Minutes on BOE meet the candidate Roundtable forum

[Lancastermom]

the mud slinging is shameful. why would you want to be a part of that? no, i know of nothing that could remotely be considered a conflict of interest. you had lifelong friends run together last year. where was the concern about the conflict of interest there? come on...

i did not know much about dr okeke before and i did not learn anything as she did not answer the questions posed. i would hope that now that the board meeting is posted online that the entirety of the meet the candidates will be as well. i would invite speakupwny readers to ask themselves after every candidates response if they offered a direct answer to the question posed. dr okeke absolutely, 100% did the worst in that regard. any curious viewer would see it that way and i am no fan of the redskins candidates whatsoever. i would much, much rather dr okeke was elected than either of them, but she did not directly address the questions.

From the little bit I know, Mrs. Christopher and Mrs. Depczynski were not even in the same class and not "lifelong friends". I'd be happy to get back to you on that though.

[abc123]

From the little bit I know, Mrs. Christopher and Mrs. Depczynski were not even in the same class and not "lifelong friends". I'd be happy to get back to you on that though.

Perhaps an exaggeration. Still their friendship was of no concern then. Something Mrs depcynski did though was of great concern to you though. It was such a concern that you got in line at Meet the Candidates, asked one and only one question, and directed it to her.

What was it again, Lancaster Mom?

[shortstuff]

I feel it is too shortstuff and I didn't even bring that tidbit out. Just as much so as she's in line with gallagher, her ex or soon to be ex's niece's husband and district (heavily). While serving on these same if not all of the committees that she did she wasn't there because she was at work. Which am I referring to? District PTO for at least the last two years, the building planning team which she took a position away from others who would actually show up. She may have made two in two years there. And to keep referring to her as Mrs. Metz is a joke. They don't even live together anymore from what I am told.

I'm not interested in the relationships that exist between certain folks, what you just brought to my attention was the matter on attentiveness and if I may add Metz is the establishment connection to local political ties. I believe, and this is not personal reflection in her family ties, but don't we feel that new anti-establishment folks with real ideas be a better fit on that board. Also, Dr. Okeke personified her answers well with clarity and I appreciated the notion that she is a parent, an educator a collaborator etc. One of the things she mentioned which I agree with is that she would like to see more forums in an attempt to collaborate ideas and continue the dialog with the community.

Schaefer, well I did notice that she was restrictive in her opinions and yes she did have her arms folded you are accurate. However, I took away the thought that she was pensive and was trying to be considerate in her responses. Brian disappointed me.

[abc123]

lee nailed it when he said okeke is an enigma. it is really easy to say that you are a collaborator and good listener. but she has not demonstrated that she understands the dynamic at play here, that people in that audience - actively encouraged by the 2 on the board - come with the intent to discredit those who voted to change the mascot. it's why they are there and what motivates them. just yesterday at a PTO meeting, dr okeke said that she was not aware until very recently that mrs christopher and mrs depcynski were the leaders of the redskin movement. i don't know how that is possible, and if you really aren't aware of what is going on even at a very high level, you can't possibly offer solutions.

[Lancastermom]

Perhaps an exaggeration. Still their friendship was of no concern then. Something Mrs depcynski did though was of great concern to you though. It was such a concern that you got in line at Meet the Candidates, asked one and only one question, and directed it to her.

What was it again, Lancaster Mom?

I did ask a question last year at that time when I was not in favor of the two candidates who were elected to the board, you are correct.

What I did notice, glaringly so as did MANY other people in our community from two different churches and those who came out to speak in favor of or in disapproval of the transgender policy was how two members who brought up motions, ideas or were honestly and for me to say this being completely not in favor of them last year, there had to be a HUGE amount of evidence for me to say what in hell is going on here! These two ladies have secret meetings held on them AFTER board meetings, they have their mic turned down so you can barely hear them, they do what they're asked and get yelled at by other board members. The disrespect to the general public as I watched and listened was so evident. The whole board is dysfunctional. Past board members have told them all to see conflict resolution specialist. Has that happened? No, I don't think so. Last meeting a veteran board member who was unprovoked starting running around after Mrs. Depcynski who was talking to others minding her business. But according to yourself and many here it's just these two ladies and those who support them that are the ones disrupting education right. The note passing that goes on when anyone speaks, the avoidance of looking at speakers no matter who they are is just deplorable.

I had not at this point last year ever think I would have changed my opinion but I certainly have.

[Lee Chowaniec]

lee nailed it when he said okeke is an enigma. it is really easy to say that you are a collaborator and good listener. but she has not demonstrated that she understands the dynamic at play here, that people in that audience - actively encouraged by the 2 on the board - come with the intent to discredit those who voted to change the mascot. it's why they are there and what motivates them. just yesterday at a PTO meeting, dr okeke said that she was not aware until very recently that mrs christopher and mrs depcynski were the leaders of the redskin movement. i don't know how that is possible, and if you really aren't aware of what is going on even at a very high level, you can't possibly offer solutions.

Interesting BN report ABC. I found the public comments most interesting.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-regi...skins-20160511

Tells both sides of the story. It seems we are not blowing smoke up peoples butts. And, respect earned is respect given. The pro Redskin advocates believe the can say anything they want regardless how mean-spirited and demeaning to a board member and they are to just sit there and suck it up. To charge them with unfounded personal allegations and expect the five board members to say, "Thank you, give me more." How ridiculous and stupid is that.

[lord Geof]

I did ask a question last year at that time when I was not in favor of the two candidates who were elected to the board, you are correct.

What I did notice, glaringly so as did MANY other people in our community from two different churches and those who came out to speak in favor of or in disapproval of the transgender policy was how two members who brought up motions, ideas or were honestly and for me to say this being completely not in favor of them last year, there had to be a HUGE amount of evidence for me to say what in hell is going on here! These two ladies have secret meetings held on them AFTER board meetings, they have their mic turned down so you can barely hear them, they do what they're asked and get yelled at by other board members. The disrespect to the general public as I watched and listened was so evident. The whole board is dysfunctional. Past board members have told them all to see conflict resolution specialist. Has that happened? No, I don't think so. Last meeting a veteran board member who was unprovoked starting running around after Mrs. Depcynski who was talking to others minding her business. But according to yourself and many here it's just these two ladies and those who support them that are the ones disrupting education right. The note passing that goes on when anyone speaks, the avoidance of looking at speakers no matter who they are is just deplorable.

I had not at this point last year ever think I would have changed my opinion but I certainly have.

You don't believe that the majority of the discourse has its roots with Christopher and Depcynski

What do you believe they are doing during their "secret meetings"?

I doubt they are planning for some master plan to improve the educational experience for the students.