Friday, March 24, 2006
Student Newspaper Attacks Huntley District Board Member Larry Snow
It appears that the previously praiseworthy District 158 board member Larry Snow has now morphed into the devil in the minds of those who wrote student newspaper editorial featured in the Northwest Herald today.
The reason?
He dared speak truths about the inadequacy of the District 300 financial projections.
First, his six fellow board members attacked him in letters to several local papers. Here is a letter in Snow’s defense that McHenry County Blog received.
Then, a spokesman for the critical six back off, saying the letter was not meant to be “criticism.”
Now, the student newspaper has chimed in citing the complaints made by the “critical six.”
I tried to get a copy of the newspaper editorial—and may still—but when I asked school officials, I was told it had been “embargoed by order of the superintendent.”
Funny how the Northwest Herald could get a copy, but McHenry County Blog can’t—even after it has been published by the Northwest Herald. Most strange.
So, if you want to read what the students wrote, click on the Northwest Herald link above. Editor Jake Sanches told the NW Herald that it was edited four times.
Then, come back and tell everyone what you think.
The reason?
He dared speak truths about the inadequacy of the District 300 financial projections.
First, his six fellow board members attacked him in letters to several local papers. Here is a letter in Snow’s defense that McHenry County Blog received.
Then, a spokesman for the critical six back off, saying the letter was not meant to be “criticism.”
Now, the student newspaper has chimed in citing the complaints made by the “critical six.”
I tried to get a copy of the newspaper editorial—and may still—but when I asked school officials, I was told it had been “embargoed by order of the superintendent.” Funny how the Northwest Herald could get a copy, but McHenry County Blog can’t—even after it has been published by the Northwest Herald. Most strange.
So, if you want to read what the students wrote, click on the Northwest Herald link above. Editor Jake Sanches told the NW Herald that it was edited four times.
Then, come back and tell everyone what you think.
Comments:
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Cal -
I am not sure what all the commotion is over in D158. Heres how I see it:
Larry Snow has the right to speak as a private citizen. In doing so, he carries the credentials of being a D158 board member. Along with that comes a degree of knowledge and experience that is assumed by all. It's that simple, he is by his credentials a knowledgeable private citizen, with all the rights and privledges of one.
As a public official, Larry is subject to public critique. The Huntley student newpaper should be able to voice the opinion of it's editorial board as long as it is not slanderous or grossly inaccurate. I don't know Larry, but he seems like a mature enough adult he should be able to handle it.
I say let'em have thier voice. Just remind them that Larry get's to have his too!
I am not sure what all the commotion is over in D158. Heres how I see it:
Larry Snow has the right to speak as a private citizen. In doing so, he carries the credentials of being a D158 board member. Along with that comes a degree of knowledge and experience that is assumed by all. It's that simple, he is by his credentials a knowledgeable private citizen, with all the rights and privledges of one.
As a public official, Larry is subject to public critique. The Huntley student newpaper should be able to voice the opinion of it's editorial board as long as it is not slanderous or grossly inaccurate. I don't know Larry, but he seems like a mature enough adult he should be able to handle it.
I say let'em have thier voice. Just remind them that Larry get's to have his too!
I agree the students should be able to publish the newspaper what I question is the 180 degree turn on Larry Snow from the prior month. That is what is suspicious to me. One month they are happy with Mr. Snow the next month they are not. I am familiar with the tactics of the school board in 158 it would not surprise me after they were bashed in the February article they told them to write something bad about Larry. If it is the students' words and not words put into their heads by all means publish it. Hell publish it anyway based on the prior article it looks like something is up and it would only be good for Larry in my eyes.
Cathy
Cathy
Part 1 Facts
Students who, at this point in their life, probably think it is the equivalent of horrendous old fogie oppression when asked what time they'll be home - just decided THEY have the right to tell an adult individual (acting as an INDIVIDUAL), American, taxpayer, resident what he has "their" permission to do, think, say, and have an opinion about....on his own time.
Who will they attack next? Will they go after other individuals - teachers, administrators, other board members or (ex.) bus drivers whose social or business resumes include reference to D158 to suppress what those people can do or say on their own time?
Can Snow express his opinions about issues unrelated to schools, money, tax abuse, etc.? Would his preference for (ex.) chocolate Easter Bunnies over Peeps offend these little self-appointed opinion police?
From the safety of Non-adult Island, that protected zone where kids get a free pass because of their age, limited life experience, and our choice to pull our verbal punches when dealing with "puppies" - they used their immunity and a taxpayer paid newspaper to tell Snow his words should rise and set with them as if he is their personal lap dog robot on a string.
Unlike the previous piece which essentially praised him for pursuing truth, this one limits his pursuit and expression of truth....while insisting their right to speak is "protected".
Another "truth" be told in a different article - their ("their" being defined as some of the student body) survivalist "compassion" for the possible displacement of D300 students if the extras were cut and the referendums didn't pass - was that they didn't want their rivals moving and coming to the D158 high school. Plain and simple, they didn't want their turf upset. In their minds, Snow was getting in the way of them protecting their immediate "own".
My guess is that besides being safe zone, self-centered bullies, that they also had some invisible adult "hands" up their backs helping to move their mouths and thought processes. (Similar "hands" were active during the 2004 referendum campaign.) These students had the option to speak out in a public paper like everyone else but decided they were better than the rest of us and opted to use their closed school world voice.
How is a resident supposed to present the other side of the story? So much for anything near an equal playing field.
In 2004, 2005, and continuing now in 2006 - whenever Snow told/tells financial truth - adult administrators/employees/board members/PAC people go out of their way in an attempt to shut him down. His record of accuracy is above excellent. D158's record isn't. Pounds of newspaper ink have been devoted to "revelations" about D158's finances and business decisions, it can't balance its books past or present, and it makes you wonder what ELSE might show up if the people in power weren't obstructing every idea and question that comes from Snow's savvy mind.
His heart, determination, and countless unpaid hours of work on behalf of these kids and all residents is well known. While others applaud their own poor performance and resent his presence because it upsets their fantasy world and previously unquestioned kingdom, he takes the flack for telling truth.
Part 2 Now what........
I'd immediately fire the administrators/employees who allowed the papers off school grounds before the board decided (right or wrong) whether or not they should be distributed.
If the paper was printed without first being read by employees (including the principal), the employees with oversight should be fired. This particular instance aside, if a school district can be sued for its taxpayer supported newspaper's content, their actions and lack of actions placed taxpayer funds in jeopardy.
Any board members who decided to "look the other way" when all of this must have been going down should, at the least, make an unqualified public apology to Snow and the community via press release. Just an "I'm sorry. I was wrong." with no wishy washy qualifiers.
Snow should be given equivalent space/time in the school paper with unrestricted content. Not only was this an attack on the taxpayers' dime, it was, indeed, political.
In addition to an apology to Snow in the district newsletter, Snow should also be given a page in the district newsletter with unrestricted content so that his voice has some chance of reaching many of the people this school paper editorial reached.
----------
To Snow I say
"Keep pursuing truth.
That clique of voices making noise doesn't speak for me.
That clique isn't really doing what's "for" the kids or "for" the community.
That clique of voices is just another example of very small minds in very big heads.
-----------
Students who, at this point in their life, probably think it is the equivalent of horrendous old fogie oppression when asked what time they'll be home - just decided THEY have the right to tell an adult individual (acting as an INDIVIDUAL), American, taxpayer, resident what he has "their" permission to do, think, say, and have an opinion about....on his own time.
Who will they attack next? Will they go after other individuals - teachers, administrators, other board members or (ex.) bus drivers whose social or business resumes include reference to D158 to suppress what those people can do or say on their own time?
Can Snow express his opinions about issues unrelated to schools, money, tax abuse, etc.? Would his preference for (ex.) chocolate Easter Bunnies over Peeps offend these little self-appointed opinion police?
From the safety of Non-adult Island, that protected zone where kids get a free pass because of their age, limited life experience, and our choice to pull our verbal punches when dealing with "puppies" - they used their immunity and a taxpayer paid newspaper to tell Snow his words should rise and set with them as if he is their personal lap dog robot on a string.
Unlike the previous piece which essentially praised him for pursuing truth, this one limits his pursuit and expression of truth....while insisting their right to speak is "protected".
Another "truth" be told in a different article - their ("their" being defined as some of the student body) survivalist "compassion" for the possible displacement of D300 students if the extras were cut and the referendums didn't pass - was that they didn't want their rivals moving and coming to the D158 high school. Plain and simple, they didn't want their turf upset. In their minds, Snow was getting in the way of them protecting their immediate "own".
My guess is that besides being safe zone, self-centered bullies, that they also had some invisible adult "hands" up their backs helping to move their mouths and thought processes. (Similar "hands" were active during the 2004 referendum campaign.) These students had the option to speak out in a public paper like everyone else but decided they were better than the rest of us and opted to use their closed school world voice.
How is a resident supposed to present the other side of the story? So much for anything near an equal playing field.
In 2004, 2005, and continuing now in 2006 - whenever Snow told/tells financial truth - adult administrators/employees/board members/PAC people go out of their way in an attempt to shut him down. His record of accuracy is above excellent. D158's record isn't. Pounds of newspaper ink have been devoted to "revelations" about D158's finances and business decisions, it can't balance its books past or present, and it makes you wonder what ELSE might show up if the people in power weren't obstructing every idea and question that comes from Snow's savvy mind.
His heart, determination, and countless unpaid hours of work on behalf of these kids and all residents is well known. While others applaud their own poor performance and resent his presence because it upsets their fantasy world and previously unquestioned kingdom, he takes the flack for telling truth.
Part 2 Now what........
I'd immediately fire the administrators/employees who allowed the papers off school grounds before the board decided (right or wrong) whether or not they should be distributed.
If the paper was printed without first being read by employees (including the principal), the employees with oversight should be fired. This particular instance aside, if a school district can be sued for its taxpayer supported newspaper's content, their actions and lack of actions placed taxpayer funds in jeopardy.
Any board members who decided to "look the other way" when all of this must have been going down should, at the least, make an unqualified public apology to Snow and the community via press release. Just an "I'm sorry. I was wrong." with no wishy washy qualifiers.
Snow should be given equivalent space/time in the school paper with unrestricted content. Not only was this an attack on the taxpayers' dime, it was, indeed, political.
In addition to an apology to Snow in the district newsletter, Snow should also be given a page in the district newsletter with unrestricted content so that his voice has some chance of reaching many of the people this school paper editorial reached.
----------
To Snow I say
"Keep pursuing truth.
That clique of voices making noise doesn't speak for me.
That clique isn't really doing what's "for" the kids or "for" the community.
That clique of voices is just another example of very small minds in very big heads.
-----------
Well, your point about wheter it's the students original thoughts or not is wel taken. But as we have repeatedly seen lately and many people have commented on during my lifetime, the impact of educators opinions on those they teach is growing. I recognize that it is impossible to teach critical thinking without having some impact on your students opinions, but how come it's always has to be to turn them more liberal.
And I do not think we have to pull our punches when we respond to these "puppies". As I said in another post to our friend Dave, when studnets decide to wade into the world of community affairs, boards of education, taxes, etc, they enter the adult world. They deserve to be treated with respect, but other than that, thier opinions curry no favor because they have yet to reach the age of legal adulthood.
The critical thing here is not to infringe on free speech, not Larry's, not his fellow board members, not the studnets who write the paper. And certianly not our!
Remeber, less than 40% of the colonists in 1776 supported the revolution. It was the free and open debate that went on for 11 years, that came up with that marvelous document that we have formed this nation around. May we never forget the value of the debate, and our right to disagree...ever.
And I do not think we have to pull our punches when we respond to these "puppies". As I said in another post to our friend Dave, when studnets decide to wade into the world of community affairs, boards of education, taxes, etc, they enter the adult world. They deserve to be treated with respect, but other than that, thier opinions curry no favor because they have yet to reach the age of legal adulthood.
The critical thing here is not to infringe on free speech, not Larry's, not his fellow board members, not the studnets who write the paper. And certianly not our!
Remeber, less than 40% of the colonists in 1776 supported the revolution. It was the free and open debate that went on for 11 years, that came up with that marvelous document that we have formed this nation around. May we never forget the value of the debate, and our right to disagree...ever.
I'm proud that we live in a country where we can argue over opinion and statements made by all groups of Americans young and old. I read and appreciate them all. For me, it's only when opinion crosses the line and is presented as fact when things become dangerous.
Dave Bishop
West Dundee
Dave Bishop
West Dundee
Dave -
Interesting comment. It sounds like you value a forum where things that are presented as fact can be probed and questioned to validate that they are facts, not just opinions. It seems that you would value individuals who have the hutspa to stand up and say, "hey, hold on a second, this does not sound right. In my experience this is not a fact...."
Why, infact it sound like you welcome the input of individuals like Larry and Jack and John? Didn't they question what they thought was opinion presented as fact. As an example, wasn't the revenue projection presented as fact, and later when it was shown to be flawed, it was explained away as one set of very educated opinions?
I do not mean to get back into that debate, but what side of this do you come down on? are you for free speech or not? Under free speech, you cannot say that opinions cannot be presented by the speaker as fact. You do not have to like it. You do not have to accepted. And you shoudl certianly challange it. But you have to allow it.
Interesting comment. It sounds like you value a forum where things that are presented as fact can be probed and questioned to validate that they are facts, not just opinions. It seems that you would value individuals who have the hutspa to stand up and say, "hey, hold on a second, this does not sound right. In my experience this is not a fact...."
Why, infact it sound like you welcome the input of individuals like Larry and Jack and John? Didn't they question what they thought was opinion presented as fact. As an example, wasn't the revenue projection presented as fact, and later when it was shown to be flawed, it was explained away as one set of very educated opinions?
I do not mean to get back into that debate, but what side of this do you come down on? are you for free speech or not? Under free speech, you cannot say that opinions cannot be presented by the speaker as fact. You do not have to like it. You do not have to accepted. And you shoudl certianly challange it. But you have to allow it.
If anyone out there would like to see some of the responses I have received from the critical 6 about REAL issues in the district, I would be happy to share them...it will completely expose them for who they really are....and they are no church-going, God-fearing, for-the -kids kind of people...they are completely for themselves, their ego trips, and their delusional thinking.
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