School Director Has Contract Extended
Once again the School Board has ignored the State Attorney General's Opinion that extending a School Director's contract is not an appropriate thing. As was mentioned by those objecting to the extension "it binds the hands of the school board members who may be elected in August".
One part of the amazing exchange was the near six minute discourse by Board member Jim Greene who spoke against the extension then turned right around and voted to extend it. His actions have all the earmarks of a former Board Member Mrs Houston who voted to extend the directors contract then less than thirty minutes later resigned from the Board.
Board Member Murrey made an impassioned plea that the extension not be granted and allow the new Board in August to decide the matter.
The Director is now locked in until at least July of 2011. While a two year contract is not as bad as a four year contract it is just as inappropriate to bind the hands of future Board Members.
The motion was made to extend by Mrs Norman and seconded by Mr. Greene.
Voting for the extension were Board members Norman, Storey, Greene and Young.
Those voting against were Members Glover, Turner and Murrey.
At the end of the meeting I was allowed three minutes to speak and this was one issue I addressed, stating that Graduation rates were down in the school system, teacher and worker morale was at a near all time low, more administrators have been added, disciplinary problems have not been adequately addressed at the high schools, student population is down, very large selective raises are being given and expenses are continually going up while quality is going down these things are not reflective of good leadership. Allen Barrett
posted by Allen Barrett | 7:05 PM
72 Comments:
Mr. Barrett....
Don't you think the board members have a right to vote how they see fit? Surely you don't think there's something illegal, immoral, or whatever in their votes. Granted, they did not vote as you would have wanted them to, but why can't you accept the idea that they do vote their conscience?
It's a good time to dump young & greene! Need to get out there & help their opponents!
7:36 Obviously Greene did not vote his concience if he rattled on one way then voted the opposite. Sounds like another gonner come August 5.
To Anonymous 7:36, Do you not think it immoral to ignore the TN State Attorney General's opinion.Do you not think that this item of business could and should have waited until the new school board takes office? Do you not wonder what the rush is? This is a disgusting turn of events and proves that the current school board not only disregards the public and the BOE employees who are also voters, but it actually enjoys making fun of them, humiliating them, lying to them, or just ignoring them. One or two members have created a smokescreen to make it appear as though they would do the right thing, but it was all for show and in the end, they did TJ's bidding, which was the inevitable outcome anyway. Nothing surprising with this or any other matter that involves the BOE.
I had a feeling that “what I said” would be on the blog today. I would like to share my point of view.
I like the old saying, “There are two sides of any story and the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.” This is what I have based my votes on, while serving on the School Board. Unlike others, whom always vote with their friends or group vote, I attempt to get both sides of the story and make a well-educated, fact-based, decision. In the future, I would appreciate the same before condemning me, especially anonymously.
For the record, what I said was that I was not in favor of extending Mr. Jackson’s contract if it would keep any newly elected board members from having input or the ability to dismiss Mr. Jackson, during his or her term. I do not like employment contracts, but the fact of the matter is a vast majority, if not all, of the Director of School’s have them. Over the last four years I have asked as many Directors as possible, “At what point in your contract do you start looking for a job and change system?” Every one of them gave me the same answer, “Twenty-four months.” At the time of the vote, Mr. Jackson’s contract was at 15 months. Therefore, by going on what other Directors of Schools have told me, the likely hood of Mr. Jackson leaving the system around the start of the school year, was very probable.
If he did leave, the current board would face a tough issue. Do you start the interview process and hire a new Director, months before a new board? This, in my opinion would not be fair to the new board seats. The other option you let the education system remain leaderless until the new board takes office? This would result in the Education System without permanent leadership until at best January. The latter also mean that the first job for a new Board of Education member would be to hire a Director. I do not feel that it is in the best interest of the School System or Giles County tax payers to force a new member to find someone to run the schools on their first day on the job, with school already in session. However, by only extending Mr. Jackson’s contract by 12 months, it still allows any newly elected board member to get a year of experience before having to make that decision. This extension would still allow them to shape the Board, Director, and School systems in the way they see fit.
I find it interesting that I did vote with Allen’s opinion on the School Gifts policy and nothing is said, but when I vote against something the pitch forks and torches come out.
My voting record proves that I do not “group vote.” I prefer to think for myself, rather than have others think for me. I do appreciate and enjoy hearing other opinions on subjects, so that I can make better decisions when necessary. However, it helps me if I hear the opinions before a vote, not afterwards.
If you are looking for someone that will always vote your party line, then I am definitely not the person that should receive your vote. However, if you want a free-thinking individual who will not play sides, but will vote on each matter as he believes is in the community’s best interest, I would be happy for your vote.
I do not frequent this site, so if anyone wants to continue this conversation, please feel free to call my house. I am in the phonebook, under Pulaski, listed as “Jim and Melissa Greene.” If you get the answering machine it will be my son saying "Leave me a message"
Best regards,
Happy Easter
Jim Greene.
Heard Norman was resigning?
Jim Greene
Although I appreciate the reasoning for your vote, you failed to consider Giles county in the main has been very disappointed with Mr. Jackson and have wanted him gone for years. Not to mentioned the commissioners. You will not receive the two votes from this household.
I greatly appreciate Mr. Greene posting his side of the issue to extend the School Directors Contract.
Two problems exist with his reasoning however, first the contract does not end until July 2011 which would give the new Board almost a full year to either offer a new contract or terminate the old one. The Director is bound to his contract until July of 2011 and can not leave without agreement from the board. I have not objected to making a new contract only extending the old ones.
The second problem is with the state attorney general.
June 22, 2001 Opinion No. 01-102
Legality of extending director of schools’ contract
QUESTION
May a school board legally extend the term of its four-year contract with the director of schools during the contract term, effectively extending the contract more than four years from the original contract date?
OPINION
No.
ANALYSIS
The fact situation presented by the requestor of this Opinion is as follows: In May 1998, a county Board of Education entered into a contract of employment with a new Director of Schools. The contract specifies that its term is four years commencing on July 1, 1998 and ending on June 30, 2002. The contract further provides that unless the Board acts to renew the contract prior to July 1, 2001, such failure serves as notice to the Director that the Board does not intend to renew the contract.
In October, 1999, the Board voted to extend the Director’s contract for two years, effective on its two year anniversary date, July 1, 2000, and declaring that the end date of the contract would be June 30, 2004.
Under the Education Improvement Act of 1992 all school board members are elected by the people for four-year, staggered terms. 2 The Board has the duty to employ a Director of Schools (also known as the “superintendent”). The law provides: It is the duty of the local board of education to . . . [n]otwithstanding any other public or private act to the contrary, employ a director of schools
under a written contract of up to four (4) years’ duration, which may be renewed. 3 By extending the term of the contract by two years, the Board has effectively given its Director of Schools a six-year term, which violates the law limiting the duration of the contract between a Board and its Director of Schools to four years. The statute provides that the contract with the Director of up to four years’ duration may be renewed. The law does not state that term of the contract may be extended. The common law recognizes a distinction between "renew/renewal” and “extend/extension”. Black’s Law Dictionary defines renewal as “[T]he re-creation of a legal relationship or the replacement of an old contract with a new contract, as opposed to a mere extension of a previous relationship or contract.”
Continued in next post Allen Barrett
Continued from Previous post...
The Education Improvement Act established a uniform system of accountability to the public for what is happening in the schools. The EIA replaced a hodge-podge of systems for governing schools with the single system of school boards elected for staggered four-year terms who hire superintendents under contract for terms of up to four years. The superintendent answers to the Board who answer to the electorate. By providing that new board members may be elected two years into a four-year contract with a Director of Schools, the statutory scheme contemplates that the electorate will have an opportunity to express its satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the decisions and conduct of the superintendent who was selected by the previous board.
If the school board, who hired the superintendent, could extend the term of the contract, that Board has effectively put the Superintendent’s evaluation and continued employment beyond the accountability and control of any new board members elected two years following the selection of the superintendent.
The Board’s action in October 1999 extending the Director’s four-year contract by two years, commencing July 1, 2000, and declaring the end date to be June 30, 2004, is illegal and therefore must be treated as a nullity. The Director’s contract expires on July 1, 2002, unless the Board acts to renew the contract prior to July 1, 2001.
This is the opinion I have tried to get School Board members to read and adhere to since before I was arrested for reading it to them. In my mind according to this opinion issued by the Attorney General The Director of Schools has been without a legal contract since the fourth year of his original contract. I have yet to see anyone attempt to prove me wrong on this matter. The problem is simple, we have some people, and this is not a slam at Mr Greene he does at least try, who don't know what they are talking about in some areas and are unwilling to listen to any one else. Allen Barrett
Please call Eddie Bass to let him know that Giles County wants their right back to vote for Superintendent. It is coming up for vote ASAP so get on it this weekend or first of the week.
Eddie Bass doesn't listen to his constituents. His effective rating has virtually been a zero!! Good luck getting him to do anything! He represents himself and himself alone.
wab...
You never cease to amaze me with your arrogance! Let me direct you to a statement you made and then give MY opinion and analysis.
You stated that two problems exist with Jim Greene's reasoning. What a laugh.
Opinion: He doesn't see things your way.
Analysis: His thinking doesn't go along with yours so he is the one with the problem.
You know, you really should get a job somewhere. And, uhh, I don't think you got yourself arrested for reading a contract.
To Fri 9:58 PM
The real answer to your desire to directly elect a school director in Giles County lies in the hands of whoever you elect to write the Giles County Charter in august .
You might want to review who in your district are running for that charter-writing position and discuss their opinion on this subject to see where they stand then elect the one who will do what you want them to . If you dont ask or dont vote you know what you'll get dont you !!
Demos Cratos
To 3 April 7:07
Once more it isn’t my arrogance that is brought into question but your lop-sided ignorance and personal prejudice. The problems I expressed were indeed two but neither were formed on the basis of whether they agreed with me or not. I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Greene and like him on a personal level. In this instance it wasn’t just a matter that he disagreed with me he didn’t agree with himself. There was plenty time for the new School Board to be installed and become familiar with the Director before having to decide on his contract. Those seeking board seats should be preparing themselves for those positions now not after they are elected. It amazes me that people seek to be elected to positions that have done nothing to prepare themselves for.
The second problem which you totally ignored was the State Attorney General’s opinion which stands as law until challenged in a court of law.
You are right in that I wasn’t arrested for reading the State Attorney’s Opinion, I was arrested because I dared challenge the order of the elitist to shut up and sit in the corner. Until that time no one had dared challenge them and they felt it necessary to put me in my place. Because of that challenge made by me and Fred much has changed for the better in both School Board and County Commission Meetings. Allen Barrett
Right. They should award you the Giles County Nobel Peace Prize.
WAB for President!
After your idol al gore got the peace prize I doubt WAB would take it.
Jim Greene is unbelievable! Just like Mr. Barrett said, the new board members would have had plenty of time to get familiar and well-acquainted with what is the duty of a school board member in order to make the decision to extend the contract or not. I just have one question for Jim Greene. Do
you suppose the P.E. that proceeds your name renders you somehow qualified to arrive at the most illogical idea of why you voted the way you did? What a laugh. It truly reveals how arrogant he truly is. It does not take an engineering degree or anything of the sort to make good, sound, unbiased decisions representative of your constituency. But, clearly he want to be recognized for his educational accomplishments. However, this issue is not a show and tell about him. What a disappointment he has turned out to be for the 5th district. He just may have served his first and final term as school board member with that vote.
2:05
Wrong and laughable.
I assume that the board members that voted to extend Jackson's contract didn't take into consideration that it will go to the end of the 2-4-6 district and will the same excuse come up again. Didn't think it through did they?
Certain members of this board have not shown the slightest bit of proof that they think things through when making decisions. That is why the citizens are fed up and ready for some of them to go.
Common sense does nor reign on the school board or in the system 10:49.
your right on all counts
Logic would go the one step beyond SOS. If you have a Director of education who can't tell the truth plus a board of education that doesn't know the difference --- there will be no truth!
Is it better to keep a wolf managing the sheep, or no one managing the sheep?
If the sheep are astray and missing, should the everloving lords over the sheep pen scratch their heads & investigate getting rid of the wolf, instead of waiting for the wolf to die of old age? Guess the majority of lordships can't even make a decision!
Perhaps the problem is the inability of the lordship majority to be able to deduct two from two and come up with the zero it takes to dump the wolf!
10:30
Can you see just a teeny-weeny bit of arrogance and condecension in your rhetoric? It's abundantly clear to me. I suppose you think you should be the fox guarding the hen house?
12:01 your problem dude is you can't tell the difference in arrogance and truth. Did you ever think people have to talk down to you because you keep hiding under the rock.
12:01 has gotten their teeny weeny feelings stepped on. Oops pardon us for speaking our minds..we forgot only get to do that. How dare us! Your post clearly indicates you either sit on the board or are close to someone who does. Somehow you are connected to the director or the board. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so blind and ignorant to what is going on and how people feel. Regardless, shame on you! We the citizens are the fox guarding the hen house. You are dumber than I originally thought. The citizens are supposed to take an interest and point out their concerns. Even if it means it doesn't sit well with you and your cronies.
12:43
No, shame on YOU for falling hook, line, and sinker for the hatred that permeates this blog. I merely point it out. By the way, who is the "us" you are talking about? For the record, I have absolutely no connection to any elected or appointed officials "us" seems to go on crucifying. So I continue to share my interests and concerns, even if they don't sit right with you and your cohorts (cronies).
It is a shame that in order for you stand out and you have to take an opposing view for no other reason than to be different. I take my stand sir/madam base on my experiences and facts. Not feelings and hearsay. The "US" is anyone that disagrees with you obviously. As far as your view, concerns, doubt, likes or whatever...by all means share away. I am so glad you feel the need to tell me that you will do as you please. Have you always been the type of person who need to tell everyone your rights?? Unlike you I respect other's opinions. I may not agree with them but, I will certainly show an opposing view if I have one just like you. And as far as this hook, line and sinker lingo you keep spewing...aren't you getting tired of the same mantra?? One could undoubtedly say you have fallen hook, line and sinker only in another perspective.
2:33
Excuse me sir or madam, but aren't you guys the ones who keep saying you are fighting for your right?
You respect the opinions of others unless it's mine.
3:21:00 PM
If you have an opion beside how everybody has fell for HLSS for WAB I would love to hear it.
Who you are going to vote for doesn't tell me anything. It just says that's who you are going to vote for.
Give a reason fo us that don't know more than we read on this blog. I'm not going HLS for what you want.
I've yet to read where you gave a reason WAB is wrong.
I respect your opinion. When you post your feelings I read it and go on. I do not feel the need to argue and belittle you for how you feel. However, it is you and those like you only think their opinion is relevant regardless of anyone eles's experience. We can banter back and forth all you want. I choose to disagree with your opinion, less any criticisms toward you. You on the other hand disagree and then want to categorize and belittle because you think you know who you are talking to and feel your opinion supersedes everyone else that has an opinion. It is just that simple. I am not fighting for any right...I already have it the same as you.
To 3:57 I too am waiting for anonymous to tell me where I am wrong in the information I have shared on this blog. To date I have gotten nothing but he dislikes the way I say things and I have made him feel uncomfortable by sharing factual information he feels would have been better kept hidden from the people.
As far as I know he has never had a single word censured on this blog. Not once do I even remember a single time I have criticized him for offering factual information.
Allen Barrett
wab
,y problem with you has never been about your "truths" but in the way you talk down to people and call names. Don't deny that you are innocent of that, because we both know better. And the way you talk about Mrs. Vanzant and others is particularly distrubing.
I absolutely deny talking down to anyone but I absolutely admit I call people names that they have earned. I have never denied calling a liar a liar. I have not called anyone any name without first giving them the opportunity to explain and clarify the matter. Mrs. Vanzant has lied to me on a number of occasions and I have spoken directly with her about that and she refuses to change so in my book as a person who willfully and habitually lies she is a liar. That is not hearsay it is personal experience on more than a dozen occasions. Yes I have the lies and the dates written down. I find no advantage in trying to sugar coat that fact as some do.
If you go to most of the commissioners and ask, you will find that they have had the same experiences with her.
It seems to me if you have no problem with the truths I have shared you would develop a greater interest in dealing with those truths instead of complaining about
how I say that truth. Allen Barrett
wab
You really are something else. Do you ever see any flaws in your behavior when you are standing before your mirror and slipping on your Sunday morning tie for church services? Do you? And you have the audacity to say you don't talk down to people. You have got to be either in total denial or delusional...or both. And you, in all your arrogance, talk as if you have a right to call people names, depending on your YOUR almighty assessment of whether or not they deserve it! Can you not see any arrogance in that? Behold the beam in your own eye before trying to remove the splinter from another's.
Oh believe me, I have a strong interest in making things better for Giles County. And I will do all I can to support those candidates for election whom I believe to be the best for all concerned. That's a good first step, wouldn't you agree? But don't look for me to be out there calling people names and accusing them of all manner of malfeasance. It's not my nature to behave that way.
7:11 Once again you spew much thoughtless and unsupported whining about your feelings and opinions but never any facts.
I have yet to understand the difference in how it's "class" when you spew venomous opinions and call names without support, but it's "arrogance" when I call someone a name and supply the factual reason for that name.
When my "assessment" of a person is built on that persons documented behavior I have no problem referring to that person by the name their behavior has earned. I'm a plain spoken guy that says what I mean. To me a person who continually and willfully lies is a liar not merely a prevaricator.
As for "the right to call people names", it's not only a right it's a responsibility to society. People who have committed certain crimes are placed on a sex register in order to protect others from becoming victims; people are warned about the predatory practices of some businesses by the Better Business Bureau; the sheriff has warned about "con artists" that operate in the county from time to time. To refer to someone as a liar with proof positive is actually to warn others that they are not to be trusted.
Now if you want to defend a liar that's up to you but it would seem that your defense would include some evidence to disprove the charge not merely attack the one making the charge.
Let me make it simple, I have called Mrs Vanzant a liar and offered the proof of those lies, you say she is trustworthy so all you have to do is prove me wrong, show evidence that my proof is flawed or incorrect.
Of course you can not show any such evidence because it doesn't exist so you settle for attacking me, my character, religion, background and even motives none of which you know anything about. Allen Barrett
Your misbehavior is what's wrong. Is that simple enough?
To the poster of 4:11 from poster
3:57.
Who do you think I am? Like you and so many others I didn't sign my name.
I feel like you just talked down to me.
I just wanted to know a reason to vote for someone. You say when the time comes you will be out helping the one you want elected. Why not start now? I don't know these people running and I bet their are a lot more reading this blog like that.
3:35 Your spelling is atrocious. You need to spend time brushing up on spelling rather than the same old postings that have no substance over and over.
Noticed earlier when someone suggested you either had a relative or friend or were yourself an employee of the county you responded that you had no relatives or friends employed by the county but no denial of yourself.
9:37
I'm not 3:35, but I am one of many who will be out working for those candidates of MY choice. Too bad if that doesn't sit well with you.
No denial of myself? You must be nuts?
9:37:00 AM You are right, I need to notice when I spell there, not put their.
I did not post you are either an employee or related to anyone working at the court house. Nor have I posted before 3:57. I'm not a good typist and hit the wrong key a lot.
For a few weeks I have been reading this blog. Heard about it and thought to look at it.
I would like to know about the people running for office so I will know how to vote. Children and job keep me from getting out and researching who's running.
Since when time comes you are going to try and help the ones you think need to be in office, I thought you would help us now before someone else tells me who is best to be elected.
Sorry I'm just not as smart as you.
So you can keep talking down to me.
I wish everyone had to take a number or something to tell who is who posting on here. Not their name just so we don't think the same person is doing all the posting.
10:14 I have nothing wrong with your post just wish you would tell me about the people wanting to be elected. Anybody tell me about them.
1:46
Call or go by the election commission and get a list of candidates. Then do some checking around. Think for yourself though, and you will do just fine.
To 6 April 1:46.
You can find a complete list of all the candidates who qualified for election in August in the thread just below this one. Much of who one votes for is subjective and there are a number of good people running for different positions. Later I plan to post the voting records of the incumbents but at present I am still compiling those records. Some who are not incumbents have held other public positions and their record will be examined and posted also. It looks like a very exciting and fact filled election year ahead. Thanks for your interest. Allen Barrett
Maybe somebody can dig up some "facts" on you! Tit for tat?
To 6:09 I'll be glad to sale you a shovel. If you think some very powerful people in this county haven't tried to dig up dirt on me already you're much more out of touch than I gave you credit for. 1st if there was dirt to have been found they would have found it by now; 2nd if there was dirt to be found I would have kept a lower profile than even you; 3rd I'm about as concerned with someone finding dirt on me as I'm concerned with whether you like me or not. There are many things I wish I could redo but nothing I'm so ashamed of I have to keep my head hung low or my name hidden. Allen Barrett
You misbehavior should be enough to shame you....but it apparently doesn't bother you one bit.
The Germans thought Audie Murphy's behavior was shameful but he was give medals by everyone on our side.
Mr Barrett is a hero and you are the shame 3:31.
A hero? You have GOT to be joking. Please don't even compare the sacrificial lamb to Audie Murphy. What a laugh!
Before I say anything about your utterly stupid statement at 6:50 I'll give you a chance to explain or clarify so there will be no misunderstanding about the term "sacrificial lamb".
10:51
Well, if it's an "utterly stupid" statement, why would you want further clarification on it? You knew what it meant.
If I had known what you meant I wouldn't have asked, you arrogant dip.
You said "Please don't even compare the sacrificial lamb to Audie Murphy".
The only "Sacrificial Lamb" I'm familiar with is Jesus. If there is another I thought you might want to say so instead of having people see what a sacrilegious windbag you are.
It was a fools's errand I undertook to try and reason with one so full of himself.
3:29
More name-calling, I see. You knew very well that I was not talking about Christ. The statement was made in a figurative way about someone who, in my opinion, sees himself as a persecuted and "abused" citizen. A legend in his own mind.
It must be wonderful to say thngs then think everyone knows what you mean.
Oh has anyone forgot how she said, "When are you going to take him off the cross?" Not the exact words she said.
4:01
She said that? Who is she? I am the one who said that and, last time I checked, decided that I'm a man.
6:40 it's not the only time you've been wrong.
6:40 If you plan to try to pass yourself off as a man you need to change your writing style and content.
So you are now a language arts expert? Silly.
4:16 Repeat. Change your verbage if you want us to think you are male.
5:11
Who is the "us" you keep referring to? That's really a straightforward question that should be easy to answer. How about it?
Verbage? How does my verbage distinguid me as either gender? I think you are forming an opinion based on how you want to perceive it. Ridiculous.
You know what he/she meant.
Us or we is the people reading this blog, whether they agree or not.
Yeah, I pretty much know some of the few who continually spew on this blog.
Yes. And we pretty much know who you are too.
8:19
We do? Who are "we"? I could care less who you think I am. But don't hold your breath til I invite you people over for dinner.
I don't know of anyone that wants an invitation from you!
Childish of you 6:00
Knowing he has two more years to play stupid Tee can continue to try and manipulate the system and say I didn't do that because I'm a Christian. He is already doing things that are so wrong since he knows he can stay a little while longer. Carrying Greene's papers around, unethical. Making sure insurance announcements and bids were short notice so few can have the time to get in bids, manipulating Bill Dunavant even though he continues to be a board want-a-be. Not wanting to change the words in the gifts so certain people won't be exposed for their contributions. And the list goes on. You need to contact your board members to express how you feel over the contract extension.
8:44 I'm letting my current board member (Jim Greene) know how I feel about the contract extension by voting for his opponent.
7;55
That's the right way to do it. You can vote for his opponent without having to call him names.
koko koko koko...lol
Mike Young is my school board member----Mike, Im not happy about T Jackson's contract being extended---AT ALL!!!
Mike's wife and daughter work in the school system 11:19. What do you expect? If Mike is reelected we will have more of the same with him because he has no hint of a backbone. Mike is not running unopposed this time. My suggestion would be to vote for his opponent. The last thing Tee Jackson wants on the school board are people who will stand up for the citizens and not be wrapped around his crooked little finger like Mike Young, Don Story and Jim Greene.
***Vote Chris Morris***
Thank you Mike. You made the right call. You have my support in the campaign.
***Vote Mike Young***
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