187 replies to this topic

[ducky]

I guess my first comment about the Letter to the Editor by Ms. Marshall would be that it had the words "I read no" a lot. Maybe the Telegraph is so desperate for letters to the editor they stopped their word count limit.

In the letter she mentions she has no gripe with the quality of the music department yet offers no advice on how to keep the quality without collecting dues.

I guess what caught my attention more than the letter to the editor was the Telegraph said that the MAJORITY of the parents they interviewed had no problem with the way the music program was run, and they found four parents that did.

[goodmama]

The point of Ms. Marshall's letter is that the lawsuit is over the legality of the fees and how they're collected, and not over whether music programs in our schools are valuable (which is what the majority of letters are addressing). Since I do not have children at Folsom High and am not familiar with the methods for collecting fees, I'm wondering if the points she raises in today's letter are factual.

If, in fact, the fee structure and collection practices are illegal, the fact that so many families love the music programs and cite the value of those programs will not change the illegality of those fees and collection practices. My question is whether the practices Ms. Marshall cites are factual.

[ducky]

To answer your question whether the practices Ms. Marshall cites are factual - not according to my family's experience while my children were in the music program.

[tessieca]

My question is more about why Donna is trying to sue the district for the alleged harm to her done by the fundraising group (not a district organization)?? It can only be the deep pockets.

Re questions about the music boosters' fundraising propriety; clearly, only a handful of parents believe that there was anything misleading or harmful about it. As a music parent, I received the notices for payment. As would most intelligent adults, I didn't believe that this could be a mandatory payment, and voila!!, one quick question cleared it right up. We paid anyway. Most parents will support their children's programs when they believe funding is otherwise threatened. As long as they have the ability to do so, there's no need to gripe and come money-grabbing afterward.

[Ahnold]

Wow PJ and North, this exchange between you two is as fascinating as the famous "You shut up - No, YOU shut up" exchange between my 11-year old nephew and my 9-year old niece! Can't wait to see the next salvo!

[tessieca]

Reminiscent of King of the Hill:
"You don't know me, but I know where you live."-Dale Gribble

[Grant]

Wow PJ and North, this exchange between you two is as fascinating as the famous "You shut up - No, YOU shut up" exchange between my 11-year old nephew and my 9-year old niece!  Can't wait to see the next salvo! 

Why criticize them? They are simply debating! Next time, post something constructive and relative to the topic.

I just want to add my input by saying that the band program and Mr. Gaesser have introduced me to an art (music) that I have become very passionate about and that will be a part of me for the remainder of my life. This lawsuit can do no good for this oustanding program. It's (in my opinion) illogical, aggressive, unnecessary, and not the right way to go about a problem (or personal vendetta) that Mrs. Kinsella has with Mr. Gaesser or a band program that has provided all three of her kids with a great opportunity. It seems to me that if you have a problem, you shouldn't automatically call your lawyer and file a lawsuit, but rather go about it sensibly, and ask the boosters directly. Also, if you don't have enough money to pay the "fees", I know first hand that there are funraisers, scholorships provided by the boosters, and other financial help readily available for those who ASK. I have two years left in the program, and I would like to enjoy the same experiences that those before me have enjoyed! With Mrs. Kinsella's lawsuit my experience (along with the hundreds of others' involved) in this reputable program will be greatly stunted! I just wish that she could find any other way to go about this!

-Grant

[Al Waysrite]

here's a point I suspect the plaintiff has not considered (or doesn't care about).
the cost of this suit (for attorney fees for the district, related court costs etc.) comes out of FCUSD's budget. therefore whether the district wins or loses we all lose because that money could've been used for more productive things like classroom construction or supplies.

[FolsomBarb]

I saw on the news last Friday night (KCRA) that she won her case. Looked all over for a link to more information, but couldn't find one.....


OK. I finally found it.....
http://www.folsomtel...ries/01suit.txt

[Flowerlady1]

I saw on the news last Friday night (KCRA) that she won her case. Looked all over for a link to more information, but couldn't find one.....
OK. I finally found it.....
http://www.folsomtel...ries/01suit.txt

Yeah, and did you see that woman preening in front of the camera like she just won Next Top Model? And her poor baby boy who didn't want to be on camera for fear of reprisals...what a joke...as if every kid in the music program doesn't already know what he and his mother look like, not to mention who they are.
Kinsella was out for her 30 minutes of fame, and some deep pocket funds to boot. I thinks she stole my 15 minutes....can I sue to get them back???

Seriously, though...
I had two--count 'em TWO-- kids in the jazz program--and we paid a lot of money for them to participate. That money went for bus trips and hotel rooms for overnight stays, and entrance into the jass festivals. Those, frankly, are not covered by the district, or by any extra-curricular activity money. And by the way, did you know that most of the extracurriculars have been cut by the district because the money is so tight. Almost all of the after-school clubs were disbanded, most if not all of the field trips and other outside ed. stuff dropped completely. Busses are not cheap, and entry into the festivals can be pricey, even for the competitors.

I know she won't see any of that money any time soon, since the district will be appealing. Hopefully they won't let her get away with this. Every one of us who got into the music program knew what we were getting into. Kurt was up front at the Back-To-School night about what is expected, including the $$ it takes to do what he does with the music program.

And I still want my 15 minutes back.

[saylorsong]

Wow, it must be so nice to sit up there on your pedestal and pontificate with such authority. Let me tell you ALL one thing. I was at the court when the case was presented and I heard exactly what the Judge heard, which was a pathetic defense for what is so obviously a blatant attempt by the district to use the "boosters" as illegal "collectors" for band funds. It was so obvious to the judge that the band director was admonished by a very visibly angered judge in response to his evasive answers to straightforward questions. It should be clear to anyone of you if you stop and think for yourself what this is about. This isn't about MONEY. Donna, I can guarantee has more of that than most of you here on this blog. This is about something that is so beyond your small-minded me-me-me my-my-my attitude. What Donna is doing, whether this is her intention or not, is creating an equal playing field. My kids won't go to Folsom high. They will probably go to a Sacramento high school somewhere, probably in an area that is not so---shall we say---well to do as Folsom is. How do you think that music program is going to be? Will there even be a "Jazz Band"? I wonder is all the families there can afford the already admittedly "a lot of money" for their kids to be in Band?
But really the big question is "WHY SHOULD YOU CARE"?

Well I will tell you why... Because it is the right thing to do.

What is going to happen if Folsom loses its "Nationally recognized Jazz program"? I'll tell you what is going to happen. Important and influential people are going to take notice and maybe some laws will be changed. Maybe everyone will take a look at how important these programs are for ALL kids EVERYWHERE. Not just the lucky ones that live in an area where Mommy and Daddy don't have a problem paying for Dues.... Oh I mean donations...

Think about it beyond your backyard for a moment. If I am correct we are all still living in California. And this is still the California Public School system. I would like to see politians address this in such a way that there can be sufficiant funding for ALL students in ALL schools.

And to the lady that is so upset about Donna< You sound Jelous, get over it.

[Redone]

What a utopian view you have that all SHOULD have the same. Don't parents have the right to pay extra for something they are not getting from the school district? You can't stop that!!

[ducky]

I also think this was about getting 15 minutes of fame. As was said above, it wasn't about the money because apparently this woman has plenty. Well, some of us don't and we worked fireworks booths and bingo and crab feeds so our children would have opportunities the district can't provide. I hope princess appreciates all the opportunities her children are getting on other people's backs.

I for one, and apparently the majority of parents, will not be asking for my money back.

[BuffaloRon]

It's a shame the final determination had to be settled in court. According to the law and the court ruling, he was wrong in his approach. I see these questionable business practices as being a misrepresentation, and possibly misappropriation of funds. Has an independent party ever stepped in to audit the books or business protocol?

I'm surprised these questions haven't come up in the past. If they have, nobody was willing to voice their displeasure, publicly anyway. Probably because of ridicule. And secondly, just because something has been done a certain way for a period of time does not make it right. Question the status quo.

[Terry]

Check out the latest on the Kinsella lawsuit. Looks like a judge determined Folsom Music booster fees are fine and Kinsella's small claims aware was overturned.

http://www.sacbee.co...tory/22835.html