Monday, June 18, 2007

IN IT TO WIN IT!!!

OKAY,

AFTER SPEAKING WITH ALL OF YOU AND TALKING WITH THE ATTORNEY,

WE HAVE DECIDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE LAWSUIT.


WHILE THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF YOU THAT RESPONDED WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD SOME OF YOU HAVE OPTED OUT AND I RESPECT THAT...THIS WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION FOR ANY OF US.

THANK YOU TO ALL THAT HAVE RESPONDED.


FINANCIAL UPDATE:

WE WILL BE CLOSE ON THE MONEY. $10,000 GOING TO COURT REPORTING ALONE.

IF ANYONE KNOWS OF A COURT REPORTER WILLING TO DONATE TIME AT A DISCOUNTED RATE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP. THAT COULD HELP US A LOT.

ACCORDING TO OUR ATTORNEY, RAISING ANOTHER $3,000 WOULD BE OPTIMAL. WE NEED TO CONSIDER OUR FUNDRAISING OPTIONS.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A PLANNING MEETING SOMETIME THIS WEEK---THURSDAY NIGHT? 7PM --- LET ME KNOW OR CALL/EMAIL ME WITH IDEAS. WE MUST WORK FAST!!! (Administrative hearings go quickly and we should be done before next school year for sure.)

WHOO HOO!!! HANG ON—HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

--JoAnne Zeise

Sunday, June 17, 2007

DECISION TIME!!!

Dear Neighbors,

I wanted to give an update on our situation before Monday AM when I talk with the attorney.

In response to my email &/or phone calls:


I HAVE HEARD FROM APPROXIMATELY 35 FAMILIES

30 FAMILIES WISH TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT.

WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY $8,000 IN THE BANK and

WE HAVE RECEIVED $6,500 IN PLEDGES/CONTRIBUTIONS THIS WEEK

bringing our TOTAL TO ABOUT $14,500 + THE MONEY ALREADY GIVEN TO THE ATTORNEY.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE STILL MANY OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT RESPONDED

IF I DO NOT HEAR FROM YOU BY MONDAY, I WILL ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN UP THE FIGHT AND DO NOT WISH TO CONTINUE.

I DO NOT THINK THAT OUR PRESENT FUNDS ARE ENOUGH TO MOVE FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE FAMILIES ON BOARD.

IF YOU WISH TO CONTINUE AND HAVE NOT YET CALLED, PLEASED DO SO NOW!!!

To the families who have decided it’s time to move on, “thank you for your interest and support on this issue. I hope that at the very least it has drawn us closer together as a community.” Many of you have suggested that we accept Wekiva and give the left over money to the City for the charter school option and the eventual fight against Evans. I have discussed this opinion in depth with both Joel Keller and the Mayor over the past few weeks. It is a worthy suggestion and I must admit waffling between it and standing strong several times in recent weeks.

Up to this point I have been hesitant to try and influence anyone, but rather have seen my job as a “dispatcher” of information. But there is one incident in this whole affair that I cannot shake. It continues to spurs me on...

After the map was presented in April I took a drive. I drove the entire perimeter of the Wekiva zone. I drove down 13th street in Apopka and then north past Sweet Water Country Club. I drove down OBT to All American Blvd and Forest City Road. I zig-zagged the map driving past the new high school several times-- It looks exactly like Ocoee—maybe we could live with this, I thought. The principle is suppose to be good...but as I drove home, I noticed the neighborhoods just south of Claracona-Ocoee Rd at the end of Hiawassee that would not be going. They are within the 2 mile radius. There is a sidewalk that goes from the high school to this neighborhood. Why weren’t they included?

I drove through the area, past the houses mostly smaller, lower income it appeared. I saw a women standing outside and decided to talk with her. Her English was broken, but we communicated easily. “Why wasn’t that her school?" she asked me. “Why won’t they send us there?” (as if she were a plague!) As I looked at her, my words failed. Not because I didn’t have an answer, but because I didn’t want to say it.

Because in that moment the real reason we are not staying in Ocoee became obvious to me. It’s not because of overcrowding in Ocoee, that we are moving but about numbers at Wekiva. The right numbers....They needed 250 seats. But not just any seats---they needed higher reading scores and affluence at Wekiva. Look at the maps. Do the comparisons to Ocoee. Why are the entry numbers leaning in Wekiva’s favor? Because in this move they rob Ocoee to balance Wekiva. Hitting the City of Ocoee twice as hard. 250 kids, while small by itself, is nearly 10% of a population. That’s enough to skew the numbers.

Remember, the purpose of the lawsuit is not to change the boards mind. They are no longer a part of this process. Now we take our argument before a judge who will determine whether it has merit or not.

At the same time the City is moving forward with Charter Schools. That has not changed.

And we are looking into ways to enforce change at the school board level.

So, no matter what decision we make in the next few days, let me say “thank you” to all who have helped in this fight. It has been a privilege to help on the communication side. Personally, I hope we move forward. Because I think we are on the right side of this issue. But I will not force the decision. All of you on the other end of this email will have to make a choice.

Thanks Again,

--JoAnne Zeise
Prairie Lake Subdivision

Monday, June 11, 2007

School Board Votes Tommorrow!!

PLAN TO ATTEND

TUESDAY JUNE 12TH, 5:30PM
Educational learning Center
445 W. Amelia St, Orlando
(next to the Amway Arena)

Monday, May 28, 2007

June 12 is our last chance

SCHOOL REZONING INFORMATION
FOR OCOEE RESIDENTS

IMMEDIATE REZONING ISSUES:

• All residents north of Hackney Prairie and east of Clark as well as new subdivisions off Ingram Rd. are being considered for rezoning to the new Wekiva H.S. ( this includes: Sawmill, Prairie Lakes, Remington Oaks, Orchard Park, Windstone, Forest Trails, Kensington Manor, and all new developments)

• JUNE 12 IS OUR LAST CHANCE TO INFLUENCE THE SCHOOL BOARD ON OUR OPINIONS BEFORE THEY MAKE THEIR DECISION FINAL!!!

FUTURE CONCERNS:

•The NEW EVANS H.S. is slated to open in August 2009 at APOPKA-VINELAND RD AND SILVERSTAR (PRESENT 9TH GRADE CTR. CAMPUS)
o OCPS has repeatedly stated they “have never discussed rezoning”,
o Jim Martin also states “an eventual rezoning is inevitable with the population growth in our area.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Get involved. Be aware of the issues. Continue to check this website as well as OCPS (see sidebar), and email Ocoee Mayor Scott Vandergrift to receive his gazette.
• MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ON JUNE 12TH AT 5:30PM
o Education Leadership Bldg, 445 Amelia Street, Downtown Orlando (near the arena)

CHARTER SCHOOLS:

• The city has hired an independent group, Charter Schools, USA to do a feasibility study for a charter school.
• That study should be completed by or near the end of June.
• They have indicated that Aug 2008 would be their target goal for opening a charter. (You can contact city commissioner, Joel Keller at jkeller@ci.ocoee.fl.us for more information)

Friday, May 11, 2007

Where Do We Stand?

On May 2, 2007 the OCPS Board voted to advertise "option #3" of the proposed rezoning maps. (see "link to map" in the right hand column) They are expected to vote to approve this map on June 12.

It is interesting to note that due to the compressed zoning schedule, the "proposed rezoning maps" were presented to the public just 1 day before the board voted to advertise one. They were, in fact, nothing more than the Jan. 23rd map with various movement options of neighborhoods along the original lines. What they did not do was look at a new map that would include areas not previously explored-- Neighborhoods within walking distance to Wekiva High School.

Why have they not explored these areas? I hope to find the answer soon when I meet with Board Members individually.

I am amazed at the different reactions: Some parents wonder "why are you fighting this?" They question us not because they agree with the school board, but because they argue, "they won't listen anyway...they don't have too...they don't care...we can't win." The response is never," this is a good move for our community." At most it's "what can we do? Maybe it wont be so bad." Many who have the means, have moved or are planning to move. Not because Wekiva will be a bad school, but because they moved to Ocoee to find community. They liked the small town feel, the community sports, and the "mayor mobile". They felt safe. But now, in their wisdom, OCPS has taken this small town and in 3 short years turned it from a one High School community to three! Parents and families feel disenfranchised (to steal a famous buzz word) and blind-sided by this last rezoning.

The Board wonders at our concern. They accuse us of being "small minded, ungrateful, and over reacting, unconcerned for the surrounding communities." They ask us to trust them, while they move a failing school to our back door. "We have no plans to rezone Evans" they state repeatedly, yet when asked if they would put it in writing, they simply state "it is not in the plans to rezone Evans." I would point out that their published plan for 2007 (currently listed on their website and signed by Superintendent Ron Blocker and Commissioner Karen Ardaman) states that their intention for Evans High School was to remodel it, not move it. How can we be sure there won't be more "unexpected changes" in the future?

And there in lies my frustration and heart of our cause to "Save Ocoee Community Schools." What is best for the community? Not just Ocoee, but the surrounding area as well? We have kids flocking to Ocoee H.S, from the Evans district. I don't fault them for that, the system failed them and they are taking care of their kids. I would do the same. But when the Wekiva rezoning maps where drawn up, only 500 students from Evans were included--those north of Clarcona Ocoee Rd. What about those neighborshoods south, within 2 miles of the school? Why were they not included? Is not their exodus to our district in part to blame for the Ocoee overcrowding? Could we not serve both communities better by giving everyone a school they can be proud of?

We have asked repeatedly for the board to wait, before they rezone the residents of Ocoee. Wait 2 years to see if the exodus slows with the new school. Honor the City borders and allow our students who were just rezoned 2 years ago to stay.

So where do we stand? Honestly, our chances are slim that we can effect any change with the school board. Their minds appear to be made up. Their move to rescind the Jan. 23rd map was a merely a legal maneuver to insure our rezoning would be "legal defensible". "Better" was not their aim. "Community" is a term they advocate only at their convenience.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

DOES THE SCHOOL BOARD WANT TO COMMUNICATE??

Below is a copy of an email I sent to Ms Rozelle, Administrative Specialist, Pupil Assignment
Orange County Public Schools:

Ms. Rozelle,

My name is JoAnne Zeise and I am a resident of West Orange County. I am curious about the meeting change regarding the repeal of the Jan. 23, 2007 Board action adopting the Apopka Relief Attendance Zone. It was originally scheduled for March 27, 2007 and has now, according to you, been moved to April 10, 2007. Below is the list of “upcoming events” copied from the OCPS website today, Saturday, March 24. I do not see the change listed. Also, I linked to the “rezoning timeline” under pupil assignment (also dated Saturday March 24, 2007) and did not see a notice of change or the listing of any meeting involving a “repeal of zoning” for that matter. I also searched my address under the pupil assignment/“find your school” search. The address could not be found!

How does the school board expects parents to be involved in the zoning process if they do not communicate even basic information such as public meeting times? I spoke to several parents yesterday who where planning on attending the March 27th meeting. They were unaware of any changes. It is my understanding that the school board must advertise “public meetings” and changes thereof. I would hope that this lack of communication is an oversight and not a purposeful attempt to alienate the community from this important process.

Please let me know where these changes are posted and how to stay involved in this important process so that I might communicate it to others. Thank you.

A concerned parent and resident,

--JoAnne Zeise
Prairie Lake Subdivison


Below is the list of meeting times copied from the OPCS Website Saturday March 24, 2007:


SATURDAY, MARCH 24,
2007

Upcoming Events
Mar. 1 - 28 Take an ORANGE TV survey for Orange County Government
Mar. 26, 6:00 PM Evans High School community input forum in school auditorium
Mar. 27, 5:30 PM School Board Meeting
Mar. 31, 10:00 AM Summer Camp Fair at Orlando Fashion Square
Apr. 20 Spring holiday
May 2, 4:30 PM School Board Budget Committee Meeting
May 22 Last day of school
May 29, 6:00 PM School Board Work Session - operating budget
June 4 - 29 Summer school dates (Session 1 - June 4-15; Session 2 - June 18-29)



All new high schools open grades 9-11

Tuesday, August 15, 2006 Board Reviewed Rezoning Process
October 2-13, 2006
Meet with Board Members, Area Superintendents, School Principals, Biracial Committee, SAC & PTSA, and Transportation


Community Meetings Location
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 School Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 School Board Meeting
Friday, December 8, 2006 Advertise Option(s) in Newspapers
Monday, December 4, 2006 School Board Information Session
Monday, November 27, 2006 Meeting with Cabinet
November 16-17, 2006 Meet with Principals, Area Superintendents and Transportation if necessary
November 13-15, 2006 Meet with individual Board Members
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
6:30 p.m. Apopka High Relief School Apopka High School Auditorium
Monday, October 30, 2006
6:30 p.m. Gotha/ Lakeview Middle Relief School West Orange High School Auditorium
Thursday, October 26, 2006
6:30 p.m. Whispering Oak/ Windermere Elementary Relief School West Orange High School Auditorium
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
6:30 p.m. Sadler/ Shingle Creek Elementary Relief School Oak Ridge High School Auditorium
Monday, October 23, 2006
6:30 p.m. NorthLake Park/ Vista Lakes Elementary Relief School Colonial High School Auditorium

Monday, March 19, 2007

Is anyone there?

Hey guys, a blog is suppose to be interactive! Please leave me a comment or observation. Congratulations to Danny Leno, from Sawmill, who has already raised $240 for the bike-a-thon on March 31st. Don't forget the grand prize for the top fund raiser is a new bike! So you better get going if you want to catch Danny!!
Don't have a registration form? Click on the link in the top right corner of this page, remember to type "registration" in the subject line.