Unfortunately this is a bullying era even though we aren’t supposed to tolerate bullying. And as we all know bullies require toadies.

Fortunately it looks like the people of Rockford are coming out of hibernation in time for grilling season.

“Morr Morr Mrr” is actually a parody of the Billy Idol song Rebel Yell, and since Dr Sheffield’s speechwriter lately tried to hit Rockford’s gear head with a quote from Tom Petty, I thought I’d try my hand. If Tom were dead, he’d rollover in his grave, to think the school reform movement would use his lyric to defend school closings in poor neighborhoods by a person making $ 300,000 per year.. Apologies to Mr. Idol.

Readers should compare Mr. Rollins’ website with his printed materials. I’d appreciate a clarification of his public statement. The Alignment Rockford website quote was a cut paste no brainer.

Diane Ravitch spoke directly to Mary Jo Powers, saying also “I am well aware of what is happening in Rockford…..” I may have added the word “autumn” inadvertently, another song. My point is, the folly and corruption in Rockford is being watched by national observers, including, I’m sure those who had the ability to grant Race to the Top Funds.

My quote of the exchange between David Kelly and Larry Morrissey is reconstructed from my recollection of the moment and others who were present. I may have mistakenly written a portion of the actual conversation as a few moments later, I was escorted out of the building by armed private security on instructions from the district monitor. TRRT added the quotes around “I’ll be back.” Which should be attributed to the Gover-nator Arnold Schwartzeneger (a fan of privatization.) and not to LJM. I did not mean to imply that anyone was made of whipped egg whites.

My quotes from Shannon Bingham are covered mainly in my TRRT article of the week of Feb 10 and were noted directly as he responded. What amazed me about this exchange was that at first I thought I was witnessing the melt down of an actual defector. I realized later that I was mistaken. He was so arrogant in the conviction of his purpose and in his paycheck, he felt he could say anything to a parent, a teacher, a citizen of this city and get away with it. I followed him all day and he wrote his name and number on the page where I was taking notes. I’m glad he spoke as he did, even though I was shocked. It helped me understand something important. The night I read Bingham’s statements to the board, his contract was renewed and his daily rate was increased to something over $1000 per day. His arrogance was well founded.

The quote from Bob Evans was a partial quote and may have been unfair. At the forum, plainly upset, Evans actually named some of the persons and organizations towards whom he felt betrayal. I did not put those names in the article and that may have left the reader confused. When I asked why the Mayor and business community were thus far silent on the closures, Evans characterized his position on the school board as having been set up to defend the estimated $50 million gap against the rage of the community all alone and without help from the “…cowards.” It is well documented that one of the engines of privatization is that the business community ultimately benefits from the shift. School boards pay nothing to a local chamber, while for-profit businesses that provide meals, books, services, facilities, staff, charter operations, management, consultants and more as sub contractors to the non-profit charters do pay. Dollars once for children are captured by business that’s the point. The four words in quotes actually came from Mr Evans, tho’ I would understand it might be necessary to distance himself from them. I was grateful for his directness. Others were present.

People say the darndest things. I cannot believe but that it is a healthy thing for people’s masks to come off in Rockford. Some are doing this voluntarily others are a little more attached. What our kids do not need is for the adults to be “lost in a masquerade.” That would be Leon Russell talking.

This week two of Rockford’s best ever principals are leaving. One was terminated/suspended under falsified claims, another is quitting because she can’t stand it any more. (My characterization.) Dear reader, why are we losing our best?

People should be held accountable for the things they say and things they do, especially when those people are in positions of public trust, elected or appointed. I know teachers and principals are. Thank you for doing your own analysis of the source documents provided. Keep going.

It’s called “Opinions” for a reason. The Rock River Times just doesn’t corner it off into its own section. Also: 10 links. No proof? Apparently facts have to be published in “reliable” news sources (which it seems can only be the three TV stations and the Rockford Register Star) to be valid according to the side opposite David’s. But here’s the problems. The paper has refused to print several letters (I know people that have gotten first-hand responses sounding like this, so I’m not making this up) – articles with TRUTH, despite conversations that say otherwise – that would seriously force the RRStar to get back on track to consistently investigate. And the TV stations rarely if ever fully show opinions like David’s and mine, while making reports about “programs and schools they simply can’t afford” in a tone that convinces people that the TV stations agree. The real truth that I hope everyone agrees on: no matter what the money, we should never be able to say to a student that we don’t have what they need and they’ll have to search and pay for that special thing on their own.

More first hand accounts, NOT wild stories: no PTO meetings, no handouts (even non-political ones), or media as in the past are allowed unless it goes through Mark Bonne, who’s getting a lot of tasks that shouldn’t be his to begin with. Bonne is even stopping things as trivial for the administration as buses for extracurricular trips – this is happening at my high school where the principal is helpless to give answers. And this is just one of the issues with 201 S. Madison that can be scrutinized. The Rock River Times is simply a venue that allows this healthful discussion, if a bit emotional, to happen.

So before my comment is called an immature rant, let me ask this: do we want to have money wasted and then be told that 6-person classes and 10 new administrative positions are more important than successful elementary schools, arts education, early education, language immersion, Montessori, or a 29-person AP class? If we want what’s best for our kids, we need to pay attention to similar patterns of tension that have happened in real life to directly affect real families in other districts across the nation. It’s not a bunch of wild conspiracies or “immature drivel”.

If the head editor of the RRStar can write a letter to tell the public that their cries for justice are annoying and won’t help, then the rhetoric of the letter above – and the Rock River Times’ gumption to accept and publish it – are simply efforts to get an equal opposing word out there with the same force.

Paraphrasing is not the same as misquoting. If the mayor has issues with any misquotes from Mr. Stocker, then they can argue it out and even bring the courts in for that matter. Same for the mayor and the Rock River Times.

As for my agreeing with this column, that is my right. It is not up to me to prove or disprove anything said in this column as I didn’t write it. It is your right to disagree with me and I wouldn’t dream of asking you to prove me wrong.

I will say that if you don’t like Mr. Stocker’s commentary, don’t read it. And if you don’t like my agreeing with him, feel free to disagree.

And if you don’t like the RRTimes then don’t read the paper or look it up online.

Thank you.