By chris

January 27, 2009 12:15 AM | Link to this

Dayton ….I told you so; voting for the levy was a mistake. (Had to say it)

By Rick

January 20, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this

The best thing the DPS could do to improve education is to greatly increase its discipline. Absent that, PR will be all smoke and mirrors.

By Dennis

January 19, 2009 10:02 PM | Link to this

Buford, thank you for reminding all of us of this. This is something all of need to remember. Dayton Public Schools board will just keep coming at us wanting more and more money. I for one already think that they get too much and what they do get they waste on such projects as hiring a PR firm. Deb, our property values have been falling so next ignore the scare tatic that is all it is. This is one of the problems with public education you have some people more interested in securing their jobs than in seeing that Dayton children at least have the necessary skills to hold down an entry level job if they do not have the skills to go to college. A final observation notice how money came form the non-profits who pay no taxes contributed to support passage of the most recent levy request. I guess it is alright that few pay for the schools (property owners)while the rest of the community gets a free ride. The state of Ohio yes, needs to address the fuding issue and so does Dayton Public School board and the school administration. Instead of a levy make your request a payroll tax that everyone pays who lives within the school districts boundaries pays. I can tell you why that won’t happen because you would never get a request of more money passed. There would be no more free ride for those who do not own property.

By Buford

January 16, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this

I do hope people noticed Dr Stanic has already publicly made it known that ANOTHER property tax school levy would likely be in the works within two years. And just because the assessment on a piece of property goes down, does not automatically mean there is a corresponding drop in property taxes.

By deb

January 15, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this

I voted for the levy because our kids need it and as i was reminded at a meeting back in the fall - if we don’t vote for the levy, the values of our homes are going to decrease faster than it would cost us to pay that additional $10/month. Recently I was sitting in another meeting and the presenters were 2 officers that worked on Dayton’s gang task force…Yes, folks, we do have gangs here in Dayton, and they are even in our schools….the question was asked what kind of anti-gang prevention programs does the schools/city have available. Sadly, the answer was there aren’t any. Sports at the schools may help keep a few kids off of our violent streets……Is the school system perfect - no, would i like to see a different use of the funds being spent for the PR firm - absolutely…All of you people that trash our local school system - how many of you are volunteering at your neighborhood school to get the real birds-eye view of how the schools are working miracles with what they have. And thanks to the state of Ohio, eventually they will be cutting funds for education - the district can still find themselves behind the 8-ball.

By shellymoe

January 15, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this

I would like to hear from folks who did vote for this levy. I want to know why. Aside from the obvious DPS employee, that is. My sister-in-law works for DPS and her job was threatened, that’s why she voted “yes”. But why did everyone else? I voted “no” because I didn’t want an increase in my property taxes. However, the city recently sent me a statement declaring my property to be more than $12,000 LESS than what it was appraised at the time of purchase, less than 2 years ago. Looks like my taxes won’t be going up after all, but then again, this city is falling apart. No one is going to move here with crime so high, schools in academic emergency, and money being wasted on all levels. We get the kids at ISUS to fix up homes in rundown neighborhoods, spend money to shoot water in the sky (which distracts drivers on I-75 - when it works), and give money to other cities by hiring their businesses. I wonder how many other cities make us the butt of their jokes? Both DPS and “Mayor McHat” (I love this phrase btw, painfultruth) need to research how other schools and cities make it work. As for me, be assured that I will do my part to educate and persuade voters to kick out the incompetents when it’s time to vote. Voting for someone based solely on appearance HAS TO STOP!

By null and void

January 15, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this

Perhaps the bigger question to come out of this whole mess is this: Why did it take David Esrati to point this out on his blog before the rest of the “professional” media took notice and began to do their job? How does it feel to be made to look like an amateur by David Esrati Scott? The no-bid PR contract is just the tip of the iceburg at DPS. Thieves and corporate charlatans operate the system.

By Dennis

January 14, 2009 10:19 PM | Link to this

Congrats to those of you who passed the most recent levy request. What did we get for the passage the return of sports programs and now the hiring of a PR firm. This school district needs to worry about it’s image when it pleaded with the community to pass it’s levy increase (paid for by property owners). I guess sports are more important than ensuring that all of the students who graduate from Dayton Public Schools have the necessary skills to at least hold down an entry level job. The PR firm is just another example of how out of touch the school board is with the people who are ask to pass their levy requests. it’s decisons like those mentioned above which will motivate me to vote no on all levy requests from DPS until the administration and the board can make better decisions on the use of my hard earned dollars.

By quid pro quo

January 14, 2009 10:13 PM | Link to this

Its a simple quid pro quo from Stanic to Burges. That’s just the way this city and school board work.

By DPS Teacher

January 14, 2009 7:11 PM | Link to this

I believe the money could have been better spent as well. Classroom supplies more staff ect.. But as for throwing money at aproblem isn’t that what govenment is for. The president elect is planning on throwing over a trillion dollars per year at problems. What we need is more people to quit looking for a handout and step up, take responsibilty, and affectively make changes in how they live. Teachers will never be able to replace the education that can be provided in your home.

By jeb

January 14, 2009 3:49 PM | Link to this

DPS! What a joke! $108000 to polish a turd They can’t fix the real problem so we’ll PR our way out of it. LAME,In 4 yrs. I’ll be out of this septic tank they call a school system. Keep giving them the money so they can afford to be more irresponsible. SUCKERS?

By Lisa Reardin

January 14, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this

DPS and the City of Dayton are two separate entities. The mayor has absolutely nothing to do with DPS, nor does she or the rest of the commission have any power over them or the decisions they make.

By lisa m. persons

January 14, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this

DPS is a failed system, and there isn’t a PR firm in the entire country that can “spin” that. For those of you that voted for the levy….when will you understand that simply throwing more money at a problem DOES NOT fix it. Until the fundamentals of DPS are drastically changed the money will continue to spiral into the black hole that has become this city’s schools. My thanks to Joe Lacey for standing up against the rest of the board. Mr. Lacey, on this one issue alone, you are guaranteed my vote. As for the rest of the board, I will work as hard as I can come election time to make sure Mr. Lacey has some new company.

By Davidss2

January 14, 2009 8:42 AM | Link to this

People are slow learners. The problem with DPS is too much pork. Too many people view it as a lifetime job that’s affirmative action for themselves. Too many teachers who were barely literate teaching too many kids with no parental involvement from home. Too many administators viewing it as a continuation of their pork barrel from when they were athletes—after all that’s what schools were built for, isn’t it? Look at how athletics were never cut back and were first to be reinstated with that new money from the levy for education instead of classroom teachers and materials and smaller proper class sizes. The joke is on Dayton voters who still believe in affirmative action for incompetent administration, city and the school. I moved years ago and never looked back. Now look at the pork in giving the business to the opposite corner of the State of Ohio. I’ll bet the City Manager applicant who lost to the current annointee mismanager would be able to run a program to improve the image of the school. That would have kept the money HERE where all the jobs have been lost through the McLin decades.

By TC

January 14, 2009 7:31 AM | Link to this

A school needing a PR firm? Are you kidding me? It’s a school, it shouldn’t have to sell anything. Just more proof that our Mayor has run this city into the ground…Public relations starts with the Mayor’s office. The downtown image is nothing more than a smile in an ugly hat and that’s a shame. Let’s get someone in office to fix this mess, after all it’s supposed to be about the children and thier education right?

By A lone voice?

January 14, 2009 12:31 AM | Link to this

I’m going to buck the trend here: I think this is a decent idea. The bottom line is, the district is losing students on a constant basis. The image in the community is that the schools are out of control (see any of the articles about Dunbar this month). This is simply not true. Most buildings (especially the newer ones) are mainly calm, safe places where most students are trying to do the job. But, no one knows this! Maybe this firm can help. I think hiring from outside the community makes sense in this instance, because they bring none of the biases a local would have. Plus, honestly, while $108K is a lot of money to you and me, it’s a rounding error in DPS’s budget. If this works, it will be money well spent that will benefit the entire district, it’s teachers and students. If it doesn’t… well, we’ve wasted more money on other attempts, too.

By steve

January 13, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this

I take exception to April’s comment about the difference between private school and public school. What a misinformed person she is. what matters most in Education is how much parental involvement exist, the more involvement the more kids learn. Now I’ll stereotype.. Just stay in Oakwood and let us worry bout Dayton Skewls Aprl…MMMMKAAAY…

By Joe Lacey

January 13, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this

“Its hard to argue with the results — a solid win on Election Day”. I’ll argue it Scott. The district had a healthy lead on the levy from the day we put it on the ballot. That’s pretty clear from the polling. I don’t think Burges could have lost that levy if he tried and he knew it.

By Dayton Tax Payer

January 13, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this

DONE: I voted YES to help the kids this past fall. DPS has earned its last YES vote from me for any future funding. THIS IS A WASTE BUSTER. PR is not going to get people to live in the city and send their kids to DPS especially when kids are getting shot at bus stops going to school. How about putting the money toward keeping children safe. How about a program that get parents more involved and taking pride in the children and community.

By wowsers

January 13, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

If Mr. Morrison, the superintendent did this in the Beavercreek School District, then he would be out of a job. What a waste of taxpayers money. Kudos to the gentleman who voted against this travesty.

By April

January 13, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this

On a secondary note…PR isn’t going to help them if there isn’t anyone living in Dayton!

By April

January 13, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this

A school district that is already over budget trying to rebrand themselves is just stupid. What are they going to cut to be able to afford this? Granted…I can’t take the school district seriously anyway when they run ads for “Dayton Public Skews”. Learn to talk proper English and maybe more people would take your educational offerings seriously. I went to a private school through 8th grade and my husband went to a public school up through 12th. There is a difference to the degree of education you receive at even the foundational levels.

By shellymoe

January 13, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this

I think this is a very poor way to spend levy dollars. If DPS wants to improve its image, it needs to start with increasing test scores and decreasing drop-out rates. I hate that my taxes are going up so DPS can have more commercials. It makes no sense to brag about failure which is all this PR firm will be able to do for them. DPS threatened jobs if the levy failed, yet our money is going to this stuff? Be ashamed, DPS, and don’t dare expect me to vote for the next levy (probably in 2 years) to “save jobs”!

By UrbanDweller

January 13, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

Unbelievable. Again, the Dayton ignores their own and hires outside the city. Sorry but you can’t polish a t-u-r-d. DPS should have used that $108,000 to hire some more teachers. Until DPS gets people in there who know what they are doing, and this Stanic appears no better than Mack, and I thought we couldn’t get any worse than him, then DPS will continue on the downward slide. Case in point, Julienne High School. DPS has a perfectly good building and they want to waste money tearing it down and build something new. What a colossal waste of money!!

By David

January 13, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this

Yes, the DPS needs PR advice. The PR advice they need is not to spend a hundred thousand dollars on PR advice.

By Oldprof

January 13, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this

It comes back to Columbus. If politicians would quit fooling themselves that competition improves education, then marketing would not be such a concern.

By BennyD

January 13, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

What DPS is better education. That would take care of the PR problem of and by itself.

By bob

January 13, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this

Unbelievable. Maybe DPS can ask for some bail-out money from the government, then blow some of it on a golf trip. You know what is good PR? Not having uneducated kids. DPS is the main reason people don’t want to live in Dayton. Thats a fact.

By Sue

January 13, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this

The DPS board is telling this community that out of all the educated individuals on staff, no one is competent enough to put together a report to inform the public. What’s worse is they think the public is stupid enough to believe the “spin.” We know when it’s time to raise the BS flag…this is one of them. And for the record, I don’t have children; don’t pay Dayton’s school taxes; live in the city limits (Huber School district which is just as bad) and pay my fair share of income tax. I work in the city and have contact with kids looking to fill out an application as well as friends with kids in the system. I’m not totally out of the loop.

By Stephen

January 13, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this

What a waste of money. How about spending the money on actually EDUCATING the kids instead of trying to convince people that you are doing what you are obviously not. Private and parochial schools generally spend the same or less per student with significantly better results. How about hiring them to figure out what is wrong with public school education?

By KNCJR

January 13, 2009 8:29 AM | Link to this

I voted for this levy to help educate kids not to add sports programs or hire PR firms.

By Barry

January 13, 2009 8:23 AM | Link to this

How about producing some high school graduates that can read and do basic math? That would be novel. A pr firm from Cleveland? Isn’t there a joke in there somewhere? Couldn’t that money have been better spent on teachers, or fixing a roof or something?

By Barry

January 13, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this

How about producing some high school graduates that can read and do basic math? That would be novel. A pr firm from Cleveland? Isn’t there a joke in there somewhere? Couldn’t that money have been better spent on teachers, or fixing a roof or something?

By Arnie

January 13, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this

And how many teachers salaries would this latest foolish spending spree by the board cover?

By Ducky

January 13, 2009 8:13 AM | Link to this

A duck is a duck is a duck! This contract just snatched 1 new book from every students hand. Use the funds to make a change, not smoke and mirrors to put a good spin on a shipwreck. DPS needs to work with the City to focus on providing a safe and stable platform for learning to occur. If they are not ready for this, then split the district up with all the neighboring schools, at least then the kids would have a fighting chance.

By Eric

January 13, 2009 8:10 AM | Link to this

Vote No - on all school levies. Dayton Public Schools officials are less educated than the students.

By Patty

January 13, 2009 7:53 AM | Link to this

Typical for Dayton to duplicate effort, waste money, and not utilize local talent.

By Ben

January 13, 2009 7:22 AM | Link to this

Utterly ridiculous. If DPS wants to improve their image, stop fights a sporting venues, implement a cirriculum that preps kids for college, tech school, etc, and stop letting kids run the schools

By George

January 13, 2009 7:09 AM | Link to this

It must be nice that the DPS have that much extra money to hire a PR firm. And, it is most unfortunate that there is no PR firm in Dayton with the qualifications to help DPS.

By old bus

January 13, 2009 6:39 AM | Link to this

We could run a good school system on what Dayton wastes. $6000. a month for PR services! Your going to need another levy.

By Peacemom62

January 13, 2009 6:14 AM | Link to this

What a joke ! and DPS wonders why they don’t get Dayton’s support???

By Peacemom62

January 13, 2009 6:13 AM | Link to this

OHHH , that figures ….that’s why Dayton Schools will NEVER get my support !!

By null and void

January 13, 2009 5:45 AM | Link to this

Bill Hicks had it right on marketing and P.R.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDW_Hj2K0wo

By Dennis Kelly

January 12, 2009 11:18 PM | Link to this

It will take more than a PR firm, regardless of their skills, to explain why you can’t have school with an inch of snow when every other district can or why you cannot graduate half the kids you educate.

By null

January 12, 2009 10:05 PM | Link to this

This is how they are spending my tax money? Not on teachers or books or even extra curriculars? They are blowing it on PR? Well…bring me another levy DPS…so I can have the pleasure of voting NO!

By painfultruth

January 12, 2009 9:21 PM | Link to this

This is a joke, right? What the DPS really needs is parents that care about their kids. With a near 40% drop-out rate, the DPS isn’t the problem. The parents who want to blame everybody and everything but themselves are the REAL problem. DPS hiring a PR firm is about as useful as a skunk claiming its odor is like perfume. Way to go, Mayor McHat; another joke played out well in the city you preside over that is far past being on life support. The real joke here is the uneducated population that continually elects the same failures to office time and time again. This may be one of the classic moves of idiocy of the DPS. Yep, hire a PR firm to try to convince everyone that the DPS is a sound school system. I can claim I’m Superman, but all the PR in the world won’t help the DPS. See through this ploy; it’s only to “show how successful” the DPS is to warrant yet another school levy. You people in Dayton don’t have the brains of seafood!

By David Esrati

January 12, 2009 8:53 PM | Link to this

Thanks for mentioning this Scott. Reality: Burges & Burges is also the search consultant that brought Stanic to Dayton. Not that I’m questioning Stanic’s integrity- but, from a PR standpoint, this all looks bad- esp. when you examine how vague the Burges contract is (I posted their contract- as well as my proposal). There are no rates, no deliverables and the taxpayers will be billed for mileage, expenses- and for any work outside of a telephone call. It’s not a good contract, and frankly, the Burges website is little league when it comes to technology.

By Skeptic

January 12, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this

No-bid government contracts are generally bad for business. I am disappointed. We should be using local firms wherever possible. Kudos to Lacey for being willing to dissent, although I’m sure this was not the best way to go about it, politically.

By MC

January 12, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this

Yes, unfortunately it probably is, since the DDN can’t ever seem to find the time or the interest to report on the positive things going on in the district…only the negative. Gee thanks.

By Ambassador

January 12, 2009 8:04 PM | Link to this

A total waste of money. They already have their PR departement hanging around at 3rd & main. The only time I see them on TV is during “count week” when they beg the students to come to school. Wouldn’t wish any child to attend Dayton Public Schools.

By steve

January 12, 2009 7:33 PM | Link to this

What a bloody waste of our money. I usually dislike Joe Lacey but I agree with him on this one. This district has wasted our money once again and I for one am sick of it. Why in God’s green earth does the SB need PR. Here’s an Idea… when you have information or ideas call the local media and set up a press conference there free and you disseminate all the pertinate info you deem worthy. Paying 108K to a PR firm is denying three 1st year teachers the ability to educate our kids… I’m voting all of you out at the next election!!!!

By Jim

January 12, 2009 7:13 PM | Link to this

Aim high! Dayton should develop what no other local district has: a high school devoted to science, technology & IT, modeled after Stivers. It will give Dayton’s students a leg up on the future and possibly attract suburban students, too.

By jkj

January 12, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this

No. They need to hire a Superintendent who knows how to do the job and some qualified teachers. Wow…what a concept.

By deb

January 12, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this

Why don’t they ask the teachers what they need or want in order to better serve their students? They can also start w/ investigating some new ways to teach kids that the traditional methods aren’t working for

By charlie

January 12, 2009 6:37 PM | Link to this

Once again another OUTSIDE MARKETING firm is being used to market the city, city services etc.. To bad that all of the VERY CAPABLE firms in the city weren’t given a chance. No wonder Dayton leaves a bad taste in people’s mouths.

By steve

January 12, 2009 6:25 PM | Link to this

What a bloody JOKE!!! It isn’t as though this district has enough fluff and unmonitored spending now they blow 108k for PR!! These people have to go… they have negligently spent the tax payers money for the last time… Usually I don’t have good things to say about Mr Lacey but he hit it on the nail on this one… and how much did this dang retreat cost us anyway??

By Dave

January 12, 2009 6:20 PM | Link to this

I think the board shot themselves in the foot with this decision. It will take a lot to convince people they are being fiscally cautious when they spend so much on a no-bid PR contract.

By J

January 12, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this

This blatant misuse of money makes me sick! How about using the money to help pay for continuing education credits for Dayton Public teachers? Or better yet, if the powers-that-be at DPS think the only way to get things done is to hire consultants, why not hire some that specialize in getting parents more involved with their child’s education?! You want a better public image DPS?? Get your parents on board! It’s unfortunate we need to teach people how to send their kids to school with full stomachs in the morning or even how to wash their child’s clothing at least once a week. Come on DPS! You’d better not even think about asking the public for any more money any time soon if this is what you are planning on wasting it on!