Should The County Borrow Ten Million Dollars For Proposed School Improvements?
At the County School Committee Meeting yesterday the proposal was presented for the county to have a bond issue of ten million dollars for twelve years. This would result in a payback of over twelve million dollars.
I don't believe there are many who have been in the school buildings that would disagree there is a great need for many repairs to those buildings. The problem is how to pay for such repairs. The county last year spent what was left of the hospital money, money that was bound by Legislative restrictions to be kept on deposit and only the interest used. So the committee was told that such an expenditure would require at least a twenty one cent increase to the tax rate. To Mrs Vanzant's credit she impressively stated to the committee that there was no way to know if twenty one cents would be enough since the tax penny has not had it's value established and the collections for the past year have been down. The reality of the matter is that the increase would be more in the area of a twenty five cent property tax increase. The alternative would be a wheel tax.
It was stated by a commissioner that with this being an election year it would be hard to raise taxes especially this high. Does that mean such a tax increase would come only after the election, in September perhaps?
The county simply can not afford such a debt considering the population is not increasing and a large number of people in the county are living under the poverty level or on fixed incomes. A huge tax loss will be experienced with the closing of Fafnir and some of the newer companies are operating on tax deferred programs.
The school buildings need repairs but part of the money will be for administration buildings on East Hill and the bus garage and with a lowered student population is there really that great a need for the number of schools currently in use?
I don't believe there are many who have been in the school buildings that would disagree there is a great need for many repairs to those buildings. The problem is how to pay for such repairs. The county last year spent what was left of the hospital money, money that was bound by Legislative restrictions to be kept on deposit and only the interest used. So the committee was told that such an expenditure would require at least a twenty one cent increase to the tax rate. To Mrs Vanzant's credit she impressively stated to the committee that there was no way to know if twenty one cents would be enough since the tax penny has not had it's value established and the collections for the past year have been down. The reality of the matter is that the increase would be more in the area of a twenty five cent property tax increase. The alternative would be a wheel tax.
It was stated by a commissioner that with this being an election year it would be hard to raise taxes especially this high. Does that mean such a tax increase would come only after the election, in September perhaps?
The county simply can not afford such a debt considering the population is not increasing and a large number of people in the county are living under the poverty level or on fixed incomes. A huge tax loss will be experienced with the closing of Fafnir and some of the newer companies are operating on tax deferred programs.
The school buildings need repairs but part of the money will be for administration buildings on East Hill and the bus garage and with a lowered student population is there really that great a need for the number of schools currently in use?
posted by Allen Barrett | 10:44 AM
236 Comments:
Yes!
This is a sad thing. The schools need to be kept up. Also the school bus garage nnd administration buildings. The people can't afford any more taxs.
Things have really gotten in a mess everywhere. Sure glad I'm not one having to make this dession. God Bless them.
Yes they do.
It's a shame that buildings were allowed to deteriorate to the point they are. Some long range planning years ago would have taken care of that.
Hindsight is 20-20.
What the hell is Jerry Bryant thinking when he suggested offering Tim Webb a four year extension to his contract. If some of you just knew the problems that have been created and what his plans are, you would lead a riot at the school board meetings. The problem is no one shows up at the meetings and practically anything gets passed without any objection.
He doesn't want to order books for students. He wants to put scan cards in use to know when every teacher arrives at school. He doesn't care about how long they stay at school. Are teachers going to be paid overtime for all the additional work they are doing? He wants to keep teachers out of their classrooms during off hours, yet everyone in the community obtained access to the gym at Richland while he was there. It goes on an on people. Jerry should be ashamed for his recommendation and at the same time stating the board had hired the best person. Wow!
Well too bad they couldn't have blown the hospital money on something useful. Yep- just keep on running in deficit and when things are sooooooo bad, they'll cry an say "well we have no choice but to put a wheel tax, or we'll have to cut services....no we don't want to but it "has to be done"........sound familiar?
Jerry Bryant is the guy who demanded that Dr. webb be paid several thousand more than he asked for when he was hired. Bryant has proven to be a complete idiot who can't take a breath without getting Don Story's approval. Webb hasn't even been on the job a full year and to give a four year extension would be crazy. Right now we don't even know what the future wholes for the system and it's employees.
When classroom teachers were reduced and everybody asked to do without, Jerry turns around and says give Webb more money. What a slap in the faces to those who lost jobs because they had to cut the budget. The school system surely needs some better leadership (Board included). I hope someone with a better sense of what happens in education will run for those offices. We need you to run.
Oh my God, it's Cheatham county all over again. What ever will we do?
Some people just don't realize when it comes to contracts a school system is not the NFL
That's true 10:24 but how many people are forced to take more money than they want for signing that contract? How many players in the NFL get offered a four year contract extension before the first year of the current contract is ended?
Once again lies and bad information. People who were at the meeting know Bryant didn't say anything about Webb's salary or compensation. He only spoke about a new contract that would be a TOTAL of 4 years not an additional 4 years. That's the state law. No director's contract can be longer than 4 years. And
it would be only upon a positive evaluation of Webb. People,know the facts before you post. Some of you make yourselves look stupid.
3:33
You went home early so that you could answer for some of the true comments about Webb. There are some things you just can't cover. There are those on here who keep saying "prove the allegations." The proof will be revealed soon. TOO many incidents are happening and it is coming out SOON.
3:33 are you saying that Bryant was not the one behind the push to give Webb a higher salary higher than what he asked for when he was being hired as supervisor? Why would they give him an extension when he hasn't even finished out a year yet? We finally just got rid of a crook that kept getting tied in with extension after extension.
This blog is boring!
If that's what you think then just read the Pulaski Citizen and stay off of here.
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Your just a shear literary genius 4:38
Commissioners toured some of the schools this past week looking for areas of needed repairs. It may cost upwards of $.30 cents to the property tax to fund all the needed repairs. How many commissioners will have the balls to vote for the needs of the school system as opposed to being concerned about being re-elected? More than five have stated their support for the projects. It is too bad that most of the schools are quite old and need so much. Ask your child if water is pouring into the room or no heat in the room.
Maybe, Elkton and Minor Hill can be consolidated to form one school and save some money. Maybe, one high school in the county could be built. Maybe, one middle school in the county could be built. Maybe, buses could be stopped to save money.
Oh, Jerry Bryant would offer the savings to Webb to stay for four more years.
The Tennessee School Boards Association has set Jan. 19 – Jan 25, 2014 as school Board Appreciation Week in Tennessee as a time to build awareness and understanding of the vital function an elected board of education plays in our society.
Haha
Has anyone besides me noticed the foul language that is being condoned on this blog? The 4:38 post has been up since January 16th. Take a look at the January 13th post at 5:11 under the Home Depot thread. These are just two examples.
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wow!
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Even the dumbest most ignorant person is capable of posting a statement without filthy language but unfortunately there are a few who are determined to prove their bad manners and vile attitude is far superior to their ignorance and stupidity.
The men who work in the bus garage also deserve to work in a place where water is not running across the floor. How much would we pay for workermens' comp or a lawsuit if a worker there gets hurt because water run across the floor when it rains hard.
Jerry is out getting signatures from his district. He plans to run again. Can that district find someone to run against him? Look at finding some good candidates for the school board. We will all benefit from it in the long run. Keeping what we have has gotten us up S... creek and no paddles to be found.
Bill Holt is also out getting signatures to run in the 7th district.
So far that is all I have heard that is running.
Bill Holt is a better candidate for School Board member than Jerry Bryant.
Who will be running for Commissioner in 7th District? I understand Mr. Harwell, Mrs. Coleman, and Mr. Campbell plan on running for re-election. Anybody else waiting in the wings?
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I fully agree that the situation at the bus garage is terrible. Several years ago I even did a video and posted it on this blog and your tube showing the conditions there. Money was given to rebuild the garage and a couple thousand was actually spent on it but the rest was moved to the new administration building on the hill.
Giving money without strong oversight and people being held accountable has been the biggest contributor to the problems in this county for years.
5:48 Let's hope there is someone waiting in the wings to run as a commissioner in district 7. The three you mention each have a pitiful performance.
There has to be a candidate in the district represented by Turner on the school board. At least someone who will show up to the meetings and know what is on the agenda. Representation has been close to nothing in that district. Urge someone to get on the ballot. I think there will be changes on the commission and the school board in the next election. It is so needed.
8:59 I think the current 7th District commissioners are doing a good job. My vote will be for them to continue on.
Jan 10, 6:59:00 PM. What’s the deal w/ teachers having to clock in at work? Everyone else has to prove they are at work on time.
On the original topic, I was told that there is a school board member who “may” be having “relations” with a commissioner on the budget committee. If this is true I can’t believe it hasn’t been pointed out local or state media.
John Larson
I think hearsay is frowned upon here on this blog.
Oh no, I am sure Mr. Larson has his facts straight.
If so 11:31 as long as that commissioner abstains from any vote regarding anything to do with school funds there should not be a problem.
Mrs. Coleman from the 7th district has been terrible. When she bothers to show up it's usually late and she spends more time playing with her two phones than paying attention to the meeting. I'm a commissioner and I've watched her several times texting the shoe meeting.
She has my vote.
Get ready for it, Tommy Campbell and Terry Harwell. You'll be next.
Mr. Larson, the commissioner having relations with a school board member is true. They happen to be husband and wife.Things like that do happen when you are married. You are way out in left field. Do you think you can make it to first base?
10:44
Thank you for that post. It's truly sad when people get on here and try to harm others.
I don't understand why in the world John you think teachers would have to clock in. Would you want them to have a time clock at home to clock in when they start grading papers.
7:12 Do you think teachers are the only ones that take their job home with them and do not get paid for the hours? Grow up. There is nothing wrong with guaranteeing the tax payers are getting what they pay for. What type of teacher gripes because their boss wants a way to keep track of their hours? Better yet what kind of example do you think that teacher is setting for the students?
Maybe some one can answer this for me. Is it true that employees for the county only work 35 hours but are paid for 40? Is this true and if so does the city of Pulaski operate this way as well?
Tuesday, January 21, 2014 10:44:00
Thank you for the clarification. Enlightenment is one of the reasons I get on this site. As for outfield and first base, at my age I’m just happy to be at the game.
John Larson
10:57 you are correct about the courthouse workers other county departments have different hours. This has been a topic on here and fully discussed with no one actually defending the practice but no one willing to speak out publicly about it other than myself and a few others who were quickly labeled a troublemakers.
Every commissioner is aware of the situation but they remain silently accepting rather than making waves.
The really bad thing is that some of those working only 35 hours and being paid for 40 are actually working much less. Take for instance Terry Harwell who works in the Financial Management Office and is also a county commissioner. Terry takes smoke breaks at least twice a day some of these are spent walking around the square like a coal fired locomotive. The best part is, ole Terry while he's working and being paid upstairs is also attending commission committee meetings downstairs and getting paid for both.
I know it's a good job if you can get it but at least he's not assaulting citizens then daring them to do something about it since he's a commissioner (see the video of his assault on YouTube).
I might be getting off the subject but some post have drifted into teachers time. One person is concerned that the county is getting what it pays for. In that regard don't even begin to start with the teachers. Start at the court house and work out thru the county. Teachers are entrusted with developing the counties most important resource, the mind of a child. They already have enough on their plate to worry about a time clock. Other jobs may require a person to take work home. Most of those jobs pay a lot more then a teacher receives. Some even pay overtime. We need a school board that will plan ahead for building maintenance, and what it takes to provide the children of the county the best education possible. Perhaps term limitations needs to be looked at. Or some type of accountability. Teacher are required to meet standards why not the board.
Dick,
I don't think asking a teacher to punch a clock when they arrive at school so a supervisor may know who is there and prepared and ready for class is too much on a plate. You state" Teacher are required to meet standards why not the board." How is a supervisor to know if the teacher is meeting all standards unless systems are implemented to ensure the standards are met. Like getting to work on time.
Asking a teacher to punch a clock is a rotten idea. First off, would there be a clock in each room? Second, if they come early and stay late, would they get paid overtime? Third, would they also have a clock that they could punch away from school? There are many, many, many reasons tied for fourth.
I believe the school board is backing itself in a corner with any idea to have teachers clock in and out. This is another one of those sounds real good on paper but has many unforeseen consequences. Consider how much time will be lost if the time clock is in the main office and the teacher has to clock in there then walk to their classroom. The clock would have to be in the main office unless you buy one for each classroom.
If I were a teacher I would fully embrace a time clock to track my arrival and departure. At the end of three or four months I would take my clocked in and clocked out time schedule to an attorney along with as many other teachers as were willing and file a class action suit much like the one filed against WalMart a few years ago. The contract calls for a certain number of days and a certain number of hours during those days any time over that would be a violation of the contract. So a very strict adherence to a time schedule is a two edged sword.. Do teacher need to be held accountable and be responsible yes of course, but do all teachers need to be treated like children because a few might be less than responsible. I have said over and over that the biggest problem with classroom teachers is having too many administrators staring over their shoulder, often to the detriment of the students.
I was told teachers no longer have a contract.
Barrett, you are so full of shit! A teacher going to a specified place to clock in would take no more time than it takes for someone to realize what an idiot you are. If you really believe your last post, you are even dumber than I thought. That is an honest and heartfelt observation of you.
7:22 you are an idiot if you think it doesn't take time to go from the central office to a number of the classrooms. My first class isn't even in the main building of the school I attend. I can't even get to my second class before the bell rings so don't try to tell people it don't take time to get places in the schools.
Ok, so Terry Harwell's turn to be on the firing line. Will Tommy Campbell be next.? Interestingly, Mrs. Coleman has already been up to bat, and all three are 7th District Commissioners. I knew the mudslinging would start on them sooner or later.
8:25 You should be glad it's on them instead of you. Oh but you like the attention.
Why is this survey http://www.rackleytechnologies.com/primary.nsf on our county website. What is the purpose of the survey, how can this survey be used to benefit Giles government or is this David Rackley's private project?
I do not see a valid use or need for this survey so I am curious as to a reasonable need for it.
Employees for the county are hired to work 35 hours and they are paid to work 35 hours. I do not believe that teachers are having to clock in and out. There are new security systems being put in place that require employees to swipe a card to get in the door. I do not believe they are required to swipe when they leave but I may be wrong.
4:42 the state already has standard in place for teacher evaluation and they don't include a time clock. If the school superintendent is the head of the organization is he/she going to have a time clock. No leader should ask anyone else to do something they wouldn't do themselves. The school board and superintendent need to work to provide teachers with what they need to teach and a plan for a better education for children. Worrying about if a teacher or two is late isn't working toward that goal.
Are teachers expected to be at school and in there classroom prepared for students and the days lesson?
Isn't the principal and director's job to insure this happens.
What system do the ones who feel teachers are just too overworked and precious to punch a time clock suggest for the school system to ensure there are not teachers arriving late?
If teachers do not want to be accountable to their supervisors then go get a job that does not require you to be accountable to a supervisor. But while your taking home my tax dollars most citizens want accountability from those it is paying to do a job. After all the teachers made the choice to enter the profession. No one held a gun to their head. And no one is holding one now.
Their instead of there before the spelling and grammar nazis attack.
6:48
Is this a written policy, the court house workers are only 35 hours? Or is this stated in some employee's contracts?
I find it hard to believe a teacher would be late for school. If you know of one that was late, be sure there wasn't a good reason for it and she was excused by principal. If a teacher is late often, then the principal should be fired for excusing it several times. If a principal didn't know a teacher was late several times, he's not doing his/her job, so good bye to principal.
Teachers earn every penny they are paid. I'm not a teacher just a concerned parent.
You are so right 10:46. A school principal should know what time his teachers are arriving without the county spending money for time clocks. Like it has already been said the board doesn't want to get into a position where teachers are keeping track of their hours. How about all board members getting to meetings on time. If the superintendent is doing his full job he would be getting information from principals on any teacher that needs to be talked to about attendance time.
10:26
I say good bye to a teacher who does not want to be accountable to their employer. If you don't want to clock in then you should not mind if the principal hires a couple extra people to stand at entrances and document the times the teachers show up. But a teacher who does not want to be accountable and who can not put the effort forward to push a time clock does not deserve to be in our school system. I say bye bye to that teacher.
I came up in the Giles County education system and I know there are bad teachers in every school who do not earn their keep. I also know every one who has an excuse for being late believes it is acceptable and a good reason. As an employer I know that is not the case. And although there are those who want to elevate teachers to some morally superior beings, they are just people, prone to mistakes, bad judgment, and some are just lazy and feel entitled.
And these complaints over a time clock and accountability reeks of entitlement and laziness.
Who said anything about teachers being required to punch a time clock? Nobody who knows the facts. Only those who wish to twist the truth to suit their personal, petty agendas and make trouble have written this lie, along with those who parrot because they are too lazy to get the truth. Card key access controls have been placed on the main doors of our schools as a level 1 security measure. The doors remain locked and surveillance cameras at the doors allow office personnel to see who is trying to access a building and do a basic threat assessment. Also, if supplies or equipment go missing overnight or during a weekend, there is a record of who entered the building, and when, to assist in the investigation. Because of the incident at Richland, we should all be sensitive to security issues and thankful to Dr. Webb and the board for beginning the process of securing our buildings and providing increased safety for the students and staff.
And the records of when the teachers enter and leave their building is recorded and can be used to monitor teachers tardiness. And if you find a consistent pattern of tardiness appropriate measures may be taken I assume?
Why would anyone complain about that system?
3:30 The security of the school building sounds like a good idea.
I don't know where all this talk of teachers punching a time card came from. Sounded like someone wanted that to happen. Sounds like they want more tax dollars spent.
If a teacher isn't in the class room when school starts don't you know the students have fun and make a lot of noise. Sure would of happen in my day. Then someone would be checking to see what was going on and tell the principal. Then teacher is in deep trouble.
3:30
thankful to Dr. Webb and the board for beginning the process of securing our buildings and providing increased safety for the students and staff.
The principals, teachers, staff and gracious donors at Bridgeforth had security tight before Dr. Webb decided to secure our buildings. You give far too much credit to Webb and the board for something that was in place before they wanted to help. As a parent who volunteers at Bridgeforth, go and take a look at the security there. I am proud my child attends there with people who care about his security.
School board races shaping up to be real fodder for discussions. It seems like we are going to have some interesting races and hopefully changes in faces after the elections. Thanks to those who decided to throw your hat into the ring for changes to a board that so desperately needs it.
Who are the candidates?
Bill Holt is a joke
Who will be running for 7th District Commissioner besides Allen Barrett? I assume he will be trying again but haven't heard. Does anybody know?
Not running.
9:39
I'm betting that he will.
Jan 23, 2014 9:02:00 PM,
Since you know so much about the project at BMS. How did the project get built without fire marshal's and other code approval?
I believe that has been an issue at other schools and I would like to know how to side step that legal requirement of the process.
ACP
I am not 9:02 but it did get done with or without approval. If you don't believe it go to the school. It is the truth.
If the system installed does not conflict with any part of fire and safety codes then the Fire Marshall has no right to remove it. If it locks from the inside and obstructs people from freely exiting the building in cases of emergency such as fire then the Fire Marshall can use his authority to ensure the safety.
So that all the readers of the blog are aware. There is a meeting today at 4:30 at the central office between the commission and school board to discuss this very issue.
J.Smith
So why is a security system that can be seen at the central office taken as teachers clocking in and out? I distinctly remember a meeting in the basement of the courthouse wanting our schools more secure and now it is in place, people make it sound as if teachers are clocking in and out? Honestly, any educator not wanting to comply should be fired!
It is hard to read comments when people don't know or have any idea what they are talking about. Yes, the security in the buildings are crucial, but go to the schools and see what has been done. Don't get on here and spout off when all it takes is to go to each school and see the security for yourself. Too much confusion has been created over security. It should be for security purposes and not for seeing who and when teachers enter a building. Who has access to the video stream that the cameras are recording, public, principals, teachers, director, police or some lunatic? Just saying.
Videos of doors are in the school office. The central office does not get those videos. Where do you people get your wild ideas. Of course the security does not prevent people from existing the schools it only prevents unauthorized people from entering, like possible shooters.
I know this is not the correct thread for what I want to say, but most of them past the first two appear dead.
Why couldn't the Director of Schools have had schools start a couple of hours late due to the extreme cold and the hardship it causes everyone involved? I'm sure teachers, parents, and bus drivers would have greatly appreciated that.
I didnt get to go to work two hours late and my kids didnt seem to mind. That is pointless to me.
Isn't it a bit different when you consider young children standing out in 5 degree weather waiting on a bus at 6 in the morning? That's the point.
Make the brats go on time!
Okay - so leave them inside until bus runs. I'm sure that 5 yr old is not home alone catching the bub
If the WAB isn't running why did he pick up qualifying papers. The list was given out at the election commission meeting today
4:55
My guess is that he is going to run as a lone candidate in the so-called Republican Primary that will cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. If that be the case, he will be able to say he was a winner. The problem comes when he has to run against the other three District 7 commissioners. He could have gotten on the regular ballot without the costly Republican Primary, so isn't that a moot point?
He would still have to run against the other three 7th District Commissioner and come in at least third. I don't see that happening. My guess is that he is even less popular now than he was before ands will come in a distant 4th once again if this be his plan.
That Republican Primary thing is going to turn out to be a laugh and an embarrassment for the county. The real laugh goes to those few who were pushing for it. Wait and see!
Have you never heard of papers being picked up by a person on behalf of someone else? Its happened before. And although they dont like that in the Elections Office, its not agin the law.
6:35. Get your head out of Barrett's ass!
You gotta love that vocabulary. Pitiful.
6:21 You and obama will do anything to attack the republicans. Don't know if Barrett will run or not but do know he was against the primary thing. If I lived in the 7th district I would vote for him if he does run. It's stupid to elect someone who lied about her job not interfering then demand meetings not be held on Tuesdays because she can't get off work. Then there is Harwell who double dips every time he goes to a meeting and he can't even vote on most things. Maybe you just need somebody to attack private citizens then yell that he's a commissioner and there's nothing you can do about it.
Here's something to think about, all three 7th district commissioners and Bill Holt want a wheel tax and property tax increase.
Do you ever think, Where's there's smoke, there's fire?" It seems that a lot of smoke is beginning to rise.
9:45
If Bill Holt joins the 7th District race, my guess is that Mr. Barrett will come in a distant 5th.
Bill Holt is running for the 7th district school board, not as a commissioner.
Will the school bus wait until every child comes out of the house to get on the school bus?
I thought they had to be out there waiting on the bus. The bus can't be the exct time every time and that's not the bus drivers fault.
Bill will be running for vendictic reasons instead of making our schools a better place for our children. Remember his outburst at the Exchange Park in front of all thoses little ones.
Maybe it's time someone got some vindication for the terrible way people were fired and let go when Webb was chosen by the board. The Board should apologize to the people of Giles County. Those of you who don't know all the details will be amazed when the truth is revealed. It's coming soon.
Maybe if Holt gets on the school board he will put a stop to kids using cell phones in class. Seems the good doctor put a stop to teachers taking cellphones and now students just laugh at the idea of not using them when ever they want to.
4:44--I didn't realize that others knew that. He told his administrators to give the phones back to the students and change how they took the phones from the students. Board policy states that a child loses the phone for a week the first time, a month the second time and the school year the third time.
Have you ever tried to have a scheduled meeting with the Dr? If he tells you to meet at 8:00, make it 1:30 or he just skips the meeting all together. A contractor said just the other day that he has know Webb for years and that is how he handles his schedule. He DOES NOT keep appointments. His right hand woman will get on here and say that the last statement is incorrect. Ask ANYONE in the school system who has made an appointment with him and see if he kept the meeting time.
The maintenance men were to meet with him at 7:30. He could not make it for whatever reason. He never showed up.
School system employees need advocates also. They are being treated like S... Ask any of them except for three or four. This issue with the Dr. does not go away. It is getting worse by the day.
January 30 8:29 Who was fired? People retired rather than take another job but no one was fired. Webb got rid of the retired teachers who were drawing retirement and doing jobs that teachers who needed jobs could do.
No new teachers were hired to do those jobs that were removed. The jobs were moved to others already in place. Look at the responisbilities now assigned. Gonzales is heading up transportation, testing, teacher and custodial materials,statistical analysis, maintenance and more. I have to say poor Gonzales because he is drowning in all the work that was put on his plate. Rose Brown is in charge of SpEd, CTE, Title and other duties. She is drowning. Cindy Young has drowned in all that is on her plate. She can't get to all that needs to be done completed on a timely basis. Webb..AWOL.
Well 2:08 maybe they'll finally have enough to do to stop all the visiting and gossiping and bugging the hell out of real teachers.
Parents Invited to Meeting with Columbia Academy (2/1/2014) - Giles County families who may be interested in their children attending private, Christian school are invited to attend an upcoming admissions information session in Pulaski with Columbia Academy. The meeting will be held at First National Bank, 206 S. First St., Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. in the FNB Room.
What kind of message does this send to the parents and students of this county? Is FNB now jumping ship on the school system? This does not sound like good publicity to host an out-of-county school to recruit students from our school system.
It is possible the people of Giles County will be enlightened by the truth and amazed at the abuse of the system by those "poor" people.
The turmoil last year centered around the fact that the school system had exceeded the budget , with no accountability in any department. There was also concern with overstaffing at "the hill". As of now, the budget is balanced and the central office staff is within acceptable numbers. So..where is the problem?
11:46 your commit has been denied over and over by the school people, the commissioners and the financial people. Wab made that same claim and was viciously attacked on here. I'm glad to see someone else is seeing the truth and they are no longer denying it so strongly.
Maybe we need to decrease the size of the board. With only 4400 students, do we need SEVEN board memebers? With a student population of:
17,000, Wilson Co. has 5
34,000, Williamson Co. 12
28,000, Sumner Co. 11
41,000, Rutherford Co. 7
83,000, Davidson Co. 9
11,000, Robertson Co. 6
Since the staff has been cut at "the hill," let's cut some unneeded board members.
5:37
CEO of First National never used the county school system. His kids were home schooled.
11:36
What is meant by "poor" people? Giles County gets used by people every day. There is a "move to Pulaski" sign or statement out in the world that has people moving here that are always the poor of our society. Does that mean this community does not reach out to the needy? Sorry county if that is the statement.
4:53 What is wrong with home schooling your child?
What is wrong with sending your child to a pprivate school?
Are you jealous because you can't?
No not jealous. Can't afford it.
School board members up for reelection are in districts 1-3-5-7. Let's get some new faces running for such important positions in our county.
11:46, the problem lies with folks who have nothing else to do but criticize the ones who do a job the complainers couldn't begin to tackle. Some people just have to have something to bitch about.
10:03,
That is what this blog is all about right!!! Bitching about something or someone...
10:03 and 10:14
You are so right about that.
10:14 You are right. Blogs are for those to bitch about who they think are doing a bad job and for those that are bitched at to bitch back Makes it go around.
Bill Holt sure as heck aint a new face...he will be a disaster!!!!!! He will talk out both sides of his perverted mouth.
Holt will not be bullied or let Story tell him what to do if he gets in. Meetings should be interesting.
6:59--I totally agree.
Totally agree!
Holt is a ticking time bomb. It would be disastrous if he becomes a school board member. He needed to be removed as principal and he only wants revenge. That will be his ONLY purpose. For once the purpose will not involve women!! Unbelievable, huh?
Aww, Holt will be ok as long as the "coach" doesn't do something he disagrees with.
Sometimes a bomb needs to go off to clear and clean out something like the BS that is happening at the Board.
You are right 6:53
I thought someone said Janet Vanzant wasn't going to run again. No one got the guts to run against her.
I was channel surfing and came across PES channel 3. The end result was the Don Story hour. Know one else can talk except suck up Jerry Bryant wanting to give Director a four year contract. They need to wait til after the election and let hopefully all new members in 1,3,5,7. People are always talking about cleaning house and starting over with a clean house and honest people. Let's start at home and get rid of everyone that has been in the political rim and see if things aren't better. Bill Holt can be a horses ass but Jerry Bryant is an idiot. He gets off on watching women cry for electricity. Allen Barret may be just what we need.
8:36
You can't be serious! Allen Barrett is precisely what we don't need. The voters of Giles County pretty much know this. I'm surprised that you don't. half
CG what do you mean with "Half"
Sorry, I just didn't understand it.
CG what do you mean with "Half"
Sorry, I just didn't understand it.
That was probably one of the words you type to prove you're not a robot. cg's hatred to all things Barrett just blinded him as to where it was supposed to go. Either that or he was referring to his own half-assed comment.
Sorry to tell you 4:52 but being well educated, and knowledgeable about the laws, Allen Barrett is exactly what the school board needs.
1:14 Please don't hold your breath til he gets elected.
6:07 Why are you so upset about Barrett? I haven't heard he is running for anything. You need to get over it.
Decatur EMS Crews Walk Off The Job Over Late Paychecks
http://whnt.com/2014/02/07/breaking-decatur-ems-crews-walk-off-the-job/
9:21
Other than you, I didn't see anybody getting upset here about Barrett. Why do you have a problem with the fact that someone has a different view from yours?
Ok, since the original topic has seemingly gone by the wayside, let's get a new thread.
The school system is so dysfunctional right now, it would take a miracle to get it back in order.
--Gonzo Gone Wild--
Have you heard how Dr. Gonzales has not dealt the bus garage workers and maintenance men a terrible blow. He wants them to document when they eat lunch so that he knows when they are eating lunch. The bus mechanics are having to work more hours and not be paid for it. The Dr. put him in the wrong position. He now thinks he is in charge of the system. He wrecked board meetings a few years ago with that "Little Man" syndrome. He tried to lead Elkton off the cliff. Now, he has become another train wreck at the Board. The leadership there has become so awful that the right hand can't find the left hand. Each hand is lost or MIA.
has now
I have another off-topic question. Does anybody know how many candidates will actually be on the $20,000 plus Republican Primary ballot? My guess is that there will be at least one candidate. This would be all too funny if it were not such a pathetic misuse of taxpayer funds.
7:18 Who can the mechanics tell how they are working over time and not getting paid, if true?
8:10 give Allen Barrett a call he seems to be the only one around here with the guts to buck the system and speak up for the little guy. When I worked at the bus garage a few years ago he came down there with a camera and next thing I knew they were fixing the door, building a new room and closing the dangerous upstairs. Call him he gets things done.
7:51 Sounds like Barrett did something good. Bet that burnt Cg.
7:51
Just don't vote for him, ok?
There isn't anyone running that is more qualified than Mr. Barrett and the only thing I've heard from those that don't like him is that he don't act the way they want him to. Well, we need somebody that will get in there and get this county into the 21st century, hell I'd be satisfied if they could move it into the 20th century. One thing is certain with Mr. Barrett as a commissioner there wouldn't be anymore wasted spending on Dan Speer.
In answer to the question about the primary, there are currently two candidates on the Republican Primary ballot. One is running for commissioner and the other for district attorney.
2:56
TWO candidates on a ballot that cost taxpayers thousands of dollars? You have got to be kidding. Let me guess who the commissioner candidate is.
The paper listed more than two people running for some office.
I believe Joan Townsend's job is the one had most people running for.
Does that mean the others are Democrats or don't want people to know what they are.
If two or three runs for commissioner as republican, will the winner be the only one to run in August?
Are Democrats not suppose to be listed in this next election?
Just wondering.
Well the problem is the democrats are to ashamed of their party to be identified with it. Terry Harwell is a active member of the democrat party and his wife is a big wheel remember how she swooned over meeting Hillary Clinton? Terry has denied he's a democrat big being a member of that party makes him a big ole liar don't it?
The Democrates (and some Republicans) will run as Independents as they dont want anyone to know their true affiliation.
I was wondering what declaring one's party affiliation has to do with county offices? Does anybody know?
Back to the school system... How many people were allowed to send in bids for the work done at all the schools on the door security? Are we using the guise of the state bids to bypass legitimate bids for jobs in the school system? There are a lot of questions that should be asked by the citizens as to where all the money being spent at the board is going now? Teachers and others were laid off so that more money could be spent of some under the table and back room politics projects. Since no one shows up for the board meetings, I guess they can pass whatever they want. No one seems to care.
6:45 You are absolutely right. Nobody seems to care. Isn't that why we have that jackass in Washington who is destroying our country. Nobody seems to give a damn!
6:14 Maybe they want to see if they are supporting obama before they vote for them. lol
It's important to identify if you are a democrat or not because if you supported obama you are to damn stupid to hold office even in Giles county. Democrats think only tax,tax,tax and spend spend spend. This county can not afford democrats running the show any more.
8:21 And you are too stupid to know you should have spelt 'to' on your second line as 'too'!
There we go again with a grammar lesson. This is not an article looking to win a Pulitzer. It just a person giving an opinion. Some of you need to calm down.
8:21
I agree with you about the Democrats, but what does this expensive Republican Primary have to do with them?
Republicans are always dogging Obama and although I have issues with him too, I haven't heard any repugs offering alternative plans. They always SAY they have ideas but evidently don't believe in them enough to share with the taxpayers. What do y'all make of that?
So 8:21, the 7th district commies who are always wanting to implement new taxes or raise the ones we already have are democrats? Do you think they'd be surprised to learn that? Dumbass.
7:13 Spoken like a true supporter of the wannabe 7th District Commissioner who will never be. Political party affiliation is not a factor in county government. And you call me a dumbass?
If you truly believe that statement, 7:13, then yes, I call you a dumbass. A naive, inbred, nonsensical dumbass. Perhaps party affiliation shouldn't be a factor in county government, but a leopard doesn't change it's spots just because the election is on a county level, dumbass.
11:08
Do you resort to name-calling anytime someone disagrees with your thinking? That's pretty shallow my friend. Where's your spirit of dialogue and debate? Isn't that what this forum is about?
Did I touch a nerve when I mentioned the probability of there being a lone 7th District Commissioner candidate on that ridiculous Republican Primary ballot who is both a wannabe and a neverbe? I think so. But take consolation in the fact that he will be able to puff out his chest and say that he finally won an election. However, he will still have to run against the other three, and from what I understand, could have done that without this expensive and foolish Republican Primary. So it's a moot point.
You're right about the leopard. Just take a look at this local group of Republicans. Have they not done some pretty sneaky things over the past few years? You know they have. The community also knows this. It's just sad that those people have blackened the eye of the Republican Party here. I would never attend one of their meetings, even if I knew when and where they were going to have it. Nobody I know of is foolish enough to go to a stranger's house just because there was a party going on there.
6t:>12, CG,I don't know much about the Republican Party election, but wondering why if they have to run under Republican why not have to run under Democrat? When I heard of this I thought it was going to be like the primary where you vote for president.
From what I'm reading on the blog this morning is if three people should run for office on Republican party, the winner of this election would have to run against three Democrats in the next election.
Sounds crazy to me. Those three that people are guessing are Democrats could be two was a Republican and didn't want people to know they were Republicans.
I think if that was the way presidents were elected the one running as a Republican would win as the Democrats would have so many to vote for their votes would be split. I think they vote more for party rather than the man/woman. Too many people think Daddy and his Daddy were Democrat or Republican so I'm going to be. Just can't understand things have changed since Granddaddy's day.
Riddle me this,6:12. If party affiliations are not a factor in county elections then why all the expense of having a republican primary? That's a legitimate question that I think deserves an answer. As for the dumbass remark, I am but a simple country boy who is not familiar with the high-tech ways of you more advanced folk and your elections. Forgive me if I revert back to the ways of the wolves that raised me in the early part of my life. They were quite fond of barking the phrase "dumbass".
No candidate for county election has ever had to declare a party before. Why now?
I don't know, but that damned Obama probably had something to do with it. There's a pothole in front of my house and I'm pretty sure that is his fault too.
No, Obama blamed that on George Bush. Where have you been?
Firstly, if you read the newspaper you will know Allen Barrett is/was strongly opposed to a Republican primary being held and made a statement against it. Allen Barrett was not involved in the application for the primary to be held.Period.
Members of the local Republican party requested the primary and, by law, if requested it must be held. Election Office knew this was coming up and requested funding for the primary in the budget which was passed by the commissioners last summer.
Thanks for clearing that up, RSA. Perhaps now some of the Barrett haters will take a break, on that issue at least. Still think the primary was Allen's doing, 6:12?
6:05 The Republican Party requested this? When? Where? I understand that the request for a primary was made by TWO people supposedly representing the local GOP that meets somewhere unbeknownst to me and to many others who might want to attend.
I heard that Barrett was against the primary, because even he knew it was foolish to spend so much taxpayer money for something so totally unnecessary. But didn't he change his mind about it later on? That's the talk. To the best of my knowledge, nobody ever said that the primary was Barrett's doing.
Please if anyone is having a meeting be sure to invite CG no matter what kind of meeting it is. He needs to be on top of everything.
If the CG is a Republican, then he should be invited to their meetings. He should know where the meetings will be held along with the date and time. Personally, I wouldn't want anything to do with them.
To the best of your knowledge 8:02, as long as you listen to "the talk," you'll always be in the know. If you put as much time into getting the facts as you did participating in gossip, you might be an asset to the community. Alas, it's much easier to cast dispersions on Allen if you just go with the gossip. Where in your bible did you learn that?
9:13
Well is it true or not? I believe it is. In fact, If memory serves me, didn't Mr. Barrett say that right here on the blog?
Here's my prediction about this ridiculous Republican Primary. When the final ballot comes out, it is going to be woefully short of candidates. That's when the taxpayers of Giles County will realize how their money was wasted.
Just because the primary was funded ahead of time, doesn't mean that taxpayer money should be wasted on something so foolish as a needless primary. My understanding of the election process is that anyone who wishes to run for a county office could (and still can) run without having to declare a party. They don't have to, and isn't that why, as someone previously stated, practically all of the candidates are registering as Independents?
What a bunch of whiners that wouldn't know a fact if it bit them on the butt. FACT: Barrett opposed the primary don't believe me ask Terry Harwell one of his biggest critics who was in the meeting, read the newspaper where it was reported and read this blog where he discussed it. FACT: Does the democrat party meet in secret because somebody didn't know about it? Meetings of both the democrat and republican parties are announced in the newspaper. FACT: People who really want to know something will find out without waiting for a special invitation. A person who never goes to the store for milk seldom has any idea what milk cost. FACT: Barrett may or may not run for anything I don't know until he turns in papers for something. He may or may not get elected to anything but he is without doubt the most consist attendee at Commission meetings and committee meeting, in fact he is there more often than most commissioners. By his attendance he is aware of what is happening, you can check with Mrs Vanzant or any commissioner. Some may not like his ways but I've never heard Mrs Vanzant or a commissioner say he didn't know what he was talking about and prove it. Just as I haven't seen anyone on this blog prove him wrong. I have watched him sit quietly with his hand up and be ignored while others were allowed to speak, I have disagreed with his methods but admire his passion and willingness to do his homework on issues. When he speaks he knows what he's talking about. I am a commissioner and honestly tell you that there is no commissioner more qualified than Barrett to be a commissioner.
8:01
You are entitled to your opinion of Allen Barrett. So am I, so let's just agree to disagree. However, and on the other hand, if he should one day get elected, he might discover that he is only one voice among 21 commissioners. But, being a commissioner, you should already know that.
6:43
I don't think the tax payers are worried about wasted tax dollars. Look at the used to be hospital fund, hunter smith building, Terry Harwell's job, non itemized double billing of legal fees to the tax payers for a private citizens defense after the election commission decided to include her on the ballot for a position she had not qualified to run.
Those legal fees were incurred because a very resentful individual who tried unsuccessfully to circumvent the will of the voters.
11:48 I thought you would of been in church at 11:48.
What about the citizens whose will was circumvented when proper procedure was not followed. As a tax payer it is not my responsibility to pay the legal expenses of private citizens who have not been sworn into office and can not follow proper procedure.
Why was Coleman included on the ballot for county commissioner when she had not properly submitted her paperwork for county commissioner but had properly completed and submitted her paperwork to be included on the ballot for the school board? No paperwork was submitted to withdraw her from being included on the ballot for school board. So why was she on the ballot for commissioner and not school board? So why are tax dollars defending these fraudulent acts?
Basically now the precedent is set, if you can work it with those in the election office and trick the voters into voting for you it is alright to engage in fraud and bypass proper procedures.
In regards to the election office. I wonder how long it will take for an anonymous call to trigger an investigation into a candidate who the good ole boys don't approve. Remember it took one anonymous call to the election commission to trigger an investigation into Pete Abdo's residency. Maybe these "mistakes" would not have been made if the election commission had been as diligent in verifying Coleman's paperwork as they were in trying to disqualify a candidate who actually followed proper procedure and had no reason to be investigated.
We need to clean out he election commission. Starting with David Rackley.
1:50
Mr. Barrett...you lost the election, because the people did not want you. Why can't you just accept that and go on? You can run again this time, but don't be resentful if you lose again. Thank you.
Excellent post, 1:50. cg, you are a complete idiot if you think just because someone makes a valid, coherent post that they are Allen Barrett. Seems by now you would realize what a fool that makes you and would try to refrain from being such an ass. I truly feel sorry for your family trying to hold their heads up while being associated with you.
11:15 Aren't you a bit embarrassed by calling people names on a free speech blog when they disagree with your way of seeing things?
Is cg and David Rackley the same person? Just wondering from the above posts.
Since Barrett did not write the 1:50 post, I did, 2:54 is the only one that should be embarrassed by its lies. But that seems to be the way of the enabler. Full of uneducated guesses and lies.
I will say this, the enabler did not disagree with my 1:50 post, but decided to attack Barrett because of my post. There is not much substance to a person like that and its comments add validity to 11:15's post.
You were on the money 11:15.
Thanks, 9:30. It's a shame cg doesn't possess the basic mental acumen to notice these things in himself. cg, aren't you a bit of a paranoid schizophrenic? Most of your post, including the one above, don't make any sense. I called you an idiot, not because we disagreed on an issue, but because you are an idiot. You have this thing about any well-written post obviously belonging to Allen. That indicates a serious mental problem which you should probably address before it gets any worse. You're welcome.
10:56
My initials are not cg or whatever, and that post was not so well-written. However, I thought it was written that way so as to cast doubt and question as to its author.
Who,12:41,are you trying to make folks think you are by posting your own less-than-well-written comment? Your use of "However" was completely superfluous, and your comma after "whatever" (now there's an inspirational use of vocabulary) was unnecessary because you used "that" instead of "the". By alluding to a specific comment, which you did not include in your post, the sentence does not stand alone. You may thank me at your leisure.
8:57. I have no idea who posted the post you are talking about, but the uneducated have as much right to post as the genius one do. You should be ashamed for looking down on people.
11:54, I was not looking down on anyone, merely pointing out the fact that 1:50's post was every bit as well written as their critic at 12:41. I notice you didn't have anything to say about his looking down on the 11:54's comment. Should they also not be ashamed as well?
7:36 Who looked down on 11:54's post, YOU? Did you make a little mistake in your post? lol
It's easy to make mistakes in typing.
Amen to that, brother. We have far too many pots calling kettles black on here.
Not meaning to be chauvinistic; I should have written brother or sister.
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