We just received an email from a parent who received in the mail a letter from Marlys Mihok, school board member/(paid)secretary of the School Board. We are trying to obtain a copy of the letter, but it seems like this letter is yet another personal attack directed at Coach Donna Wilson. Sad that Marlys continues to be such a negative and uninspiring figure in Morrisville.
This is the email we received:
As a parent of a "Morrisville Drill Team member" I received a negative letter in the mail from school board member Marlys Mihok.
The letter outlines the events of the June 23rd school board meeting and attempts to highlight the conduct of Color Guard Coach Donna Wilson. Having attended that school board meeting, I tried to understand the point of this letter but only was disappointed to see that it was to further personally attack Donna Wilson.
The letter fails to inform to someone who did not attend the meeting the manner in which Mrs. Wilson's stipend was cut by 75%. It states that this is "due to the trying economic times which we are all experiencing" in which if this is true why wasn't that something that was presented at the Agenda meeting just the week prior instead of just throwing it in there, hoping nobody might notice. Generally, if someone would have to take a cut in pay, I would think it would be a discussion with the employer to employee. Not to mention, that if this were to be voted on, all board members voting on the subject would have known the information - which they did not. This was yet another underhanded move made by the current school board majority and to deflect that they attempt to discredit Donna Wilson's character.
Mrs. Wilson has since publically apologized, on this blog for her minor outburst during the heat of the moment. It isn't about the money but more the simple fact that this is personal. The simple fact is this - no other program was questioned, no other coach's stipend was cut and how much is $750 compared to the "up to " $25,000 budgeted for the "Public Relations Director" that has yet to utilize any organizations within the schools and community for any positive information.
The last part of the letter states "In the future, we will hold the Drill Team Advisor to a higher standard". Having attended many school board meetings and seeing the board members in action, I have yet to see them hold themselves to whatever standards they speak about. Members of the school board are rude and disrespectful to the members of the community while speaking and noticeably hold sidebar conversations.
The standard that Mrs. Wilson holds herself and her team to are, in fact, quite high. She asks the team sign contracts that the team must adhere to throughout the year. That only begins the journey that the girls have signed on for. More than just a coach, Donna Wilson takes the time to educate, listen to and understand each girl individually. My daughter has benefited greatly from just one year of being on the squad and is looking forward to continuing it through her days as a Morrisville student.
Mrs. Wilson takes great pride in her team and as a lifelong Morrisville resident, she has often mentioned that she "bleeds blue & gold".
My hope is this - that those who point fingers can instead look inward and realize that they highlighted the negativity that makes up the school board instead of whatever the original goals might have been. The strength and support that has rallied around Donna Wilson since this situation occurred has shown me renewed hope and pride in this small town. We can all learn and benefit from knowing that not only is Donna Wilson helping to better our schools but we (all of the many volunteers that support her) do our part to help despite the negativity and viciousness.
We will take this, move forward and help keep the pride high in Morrisville.
Melissa Danbury
This is the email we received:
As a parent of a "Morrisville Drill Team member" I received a negative letter in the mail from school board member Marlys Mihok.
The letter outlines the events of the June 23rd school board meeting and attempts to highlight the conduct of Color Guard Coach Donna Wilson. Having attended that school board meeting, I tried to understand the point of this letter but only was disappointed to see that it was to further personally attack Donna Wilson.
The letter fails to inform to someone who did not attend the meeting the manner in which Mrs. Wilson's stipend was cut by 75%. It states that this is "due to the trying economic times which we are all experiencing" in which if this is true why wasn't that something that was presented at the Agenda meeting just the week prior instead of just throwing it in there, hoping nobody might notice. Generally, if someone would have to take a cut in pay, I would think it would be a discussion with the employer to employee. Not to mention, that if this were to be voted on, all board members voting on the subject would have known the information - which they did not. This was yet another underhanded move made by the current school board majority and to deflect that they attempt to discredit Donna Wilson's character.
Mrs. Wilson has since publically apologized, on this blog for her minor outburst during the heat of the moment. It isn't about the money but more the simple fact that this is personal. The simple fact is this - no other program was questioned, no other coach's stipend was cut and how much is $750 compared to the "up to " $25,000 budgeted for the "Public Relations Director" that has yet to utilize any organizations within the schools and community for any positive information.
The last part of the letter states "In the future, we will hold the Drill Team Advisor to a higher standard". Having attended many school board meetings and seeing the board members in action, I have yet to see them hold themselves to whatever standards they speak about. Members of the school board are rude and disrespectful to the members of the community while speaking and noticeably hold sidebar conversations.
The standard that Mrs. Wilson holds herself and her team to are, in fact, quite high. She asks the team sign contracts that the team must adhere to throughout the year. That only begins the journey that the girls have signed on for. More than just a coach, Donna Wilson takes the time to educate, listen to and understand each girl individually. My daughter has benefited greatly from just one year of being on the squad and is looking forward to continuing it through her days as a Morrisville student.
Mrs. Wilson takes great pride in her team and as a lifelong Morrisville resident, she has often mentioned that she "bleeds blue & gold".
My hope is this - that those who point fingers can instead look inward and realize that they highlighted the negativity that makes up the school board instead of whatever the original goals might have been. The strength and support that has rallied around Donna Wilson since this situation occurred has shown me renewed hope and pride in this small town. We can all learn and benefit from knowing that not only is Donna Wilson helping to better our schools but we (all of the many volunteers that support her) do our part to help despite the negativity and viciousness.
We will take this, move forward and help keep the pride high in Morrisville.
Melissa Danbury
