This letter is to clarify any misinformation that was disseminated to teachers and parents of youth basketball players, which prompted support of Jon Nedelcoff at the School Board Meeting on Oct. 27, 2014. 

I was impressed with the outpouring of support for Jon Nedelcoff. I think it is important for people to stand up for what they believe in and for what is just and true. Having said that, I would be remiss if I did not provide the facts surrounding our complaint, so that those of you who showed up to support Jon Nedelcoff are accurately informed of what you are “all in” support of.

Our complaint involves concerns with repeated violations of the District Bullying Policy 163 by Jon Nedelcoff in his position as varsity head basketball coach, not in his position as a teacher or with his involvement in the youth basketball program. Complaints have been made each season to administrators, including Mike Chapes, athletic director at the time, and subsequently, Mike Carr and superintendent Brian Busler. 

Parents were ignored, and no meaningful investigations were ever conducted. Our district has created an environment where concerned parents and students/athletes are afraid to speak up for fear of retaliation by the district and/or by this coach.  

Administrators failed to meaningfully address and resolve this matter. Our only option was to seek support from the school board and speak publicly. The Human Assets Committee attempted to provide us an opportunity to share information regarding Jon Nedelcoff, Mike Carr, and Brian Busler’s violations of the Bullying Policy, in a private, closed meeting environment, only to have meetings canceled at the direction of superintendent Brian Busler’s office.  

All of the accolades given to Jon Nedelcoff by supporters at the meeting are irrelevant and do not negate the facts of our complaint. The facts are that Jon Nedelcoff repeatedly violated District Bullying Policy 163 on several occasions.

Brian Busler and Mike Carr are in violation of this policy by allowing these repeated bullying behaviors of Jon Nedelcoff and allowing him to continue coaching with no consequences.

I will never be “all in” at the expense of our kids/high school athletes. 

Tina Bastian
Village of Oregon 

Editor’s note: The Oregon School District has held two internal investigations on these matters, and an independent investigation is ongoing. Portions of this letter were edited to remove specific references to allegations that are being investigated. 

Oregon School District President Dan Krause reports that he canceled the scheduled HAC meeting with parents, not superintendent Brian Busler. 

This letter is in support of Mr. Jon Nedelcoff.

I am 47 years old and grew up with Jon and his family my entire life. I know everything about Jon and what he stands for. You will not find a more focused man who stands for the education process in school and on the court.

Jon is a gifted father, teacher, mentor and coach. He’s taught hundreds of young men and women both in the classroom and on the court. Whatever the situation was that transpired, I am sure Jon was trying to get more from his team and he knew it was in them.

Hearing the truth is not always pleasant and rushing to the aid of your child can also make you, the parent, look bad. It is a shame that parents have to come forward and slander a man like this. Just sad!

Let the professionals do their job.

“All In, Go Panthers”

Butch Haverland
Geneseo, Ill.

Thursday, Nov. 20, is a day set aside to mark the Great American Smokeout. It is a day that asks people to take on the challenge to pledge not to start using tobacco and stop using tobacco products if you do.

Tobacco has retained its unquestionable rank as the number one cause of preventable death and disease in Wisconsin, causing approximately 8,000 deaths per year and 450,000 nationally. This is a higher toll than deaths due to alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders and suicide combined. With 8,000 funerals a year, it seems a bit shocking that about 20 percent of adults and 13 percent of high school students in Wisconsin are still using tobacco products.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, our Oregon High School FACT group is spreading the truth about tobacco. FACT is a statewide tobacco prevention program. We will be speaking out about the dangers of tobacco and the candy flavored tobacco marketing that targets teens. Studies show that 80 percent of all smokers start before the age of 18. Approximately 46,000 Wisconsin students are current tobacco users.

FACT students at OHS will host activities throughout the day on Thursday, Nov. 20, to ask students to pledge not to start using tobacco or how they can get help if they want to quit.

If you want to learn more about the state youth driven FACT movement check us out at facebook.com/FACTmovement

Samantha Abel
FACT OHS State Board

Cayce Swenson
OHS FACT

Abigail Joy Crigger
OHS FACT

On Oct. 27, I was one of many supporters that was given the privilege to speak to the school board on behalf of Jon Nedelcoff. It was plain as day Jon Nedelcoff has the support of the community he chooses to live and work in.

Tina Bastian needs to stop the unfounded vendetta she and her husband have against Jon. She is an angry parent whose son didn’t receive the playing time when he was on the varsity team. The reason is simple – he wasn’t good enough to have more playing time. 

I find it ironic that Tina and her husband have such disdain for Jon, yet they have their younger son attend Jon’s basketball camps. If Jon is such a monster you would think Tina wouldn’t allow any of her children near Jon. 

All this is is sour grapes. The school board, administration and the community need to move on. 

Maybe it’s time Tina and her husband move on or move out.

Jon Boumstein
Village of Oregon

It is clear that people are misinformed about the concerns brought to the School Board, as a last resort, on Oct. 13, 2014. 

The concerns were related to disturbing behavior on the part of a coach that had not been addressed adequately through proper channels. In fact, a meeting set for several parents to present concerns in a closed session was cancelled. Any parents desperately hoping to give kids a voice would feel backed into a corner-just as the Jacobs’ did. 

I think Bill and Tina should be commended for speaking out.  They are not the only parents who had concerns, but they are the only ones who refused to be stifled, despite knowing there would be backlash. There are other parents who had concerns, but for whatever reasons they backed down.  Tina and Bill didn’t do that.  And, they aren’t just advocating for their own kid. 

I appreciate their tenacity and their example. They are demonstrating that you should do the right thing even if it doesn’t directly benefit you.  I would like to see more support for doing the right thing.  I think it would be a good example for our kids who don’t speak out about bullying they witness, out of fear that they will become the next target.  Sadly, some adults in our community have demonstrated this notion perfectly.

Furthermore, these concerns were never brought forth as a personal vendetta or in an attempt to run someone out of town. It also had little to do with their son’s amount of playing time. 

It was a plea, by passionate parents, for our administration and school board to address specific behaviors and issues that made kids feel unsafe and disrespected. It was about the kids who felt unheard, humiliated and afraid.  

It was about the parents who had been dismissed and felt that pushing the issue would only cause increased frustration and retaliation against their younger children. 

They didn’t call this coach a monster who should never have contact with kids. However, they have raised concerns about his actions as the varsity basketball coach which should have been addressed promptly, at the lowest administrative level, long ago. 

At this time, the most important thing is to restore accountability and do the right thing for all involved, especially the kids.  

Cathy Weis
Village of Oregon

Thanks to the people who helped last Saturday morning put the snow flakes and wrap around lights in downtown Oregon.  

We really appreciated their help and time.  

Also, thanks to the volunteers from Fire/EMS with the shooting stars.  

The rest of the lights for the north and south end will be up by Dec. 5 by the village crew.  

Our town will look very festive this year.

Thanks again,

Jeff Bergey
Jim and Darlene Groenier
Oregon

Unbelievable – $195,000 of taxpayer money spent with nothing to show for it.

I am sickened over the fact that the Village of Oregon has expended $195,000 regarding the alleged felonious conduct of former police chief Doug Pettit and has nothing to show for it.

I corresponded with a village official a few months ago who informed me they had no further jurisdiction over prosecutorial action against Pettit subsequent to his retirement. Aside from the fact that I challenge this legal interpretation, I equally challenge the validity of why the village would expend $195,000 to investigate a former chief of police, exonerate all other participating officers involved and now claim they lost jurisdiction to pursue this matter further upon Pettit’s retirement. 

Maybe someone should be questioning Oregon’s village attorney, who is suppose to represent the best interest of its governing body. 

As a former public employee and resident of Oregon for nine years, I cannot believe there is not a public outrage over this matter.

Apparently there is a surplus of money to waste in Oregon.

Dean Atkinson
Richland Center

After 33 years of being used as a storage building, the Village of Oregon Historic Pump House is set to come back to life in 2015. Several Oregon residents started this journey, and now the torch has been passed to current residents who will finish the restoration of the Pump House. 

This all started when I proposed new landscaping around the building, and now we are in the midst of restoring the building to become the new Oregon Welcome Center. The restoration is not yet complete, but I want to say thank you to everyone who has helped us get where we are today. We couldn’t do this without your continued support. 

First, thanks to our village leaders for embracing this valuable community project. To the local nurseries who donated all the plant and landscape material and the local church group who helped finish the landscaping. To the Oregon Observer, who provided great updates regarding our ongoing progress. Thank you to local organizations who staffed tables at events, and those who donated proceeds of events to the project. 

Thanks to all the volunteers who donated time and labor, the businesses who donated landscape and building materials, signs, printing, artistic talent, and venues for fundraising events. 

We are also thankful to our recent funders for believing in the importance and impact this project will have on the Village and Dane County. 

We still have more work to do before the restoration is complete. Brick pavers are still available for sale for the front walkway. More information can be found at our display at the Firefly, or you can go to
oregonwatertower.com. 

Thank you to all village residents and beyond, as well as local businesses and organizations who have sent in donations. Please continue to support our efforts and watch us transform the Historic Pump House into the Oregon Welcome Center.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone in Oregon for welcoming me, the newbie from Madison. I’ve now lived in the village for almost two years, and feel very proud to call the Village of Oregon my home.

Randall L. Glysch
Friends of the Historic Oregon Water Tower

I see the people of Brooklyn are going to get it stuck to them again! 

In times when the economy still is in recovery, Nadine Walsten is spending our tax dollars like a drunken sailor. 

As far as this business park goes, I fail to see anybody moving in. It seems to me you should have had companys lined up or at least interested before you make this leap with taxpayers’ money.

She has done nothing but cost this village money. With her, it’s her way or no way. 

When people voted to keep the court and judge, she still did what she wanted, not what the voters wanted. If she stays in charge people will no longer afford to live here and this village will be a ghost town.

Gary Muckler
Village of Brooklyn

I was happy to read in the Dec. 11 Oregon Observer that the Oregon School Board has exonerated coach Jon Nedelcoff of bullying behavior. Mr. Nedelcoff has been a great coach and teacher. 

My son was privileged to have Mr. Nedelcoff as a high school teacher. He was, and still  is, a great teacher and coach. In fact, he went above and beyond to help my son succeed in school and, to quote my Brett, a graduate of Oregon High School, “he found a way to reach out to every kid in school.”

As for Mr. Brian Busler, he does a great job as superintendent of schools in Oregon. He has also gone above and beyond to help see that students have every opportunity to learn and succeed.

Thank you to the Oregon School Board and the district for listening to the majority of families who have nothing but the highest respect for Mr. Nedelcoff and Mr. Busler. 

Thank you for exonerating these fine men as both are an asset to the Oregon School District and show great interest in the future of our children!

Jeff Larson 
Village of Oregon

I was very saddened when I heard the news that Sub Town Deli would be closing.  

Sub Town has provided my family with many subs, tacos, nachos, and salads over the years, along with memories and satisfied appetites. They are probably the main reason why blue moon ice cream is my favorite flavor. 

It saddens me to see a wonderful local business run by hardworking ladies close while huge franchises flourish. Thank you for the memories, Sub Town Deli.

Ally McCann
Oregon

How do I express the level of gratitude my husband and I feel at the outpouring of all manners of support for my husband, Bashir Nasserjah, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma? There are truly not enough words, nor hugs, nor thank you cards on the planet to cover it. 

This demon of a disease has been eating away at my husband’s skeleton and created at least four very active tumors. It is excruciatingly painful and difficult to treat with a very dim prognosis. 

He is enrolled in a clinical trial through the UW Carbone Center, Mayo Clinic, Boston Med and a few other major cancer centers in the hopes that the test drug, carfilzomib, will bring about a remission sooner and last longer. Unfortunately, he is still looking at maybe two years, with treatment. 

Bashir was diagnosed on Sept. 11, 2014, and is currently in the hospital for the third time since then, with an infection doctors can’t seem to identify. Every hospital visit disrupts the cancer treatment, but we continue to be hopeful that he will win the biological lottery and outlive the two years.

The funds that were raised by the benefit and silent auction went to creating a much-needed ramp in order to get Bashir in and out of the house; major repairs and new tires on the only vehicle he can get into, my 2006 Tahoe; a bed that mimics the hospital bed movements while actually being comfortable; and renovating the master bathroom so that it is handicap accessible. Some of the funds have also been used to cover gas from the daily trips to Madison, some of the myriad meds he is on just to try to keep him relatively healthy between treatments and a bit of the loss of income for both Renee as the full-time caregiver and Bashir as the primary provider.

He is now on long-term disability for the next 24 months where our income (though much reduced) stays fixed, but we keep our health insurance. I am not sure what 2015 will be bringing us but we are hopeful that everyone’s happy healthy thoughts will boost his spirits and help him fight this demon inside.

With much love and gratitude,

Renee Frank, Bashir, Alexander and Arianna Nasserjah
Town of Oregon

Regarding the Observer article about the K9 program being questioned … What? Really?

I understand that the K9 program is funded through donations that are made via the fundraising efforts that Officer Kohlman puts forth in order to keep this needed program. 

I personally have donated a lot of money to the K9 program, giving my commission from Silpada jewelry sales at the K9 pancake breakfasts that are held. 

Anyone reading this: Were you at the last pancake breakfast Dec. 7 where the line ran all around the firehouse waiting to get in? Over 600 breakfasts were served. Isn’t this the community coming out to support our K9 unit? 

And why does our school board not allow random drug searches in the schools? The presence of K9 Vende not only helps deter drug activity, but is a deterrent of all crime. 

Why are the police reports not showing, in the Observer, where K9 Vende was used when drugs are found along with other criminal activity? That way we would all know and a lot of these questions would be answered.

And why is the village so worried about a program that is self-sufficient on donations? I understand there is an officer to pay, vehicle maintenance, etc., but if the K9 car wasn’t on the road, another patrol car would be.

Your article was very negative and one-sided. Why are you not proud of this program that our police department has in place? A program that works for all of us. The K9 program is truly an asset to our community.

Anne Olson
Village of Oregon

Wisconsin Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week is Jan. 12-16.  

The Oregon Police Department would like to thank our full-time and part-time crossing guards for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the school year.  

Crossing guards are very important individuals who help ensure safe crossings for the youth in Oregon during the school year, and they frequently endure inclement weather. We appreciate all of our past and present crossing guards, and we would like to thank them for serving our community.  

Please remember to take extra time when you drive through school crossings.  

Ruti Trace
Oregon Police Department

Thank you for your recent article about our daughter, Kathleen, and her composition posted on YouTube. 

One correction: Kathleen’s father and I did not help her with any aspect of the project. Kathleen composed, mixed and recorded the piece completely on her own. 

She then received assistance with the split-screen video editing from her piano teacher, S. Christian Collins of Rhapsody Arts in Verona. 

I just want to be sure credit is properly attributed.

Elizabeth Leone
Town of Brooklyn

Regarding the proposed spring 2015 school operational referendum, I agree the current educator compensation model based on years of service and automatic compensation increases is not the proper incentive to ensure students learn to their maximum potential. 

It provides little incentive to motivate educators to compete and is not performance-based. The proposed model appears to provide some motivation for educators to compete by pursuing additional education but does not take steps to incorporate pay based on performance.

I suggest a model that focuses on competition and pay for performance. There are many measures in place today that provide a baseline for student achievement. 

Albeit none are reliable on their own but a combination of measures is certainly attainable including test scores, student and parent surveys, external compensation surveys, etc. Measuring performance is a reality of life in most professions and all are subject to external influences and factors which are somewhat out of control of the people being measured. 

In business for example, a company’s employees must compete not only within the organization but with other companies. Sometimes great effort and dedication to the job still results in a company going out of business if a competitor comes up with a disruptive technology that renders your company noncompetitive.

The proposed model would give incentive to educators to enhance their skills but does not make the critical tie to assuring that skill set translates to results. A model based on performance with educators dividing a predetermined pool of money is the responsible way to create competition and be fiscally responsible. Educators that achieve the highest result based on outcome measures will receive more compensation than those that fall short of the mark. This model would focus on the right results, educating our students.

It is difficult to determine whether the requested $2.9 million is the right investment to make to achieve the desired results without additional information. What is the total salary expense today for all educators in the district? How does the average compensation per educator compare to others in the surrounding districts? Over how many years is this pool of funds to be spent? How many good educators have we lost to competition in the district? How will we measure whether the spend was a wise investment?

In summary, the compensation model needs to include a performance-based component and proof this will be a wise investment for our community.

Dave Seibel
Village of Oregon

In November 2014, Oregon School District voters approved $54.6 million for building renovations and additions, plus $355,864 annually to offset increased operating expenses associated with the improvements.

How much is that going to raise our taxes in 2015?

The brochure sent out for $2.9 million compensation for extra raises beyond the regular raise to teachers if approved would raise taxes each year by $150 per $100,000 of property value according to the brochure.

The average home in Oregon is assessed at $235,000 – that would be $352.50 more each year in taxes.

How much more can we afford to pay in taxes and necessities to live?

I got an Oregon School compensation survey Jan. 9; it has to be in Jan. 11, but no paper survey to fill out in the packet. They ask us to do it on a computer. A lot of people don’t have a computer to fill out the survey.

Why was it sent out so late without a paper survey to fill out?

It would be nice to give teachers an extra raise beyond their regular raise. But don’t forget the people that are on fixed income and low income. How are they going to pay more taxes with the price of food, medications, utilities, rent and health insurance (if they can afford it)?

Some people are going without medications so they can buy food.

When do we stop raising taxes and other necessities that people need to live on?

More people will have to sell their homes because they can’t afford to pay more taxes and keep up their homes.

Do we want more people homeless?

The politicians, rich, middle class, poor and homeless had better step back and take a good look at what’s happening to all the people.

John Brown
Town of Oregon

When is something deemed to be an effort in futility? 

Apparently never in the Village of Oregon. The governing body in Oregon has thus far expended approximately $195,000 in legal fees to investigate their former chief of police Doug Pettit for which they have no “charging authority” subsequent to his retirement. 

Taxpayers are expending $1800 per week for an interim chief because Pettit was either “out of town” or on a personal medical leave of absence. 

Now the decision by those “in power” is to expend $10,000 for a “recruiter” in an effort to replace Pettit who is facing two felonies while he was being paid $96,000 a year by the same governing body. 

Folks, this is not Chicago or New York, this is the Village of Oregon. How difficult is it to replace a potential felon who was your chief of police? 

My guess is that Pettit is sitting in his recliner at night, collecting his $4,000-$5,000 per month retirement check and laughing his back end off. Let’s not forget the additional benefit package Pettit receives at the taxpayer’s expense. 

Why no public outcry? I reiterate, taxpayer money must be of no concern in Oregon.

Dean R. Atkinson
Richland Center

In reference to the story about Eleanor Killerlain, who took her horse, Jewel, for one last ride at Triple K Stables in Oregon (A Final Ride, Dec. 25, 2014).

About 30 years ago, I had  a woman called Eleanor about 60 years old from Oregon come on my African expedition from Egypt to Kenya. 

Could this adventurous lady be her?

Graham Neal
Macanet de la selva, Spain

It is with a very heavy heart that I am departing my position as a building administrator for the Oregon School District. 

The time has come for me to put my attention toward fully addressing an array of health and personal issues.

Education has been and always will be a life-long passion of mine. I hope to return to the field to more strongly serve once fully recovered to share my story and once again help students succeed during times of trial and tribulation. 

I am appreciative of the opportunity to have served as an administrator of Oregon High School these past three and a half years. The OSD is a wonderful educational setting! I know the board, administrative team and staff will continue to lead learning for your children.

Kelly J. Meyers
Village of Oregon