Graduation
Now that graduation for both GCHS and Richland is over perhaps the graduates would like to leave a good-bye message to the teachers, administrators and other workers in the school system.
There may be some thoughts about the graduation itself you would like to express. Please keep it clean.
There may be some thoughts about the graduation itself you would like to express. Please keep it clean.
posted by Allen Barrett | 4:36 PM
74 Comments:
I think it is mean the way old abernathy talks to people then acts so nice to their parents. She told one girlthat she looked stupid before graduation because she had on the wrong shoes but then was all sweet talking to her parents. That's what I call bullying. Glad I won't have to look at that scrowl called her face anymore.
It was hot, hot, hot with to many people in to small a space. Why wasn't it held at the football field, at Martin or even on the practice field or in the park? This was terrible.
The graduation should have been held at Martin College like it has been in the past. Everyone would have been so much more comfortable. Afterall, isn't that why so much money was being pumped into the stadium as a temporary measure?
i just heard theres an assistant principals job open at GCHS. Which one quit or what happened?
Just checked Giles County web site. There is a job listed at Central Office, assistant principal at GCHS and prinicapl at RHS. What happend to McMasters?
The rumor has been that she was applying for the supervisor position at the central office. Did she get it? What about the assistant principal at GCHS? Does anybody know which one left and why?
Please,please let potty mouth and her bad attitude be the one leaving GCHS
abernathy is retiring at gchs and mcmasters got the supervisors job at the central office. havent heard anything about the other job at the central office yet.
If Mc Masters moves to the big house will she have to give up her two day work week? I can't imagine even the 4 stooges on the school board would allow this to happen.
Whose in line to get these positions, the one at GCHS and the one at RHS?
I'm sure Jackson will find a friend most likely from Alabama. Don't be surprised if a board members wife doesn't end up as a principal when all the smoke clears.
Rumor has it that another assistant position is being created for GCHS. Now three assistants and Barney Fife leading a school that has fallen apart. What a shame the students are being by poor leadership from top to bottom. But, we have football that is the number one priority right now. Ask how much money is being put into the program and the coaches.
Is Mrs. Stogner moving to the Central Office as well? I hear she is moving too. That opens the Minor Hill principal job to a school board members' wife. Surely not.
Stogner's move will depend on whether her, Jackson selected candidate, husband gets elected to the school board. I can't imagine the folks in Minor Hill would be that stupid but then again they do want Stogner out of the school there.
Assistant job at GCHS is a new position. (Wow!!) Three can't get the job done, so let's hire another person to help(?)
If Mrs,Ethel Holt was alive she could handle it all by herself. She kept the teachers in line and they did their job right.As a parent of more than one child who attended her school, I really appreciated the job she did. A VERY FINE LADY.
Would someone please go to the "Vandals at Richland" topic and comment on the cheerleading incident?
Miss Holt was indeed a very fine lady, without doubt. But she didn't work in a school in today's world. Children are very different than they were back then. She didn't have to deal with cell phones at school, kids on drugs and selling drugs, and keep in mind that she was in charge of a middle school, not a high school. And she didn't have all the state testing requirements and benchmarks to meet that today's administrators and teachers do. Not to mention that parents today are very different too. In that time, if a child got in trouble at school, the parents were there to assist the teacher or principal in disciplining the child. Today if a child gets in trouble at school, the parents come to school and blame the principal or the teacher, type ugly things about them on blogs, and never admit the child did anything wrong, even if the evidence proves otherwise. I'm not saying she wouldn't do a good job today, but that job would definitely not be the same one she did back then and would be much, much harder.
Well Stated!!!
Why do the schools not ban cell phones? It would be less destraction, cut down some of the druggie contact and probably some prono that is on their phone.
Duh,cell phones have been banned in the school system for several years the ban is just selectively, like so muchother stuff, enforced.
Why do you think the cell phone is needed to sell or buy drugs at school all you need in just walk down the hall or go in the bathroom. As for the porn on cell phones that ain't a speck compared to whats on the school computers.
I am always amused at what some folk think they know. School computers are filtered by the state. They cannot even get onto the blog. Unless someone saves a picture from some other device, it cannot be downloaded from the internet.
Just thought I would mention that. The schools catch so much flack from people who don't know what the heck they are talking about.
3 years ago I was conducting business at Southside Elem and had to use a computer in the Library. 3:56 you may be correct now about the porn on school computers but, you were not 3 years ago. I was shocked at what popped up on the screen when I accessed the internet.
Talk about rumors and ignorance....If you have a giles county school email address, you got porn in your inbox on a daily basis, unwanted and unrequested msgs that were highly offensive...It seemed to have gotten better a few weeks before school was out, but 75-100 msg a day were the norm, not the exception.That is a FACT. Also, although I didn't realize it, and was told it wasn't possible, I checked on a school computer one day, just being curious and the computer I was on did indeed allow me to access this blog. (I didn't check on the one in my room, so I don't know if it was a fluke or not) Speaking to the issue of 4 people doing what Mr. Parker did...he was doing to many jobs and the duties needed to be divided, but I'm not sure 4 people were needed. For many years there were too many responsibilities with too few supervisors. I'm glad that the job duties are more balanced now, but the board needs to be careful about over doing it.
Obviously there is no doubt that Cindy Young will get whatever job she wants with hubby on the school board; don't know if their daughter deserves tenure or not, but it's rare that tenure is not granted after three years unless there has been major problems.
As for A. Braden, this wasn't the first time she resigned, probably won't be the last. The jobs that are posted, if they are considered prestigious or a promotion are almost always generally filled prior to being posted, that's true of most places, isn't it? Sue Whittemore is in charge of testing; Barbara Jennings is in charge of Pre-K program;, just setting the record straight...
signed, disillusioned tax payer, (also a teacher)
Has the commission ever visited GCHS? Have they ever walked the halls? Have they tried to use the bathrooms (that have no toilet paper, no paper towels, no lights...in the ones by the band room and the theater, dirty sinks, doors that don't close, roaches crawling the floors, etc.)? Have they noticed the 40+ year old dirt in the corner? (where the maintenance guys just pour new wax over it). Have they sat on the chairs in the cafeteria (and fallen over when they break?). Have they sat in class, only to have the lens covers (the plastic that covers the overhead lighting), fall in shards, narrowly missing students. Have they walked around the outside and seen all the garbage and weeds crowding the place? The place is a dump! I can't speak to what 'T' is doing with the money at the board, but our kids spend their school day in a run-down, and unsafe place...and that's just talking about the facility! I think Allen Barrett should spend some time in our schools, too. But then, he doesn't have kids there, does he? What does he care? It's my child that goes to school there...and I care about the environment my child is in during the day. I provide the best I can outside of school, but during school is another matter. And there are some commissioners who think that any monies spent on the school are a waste and a crime. Well, if they think the problem is with the management of the school, then why not get rid of him? Work to get the right people to run for the school board! There are people running with no opposition. How do you change things that way? What if Mr. Barrett spent his time trying to find good candidates to run against T's 'yes wo/men.' That would do more than his griping! Come August, we'll vote in people, unopposed, who'll serve us for another 4 years! How will things ever change? And while we're at it...the same strategy is needed for the commissioners. We'll be an 'also ran' community forever with the idiots who vote on the issues here. Ever been to a commissioner meeting? The questions I've heard come from the commissioners prove few of them 'are smarter than 5th graders.' Good professionals have come to our town seeking to relocate (and bring their tax dollars), and had one visit with people at our high school and said, 'no thanks' - or have registered their children elsewhere. It's sad. It could be so much better. Somewhere in all of this, is reason...trust...and a desire to help our kids...and our community. Why the adversarial approach?
Why does Mr. Barrett have to be the one to do everything? Since you are a part of this community it is also your responsibiltiy to step up when you see something that needs to change. I here and see people all the time whining and complaining but see no willing to step and speak out. Why comdemn someone who is doing exactly that and all your doing is putting him down and complaining on a blog. Why don't you find the right people for the school board! YOU make a difference and make things change, for all of Mr. Barrett's griping and complaining some things have changed.
I read on here all the time the same comments about Mr. Barrett, do people really feel he is the only one who can speak out in Giles County? I understand the ones who are afraid to lose their jobs but there are people who have nothing to lose who won't hit a lick at a snake.
To Anonymous of the 22 June 8:30 Post.
I certainly can not speak for those on the commission but can tell you that Commissioners Tommy Pollard, David Adams, Connie Howell and I did visit GCHS, before school was dismissed, to inspect the facilities. They reported to the School Board but I can not say if any actions were taken, the commissioners can only examine, report and request that some things be done. Some have and continue to apply as much pressure as possible to get some things changed but their power with the school system is extremely limited. The things you report are accurate but not complete. There was mold in a large number of ceiling tiles, no restroom that I looked at could possibly be acceptable for use as sanitary, commode seats were loose most were badly stained or just plain filthy, water dripped from some faucets and at least one faucet spun completely around when I tried to turn on the water. Yellow water was seen coming from faucets and a water fountain had such little pressure it was a health hazard. I only saw one live roach but there were some dead ones seen.
You state, “I think Allen Barrett should spend some time in our schools, too. But then, he doesn't have kids there, does he? What does he care?” You are very wrong, not only have I spent time at the school during the day but also at various times in the evenings. My granddaughter lived with us until she graduated from GCHS this past May. We still have a number of very special friends that attend GCHS and Richland, both students and staff, and will continue to care about what happens or doesn’t happen there. One of the biggest problems that I see at both schools is the almost total lack of involvement by parents. Most of the classroom teachers are just as frustrated with the situation as any parent; after all they have to be there almost daily.
I wonder why you think I have not been involved in seeking good candidates for a number of offices. While there have been many changes made they did not come at the speed of light nor without cost. Future changes will come but will require the combined efforts of many people and the “informed” votes of the general populace. The key is to not give up but require nothing less than total accountability.
You close by asking, “Why the adversarial approach?” I would ask what approach you would suggest if not adversarial, since even a simple question is in itself adversarial.
To the poster who also wrote in response to your comments I appreciate your support, thanks. Allen Barrett
Why did your granddaughter live with you?
I think that is none of your business and has nothing to do what is going on in Giles County. You are just trying to give someone else something else to make smart remarks about Mr. Barrett for.
Amen to 5:33; A better response might be, "Why do you want to know why his granddaughter lived with him?" The person who asked that question crossed the line, please Mr. Barrett don't even dignify that question. Every citizen has business knowing about the public school systen regardless of whether they have children or not. That question infuriates me, just a nosy busybody looking for some juicy gossip where there is none. Barrett is not a public figure and even if he was, the question would remain, why do you want to know????
Just wondered............
so its ok to ask personal questions and print personal info, that has nothing to do with their jobs, about public figures but not about those who do it to them. how many times has wab done that to people, to many to count. you cant have your cake and eat it too. it works both ways. when you slander others you open yourself up to the same thing.
Yeah, public figures kinda sign up for public scrutiny,,,goes with the territory; And by the way, it aint slander if it's true....
Still wonder why you want to know about grandchild living arrangements...I know of many grandparents that raise grandchildren and just as many reasons, few are interesting enough to gossip about on a blog about community issues....
To anonymous of the 26 June 11:45 & 12:11 post.
To 12:11 I have no problem telling why our Granddaughter lived with us the four years she attended GCHS as soon as you tell me your name and why you feel it is important or appropriate as she has nothing to do with anything I have written or stated here or elsewhere.
To 11:45 I would be very interested in knowing what, "personal questions and personal info, that has nothing to do with their jobs", have I posted on this blog, in the newspaper or any other medium. I put my name on my posts so it should be easy for you to find a specific example of what you're talking about. I doubt you'll do much more than just blow wind but please try.
If you want to attack me that's your choice but shouldn't it be me you attack and not a little girl who has nothing to do with anything
on this blog and shouldn't it be something legitimate that you can actually back up? Allen Barrett
Great response Mr Barrett, I wish you wouldn't have legitimized such an asinine question with a response though...But I do understand how hard it is not to respond. I just don't get why some people don't get the difference between public and private citizens, and of all questions to "wonder" about, your grandchild. But you know first hand the ethics of our school system, (of which I am employeed), make sure that no private info is "leaked" regarding your family members as retaliation for your outspokeness. Major legal violations there!
SSSOOORRRRYYYYY..........forget about it.
I don't care why his granddaughter lived with him anymore!!
some people dont get the difference between public and private citizens????? thats the problem right there. thinking like that. the point should have been some people dont get the difference between someones public life and their private life. just because someone is in a public office does not mean people have the right to scrutinize every aspect of their private life too. and thats what people have been doing on this blog, just ignoring how wrong it is. than when the shoe is on the other foot, oh how wrong it is to do such a thing. ever hear of something called a double standard.
Double Standard does not fit for a public official-you see that is how they run for office by the assumption that they will help run the county the way they have run their own family, finance, friends, etc.
Would you vote someone into office that you knew for a fact was thief, or cheated on their spouse, or abused their children? No you would not. So you see the personal life of a public official is very much open to public scrutiny
WHY did you care in the first place? What do read into Mr Barretts character because his granddaughter lived with him? To quote you, "Just wondered....." Wondering why you want to know. I so much agree with 10:29 comment. Someone who makes a conscious decision to become a public figure opens themselves up to all kinds of scrutiny, may not be fair, but thats life..kinda like celebrities.
wab
Here's an hypothetical question for you. Suppose you discovered that one of your disciples was cheating on his wife or embezzling funds from his employer. Would you feel it your duty to get on this blog and expose them? Just wondering.
To anonymous of the 3 July 9:26 post. Here's a hypocritical answer. First of all I do not have any disciples we all learn and grow together.
Second private people should have their private activities kept private. If I knew someone that I cared about I would certainly make every effort to help them make appropriate corrections to better their life and that of their families.
Public figures on the other hand are in a different category. Certainly they should be treated with proper respect as long as they act respectfully and any problems should first be attempted to be resolved in private. If an official uses their office or position wrongly and refuses to address issues appropriately then it is the responsibility of the public to make as many correction as possible to prevent additional damages.
A thief of convenience or habitual liar is not deserving of any consideration from those who have been stolen from or lied to. Allen Barrett
wab..
Since you are answering my question, I must assume that you are defining your response as hypocritical? Sorta put your foot in your mouth again, didn't you?
You mention that private citizens should keep their activities private. I totally agree, but there are the muckrakers who seem to delight in exposing and hurting others. And smearing an elected official on a public blog also hurts that person's family as well. How can that be right?
You state that you would try to intervene and help a person if that individual were someone you cared about. Interesting. What about someone you didn't like? For instance, let's say that you found out a juicy bit of information on Mr. Jackson or Mrs. Vanzant. Would you go to them and try to help or would you get on a public blog and do your level best to malign and humiliate them? And don't forget the collateral damage to these people's families.
Can you see where I'm going with this? I think you can.
I totally agree, but there are the muckrakers who seem to delight in exposing and hurting others.
How do you KNOW they are feeling "delight?" Perhaps they feel they are simply doing their duty. And if the "muck" they are "raking" is THE TRUTH, why do you have a problem with it being exposed? Don't the long suffering people of Giles County deserve AT LEAST to know the truth?
And smearing an elected official on a public blog also hurts that person's family as well.
So, I guess we should ONLY elect never married only child orphans, so that we can speak freely of their shortcomings? Okay by me, but doing that might limit the pool of elected officials rather dramatically!
How can that be right?
If the choice must be made between "hurt feelings" and "keeping the public in the dark," I say, forget about feelings and tell the truth, no matter who it offends. As the old saying goes, "let justice be done, though the heavens may fall."
To any politician who might be reading this blog... my advice is "if you can't stand the heat, either commit yourself to always do the right thing, or... stay out of the kitchen of politics."
To Anonymous of the 4 July 4:14 post.
I must apologize for the wrong word I used in response to your very negative question. I had intended to conjoin the words hyper (agitated) and critical (analytical) whether the spell checker changed it or I mistyped it I can not say for certain, either way it was my failing. I would certainly not qualify it as “putting my foot in my mouth” any more than I would claim your use of the term “sorta” makes you stupid.
You state, “smearing an elected official on a public blog also hurts that person's family as well. How can that be right?” Would you possibly agree that when a person who becomes a public official and making a living off the work of others that person should be held accountable for their actions and behavior? My belief is that they should. When my children spent my money they had to account for it, now they spend their own and owe me no explanations.
An elected official can do one simple thing to prevent their family being hurt by the criticism of others, don’t knowingly do anything wrong. They may still be criticized but when a person knows they have not done anything intentionally wrong those criticisms will be meaningless to the official and their family. Now let us be clear about this matter of criticism, I have not publicly criticized any private citizen’s private activities nor any public officials family. I can not answer for what others might do.
You read too much into my responses in your efforts to criticize me. Because I might state, (I would) “try to intervene and help a person if that individual were someone you cared about” does not mean there are those I “dislike” nor is there anyone I would not try to help in certain situations. You mention Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Vanzant both of whom can be very charming and likable. Because I dislike some of their ways doesn’t translate into disliking them. I would not trust them in certain matters but I find them both very likable in certain situations and I have not used any personal matters “juicy” or dry to criticize them, to do such would be a violation of my own ethical standards. Allen Barrett
wab..
I applaud your high ethical standards. Impressive, indeed! Having said that, the fact STILL remains that saying injurious things about public officials on a blog hurts innocent family members. It's not their fault if those in office are found guilty of treachery. I'll say it again. How can that be right?
Let me ask you this. Do you think Mr. Jackson and/or Mrs. Vanzant like you when you get on here and call them liars? I wonder if they find you as charming and likeable as you say they are.
I've been asked several times to run for certain offices, but I would not want to subject my family to what goes on around this county with respect to the smear campaigns. I would be far less tolerant of it than are others who have been smeared on this blog.
Amen, 5:09. That said, I will have to say that I can understand to at least some extent that those who run for public office can expect, appropriate or not, to have some degree of scrutiny aimed at them, though of course not at their families. But what about those in the public eye who did not run for office? As an example, there's not a principal in this county who has not been smeared on this blog at some point or other. They weren't elected to office. They applied for a job and were selected because of their merits. But they and some of their families have been trashed on here too.
You might argue that chose to put themselves in that position. By the same token, wab chose to put himself in the limelight also, by being such an outspoken public figure at commission meetings, board meetings, and typing on this blog. But what happened when someone simply asked a question about one of his family members? No derogatory remarks, just a question. He threw a fit and screamed it was nobody's business. Sounds to me like it's an "it's ok for me to do whatever to whomever but you'd better not do it to me" philosophy. But that's the way bullies work.
Amen..
I think you hit the nail squarely on the head with respect to mr barrett.
To anonymous of the 7 July 10:46 post.
Once again you show your total disregard for the truth or complete lack of reading comprehension or perhaps you just delight in making up stuff out of your empty head.
I responded to a totally inappropriate question with a very simple request yet you say, "He threw a fit and screamed it was nobody's business". Would you please be so kind as to show what part of my response was "screamed" and where did I say "it was nobody's business"? Allen Barrett
To anonymous of the 7 July 10:46 post.
Once again you show your total disregard for the truth or complete lack of reading comprehension or perhaps you just delight in making up stuff out of your empty head.
I responded to a totally inappropriate question with a very simple request yet you say, "He threw a fit and screamed it was nobody's business". Would you please be so kind as to show what part of my response was "screamed" and where did I say "it was nobody's business"? Allen Barrett
You are so rude.
So the question about your family member was totally inappropriate? But I guess all the ugly things that have been posted on this blog about official's family members were ok since it wasn't about yours?
11:01 WAB already challenged that false accusation by asking the other writer to cut and paste the statements he has made about anyone's family. If you can't do that you might consider just shutting your stupid mouth.
anonymous..
Let's face it. It's situation ethics, and wab can do no wrong. He should run for President. What a laugh.
Ok motor mouth with no brain all you got to do is just put up a statement where WAB wrote something about someone's family and you can make me, WAB and every other person on here that defended him look really stupid.
Is that too much to expect?
Well, looks like the post of July 13 has gone unanswered, looks like anonymous is exactly what most people thought full of hot air and no substance. He yaks but produces nothing but vapors.
Anonymous..
I have neither the time nor the inclination to go back through the posts and find one. But you can do that perhaps easier than I can since I have a job.
I could cite some examples of names he has called people, but I've been warned not to attack anymore.
Where I come from, you call a spade a spade. You would't be so against him, if you didn't have a hand in all this crap that is going on.
Wrong. I have absolutely nothing to do with county government. You assume too much, and you do know the "other definition" of assume, don't you?
I don't assume anything. It shows in all of your stupid postings. You seem to think you are the only one that has any intelligence.
Wrong again! You assume far too much when you suggest that I am in some way connected to county government.
Here's a thought. If people like you could get past the resentment and dislike of those in office, you just might find a common ground and become able to work together. But this same old same old name-calling and mudslinging is getting you nowhere fast. All it does is make you look bad. I wish you could see that.
I did not call you a name. I repeat, I am not assuming anything. You seem to be the one assuming things.
Wrong for a third time!
Here's what you said: "Where I come from you call a spade a spade. You wouldn't be so against him, if you didn't have a hand in all this crap that is going on". Those are your words, and you are assuming that I am involved in something. That's what you said, isn't it? Therefore, you assume something that's not at all true.
I hope this clears up your misunderstanding of what assumptions are.
If you are not against the crooks, then you are with them. Simple!
Wrong for a fourth time! Do you not understand plain English? Absolutely incredible.
I'll not split hair with you about your misunderstandings. Even if I chose to do so, I wouldn't know how to make what I've tried to say any plainer.
You are STILL assuming a lot by suggesting that I support crookery. I don't. But I do stand opposed to "kookery"!
Must not. You seem to be the kook.
anonymous..
I "asssume" you are the writer who has been wrong four times in a row. Actually, this makes the fifth time. That's truly amazing!
Please read back through our hair-splitting exercise and understand who I was referring to by the term "kookery". It was you!
What was it you said about assuming anything? You don't even listen to your own advice.
Look, just go to your dictionary and look the word up. You assumed that I was connected somehow to city government, and, after trying unsuccessfully five times, yopu still don't get it. You ASSUMED wrongly. Sheesh!
Can we move on????
Move anywhere you want. Noone will miss you.
anonymous..
Will you not admit that you were wrong in saying you were not making assumptions about my connection to the "crooks and liars" in Giles County government?
As for moving, I was born and raised here and have no intentions of moving. But the option is open to anyone who is unhappy living here.
I did not say anything about crooks or liars. Those are your words. You must know more about this than I do. As for moving, you are the one that suggested it. That was not me bring that up either.
Well, you obviously will not admit your misunderstanding, so I'll just let well enough be. Those words have NEVER been mine. I have never gotten on this blog and accused people of being crooks and liars. Have you? Can you think of anyone who has been guilty of that? I can, but you would deny it anyway, so it's a moot point, isn't it?
The only thing you try to do is get on here and make something out of everything any one says. You don't know who has been guilty of what. I think you just like to hear yourself talk, and everyone else is tired of listening.
Well, have you? That's a yes or no question I asked you.
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