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Ferris ISD residents aim for de-annexation |
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Ferris ISD residents aim for de-annexation |
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May 19th, 2008 |
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Red Oak ISD set to vote June 9 (Corrected date)
CHANTEL JAMES
The Ellis County Press
FERRIS – Residents of Red Oak who reside in the Ferris Independent School District have been attempting to annex themselves into the Red Oak Independent School District.
Chris Moses, a property owner on Stainback Court, has previously tried to move the area on Stainback - which stretches from the west side of Nokomis on towards Red Oak and the north side of Batchler - into the ROISD jurisdiction, without success.
A petition was given to the FISD Superintendent Mike Bodine, with 109 signatures on it.
According to Moses, this is approximately 86 percent of all registered voters in the area.
But Ferris supporter Eston Masterson said, “He has 109 signatures but there are only 32 kids in this area who attend Ferris ISD.
“It’s not only affecting 32 kids,” Masterson said. “Ferris will lose $300,000 a year because of the tax cut. It affects everybody”
“We would lose three percent of our annual revenue, which is approximately $453,000 annually. Our tax base is approximately $313,000,000 and the property in question is valued at approximately $11,000,000. That is 3.5 percent of our tax base,” Bodine said. “If we lose revenue, we will ultimately have to cut people or cut programs such as UIL, athletics, band and teachers. This will have a negative impact on learning.”
Though FISD trustees voted to keep the residents, Moses said ROISD’s lawyers instructed a 21-day notice be published in the newspaper before a public hearing could be held on the matter.
Moses said he’s researching into whether FISD published a 21-day notice.
“If you compare both Ferris and Red Oak, both schools have been academically acceptable and both are public schools, which means the economic impact does not change,” Bodine said.
To contradict that, Moses said, “Ferris and Red Oak have similar TAKS scores in the elementary level of education but the eighth grade level and above are different, with Red Oak having higher scores.”
Another supporter of Ferris schools, Dwayne Sprabary, said ROISD has numerous problems to take care of before he would support de-annexation.
“Red Oak schools have several problems,” he said. “A teacher recently got arrested for possession of marijuana. A bus driver was fired for buying alcohol on a school trip. They can’t even keep their superintendent.”
Sprabary alleges several neighbors witnessed Moses saying the Red Oak school board said they would pass this before a meeting took place.
Through this, several neighbors are pointing fingers at others for the theft of the support signs which read “Yes to Red Oak Schools.”
The Red Oak Police Department has had to answer multiple calls concerning stolen property, the most recent being Saturday, May 11.
“Eighteen signs got stolen Saturday night at around 12:30 a.m. from Tom Driver, Crump Circle, Stainback and Stainback Court,” Moses said. “This is the second time this has happened.”
The first incident dated back a couple of weeks ago when all but two were either recovered or returned.
As of press time, no signs have been returned.
Due to the 21-day notice, ROISD Superintendent Scott Niven said he would clarify de-annexation issues after the June 9 meeting.
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Article Comments:
May 20th, 2008
Sherry
I disagree with this statement-- Many of us did not ask for improvements to our area. We live here because it is rural, or was. We do not want road improvements, streetlights, road signs, fire stations or the like. We like the rural, self sufficient, agricultural area we moved here for. So, the ideas of city life are being imposed on us all. Next time, buy a house in town.
I was at this meeting and it was full of residents from the Stainback area! In fact it was standing room only.
See complaints by residents of the area about the road under the story New Steakhouse and bar approved
http://www.redoakrecord.com/index.asp?show=01/11/2007&Page=1
I also disagree with your vindictive personal attack on Chris. You thought you were man enough to attack him on this website, So
I have one question were you man enough to appologize to chris
on the phone or in person?? Or did you hide behind this website again??
May 20th, 2008
Amy Hedtke
Part 4- FINAL! i promise :)
===========
Personally, I am a HUGE advocate of School Choice. I totally support the right of parents to decide where their children go to school. But i also realize that as the public school system stands now, vouchers and school choice *in the public system* are not available. Your options are to move or decide on a non-public mode of education.
Taking that into consideration, i would have to support the right of
Red Oak residents to attend Red Oak schools, **especially when there is such an overwhelming majority.*** And as has been mentioned, if you don't want to be a resident of Red Oak or attend Red Oak schools, then move :)
It will be interesting to see what the ROISD says and decides at
their meeting. Research shows that there are some recent cases that have recognized the importance of the social/ civic impact and have granted similar requests.
Right now, the whole process has simply rejuvenated my decision to remain outside the jurisdiction of the school districts, allowing me to support it w/in my community but not needing to march in lock step w/ them.
Good luck to ALL of you, no matter what is decided.
A~
May 20th, 2008
Amy Hedtke
part 3....and final, i hope!
per the State parameters that was read at the meeting and linked
[below in part 2]:
At the hearing, each board of trustees shall consider
the educational interests of the current students residing or
future students expected to reside in the affected territory and in
the affected districts and the social, economic, and educational
effects of the proposed boundary change.
This does not mean that the School Boards have to meet every
criteria. It only means that if one of those criteria will be
severely affected, it must be taken into consideration.
As Red Oak residents, there is a civic responsibility TO the City of
Red Oak.
A lot of people do not realize what civic duty really means
anymore.
Kids in Ferris schools are NOT interacting w/ the Red Oak community --they are immersed in the Ferris community.
Their families are subsequently immersed in the Ferris community.
The families spend their time in Ferris, not in Red Oak. This type of situation does not foster the community awareness that is needed for an informed voting populace of Red Oak.
The kids do not get the opportunity to participate in Red Oak
Community events w/ their educational peers like the ROISD
students do.
The kids are involved in doing things that benefit Ferris, not Red
Oak.
Ferris wants to keep the student & tax funding and have the sales tax dollars & practical support.
It does not bother them that they are hindering a family's ability to
be involved in the community in which they vote.
They can benefit from your involvement in Ferris w/o needing to worry about how you'll vote.
For them, it appears to be a nice deal.
That Ferris recognizes this situation causes confusion [as w/
Wilmer, Glenn Heights, and numerous other residents] yet refuses to allow a change requested by a majority is distressing. That they are willing to sit back and continue dividing a community in which the majority is begging to be united is appalling.
The Ferris ISD is teaching, supporting, and modeling a horrible
example of community and civic duty.
THAT demonstrates a huge negative social impact on Red Oak by denying it involved citizens, *and on Ferris as supporting a flawed example.*
And i believe that horrible example of civic duty trumps any
state-approved loss or minor social programs they might feel a cut
in.
Since the civic involvement of families and children affects EVERY
homeowner and resident, THAT is why the decision on whether to detach is valid whether you have children in the system or not: you will be relying on your neighbors for the future of your city. Not to mention it's your property taxes that are paying for teh neighbor's kids to attend that school.
Personally, I am a HUGE advocate of School Choice. I totally support the right of parents to decide where their children go to school. But i also realize that as the public school system stands now, vouchers and school choice *in the
May 20th, 2008
David Selman
I retract the slanderous statements I made about Chris Moses as he request by phone today based on council from his attorney. I appologize for my slanderous statements as advised by my attorney. However, Chris Moses must cease and desist from calling my home or my businesses at anytime. His presents will be treated as a treaspassing violation. No literature, mailings, email, fax or other communications from Chris Moses is acceptable. I will not waste another minute on this forum. We will however see you at all hearings and proceedings.
May 20th, 2008
Amy Hedtke
part 2.... more in 30 minutes if it doesn't take it all :)
and FTR, , there IS something we can do: that's why the School districts hold PUBLIC hearings seeking INPUT :-) back to that ol' educate yourselves on real civic duty....
===============
I'm sure many Ferris students are doing well academically. That is
included in the school's statistical reports to the state. They will
feel the loss of a straight A student in those statistics that were
cited by the school board. Losing a student that tests well throws
off the curve for the whole school. [we hear about this a lot from
those criticizing homeschooling: but we NEED your well-performing bright students to up our scores! --literally.]
When I speak to teachers about student's grades, the number one
factor is parent involvement. Kids switch schools all the time in
every city across America. If you are truly supporting your children
in their education, they will do as well in Red Oak as they do in
Ferris. *Unless* Ferris has created a peer-dependent society which will hamper a student's learning no matter where they end up.
As parents, our attitudes will absolutely affect our kids. If the
change ends up happening [that's a HUGE majority that wants to see it happen], I do hope that parents continue to support their children no matter where they are going to school.
That Ferris made this decision w/o taking into account the loss of
revenue isn't totally incorrect. Yes, the loss of funds will
absolutely affect Ferris --they stated this very clearly.
The state allows a loss up to 5% of a school's budget: the state
expects a competent school to be able to deal with that type of loss because Life Happens.
here's more from the state that describes detachment:
scroll down to SUBCHAPTER B. DETACHMENT; ANNEXATION:
http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/ED/content/htm/ed.002.00.000013.00.htm
and here's Ferris' that explains their budget:
http://www.ferrisisd.org/business.php
I attended the Ferris Board meeting.
Notice that the Board did NOT use the monetary effect as the primary reason for denying the petition:
The percentage of the loss to their budget is simply not that much,
but they WILL feel it.
Eight Thousand dollars in revenue per kid is a sizable chunk, esp
considering they aren't spending that much per kid.
they know that even tho the loss would involve some cutting of
programs, **it is not an acceptable reason w/in the confines of the
law.**
They cited the social impact on Ferris, which I will address below.
I mentioned at the meeting that my biggest concern is the effect to
the community.
per the State parameters that was read at the meeting and linked
above:
At the hearing, each board of trustees shall consider
the educational interests of the current students residing or
future students expected to reside in the affected territory and in
the affected districts and the social, economic, and educational
effects of the
May 20th, 2008
Unknown
This bichering is STUPID. There is NOTHING that can be done at this point. This is in the school districts hands now and no one can stop it.
Everyone needs to grow up and be adults. If you have a problem with someone be an adult and go talk to them.
May 20th, 2008
anonomous
At first i was for the annxation in red oak . That was before i went to work for them and found out that the school is only out for themself They dont care about your child .Ask chris to tell the other side of the story . How about when STS took over the busses they had to put brakes on over 50%of red oak busses before the new STS busses came in .I know that i would not want my child rideing on those busses.How about the school telling employee to cash there checks at there bank.They are saying that the school is broke I dont know about you but i would like to know where there money has gone too . What happen to the bond money that passed last year sounds like to me someone has there hand in the tiel I dont want you people to think that i am mad at the school because i worked for them.I am not they have problems and i dont want my child going to a school that is unsafe. PLEASE DO YOUR HOME WORK ON THE SCHOOL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE !!!!!!!
May 20th, 2008
Amy Hedtke
Mr. Selman,
I share your desire for a rural neighborhood, and when we bought our house on Stainback my biggest misgiving was that it is in the City Limits. However, i figgered I can whine about it or make lemonade outta lemons and find a way for the situation to work FOR *me*. A wise man I know mentioned that we can let growth run us right over us or we can do our best to manage it as it happens. I will choose to manage what I can :)
I do find your charges of slander to be less than valid, and in fact i encourage people to NOT use a phrase/charge unless they are willing to take it to court. It is a very serious charge and we need to make sure we are modeling to our children that words mean things and that we are ready to act on what we say.
As someone who knows Chris Moses personally, I can assure you that it is NOT a monetary benefit that is motivating him. Or the rest of the homeowners, for that matter.
I am sharing an email that i recently sent to our yahoogroup that includes several concerns raised recently [not all here in this comments section]. It does, however, include a very vital piece of information about why the school district SHOULD approve the change from Ferris to Red Oak.
--------------
In the course of this discussion, I have heard statements about students moving schools resulting in hurting grades terribly, which puzzles ME and doesn't really stand up to scrutiny:
[Disclaimer: I homeschool. My kids have never been in a daily
institutional school setting, altho they have attended numerous group classes and functions. The variety of educational settings of
students has intrigued me to do a lot of research into this area resulting in much reading on educational methods & philosophy and many interviews w/ teachers].
I admit that I am VERY concerned that a simple switching from one good school to another good school would cause this much harm. It seems to me that a teacher/educational system should be preparing students to deal w/ changes, not making them dependent on a specific environment.
As homeschoolers, We are constantly asked about the concern of
teaching our kids in isolation --how will they be able to cope w/
the changes of the real world??
I have not had any problems w/ my kids taking various different
classes from a lot of different teachers in varying areas.
Homeschoolers are constantly attending dual credit classes at the
colleges: a change in educatinal environment should not be that big a deal to a student that has been well-prepared for a real education. There are plenty of students in Red Oak [and private schools] making straight A's and taking college level classes as well [the dual credit program is a widely-touted program]: apparently they have good teachers too ;)
They do well because the teachers are apparently good and they have been taught to be resilient no matter what life throws at them.
I'm sure many Ferris students are doing well academically. That is
May 20th, 2008
Ed Z
You mentioned your Daughter crying when she saw a yard sign!!! If it had porn or vulgarity on it I could understand. For her to react that way because she saw Ferris ISD with a circle and line drawn through it is weak. If that makes her cry, Ferris ISD will need to bring in a grief counselor on her behalf.
You mentioned the word slander earlier. There is a strong possibility that you have committed libel and defamation of character with your personal attack on Mr. Moses.
1. Law.
a. defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures.
b. the act or crime of publishing it.
c. a formal written declaration or statement, as one containing the allegations of a plaintiff or the grounds of a charge.
2. anything that is defamatory or that maliciously or damagingly misrepresents.
Hypocrite: Look it up.
Bye the way, did you sign the first petition in favor of moving to ROISD?
PssssstâŚâŚ Mr. Mosesâ address is in Red Oak
ROISD vs FISD = Facts vs Personal attacks
Next time, bring more that a tooth pick to a sword fight.
May 20th, 2008
David Selman
None of the school districts in our area or in most any area of the state are completely within the city they serve. Example; some Glenn Heights students are in ROISD and others are in Desoto ISD, some students from Ovilla are in ROISD and others are in Desoto ISD.
School district bounderies are not and have never been strictly associated with the city of ALL of the residents. There are a great number of other factors such as distance and population that determine school district bounderies.
Regarding Moses, I should not have been as insulting as perhaps I was. However, using a rinding mower does not constitute working your but off or creating the best yard in the neighborhood. In addition, we do not see the problems that Moses (as the spokesperson) is causing to be positive. He has only been successful in dividing the area against itself.
Many of us did not ask for improvements to our area. We live here because it is rural, or was. We do not want road improvements, street lights, road signs, fire stations or the like. We like the rural, self sufficient, agriclutural area we moved here for. So, the ideas of city life are being imposed on us all. Next time, buy a house in town.
May 20th, 2008
Graham
You go Tom! I agree with all of his comments.
Mr. Moses is acting as the spokesperson and leader for this school function deal because he is home and active in the community. There are several others in this neighborhood who have requested him to do the petition again so they can be in ROISD. We live in Red Oak City so we should be in ROISD school district. It is stupid to be in a different school district when everything else is Red Oak.
Everything is already turned in and in the hands of the school so why continue to argue and slander people on this? Mr. Moses can't do anything if he wanted to.
May 20th, 2008
Tom
This is some funny crap!! But yet very immature and you could be sued for Defamation of Character (Libel involves the making of defamatory statements in a printed or fixed medium, such as a magazine or newspaper.)
Mr.Selman Comment: The spokesman for this group of misfits, moses, claims to be unable to work or hold a regular job due to his disability. And yet, claims to have the best yard on his road due to his hard work. He is even capable of mowing city councilmenâs lawns like Ben Goodwyn. Then most likely collect a disability check each month at taxpayer expense. All the qualities of a leader.... Oh wait; he is part of the Red Oak city leadership. My bad.
Response: Are you saying that a person who has a back and neck injury, disabled person or old person for that matter cannot use a riding mower?? My 91-year-old grandfather who is disabled can use a riding mower, Heck an 8 year old can use one for that matter.
It does not take that much to set on a riding mower, and mow a lawn or use a pull behind spray rig to spray for weeds
Mr.Selman Comment: moses, and others like him will complain and cause problems in any school district or city council. There is no amount of fighting for a cause that will satisfy these types of people. They have more time on their hands than anything else and look for ways to disrupt and confuse even the best of systems instead of working to make effective changes to the system they are part of.
I must respectfully disagree with you!! Mr. Moses has volunteered his time to try and make a positive change in our area. With his positive attitude and hard work he has already made many effective changes to the area including the following: He was on a committee that worked to get a bond past to build the new fire station. Which is not only safer for us, but will also will lower our home INS. He has been to many council meetings to get some things done out in the area. i.e.: Getting some road improvements done (Nokomis), getting street signs put up, getting some trees cut down at the corner of Tom Driver & Stainback rd, trees cut down on the west side of the S curve. He has worked vigorously to get Stainback rd replaced and get the S Curve taken out. And as he stated in the Yahoo group after he has attended every council meeting for the last 2 years the council approved the money to have that done! It should be done by the end of summer.
Furthermore I do not see anywhere on here where Mr. Moses or anyone else has personally attacked you so why do that to him? He has only stated facts!
May 19th, 2008
David Selman
moses, and others like him will complain and cause problems in any school district or city council. There is no amount of fighting for a cause that will satisfy these types of people. They have more time on their hands than anything else and look for ways to disrupt and confuse even the best of systems instead of working to make effective changes to the system they are part of.
The right thing for moses and anyone else to do who dislikes FISD would be for them to move to houses that are already in the ROISD. Instead, they will act like theives to attempt to trap the rest of us into a school district that we did not ask for or move to this area for.
The spokesman for this group of misfits, moses, claims to be unable to work or hold a regular job due to his disability. And yet, claims to have the best yard on his road due to his hard work. He is even capable of mowing city councilmens lawns like Ben Goodwynn. Then most likely collect a disability check each month at tax payer expense. All the qualities of a leader....Oh wait, he is part of the Red Oak city leadership. My bad.
The yard signs placed around our area are an eye sore and an act of slander with the Ferris circle and cross. This veiw of the Ferris system is a monority view of troubled people who will complain regardless of the quality of school districts or local government.
It will come to light that most of those who signed the rediculous petition and/or have signs in their yards do not even have kids that would be affected by this silly attempt to manipulate school boards. They have been fed a line of BS from moses and others like him and fell for the twisted truth.
Our kids have been very successful and happy with the FISD. National Honor Society, Football, track, FFA, Texas Longhorn programs and cheerleader are just a few of our kids accomplishments at Ferris schools not to mention high SAT score that have qualified our son for scholarships. If you are unhappy with the school system or, if your kids are not doing well in Ferris, it is not likely that a change in school districts will help them. Learning and education begins at home and is the responsibility of the parents first. It is unjust to blame a school system for shortcomings and misplaced expectations. Values, real education from home and life's lessons are more important than what school district you are in. Attempting to drag everyone along is just wrong. If you have a problem with your school district, work to make effective changes to improve it. Dont take your problems to another district. The song will remain the same.
Not to worry. There is no case or argument that would convince the ROISD board of trustees that the four criteria for changing school district bounderies applies, and all four criteria must be met according to state law. It will be entertaining to see the results of this rediculous petition that has caused so many to waste their time and effort.
May 19th, 2008
Concerned
The signs you are referring to where not paid for by Mr. Moses! Some of the homeowners paid for their own sign and others donated $10-$100 to purchase the signs. Mr. Moses only ordered and put the signs up. Which was asked of him as he was also asked to do the petition the first and second time by the majority of the people in the area. I believe I noticed where a few of the opponents signed the petition the first time it was done about 4 years ago.
Don't kill the messenger
May 19th, 2008
David Selman
When my youngest daughter saw the signs that Chris Moses placed all over the area, my daughter was very upset and began to cry. The Ferris ISD with the circle and line through it is pure slander. This kind of hick, red neck garbage needs to stay in your own back yard.
May 18th, 2008
gomez
I am very confused!! Because I do not recall anyone accusing anyoneâs son or any other pacific person for stealing signs in these comments.
Only thing that I saw mentioned on here was a pickup and a small blue car. Was your son accused by name?? If you your child was not accused by name or seen in ether of the two vehicles, then why worry about it!! Why try to defend something your child was not directly accused of?
May 16th, 2008
eston masterson
Dear editor,
I just want to let all the people on the site here know who i am. My name is Eston Masterson and I live on Stainback court in Red Oak Texas. I have 3 boys who go to Ferris schools and we do not want to be involved with the Red Oak school district. I want the others on here to know if I have something to say I will say it and sign my name to it. I do not lie and do not have to hide my real name. What makes me so mad is how Mr. James Black can say my son has been stealing the signs in our area. Unless you have proof please keep your comments to yourself. My boys do not steal and know what happens to people when they do steal.
Eston Masterson
May 15th, 2008
Jim
SailorMoon I see you are to dumb to get the point here! What District our homes was in at the time I, anyone or Mr. Moses bought their home, Is a mute point!! The fact is the law says you have the right to file a petition to detach from one district to another. As long as you have the majority of the registered voter signatures. As the Ferris superintendent stated at the school board meeting the petition is legal and valid.
May 15th, 2008
Sherry
You sound just like a Sailor!!! Very uneducated and very unprofessional!!! First you guys complain about the speeding on your street, then you complain when something is trying to be done about it!! Make up your mind!!! Chris did not ask the police to put that out there the city council told the police to put it out there! Besides that if you would slow down and do the speed limit you would not have to worry about what is setting out in front of anyoneâs home!
Also you do not know your facts, the school boundary line is more than 3 streets down!!!
And as stated before his motivation is NOT money. It is doing what the Majority of the neighbors have asked of him and what he promised several years ago! Period!
I cannot figure out why after all heâs done for our community these 2 people want to tell lies and pick on just him!! Mr. Masterson I believe is just a renter and can move at anytime! Unlike a property owner who has to try and sell their home in a bad housing market!
You guys need to grow up and set a better example for you kids and neighbors!!
May 15th, 2008
Ed Z
SailorMoon typed earlier
I don't my school bus drivers buying beer (great grammar, it appears that you drank the beer that the bus driver bought!!!)
Quit shoving your hard on down our throat. Get off on it yourself. (Classy, intelligent, and informative reasons that would convince me to stay in FISD)
Anonomous (the correct spelling is Anonymous)
Dear Editor,
Debate is a great thing, but the pro FISD contributors have no statistics, class, tack, or intelligent information to make their case. I have yet to hear a rebuttal to any of the school rating information that Mr. Moses has presented. This info can be found on the TEA website. Also, you can call them. Girls, you are shooting blanks. All I hear is that FISD has done a fine job with their kids.
Between Mr. Bodine's 50 million dollar figure and Anonymous' grammar and spelling, we need to divert funds to the Math and English Dept at FISD immediately.
Also typed, ACCORDING TO ELLISCAD.COM - MOSES AND SPOUSE TAMERA WAS GRANTED A DEED ON 2/12/2003. IT WAS - IN FACT - FERRIS ISD JURISDICTION THEN, AND HAS BEEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR -- AT LEAST. Plain and simple..public records Moses.
The Red Oak vs Ferris statistics are public records too. Any rebuttal to that?
This is irrelevant due to the fact that we can petition. Math wizard Mr. Bodine of FISD acknowledged that the petition was legal. Had it not been a legal petition, the school board would not have been required to vote on it. Everything about this petition is legal. This is America. If you do not want to participate in the democratic process, do not register to vote and do not buy a home so that you do not have to pay property taxes. Russia has plenty of room for knuckleheads that will follow orders like robots.
I look forward to this not so great debate. Bring more that insults please!!! We like a challenge.
May 15th, 2008
SailorMoon
Oh my stars....every freaking realtor listing I've ever seen says that it is the potential homebuyers duty to verify the school district that the home is in and not to rely on the info on the listing.
Uh....duh huh...that's a biggie that you should have taken 5 minutes to check. Are you telling me you were so naive that you and others in the area didn't bother to check the county tax records to get an idea of what your yearly taxes would be???That you simply relied on ....what the man/listing said.. Okie dokie moses. Let me try to pick up my dropped jaw on this...you made over an $80,000 investment without seeing what the taxes would be and maybe glancing at the tax records to see what school tax district it's in.
Better yet...every realtor ad I've seen selling houses there says it's Ferris ISD.
Nice try on selling that but that's a freaking laugh and a half...... I'd be embarassed to say I bought a $80k home w/out checking the tax values. Oh wait....let me guess.....they said ROISD back then to.
You messed up in your dream investment....pack up and move on. Actually, I feel very sorry for you that you would foolishly spend your money and not check the tax district. Wow. Even I'm speechless on this one. Have a great day!!
Moses states -
Furthermore we had every intention on staying in this area for years. But on the listing for my home when I bought it back in 2002 stated it was in the Red Oak ISD. I bought it mainly because I thought it was in Red Oak ISD and it is one of the only places that we could get a home so close to Dallas with this much land. There have been others in the area that bought their homes in the past 8 years thinking the same thing because that was what was on their home listing. Let me make this clear not everyone had the incorrect info on their home listing. We had every intention on staying in this area for years!
May 15th, 2008
SailorMoon
In response to this question....
Anonomous
Dear Editor,
I am not in the position to complete the proper research, but I was
wondering how long the current ISD lines have been in place? Did Mr. Moses move into the area before or after the current lines were in place? Did that area ever include Red Oak? If it did, and he lived there when it did, then Mr. Moses would have a case. If he moved to the area, while it was in Ferris ISD, then I would say he doesn't have a case. He didn't have to move to that area.
ACCORDING TO ELLISCAD.COM - MOSES AND SPOUSE TAMERA WAS GRANTED A DEED ON 2/12/2003. IT WAS - IN FACT - FERRIS ISD JURISDICTION THEN, AND HAS BEEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR -- AT LEAST. Plain and simple..public records Moses.
If Moses didn't like Ferris ISD - then he shouldn't have bought the property. Plain and simple. If he was too imcompetent to know that it was Ferris ISD, then geeze, don't let your incompetence become FISD's problem and mine. Should've done your research and not moved here. Trust me....several people would be much happier if you hadn't.
Look at his home value improvement going down down down...I'd say his motivation is money motivated big time. Sell and get out then.
May 15th, 2008
SailorMoon
Let's see.......if Moses wants to go to Red Oak ISD. Let him. Please. Move 3 streets down. I'm tired of seeing the stupid your speed is machine in the road to. Find something else to amuse yourself.
Ferris ISD does a fine job. I don't my school bus drivers buying beer, I don't see them selling drugs either.
Quit shoving your hard on down our throat. Get off on it yourself.
May 14th, 2008
Ed Zimbro
Another supporter of Ferris schools, Dwayne Sprabary, said ROISD has numerous problems to take care of before he would support de-annexation. âRed Oak schools have several problems,â he said. âA teacher recently got arrested for possession of marijuana. A bus driver was fired for buying alcohol on a school trip. They canât even keep their superintendent.â
I do not think Mr. Sprabary or anyone at his residence were Registered voters at the time the petition was completed. The law clearly states that only Registered voters can sign or refuse to sign the petition. So you sir, are not even counted by the state in the figures.
The teacher he refers to in his statement was not arrested for possession of marijuana at the school!! She was arrested for possession of marijuana I believe at her home. She never had it on the school campus!
Mr. Sprabary's Statement: They canât even keep their superintendent.â Well they must still be doing something right to have been a Recognized school 4 out of the last 6 years!
Mike Bodine became the assist superintendent in June 2000; Ferris School was only Recognized the first year that Mike Bodine was assist superintendent. Since Mike Bodine became the superintendent in July 2004, Ferris schools have failed to get a Recognized rating under Mike Bodineâ s command as superintendent.
Also I believe Mr. Moses told me the other day that another group of parents south of Ovilla road off of Batchler not in the city of red oak had approached him asking to be part of this petition to de annex. But he declined their request because he had already turned in the petition.
I guess there are a lot more homeowners who are dissatisfied with Ferris ISD than we really know!
If you are not a registered voter or if you do not own property, then you have no say so in this matter. If you want a voice in this, register and vote. Some of the stongest opposition to the de-annexation are non property owners that contribute $0 in property taxes.
Ed Z
Your Attorney to be
May 14th, 2008
Chris
Please read the first page of my response first. It is below this one.
why would I want that!!!
Your comment: When looking at Google Maps, it appears that Ferris is smaller than Red Oak.
My response: Not true â Ferris ISD territory is 2/3 larger then that of Red Oak ISD territory and it is also 2/3 larger then that of Lancaster ISD, which means with added growth in the near future that Ferris ISD could have a much larger school attendance then that of Red Oak.
Your comment: Smaller schools also help students. The Teacher: Student ratio should be better than a larger school. Teachers can give more help, and do more for smaller classrooms.
My response: Not necessarily true because Ferris ISD has more square miles for added growth, which means that it can potentially outgrow other school districts that border it. According to the 2007 AEIS report taken from the TEA website for Red Oak and Ferris Intermediate schools, there is only a difference of 2.8 more students per teacher in Red Oak Intermediate which wonât make that much of a difference. Also another fact according to the 2007 AEIS report taken from the TEA website, Red Oak ISD teacher pay and experience is much higher then that of Ferris ISD.
Your comment: Mr. Moses, remember that smaller schools have great benefits for students. They allow students to participate in more school-organized activities. Organized activities
help keep children out of trouble.
My response: I, myself, graduated from a very small school district, which I loved. But sometimes a smaller school does not offer as many activities, organizationally or academically, as that of bigger schools. i.e. Red Oak has an excellent program for children with disabilities.
And I as I said before: 86% on the registered voter want this!! And out of the 14% of registered voters who did not sign the petition only about 5% to 7% of them really oppose this petition. Out of the families with kids 31 families with kids want this! And only 12 Families with kids oppose it. That is still the majority!!! But as stated before the law goes off of the registered voters.
And as stated before I am only the messenger! You know that old saying donât shoot the messenger!!
May 14th, 2008
Chris
Response To the Anonymous comment!
First of all I am not the only one in the area who wants to be detached from the Ferris ISD!! 86% of the registered voters in this area want it also. I am only the massager here, because I had the time to do the petition and had the time to do research in regards to the matter!
Furthermore we had every intention on staying in this area for years. But on the listing for my home when I bought it back in 2002 stated it was in the Red Oak ISD. I bought it mainly because I thought it was in Red Oak ISD and it is one of the only places that we could get a home so close to Dallas with this much land. There have been others in the area that bought their homes in the past 8 years thinking the same thing because that was what was on their home listing. Let me make this clear not everyone had the incorrect info on their home listing. We had every intention on staying in this area for years!
Back in I believe 2003 or 2004; several neighbors and me were having a conversation about how dissatisfied we were with Ferris ISD. Then someone at the time started talking about doing a petition to detach and many other homeowners thought it was a good idea so because I had the time, I volunteered to do it.
The first time the petition was done, it did not pass at either school because I did it the wrong way. Then everyone kept asking me to do it again. At that time I told them I would try to sell my home first and move into the Red Oak area but if didn't sell my home I would try it again. I had the house on the market a little over a year and over that year I dropped the price $20,000 because I had numerous contracts on the house but all fell through when they found out it was in Ferris ISD. Several neighbors noticed my home off the market and started calling me asking me when I was going to start the petition again. I told them I was busy with other things in our community, but would redo the petition when I had time. So I felt I needed to keep my promise to the majority of the homeowners and try it again.
Your comment: There must be some other benefit for Mr. Moses. Is it Home value? I believe that it must be monetary.
My response: Well your comment is not correct because I have every intention on staying in this area if it becomes Red Oak ISD. We have made a lot of improvements on our home over the last few years, including making our yard one of the prettiest yards on our street. And I have worked my tail off doing things for this area over the past few years doing things such as getting Nokomis road replaced, getting speed limit signs put up, getting curve signs put up, getting some of the trees cut down in the S curve, along with many other things to improve this neighborhood and make it safer. Why would I want to leave an area in which I have put so much of my time and effort into? Maybe you do not understand how a higher home value will cause me to property taxes to be higher â why would I want
May 14th, 2008
Eston Masterson
Chantel, i just wanted to thank you for a very good article.
I hope all residents of ferris read what one person has started just because he did not no how to handle his own problem thru the school. And as for Mr. bodine he did mention a number of times during the meeting how this would affect all the kids of F.I.S.D. And Chris, my kids have done a great job under the administration of Mike Bodine and the great school board we have here in Ferris so yes, I am being the judge here. Mr. Bodine was more concerned for the kids of Ferris than anything you and your friend have written, please stop all the lying about our great school district.
May 14th, 2008
Anonomous
Dear Editor,
I am not in the position to complete the proper research, but I was
wondering how long the current ISD lines have been in place? Did Mr. Moses move into the area before or after the current lines were in place? Did that area ever include Red Oak? If it did, and he lived there when it did, then Mr. Moses would have a case. If he moved to the area, while it was in Ferris ISD, then I would say he doesn't have a case. He didn't have to move to that area.
When looking at Google Maps, it appears that Ferris is smaller than Red Oak.
Red Oak probably has more students. I was an athlete in high school and grew up
in a small town myself. I loved being able to play sports. Mr. Moses, remember
that smaller schools have great benefits for students. They allow students
to participate in more school organized activities. Organized activities
help keep children out of trouble. Smaller schools also help students.
The Teacher: Student ratio should be better than a larger school. Teachers can
give more help, and do more for smaller class rooms.
In my opinion, Mr. Moses has a hidden agenda. Going though this process doesn't
seem to be easy. Based on the information that he presented, Ferris ISD isn't
doing a terrible job with education. They appear to be comparable to
Red Oak ISD. No one, that I know, would move their children
(and other's children) from one like school to another like school for the
reasons that Mr. Moses presented. Ferris ISD, certainly does not appear to be
bad enough for that. There must be some other benefit for Mr. Moses. Is it
Home value? I believe that it must be monetary.
Thanks.
May 14th, 2008
Chris Moses
Dwayne Sprabary comment alleging several neighbors witnessed me saying the Red Oak school board said they would pass this before a meeting took place.
Well first off Dwayne Sprabary talked to me about 2 weeks ago about this. And at that time I told him that there was a very good chance Red Oak ISD would approve this. Yes I have met with the Red Oak ISD Superintendent many times in regards to this matter. And made this clear to Mr. Sprabary at that time!
Just as some of the Ferris supporters met or talked with Mike Bodine before the Ferris school board meeting. The Ferris school board went into the meeting with their minds already made up that they would not approve it!! Which we fully expected the Ferris ISD would base their decision on the tax dollars they would lose! And we fully expected Ferris not to approve it.
I am sure Mr. Bodine had conversations with every Ferris school board member individually a few days before the meeting. Which does not break any open meeting act laws. (Open meeting act law states if 3 or more school board members meet than the public must be notified of such a meeting)
Furthermore there are many families in this area who have young kids who will be starting school soon. And as stated in the 4 criteriaâs the school board must also consider how it will impact the educational interests of the current and future kids in the proposed area of de-annexation.
Does not state that the school should consider there tax loss!!!! Which is all Ferris cared about
May 14th, 2008
Chris Moses
Here is what the state law says should be considered: At a school board hearing the board of trustees shall consider the educational interests of current students and residing or any future students expected to reside in the affected territory and in the affected districts and the social, economic, and educational effects of the proposed boundary change. After the conclusion of the hearing, each board of trustees shall make findings as to the educational interests of the current students residing or future students expected to reside in the affected territory and in the affected districts and as to the social, economic, and educational effects of the proposed boundary change and shall, on the basis of those findings, adopt a resolution approving or disapproving the petition. The findings and resolution shall be recorded in the minutes of each affected board of trustees and shall be reported to the commissioners court of the county to which the receiving district is assigned for administrative purposes by the agency and to the commissioners court of the county to which the district from which territory is to be detached is assigned for administrative purposes.
Does not state that the school should consider there tax loss!!!! Which is all ferris cared about
May 13th, 2008
Jimmy Black
Here are the 4 criteria that were to be considered.
1. Economical impact of the current and future kids in the proposed area of de-annexation.
2. Educational impact of the current and future kids in the proposed area of de-annexation.
3. Social impact of the current and future kids in the proposed area of de-annexation.
4. How it will impact the educational interests of the current and future kids in the proposed area of de-annexation.
Also deserving a mention was the fact that right after the vote to deny de-annexation, the School Board Superintendent mentioned that he had been a part of several of these and that they never passed.
As far as the stolen signs are concerned, I am an eye witness to two of the sign thefts. Last Sunday morning at around 12:30 AM, A Burgundy Ford F-150 pickup stopped on Stainback Court. One person jumped out and grabbed two signs as the driver sat beside the road with their lights out. This truck was followed closely by a little blue car. The small car appeared to be a Hyundai or Kia. I only mentioned this, because a neighbor on Tom Driver witnessed the exact same vehicles on their road where most of the signs were stolen. I have seen what looks like the same little blue car on Stainback Court on several occasions. In addition to the initial two police reports filed, others have come forward and filed.
May 13th, 2008
Jimmy Black
I just wanted to take a few moments to address some of the inacuracies stated in this article.
FISD Superintendent Mike Bodine is quoted as saying, âWe would lose five percent of our tax base, which is approximately $50 million,â Bodine said. âIf we lose revenue, we will ultimately have to cut people or cut programs such as UIL, athletics, band and teachers. This will have a negative impact on learning.â
This is not true, as the State of Texas believes that a school district can loose up to 5% of their budget, and in their opinion, it would not affect their programs as stated in this article.
I personally attended the meeting in Ferris and heard him mention that there would be $300,000 in lost school revenue. He also stated that this was approximately 2% of the FISD budget, which is less than half of what he reported in this article.
To substantiate my claim, I am going to have to agree with a Ferris ISD supporter in this article that stated, âItâs not only affecting 32 kids,â Masterson said. âFerris will lose $300,000 a year because of the tax cut. It affects everybodyâ.
Mr. Masterson was correct, because he heard the same thing I heard at the school board meeting. Though he and I are on different sides of this issue, we both heard Mr. Bodine talk about the $300,000 in lost tax revenue if they lost our area to de-annexation.
Mr. Bodine can only arrive at his $50,000,000 lost tax revenue argument if you count the next 167 years of lost revenue.
$300,000 X 167 years= $50,100,000
I would like a record of the school board meeting minutes, as I am 100% sure he did not mention any figure near the $50,000,000 range. By him only mentioning the tax revenue loss, I get the impression that Mr. Bodine considered money as the deciding factor in the decision to deny the petition to de-annex from FISD. He personally went over the 4 criteria that must be considered before the School Board voted. He did mention that $300,000 of tax revenue would be lost, but did not include that in the 4 criteria that should have been the deciding factors when casting their vote.
Here are the 4 criteria that were to be considered.
1. Economical impact
2. Educational impact
3. Social impact
4. How it will impact the educational interests of the current and future kids in the proposed area of de-annexation.
May 13th, 2008
Chris Moses
First off Mike Bodine stated at the Ferris school board meeting that this area was only 2% of their tax base. He also stated in the school board meeting that it was $300.000 in tax dollars per year, not $50 million as stated.
Also Mike Bodine stated: âIf you compare both Ferris and Red Oak, both schools have been academically acceptable and both are public schools, which means the economic impact does not change,â Bodine said.
Not quite true information!!! Red Oak has been recognized 4 times out of the last 6 years! Ferris has not had a recognized rating in the last 6 years. Recognized is a better rating than academically acceptable!
Ferris was rated academically acceptable all of the last 6 years
Here are the District ratings for the last ten years (per TEA website)
Ferris ISD:
97-98: Recognized
98-99: Recognized
99-00: Recognized
00-01: Recognized
01-02: Academically acceptable
02-03: Academically acceptable
03-04: Academically acceptable
04-05: Academically acceptable
05-06: Academically acceptable
06-07: Academically acceptable
Red Oak ISD:
97-98: Recognized
98-99: Academically acceptable
99-00: Academically acceptable
00-01: Academically acceptable
01-02: Recognized
02-03: Recognized
03-04: Recognized
04-05: Academically acceptable
05-06: Recognized
06-07: Academically acceptable
It looks as if the Ferris District ratings have not done well under the current administration!!! You be the Judge
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