Early in the Feb. 17 Cuyahoga Heights school board meeting, district principals recognized the students of the month in a nice little ceremony. One student shared with the audience a bit of advice. To paraphrase: “The longer you hide a mistake, the worse the consequences get. Tell the truth right away.” The prescience was stunning.
Something is rotten in the Cuyahoga Heights school district. Helmed by the eminently joyless Dr. Holly Thacker, the school board acts like a narcissistic family arguing over Thanksgiving dinner. Still reeling from the district’s former technology director’s scheme to embezzle nearly $4 million from school coffers, the board has yet to reestablish any sense of trust with the community. Thacker, a board president hellbent on micromanagement and the cartoonish use of her gavel during meetings, can’t seem to set the district’s governance on any meaningful course.
That former technology director, Joe Palazzo, played a multifaceted but simple game: He was granted mostly unrestricted access to capital funds, including, as a small example, a $100,000 open purchase order (later increased by nearly 100 percent), and he set to work altering invoices for a number of apparently tech-related purchases, like laptops for students. Neither he nor the board sought competitive bids for most of these purchases, records show, and very little of what Palazzo “bought” ever ended up on school property.
Palazzo had worked out a routine where he would physically pick up the checks from the treasurer’s office and run them off to any number of shell companies that would later route the money right back to him and his brother, Dominick Palazzo, and others. There was no oversight. One current school employee characterized the treasurer’s office at that time as lax. (To illustrate the depth of this plan, the district issued 156 checks totaling $1,629,474 to a company called Laptops and More Inc. between 2007 and 2011. The company had been registered with the state by Dominick Palazzo. Bank records show that its only business was laundering Cuyahoga Heights school district money. $1.6 million.)
In all: “The District made 436 payments totaling $3,844,155 to seven companies related to Joseph Palazzo for which the District received no apparent goods or services,” according to a special audit conducted by the state. “Additionally, a review of bank records disclosed 347 payments totaling $1,308,194 from four of these companies to Mr. Palazzo after District payments were received by the vendors.”
“It stuns the conscience,” State Auditor Dave Yost told the community in announcing his office’s findings in 2012.
But that was then. Palazzo is serving an 11-year federal prison sentence now. The problem, though, is that his brand of dubious record-keeping remains part and parcel of the school board’s machinations. Despite the audits and the years of public outcry, the board is haunted by dysfunction.
Last November, Lyndie Schuckert was elected to the Cuyahoga Heights school board. She brought with her a demand for transparency and open government – a natural foil to Thacker’s six-year reign.
Thacker and former board president Tim Oden form something of a power bloc on the board. It’s fascinating to watch them align during board discussions. Currently, though, they are mired in an ongoing scandal over district attorney’s fees and the use of their private email accounts for board business. It’s a scandal almost entirely of Thacker’s making. The rest of the board is playing catch-up with public records requests and trying to piece together what sort of legal work their taxpaying constituents are paying for.
Schuckert is vocal with her calls for open discussion of the situation. With Gary Suchocki, the two form something of an alliance, much in the way that characters on MTV’s Real World would do early in the season. James Lawrence, the Anthony Kennedy of the board, remains quiet most of the time, but it’s his vote that tips the balance, 3-2, one way or the other.
What stands today is a scatterbrained board that serves more for entertainment purposes than school district governance. Board meetings are theater in Cuyahoga Heights, where angry taxpayers can’t help but laugh as Thacker humblebrags her way through explanations of Robert’s Rules of Order, gavel in hand.
“What are we hiding?” Lyndie Schuckert asked, sort of rhetorically but not really, at the Jan. 20 meeting.
Here’s what they’re hiding: Last year, the board – led by Thacker — continually voted down assistant football coach Anthony Rinella’s supplemental contract. Thacker opened an investigation into Rinella’s background, racking up thousands of dollars in legal fees with very little in the way of results. To date, nothing has come back that would incriminate Rinella in any way, and he has no connection to the Palazzo scheme. It’s unclear to the community and to some board members why Thacker pursued this investigation in the first place. This grandiose plot stoked the ire of residents, who began to fill out the seats at board meetings each month and rally around Rinella, who just wanted to return to coaching. (Rinella was finally approved in February, to thunderous rounds of applause.)
But the questions surrounding Thacker and Oden’s private email accounts and their frequent communications with the district’s attorney remain a confounding source of anger in the community. As the Rinella investigation toiled quietly onward, with no reports provided to the community, legal counsel was racking up thousands of dollars in wild goose chases.
The issue reached its boiling point when a single invoice for a month of legal communications ended up on the letterhead of two different law firms – with totally different presentations of information. Thacker and Oden – who sent emails to the treasurer insisting that that bill be paid — have been repeatedly questioned about this documentation anomaly. They have never accounted for it.
But with board meetings that play out more like Barnum and Bailey theatrics than leadership “for the students,” Cuyahoga Heights is among the more curious sources of small-town politics in Northeast Ohio. (Thacker is presently running for the Ohio Republican Party’s state central committee District 24.) There’s no sense of clarity as to how the rest of the year will pan out.
Based on previous meetings, Schuckert’s rallying cries for transparency won’t slow down. And the people’s support for her cause isn’t going anywhere.
“When you act as an entire board…you create an unhealthy environment,” she told Thacker at the Feb. 17 meeting. “I feel absolutely devastated by how bad things truly are.”
The next board meeting is March 16 at Cuyahoga Heights High School.
This article appears in Mar 9-15, 2016.
When it comes to “free” money from taxpayers, the sleaze and greed and power plays never cease.
I heard Schuckert is a genius and has never heard of the idiotic system of Robert’s Rules of Order. She doesn’t even need to know the meaning of the word “abstain” in order to represent the students and taxpayers of Cuyahoga Heights.
The current, as well as the future children of the Cuyahoga Heights School District deserve so much better! CH is a “Blue Ribbon School” because it has dedicated teachers, administrators, secretaries, custodians, cleaners, cooks, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, volunteers, and community members who want the best for their children. It deserves a school board that is willing to work as peers who will always put the children first before spending money or making any decision. All board members should be willing to think and speak for themselves without being pressured or manipulated by other board members. There is no room on a school board of peers for a power-hungry egotist, such as Holly Thacker. Perhaps it is time she does what would be in the best interest of the children- step down and pass the gavel to someone else who is willing to put the children first.
The teacher’s union must love that there are so many fools in the Cuyahoga Heights School System that think paying mediocre-to-good teachers unjustifiably high salaries results in better education for their children (or kowtow to whatever lies and propaganda they’re fed by teacher-coaches for fear that their son or daughter will lose precious playing time or athletic recognition).
Like it or not, a reckoning is coming for public education, one way or another. If it’s not Thacker, it will be Kasich, Yost, etc. If not Kasich, it’ll be the next Republican governor of OH. If there is no reform, school districts like CHS will quickly begin to look like districts like Garfield and Maple. It will only get worse from there.
CHS teachers make an average of $85,000 from a tax base with salaries far below that level. This is an unsustainable system, especially after the teacher’s union and the corrupt administrators of the past turned a blind eye to the Palazzo schemes. It is highly unlikely that another levy will pass in the district. This will mean cuts to the beloved sports teams, other extracurricular activities for students, busing, and younger, enthusiastic teachers (cause the union isn’t going to take cuts, of course). When will the teacher’s union step up and make some minor sacrifices for the benefit of the children?
I love REDSKINSFOOTBALL’S comment. When a comment starts out “I heard” simply means you’re to scared to put your own name on it. It’s about time somebody like Mrs. Schuckert stepped up and started asking questions. Mrs. Schuckert was a student at CHS when it was one of the finest school districts in Ohio, maybe she’d like to see it return to that lofty status.
Very glad that someone in the media took an interest in this story finally. Well informed and well written. Looking forward to more details in the future. Maybe this article will finally force Thacker and Oden to answer the questions they have been avoiding for months? How much longer must our school district have to deal with board members intentionally breaking board policy and spending thousands of dollars on legal fees to serve their self interests and vindictive agendas?
She is a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic and he is an administrator at Copley High School. She is interested in furthering her political career and he is completely incompetent. They should know better but they obviously don’t! Shame on both of them. Neither are serving the school district correctly and neither have had the best intentions of the students in mind. IT IS TIME FOR BOTH TO STEP DOWN FROM THIS BOARD IMMEDIATELY!
Feel the bern…. You’re clearly clueless 😂
The truth hurts RedskinFaithful.
Clearly “feel the Bern” was ironic, but apparently you were educated at CHS. Please Google “ironic” and do a little reading before responding. Thank you.
This article could not be more one-sided and biased. The citizens of Cuyahoga Heights schools are so blind to any type of factual evidence it is sickening. They blindly follow the dogma put out by the athletic programs, specifically the football team, and refuse to employ any critical thinking before coming to a decision born from their own initiative. They would rather have information, factual or not, spoon fed to them by their neighbors and friends in the community about an issue than do some research of their own and uncover the truth. It has truly become a mob rule mentality at Cuyahoga Heights with a handful of families and teachers wielding the true power over the blind masses. And what an easier target to blame everything on than the board, God forbid the community take even a second and consider whether or not they made a mistake or could be partially to blame for the degradation of Cuyahoga Heights Schools. This entire article is devoid of useful material and is just a sounding block for the bubble that is Cuyahoga Heights School’s parents and teachers to pat themselves on the back for bringing media “light” to the issue. Unprofessional reporting on a school district that has been heading down the wrong path for years before the money laundering mess by hiring teachers who were not qualified and then paying them the salary of a college professor. It’s not about who’s right and who is wrong in this mess, it’s about when the community of Cuyahoga Heights Schools is going to stop pointing fingers and yelling blame, and begin to actually set plans into motion to fix the school. And it starts with the parents of kids in the school and athletes on the sports teams to stop believing everything they are told by their biased and uneducated neighbors.
FeelTheBern:
Is that you Vickie? Maybe not…maybe it is Holly writing unanimously like she does for the newsletters printed by JC Powers.
You are entitled to your opinion about the staff at CHHS. Unfortunately for you, your opinion is wrong. Furthermore, before telling someone else to do their research, you should probably update yourself on the individuals you are supporting. Just as it is your right to have an incorrect opinion, it is also your right to be uninformed. But, in case you actually care about the facts, take a look at the names of the board members who were on the board during the Palazzo scandal and the current board members. Any of them have the same last names? Thacker perhaps?
Instructing invoices to be paid without backup. Altering invoices before providing them to the treasurer. Are we talking about Palazzo or the dymanic Thacker/Oden duo? “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”
If FeelTheBern really is Vickie or Holly then we are wasting our time with them. We already know that both of them are illogical.
Whose pocket is Eric Sandy in ? Trying to pass this off as journalism even in “Cleveland Scene” is farcical.
Sandy says Thacker is corrupt? What?! I thought Thacker put the kibosh on the whole Palazzo thing? There are at least 5 news stories confirming this to be the case. There appears to be some issues with Sandy’s journalistic ethics here… He raises unsubstantiated accusations against Thacker and Oden (like other comments on the article) without a single shred of evidence, while the smoking gun of $4 million in taxpayer monies that Thacker fought to save from Palazzo’s criminality are ignored?
I think I hear a libel/defamation case in the distance.
E 71ST,
I am not sure where you have evidence of CHS’s former treasurer Joy Clickenger being instructed to pay invoices without backup or anyone altering invoices? I am sure these claims are fabrications concocted by the union, Clickenger, and Schuckert. However, I think there was evidence that she wasn’t doing her job. It is pretty clear that she resigned after it was clear that she was going to be fired for failing to probably do her job.
All evidence and reporting on Thacker show she is concerned with the school’s financial. Her tenure is marked by attempts to increase internal controls and to reign in profligate spending.
You seem to be the one in need of a history lesson. The media, Yost, Palazzo, and everyone with a functioning brain knows Thacker is the one who unearthed Palazzo’s crime. She is the only board member who remains from that time on the board because the remainder of the board members during that time were either negligent or complicit in Palazzo’s crime.
This is not Vicki or Holly so you better have some real facts to bring to the table because it looks like you’re about be Berned. lol
Ah, so not only did Holly discover the Palazzo scandal, she was the only board member not involved in committing the crime? If she has been effective in her handling of the school’s finances, how come she hasn’t succeeded in having those other “complicit” board members thrown in jail with Palazzo?
You like to use the words “I think”, “pretty clear” and “probably” in your posts. Arguing with a moron is a waste of my time. Have fun on the internet. It was made for people like you.
The schools become a joke. I grew up in that community and went to that school and their problem goes WAYY beyond the school board.
A couple great teachers, mostly mediocre ones, a few that I wouldn’t entrust the responsibility of cleaning toilets to, one that slept with a student, another that tried to (I saw the text messages), and all getting paid too much. That community is really like a Donald trump rally. Doesn’t matter what the facts are or what the truth is, as long as the teachers and/or football coaches are saying it, it might as well be a gospel from God. And on that note, I would personally like to thank God for delivering me from that steaming, smelly pit they call The Bubble.
Yeah, I’m the moron when you are the one who fails to understand how the American legal system works. In your little mind, you think Holly Thacker is detective, judge, juror, and executioner rather than a private citizen serving in a public office. Her work on school finance or a school board member is not germane to whether certain individuals complicit in the Palazzo scandal were indicted or not! hahaha Unfortunately, the prosecutor cannot pursue every individual involved in every violation of the law. However, the CHS community should not tolerate violations of the law or unethical behavior.
I’ll spell it out what Thacker did since you’re the moron. She brought evidence that she discovered on Palazzo’s crime to investigators, who then performed an official investigation, which was limited in scope (applied only to the technology department’s spending). The official investigation led to indictments of several individuals, including Palazzo. Even some of the most involved in the crime were not immediately indicted and subsequently put in jail. For instance, Palazzo’s brother, who was definitely a major player in the fraud, only recently was sentenced for his crime because of his cooperation with the feds and the prosecutors. There is more to investigate, more money to recover, and more problems to solve with the CHS finances. Holly Thacker is doing this work for YOU and the taxpayer despite your idiocy.
Once again, BERNED.
E 71st,
Yeah, I’m the moron when you are the one who fails to understand how the American legal system works. In your little mind, you think Holly Thacker is detective, judge, juror, and executioner rather than a private citizen serving in a public office. Her work on school finance or a school board member is not germane to whether certain individuals complicit in the Palazzo scandal were indicted or not! hahaha Unfortunately, the prosecutor cannot pursue every individual involved in every violation of the law. However, the CHS community should not tolerate violations of the law or unethical behavior.
I’ll spell it out what Thacker did since you’re the moron. She brought evidence that she discovered on Palazzo’s crime to investigators, who then performed an official investigation, which was limited in scope (applied only to the technology department’s spending). The official investigation led to indictments of several individuals, including Palazzo. Even some of the most involved in the crime were not immediately indicted and subsequently put in jail. For instance, Palazzo’s brother, who was definitely a major player in the fraud, only recently was sentenced for his crime because of his cooperation with the feds and the prosecutors. There is more to investigate, more money to recover, and more problems to solve with the CHS finances. Holly Thacker is doing this work for YOU and the taxpayer despite your idiocy.
Pat Riley once said “Each Warrior wants to leave the mark of his will, his signature, on important acts he touches. This is not the voice of ego but of the human spirit, rising up and declaring that it has something to contribute to the solution of the hardest problems, no matter how vexing!”
But what we have seen With Mrs. Thacker has been nothing of an act of human spirit & leaving a good mark, with a resolute of a positive impact..
And has been quite the opposite!!
One member with an egocentric act of self boastfulness driven by self-interested fear, & doubt! Attacking anyone who might stand in her way.. Without the regards for others in the community. And the purpose to make the school & community strive as one!
This great community found its Downfall!
A Board member should not have Narcissistic personality tendencies that show lack of empathy for community driven volunteers or workers! A board member should listen to outcries of the community!!
Attacking these impactful positions that devote countless hours & energy that can give a positive outcome for the community, Or by shaping a human being for lasting impression in life are certainly being disregarded by Mrs. Thacker and her Narcissistic traits. Her mask of ultra confidence, lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.
This community deserve better then that! One EGO shouldn’t shape a community! A community is the make up of togetherness.. A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing a strong quality of life seeking achievement and the importance of growth and development!
Board members should be operating as True Self for the effectiveness of the community showing how to Work and Solve real problems, and working towards the success of every child & person making up of the community!
EnoughisEnough,
Hopefully you’re not a CHS graduate because that would reflect poorly on them. Your comment was as coherent as the blathering of a toddler. Your post fails to inspire me with the confidence that you have the capacity to identify narcissism or be a rational agent in a democratic society. You are also ignorant to the fact that Thacker is a physician or being purposefully sexist, either is embarrassing for you. Another fool BERNED!
As far as I know Cristina Rinella had taken money from the school, not the father. Why should her Dad hang for her criminal acts. Let’s also not forget that Alysse Kuznik was also part of the stealing of the money. These people make me sick and as far as the Palazzo family goes they have forever been scum bags. They can all ride the roller coaster to hell together. I still want to know what that piece of garbage Peter Guerrera’s part in this mess. Never liked him or Palazzo. Don’t worry Peter your going to hell as well.
Truth Shall Set You Free,
Christina Rinella was indeed receiving money stolen from the school along with other “volunteers” like Kuznik.
Tony Rinella accepted a no bid contracted from Joe Palazzo himself (Palazzo signed up on the project). Subsequently, Tony price gouged the school on the job he was contracted to do. Tony’s company was not licensed, bonded, or insured to perform the work on the school. This whole incident is under investigation. I believe the board wasn’t willing to approve Tony for a paid position until investigations into this incident are concluded – doesn’t look good, better to error on side of caution. The board had agreed to allow him to volunteer in the meantime – apparently, volunteering wasn’t enough, he wanted the money. So much for caring about the kids he coaches.
But honestly, is one assistant coach really the most important issue facing CHS? All the folks freaking out over Rinella, need to reflect and ask themselves whether they value education or athletics more. If they value athletics more, how can they claim to care about the good of the children and the school then?! Misplaced priorities.
PeteyG is dirty, of course. Wasn’t Palazzo’s PeteyG’s right-hand man?
This article was not one sided, it was factual. It pains me to have children in this school district with Tim Oden and Dr. Thacker on this board. It won’t be long before they are gone though. My only hope is for them to restore the piece and fix their names from mud back to good standing before their last day on the board. They owe that to their families, but most of all to this district.
PeteyG….
Your comments are rather slandering. Comments like that cannot be made unless they are proven facts. You may want to include the word “Allegedly.”
SickoftheBS,
You sure need some education. Your posts says things like “restore the piece” instead of “restore the peace.”
Not sure why Oden or Thacker should be concerned about peace or their reputation among idiots who are manipulated by teacher unions and coaches. They are elected to ensure the children are educated as best as possible (by hiring good administrators), supervising administrators, and being stewards of taxpayer monies.
There is also no reason to use the word “allegedly” in this case. Everything in my post concerning the Tony Rinella’s construction company and his contract with school approved by Palazzo is factual and public information. You should check out the facts for yourself instead of trusting the word of those manipulating you.
Let’s not get into the mud with some of your questionable behaviors, SickoftheBS…
PeteyG….
Sorry for my lack of spelling. Guilty! As for any questionable decisions I have made…. Look, I have got nothing to hide. I chose to post my picture while everyone else hides behind a secret identity. Like you… If you would like to bring those past incidents up, I would love to hand deliver those to the local police department and my attorney for Slander.
Now I am getting personally attacked for freedom of speech. This school board is a joke and it began when we elected incompetent board members two elections ago that did not have enough knowledge of handling finances or how to look for the information needed when the teachers were about to strike. It nearly cost this district dearly for those individual’s shortcomings. It took a finance major and resident in the district to blatantly point out that the school board was wrong which finally swung the vote in the favor of the teachers union.
Again, I have absolutely nothing to hide…. That is why I show my face on this article.
I am glad that this story of the school boards behavior finally got picked up by some type of news source. Maybe members of the board will finally start to answer the questions taxpayers have been waiting for responses from. Knowing members on this board though that will not be the case. Certain members will probably pursue a civil lawsuit against this author for libel and slander even though some claim to be such advocates of the Bill of Rights. As far as I am concerned I’m not sure how altering invoices before arriving to the treasurer is not breaking laws or board policy. That’s right members on this board believe they are above the law constantly breaking Sunshine Law, board policy, and suppressing the publics 1st amendment freedom of speech as much possible. It’s like Cuyahoga Heights has their own Hilary Clinton email scandal as well as Joe Palazzo operating procedures when it comes to spending taxpayer money.
FeeltheBern’s comments are not even correct on half of the comments and are totally out of line. The teachers union turned an eye to the Palazzo scandal? Really? What proof of this do you have? This probably is Vickie or Holly or one of their few allies one here. Why should the teachers union have to take cutbacks? They have continually taken pay freezes in wake of the Palazzo scandal and saved the district millions of dollars. How much money has members on this board wasted? I’m not sure why the smart ass comment was employed on RedskinFaithful. What proof do you have the treasurer wasn’t doing her job? Working under Madame President has to be impossible. Thacker wants someone she believes she can micromanage. Do some of your own research and see what kind of connections that last two school board appointees have to Thacker. This has partially backfired on her. The school board has had five audits since Thacker has been on the board. The recommendations the auditors made to the board in these audits are still not being followed completely, but Thacker is concerned with the district’s finances? And wherever this myth came from that Thacker was the sole finder of the Palazzo scandal is garbage as well. She would then go on Channel 3 and almost jeopardize the investigation while being interviewed by her good friend Kim Wheeler. Hey FeeltheBern, since you’re so good at Berning people why don’t you come to the next school and defend what Holly and Tim are doing during the public comment section with all your “facts.” Based off of all the comments you made you must have plenty of time and have no fear of showing your face since all your facts are “concrete”…
And all of you talking about how overpaid and bad the teachers are should be ashamed. I guess teachers have nothing to do with being a National Blue Ribbon School, being rated as “excellent” by the state, ranked as one of the top districts in the state, being in US News and World Report consistently, or one of the nation’s top communities for music education. The teachers are the only stability within this district. Because of micromanaging there has been 6 superintendents, 7 principals, and 7 assistant principals within the last 6 years. This myth that athletic teams and unions run the school is also complete garbage. You should see a school where athletic teams do truly rule the school. I never remember board/union relations being this bad either. The board has singlehandedly fractured their relationship with the community and until they start answering these questions and acting responsibly they will not be fixed.
SickoftheBS,
NEWS FLASH: police don’t handle defamation cases – defamation is the purview of tort law. You probably are unaware of the standards that need to bring such a case anyhow. I have no interest in pointing out what you have done, but You KNOW the questionable decisions you’ve made. As an example of your ethics, you wrote and subsequently deleted a post that advocated fraud. Fortunately, I screenshot and saved the post.
Another news flash, no one has attacked your right to free speech. Free speech doesn’t protect you from being criticized. Let’s be clear though, your reasoning deserves criticism. It is deeply flawed. Case and point, you are unable to actually explain WHY Thacker and Oden behavior is improper or deleterious to the district (or actually provide the details of your “finance major” story). Whereas, I am able to demonstrate that Thacker and Oden are working toward the financial and educational betterment of the district. Thacker’s record is strong given her work on breaking up the Palazzo scandal.
Makechsevengreater,
I am so happy you have advertised your ignorance publicly. Public stunts are counterproductive and make the district look terribly. The behavior of the teacher union, coaches, and the small contingent of weak-minded fools they’ve brainwashed and manipulated have embarrassed the district. The overwhelming majority of outsiders, who are educated on issues of law and finance, are shaking their collective heads at YOU! This will be born out when the next levy measure fails.
Blue Ribbon is a JOKE!!! It is a paid for designation. Do YOUR research dolt!
The concrete facts will come out, don’t you worry. Just like all of the facts that blatantly demonstrate Holly Thacker blew the whistle on Palazzo and his conspirators’ horrible scheme. The union took pay freezes during the Palazzo storm because they were scared out of their mind that their connections to it would be revealed! The facts will have their day. The truth always comes out in the end. You will be embarrassed!
New blood is good! Part of the problem with Heights is the incestuous and corrupt culture. I am glad it is being broken up and for the increased financial scrutiny! It is saving lots of money in the long run!
I vote for the PTA cow for dictator of the CHS fiefdom! Get anyone with a brain off da board! We ain’t here to play school! We here for da foosball! Hire Renelli already! Make him head coach, he’s the brains anyway! Only coach we should hire over Renelli is Big T Laverde! He beats us in da foosball every year! Spend more money of da foosball PLEASE!
.
“Those who can’t do, teach, and those that can’t teach, teach gym” – Woody Allen
“Those that can’t teach gym, become guidance counselors” – Lyndie Schuckert
PeteyG…
As for all that legal jargon you spewed out at me. Whatever. Another person that has to talk over people to show they are smarter and better than others. We all put out pants on the same way; one leg at a time. If you need to say all that for self-assurance, God bless you.
My opinion on Mr. Oden and Dr. Thacker are as follows: I was happy that Dr. Thacker found Joe’s dealings that were dirty. I just think it put her on a power trip that she can’t get off of since this all happened. As for Mr. Oden… He comes across as soft spoken and not having a say on anything.
As for being able have an opinion, just like it sounds like you don’t like me, I don’t particularly agree with their views or personalities. So I guess that means I don’t like them, and that would be wrong. I don’t know them personally to form that opinion, but as board members, no I don’t like them. As the story goes, I may be misinformed, but that is how I feel. There are a lot of us that hear one side of a story and believe it to be true, much like what your were referencing when you brought up my past decisions. There are always two sides to a story. Their version and the correct one, and to quote Forest Gump, “And that’s all I got to say about that.”
Lastly, the financial errors during the last teachers contract that were pointed out through a detailed email. I rather not personally attack individuals that are no longer on the board or have a say in this schools future. It would be beating a dead horse.
MIKE DROP.
On a side note… I posted my opinions right or wrong they are mine. I really have no time for message board discussions. This has already taken up so much time of my life today and it means nothing. If any of you want to reveal your true identity and discuss the finer things in life so be it. I will no longer talk to individuals hiding behind an alias.
To quote Forest Gump agian… “I am not a smart man” when it comes to this school board stuff. So if you want to make points… do it without tooting individuals horns…. it may be more effective.
Night!
SickoftheBS,
Thank you for admitting that you are one of the robotic followers of the teacher’s union/coaches, who receives and believes only their propaganda. After advocating and essentially admitting to criminal behavior in a deleted post (again, I have it saved), you go on to literally admit your opinion is misinformed! Hilarious!
When I have to correct the misinformation that you propagated , I had to use the appropriate terms. I apologize that this intimidated you. It is unfortunate that my intelligence makes you feel insecure. Maybe an “amazing” CHS education can help you with that.
I don’t reveal my identity because I live among you sheep as a “friend” and don’t want to suffer your crazed, bizarre mob-like wrath. I had an opportunity to finally call you sheep out with none the wiser.
Great points on both sides of this argument. I do feel things will eventually work themselves out. The district has gone through some tough times over the last few years and it is easy to finger point. It is good that there are discussions going on. It is better than just voting for or just voting stuff down. The only problem I have with all of this is that the board is a connection of the district. I don’t know enough to understand if the board is in place to side with the district or protect the school from the district? Meaning if something is not right and the district wants something to pass, is the board supposed to go along with what the people who voted them into office or have their own agenda to protect the school from the voters? It is kind of a catch 22 isn’t it?
Educate me please.
ThisIsAboutTheKids,
Just as your name states, it should be about what is best for the kids and the school district’s health and longevity. This means the board will have to make tough decisions that make some folks unhappy, especially when financials are tightening. Following the whim of the loudest voices in the room isn’t the best way to move forward. The board should do what is right, not what is easy.
Molon Labe-
You made a false statement quoting Lyndie Schuckert with a statement she never said!
In addition, you obviously lack empathy and understanding as to what a guidance counselor really does. I know for a fact Mrs. Schuckert has counseled children, as well as adults, in crisis situations because a loved one was murdered or imprisoned. She has done home visits to sick or dying parents. She has dealt with social agencies when children couldn’t go home because they were going to be abused or neglected repeatedly. She has worked with groups of children who have special problems with other students or staff members. She has counseled teens who have been raped or become pregnant. Mrs. Schuckert has taken children to restaurants or her home where they could experience positive family settings. She has counseled children who were contemplating suicide. She has worked with teachers who were having problems with “difficult” students. She has guided students in academic and career choices. The list goes on and on.
So you really should learn about the role of a guidance counselor before you say something stupid…. Oops, too late…. You already did!
This school board is unhealthy. Bottom Line. Their actions are an embarrassing state of affairs and on the radar at both the state and federal level. To have a successful district, you have to have a healthy school board. One that makes decisions in a collaborative manner. One that is cohesive. And more importantly, a board that supports one another and other administrators. Public policy and standards drive how a school board should function, but being a human being, and doing the right thing are contributing factors.
No one person controls board decisions. No one person controls a district. But what is really interesting in observing the school boards actions; is that someone, who is so passionately disliked by an entire community, chooses to continue in their respective role.
Someone needed to step in, and someone needed to drive change. Lyndie (Mrs. Schuckert-who by the way is an amazing human being) has been identified by this community as the catalyst in this process, accompanied by ethical, respectful, and recognized professionals such as Gary and Jim (sometimes) who carry the same integrity that Lyndie does.
The past is the past, and this article has clearly called out the fact that we continue to live there. What about now? What about the district as it stands now? This is not something to be proud of.
This board is made up of some brilliant, talented, and caring people who want to use those strengths to move forward. So let them.
Let’s challenge the board to work together, to respect each other, to support each other and maintain their platform for their constituents. Let’s challenge them to support the educators, the staff, but most of all- the kids.
And Holly wasn’t the whistleblower although she proudly and publicly takes credit.
Jen K
You are clearly uneducated. Holly has been proven to have discover Palazzo fraud scandals and bring them to the attention of law enforcement (whichis true because he is in jail) and Mrs. Wyman you are also clearly uneducated. Lyndie might of done those great things but she is combative and rude during meetings which cause division within the board and unproductive deliberation between board members. The cows comments are meaningless they are just made because she wants an emotional response from Holly. Holly obviously ignores her meaningless comments because they hold no weight. He first objection is not to help our school it is to try and hurt Holly reputation.
Also, all of those who support Rinella in his unethical decisions that have hurt our students, taxpayers, and school because you have been feed misleading information by him and the union you are all ignorant.
All who are loud and obnoxious during meetings you set great examples for your children who watch you every second. They truly are all going to be helpful citizens to our society (if they every get out of Cuyahoga Heights unlike their parents). They will be sure to know how to conduct themselves in a public meetings.
Down Under
Not even worth it to refute your comment; continue to hide behind a screen name and babble.
Jen K
ahhh you are right (for the first time partially) it is not worth refuting because i am RIGHT. Holly was the whistle blower. She was the one to bring the facts that public taxpayer money was being misused by Palazzo. If not her then who? but wait that question is pointless because it has literally been PROVEN it was her. If Holly was not on the board Palazzo would still be taking money out of YOUR pockets and the taxpayers. Jen K you know i am right too because you decide to attack the very fact that i decide to keep my identity hidden. Your emotions have came into play with your responses and attitude towards the board. Rethink who you are being persuaded by and actually look into the REAL facts not misconstrued lies the union or others might say. Dont be another bystander who has fallen into this trap. The truth will have its day and believe me many of you will look foolish, while Holly and Tim will be the ones doing the right thing the right way even if they make enemies.
Down Under = Ignorant.
Jen K
Your unwillingness to offer anything worth saying proves your ignorance. Become educated on the subject you decide to speak on
Maybe Holly Thacker needs to be investigated in relation to the Palazzo scam. She is certainly a real crook!
An investigation of Holly would be fruitless and a waste of time and effort., but maybe will finally prove to you idiots that she is working diligently and ethically for you, the taxpayer, parents, and students.
I disagree. Holly Thacker has something to hide. Perhaps she is running her own scam which is why things are still such a mess. Wouldn’t it be ironic. We the taxpayers need to demand release of all of her emails between her and the attorney for the school district. If she has nothing to hide then release them. Until then, keep pounding that gavel Holly. Hope to see you next to Joe soon!
Toby and Joey
Wow!!! the clearly fallacies of your argument are SOOOOO glaring. Holly’s emails have been released. Lydnie has them and clearly has found nothing from them otherwise the law enforcement would actually be investigating Holly and currently they are not and they never will because she is diligently working on restoring Cuyahoga Heights moral standards legally. The era of Joe and faculty getting/giving hand out is over. Holly is doing everyone justice from her work whether you are blinded to it or not. Also, you cant make claims to investigate Holly randomly you need evidence which clearly you or uneducated and possibly slightly slow but that is okay because truth will have its day and Holly will stand tall over you dimwits.
All communication between Andy (law firm) and Holly should be published so that the public can see the inter workings of this situation. They can then decide if additional wrongdoing has happened.
Jake,
How about we publish all of the communications between the union and their lawyer? Oh wait, you protest? I figured. There is something called attorney-client privilege. I am so happy that you’re eligible to vote, so informed hahahaha
I think after this is all over, it’ll be pretty clear who is in the wrong. The teacher’s union dirty laundry is about to be aired everywhere. The community will see that they don’t have the interested of the children at heart. They just want to rob taxpayers for their own selfish benefit. But you’re part of it all so you won’t be owning up to that anytime soon.
Trolling is SOOOOOOO much fun. Especially when you are dealing with idiots who don’t even know why they support CHAT or who don’t like Holly and Tim. Keep posting the trolling will never stop!
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