Steps taken to begin recall petition of Tecumseh School Board members

It seems that Mr. Govro wasnt to worried about any of this supposed mis management of funds before he lost his job?

Eric,   Thats a solid point and I wont argue that with you.  I also have a problem with these teachers now coming forward only after friends and fellow co-workers have lost jobs ! When out of state contractors where used and our local businesses got passed over  and those guys stayed on layoff or got laid off because of  a lack of work  we did not see the teachers up in arms .  I dont care who filed it or why I just know it needed to be done and hope its enough to fix this mess ? 

Mike, I normally agree with your posts, yet I am forced to ask if either you or Eric have ever worked in an environment where the 'leadership' is tyrannical?  Where you are in constant fear of losing your job if you do speak up for anything against the grain? Where the simple act of disagreeing with this 'leadership' could impact the rest of your career and your family's lifestyle?

This is the atmosphere that this current regime has fostered.  The teachers are not speaking up out of simple self-preservation.  The ones that do have either been let go or are at their last resort and can take it no longer.

The company I work for recently received over 1,000 resume's for a simple Clerk posting.  This economy is in crisis and I can not imagine anyone would purposely risk their careers right now to speak out.  It is sad but it is reality.

What out of state contractors were used?

If you speak up against them (McAran, Mills EXC) they look at you as your not loyal, not supporting them! Because it’s all about them, all about their control, the problem is that they have been allowed to do this for a long time now.

They do not like it when people stand up to them. In fact they hate it, but to me it’s to damn bad. I have never been one to just sit here and allow someone make decisions like they have and just feel they do not have to answer to it.

If you want McAran out! Than put enough pressure on him and at some point he will have to do something. To turn things around, than we have to get rid of more than just the Board Of Education! McAran, Mills, The Board, their cronies all have to GO.

THEY are not truthful at all, never have been! All the while sitting here telling people when you’re face to face with them just how much things need to change and just what is going to happen. As if they are talking what you’re saying to heart.

You Mr. Mills have LIED to me to my face on several occasions, just blowing smoke up my rear end. You wanted me involved; you wanted my advice on several programs and wanted me to help with them. What happened to that? O yea that’s right that was my idea and not yours and now you don’t like that I speak my mind! O I also for got! I am also not a Teacher! So I do not fit your profile as a person who can be "good for the kids to be around"

Problem HERE is Parents continue to complain and complain to themselves in the stands, YOU NEED to speak your mind or they will continue to drive every aspect of this school district in the ground. This was needed seven years ago when I first complained in the paper. We have allowed these people to continue for far to long.

Hello One and All!  Eric, I'll speak directly to you first - I don't have to guess at your position or stand on the recall, you've made that evident.  What I will address is "Why now?".  Because it HAS to be done.  More to the point Eric, why didn't anyone else start the process when the bond failed and we were told that the numbers were "worst-case scenario"?  We all knew that the previous 6 to 9 months had been a campaign of lies, but no one stood up.  Kevin you are exactly right, McAren has run rough shod over anyone who would give him grief in any way, and always subtle underhanded tactics that were just across the line to keep the lawyers and union out of it.  My first hand experience was McAren calling me in for a meeting in his office and sitting down across from two police officers, while McAren threatened me with "5 years and $5000" for doing what turned out to be my job. How many of you have had that experience at your jobs? 

Ultimately, the recall is the only possible response to a board that is being manipulated by McAren, several have asked why not go after McAren?  The obvious answer is I can't, his is a "Board Appointed Position" but what I can do is go after the complacency that is sitting on that Board.  I also fully recognize the next problem, McAren will be hand picking the replacements as much he can, which is problematic.  The difference is that I am not going to stop, when the recall happens, and I would really be surprised to find 25 people that would not sign while I find 2500 that will.  I really hope that the board sees the writing on the wall and steps down, although that would take some integrity, and to this point they've shown that the only thing they do is what McAren tells them.  At any rate,  I will give the repacements six months - to the day - to show that they have spines and are ready to guide a school district, which basically means get rid of McAren without letting him retain that money that this board so generously GAVE him for no better reason than 'he said to'.

It's time for the school district to return to common sense, I know that we can not get any of that 3 million dollars back that was flushed down the drain next to the High School, but you all need to ask yourselves "WHAT IS NEXT?"  What are they going to do to this district next?  They have proven that they will not listen to common sense or the voters, there are still plenty of places to waste money and drive this district into bankruptcy.  

I am requesting that anyone available that is tired of the way this district is being run into the ground and the pompous "I don't regret any decisions I have made" attitude of the board - join me at the county court house on the second floor at 9AM on Wednesday the 24th to show support. If everything goes as expected, I will be able to pass out recall petitions directly after - to anyone who would like to gather signatures, my dream would be 100 people walking out with 400 recall petitions and gathering 25 signatures on each one of their petitions and being done at the end of the day.

Thank all of you for 'tuning in' to this forum.

Dave Govro

I guess the only thing I can say regarding the manner is that it's really too late.  The "rainy day" fund is used up, bleachers torn down, students are leaving, and people are already beyond upset.  Anyone who would take the job at this point would be setting themselves up for ridicule and failure.  It will take years to clean up this mess and people will be expecting immediate results.  I admire your gumption and totally understand why you didn't step up before, but if the public was so unhappy...this should have happened way before the field was demolished.  What is next you ask?  Nothing is next because the district does not have anymore money.  I wish you the best of luck with your recall and sincerely hope that you prove me wrong.

As far as Vandlr and his constant complaing about the coaching, I chuckle everytime I read his post.  How silly to keep making this issue about himself.  I understand that it is hard to be rejected, but putting other coaches down is not be the answer.  Everyone has their own coaching style.  You may not agree with Brad Maska (former coach), Brandon Schmidt, or Mensing's coaching decisions, but that's just life.  Coaching is a thankless job.  Someone is always angry with you, win or lose.  You should know that!  Yes, most coaches are teachers and that's how the school districts want it.  It's not just Tecumseh, it's everywhere.  If you can't be a coach, be a fan.  Support the team and hope for the best.