What's Going On With The School Board?
People got fed up with the old School Board and replaced it with new members, now those new members seems dead set on acting like the old board and in some cases worse than the old Board.
It's bad enough that the Board pass a new policy that puts severe limits on the opportunity for the public to speak which takes us right back to twelve years ago when there was no public input and in fact you would be arrested if you simply asked a question that they did not like. What is so frightening to public servants about allowing the public to be part of the decision making processes?
Now comes the idea to spend more money in search of a new Director of Schools. Not long ago the attorney for the School Board stated that if Mr. Smith was appointed as Director on a trial basis there would be no need to go through another full fledge search and hire process. I believe this was stated because the process for hiring a new Director had been so recent and Mr. Smith had been the second choice behind Dr. Webb.
Regardless of the reasoning the fact remains that Mr. Smith was appointed to the position of Director with the understanding that it was for a trial period that would lead to the permenant position if all went well. I understand this is basically a new Board but unless there is a problem that causes them to believe that Mr. Smith is not performing well, this new expense should be avoided and the comitment upheld by appointing Mr. Smith to the position of Director of Schools.
It's bad enough that the Board pass a new policy that puts severe limits on the opportunity for the public to speak which takes us right back to twelve years ago when there was no public input and in fact you would be arrested if you simply asked a question that they did not like. What is so frightening to public servants about allowing the public to be part of the decision making processes?
Now comes the idea to spend more money in search of a new Director of Schools. Not long ago the attorney for the School Board stated that if Mr. Smith was appointed as Director on a trial basis there would be no need to go through another full fledge search and hire process. I believe this was stated because the process for hiring a new Director had been so recent and Mr. Smith had been the second choice behind Dr. Webb.
Regardless of the reasoning the fact remains that Mr. Smith was appointed to the position of Director with the understanding that it was for a trial period that would lead to the permenant position if all went well. I understand this is basically a new Board but unless there is a problem that causes them to believe that Mr. Smith is not performing well, this new expense should be avoided and the comitment upheld by appointing Mr. Smith to the position of Director of Schools.
posted by Allen Barrett | 9:32 AM
75 Comments:
It seems to me when anyone gets elected to any position their first though is, "how can we spend the tax payers money?"
If Mr. smith isn't doing a good job look for a new Director, but if they can't find anything bad wrong, forget that expense. Haven't they tried that before with bad results. If the people elected can't do the job they should resign. They are the ones living in Giles county and should know more about what is best for Giles county.
Wow, yet another negative thread.
Figure it out dumbass! No one wants to listen to your crap!!
10:51 Why don't you get a job or do you have one at the tax payers expense.
You can't complain about Barrett being against anything because you are against everything he post.
Guess you are one that likes to spend tax payers money.
The point as I see it, aside from the wasteful spending, is that the board seems to have something to be ashamed of. Not letting the public (i.e. their bosses ) speak without a butt load of unattainable red tape seems highly suspect. No one expects the board to have the answer to every question, but they should at least give consideration to the voter's wishes. Rather than refuse the right of the public to offer input, just say "We don't know at this time but we will check into it." Do they not realize that the only reason they are up there is because the old board were a bunch of asses?
Contact your board member and express your concerns. That is how the system works. You should understand why we vote before voting. Barrett doesn't have to show up at every meeting in the county and talk. He can pick up the phone just as easily as anyone else.
That may be how the system is supposed to work but unfortunately most members have strange phone problems. You actually do need to show up in person if you've got concerns. Besides, these people work for us. Why shouldn't we be allowed to make ourselves heard at the meetings?
4:51 OM Johnny Reb
"...why we vote before voting". isn't that what the city aldermen do? Could you be a member of that group? Or the school board?
I do not hold any elected office. I do know how to make a phone call. If my representatives don't answer, I will call one from another district. When a board member tells the rest they are getting calls because someone else won't answer the phone, it makes that person look stupid.
However, I am sure some get calls from the same old troublemakers all the time. I imagine I would pay attention to the caller ID in those cases.
You may have one or two members who will answer consistently but not all. They don't care about looking stupid for not answering the phone;they care about looking stupid by not knowing what to tell you. I assure you it's not a minority that don't answer. It's easier to ignore you than to be unable to answer your questions.
7:24 you show an incredible naiveté in how a number of commissioner operate. While there are a larger number of Commissioners who genuinely seek to be in contact with the public and serve appropriately there are some who have made it extremely clear that they are not interested in the public.
You seem to think that I just woke up one morning and had an attitude toward certain officials and that my attitude has always prevented me from having an appropriate audience with officials. The fact is I made every effort to be nice, meek and accommodating and all it got me was and arrest and abusive conduct from some. If you listen to the tape of the School Board Meeting where I was arrested with Mr. Winkles you would hear that the police were called 13 seconds after I asked to speak. You would also hear me say less than anyone in the room and not once did I raise my voice, until some two hours later when the police officer pulled my arm and aggravated my torn rotator cuff. The person who was the loudest other than Mr. Gonzales was a person in the audience who was never even questioned much less arrested.
When I asked to address the County Commission I followed every requirement then waited to be recognized, Mrs Vanzant told the Commissioners that to suspend the rules and allow me to speak, even though I was on the agenda, would require a 2/3 vote. This was absolutely not true and when I again applied to address them I pointed out the fact it was not a requirement but again it was used to prevent me from speaking it took a phone call from the State Attorney General's Office to get them to comply with their own requirements.
I have been told to wait until the end of committee meetings and I would be allowed to ask questions only to have the meeting adjourned and told sorry.
I have seen, first hand, the abusive attitude, misconduct, retribution, deceit and outright lies by some who see themselves as above the public.
I don't ask you to believe me simply because I say it but ask the commissioners how I have been treated and you'll see that the majority have no problem with me and are as frustrated as I am.
You have been a troublemaker for so long around this town the people know what they are going to hear when you speak. Your attitude is horrible, you speak to others as if you think everyone in the room is stupid and that makes any conversation with you on that level unproductive.
I would suggest addressing your concerns with the commissioners you get along with and letting them talk for you. That would be best for them and the county. Same goes with the school board. If you are so damn determined to be a part of everything, play the part you are supposed to. Stop trying to represent folks who didn't elect you to represent them.
Damn rat boy it seems like you are determined not to be apart of anything. You obviously have nothing to offer so you might try shutting the hell up. Perhaps you would do well at that
"apart"? So it seems I don't want to be separated from anything?
I just offered a great bit of good advice to Barrett. As long as people have trouble understanding the way things work I will keep talking. I do well at that. Btw, the name is Johnny! Think you can be professional enough to address me that way?
You may think your advice is good but just the statement "play the part you are supposed to" tells it all.
That is the attitude of a lot of people in this county know your place and don't get out of it.
I don't know about Barrett but I'll be damned if I'll be pigeoned holed by you are anyone else.
5:02
You missed the point completely. The writer was simply suggesting to Barrett that he not try representing those who didn't elect him to do so. Nobody is trying to pigeon-hole you for Christ's sakes. Lighten up. The writer simply told the truth about the troublemaking, and you go ballistic.
Back to the topic. Why is board wanting to post director of schools position. Finally find someone who is doing a good job and they want to run him off. He is putting out fires and finding things in budget no one else has found. By all means get rid of him. Could it be that Vanzant has her thumb in the pie through her niece, because she won't be able to manipulate him.
If lower the level of arrogance you exude you might be shown a little respect. As long as you behave as if everyone else is beneath you, you'll be ratboy to me.
WAB your English grammar and syntax sucks. May I suggest you type your responses in MS Word and run the spell and grammar check routines before you cut or copy and paste it to this blog. You'd look a lot more intelligent.
8:28 Who is Vanzant's niece and what position does she hold?
1:12 Up a little early grading papers?
9:06 Mrs. Vanzant's brother Joe has two daughters in the county government. Joy McMasters and will have to check the other name.
Don't blame Joy or her sister for being related to Mrs. Vanzant. No one can choose their relatives.
Why would the board be spending more money? They are not going through the same process that they did last time. Sure there will be advertising. Mr. Smith is doing a great job and I hope and pray that he gets it but how many people would be griping if the did not go thru the process.
I haven't heard much about what he is doing that is so great. I think now would be a good time to say why so people will back him if he needs it.
Commons sense tells me it must not be a cut-and-dried decision or they wouldn't be considering looking elsewhere.
November 13 is board meeting. they are going to make their plans then. JB is doing a good job. According to school board attorney they can put JB right in to the position. They don't have to post anything. I had higher hopes for this board.
I can tell you why J B is being overlooked. Behind the scenes politicing by a former board member. I know for a fact that this board member was upset when the former District 1 Board Member recommended that the new board sign J B as their new director. Personally, I think J B will do a great job. I also think that if you quit your job, then walk away. You don' deserve to have your input into the situation.
Sorry, don't
Bryant has been working his butt off trying to get Smith out. He didn't want him from the beginning and he's being as two faced as what he did to Webb. The guy is a real snake.
Why don't someone give NAAPC a call or better yet Al Sharpo. laughing.
6:03
That is simply not true. Jerry Bryant is a fine Christian man, and one I admire. Can you say that about a known troublemaker? I can't.
I don't live in the city so I don't have a dog in the fight but I know Jerry Byrant cost the whole county a bundle of money when he was with PES and did worse at the school board. Ask those who tried to work with him he is a backstabbing snake. If I was in the city I'd go with the two on the ballot and Franklin. Barrett would be the best but he would stir up to much controversy with his numerous questions.
If Barrett won you can bet someone like cg would yell voter fraud. hehee
The Director of schools needs to be an elected position with a 6 year term.
Amen to the last statement.
I don't know much about Bryant but I know he was the only one who had the guts to do something about Webb. I think he should have gone to the rest of the board and let them know what was going on though. Most of them knew Webb had a problem and chose to ignore it because he was doing what they wanted, especially the one that walked out when he knew the party was over.
"I don't know much about Bryant but I know he was the only one who had the guts to do something about Webb"
Let's take a closer look at that statement.
To say you don't know much about Bryant is to say that you are not aware of his time on the Pulaski Electric System Board (PES), where he voted over and over to increase rates and spending until the rates had reached a breaking point and the spending led to near bankruptcy. Even when the public rose up and demanded changes at PES and the resignation of the CEO, who had misused many assets for personal benefit. Mr Byrant was still supporting him and the actions he had taken.
Mr. Byrant was the only person on the School Board who demanded that Dr. Webb be given more money than he had requested when hiring him, this led to changing the minds of other Board Members and a large pay increase before he was even hired.
Now let's consider the dismissal of Dr. Webb. Is there a way that situation could have been more messed up? Mr. Byrant played the lone wolf and acted to the complete exclusion of other Board Members even refusing to share his information when requested by Board Members. This lone wolf attitude not only resulted in extreme animosity among board members it also resulted in having two different directors at the same time with both being paid then a large settlement for Dr. Webb.
Mr. Bryant is a nice likable guy, pleasant to talk with an excellent pharmacist but he is no leader nor has he shown a propensity for becoming one.
There was not a really large settlement. He was paid one month salary that was the month on his contract he did not serve. He violated his contract when he resigned without proper notice to the Board and therefore settled with the Boards offer.
Mr. Barrett
Yes, Jerry is a very likeable guy, and who are you to judge his leadership abilities? Are you suggesting that you would be a better choice. I think you would be wise to try to be more like this fine Christian man who is widely respected in the community in spite of what you and one or two others have to say.
Is that Joyce or CG talking?
As a matter of fact 3:58 I am a better leader based on the number pf years I served as a leader and received outstanding praise and awards for that leadership. I will not try to compare our Christianity only to say that I am a Christ Follower and that means being faithful to God's Word in all aspects of my life, not perfect by any means but consistent by all means.
My objections to Mr. Byrant being an Alderman are not personal but simply based on his dismal record at PES and the School Board.
Mr. Barrett
You are totally delusional. And I really don't think you should compare your Christianity with that of Jerry Bryant. To me, he is an icon of faith and virtue; I think you fall way short of his mark. Again, you would be wise to try to be more like him.
9:33 What do you have to say about Mr. Bryant's being on PES or the school Board? Good job or bad?
I wasn't happy with him when he wanted to give Dr. Webb more money than he asked for.
Was Bryant part of the big dining and spending Holcomb disaster?
Also it's been said more than once that bryant takes advantage of his position at walgreens. Not saying that is the absolute truth, but I have heard it said.
Once again you have allowed your hate for Barrett to blind you to reality 9:33.
Here's what Barrett said "I will not try to compare our Christianity only to say that I am a Christ Follower and that means being faithful to God's Word in all aspects of my life, not perfect by any means but consistent by all means".
Here's what you said, "I really don't think you should compare your Christianity with that of Jerry Bryant. To me, he is an icon of faith and virtue;"
Based on the two statements who is comparing who to what? You compare Mr. Byrant with Christ when you call him an icon, I wonder if Byrant sees himself as an exact reflection of Christ or if he would be embarrassed by your absurd idea.
For a religion that condemns people for being divorced I'm surprised that you hold Mr Byrant so high in your religious crowd but I guess it's a sliding scale used for friends.
I can tell you one thing from having listened to Barrett speak and preach e don't use religion to criticize a person and he don't talk out of both sides of his mouth.
Gary
You are so confused. To say he really doesn't think Barrett should be comparing his Christianity with that of Jerry Bryant was spoken in agreement that he should not do that. And it's baffling that you think the writer was comparing Jerry Bryant to Christ. How do you manage to misunderstand that?
Here's the bottom line. Barrett wants to be elected to something, and right now Jerry is one of those who stands in his way. So maligning and smearing is what this is really all about. Isn't it?
5:26,
Jerry Bryant's actions on PES's board and the school board are more than enough reason for anyone to vote against him. Isn't that right? Lets give the director more money, let me go behind other board members back and pressure the director to resign. Let's not accept his resignation so we will have to pay his contract and the new director as well. Any body that votes to put that guy in office is dumber than dumb.
5:26 What do you think an icon is?
"1 (also ikon)a painting of Jesus Christ or another holy figure, typically in a traditional style on wood, venerated and used as an aid to devotion in the Byzantine and other Eastern Churches."
So unless you are speaking of him as an emblem on a computer screen your referring to him as an icon is saying that he is a direct reflection of Jesus Christ. Maybe you should choose your words a little more carefully if that isn't what you meant.
Friday at 3:58 this statement was made, probably by you, "I think you would be wise to try to be more like this fine Christian man". If that isn't a comparison what would you call it as it clearly states that compared to Mr. Byrant Mr. Barrett falls far short. I believe this is what Mr. Barrett was referring to. How would you interpert that statement if it is not making a
comparison and asking for a comparison?
I have seen the compassion of Mr. Barrett as he sat for hours in a hospital with family members of a loved one dying. I have seen his generosity to members of my own family. I have seen his patience as he listened to me recount my troubles as a teenager with no direction.
One thing I have seen Mr. Barrett refer to a number of times is the fact that words have meaning and it's obvious that either you do not understand that concept or else you are using words without knowing for their meanings.
Mr. Barrett was a minister for over twenty years and a soldier leading other soldiers for over twenty more years. What has Mr. Byrant led? Where has Mr. Byrant shown real leadership, certainly not at PES or the School Board? What real leadership positions has he held?
Gary
What's the matter with you? I have several icons on my desktop. Mickey Mantle was a baseball icon. Do you have a point?
Bottom line. Mr. Bryant is one of Barrett's opponents, and so he must be trashed, right? And of course I, like most people, would think there's no comparison between Mr. Bryant and Barrett.
WAB Mr. Bryant was the lone wolf because the rest of the pack did nothing about a situation that they knew enough about that they should have been investigating what was going on. Thank you for pointing out the things I did not know about Bryant. I do not live in the city or am not a PES customer so I do not really care what he did. What would I do without you to correct me!
You seem to have a different account than the newspaper and other board members of Bryant's actions. Bryant should have been open and upfront and brought the issue to the full board as opposed to taking matters into his own hands which resulted in two directors being paid at the same time and a waste of tax dollars.
1:02 Why do you try to put your dog in this fight if you live outside of the city.
8:54 I wonder if no one was ever going to mention the "DIVORCE".
I thought people belonging to the Church of Christ didn't believe in it.
I forgot which post said Barrett wanted to be elected to something. That's funny don't Mr. Bryant want to be elected to something. He lost his school board spot so isn't he wanting to be elected to something elsre. On that point I didn't see any difference in the men.
Just look at elections in the state, isn't trash the opponent the name of the game?
Is pointing out the weaknesses and past records of an opponent really trashing a person? It seems knowing about a person's past record makes for an informed voter. I have seen nothing where either Byrant or Barrett have trashed each other. Barrett did point out Byrants record but that seems only natural.
A lot of people live outside the city that get their electric power from PES also their cable, internet and telephone. Holcomb almost broke the company and Byrant was his biggest supporter.
Of course it's trashing a person 5:23. Only, that is, if it's someone who has cg's head up their ass. It's perfectly fine for the enabler to say what he wants about Allen or anyone who sees cg for what he is. Oh well, maybe it won't be long til medical science comes up with cure for the mental defect that is the enabler.
"Attendance Supervisor Berenetta Houston’s salary received an adjustment. Smith said last year she and several others had their pay reduced without having their positions changed by then-director Timothy Webb. Smith said this was in violation of state law and by reinstating their former pay he was preventing a lawsuit. The others whose pay was reduced have already had their former salaries reinstated."
Way to go Dr. Webb.
VIOLATION OF STATE LAW!
Remember Jerry Bryant wanted Webb to get more money than he asked for.
1:34pm, it is my understanding that it is only violation of state law if you cut the pay of a certificated person, Berenetta Houston does not have a teaching certificate to the best of my knowledge. Dr. Webb is a very good person and was a fantastic director for our school system.
What does state law have to do with anything in Giles County.
11:31 Not many in Giles County seem to give a dam about state law, do they?
The last two posters must live a happy and fulfilled life. Ha.
And the one before is from Richland no doubt
"We are Giles Countrymen. You know free and independent."
"If you are Giles Countrymen then show me your laws."
"Laws? We don't have any laws. We don't need any laws. We don't have to show you no stinking laws!"
Look like the crackers on the school board ain't gonna let no black man be the director. Ain't no surprise when you know the people pushing this thing against JB>
Can go around the table and tell you why. Sad. He is doing an awesome job. If I'd been him I'd left system hanging last night but he isn't that kind of man. He will work right up until the day someone else takes his chair an then he will have all their work done for them. Our new memebers ain't from sh_t
REMEMBER WHAT THE ATTORNEY SAID ABOUT THE BOARD NOT HAVING TO VOTE ON DR. WEBB’S RESIGINING?
From WKSR’s web site:
The Giles County School Board has scheduled a work session to discuss the process of searching for a director of schools.
Edwin Lovell, Richie Brewer, Joy McMasters, Bill Holt, and Daryl Williamson voted to begin the search process. Rhonda Turner voted no, as she had wanted to hold a vote to officially hire Interim Director J.B. Smith. Christie Glover abstained. “
Board members said they would utilize the school board’s attorney in the search in order to save money.”
7:50 Your racist venom reminds me of the likes of Al Charlatan, Jesse Jackson, Hussein Obama, and Eric Holder. If you are black, it's indeed people like YOU who are the real racists in America. I get so sick of your whining. I am a Caucasian who owes you NOTHING!
As for J.B. Smith, he is a person of class and leadership, and it would be totally unfortunate if he were not appointed. What about that from a "cracker" who thinks Mr. Smith is one of the greatest educators Giles County has ever had??
I agree that Mr. Smith is a class act and an excellent educator that should remain as the director period. You say that race has nothing to do with it 6:32 then tell me what it is that those board members feel it necessary to go through the process and expense of looking for someone else when we already have what the people want in Mr. Smith? I've known some of the board members for over forty years and they have the same mind set now as when integration of the schools was at the height of controversy, why do you think Richland was zoned for so long even when they had whole classrooms standing empty. Even now they have less than ten percent blacks up there.
Why don't someone send AL and Jesse a message about Giles C7844ounty?
God hates Giles County.
What is wrong with the commissioners?!? They would not vote for the school amendment because they wanted to prove a point. Well exactly how much is this point going to cost Giles County? They have to go back through all of the committees again, pay for all of the meetings so what is the cost of them showing their muscle.
Some of the commissioners show up for any and everything just to get money from county tax payers.
5:18
Not nearly as much as the Republican Primary cost taxpayers.
6:52 Cry Baby, are you a commissioner or cg that didn't get asked to the Republican party get together?
Looks to me like the commissioners are finally learning not to give everything some want.
The commissioners did not stop anyone from getting anything.
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