It is important to understand the reasoning Superintendents use to try to justify spending millions of your taxdollars on programs like IB. According to the "White Paper", Monticello has already spent well over $1,065,000 in just four years, its primary objective; to close the achievement gap. It's a shame that a well paid NY Superintendent was unable to copy the URL address for TAIB properly into his White Paper.
August 31, 2010 - No, that's not the Health Care Bill. That incredible pile of IB documents (photo right) were obtained by Monticello Dad, Bill Croissant, who filed several FOIL's in an effort to expose the true cost of IB to the Monticello, NY, school district. Bill requested copies of all of the Purchase Orders pertaining to IB teacher training, travel expenses and conferences (including lobster dinners).
Obviously it will take a lot of time to read through this mountain of documents, but TAIB will report back to readers when a tally has been completed. Hats off to Bill for his effort as a concerned citizen, taxpayer and Dad to expose IB's onerous cost to taxpayers.
Monticello IB docs
Welcome parents and taxpayers of the Monticello, NY, school district. Beginning on February 10, 2010, this page will hopefully serve as your online bulletin board for updates regarding upcoming meetings where your presence and voices can make a difference. Now is the time to present facts as to why it is imperative to remove the IB program from Monticello schools.
TAIB had the privilege of meeting with some of your concerned parents and school leaders in late January. It was disheartening to learn of the high poverty rate in such a beautiful part of NY state and what appears to be a Superintendent with a "misguided" agenda. TAIB trusts that right-minded, concerned parents know that THE most important factors in a child's success in school are good teachers with classes that are a manageable size. The "best" program in the world isn't worth the paper it's written on if a teacher is unable to manage an overcrowded class.
IB, especially at the PYP (elementary) and MYP (middle school-10th Grade) levels, is far from the "best" program. It is not a curriculum. It is nothing more than an expensive package of globalist "themes" which your teachers are forced to integrate into their regular NYS curriculum. IB is "internationally-minded" indoctrination that distracts your children from their ABCs. IB attempts to instill what it claims are "UNiversal values" which may not be your family's values at all.
GET INVOLVED!
Your local parent organizer is Bill Croissant Please feel free to e-mail Bill HERE
Questions About Contract for Excellence and the Closing of Duggan
According to the Monticello website, Superintendent Pat Michel in his "Explanation of the Contract for Excellence stated: Monticello Central School District has been designated as a Contract for Excellence (C4E) school district by New York State. As part of our requirements as a C4E district, we must spend a portion of our state aid, specifically $2,920,539, to sustain new programs and innovations we have put in place over the last two years.
To comply with these rules, we plan to spend this money in our schools as follows:
1. Monticello High School will continue to restructure. We will continue all programs implemented over the last two years.
2. Rutherford and Cooke Elementary Schools are now in good standing. We will continue to provide smaller class sizes and staff development to sustain their success.
3. Duggan Elementary School will continue to build on their success with the International Baccalaureate program and reduced class sizes.
At the District level, we will continue to sustain the programs that we have developed over the last two years. Students from throughout the district will benefit from these programs. All of the schools mentioned are considered Title I schools, which means they have a high poverty rate. Chase Elementary School did not directly benefit from these funds due to the fact that they are not a targeted school.
Let us consider the fact that Chase Elementary is the ONLY authorized IB PYP school and that the district has voted to close the Duggan School. Does this constitute a misappropriation of funds? Why was all of this money wasted on a school that was about to be closed and for IB training of teachers about to be laid off? Was the money actually spent on Chase Elementary?
The Rutherford Elementary School is now in good standing. We included Cooke Elementary School in this description due to the fact that they are the feeder school for Rutherford (the students from Cooke feed into Rutherford). The present configuration of these two schools is: grades K, 1 and 2 at the Cooke Elementary School and grades 3, 4 and 5 at the Rutherford Elementary School. We will sustain our program at Rutherford next school year and will begin the implementation of the International Baccalaureate. Duggan Elementary School will be our second elementary school to begin the process of becoming an International Baccalaureate/PYP (IB) school. Duggan is a Title I high needs school which has recently seen a significant change demographically with the addition of many more students in poverty. It has been shown that to successfully address the developmental and academic needs of students, dumbing down the curriculum does not work. Thus, we believe that the addition of this world class program will benefit our student population, particularly our students in poverty. The roll-out plan for the IB initiative started with Chase Elementary School followed by Duggan Elementary School. Chase Elementary School has successfully applied for the first level of IB status. Once the Duggan Elementary School has completed this process, we will then support Cooke and Rutherford Elementary Schools in obtaining IB status, as well.
Wait a minute! How many IB applications were filed by Monticello in 2009? It costs $17,000 PER SCHOOL to file parts A & B, and that doesn't include the tens of thousands for IB teacher training. If Michel plans to implement IB in Rutherford in 2010, that means that it has already undergone the IB application process. Let's ignore for the moment, the fact that Rutherford, (the school which currently hosts the IB PYP Global Village on its site) would technically become the 2nd elementary school in the district to become PYP, not Duggan, which would have been the 3rd IB PYP school. The district has voted (5-4) to close Duggan due to alleged under-enrollment. How can a school be under-enrolled while also experiencing "many more" students in poverty? It would appear that Superintendent Michel is not only ideologically, but chronologically and fiscally confused. The taxpaying public and parents of Monticello elementary students deserve straight answers.
MONTICELLO IB INFO
According to the Monticello SD's website, the Rutherford Elementary School is currently "in the process" of becoming an IB World School. Duggan Elementary is "in the process" of becoming an IB school. Emma Chase elementary was authorized as an IB World School on December 7, (D-Day) 2009. This means that your district has already spent $51,000 for the application fees and untold tens of thousands on IB Teacher training. Through Monticello's "Global Village", you can see for yourselves some of what IB consists of. If you don't have a parent password, you can log-in as a Guest.
Some initial research has revealed that the scary looking book called Terrible Things, is indeed, terrible for small children. According to reviews at Amazon by three teachers, this allegory about the Holocaust is NOT intended for young readers. If IB is such a "rigorous" and allegedly prestigious program, why is it recommending inappropriate books for young children?
Don't miss the videos!
Principally PYP Propaganda
March 21, 2010 - Frankly, TAIB doesn't know where to begin in refuting these two pages of IB propaganda signed by all of the Elementary Principals in the Monticello district. But we'll give it our best shot.
Let's begin with the opening question:
"Where is the money going to come from to pay for everything?"
Well, that's a very good question. Unfortunately, the Principals don't even attempt to answer it. TAIB has the answer - the money will come from YOU THE TAXPAYERS.
The letter goes on to claim that community members and parents meet to discuss methods of implementing the IB and "continue to be an integral part of the program". Of course, only those community members and parents who SUPPORT IB are invited to be part of the process. Those with objections are handed letters like this one, patted on the head and wished away.
In a stunningly honest announcement, parents are told:
"In the PYP, no curriculum, textbooks or assessments are provided or specified by the IB."
That is absolutely correct. So what are taxpayers paying $200,000 per school per year for if none of the above are included? Scanning ... scanning ... oh! Here it is:
"intercultural understanding and respect."
On to "Some IB Schools Best in the Country". Of course, here we find Monticello citing Jay Mathews' vapid Newsweek List and the newly constructed list designed by U.S. News & World Reports to compete with Newsweek's high school rankings. Please refer to TAIB's page on Jay Mathews and why his ranking of schools is completely devoid of measuring any real academic success.
The next sentence is by far the most appalling as the Principals attempt to dispel allegations that IB is anti-American and anti-Judeo/Christian by citing Jewish and Christian UNIVERSITIES and U.S. Military bases as IB World Schools. Let's make something perfectly clear - UNIVERSITIES are not K-12 public schools and IB has not been "implemented" in any UNIVERSITIES. Our fine military families, for the most part, send their children to the local public schools. In the cases of Langley and Fort Belvoir, they are located in northern Virginia and attend Fairfax County or Prince William County schools. Yes, there are some IB schools in those counties, but what proof does Monticello have that the children of military bases attended those IB schools? ABSOLUTELY NONE! Furthermore, TAIB could find no evidence of IB elementary schools in the proximity of Fort Hood or Fort Meade. This is the most disingenuous representation of IB participation that TAIB has seen to date.
As to Monticello's claim of a "History of Success", only the IB Diploma Program has been around for 40 years. (the first IBDP exams were given in 1970) The IB PYP and MYP were developed in the early 1990's. There is absolutely NO EVIDENCE of either of these IB programs improving academic achievement at the elementary or middle school levels. In fact, there is doctoral evidence to the contrary.
The IB PYP is nothing but a set of globalist "themes" - in other words, UN goals and indoctrination woven into your child's regular education. How about spending the money on teachers and textbooks instead of this garbage?
(Please see two page letter below)
Monticello Parent Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
As a parent and taxpayer, I have been investigating and researching IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) since Sept 09.
I saw “IB” on the school calendar and did not know what it was. I discovered most people I’ve spoken with do not know either. Administrators say they have been very informative and open about this process, but my research finds there is a definite pattern whereby the IB curriculum implementation in schools around the Country, attempts to remain under the radar as long as possible. IBO’s curriculum has been in play in the Monticello School District for approximately 3 years. Watch for the IB debut in neighboring districts.
The IB curriculum is a UN (United Nations) UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization) inspired and endorsed program, being sold to schools across the country (under 700 currently). All student tests and papers are owned by IBO in Europe. This effectively blocks parents from seeing their child’s essays or tests.
These schools are required by IBO to teach the beliefs and values of UNESCO, that are…one world government, world citizenship, redistribution of wealth, disarmament, and it continues.This is the intentional dumbing down of our children to ready them for a “global society” in order for them all to be on the same level with each other. At the PYP level, IB is implemented in the entire school. There is no choice but the IB themes imposed upon the curriculum.
Your child at the PYP level (primary year’s program), MYP level (middle year’s program) and DP (diploma program) are all taught IBO principles and values all day, every day. This is NOT education, it is INDOCTRINATION. This, without a doubt, takes away from the ABCs and the 123s which are taught in the AP (advanced placement) program. The IB program is extremely controversial and is being disputed across the USA.School administrators won’t tell you any of this. If they do allude to it, they will sugar-coat it.
Do you, as parents, taxpayer’s, and American’s want the UN teaching our youth THEIR beliefs and values? The UN promotes, SOCIALISM, not FREEDOM, certainly not our God-given rights as AMERICANS under our CONSTITUTION, which IBO would like to see disappear. They do not care for our Constitution, and by indoctrinating our children, would undermine it.
There are at least two schools, King Fahad Islamic School in the UK and the Islamic Saudi School in Fairfax, Virginia under great scrutiny for anti-American and anti-Judeo/Christian teachings. The Director General, Jeff Beard awarded IB authorization to the schools in 2008, and is okay with the teachings which have strong anti-Semitic content.
On another note, this program is one of the most expensive, if not THE most expensive on the market. It is about $200,000 (U.S. average cost) per annum per school. Why pay this when AP has a much lower cost, has no political agenda and has college creditworthiness.
This information is all well documented. Please see IBO.ORG and decide if this is what we need in the USA and our schools.For the real story, please go to, TRUTH ABOUT IB.See also, PARENTS HAVE RIGHTS. There are many informative links on these sites.
We are all aware of looming school closings and their dire financial situation, but we must not allow the continued stealth implementation of IB into the school district. Let us demand a full accounting of the funds already spent by the Administration (Pat Michel, District Superintendent) on their march to a curriculum of INDOCTRINATION OF OUR CHILDREN and the future cost of continuing this garbage.Perhaps this reckless spending is partially responsible for the financial problems now faced by our schools.
IBO requires schools to insure that they will be able to FULLY FUND the IB curriculum. The Board of Ed is in turn, LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE to require a financial guarantee from the IB supporters that their funds will continue past a single school year.
It will be interesting to see if IBO’s “authorizations” of new IB schools can outpace the number of schools dropping the curriculum across the Country.
There is no proof other than from IBO, that this curriculum is beneficial in any way, unless you hold to their values and beliefs. This curriculum is anti-American and not educational. You need not have children to understand this. If this assault on our schools continues, America as you know it will cease to exist forever. Only you can teach your child to be AMERICAN.
Bill Croissant Jr.
April 10, 2010
Dear Senator Bonacic:
If you have not been aware of the deplorable education requirements of the students attending schools in New York State, I implore you to immediately research this.
Monticello Central School District for the last three years has instituted the International Baccalaureate Programme, a private United Nations approved school program designed to brainwash American children to be " World Citizens ". Pine Bush Central School District has been involved with this program for the past six years and due to the high cost of the program, the program will be terminated at the end of this school year. Florida, New York, is also using this program. As a high school science teacher for 24 years, I am totally opposed to exposing children to the teachings of the International Baccalaureate Programme. After viewing the program's videos as provided on the website of the Monticello Central School District, I am shocked that any thinking person could ever imagine that these videos teach children the basic reason for sending children to school.... to learn how to read, write and do arithmetic.
Check it out for yourself. When elementary school children are compared to burned wooden matches to promote an idea of tolerance, I think that the idea had to ferment from a warped mind. This is only one thing shown. The ideas promoted in this video are totally unacceptable. Go to the Monticello Central School District website and see for yourself.
Google: Monticello Central School District
Click on Rutherford School
Click on Global Village
Click on Mission Statement
Go to Videos down to Tolerance
Does Color Matter
(The other videos are equally non-educational)
Instead of wasting valuable class time on non-productive brainwashing drivel, schools should use the documents on which this great Nation was founded which would address all the principles which make this Nation what it is.....
The Declaration of Independence...
" all men are created equal "
The Constitution of the United States of America which proclaims how the people living in this Nation are to be governed and states how the government is to be restricted with the consent of the governed. No other nation in the world has the express freedoms of Americans and no other nation in the world has remained under the same Constitution for over 200 years. Should not the children of America learn about their own Nation ?
I propose that every school in the State of New York be required to :
Post and display a copy of the Declaration of Independence and a copy of the Constitution of the United States of America in prominent display in an area where it will be easily seen ( such as the wall of the main office ).
Teach the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America in every class, from Kindergarten through 12th grade, so that American children will know the laws of this Nation and, as such, will become better citizens of the United States of America.
There is no excuse for students who have been within the walls of American schools from elementary grades through graduation ( or with a GED diploma ) to have to take remedial reading and remedial math upon entering college classes. The answer is NOT more funding..... the answer is BETTER TEACHING.
Spelling DOES matter. Arithmetic computations must be EXACT...close only counts in the game of horseshoes. Measurements do count, especially in medical dosages. We are doing a disservice to the children and to the taxpayers who are paying for the non-education of these children, if the New York State Legislature does not correct the injustice of " dumbing down " the future of America.
Sincerely,
Mrs Sondra Bauernfeind
1981 Outstanding Life Science Teacher of the Year
for Southeastern New York State
Important Questions to Ask
1. Have Applications A & B been submitted to IBO for Duggan? 2. Have Applications A & B been submitted to IBO for Rutherford? 3. Where is the money coming from to pay for the applications? 4. How many teachers have been trained at Duggan? 5. How many teachers have been trained at Rutherford? 6. Have all of the teachers at Emma Chase received IB training? If no, how many still require training? 7. What was the total grant money for Contract for Excellence? 8. What is the total amount spent to date for IB teacher training? 9. Has Monticello already scheduled authorization visits from the IBO team?
