Triangle Neighborhood Association Meeting

Monday, April 3, 2006

 

            A meeting of the Triangle Neighborhood Association was held on Monday, April 3, 2006 at Warner Elementary School in the library.  A summary of the presentations made and the discussions held at the meeting follows:

 

1.              President Meg Hudson called the meeting to order at 7:07PM.

 

2.              Thirty-six persons were present when the meeting began.

 

3.              Captain Maggitti spoke to the group:

·      Tom Baker and Meg Hudson were given the crimes statistics

o      On March 23 and 24, there were two burglaries in the neighborhood.  The pattern appears to be: open back doors and early evening.  No one was apprehended for these burglaries; however, a man with an outstanding warrant was arrested later.

o      There were seven thefts, but five were related to items taken from lockers or cars at Salesianum.

o      A 15-year-old girl was approached last night (Sunday, April 2) around 8:30 PM, while she was in the Monkey Hill pavilion in Brandywine Park.   Prudence indicates that no one should be in Brandywine Park at night.

o      Graffiti marking “ 2 4” was found on the sidewalk near 22nd and Franklin.  The markings are not associated with the phone company.

·      Once again, the Captain urged persons to email him or phone (576-3187) him about suspicious behaviors.

·      Greg Thornton is out of jail and is back in the neighborhood.  He goes by Hakim.  He is an older, short, dark skinned gentleman with a bad eye who offers to rake leaves or do yard work.   If Hakim approaches anyone, call the police (654-5151) to report him as a suspicious person.  He has been known to pick his targets.   He is thought to live in the Trolley Square area.

·      A mailbox at Franklin and McCabe was removed by the Post Office.  There is a mailbox at 20th and VanBuren & 20th and Baynard.

·      Beware of identity theft. People should not leave outgoing mail in their mailbox. Thieves look for checks being mailed.

 

4.              The crime statistics report can be found in the uploaded files area of the TNA yahoo group.

 

5.              Tim Sharpe addressed the meeting:

·      Neighborhood Watch needs more volunteers.  The obligation is only once every three or four months.  The patrol lasts for two hours.

 

6.              Meg addressed the meeting:

·      This is the last call for the Progressive Dinner, which is scheduled for the weekend of April 7 and 8. Chris Chalfant will need the sign-up form soon.  It is a fundraiser for TNA.

·      A question was raised about the format of the Progressive Dinner.  Answer supplied: The current format is appetizers taken together in one house, smaller groups split to go to various houses, and all come back together at the end of the evening.

·      Operation Clean Sweep will take place from May 1 thru May 7.  The city will put up signs in the neighborhood.  On Saturday, May 6, there will be big pick up around 8:30 AM.  Trash trucks will arrive, so volunteers are needed to go along with the truck.  No hazardous materials will be taken.  Scavengers may take any really good things, which are discarded.

·      Howard Sholl is not present at the meeting, due to the death of his brother.  Meg will send a card to Howard from TNA.

·      Howard is creating a slate of TNA officers for the 2006-2007 meeting season.  See the May newsletter for the slate. Board members are needed. Meg will be stepping down from her position, but she does not know about the other officers.

 

7.              Pat Joyce mentioned to the meeting that house addresses should be easily seen on the front of houses.  In an emergency, paramedics need to easily read house addresses. 

·      We should push for everyone in the neighborhood to have an easily read house address displayed.

·      Frank Joyce suggested that TNA print cards, which read like: “Your neighbors have checked the front of your house, and suggest that you display your house address in an appropriate fashion.”

o      A motion was made that TNA print these information cards, which would be placed in the door or in a mailbox.

o      Tim seconded the motion.

o      Motion carried by a voice vote.

o      It was suggested that the Block Captains complete the cards.  The May TNA Newsletter will inform the Block Captains of this task to be performed.

 

8.              Frank Joyce asked that the new members of the neighborhood identify themselves to him, so Block Captains can be informed of new residents.

 

9.              Candidates for the Red Clay School District were presented to the meeting by Meg Hudson:

·      Nominating District C - Two candidates were present:

o      Joshua E. Sperati

o      Yvonne Johnson

·      Nominating District F – Four candidates were present:

o      Theodore G. Pankowski

o      Renee S. Purzycki

o      James Jack Buckley

o      Michael S. Williams

·      The date of election is May 9, 2006.

·      Voting is district wide.

·      More information with polling places is available on line at:

http://www.state.de.us/doe_ncc/Red_Clay/rc_mbr.shtml

 

10.           Each candidate was given an opportunity to speak to the meeting for three minutes.   Once all the presentations were completed, questions would be taken from the floor.

 

11.           Joshua E. Sperati addressed the meeting:

·      I believe education is the silver bullet.

·      Graduated from Cab Calloway School of the Arts

·      Do not like the newspaper accounts of the schools.

·      Taxes – I would have voted for a referendum.

·      The increase in capital taxes must be placed at the State legislature’s feet.

·      In December 2005, the School Board changed the way students dress.  I believe there is no problem with the way the teachers dress.  The way the teachers dress does not cause a distraction.  Why should they wear dress shoes?

 

12.           Yvonne Johnson addressed the meeting:

·      Distributed a flier to those present.

·      I am a parent of two children who attended or are attending schools in the Red Clay School District.

·      My son is 20

·      My daughter is in grade 6 at P. S. Dupont.

·      I have been to every school board meeting except two.          

·      I have been a volunteer.

·      Supported the K thru grade 5 concept.

·      Worked on many referendums in school districts to build new schools.

·      Worked very hard with legislature on educational issues.

·      Fought against the three tier diploma

·      Opposed to high stakes testing with national norms

·      Member of PTO (parent teachers organization) at Brandywine School, and worked on fundraisers.

·      Some on the Board do not have children in Red Clay School District.

·      I bring passion and energy.

 

12.       Theodore G. Pankowski addressed the meeting:

·      I have lived in Delaware, with most of the time spent in the Red Clay area.

·      My wife works in the in Meadowood school

·      Involved with sports at Richland Park School.

·      I have been in the construction industry most of my life as a laborer, foreman, and lead foreman.

·      Committed to education of our children.

·      We need smaller class sizes.

·      Teachers must be supported.

·      Interaction with parents is essential.

·      I am for the establishment of a financial advisor committee.

·      I agree that School Board minutes should be shared with the public.

 

13.           Renee Purzycki addressed the meeting:

·      She distributed her bio to those present.

·      I grew up in Delaware.

·      Mount Pleasant High School graduate.

·      Graduated from the University of Delaware, majoring in Sociology.

·      Graduated from University of Pennsylvania with a Masters Degree in Social Work.

·      I have worked with troubled students with special needs.

·      I have volunteered in neighborhood public schools.

·      Former co-chair fo the Red Clay Coalition for Neighborhood and ACE (Advocates for Children’s Education).

·      I look forward to your questions.  I would like to hear what you have to say.

 

14.           Jack Buckley addressed the meeting:

·      My wife and I are residents of the Red Clay School District.

·      My family owns and operates the 9th street Book Shop.

·      My children came to Warner Elementary School.

·      For successful education, we must maintain standards.

·      I focus on one issue, the quality of governance.

·      Last Friday’s newspaper headline was about the surprise increase in school taxes.

·      There are three reasons why I should be elected:

o      First, I love being a contrarian.  There needs to be a different opinion.

o      Secondly, I am for an “Open Meeting” laws with full disclosure.

o      Thirdly, I love digging into issues.

 

15.           Michael Williams addressed the meeting:

·      Last year Ruddy left, but position was not filled. 

·      I have four young children.

·      Delaware has gotten a bad wrap.

·      Why do we have to be second best?

·      Accountability will produce results.

·      The 60 million dollar budget can be spent better.

 

16.           The floor was opened for questions.  The question is to be addressed to a specific candidate.   The responses will be limited to one minute.

 

17.           Question for Yvonne and Jack: How do you feel about a teacher wearing flip-flops?

·      Yvonne indicated that teachers should not wear flip-flops. Principals should address this issue.  There is no need to wear dresses and skirts only.

·      Jack indicated that the teacher dress code was handed down from the top.  Teachers were not involved with the decision. I do not think flip-flops are appropriate; however, the way the dress code was developed insulted the teachers.  We had an administration problem. The issue could have been solved with good administration.

 

18.           Question:  Why are there weak choices in schools for our children?  How would you make Warner School better?

·      Yvonne asked what you want to see improved at Warner. To which TNA members indicated that teachers and aides are needed in the classroom.  In addition, a TNA member indicated that some schools need more money.

 

19.           Questions: How is it that the Highlands were carved out of the district? Why are troubled or problematic children  sent to Warner?

·      Yvonne indicated that the intent was to relieve crowding in Middle Schools, especially Brandywine Springs.  Information comes to us too late.

 

20.           Question on redistricting: Why should we have to “choice” our children to go to Brandywine, which poses additional transportation concerns.

·      Yvonne indicated that we have an innovated School Board. We have choice: K-5, Cal Callaway School and Charter School.  We have a great school district, but we need more communication. We should work as a team with the community.

·      Renee mentioned the K through 5 program.

·      Jack indicated that we have a 500-pound gorilla in the room, namely redistricting has produced a population, which is 70 percent minority and 50 percent below the poverty level.

 

21.           Question: Does the local press cover school issues adequately?

·      Joshua indicated that the dress code issue occurred in December, but was reported in March in the New Journal.

 

22.           Question: We had an incident in this school.  The School Board had approved a renovation of K through 8 building.  How is it that renovation contracts could be awarded without any input from the community?

·      Yvonne indicated that interested persons should attend School Board meetings.   There are public meetings,

·      Theodore indicated that School Board minutes should be given to the community.  We need to get the information to the people.

·      Renee indicated we must work on improving neighborhood schools. Students should not have to be at a bus stop at 6:30 AM.  In the choice model, parent must provide the transportation.

·      Yvonne indicated that we should keep our children close to home; however, parent can drive their children to a bus stop.

·      Renee indicated that one can car pool to avoid a one-hour bus trip.

·      Jack indicated that his children had a 45-minute bus ride, but Warner was a different school back then.

 

23.           Question: Does anyone have a concern about segregation?

·      Yvonne indicated that people choose where they want to live.  When I was young in Long Island, we went to school around the corner.  When we moved to Delaware we were surprised about a one-hour plus trip to school.

·      Renee indicated that Delaware has one of the highest rates of private schools in the country.

·      Yvonne indicated that there are waiting lists for Cab Calloway School and Charter School, due to the programs offered.  Why not make Warner a magnet school?  Conrad will be a magnet school with a biotech program

·      Joshua indicated that one must test into Charter School.  Only 50 percent of Charter School students come from the Red Clay School District.  Cab Calloway School demands an audition for admission, and then the qualified student’s name is place in a lottery.

·      Jack indicated that all elementary schools need to be granted a waiver for larger class size; however, we have the lowest ratio of student per administrator.

·      Yvonne indicated that the school district is working on the class size waiver issue.  The approved class size is 22 students per teacher.  The State does not fund beyond this approved ratio.

·      Theodore indicated that the School Board should address small class size.  Parents are begging for smaller class sizes.  We should question why office space is being rented.  We do not need more offices at the cost of $700 per year. We need smaller class sizes.  Decisions are made behind closed doors.

·      Yvonne indicated that the office space issue fell through.

 

24.           Question: When will Conrad become a magnet school?

·      Yvonne indicated that current students feeding into Conrad will have first choice.  The students must maintain a certain grade level to remain.  At Brandywine Springs the current administrative offices will become classrooms.

·      Yvonne indicated that Conrad would have a biotech career path program.  A Vocational Technical school in each school district would be desirable.

 

25.           Question:  What are the mechanics of the School Board elections?

·      Various persons provided the pertinent information:

o      The nominating districts we have heard from are C and F.

o      Each person should review the positions of the candidates.

o      Warner will not be a polling place; however, nearby Park View Apartments will be a polling place.

o      There are two other candidates for Nominating District C.  They are Philip D. Anderson and Patrick J. Henry.

o      A picture ID is required.

o      One does not need to be a registered voter.

o      Polls are open from 10 AM to 8 PM on Tuesday, May 9, 2006.

 

26.           Meg thanked the community for their involvement during the meeting.

 

27.           The May 1st meeting will be devoted to the TNA elections and will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Warner Library.

 

28.           The meeting concluded at 8:26 PM.