When Power Weakens a Community

By Megan Rutkowski

A look at democracy through the perspective of Dr. Johns vs. the Liverpool Community

Current Situation

In the past decade Liverpool Central School District has had to face some difficult facts.

As enrollment numbers and state funding decrease at an accelerated pace, the community’s morale has been left battered.

When current Superintendent Dr. Richard Johns was appointed in the summer of 2009, many Liverpool residents felt as if their beloved community was quickly slipping out of control.

Stadium

After the 2007-2008 school year, Liverpool High School shut down their stadium after it was deemed unsafe to play on because of the uneven turf caused by a malfunctioned draining system.

All home sporting events for the following seasons were held at other local high school’s facilities.

Students began wearing shirts that read: W.T.F? Where’s the Field? to sporting events. These shirts quickly became banned from being worn on school grounds.

Community Response

After the first proposal did not pass in November of 2008, many voters claimed that the planned renovations were too excessive.

In February of 2009, after the plans were scaled back, voters finally approved the new Turf, Track, and Bleacher project.

Current StadiumIn 2010, the $6.8 million stadium was completed.

On September 17, 2010 all previous attendance records were broken when 3,000 people attended Liverpool’s first home football game in three years.

The new stadium includes new bleachers, a new track complete with a drainage system designed to prevent the previous problem, a new press box, and an enclosed box for notable guests.

The current stadium’s track and field is still not open to the public who paid taxes for the

facilities.

“We’re in serious danger of becoming a democracy in name only.”- Bob Herbert

Dr. Johns’ Academy Proposal

2010-2011 Superintendent Dr. Richard John’s Budget Proposal

“When the game is rigged in your favor, you win.”- Bob Herbert

Closing of Wetzel

On February 8, 2010, Dr. Johns proposed closing two elementary schools in order to account for a decline in enrollment and budget cut. It was stated that the district could save an immediate $1.6 million by closing Wetzel at the end of the school year. On June 24, 2010 Wetzel Road Elementary dismissed its students for the final time.

In order to account for the 359 students that were displaced by this closing, a plan for redistricting

was drawn up.

When Morgan Road (MRE) is closed in the next 2 years, 443 more students will have to be relocated.

Redistricting

Community Response

“It doesn’t really matter what ordinary people want.”- Bob Herbert

Excerpted from an article in The Post-Standard by Alaina Potrikius

“The angry voices of some residents were close to tears as they accused officials of

trading two thriving elementary school buildings for

the restructuring concept at the high school”

“Take a trip back to the drawing board,” said Carol Kyle, whose two children

attend Wetzel Road Elementary School. “Sharpen your pencils

and figure out what other places we can cut this budget.”

In Early 2010, Dr. Johns announced that he would be cutting several layers of administration at the high school level.

“I believe it contributes to the depersonalization of the students

in that building,” he was quoted as saying.

On March 11, 2010 then current Executive Principle Grenardo Avellino announced his resignation which became effective at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.

Mr. Avellino

The Facebook group FIRE DR. JOHNS, SAVE AVELLINO! reached 1,270 members in two weeks.

“Dr. Richard Johns I ask you, do you really think there is a "depersonalization of students" because of Mr. Avellino? I have yet to ever see you in the halls of the high school or

organizing events such as the pep rallies that Avellino has. How can you make conclusions about students that

you have not taken the time to get to know?”- Anonymous student on group’s wall

Community Response

Community Response

On March 11, 2010 an online petition was created in order to save Mr. Avellino’s job.

In the first four days it received 198 signatures in support.

Still the community’s voice was not being heard and no change was made.

“If there is going to be change,” he said, “real change, it will have to work its way

from the bottom up, from the people themselves.” – Bob Herbert

Although Dr. Johns has shown clearly that he is not afraid of change, it is not

the change that the Liverpool Community wants to see.