Should School Directors Be Elected or Appointed?
It was requested that this subject have its own thread. So here it is.
posted by Allen Barrett | 10:33 PM
Giles Free Speech Zone
The purpose of the "Giles Free Speech Zone" is to identify problems of concern to the people of Giles County, to discuss them in a gentlemanly and civil manner, while referring to the facts and giving evidence to back up whatever claims are made, making logical arguments that avoid any use of fallacy, and, hopefully, to come together in agreement, and find a positive solution to the problem at hand. Help make a difference! Email "mcpeters@usit.net" to suggest topics or make private comments.
Contributors
- Property Committee Meeting Held 12 Jan. 2009
- From The Legislative Committee Meeting 12 Jan 2009
- Language Use
- Report From Finance Committee Meeting 6 Jan 2009
- Merry Christmas
- If There's Smoke Does There Have To Be Fire?
- Jackie McMillan To Retire!
- 1st Lay Offs In County Government!!!!!
- Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone
- Abuse of Sick Leave
136 Comments:
Let me be the first to say...ELECTED, ELECTED, ELECTED!!!
Elected officials play to the masses, and usually do not make the hard decisions, they make the popular ones. It makes very good sense for this position to be appointed. The appointing (School) board needs to remember who sets policy!
The appointed offical position has resulted in corruption and failure with no mechanism to correct it. One could start with forged, falsified, and corrupted financial documents consistently used to demand grossly inflated tax increases to fund our education system. Add excessive spending and dipping into reserves in good times, yet claiming no money for basic employee wages! Add the claims of leaking school roofs while building an unnecessary boondoggle administrative building!
In the simplest terms, The high esteem of the office has created an untouchable safe haven for corruption. A refusal of more money in a rat hole becomes an "anti-education" reputation, that no politician wants. We know all about beholders with our money and how they vote when the master calls. It's an unfair situation to taxpayer and commissioners who also represent the department of education.
The current director has engaged in countless open acts of deception and more, yet the image of a prim and proper education department and individual running it are more important than what is really happening! I doubt that there is a single reprimand in his file! The board of education simply doesn't have the majority with the will to stop the corruption! Ironically otherwise good people have soiled hands!
Contrary to "educated" claims that the masses are too stupid to understand the problem, I believe the voters will soundly throw him out of office! The Director of Schools position must be elective!
donm
MOST DEDINATELY ELECTED.Now ,to get what he wants he just does favors for the board members famalies. Look at appointments he has made. How many are connected to board members?If he is elected he will try harder to do what is right because he will have more people to please to keep his job. Now as long as he keeps the board members happy he has it made. IF HE IS ELECTED WE WILL GET ONE WHO LIVES IN THE COUNTY.
Sorry I mispelled definately in above post. By the way, the appointment for Ms. McMillians replacement proves my point.
So then, does this mean that all other appointed Directors have be corrupt as well?
anonymous..
Haven't you heard? All elected and/or appointed officials in this county are corrupt. Our only hope is to get those who "know best" into office.
What everyone seems to forget is that the director is employed by the school board, who are elected officials. The budget should not be created solely by the director. The school board should have a say in that, but over the years our lazy school board has just rubber stamped whatever their "one" employee puts on paper. The director of schools is the human resources department and in charge of hiring and firing. Which means, he can hire and fire whom ever he wishes. Same goes for promotions and transfers. So, the replacement for Jackie was his decision to make, whether the "intelligent 6" likes it or not.
I am no fan of our current director and in no way endorse what he has done. However, the blame for his actions and inactions should be put at the doorstep of our current school board. If they cannot keep that employee in line, they need to replace him. However, I doubt that will happen. Short of someone finally getting the illegal activities investigated by the district attorney and legal charges brought, NOTHING will change. I know that isn't what most of the "intelligent 6" on this blog wants to hear, but that's the truth folks!
And who are the "intelligent 6"? Well, they are the people who like to shove their point of view down the throats of every other person who tries to state their opinion. They are a mean, hateful bunch who does not know how to carry on a civil conversation without resorting to name calling and bullying on this blog. So, "intelligent 6", take a swing at me. I'm ready.
10:38 Corrupt Directors "play to the masses." The word elected = CHOICE. The word appointed = CORRUPTION!! Are you saying that Sam Collins, the last elected Director in Giles County, ONLY made "popular" choices? Think again...he made MANY choices that were not popular. However, I NEVER knew him to be corrupt. Oh, he has always lived in the county he was ELECTED to serve.
1:54 Giles County has had two appointed Directors of Schools, so far. David Little left town BEFORE he was tar and feathered. He DEFINATELY was corrupt! His last act of corruption cost ALL tax payers $70,000 when he laid off ALL non-tenure teachers. Oh, this was so HIS wife could collect unemployment the LAST summer they were in Giles County. By the way, ALL non-tenured teachers, who did not find employment in a HIGHER paying county, were HIRED BACK THE FOLLOWING FALL! Try attending a few Board meetings and you MIGHT learn something.
The current Director, so I have heard, is VERY good at 'hiding' money in the school budget. Take a survey of the teachers and staff of Giles County schools and see who likes him. My guess would be less than 2%. The School Board is the ONLY BOSS of the Director. However, THEY HAVEN'T FIGURED IT OUT YET! So, EVERYONE SUFFERS!!
5:25
You mentioned the mean and nasty bunch who like to shove their points of view down the throats of others. Are you talking about wab and company? Sure sounds like it to me. The name-calling and bullying convinced me.
Allen Parker was also appointed by the School Board following Little's departure (remember).
Whether you like the decisions of employment (being able to hire and fire) by the Director, the Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) gives ALL Directors that power. The power that was given to the Directors is more than most people realize. If you don't believe me, go read the Education section of the T.C.A.
Some of you on here should do a better job of research before you start pointing fingers with inaccurate information.
525 you can't discern fact from opinion or fraud from good old business as usual. What would you do with yourself? Yep, side real issues with garbage & hope you can get away with it! You're a phony.
Talk about trashing people & hate - go back and re-read your own trash
The problem isn't with directors having the power to hire & fire, etc. That is where that power belongs. The problem is flat out having a corrupt director that is out of control. The school board as an entity has been a miserable failure at keeping their house clean. It is better, but no one or two people can make it happen. The administration & director office of the school system should corruption free & open above all else. When it don't work - FIX IT Make the position elective & subject to voter recall!
Why aren't the corrupt prosecuted? I don't understand. With all this "corruptness" surely justice would be served if there's hard evidence.
5:25
You refer to the "Intelligent 6". Now we are getting somewhere since you have narrowed it down. Can you go one step further and give us some names or at least some initials then maybe we can figure out who you are talking about.
I would like to know if you could elect a Director of Schools, who would you nominate and vote into office? Who are some candidates that would meet the approval of those wanting change?
I'm sure there are some people with good administrative skills in the County. Maybe someone with solid business experience & minimal to zero ties to the education mafia & bureaucracy. Detail stuff should be at the staff level.
We need an honest tough & fair manager who can read & write, & especially know what new money is & how to save some of it!
525 Same old mud slinging, name calling, hate, & garbage every time you post. Never a fact or intelligent thought in every post. Always about those nasty people who attack corrupt idiots like you.
If you didn't post back & forth to yourself, no one would notice you exist. Guess you're the only one who cares what you say
If it was proven that the director has broken laws, would our board members not also be liable for permitting it to happen?
"Maybe someone with solid business experience & minimal to zero ties to the education"
That's exactly what we need. Someone who has NO knowledge of the education system, its employees or the needs of children. That is really intelligent. Let's find someone who fits that bill and hire him tomorrow.
Someone can have knowledge of the education system without having ties to it.
If Tee Jackson was bought out the county would not see one dime of the meoney. It would all go to Al. The board that put Jackson is are the one's who screwed everything up. They allowed him to do their work. The new board is slowy getting it across to him that he is a guest of the school board and he works for them.
Sam Collins was a great super/director but he wasn't around very long. He agreed to be director until the board could get acclamated to the idea and then find someone to be director. The biggest mistake from day one was that the systems allowed state level people to send their recommendations and the counties don't look from within to find a home grown Director. David Little was a joke. A board member now can be thanked for his leaving. Hopefully she can do the same with Jackson.
As far as the DA he has been given alot of information but not followed through.
Be patient and give this board a chance. They seem to want to do what is best for the county. They can't fire Tee at this point but they can make his life miserable.
Cheer them on please.
"Someone can have knowledge of the education system without having ties to it."
And who would that be? Give us some names of your choices.
"Sam Collins was a great super/director but he wasn't around very long. He agreed to be director until the board could get acclamated to the idea and then find someone to be director."
Obviously, you didn't know him as well as you thought you did.
5:45 How can wab ALWAYS be shoving 'things down our throats' when he HARDLY EVER posts??? YOU SILLY MUDSLINGER...YOU post OFTEN and say AWFUL 'things' about GOOD PEOPLE! Can't wait to see what you say about me......make it nice!
6:10 Allen Parker was 'appointed' director BECAUSE he was assistant director at the time. Little left town so fast, because his hindend was somking from the 'tar and feathers'. ALMOST OVER NIGHT - HE WAS THREATENED WITH EXPOSURE AND KNEW HE WAS WRONG! Parker DID NOT want to be director. Parker said he would take the 'appointment' UNTIL a search could be completed. Parker was straight forward, blunt and minced FEW words. HOWEVER, HE HAD ETHICS! He took 'ETHICS' with him when he left the office of the director and 'ETHICS' have NOT been back since!
TCA State Law - Have you bothered to read the section on 'Tenure,Due Process and Retaliation?' The director has the power, IF THE SCHOOL BOARD LETS HIM, to ruin the career of a NON-TENURED teacher. The director can simply say 'you will not be needed next year.' That teacher HAS NO DUE PROCESS! Maybe the director doesn't like the color of her eyes, the length of her hair or the few extra pounds she is carrying. Maybe the teacher is an EXCELLENT teacher. TOO BAD, SHE'S GONE! This is NOT the case for a TENURED teacher. It takes FOUR years to get tenure. Currently, there is a TENURED teacher who has FOLLOWED THE STEPS and brought a VIOLATION of school board policy and the teacher's contract to the director FIRST, who tried to white wash it, and now the board. This has been going on since SEPTEMBER - IT IS NOW JANUARY! CHECK TCA LAW, SCHOOL BOARD POLICY AND THE TEACHER'S CONTRACT - you might learn something. READ THE POSTING ABOUT 'SMOKE AND FIRE'. Read the letter Jackson sent to Weisser (oh, she has tenure.) Jackson THREATENDE TO FIRE HER (that's what insorbordnatiion equals in 'educational' talk) IF SHE DID NOT STOP SEEKING, of all things, DUE PROCESS AND FAIR TREATMENT! YOU NEED to go back and read ALL of the TCA, sections 49- that relate to education before you start spatting the law.
6:30 RIGHT ON! While I believe Giles County has one of the best Boards of Education they have had in a long time, they seem slow to action. We must remember the Board is just people off of the street like you and me. Education and the laws that apply are many. It takes A LOT of time and EFFORT to research the State and Local Laws. Then the Board needs to full understand the teacher's contract. After all, it is between the Board and the Teachers and the Board signs off on it EVERY year. It appears 'some' Board members have not done their 'homework' so 'appear' not to know what to do, so 'they' so nothing until pushed.
6:35 "Why aren't the corrupt prosecuted?" BECAUSE FEW HAVE DONE THEIR HOMEWORK AND FEW KNOW WHAT TO DO SO MANY ARE AFRAID OF THE 'FINGER' BEING POINTED AT THEM, SO THOSE WHO COULD DO SOMETHING DO NOTHING.
Except, it is correct. The current chairperson of the Board DID do her homework and DID have a BIG part in getting RID of a Little 'rat' named David. (Thank You!) Hopefully, she will be able to HELP clean out the current educational system of any other 'rodents' who have made Giles County their home.
8:29 AMEN! Facts please.....
Do you really think 'they' post back and forth to themselves? How FUNNY......
Finally, if you do not like an APPOINTED director, YOU must contact your legislator. It IS State and NOT county law.
Yep, that's just what Giles County needs...a new director who knows absolutely nothing about education. Are you insane?
9:52 NO! But you must be blind and deaf....the current director KNOWS and CHOOSES to break the law. Are YOU related to him?
We need a director that is truthful and has the best interest of the county at heart. Unless they are dumb they can learn a lot as they go.
10:29
How childish of you. What difference does it make who I'm realted to; it's none of your business anyway. Tell me, have you always despised Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Vanzant, Mr.Reedy, and others who are so blatantly crucified on this blog or did somebody else tell you how to think? Either way, you are a part of it you know.
Again, are you insane?
2:16 You are not part of it, you are IT! Why did YOU bring up Mr. Reedy. I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR MR. REEDY. You have an, 'insane' of saying things that others did not say and then saying they did.
So, by NOT saying you are NOT related to the corrupt people in Giles County, YOU MUST BE! Well that tells EVERYONE a lot.....
The big dummies of the county have spoken! I wish you could hear how dumb you sound!
Ok, the thread is about election or appointment of the Director of Schools. Let's take a quick poll. The first ten people will vote and say YES (for election) or NO (appointment). Agreed - be honest and vote only once. Then got back and see what the percentage will be. This is a quick and fair poll.
832 if you were as old as me, you would remember Bergan & Charlie McCarthy. Very similar act - the flesh dummy makes a statement & the wooden dummy confirms -- &&& sometimes we get the echo bouncing back & forth a few times. Dumbo is a certified & pedigreed idiot obviousl embedded somewhere near or at the top (TJ?)
832 - can't disagree with the skoo board changes or Mrs Murrey running things. I respect what she does & her ability to do it. The changes are great, but they are still a minority.
Same is true of the council, except reason now has a slim majority. The Jackson minority is a very strong locked tight group who will vote for anything Jackson demands of them - that remains a huge threat to the school system and the taxpayer.
I noticed somewhere that Jackson would have to be paid off because he has a contract. Lying publicly and falsifying public financial documents is cause for termination - on the spot - without notice. Contract or no contract. He has to sue to collect. The county has a right to a jury trial. Don't need the DA or anyone else to do it! The man would have to be completely nuts to sue & if he does, run him through the gauntlet! His choice - walk away or get tarred & feathered & run out on a rail.
7:51 You are so RIGHT! Ole' TJ can be fired on the spot for lying publicly, falsifying public financial documents, taking kick backs and more. With a little pressure, TJ will run faster than Chicken Little...I mean David Little. Let's see if the Board does THEIR JOB on January 29th at the work session. The public is welcome to attend.
YES
YES
yes-vote
One of the problems that exist with the appointment of directors is that the school board has been negligent in their responsibility of oversight. They have extended his contract, in violation of state law, so that he presently still has a four year deal. An extension is very different from a renewed contract. Now while the director has been given extensions he has continued to receive beneficial changes to that contract. The first thing that needs to be done is to stop extending the contract.
Just because a person breaks the law or violates school board or even state rules doesn't mean they are prosecutable. The whole fiasco with the unauthorized spending by the director at Richland was illegal but not prosecutable according to the State Attorney General and the District Attorney.
The corruption exposed by the bus bid rigging was never pursued by the school board.
Lying unless under oath isn't even a crime only a breach of ethics and moral characteristics. Even lying under oath which was done by either Mr. Jackson or Mr. Gonzalas was ignored by authorities.
Mr. Jackson has gotten away with these things because the Board did not push the matters, did not hold him accountable, did not provide direction. Most of that school board has been replaced with members who are stronger and more willing to require accountability. We must give them a chance to deal with Mr. Jackson and the problems that he has helped create. We must work to restore our right to have elected school directors and the power to recall any and all elected officials. Allen Barrett
I did not get an answer to my question earlier. If Jackson does enough to cause a lawsuit or other legal actions to be taken, would the board not be liable also, they are his boss.
riddler 7:33
There you go again calling me names. You seem to like the word "dumbo", and I have decided why. Everytime you look in the mirror, you see one. Laughable.
The school board would in all probability be included in any lawsuits brought against the school system. Any such lawsuit would would be defended by county funds and any financial awards would be paid by the insurance company and the school system. In past lawsuits against the school system and county this was a half and half pay off. Allen Barrett
Thanks for answering my question Mr. Barrett.
I see the Laughable, gigglebox (5:52 ) is back.
Only dumpo would jump out in front of a bus to moon it
Drops the drawers & gets run over every time
Like the cartoon coyote, shes a born loser
The voting was disrupted by some other comments. The count is at five and at least five more are needed to show some kind of percentage. Let's get five more votes and close this segment.
My friend does not have a computer so she asked me to vote for her to elect.
We should get rid of T. and go back to electing the director of schools.........
Add to more in favor of electing the school director - myself and wife.
riddler,
AGAIN, you are making a total ass of yourself. Don't you have anything to do? I thinbk all this "corruption" around Giles County has about driven you insane. But would that be a short drive? You are so funny.
I prefer the appointed director!
Mr. Tee Jackson has been accused about so many things, but the only way he can be gotten is if people will come forward and tell the truth. You can't go on hear say about anything. You have to have it in black and white. Tee Jackson is just smart enough to teeter on that thin line and not fall off. He hands off situations when they become controversial to save his hide. For instance he has put Yvonne Brown in charge of complaints now. She is dealing with the Southside issues at this time. So whose head will go on the chopping block if it doesn't get straightened out___Yvonne. It will be interesting how how a score Mike Young will give him on his evaluation. Tee scared him back into place last year by procrastinating about his daughters tinure. Mike and Fred Lindsay said they wouldn't vote to give him another year on his contract and Tee got even when he didn't give Mike's daughter tenure with all the others. Anytime someone has the nerve and the real proof to slay the giant then come forth to your board member and do your job as a tax paying citizen (which Tee is not) and get him gone. Sorry I got off the voting. I have already voted but put a elect for my husband.
90% to elect
10% to appoint
If TJ denied tenure to sway a vote, we have a blogonavick (sp) - & need to impeach him, tar & feather him! NOW!
6:09 I agree that tj tries to hand off things that he has messed up to people under his control. However, it WILL NOT be Yvonne Brown's head on the chopping block WHEN NOT IF tj IS exposed! tj is just digging the hole bigger for HIMSELF. I have heard that he has bitten off more than he can chew this time and he is choking on 'his actions'. Like threatening to fire and bullying a teacher at Southside for defending her rights...bad move tj. Heard it ain't over until the TRUTH is told. The Board also needs to beware. They are letting tj drag them into a HUGE mess that may cost them an arm and leg - on the chopping block. The word on the street is ALL will be revealed at the Board work session on January 29th from 5 - 7pm. You wonder how Mike Young will vote - let me see.....Mike = Board member, wife (Cindy) = out of classroom/now works in main school office as Consulting Teacher (whatever that is $$), daughter = teacher in Giles County...do you get the picture. Looks like Mike has a debt to pay....$$$$ Wonder who the new administrative secretary (who took Jackie McMillan's place) is realated to? You got it! Close ties to an employee of the school system. Oh, my wife and I vote for an ELECTED director.
I vote for appointed.
APPOINTED
I'm not sure that Tee Jackson is the right one for the job, but this position should be appointed.
Appointed.
I think APPOINTED is the proper way to do this. To elect someone based on popularity probably means that we will be getting less qualified superintendents.
The last four votes appointed. Who could they be. BK, BD, EH, WF, or MG or KN or TJ or TJ or DB and RR, new sec. brother-in-law EL, Bill Holt, or..........
5:11 So, YOU are saying when people go to the polls to vote for President of the U.S. or for a Senator or School Board member or County Commissioner or City Mayor YOU are saying people ONLY vote for the 'popular' candidate?? Thus the person elected is "less qualified"?? How old are you? Is your head stuck in the sand? Elected = choice / Appointed = control.
5:49 Right on!
No, Dumb A. I said that when the Giles County votes for a superintendent they vote based on popularity!
And yes, many many many many times in this city/county the less qualified individual is elected to office.
No, Dumb A. I said that when the Giles County votes for a superintendent they vote based on popularity!
And yes, many many many many times in this city/county the less qualified individual is elected to office.
You know, they are appointed by persons that you elect!
Is that control or choice?
Certainly, an appointed director removes the possibility of getting someone in office who may be popular but unqualified to do the job. That's exactly why the superintendent is an appoionted position here. Thank God, it's that way.
If the position was elected they would have qualifiers for candidates just as they do on some of the county offices. Sheriff is an example.
There is a nice difference between minimum qualifications and most qualified.
Electing does not always mean the most qualified. Popularity and indebtedness is not the best means of choosing the best and most qualified person. What happens is the elected person owes debts to those who voted for that person (particularly certain parts of the county).
7:23 and 7:23 You must be twin idiots! "Dumb A." Let me see, you were educated in A.-labama where tj was director for many years. Or did you mean something else by the "A." like boarderline improper language usage??
Which one of the 7:23 twin idiots has the 'gift' of reading the minds of the Giles Co. voters? ("when Giles County votes they vote based on popularity.") Or did I miss the button in the voting booth the last time I voted that said " If you are a Dumb A. push the popularity button when voting for superintendent."?
Sounds like the 7:23 twin idiots are suffering from 'want a be-itis'. I want to be elected to some 'important' office but 'the less qualified' were more 'popular' and won! Wah, wah, wah.........
7:58 You know, I DID NOT vote for anyone who appointed the director of schools....Did you? I guess I did the 'unpopular thing' again!
8:12 The director is appointed in EVERY county in the state of TN BECAUSE it is STATE LAW and ONLY because it is STATE LAW.
All I know is if it were elected we wouldn't have had two screw ups under the school systems belt. We wouldn't have had David Little or Tee Jackson in that position.
Appointed means the director is beholding to a hand full of board members who may or may not have enough common sense to know what a cheating liar is, especially if that describes themself.
The Barrett Winkles case is a clear example of educated arrogant idiots. If I remember right, the whole board sat in stupified support on one side of the courtroom - in unified support of intimidating, arresting, jailing, and, abusing two citizens for addressing the board of education! The jury got it right! If it had been done to me I would have sued TJ & his board for a few Mil and won!
The board is better now but TJ is still there screwing things up with all his might. The education bureaucracy is eaten up with liberalism & self serving interests, including the teachers union. The Result is frustrated underpaid & run over teachers who are muzzled & prevented from doing the things they can & are supposed to do.
The first & last mandated qualifcation must be honesty & integrity. If they can read & write, the rest is fairly simple!
Look at it this way, Moses would be disqualified for the position because he wouldn't have PHD in liberalism, with a minor in perversion!
The all knowing dummies have spoken. I wish you could hear yourselves. Its no wonder you have never gotten very far in life.
9:33 The director is appointed in the state of Tennessee because it is the best thing to do for our school systems.
anonymous 33:00
I'm afraid you are once again wrong. We are not the same person you so wantonly call names. It's hard for you to control your emotions when someone disagrees with you, isn't it? Not everyone shares your opinions, so why don't you try respecting that? It's really a simple concept.
5:04 What time is 33:00? "We are not the same person" Let me see, "we" is more than one and "person" is only one. So, there is more than one 'person' in your 'wanton' head? Or does the sum of 'we' and 'person' equal zero?
No trouble controlling my emotions.... Great pleasure messing with thoughtless brains. Simple is as simple does. Why don't YOU respect the fact that 'we' live in America and 'we' have the RIGHT to express 'our' opinion EVEN if 'everyone' DOESN'T agree. Umh, I think it is called FREEDOM OF SPEECH! Try respecting that!
4:16 Wow! YOU must be the "all knowing" fortune teller. If this site is anonymous and YOU don't know who anyone is, HOW could YOU possible know if anyone HAS or HAS NOT "gotten very far in life." Think about it .....I could be your boss. Hope YOU don't talk about the "all knowing dummies" at work.
9:42--If you talk about how bad the teachers' union is on one hand and then talk about how the teachers can't do their jobs, you are contridicting yourself. The GCEA has fought hard to get raises for teachers and non certified employees. Please get it right before you spout off "The education bureaucracy is eaten up with liberalism & self serving interests, including the teachers union."
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
The teachers unions and the education mafia are in unison against the taxpayer and the teacher. Both cry for more teachers, less work, and more time off. You have the ability to innovate and cut costs, but that interferes with getting more money, and of course the ability for corrupters to hire worthless relatives and friends to help you, the teacher.
The result is simple. The worthless bodies hired to help you come in three colors. Those who can read & write invent records and forms and processes for teacher to fill out and maintain. Those who can't read and write need your constant supervision and assistance to find the bathroom a few times every day. The third is ashamed to be seen & hides all the time, forcing the teacher to hunt for hours for that which always comes back for lunch & quitting time.
Because that only leaves more for new people and bureaucracy, nothing is left for the teacher who has no time to teach, no energy left at the end of the day, and not enough money to get drunk enough to cope with it!
It ain't if you do or if you don't, it's cause you're there & they like to do "it".
It ain't funny!
So are you saying Marlin Goodman, Layton Holley, James Abernathy, Sam T. Collins and Allen Parker were worthless superintendents. I think not. People please understand that if a person is elected they can be fired, or voted out in four years and have all of Giles County as their boss. Appt. means 7 bosses and that's it. Appt goes in 4 year ingrements and so far this director is in the 6 year and has 2 more to go. How do you get a director out. Never very easy. The state is trying to go county by county to get their right back to vote. It is looking pretty good for those of us who want our right back to see it happen. If Jackson doesn't get another year or two on his contract this year then he would be grandfathered in until 2011. Then Giles problely could elect. So call your commissioner because it starts with them and call Eddie Bass.
8:18--I wish you knew what you were talking about. Obviously you didn't get it right. Too bad.
7.36 I could not have said it better. You are right on the money. I have gotten far enough in life not to want to swap places with anyone in Giles County. I am very satisfied with where I am. Maybe 4:16 is one of the people who thinks they are better than everyone else. I sure would not trade places with the poster. I will sign as anonymous because everyone in the county would know who I am. My Daddy always taught me that God created everyone equal. Everyone puts on their pants one leg at a time.
8:18 Of all the posters, I wish I knew who you are.....I 'think' you are in support of the 'good' teachers in Giles County. I 'think' you are aganist corruption at ALL LEVELS in Giles County. If so, GREAT! I 'think' you are supportive of the teacher at Southside who has taken on tj and the school board over fair treatment and what seems to be harassment. If so, I KNOW she is thankful to you!
FACT: There are MANY hard working and qualified teachers and assistants in Giles County. However, there are some slackers also. Tough positions cannot be filled BECAUSE the board of education and director REFUSE to give 'COST OF LIVING' increases to ALL the teachers and assistants. If you know someone who has a copy of the current contract proposals, you MAY notice principals and coaches are up for an increase in salary. Also, KNOWN FACT tj gets ATLEAST a 2% raise EVERY YEAR. Teachers and assistants get NOTHING AGAIN!!! NOT EVEN A ONE TIME $1,000 BONUS...NOTHING....AGAIN! However, GCEA (teacher's union) MUST vote BEFORE the principals and coaches get the increase. Sooooooooo, if YOU are a GCEA member, vote NO! to the current contract proposal. Employees of the board of education WILL NOT have their insurance affected THIS year. (Current insurance GOOD until October 15, 2009) The premimum DID NOT go up. Soooooooooooo, the CURRENT insurance AMOUNT ($$) in the CURRENT contract IS enough to pay for insurance THIS bargaining year. REMEMBER: the contract is negotiated EVERY year. Soooooooo, insurance WILL and CAN be negotiated next year! (Negotiations for 'next year's benefits SHOULD start in Feb. 2009). THIS YEAR IS SPECIAL! It is the FIRST year, I remember, that certified personnel, who belong to GCEA, CAN say NO to ANY raises to ANYONE IF teachers AND assistants DON'T also get a RAISE! Beware, it is illegal to strike, for teachers, in TN. However, teachers (with tenure ONLY) CAN work to the contract. That WOULD jerk a knot in the pants of tj and the board of education. Ask yourself, 'Am I a mouse or a (wo)man? Am I a floor mat or a professional? Can MY ONE vote make a difference or do I THINK I am ONLY ONE WEAK person?' If YOU answered negatively ( weakly) to any of the above questions, YOU have NO place in public education in these days and times.
9:02 You are a little misinformed. Eddie Bass IS the place to START if a someone WANTS to have an elected director. IT IS A STATE NOT LOCAL LAW. THE LEGISLATOR MUST VOTE TO REPEAL THE LAW FIRST. The law MUST give the citizens of TN the RIGHT to elect the director WITHOUT the premission of the county commission or any other governing body. JUST LIKE IT WAS IN THE GOOD OLE DAYS.
9:17 If YOU qualify, why don't you try substituting for a teacher in Giles County. If you have a college degree, you will receive (after taxes) $55 for one day. No degree, $45 for one day. Maybe after a few days of 'teaching' YOU will REALIZE that 8:18 DID NOT miss the mark by much.
10:38--It all depends on the school you substitute in each day. Try each school and then come back here and be specific as to what it's like.
Don't knock teachers until you've been there, done that.
1038 You're on target. It isn't who I am. It is about you and a couple of others who obviously can think outside of the "education" box. The only real difference you will make will be outside the constraints and PC of conformity.
The state and local BOE, and the unions are focused on money, not function and objective. There is little substance beyond incrementally teaching facts in our language to our children according to an average maturity level consistent with learning. The focal point is the teacher and books capable of communicating knowledge over vast periods of time. The lowest need is bureaucracy and creature comforts. Without a foundation of truth, education is chaos! Lying for money, is not just a liar, it's a thief! That which corrupts the machinery (more money), corrupts that which is produced (frustrated teachers and children who can't read).
A parody never captures the minutia or the mundane things that may be working. It's a wake up call that says kick butt! The wolf is eating the flock and you are sleeping! Your union is trying to get scads more money from taxpayers, because you trust a liar and haven't taken the time to know tons of money was rolling in without a tax rate increase! Have you wondered why record levels of revenue (well over two times higher than inflation), simply disappeared, and now there are no cookies left in the jar for you. Is spend all you can get now, and flip tomorrow the example to be set for children? Were school roofs really falling down when the administration building sprouted like a Phoenix from nowhere? Is it no money for books, pencils, maintenance, & people who have to be there to open the doors, or is it no credibility? WAB has the numbers and they say there was a gusher for TJ, bureaucracy, and nonsense, but none for a rainy day and pittance for the only function that really matters! As a matter of fact, they raided reserves to blow the balloon of bureaucracy ever bigger! The union needs to align with citizens, not bureaucrats who are manipulating teaching! Kick butt!
1:06 I am not so much talking about a specific school, staff and administrator as I am teaching in general. Like dealing with the students, the days events, other faculty and actually accomplishing the goals the teacher requested in her/his lesson plans. I am FULLY aware that 'each' school building has its 'own' climate. In each building, I am SURE you will find teachers and staff who like and dislike the principal and the way 'things' are done in that building. Some buildings will be more positive and others more negative. Strong principals will have control of their staff/faculty and thus a more positive, productive and organized climate. Weak principals will have a limber backbone and their head in the sand. Thus an out of control faculty with all kinds of rodants coming out of the wood work to get a piece of the 'big cheese'. Resentment, chaos, unmet goals, broken school rules, back stabbing and watching your back are common fixtures in this type of building. The ONLY hope of survial is 'strength in numbers'.
HELLO! I WASN'T 'knocking' teachers. There you go again, reading minds or looking at crystal balls. HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT I AM NOT A TEACHER, PRINCIPAL, SUPERVISOR OR COME FROM A FAMILY OF TEACHERS?! I just happen to have GREAT respect for the teachers who ACTUALLY do there job and are REALLY there for the children, not their OWN agenda - there ARE many out there! However, there are also educated people employeed by the board of education who DO NOT take their job seriously and MAKE the hard working educators LOOK BAD! It is strange how the scum ALWAYS rises to the top and that is what 'people' ALWAYS see. While the hard working roots struggle to keep the plant alive and NEVER see the light of day.
10:38 You are SO RIGHT "Without a foundation of truth, education is chaos!" That applies to EVERYTHING! "Lying for money, it's not just a liar, it's a thief!" RIGHT AGAIN! - no matter how you slice the cake. Truer words were NEVER spoken ( or written) "That which corrups the machinery (more money) corrupts that which is produced (frustrated teachers and children who can't read)." The children are the BIG losers. FACT: I know a fourth garde teacher who has not been given a current reading teacher's manual or any teacher reading support materials for the NEW reading series adopted by the board of education BEFORE school started this year. She is the ONLY fourth grade teacher, in her building, with NO NEW reading materials. She has HAD to use OLD reading books. No other fourth grade teacher in her building is using the OLD reading books. One might say why? NO ONE knows for sure....just a mistake with the order or something. Could the materials have been ordered MONTHS AGO when 'someone' realize there were not enough to go around? YES! It is my understanding that she has made the request for the NEW reading materials SEVERAL times. However, the request must have fallen on the 'ears of excuses." The Giles County public schools are now well into their 4th six weeks. That means, school is MORE than half way over for this year. Wonder how this class will do on the infamous TCAP tests?
Actually, not all in the teacher's union are sleeping and not watching the flock. It is my belief that some of the hard working 'shepards' have taken note that the 'wolf' (aka tj) has shuffled money and dropped it in a few places places in an effort to 'pull the wool' over the union's 'eyes'. When the good shepards go to the board of education or the bargaining table to tell of the 'find' the board and 'wolf pack' at the bargaining table just IGNORE the facts - time and time again - year after year after year. Remember: those with the gold rule. Unless, the 'good shepards' can build a house STRONG enough so the 'wolf' CANNOT blow it down. Like STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. Like working to the contract. But alas, the 'good shepards' are few. When the 'wolf' bares his sharp teeth and growls, the 'weak shepards' run or huddle together in utter fear. The story ALWAYS ends the same.....the 'wolf' gets his way. Or, maybe this year the story will end differently....umh....maybe there will be a NEW part to the story called "KICK BUTT!"
Go Tee Go! Go Tee Go! Yeah... Go Tee!!!
729 I know there are more than one of your stature in the middle of things, including the union. My union comments really related to the "organized" structure that has been lost in just about any union that's left in the US. In my eyes, the union has an absolute place in the confounded mess that threatens Giles County - that undeniable simple & focused mess that threatens all of us.
There is an infallable code of operation - "If it deceives, fire it without hesitation!" Been there a few times & never regreted one moment of it. It's no different than removing cancer. Get rid of it & move on. There is nothing like being around good people who love life & respect one another. That NEVER HAPPENS where deception & conniving rule.
THANK YOU!
To 8:22 T does go, he goes every week-end to Alabama, most evenings he goes to Alabama, he goes to lunch every day with his pals, he goes here and there and everywhere and all on your dime with no taxes paid in Giles at any time.
We can always remove Tee and replace him with the principal from the high school or the elementary school.
Correction to an earlier post. Yes there is a raise for the principals in the language for the contract currently being negotiated but there is not a raise for coaches.
12:59 Someone told me there IS a supplement increase 'in the language' for coaches in ALL sports.
Why would the teachers WILLING vote for a raise for the principals when they are getting NOTHING again?! NOTHING - remember they are not going to have to pay for an insurance increase - SO, THEY ARE REALLY GETTING NOTHING! 'Real' teachers work just as hard and sometimes as long as principals.
10:09 I heard tj has a fit if he can't leave the office by 4:30pm every day! Guess he wants to avoid the AL traffic. I have seen him out to lunch several times. Also, I heard tj stays on the road as much as the Leaps Director. Maybe they are playing leap frog?....
Principals and teachers deserve more than they each receive. As I said earlier, walk in the shoes of an educator and report back if you think they don't deserve the money they make.
1140 If someone gots laid off for that is it workers comp or UC?
7:29 How is it that YOU combine principals AND teachers when I said I heard ONLY principals are up for MORE MONEY THIS TIME! I NEVER said principals AND teachers DON'T deserve a raise. I ALSO said assistants deserve a raise. However, I did say IF EVERYONE does not GET A RAISE, NO ONE SHOULD! My point plain and simple...if a teacher, principal, assistant, bus driver, custodian, supervisor or whoever ARE DOING THEIR JOB, then THEY deserve a cost of living raise. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT FAIR FOR ONLY ONE OR TWO SELECT GROUPS TO BE SINGLED OUT FOR $$$$$ The director and school board seem to be nickle and diming EVERYONE'S cost of living raise of a SELECT FEW!!! Hope you get it..... And again I ask YOU, how do you know I am not a teacher, assistant, principal or supervisor??? Mayve I am YOUR supervisor....we are not ALL bad. It's time to play hard ball with tj and the board of education over cost of living raises.
I know you are not my supervisor. I am YOURS!
When Debbie Braden goes before the negotiations teams the board generally doesn't have a clue as to what she is negotiating about. Deb and Tee have gotten by with negotiations on his behalf. At this time don't blame the board we have now. After their worksessions maybe then you can blame them
8:48 YOU can't be my supervisor...I don't work!
3:34 Yes you can blame the board of education. If they stick their head in the sand and don't keep up with the people who negotiate FOR THEM, then THEY ARE AT FAULT! "Deb and Tee have gotten by" BECAUSE THE BOARD REFUSES TO TAKE ACTION!
404 AMEN FIRE THE SCOUNDREL
"And again I ask YOU, how do you know I am not a teacher, assistant, principal or supervisor??? Mayve I am YOUR supervisor....we are not ALL bad."
So you don't work. That's why you have so much time on your hand. Help the teachers get a raise with the time you have...
It's simple really my supervisor is intelligent you are stupid.
7:26 Maybe your supervisor is USING you and convinced you she/he is intellingent so YOUR SMALL BRAIN can ACTUALLY earn a days pay...just keeping you thinking.
Signed 'Stupid' (Ha,ha.....)
10:39 It is hard to help those who won't first help themselves. The teacher's union and board have been negotiating a contract for years. The union asks for benefits, the board's side usually says no and says what it wants the teachers to get.....both sides meet SEVERAL times...end result ALMOST EVERY TIME....the teacher's get what the board's side offered originally on the FIRST meeting. IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE, YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS HAD! If anybody in the teacher's union had guts, they will work to the contract and show the board's side they are tired of playing the game. However, when the blind lead the dumb it is usually into the land of lies and control. Resulting in blind, dumb, controlled and fearful creatures.
647 good assessment, but needs a key to rational consideration. If Jackson's financial assessment is fraudulent (it has been), the end result can be no better. The financial data is there, just not in an understandable form.
Money obtained on the basis of helping the teacher, classroom, and hard core essentials has been diverted (a flood) to administrative bureaucracy, AND If there is no money for a BLS raise, it is past time to CUT (not increase) ADMINISTRATIVE cost. WAB has the numbers & others will help, if you want to change things to a more rational sane basis.
THINK - ROLL BACK (works for WALLY)
Read the TJ's disclosure (written comments) with the next year financial plan (budget) and reconcile what is said with the dollar detail. Unless something is radically different, you will have a field day with TJ & those who pull his cart. If you don't hold a liar's feet to the fire, you'rs will be in it.
The tax payers have provided more than enough to properly pay teachers & others who have been short changed. The money has been siphoned off to fatten the Jackson gang, & not for education.
Compare the past revenues to the BLS index. Compare SPENDING! If you don't know, you're lost.
different twist - let the school board hire the director position. GIVE THE CITIZENS A RECALL RIGHT _ A SPECIFIC RIGHT TO REFERENDUM TO FIRE THE DIRECTOR!
Our problem is getting rid of a corrupt director. There is no way we could all recruit, interview, select, & hire a director! We could never agree???
Maybe have an appointment subject to referendum approval. It's Giles County, not NYC or LA!
What would Bloggovich do?
9:31 You are so right! Want to know how many people are working at the baord of education, check out the Giles County Board of Education's webpage: giles.k12.tn.us
You will see about 25 names with 'some' type of job discription. Less than 10 years ago, 7-10 people were doing the work of 25! If each of the 'extra' employees made an average of $30,000 a year (some make more some make less) the is salaries would be $450,000. ($30,000 x 15) That, of course, does not include the amount the board HAS to pay for SS, retirement and state/federal taxes for EACH of those 'extra' 15 employees. Let me see, $45,000 is NEARLY half a million. I am NOT a math major, BUT I think both certified and non-certified employees could receive a NICE raise with some of that money and there might be a little left over to repair some of the school buildings.
It is a good idea you have about the board hiring the director and the public having impeachment rights. However, does the general public REALIZE the board, IF THEY DID THEIR JOB, has impeachment rights. The board, however, HAS to KNOW 'their' job BEFORE they can DO IT! One or two weeks at a Board of Education training conference JUST DOESN'T CUT IT!
2:45 Oops! The horses got out and had to leave in a hurry...two mistakes in 2:45 post
1. Change the word 'is' to 'combined' in the sentence...
'the is salaries would be $450,00.
2. Change '$45,000' to '$450,000' in the sentence...'Let me see, $45,000 is NEARLY half a million.'
Everyone wants a raise. There are not funds there for it. Yes, there is money in accunts that have accumulated over the years but these are not reacurring funds. If it part of carryover from year to year it cannot be used for raises. With our economy like it is the funds are going down not up. Sales in Giles County are way down so there is less money coming in.
According to the county finance woman sales are not going down.
645 - I wrote some of the things about cheating teachers & other essential workers out of money to increase bureaucracy.
I agree with you. It is a time for no raises. It is a time to hold on to what is necessary. On the other hand it would be very easy and right to roll back the waste & over BLS spending to use some of that money to bring core personnel up to the BLS average IF possible (teachers & and grunts very much alike & in equal percentages).
6:45 A 'bonus' IS NOT a 'reacurring' expense it is a ONE TIME expense. Hope you were at the board of education work session tonight and got to hear the Financial 'person' go over the budget. Oh my gosh! She had NO idea where 'most' of the money is or was and forgot to bring MOST of the needed material from the office. We all need to pray for the school system.
Is it really as bad as you guys say it is?
11:25 YES! I was alos at the work session. Enlightening while sad at the same time. YOU should go to a few meetings.
You just don't know how to play the shell game. Bring a hammer! Whack the shell real hard, while his hand is over it. If the pea isn't there, whack the the other shell with his hand over it. If pea ain't there, whack the third third with his foot over it.
You'll find no pea. When all else fails, reward & punishment works.
I was at the work session also. Ms. Garner either could not answer the question or did not bring the documents with her. I kept wondering why someone on the school board didn't say they would take a brief recess while she schlepped over to her office to get the documents.
Is there possibly a reason Mrs. G. might not know what will be asked & what information she might need?
The answer might be tucked away in how the fox lined things up in the financial management defartment -with the innocent looking line of management succession. Guessing isn't necessary about who would be in line for the job if Mrs. G. got frustrated & told them to stuff it.
Hate to say it, but someone may want the financial salad well done instead washed & clean.
7:28 Usually don't disagree with you, but.....I think you are wrong about the presentation Mrs. G. gave to the board of education 1/29/09. Look at it this way....she was talking about THIS year's school budget. Mrs. G. KNEW the board intended to go 'LINE BY LINE' asking questions. The work session was scheduled for TWO HOURS, with the BUDGET taking up MOST of the time. She has had the budget since MAY or JUNE 2008...at least SEVEN months! One would think, she COULD answer EVERY question or have her 'staff' (if she has any) present to answer questions. She COULD have had NEEDED documents brought to the board meeting in boxes by the school maintance men...if too heavy for her to carry. Or MAYBE, the school board SHOULD have had the work session at Mrs. Gs office.
Word on the street, Mrs. G. is being paid $90,000 OF TAX PAYERS MONEY...part of MY income as well as YOURS. In my book, that SHOULD make her an EXPERT in her field!$! Think about it...if the State of Tennessee holds teachers ACCOUNTABLE for job performance and the HIGHEST teacher's salary is about $52,000; DON'T YOU THINK THE TAX PAYERS OF GILES COUNTY SHOULD GET AN EXTRA 'BANG' FOR THEIR $38,000 BUCKS?....'bang' equaling ACCOUNTABILITY!
Don Story, school board member, made an EXCELLENT suggestion when Mrs. G could not or would not come up with REQUESTED information; he said 'maybe' he should spend a day with her.....to go over her books.
I was at the work session...Mrs. G talked board members down and stated at one time 'I can't bring every thing here.' 'I just had this piece of paper to work from.' ACCOUNTABILITY?? $90,000...soooooooooooooooo Giles County. Makes one wonder if the 'fox' and the 'banker' are building a 'brick' house to keep the 'little piggies' out.....
605 - wasn't there, so I can't disagree with anything you say was missing and needed. Sounds like a snow job. Pop it to em - your attitude & approach are what we need!
Food for thought - Mrs G is dealing with a highly polished con artist - doubt she has ever encountered anything like him. Best way to get to facts is put his nose in the middle of it & push till it bleeds. When he lies (he will) be forceful about demanding he be replaced with someone you can trust. If need be, terminate the meeting to enforce action. It's his budget, MAKE HIM ANSWER, she's just his messenger at this point.
She should provide budget comarisons - no need for everyone to bring a calculator & get distracted with math thaT a computer can print faster that you can blink.
Nothing better than getting scolded by someone who's making GOOD things happen!
thanks!
I think we should outsource the director position to China. Kids who don't want to learn are out in the rice paddies. Crooks are shot. The remainder works hard & passing all the tests without phony progress reports.
Legislators renew push for elected school chiefs
Most states appoint leaders
By Christina E. Sanchez and Clay Carey • THE TENNESSEAN • February 2, 2009
Buzz up! Tennessee is in the midst of sweeping education reforms, and some lawmakers want voters to choose the leaders who implement them.
It's an echo of Tennessee's situation 17 years ago, when the state launched another major effort aimed at catching students up with the national average. Back then, those who advocated for appointed superintendents said they were key to catching Tennessee's students up with their national peers.
They won, elected superintendents were abolished, and Tennessee remained in the bottom half of most educational rankings.
Studies by the state comptroller's office and the Southern Regional Education Board show that how superintendents are installed makes little difference in student performance. But this year, a contingent of East Tennessee lawmakers is advocating a return to the old system of electing districts' top administrators.
"The school budget is the largest single item on the budget in the county, and it's the largest portion of the local property tax," said state Sen. Ken Yager, a Harriman Republican. It stands to reason taxpayers should be more involved in the selection of superintendents, he said.
Yager, a co-sponsor of this year's bill, said he's getting heavy support from his district. And while similar bills have popped up every year since the switch and gone nowhere, the composition of a key committee that typically held the bills back has changed.
Metro Nashville parent Paula Jennings said she wants electoral politics kept far away from the school system. Metro began appointing superintendents well before the rest of the state.
"If someone is running, you may not end up getting the best person for the position," said Jennings, whose son attends Hillsboro High. "So few people vote in those things. … It would end up being whoever has the best PR."
The only states where elected superintendents still call the shots are Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and even in those states, some counties opt for appointed superintendents. The three states were ranked at a C-plus or lower in Education Week, a respected national K-12 education journal.
The idea of picking school chiefs through ballots instead of job interviews isn't common outside the South, education experts say. Some in academically high-achieving states say they wouldn't consider a switch to elections.
"I think (appointed directors) work well. Voters express their will through school board members that are selected … and they hold that (director) accountable," said Stephen Bounds, director of legal and policy services for the Maryland Association of Boards of Edu cation. The state's school system typically receives high marks in national surveys.
"I can't imagine how it could not be more political if that person were standing for election," Bounds said.
No direct correlation
After years of the elected versus appointed debate resurfacing in Tennessee, the state studied it in 2003. Researchers spoke with educational analysts and university experts.
The comptroller's Office of Research and Education Accountability found that neither selection process influenced students' or schools' performance. Making a direct correlation would be statistically impossible, the agency said.
The report concluded: "Those individuals closest to the classroom have the greatest measurable impact on student performance while those farther away from the teaching and learning process have less measurable impact."
Both sides of the topic called the report a victory.
The Southern Regional Board of Education, a nonprofit group dedicated to improving education in 16 states, said there are pros and cons to either selection process.
"Various surveys indicate you have a broader pool of people to get the right match for a district if you don't have to stay within the borders of district," said Gale Gaines, vice president of the board's state services.
Superintendents oversee curriculum for a district, including helping to implement new requirements in Tennessee. For example, the state Board of Education recently approved more math, physical education and personal finance courses for students beginning high school this fall.
Supporters of electing such leaders say there will be more accountability to meet the overall needs of the district. Yager's bill would give counties a choice: stick with things the way they are, or go back to the old elected system.
A big reason past bills haven't advanced is the makeup of the House of Representatives, said Stephen Smith, assistant executive director of the Tennessee School Boards Association. His group opposes the plan to elect superintendents.
"The House Education Committee has not moved this bill forward in the past. The Democratic leadership was very instrumental in stopping this legislation," Smith said. "Now, everything is kind of up in the air. The House committee makeup is very different now. You have 10 new members."
Now, both the state House and Senate are under Republican control. House Education Committee Chairman Rep. Harry Brooks said there are several different dynamics that could affect the outcome of the latest bill, but he couldn't predict it.
Brooks said he has supported past bills for elected superintendents, though not all of them.
"My position is to examine the details and go from there," he said.
'Different kind of politics'
Sumner County Commissioner Merrol Hyde has seen both systems in operation up close. Hyde was Sumner's elected superintendent from 1988 to 1992 and its appointed school director from 1997 to 2004.
As an elected school superintendent, Hyde said, he had to answer to the entire county. As an appointed director, he was subject to the political whims of a much smaller group — a board of education with political motives of its own.
"It becomes in a certain way intensely more political. You have a lot more pressure to keep a board of education happy," Hyde said. "It's just a different kind of politics."
Hyde said residents who elect mayors are also capable of picking school superintendents — and equally capable of evaluating their performance.
Gary Anderson has been a school board member in Williamson County since before the change was made to appointed superintendents. He said a person hired by the school board can be fired just as easily if a mistake is made or the person seriously underperforms. The elected official gets to wait four years until the term expires.
"I would support going with an appointed superintendent," Anderson said. "The appointed superintendent answers directly to the school board and has more accountability, whereas an elected superintendent would be answering to the general public."
IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA IF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD AND COUNTY COMMISSION BUDGET COMMITTEE SPENT A DAY OR MORE GOING OVER THE BOOKS SO THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND WHERE THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT.
11:12 AMEN!
9:27 You forgot to say the school board has to do its job and hold the director accountable. In Giles County the BOE just seems to sit at the meetings with that deer in the head light look. Really, the BOE and Director should also substitute in the schools for a week to figure out how to discipline the students. Remember you can't threaten the little angels...it would be 'teacher bullying.' GOOD LUCK!
School budget funding must be restricted to reasonably accurate revenue projections with no tax rate increases for 2009-10. There is no justification for the budget committee or council to consider any funding request presented by the director of schools, because of the consistent annual pattern of deception, corruption and falsification of budget funding presentations.
Spending almost three times the inflation rate through 2007 is counterproductive! We don't even have June 30, 2008 results! There is no reasonable basis of knowing what has happened, will happen, or if it is reasonable. Reported results have been deceptive and self serving. The challenge is a corrupted office holder, not the honor of the office! Until the board of education terminates anyone who deceives the public, their operations, or the children they are supposed to mentor; let the BOE wade through their own numerical maze and figure out how to succeed with what they have. We should be teaching children how to survive and be productive, something totally lost in our current voodoo education. Visit some Giles residents, they can give an ear full of wisdom in an instant. If you have a good idea that isn't a tax cut, forget it!
Might start by turning some of the fat to muscle - shedding bureaucracy and using that enormus surplus to properly pay real teachers & those who tend to the little schoolhouse & drive the horse & buggy out into the hinterlands to pick up all those shiny little faces.
927 amen again,
Can't remember what that thing is - two big boards with holes that fit snugly around the neck, low enough that the rear end is somewhat upright when clamped together ...
Any way, that plus a big black leather strap about five feet long applied to that shiny hynnie, has almost immediate pyschological adjustment qualitites when they meet with kersplat. It helps vocabulary & communications & words like "yes mam", "Thanks", & "ain't gonna do that no more"
That would eliminate several psycologists, resource officers, detention rooms, teacher helpers, supervisors, secret personnel records, and heated outhouses.
When was the last time you went to a board meeting? School Board seems to be starting to hold the old boy accountable. Be at February meeting. Watch the board in action.
942 I understand & appreciate what you say as fact. I apologize for the fact that my patience has run out. The years click by and I see the same corruped individual running the education of our children.
It's a situation of run amuck tolerance, love, and compassion! Tolerance has become a parasite that is destroying all of our desired virtues. We are protecting wolves who are eating our sheep. FIRE HIM NOW!
He would have to be a complete idiot seeking self destruction to file suit against the county. What jury would award damages for his track record?
10:46 Amen! FIRE HIM NOW!!!!!
9:42 I have been to several board meetings AND work sessions and have seen NOTHING constructive happen. PROMISES, PROMISES, PROMISES......what a bunch of cr-p!! I am SURE the board will HAVE to give tj SIX months to show "accountability" for the MANY items listed on the chart tablet at the work session. "Starting to hold the old boy accountable"..????? What a JOKE!
The FOX has eaten ALL the eggs in the hen house and NOW he is eating the hens!
I agree with 10:46, "Tolerance has become a parasite that is destroying all of our desired virtues." FIRE HIM NOW!!
It isn't simply a matter of holding a liar accountable at this very very late stage of the game. It's past time to hold the people who are paid to fire him accountable for not firing him. No hate, animosity, or getting even, just pull the flush lever.
This is another wire
meant to inspire
the BOE choir
to now fire
the liar!
I have been as much a critic of the school director and the school board's behaviors as anyone. While I do not believe now is the time to let up on the push to improve both, I must say that with the new board much has changed and even more is changing. We must be patient, elephants are slow moving, but this one is moving and in the right direction finally.
Please continue to call your board members and tell them your thoughts but also congratulate those who have demonstrated a will to step up and demand accountability from the system and people they are charged to supervise. Allen Barrett
Initially I thought elect. But, after thinking about it, the head of the school system is no place for the best "smoosher" or "really good guy" in the crowd of candidates. I think a committee of several educators could look over the qualifications and make an educated choice. This would at least partially eliminate the post election comments of " What an idiot! ". An election might end up with someone like Bush - now there would be a scary thought! I say appoint.
7:45 Loved the poem.....so true!
wab- Sure hope something happens at the BOE meeting Thursday, February 12th. It is time for 'someone' to poke the elephant,s hind end with a cattle prod.
4:46 tj IS a 'smoosher' and 'really good guy' or should I say 'good ole boy'. Hello, he WAS elected. "What an idiot!"? Look in the mirror! MANY Americans liked and STILL like Bush...ALSO McCain. McCain carried TN in the election. Hello!!
Let me see, the current Pres. has been in office LESS than a MONTH and 'he' is saying, "I have messed up and I am willing to take my lumps." That's FINE for 'him', but the REST of us (as in U.S. citizens) don't like getting roughed up in hard times.
There is no greater threat to our education than TJ. With his year after year track record, there is no room for "change" or anything else.
That isn't a matter of hate, it's a common sense approach to imprinting & education with reward & punishment - clear and dominating evidence that truth will not be compromised. Others, including TN legislators and governors have paid the price - some for lesser acts. In my opinion, the ethics bar for educating our children should be the highest of all, without question. Treating the man with honor and respect defies logic and morality.
The comments relate to a man defiling a position. When acts of tolerance enables, tolerance becomes an equal part of the problem! The issue is bigger and more urgent than anything else!
The current BOE majority does offer positive change & leadership - far better than anything I could contribute, but healing requires removing the cancer. That cancer will spread and grow as long as it remains.
9;53 Is there a surgen in the house????????????
I heard that the bill did not get out of the first committee to get the right back to vote for superintendent.
After much thought, the school director should be hired by the board of education with contract language & time stipulated by CHARTER. The job must be subjet to recall by the citizens! A charter could set the director position up for election for any contract renewal (a very good idea). That is the current problem and the only valid issue.
I would hate to imagine terminating the services of a good director of schools, highway, or any other elected office, simply because they served the public well for four years, eight years, or any other period of time. Letting that happen would be counterproductive and expensive financially!
Setting the accessibility and hours of public office service can and should be determined by charter. Hours should be set to serve the public & commerce, period. No need to fight about it or get hurt feelings.
We don't have to build a fire & send smoke signals anymore! Telegraph came a hundred years ago & that's been changed to wireless & stuff invented by Dick Tracy 60 years ago!
There are countless reasons we need a charter instead of 200 year old regulations that can't be changed.
Please remember, everyone. An election requires a media campaign - which is expensive! And that means only the people with a lot of money - or with a well-oiled machine of support - could ever afford to 'run.' Election is NOT the way to go. You just say 'yes' to that because it gives you a say. But we already DO have a say. We elect our Board members. But here's the rub...I've asked several friends this week who their school board representative was...and none of them knew! They didn't even know what district they are in. I don't want people like that voting for our Director, too. Just take a look at our commission, if the voters were that good at getting the best person in office, would we have the people we have on the commission? I've been to some meetings and am frankly embarassed at some of the stupid questions that were asked. They think if they can't understand it, it must be evil. Our county will never progress under the 'leadership' of those who have never traveled outside the county, never been to a school of higher learning, can't keep their own finances straight, barely made it through school themselves. I'm no fan of Tee, but I'm not that high on the board, either. I've left numerous messages for my school board representative - have I ever heard back? Nope! Not once. We need people who have experience in business, financial management, operations, etc. and people who aren't afraid to stand up to the status quo. How many of our board members can actually read a spreadsheet?...or know basic accounting? It's hard to ask the questions when you don't even know what they are. As far as how to get him out, you need specific criteria upon which to measure him...just like Jim Greene said. Tell him he'll be evaluated on test scores, and graduation rates, and balancing his budget....make it quantifiable and then it becomes a 'yes' he accomplished these things, or 'no' he didn't. If you want to figure this all out...then go to L. Garner and ask for LAST year's budget...check to see who was paid what. Might be interesting. Anyone have time to go line by line through that budget and add it up? I grew up elsewhere, but still get the home town rag. They list every teacher's pay at the end of the school year...right along with the cost of utilities, etc. It's eye opening, really. That info is public record, so all it takes to test him on the budget is some time. Of course, the challenge is to determine what costs go into the line items. The 2007 budget is posted online, but a one-line description doesn't tell you what all monies go into that line item. If I've lost you...it's just basic accounting, and I'm sorry, but I've seen our board members ask questions and use terminilogy that revealed they knew little to nothing about how all this works. You need people that can dig deep, get the facts, ask the hard questions. Those people are hard to find!
Post a Comment
<< Home