A Request For Records

This morning I submitted a formal request, under the Freedom of Information Act, for all records pertaining to the resignation of Dr. Webb. This includes his evaluations, counselling/disciplinary records, and any and all other documentation held by the education department and it's employees.  

Mr. J.B. Smith Appointed As Interim Director of Schools

Tonight the School board took a box of lemons and turned them into lemonade.

After a tremendous void was left by the resignation of Dr. Webb as Director of Schools then the additional turmoil created by Board Member Storey resigning, the Board appointed Mr. Smith as Interim Director of Schools. In order to take this position Mr Smith will take a leave of absence from the position of principal and then if he is not hired as the Director of Schools he would return to his position as principal at Bridgeforth.

I congratulate the Board and Mr. Smith on their decisions. Mr. Smith has a proven record of accomplishments as principal and will no doubt add much to the disciplined leadership and morale needed in our school system. .  

Don Storey Resigns From School Board

At the standing room only called School Board Meeting tonight Don Storey after an impassioned speech verbally resigned his position as School Board Member representing the 3rd District. Mr. Storey strongly criticized what he described as "mishandling" the situation that led to Dr. Webb's resignation.

Mr. Storey stated there was, "two very troubling things about this situation". "It was wrong getting rid of Dr. Webb and not following Board policy which was a grave injustice to Dr. Webb". "Another part that bothers me even more is some of these things date back to last fall". That contrary to Board policy, those things should have been brought before all the Board members prior to confronting Dr. Webb and that Dr. Webb should have been confronted by the full Board long before Monday and given an opportunity to explain and/or make corrections.  Mr. Storey closed his remarks by saying that, "when we hired Dr. Webb we asked him to balance the budget and get rid of the 120 day contracts that were costing the system too much money and we told him to move whoever he had to, to do it"  .He did what we asked him too and "getting rid of the best, most child loving, enthusiastic directors ever is the wrong thing to do".
"I'm officially handing in my resignation, I'm done, you go out and make decisions on your own, I don't want to be associated with you".    All the Board Member were present except for Mr. Greene who joined the meeting via phone.

Dr. Webb Resigns As School Director

In a very quick turn of events, this morning, it seems Dr. Webb has decided to resign as Director of Schools.

The decision is believed to be the result of the controversial School Board Meeting held last Thursday where questions were raised about his personal and professional conduct.   

It is reported that Dr. Webb acknowledged several professional and personal failures in his resignation.

The questions now seem to center on whether those Board Members who voted to keep Dr. Webb were more interested in covering for him than in dealing with problems affecting the entire school system.