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Topic starter
I found an automated message on my answering machine last evening asking me to go to the legistature Tuesday and tell my senator that I don't want "another failure from the mainland" in charge of the department of Education. Does anyone have any insight into who is behind this rather organized and nasty campaign?
Posted : October 8, 2007 1:06 pm
Another failure from the Mainland? Like the failure from Tortola we used to have? I haven't a clue who it is but obviously somebody who likes the status quo.
Posted : October 8, 2007 10:40 pm
I haven't read too many positive things about her.
Posted : October 9, 2007 12:53 am
I heard tonight that a group from the states will be here to testify against her. That doesn't make any sense to me.
RL
Posted : October 9, 2007 1:59 am
Topic starter
This was a professional job. Someone is spending some money to try to prevent her from taking the job.
Posted : October 9, 2007 2:26 am
So what's their alternative suggestion - the status quo?
Posted : October 9, 2007 9:22 am
Despite the fact that off islanders have concerns about her, she's been getting some good press down here.
Posted : October 9, 2007 9:55 am
Topic starter
I guess I'm not the only one that got the call: http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=Commentary:Open+Forum&p=1201842744
Posted : October 9, 2007 10:44 pm
Oct. 9, 2007 -- At the end of a nearly 11-hour hearing Tuesday, members of the Rules and Judiciary Committee voted to send acting Education Commissioner Lynn Spampinato's nomination to the full legislative body with an unfavorable recommendation.
The full article can be found here: http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1201842771
Posted : October 10, 2007 1:02 pm
First Bad press she had since she 's been down here. Looks like Halloween came early this year with the witch hunt!
Posted : October 10, 2007 6:16 pm
Topic starter
Carleton Dowe said they received 26 positive and two negative letters. I was embarrassed watching the hearings. I don't know why they bothered as it was obvious from the beginning how they would vote. They were in the culture of intimidation mode they seem to favor at times.
Funniest interchange: A teacher from one of Dr S's former districts was explaining how the teachers went to professional development classes on Saturday. The legislator questioning her was incredulous, asking, "you do this on SATURDAY?"
Posted : October 10, 2007 9:24 pm
You know what would be interesting, since there really isn't an Open Public Records Act on the VI Code. The News should do an investigative story on all committee members who voted, and see what kind or kinds of relationships they have within the Educational System in the USVI.
Posted : October 10, 2007 11:07 pm
Yeah, how many relatives they have on that payroll as "administrators." Meanwhile, the kids don't have the books they need & the teachers have to pay for their own supplies or rely on community organizations.
I guess they figure it's not necessary to improve the schools because they can do what some ex-senators have done & just buy a degree online. /sarcasm
Posted : October 11, 2007 3:19 am
I was doing some research re. health and education department overlap in VI schools and I found the annual "repor" for the schools on line. I was shocked to see the disparity between grades awarded on "repor" cards and proficiency. One school had 80% approx. receiving at least a passing grade in core subjects, while only 5-11% of he students scored at 50% or more on the national proficiency tests. This kind of problem is not caused by lack of resources or money. This goes much deeper. I think the new broom would sweep a lot of clean in the Dept. of Ed.
Unfortunately, I think that the Senate Com.'s reaction to the new broom was only too predictable.
Posted : October 11, 2007 3:29 pm
Topic starter
Curiouser and curiouser... http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1201842950
Posted : October 14, 2007 1:44 pm
In case anyone would like to share their thoughts w/ one or more of our Senators:
MEMBERS OF THE 27TH LEGISLATURE
Sen. Liston A. Davis (ICM-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3598
Fax: 693-3640
E-Mail: ldavis@legvi.org
Sen. Carlton Dowe (D-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3507
Fax: 693-3660
E-Mail: cdowe@legvi.org
Sen. Juan Figueroa-Serville (D-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2258
Fax: 712-2380
E-Mail: jfigueroa-serville@legvistx.org
Sen. Louis Patrick Hill (D-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3616
Fax: 693-3635
E-Mail: lp_hill@yahoo.com
Sen. Neville A. James (D-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2279
Fax: 712-2384
E-Mail: njames3033@yahoo.com
Sen. Norman JnBaptiste (I-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2305
Fax: 712-2376
E-Mail: jbiam@hotmail.com
Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone (D-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3529
Fax: 693-3642
E-Mail: smmalone1@yahoo.com
Sen. Terrence Nelson (ICM-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2210
Fax: 712-2374
E-Mail: tnelson@legvistx.org
Sen. Basil Ottley (D-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3513
Fax: 693-3631
E-Mail: bottley@legvi.org
Sen. Usie R. Richards (I-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2320
Fax: 712-2372
E-Mail: senatorrichards@hotmail.com
Sen. Ronald E. Russell (D-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2321
Fax: 712-2242
E-Mail: rrussell@legvistx.org
Sen. James Weber (D-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2222
Fax: 712-2378
E-Mail: jweber@legvi.org
Sen. Carmen M. Wesselhoft (D-At Large)
Tel: 340-712-2315
Fax: 693-3546
E-Mail: Carmen@Senator-at-large.com
Sen. Celestino A. White (I-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3570
Fax: 693-3636
E-Mail: cwhite@legvi.org
Sen. Alvin Williams (D-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3517
Fax: 693-3634
E-Mail: awilliams@legvi.org
Posted : October 14, 2007 11:53 pm
I posted this on the other thread regarding Dr. Spampinato, but I think it's important people realize that many senators simply do not check their email (this was admitted to me by a former senator). Faxing your letter is a better way to get your point across.
Posted : October 15, 2007 4:16 pm
They have people that check them for them.Maybe we should be contacting their office administrators?
RL
Posted : October 16, 2007 2:01 am
