Are People Satisfied With The Changes At GCHS and Elkton?????
It has come to my attention that there are many folks very unhappy, to say the least, with a couple of major changes that have been made by the school system.
First there is the matter of Mr. Ron Shirey being moved from the main office to Asst. Principal at Giles County High School.
The second move is far more troubling to me as it involves the hiring of Mr. Michael Gonzales as the new principal at Elkton. Based on past dealings with Mr. Gonzales I fear he does not possess the temperament to be in control of children much less as a principal. Many will remember that Mr. Gonzales was a former School Board Superintendent who had several very unusual events take place on his watch. The arrest of myself and Fred Winkles on trumped up charges and conflicting testimony given by Mr. Gonzales and Mr. Jackson under oath; extensions of the School Directors contract far beyond the next school board's control; the taking of tax money by the school board to make "emergency" purchases of buses then the money was used for other things; the misuse of funds and the bid process for work on the Richland ball fields and walk areas; etc.
Some questions that arise over this employment is was there a public hearing where this hire was discussed? How many other candidates applied for the position and how were those candidates informed of the open position and when were the interviews held? Should the people of Elkton have any say in who is installed as principal especially when there is so much negative in the appointees history?
First there is the matter of Mr. Ron Shirey being moved from the main office to Asst. Principal at Giles County High School.
The second move is far more troubling to me as it involves the hiring of Mr. Michael Gonzales as the new principal at Elkton. Based on past dealings with Mr. Gonzales I fear he does not possess the temperament to be in control of children much less as a principal. Many will remember that Mr. Gonzales was a former School Board Superintendent who had several very unusual events take place on his watch. The arrest of myself and Fred Winkles on trumped up charges and conflicting testimony given by Mr. Gonzales and Mr. Jackson under oath; extensions of the School Directors contract far beyond the next school board's control; the taking of tax money by the school board to make "emergency" purchases of buses then the money was used for other things; the misuse of funds and the bid process for work on the Richland ball fields and walk areas; etc.
Some questions that arise over this employment is was there a public hearing where this hire was discussed? How many other candidates applied for the position and how were those candidates informed of the open position and when were the interviews held? Should the people of Elkton have any say in who is installed as principal especially when there is so much negative in the appointees history?
posted by Allen Barrett | 7:51 PM
69 Comments:
Ron Shirey is a great addition to any school. He will give the students the discipline they need at GCHS. He will also earn their respect while showing them respect. Shirey has a way of making you want to be a good student so that you don't let him down.
As for the Elkton hire, I am sure the interview process was thorough and Mr. Gonzales was the best candidate for the job.
You are going to have to stop attacking people that you have had problems with in the past. You can't seem to get past personal issues with people. They cloud your brain so much that you don't see the positive in anything. Just because someone may have punched me in the face when I was a teenager doesn't mean they can't be good at something and I should try to convince folks otherwise. There is a good chance that I may have deserved to be punched in the face.
DAW
Both choices are excellent. Great job Mr. Jackson. Thank you.
Did Bob Polly retire?
Bobby Polly will be greatly missed. The children loved him. When he taught at West Hill he was very well liked.
Daw,
why did you respond with only opinion and name calling to some valid concerns. I did not read any notices for the positions, discrimination has been proven in past placement of employees in the county offices and I remember Mr.Gonzalez and the events that were referenced. I am concerned that the buddy system of you extended my contract now time I return the favor is not that inconceivable.
Only my opinion since you laid only your opinion out there, which I mainly see you do unless you ask WAB to provide you with facts.
The job was posted. All schools were notified of the retirement and that applications were being taken. There were several applications. Several interviews were done. Sorry that you don't like the choice.
DAW, you're just an idiot. Mr. Barrett is reporting the news with some added FACTS! I wish I had known you as a teenager, I would have probably punched you in the face. Why do you get so defensive when he asks a question?
Does Shirey have a teaching background? I thought he was truant officer for the schools out of central office.
6:21,
I would be happy to give you the opportunity. You might get to eat those words. Put your name on here if you are going to talk like that. Don't be a coward and hide behind anonymous.
6:33,
Shirey was assistant principal at Richland High School when I was there. He is a great guy and used to teach and coach there as well. The majority of the student body has a ton of respect for him.
5:06 Never said I did not like the person picked but I do question the politics involved in the selection process that is apparent sometimes and other times just seem apparent. You write with the confidence of an insider so I ask were the positions posted in local papers or just in the schools? And were applications only accepted from persons employed in the Giles County School systems? How long was the submission period and how many weeks prior notice to when the submission period would be was given?
Was it posted at the career center? I did not see it in the paper or at the career center is why I ask.
These are legitimate questions from a concerned citizen that feels our government including the superintendent and school board were borderline at best in the unnecessary extension of the super's contract overlapping future newly elected school board members terms,for such a lengthy time. It is my opinion that a contract extension should never run longer than one year from a new election.
If everything is on the up and up no one should ever feel threatened and act defensive in response to a legitimate question that was poised.
"I would be happy to give you the opportunity. You might get to eat those words. Put your name on here if you are going to talk like that. Don't be a coward and hide behind anonymous." Once again jumping the gun. I did say probably. I do not know what DAW stands for so to me that is no different than anonymous. You're always blaming Mr. Barret for name calling but here you go calling me a coward. What you do know is that I simply agreed with your statement " There is a good chance that I may have deserved to be punched in the face."
July 13, 2011 10:35:00 PM, Sounds to me that if you disagree with DAW you're a troublemaker and if you agree with him he wants to fight you. BiPolar?
I don't think school jobs are advertised in the newspaper unless there is a problem getting someone to fill a job. Jobs are posted on the shool website and the bulletin board. They may be sent to surrounding colleges but I am not sure. I do not know if GCEA gets a copy of the openings or not. The notices are faxed to local schools also. I don't know how many interveiws were done but I do know that at 2 teachers from Giles County were interviewed. I am a teacher in Giles County. I think the job was posted for at least 2 weeks. Mr. Polly announced his retirement before school was out.
SOME schools jobs are advertised in the local paper. There have recently been ads for bus mechanics and two maintenance positions. Why not ALL jobs related to the schools.
What UI cant understand is why Gonzales would leave a lovely place like Spring Hill High and move to Elkton. There has to be something down the line in it for him. (No one should take my comment as belittling Elkton as that is not my intention. Its just that Spring Hill High has a new building and obviously plenty of money to meet school programs).
8:31 Could it be Director of Schools?
If the job posting only went to the local schools and maybe some colleges but was not marketed to the general public, how did Gonzalez find out about the submission process. Did he receive a personal invite to apply for the job? Seems like the powers to be decided on a limited pool of applicants from whom they would accept submissions. Good ole boy network alive and well and not for the betterment of the community.
Mr. Gonazelez doesnt live in spring hill....he and his family live in giles county. It is quite the commute to the school...not to mention, maury county is full of THUGS....particulary spring hill. Elkton will be a welcome change of scenery. Whil i dont know with 100% certainty, im fairly confident that played a role in his decision.
But what played an important role in the School Board's decision since the opening was not run in the paper or other channels and only confined to set parameters. Was he recruited and then placed in a stacked deck?
One less thug in Spring Hill one more thug in Elkton, who says we ain't growing?
Some things really make ya wonder if Barrett's wife, some of our county commisioners, or maybe Barrett post anonymously...
On another note- some certain person has completely fallen off his rocker huh?? A new topic for a new distraction when things don't go his way??
What really cracks me up is that some of you unfriendly Giles Countians will call me the big bad enabler. NOT.
Nope, just The Enabler.
Gonzalez's wife works for the school system. He very well could have heard from her. With the price of gas it would pay for him to stay closer to home. I also would imagine that with the Saturn plant downshift that students might be leaving that area and there may be a layoff of teachers and personell. It may be that whoever post the jobs like maintenance and bus garage is someone else since they have their own managers that could advertise those. I think they are always advertised. You don't see cafeteria or aides in the paper either though. The school board has nothing to do with the hiring of a principal or teacher so don't blame them for the decisions. That changed when we went from superintendent to director. They are to make board policy, approve budget and be Jackson's boss. When there was a superintendent employees went before the board for approval before they were hired. I hate that Polly retired. He will be missed.
Let me explain a couple of things to everyone that you may not understand. The School Board makes policy and budget decisions. The school Board does not make personnel decisions. All hiring is done by the Superintendent of schools. The only time the school board is brought into that process, is when there is a hearing. So, before you start to blame the board for decisions that are made about personnel, you need to know how those decisions work.
6:32 and 8:24 Respondeat Superior or Master-Servant Rule.
8:24. I have heard that some of the spouses of school board members have been asking for favors. I appreciate your efforts to define the school boards's role, however, our elected officials continue to give reasons to be distrusted.
BTW-Gonzales was chairman of the school board. He was not superintendent.
7:38
You need to quit sitting around with all the other hens and gossiping over what goes on in Giles County over a pot of coffee. It is a bunch of windbags like you that keep things stirred up in this town. Find a hobby other than being jealous.
8:02. I'm sure that you think that your smokescreen may deflect what is going on, but it doesn't change anything.
If everyone on every level focused on doing the right thing, then we would have very little reason to question things.
I'm sure that there is more to come!
8:02
Excellent post! It's truly all about sour grapes and jealousy.
Sunday, July 17, 2011 7:38:00 PM
I understand that Mr. Gonzales was the Chairman of the School Board. However, Tee Jackson is the one who hired him as the Principal at Elkton. The School Board has nothing to do with the hiring of anyone.
9:57. I have no sour grapes and I am certainly not jealous. The natural deflection from someone who has no other defense is play the race card or use a term such as jealous. I know for a fact that a spouse of the school board was pressuring a principle for favors because of board status. I personally think that everyone should play by the same set of rules. I also think that it is a supreme breach of ethics and trust for an elected official or other to use power (of any kind) to gain an unfair advantage. Once that happens, all other decisions are suspect.
Then why do you care 6:30? Do you have a child or a family member that is going to be a student at Elkton? Did you or anyone you know want the job? Do you really have a real concern regarding the hiring? If you can't answer yes to any of those questions, what business is it of yours? I guess it makes a good gossip session. Carry on with your life and quit making negative comments about something you know nothing about.
I told myself that I wouldn't answer any comments, however, your presumptions amazed and prompted me to respond.
I am a friend of Dr. Mike Gonzales. I am personally very happy with his hiring, and the favors that were requested and granted did not happen at Elkton.....they happened at Pulaski Elementary!
Now who knows nothing about nothing?
If it involves our tax money and the welfare of all the people why wouldn't it be the business of every one paying taxes?
That's the problem with a number of folks in the county they have been made to believe unless they are directly involved they have nothing to say about the situation.
Responsible citizenship requires that
we be involved.
What were the favors given to Pulaski Elementary?
Yea, I want to know that, What were the favors ask for or given at Pulaski Elementary?
Monday, July 18, 2011 6:30:00 PM
I happen to know every member of the school board personally, and have not seen the favors you are talking about. So who is the individual board member or spouse who is requesting favors? I personally would like to know so that I can confront that person. I have been following the workings of the schoolboard quite closely this year and have seen nothing of the kind. Please be so kind as to reveal this corruption to us. Give us a name.
Check the records of Mike Youngs wife and daughter aboout tenure and special positions.
Since when is the Alternative School a special position? I would not want it. I don't know what you are talking about tenure but I would think that Cindy and daughter both had tenure before Mike Young was a board member. Could be wrong. What does any of this have to do with Pulaski Elementary.
Come on people.....the rumor buzzing around is that the boardmember's wife will take over as head principal whenever Holt retires. That it would happen this summer bit didn't so we'll see in the future. Amazing how some people get promotions in our school system isn't it?
Are you suggesting that there is favoritism going on in out school system? You don't really think that Cindy will become a principle because her husband inflated his review of Jackson and led the way for another extension of his contract, do you?
2:36 YES!
Rumors are just that rumors. The rumor was first that Cindy would be the Elkton principal. Quit listening to rumors! Definition: Unverified information received from another; hearsay.
Here is something else to think about but its not rumor. If Bill Holt retires he will be re-hired as a part time employee of the school system.
The way he's paved the way for Jackson to the biggest budget in county history don't you think he deserves extra consideration.
If you have questions about these things, why don't you ask school board members? I'm sure they will be happy to answer them for you.
Yea the same way Clinton answered the question about Monica. That was real reliable wasn't it.
My school board member nor county commissioners have never been glad to answer any of my questions and I always felt that if I asked the "wrong" question, my job as a long term teacher might get a little tougher. Also, most of you are wrong about Mrs. Young. I wanted to believe the worst about her when she went to the CO as well, but after having actually worked with her, and I do mean work, I can assure you if her husband got her that job as a special "favor", then she needs a new husband. Be careful about assuming, people. I know there are back door deals all the time but make sure you are not jumping to conclusions. Cindy is working hard and doing a good job and if her daughter teaching at the Alternative school is a cushiony position as opposed to regular schools, think about that for a minute: Who chooses the Alternative school? and there have been plenty of teacher openings all over the county since Mike was elected to the board. I'm not crazy about his record of service, but I've personally worked with Mrs. Young. I was wrong at first and teachers are lucky she is working where she is.
Obviously I must remain
anonymous
8:21 never said Cindy or her daughter wasn't good workers only that they have benefited from Mike being head of the board. No question that the daughter got tenure as a direct result from Mike pampering Tee. She was turned down then suddenly without any thing changing she was given tenure.
Did Tee or the board take into consideration that so many people have worked in the Giles County School System to work their way up the ladder to get a principals position. Dr. Gonzales always worked in another county. He was on the board in Giles County, but never taught in this county as I stated before. Now a position comes open for a principal and he suddenly wants to work in this county. We have so many others just as capable, but didn't stay up Tee's fanny like Dr. Gonzales has. Did anyone take into consideration that the county will be paying Dr. Gonzales a Dr.'s salary. I don't know exactly what the difference is but it should be quite a bit. And what about the dumbasses giving Tee another year. He is now with the county until 2013. He would have been gone June 2011 if Story and Greene hadn't renigged on what they had promised the voters they would not vote to give him any years. Now they are giving him more years. But by all means vote for them again.
There is more coming soon. Stay tuned.
10:58
Sorry, you are wrong recheck your facts and report back...
Jennifer was turned down and then given tenure because of a screw up by the person in charge of evaluations.
Yea and Moby Dick was just a fish.
11:23 and what are you?
12:33 Checked facts, maybe you need to check the facts and report back.
After Mike was elected, Cindy went from class room to central office.
Why was the daughter turned down for tenure?
Just went back and read this: "Jennifer was turned down and then given tenure because of a screw up by the person in charge of evaluations."
I take Jennifer is daughter's name.
On that the person in charge of evaluation should be demoted.
I would just like to share my thoughts on this new evaluation system the "state" is going to impose on its teachers. Did the state not realize the implications of accepting Obama's federal funding?
What's this really all about? I sincerely believe its primary goal is to get rid of tenure, and that might have been a bit easier to accept had the powers that be simply been honest about their intentions. You may recall that the state pulled this stunt on nurses years ago and ran off so many of them that hospitals were offering signing bonuses to get them back. I predict a similar outcome for teachers if the good ones can just weather this idiotic storm!
The thing that makes me angriest is that our governor (Haslam) stated prior to his election that he was tired of teachers getting the blame for everything. Guess what happened as soon as he was elected? That's right; he joined the feeding frenzy AGAINST teachers. That was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back as far as my being a member of the Grand Old Party. I will remain a conservative, but the only Republican I plan on voting for in the future is whoever runs against Obama.
I feel sorry for our teachers and even moreso for our children who will be the ultimate victims of this coming nightmare!
You can't blame Obama for this one. The state Republicans of TN got upset that "teachers" were normally voting Democrat. The Republicans had their chance to get rid of TEA and DID. With it went tenure and enter MORE politics into the mix. All this new evaluation process came about from the State of TN General Assembly (ruled by Republicans). I, as an educator, appreciate your support for teachers, but Obama does not make the laws in the Tennessee General Assembly. Go look and who passed these new education laws in TN. If you can't find it, I will post it for you.
The bill, pushed by Republican Governor Bill Haslam, requires teachers to work five years, instead of three, to achieve tenure. It also creates an evaluation procedure that could lead to revoking tenure based on poor job performance.
The two chambers must now agree on some minor changes before the bill goes to the governor's desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.
A director of the Tennessee Education Association, which represents 52,000 of the state's 65,000 teachers, said his group supports some aspects of the bill but is concerned the system of evaluation for tenure has not been established.
"The fact we don't know exactly what we're dealing with in an evaluation system is problematic," said Jerry Winters, director of government relations for the TEA. An evaluation system is supposed to be in place by July 1.
Three to five years for tenure is the average in the United States, according to the National Education Association.
The Senate Republican majority has argued that extending the tenure period is part of a continuing effort to raise the education bar in Tennessee.
10:10
I agree with you about the Republican party, and that is why I no longer call myself a member of the GOP. However, the State of Tennessee did accept the Race to the Top funds from Obama, and therein lies the root of the problem. There are just too many strings attached to those funds.
I don't think teachers have a major concern with the increase from three to five years required to gain tenure. It's with the evaluation system that will be used.
Yes, I am very disappointed with the Republican party and have washed my hands of them. I don't like gay marriage, abortion, higher taxes, and big government, so I will never ever ever vote for a democrat. The only Republican I plan to vote for in the future is whoever runs against Obama. He has got to go before our country is ruined. Thereafter, I will remain a Ronald Wilson Reagan conservative. God bless America.
Those who oppose the move from three years to five are the misled and the lazy who believe it's their right to have a job regardless of how they perform it.
The evaluation system is where the real problem lies but since it does not exist yet how can their be so much opposition against it unless some just oppose any kind of evaluation.
howard
You are the one who is apparently misled. Just ask any teacher about this and become informed. Thank you.
9:29 is a prime example of those who get on here and have no idea of what he/she is talking about. See, that's what makes this blog so controversial. People not knowing what is real and not real. 9:29, before you get on here and say "The evaluation system is where the real problem lies but since it does not exist yet," please have knowledge of the facts. This looks bad on your part.
Sorry 9:57 according to the governors office "the evaluation process and criteria are still undergoing revisions and nothing is settled at this time". The tenure issue and the union is settled for now but the evaluation , as I stated , has not been finalized. Your facts are the ones that are flaky.
Somewhere there is a mix up in the stories. The new evaluations have started, training was done this summer for administration. Teachers had training for the evaluations during inservice.
6:43
Thank you for clarifying those facts for 10:27. Yes, those evaluations begin right now, and it's going to be a long and difficult year for teachers. I predict a serious shortage of teachers within the next year or two. The morale is low, and many teachers have begun either looking for other jobs outside the profession or are going back to school to get training in other fields. Others plan to retire as soon as they can. And when young college students find out what will be facing them after they get their degrees, look for teacher colleges to have a serious shortage of students.
That is great news. Maybe TN is going to finally get great teachers because the lazy ones will be weeded out.
Many if not most of the great ones will leave the profession. Remember...they pulled this stunt on nurses years ago. And I place a lot of the blame on our so-called Republican governor.
Mr. Gonazelez was very bad for SHHS, he accused innocent students of doing drugs, getting their parents all upset. He was not fair and if your child has any trouble at school he will harrass them until they are out of school or he is out!!! He is a weak little man that thrives on power and uses it against the weak. You all will see this once you get a phone call asking you to come to the school and finding out he has searched your childs locker, person and vechile to find NOTHING but claim to have found small trace of shake, SRO officers can even confirm....and if he finds nothing, he will harrass your child until you have to go to the school and threaten to have your attorney sue him and the school for harrassment of a minor. This man has no back bone, no sense of caring about students suceeding in life, just always looking for the bad in each and every one of them!
Post a Comment
<< Home