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May 2008 |
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Letters to the Editor
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Wednesday, 21 May 2008 |
Following the Guymon School Board decision on April 14, 2008, regarding uniforms in our school system, a local radio station asked me to come and speak on the radio regarding my position on uniforms. I did not choose to do so, because at that time I felt the issue had been decided by the School Board and should be put to rest; it was time to move forward. However, the issue continues to surface, and we are not able to move forward with other school business as efficiently as we need to. Although an overwhelming majority of the phone calls, emails, text messages, voice mail messages, personal comments, etc. that have been made directly to me since the decision have been to express approval of the decision made, I am told that due to the partial results of a survey conducted, there are those who feel I did not represent the people as is my duty as a School Board member. This letter to the editor seems the simplest means of letting the people of Guymon know my stance on the issue of representing my community in the position I hold serving on the School Board for the Guymon Public School System.
No public forums or other means for the public to obtain objective information, both positive and negative, on the issue of school uniforms were held before a survey was distributed at parent teacher conferences where the parents were asked to complete the survey on the spot with no information on which to base their responses.
Conducting a valid survey is a complicated issue with many facets. Much information can be obtained when the survey is conducted and tallied by those with specialized training in how to compile this type of data to fully utilize it.
The survey was distributed at parent teacher conferences only. If a parent was unable to attend that conference they were not issued a survey. The survey was not a controlled survey. It has been stated that there were 1064 surveys filled out by parents; we have 2445 students throughout our school system. Parents were not given instructions as to whether they were to complete one survey for each child, one survey per parent per child, or whether it was to be one survey per household, etc. Parents have indicated to me personally that they filled out multiple surveys….some intentionally….some because they have multiple children at multiple schools and were not clear on how many surveys they should complete. One mother has indicated she completed surveys at different schools and answered the questions differently, because she talked to someone along the way and changed her mind on how she felt on the issue.
This particular parent survey consisted of nine questions and a final question asking for an explanation of why the parent was for or against school uniforms. The percentage results given to the School Board, and to the public, were determined based only on two questions on the survey “Do you support the creation and implementation of a school uniform policy for Guymon Schools?” and ”Do you feel a uniform policy at Guymon Schools will create a financial burden on your family?” Other questions on the survey were not considered in the percentages that were relayed. Many parents have indicated to me that their answer to those two questions did not reflect their entire opinion on the issue. They completed the survey assuming the entire survey would be considered. At the special board meeting prior to the regular board meeting when the Board decision was made, I reviewed as many comments written on the survey by the parents of Jr. High and High School students as time allowed. There was not ample time to read those comments made by the parents of Elementary students. While reviewing the surveys, I noticed that several of the comments made did not match the response they had indicated in the question asked regarding uniforms. It appeared to me that parents were conflicted on the issue of whether they wanted a school uniform or just a stricter dress code to be enforced.
The community of Guymon is not only made up of people with kids in the school system, but also others with an interest in our community’s school system. They pay taxes; they also have a vested interest in the young people that will run our community one day. They are people with small children who are not yet in school….but will be one day; Grandparents with grandkids in our school system; Aunts and Uncles with nieces and nephews in our school system; and others….many have a vested interest and concern with our school system. These people were not given an opportunity to participate in this survey. Many of them do, however, have an opinion on the issue. Many of these people have contacted me directly.
Prior to the School Board meeting on April 14, 2008, I spent time listening to individuals with varied opinions on the uniform issue, did some research of my own regarding uniforms in school systems, and received many emails, text messages, voice mails, and telephone calls from people in the community regarding the school uniform issue. Some of these consisted of opinions only, while some of them consisted of information people had taken the time to obtain regarding uniforms in schools.
My vote on issues makes up 1/5th of the decisions made by a 5 member School Board. We are a group consisting of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and thought processes, and we do not always have the same opinions on the issues. However, I truly believe we are all five committed to doing what is best for the Guymon School System. Each member puts in countless volunteer hours and is dedicated to the position they have accepted.
It is my duty to represent my community in serving on the School Board, and I will continue to do so to the best of my ability. However, partial survey results of a very small percentage of the community, is not the only means on which my decisions will be based. It is my responsibility to make educated decisions. Just as I did in making my decision regarding uniforms for the Guymon Public School system, my future decisions will continue to be based on a variety of information obtained through my research and valid information presented to me by others, those I speak to in the community regarding the issues, as well as considering information obtained through a survey or other forum that may be conducted. A thorough evaluation of the issues through various means is needed and expected.
Serving on the School Board has been my opportunity to give back to a wonderful community that has given to me and my family all my life. I appreciate that opportunity. It has been an exciting, however, extremely eye opening experience for me. I encourage the public to continue voicing their opinion diplomatically, without tearing others down, in order to help all involved in an issue. We are all in this constant endeavor together to make our school system better and better and to help the GREAT kids we already have in the Guymon school system achieve even greater things.
Sincerely,
Mitzi Dain, School Board Member/ Clerk, Guymon Public Schools
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 May 2008 )
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Wednesday, 21 May 2008 |
Hi, my name is Leslie Mathis, I'm a small town construction worker.
I came to Guymon, OK a little over two months ago, in hope to start and build a new life. I was born and raised in a small town called Kingfisher, OK, but resided in Pauls Valley, OK with my wife and 14 year old daughter.
Being in const., you sometimes have to half to deal with a lot of layoffs, lack of work, the elements of mother nature, and many other things like no medical insurance, nor retirement.
I heard from a friend about a place in OKC that a company called Reconnect were hiring people, recruiting people to go to Guymon, OK to work in a meat plant, offering benefits and good pay.
So I went to OKC to this Reconnect, filled out an application. I meet all the requirements, I was interviewed and told about the many opportunities that lied ahead, by Jennifer Eloy to recruiting manager. I was told the company Seaboard Farms - would furnish me transportation to Guymon, OK, they would furnish lodging, three meals per day, and trnasportation to and from work until I received my first paycheck, and also that they would pay my first month rent and deposit when I found a home.
I was truly excited. Finally a job that would be their for me, and me not just their for it. A job with benefits, and insurance for my, Mary and Tiffany. I was determined to get this j job and keep it, whtever sacrifice I had to make.
I was given a urin test their in OKC, which I passed, because I do not do drugs or drink alcohol.
Next I was on my way to Guymon, OK, their was hope. The first site of the town, I thought to myself, that it was perfect. Small, quiet, with all the churches I saw I felt very spiritual.
Their were to of us brought up. We spent the night in a hotel. The next morning we and our bags were just dropped off at Seaboard plant by Brad and he took off.
We were met by Jay Kirkland, whom after setting for several hr's. took us down to Guymon Police Department were we had to show are ID and Social Security Cards, so that we could be checked out. After that we were taken to the Oaks Manor.
Paige the other person asked Mr. Kirkland what we do for dinner, he told us to walk to the Ambassador. I thought to myself, what I have I gotten myself into now. But still determined I was to make this work.
We were met by Mr. Bob Post whom I must say is a wonderful human being, a little rough around the edges. But has a heart bigger than all of Texas.
We started orientation 3.3.08. The first two weeks were rough because the promises made, of meals and transportation. We had to practically hound * for bus passes and meal tickets to the point I gave up on it. I had a good job and that's all that mattered to me.
I moved out of the Oaks my first paycheck into an apartment in which I was told they would pay my first month's rent and deposit, which was untrue. Allthogh they did pay my deposit the lesser of the two. I paid the rent. The $300 they paid though was a loan, if I stayed with the company for a year I would not half to repay it. Unfortunately, I wasn't given the opportunity. I was terminated on my 60th day.
I gave Seaboard 110 percent of myself, worked overtime, double shifts. I was never late, never missed any days nor called in. I respected everyone. I went to work, church and home, hoping to bring my family here.
On Friday 5-2-08 my supervisor * and myself were called to HR. We went into • office. She was polite, she asked me if I had my old badge. I gave it to her. She she stated to me, Mr. Mathis today is your 60th day of your probationary period, and as of today, you're terminated.
I was at a loss for words. Totally speechless.
My supervisor asked * "why." She said that it was confidential. So I asked why can't I be told, tht it was me being fired, do I not have the right to know. She said no to me as well.
Then she says Mr. Mathis I need for you to sign this paper. I looked it over. At the top it had my name and on the bottom it said "terminated effective 5-2-08." So I signed it not wanting to cause any problems. My supervisor signed it, handed it back to her. Than she proceeds to write on it again, and she write "unsatisfactory probationary period."
Which is very wrong, and untrue, and also wrong the way she done it. Because if that untrue statement had been on their, I would have never signed it.
That was it. I was fired for no reason. My supervisor got my equipment, turned it in and got my paycheck. We both stopped to talk to Miguel the union representative and he knew nothing of this. He in return called Jay Kirkland and he in return knew nothing. So I was escorted off the premesis by my supervisor.
I called the rest of the day trying to find out why. Miguel nor Mr. Kirkland could not find out, nor did they understand why. There was no reason or just cause for my termination.
Later over the weekend I called Mr. Kirkland and he told me to give him until Monday 10:00 a.m. and he would find out what was going on.
When I called Monday, Mr. Kirkland's line was busy, so I called Miguel the union rep. He tells me why I was fired, which just blew me away.
I was fired because I was recruited by the Reconnect Office out of OKC and he was told that everyone recruited by this office would be terminated because of the recent events concerning one Kelly, whoever he is, burglarized several businesses.
What does that half to do with me? I don't know this person. So I'm being punished, throwed out because of someone else. This is wrong.
Miguel agreed and told me to come out so that the union could file a grievance on my behalf.
So I and Mr. Bob Post went out to Seaboard where we were told three city officials behind closed doors decided that we all that were recruited from OKC had to go. It was said if Seaboard did not fire us that we would be harassed, thrown in jail until we left their town.
I apologize to the town of Guymon. The people, the merchants and I sympathize with you. But I or any of the others haven't done anything wrong. We have a right to work.
One bad apple doesn't make the whole bushel bad.
I was wrongfully terminated. This is unjust.
I came here for hope, now that hope's bee shattered because of someone else's wrongdoing.
I've only been here two months. Every cent I made has went towards getting an apartment and utilities and sending money home for bills.
Now I've been terminated without just cause, I can't pay my rent, utilities nor send money home.
There's no bus that runs through this town and even if it did and I wanted to go home, I can't.
I was brought here, given a job, than just put out.
Why?!
I'm only the first of many. This is very wrong and unjust and something needs to be done about it.
I'd like to share this poem with this town:
"God of love - Forgive! Forgive! Teach us how to truly live.
Ask us not our race or creed
Just take us in our hour of need. And let us know You love us, too And that we are a part of you .. And someday may man realize That all the earth, the seas and skies Belong to God who made us all The rich, the poor, the great, the small And in the Father's Holy Light No man is yellow, black or white
And peace on earth cannot be found Until we meet on common ground And every man becomes a brother Who worships God and loves each other."
Thank you,
Leslie Mathis
Guymon
* denotes names withheld |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 May 2008 )
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