The recipient of this week’s Patron Influencing Education (PIE) Award was Ronda Drakeford. It is really not quite clear what Ronda Drakeford has accomplished to earn this honor. She is listed as the person to call when contacting the Junior Raiders of Englewood. I assume that she is a volunteer, because she is not employed by the district. As of March 10, 2011 Ms. Drakeford’s name was listed as having filed to run as a candidate for a seat on the Englewood Board of Education. Ronda Marshall Drakeford is listed as an employee at the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, New Jersey. Her title is College and Career Assistant. The League of Women Voter's only hosted 4 candidates at Monday's Meet the Candidates program. Ronda was not in attendance.
It should be pointed out at this time that a new position NOT included in the present budget was created for the recipient of this award.
ReplyDeleteIt should also be noted that the BOE must issue the recipient a provisional credential so she may work in this capacity. She is allowed two years to complete the required course work that will earn her a standard certificate. This course work is equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in the area that she will work. I must go on record to say that I am totally in favor of a Culinary Arts Program that is fully sanctioned by the state of New Jersey and is taught by a fully certificated teacher.
CONSIDER THE COST TO THE TAXPAYER
- her salary (which should be held at a lower rate until the standard certificate is earned. This creates the incentive to complete the training.
- possibly her education, 30 credits (tuition reimbursement for continuing education is paid out of our tax dollars. Whenever a CE or CEAS person is hired we end up paying to educate that person or we run the risk that checks and balances are NOT in place and the person never earns the standard certificate in the area for which they are employed.)
- the cost of renovating a kitchen facility in which she will work: refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave oven, sink, dishwasher, washer and dryer, storage facilities,
- books, supplies, edible and consumable materials that must be replaced frequently
Are you beginning to see through the smoke? It would have been more cost effective to hire someone already certificated in the area. I ask again, what did this recipient do to earn this award and this new position?