even worse is that those coaches usually become incompetent administrators who populate the whole administration with like minded incompetent people.  Flint, Michigan's district is perhaps the best example of this.

<<Also, we sponsored the 7th/8th grade baseball/softball clubs for the last two years; again, not paid for by the school district.>>

A good start. Only for the last two years though.

<<Before you "speak" about issues you may to get your facts straight!!!!>>

Perhaps when you are delivering the facts in the future you should give all the facts, not just those which suit you.  The facts are that sports, which benefits a minority, have been funded with taxpayer dollars for a very long time.  It is time that this is stopped.

My point is that schools should supply gym class at taxpayer expense, and all the rest should be funded by booster organizations.  We all know that there is more than a bit of pork in the bond requests.

Ronald J. Riley  www.rjriley.com

----- Original Message -----  
From: "Susan Revill" <SMRevill@webtv.net>  
To: <PS-ErrorOfFact@QualitySchoolsNow.org>  
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2001 6:10 PM  
Subject: Hall of Shame Mr. Riley:

Perhaps you and your "students" should be put in the hall of shame.  I have lived in the Lake Fenton School District for over seven years.  I have participated a great deal in activities both inside the school, as well as after school activities.

Interestingly enough, your support and involvement in the school district is very minimal, if evident at all.  This is a shame.  There are many parents who give time, energy, support and money to support the schools and teachers.  Perhaps the district needs your support and constructive criticism instead of your hooky outlook.

Perhaps it is you that has "DUDS" and maybe the teachers have too high of expectations for your children.  Your children should not get special treatment because you complaint non-stop!!  Perhaps enrolling  your children in a "FREE" charter school that will bend over backwards so that they can maintain sufficient enrollment to obtain funding is a better fit for you and your family. 

I might just point out to you that recent articles show that students who have attended some local charter schools have come out with a much lower knowledge base and insufficient grasp of educational concepts then those who have attended public schools.

Go get 'em big guy!!!!!!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ronald J. Riley" <info@QualitySchoolsNow.org>  
To: "Susan Revill" <SMRevill@webtv.net>  
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2001 8:44 PM  
Subject: Re: Hall of Shame  

----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Revill" <SMRevill@webtv.net>
To: <PS-ErrorOfFact@QualitySchoolsNow.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2001 8:10 PM
Subject: Hall of Shame

Mr. Riley:

<<Perhaps you and your "students" should be put in the hall of shame.  I have lived in the Lake Fenton School District for over seven years.  I have participated a great deal in activities both inside the school, as
well as after school activities.>>

We have lived in the district for fifteen years.  And our family has done a great deal to help the district in the past, donating Christmas trees to the school.  Also, allowing the PTA to run the retail sale of Christmas trees at our farm for a number of years, with them getting a third of the receipts.  And loaning various science artifacts to teachers, etc.  Perhaps instead of shooting the messenger you should honesty acknowledge the problems and work towards solutions.  Denial will only result in more parents removing their children.

<<Interestingly enough, your support and involvement in the school district is very minimal, if evident at all.  This is a shame.  There are many parents who give time, energy, support and money to support the schools and teachers.  Perhaps the district needs your support and
constructive criticism instead of your hooky outlook.>>

I thought you were lecturing me about facts, and then you get yours all wrong.  One of my gripes about Lake Fenton is that they failed to take advantage of a number of opportunities I presented to them.

<<Perhaps it is you that has "DUDS" and maybe the teachers have too high of expectations for your children.  Your children should not get special treatment because you complaint non-stop!!  Perhaps enrolling your children in a "FREE" charter school that will bend over backwards so that they can maintain sufficient enrollment to obtain funding is a better fit for you and your family.>>

I am sure that Lake Fenton's board and administration will be pleased that I no longer have a reason to complain.  Perhaps not so pleased that the time I spent complaining will now be used to effect change through more creative methods. 

Actually, my problem is that too many teachers do not have high enough expectations, for themselves or the students.

<<I might just point out to you that recent articles show that students who have attended some local charter schools have come out with a much lower knowledge base and insufficient grasp of educational concepts then those who have attended public schools.>>

Something we can agree on.  Yes, schools are not created equal.  That applies to both charter and public schools.  Just as Lake Fenton has an unreasonable proportion of duds, so do some charters.  On balance I think that the percentage of dud charter schools is much lower than the percentage of dud public schools.

<<Go get 'em big guy!!!!!!>>

Like most commercially successful independent inventors, I am incredibly tenacious.  I have been known to spend over a decade adjusting attitudes of big business over theft of my inventions.  I gave the public school problem considerable thought before launching www.QualitySchoolsNow.org.  I most certainly tried less drastic measures first, to no avail.  I have no intention of leaving the area anytime soon and I am in this for the long haul.  I am certain that a nominal effort will stop any significant bond and that holding the bond hostage will eventually bring the administration to it's knees.  We will see change, that is certain.

Ronald J. Riley  www.rjriley.com