RSCC office staff

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is it bitching and complaining to point out that one person is in charge of the whole school and does not have to be accountable to anyone. Meanwhile, this person can bully the staff and parents, and if anyone dares to complain, they're threatened with having their child expelled from the school. BTW, pres/CEO didn't look like he was very popular on back to school night. Mostly he was just standing around by himself. I wonder why he opted not to make a speech as he typically does at school events.

It is possible to be very happy with the teachers, but very troubled by the leadership and administration. No one who takes offense to these "negative" comments needs to be on this board. Read: Shaun get off of dcum and get back to your own self-serving pursuits and cronies on the almighty Board.

Why are you being a BULLY to the parents who VOLUNTEER on the Board? Seriously, how do we know if they had anything to do with it? Stop complaining behind a faceless webchat and be a grown adult and confront those who you feel are endangering your children. If you feel there is no endangerment then go grab a glass of wine and CHILL OUT! If you don't like how things are run - THEN LEAVE!

[Anonymous]

Maybe this explains where the money is going. Up to page 11 on this thread and we don't really understand why the tuition keeps going up at a rate that exceeds other benchmarks. Have we all forgotten that this is a not for profit operation? This Betsy issue is really more about the lack of transparency in the administration of the school.

Anonymous wrote:[...]The president of the board of directors, a position that for 22 years was unpaid and volunteer, is also being paid to fill the role of CEO. So the person running the board is overseeing himself, for salary, raises, performance, what have you. [...]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish that they would just tell us why they are being so quiet about her departure. If it is a legal issue, then say so. If it is a personal issue that Betsy wanted to keep private, then say so. Maybe they are worried that it will open a bigger can of worms, but the huge elephant sitting in the school is more than worrisome.

totally, totally agree (i am the OP of this thread btw). all we want is an explanation as to what kind of thing we are dealing with. this affects the entire school community and needs to be addressed - this is the place where our children spend their days and we need to feel comfortable with the way things are handled there!!

I am not on the Board, just a parent with kid in the program. And I think this is totally blown WAY out of proportion. Betsy was great, but she's just an employee like any other employee. Carrie and Erin are great, too. We don't know what led to the departure, and no, I don't think we are entitled to know what led to the departure unless it directly affects our children. And, to me, it just doesn't look like it does. And nothing that's been said or spread in all the above vitriol gives me any reason to suspect otherwise. Are my kids well-cared for while I am working - Absolutely. Do the teachers seem happy to be there and happy to see the kids (Absolutely). Does my $$ appear to go to good use - yes - the facility, the toys, the caregivers, everything is top notch - unlike those other "comparative" facilities where the toys are old, the playground is old, and the facilities always look like they need rehab. No knock on the others - they have wonderful caregivers, too - but they also have their share of drama in admin - as any workplace does. Is the Board open? Yes - everything that is discussed in a meeting is published in the newsletter, and if you want more detailed information you can discuss with any board member. I personally am glad that there are parents willing to take on this thankless task (see above for all the gratitude), as it takes more time and effort than most have, including me. Again, this is one staff decision - I get that you may have been friends or thought that Betsy was the best thing since sliced bread - but she left, so get over it and move on, and put your energies to making the place better, not tearing it down with innuendo and gossip.

I do not think this has been blown out of proportion.

The comments I've read so far focus on the parents and OUR perception.

What about the children?

Betsy was a part of many of these kids' daily routine. Whether it was a hug and a kiss, or a special treat of goldfish before going home, she had been a part of their lives, some for as long as they were alive. A sudden departure of a caregiver is traumatic for a child. It is NOT appropriate to handle it with silence. What are our kids thinking? What have they been told?

I am very disappointed by the way in which the school has handled this from a number of perspectives: emotionally/developmentally for the sake of our kids; professionally - at first I accepted the departure and thought perhaps Betsy had something of a personal nature come up - but when I asked if she'd return to the school for a proper good-bye, I was told that was unlikely. The only acceptable way to terminate someone so suddenly would be EGREGIOUS misdeeds - embezzlement, inappropriate behavior with a child, etc. If that was the case, we should have been informed. IN FACT, I've heard from someone well connected to the Board that she was dismissed for ridiculous reasons....I believe Betsy explains here on the message board - haven't gotten that far yet as I read.

Frankly, I think Betsy should sue to reinstate her position and her good name. We cannot have a community treasure ruled this way! And isn't it against non profit bylaws to have the President also serve as Chair of the Board of Directors?? Where is the accountability? There is none! As it was explained to me, this was approved as a TEMPORARY measure when we were moving locations and there was so much going on. It needs to be reviewed and fixed now. We need a new Chair of the Board of Directors, and we should review whether we still need a "CEO."

Parent's Night Out on Friday should become a Parent's Meeting to address this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a thought...has anyone bothered to talk to any of the teachers or other employees at the school. I have spoken with several of them and they are not in the slightest disappointed with the departure of Betsy no matter the reason. The morale and mood of the staff seem to be better now than in the weeks leading up to her "mysterious" departure. One poster mentioned that her child loved Betsy, but I work with kids and know that what they like or dislike, or love or hate, is rather fly by night. We had an amazing soccer coach with our soccer program, which by the way came with us from the old location, that the children that attended his class religiously loved and adored.....even referring to soccer days as "Soccer Man Day." This program was adored by kids, parents and teachers alike, and my understanding is that Betsy was responsible for not renewing their business and going with the current soccer provider, which is not nearly as liked by the kids, parents or employees.

Bottom line is that the important factor is not why, but that the school maintains it's high order of service to the children, mainly, but the parents as well. One should consider that before they begin making demands or pushing for answers. Do you your children come home better socially and intellectually for attending Rock Spring? If the answer to that is still yes, then move on from this craziness and be thankful that you are enrolled in a school that cares for and loves the children the way the teachers and employees do at Rock Spring, Betsy or not! The kids are the important piece after all, not the nosy, controlling parents.

My two cents....

TOTALLY disagree that teachers are not upset. I was SHOCKED when I found it - had been trying to reach her, leaving messages about an issue with my kid - and finally called the office main number to be told that she was not longer there. The teachers were shocked, too. I remember the look on their faces. They're shocked and confused. Read all these posts about people with financial difficulties. What about the teachers? Do you think they are really going to risk immediate dismissal by gossiping about Betsy?

For someone to be summarily fired, there had to be MAJOR issues...that we would have known about. Prior complaints, major transgressions...I thought maybe she had too hard a time handling the school and some family issues right now and had a slight breakdown...and I think the office was fine letting me assume that.

I am also saddened to read the "what do we care?" attitude. We're all working women, I presume. Finding reliable, loving excellent care is HARD. I was prepared to quit my job is Rock Spring was not a good place. I have been so amazed by the school - and from my perspective, Betsy was the true leader who set the tone. (Or I thought she was...now I think it is the combination CEO/President/Chair of Board of Directors who makes how much money for working part time? Hmm....Where is the financial and legal oversight, not to mention HR oversight?

Let's not let this neighborhood treasure be destroyed - for all our sakes.

[Anonymous]

To the last post: TRUST ME the teachers are not upset!! And who do you think you are to be putting it out there on how "you" think/assume the teachers feel??? Talk for yourself and stop getting them involved!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the last post: TRUST ME the teachers are not upset!! And who do you think you are to be putting it out there on how "you" think/assume the teachers feel??? Talk for yourself and stop getting them involved!!!!

This is PP. I have spoken to several teachers - I asked them what was going on when I found out. That's how I know. Wow. I looked at their faces, heard their voices.

I should TRUST you? From your TRUST ME tone, you sound like someone from the school. This is NOT good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the last post: TRUST ME the teachers are not upset!! And who do you think you are to be putting it out there on how "you" think/assume the teachers feel??? Talk for yourself and stop getting them involved!!!!

This is PP. I have spoken to several teachers - I asked them what was going on when I found out. That's how I know. Wow. I looked at their faces, heard their voices.

I should TRUST you? From your TRUST ME tone, you sound like someone from the school. This is NOT good.

I'd bet it's the same (teacher I'd guess) pp who essentially said Betsy wasn't helping our kids since she wasn't teaching them all day.

[Anonymous]

Wow...I just went back and searched for some of the old posts mentioned here. Check out this thread (sadly, DCUM locked it so we can't comment any more)....
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/53737.page

[Post New]05/25/2009 21:01
Subject: Parent Behavior at Daycare
[Up]
Anonymous wrote:Actually the Director is really very sweet, this came from the new Board President...

New poster here......If that statement came from a new Board President, someone should make it their mission to get him thrown off the board. He sounds like a total hot head. The letter was completely unnecessary IMO.

--- HOW SAD that we missed all these signs...written in May of 2009. Two years, and now our Director Betsy is gone.

[jsteele]

I am going to have to ask everyone to be very careful about mentioning peoples' names, especially in a critical context. It is really not fair for anonymous posters to criticize named individuals. If you want to include your name on a post, you can say whatever you wish. But, as long as you are anonymous, you need to leave other identities out of the discussion.

[Anonymous]

Ok then. I hope that the president/CEO is successfully sued by the wrongfully terminated director, and financial damages come straight out of his pocket. I hope he is forced to resign his position and that the wrongfully terminated director is reinstated.

Rules concerning the school's administrators right to socialize with other school families should apply to all the administrators. One person should not be singled out by person who is in charge of everything with no personal accountability whatsoever. That is all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok then. I hope that the president/CEO is successfully sued by the wrongfully terminated director, and financial damages come straight out of his pocket. I hope he is forced to resign his position and that the wrongfully terminated director is reinstated.

Rules concerning the school's administrators right to socialize with other school families should apply to all the administrators. One person should not be singled out by person who is in charge of everything with no personal accountability whatsoever. That is all.

Don't forget that karma is a B**** and it could come back to bite you in the butt.
It's best not to wish others the worst because in the end it'll fire back on you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a thought...has anyone bothered to talk to any of the teachers or other employees at the school. I have spoken with several of them and they are not in the slightest disappointed with the departure of Betsy no matter the reason. The morale and mood of the staff seem to be better now than in the weeks leading up to her "mysterious" departure. One poster mentioned that her child loved Betsy, but I work with kids and know that what they like or dislike, or love or hate, is rather fly by night. We had an amazing soccer coach with our soccer program, which by the way came with us from the old location, that the children that attended his class religiously loved and adored.....even referring to soccer days as "Soccer Man Day." This program was adored by kids, parents and teachers alike, and my understanding is that Betsy was responsible for not renewing their business and going with the current soccer provider, which is not nearly as liked by the kids, parents or employees.

Bottom line is that the important factor is not why, but that the school maintains it's high order of service to the children, mainly, but the parents as well. One should consider that before they begin making demands or pushing for answers. Do you your children come home better socially and intellectually for attending Rock Spring? If the answer to that is still yes, then move on from this craziness and be thankful that you are enrolled in a school that cares for and loves the children the way the teachers and employees do at Rock Spring, Betsy or not! The kids are the important piece after all, not the nosy, controlling parents.

My two cents....

TOTALLY disagree that teachers are not upset. I was SHOCKED when I found it - had been trying to reach her, leaving messages about an issue with my kid - and finally called the office main number to be told that she was not longer there. The teachers were shocked, too. I remember the look on their faces. They're shocked and confused. Read all these posts about people with financial difficulties. What about the teachers? Do you think they are really going to risk immediate dismissal by gossiping about Betsy?

For someone to be summarily fired, there had to be MAJOR issues...that we would have known about. Prior complaints, major transgressions...I thought maybe she had too hard a time handling the school and some family issues right now and had a slight breakdown...and I think the office was fine letting me assume that.

I am also saddened to read the "what do we care?" attitude. We're all working women, I presume. Finding reliable, loving excellent care is HARD. I was prepared to quit my job is Rock Spring was not a good place. I have been so amazed by the school - and from my perspective, Betsy was the true leader who set the tone. (Or I thought she was...now I think it is the combination CEO/President/Chair of Board of Directors who makes how much money for working part time? Hmm....Where is the financial and legal oversight, not to mention HR oversight?

Let's not let this neighborhood treasure be destroyed - for all our sakes.

Sorry to burst your bubble of imagination, but from what I have seen the teachers don't seem to be affected by this person's sudden departure. Look again carefully at your surroundings when you are arriving to the school. It's called acting, to not have to give any explanations. I'm sure you've seen that where you work. If not let me explain in simple words, its called learning to mind one's own business

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a thought...has anyone bothered to talk to any of the teachers or other employees at the school. I have spoken with several of them and they are not in the slightest disappointed with the departure of Betsy no matter the reason. The morale and mood of the staff seem to be better now than in the weeks leading up to her "mysterious" departure. One poster mentioned that her child loved Betsy, but I work with kids and know that what they like or dislike, or love or hate, is rather fly by night. We had an amazing soccer coach with our soccer program, which by the way came with us from the old location, that the children that attended his class religiously loved and adored.....even referring to soccer days as "Soccer Man Day." This program was adored by kids, parents and teachers alike, and my understanding is that Betsy was responsible for not renewing their business and going with the current soccer provider, which is not nearly as liked by the kids, parents or employees.

Bottom line is that the important factor is not why, but that the school maintains it's high order of service to the children, mainly, but the parents as well. One should consider that before they begin making demands or pushing for answers. Do you your children come home better socially and intellectually for attending Rock Spring? If the answer to that is still yes, then move on from this craziness and be thankful that you are enrolled in a school that cares for and loves the children the way the teachers and employees do at Rock Spring, Betsy or not! The kids are the important piece after all, not the nosy, controlling parents.

My two cents....

TOTALLY disagree that teachers are not upset. I was SHOCKED when I found it - had been trying to reach her, leaving messages about an issue with my kid - and finally called the office main number to be told that she was not longer there. The teachers were shocked, too. I remember the look on their faces. They're shocked and confused. Read all these posts about people with financial difficulties. What about the teachers? Do you think they are really going to risk immediate dismissal by gossiping about Betsy?

For someone to be summarily fired, there had to be MAJOR issues...that we would have known about. Prior complaints, major transgressions...I thought maybe she had too hard a time handling the school and some family issues right now and had a slight breakdown...and I think the office was fine letting me assume that.

I am also saddened to read the "what do we care?" attitude. We're all working women, I presume. Finding reliable, loving excellent care is HARD. I was prepared to quit my job is Rock Spring was not a good place. I have been so amazed by the school - and from my perspective, Betsy was the true leader who set the tone. (Or I thought she was...now I think it is the combination CEO/President/Chair of Board of Directors who makes how much money for working part time? Hmm....Where is the financial and legal oversight, not to mention HR oversight?

Let's not let this neighborhood treasure be destroyed - for all our sakes.

Sorry to burst your bubble of imagination, but from what I have seen the teachers don't seem to be affected by this person's sudden departure. Look again carefully at your surroundings when you are arriving to the school. It's called acting, to not have to give any explanations. I'm sure you've seen that where you work. If not let me explain in simple words, its called learning to mind one's own business

And for the record my daughter is very happy and this situation has not affected her nor her performance.at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok then. I hope that the president/CEO is successfully sued by the wrongfully terminated director, and financial damages come straight out of his pocket. I hope he is forced to resign his position and that the wrongfully terminated director is reinstated.

Rules concerning the school's administrators right to socialize with other school families should apply to all the administrators. One person should not be singled out by person who is in charge of everything with no personal accountability whatsoever. That is all.

Don't forget that karma is a B**** and it could come back to bite you in the butt.
It's best not to wish others the worst because in the end it'll fire back on you!

Karma is a bitch. Perhaps holding others to rigid standards that don't apply to you is bad karma?

[Anonymous]

jcargabr wrote:She's gone? I swear I saw her yesterday...