Below is a quote from an AJC article regarding Sarah Copelin-Wood's meddling in the Citizen's Advisory Committee this past April.
Board member accused of interfering, injecting race into DeKalb closings debate
The DeKalb County school closings process was derailed by a board member telling task force members how to vote, pitting schools against each other and charging racism is a factor, one task force member said.
Citizens Planning Task Force member Marcia Coward said she is filing a complaint against board member Sarah Copelin-Wood with the board and the superintendent.
“I know that Sarah Wood made phone calls and pitted one school against the other in her own district. I think that’s very wrong,” Coward said Saturday. “She’s supposed to represent all of the schools in her district.” . . .
Chairman Tom Bowen said the school board will review the complaint, but he said no board members were supposed to be involved in the task force.
Now - I sadly remind you of the emails between Bowen and Wood after this complaint was filed. (These emails were distributed to many people by Sarah herself.)
-----Original Message-----
From: "SARAH COPELIN-WOOD"
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 16:34:11
To: ; THOMAS BOWEN
Cc: < schoolsandcommunity@yahoo.com >
Subject: Your Reference To Me In Article In AJC
May 4, 2010
Hello Tom,
Please address your comments, according to the AJC, in the AJC, I have attached it below for your information:
Discussion about school ethics legislation comes as District 3 board member Sarah Copelin-Wood, who is up for re-election, faces an ethics complaint. She is accused of meddling in the school closure process by directing members of the Citizens Planning Task Force how to vote.
"The complaint against Wood is pending and will be addressed after the board finalizes its budget, Bowen said."
Sarah Copelin-Wood, Board Member
DeKalb Board of Education - District 3
----- Original Message -----
From: bowent7522@att.blackberry.net Tuesday, May 04, 2010 4:58:28 PM
Subject: Re: Your Reference To Me In Article In AJC
To: SARAH COPELIN-WOOD
I was asked the status and I said the board had not had any time to discuss it given all we had going on with the budget and other things.
My preference is to not take it on at all and let it go away. It will be a bunch of he said, she said. Only thing we could do is add to the policy on citizen committees but that would just attract more attention.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
-----Original Message-----
From: "SARAH COPELIN-WOOD"
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 17:22:38
To: ; THOMAS BOWEN
Cc: < schoolsandcommunity@yahoo.com >
Subject: Fwd: Re: Your Reference To Me In Article In AJC
May 4, 2010
Hello Tom,
Thank you for your expeditious response. After reading the article, I was interested to know if there is a pending investigation by the DeKalb School Board regarding me.
Thank you very much,
Sarah Copelin-Wood, Board Member
DeKalb Board of Education - District 3
(404) 371-1490
- Original Message -----
From: bowent7522@att.blackberry.net Tuesday, May 04, 2010 5:32:27 PM
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Your Reference To Me In Article In AJC
To: SARAH COPELIN-WOOD
No investigation and nor do I want one. Especially now that we changed the plan with the four schools and we aren't going to use the findings anyway.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
===
I always thought Tom was the one who could be trusted. But as these emails show, in his desperation, he is all too willing to mislead the press, allowing the public to believe that an investigation will occur, while behind the scenes, reassuring his fellow board member that he will protect her - regardless of what he told the press.
I think this is truly the most disappointed I've been in quite some time.
70 comments:
Tom Bowen.
Nice Guy.
Spineless as a jellyfish.
Thinks the public is bleeping stupid and will forget the Copelin-Wood meddling.
We deserve better than this BOE.
Cere, I think Mr. Bowen has some explaining to do. It never stops, the taxpayers must demand change. It's sad we have to wait for a month before stakeholders get their 3 minute shot at the BOE.
Interesting.
Nothing is what it seems. We are feed lies constantly.
I can't tell you how many people sent this email to us at the blog. Sarah sent it to everyone in her entire address book --- she was so elated to report that she was not under investigation. She threw Tom under the bus. And so did Zepora just yesterday. I'll bet he's wondering why on earth he protects these ladies. Actually, I'm wondering the same thing. Why does he protect these ladies? I've always hoped that it was to keep the flames tamped down for the good of the system.
It's getting nasty and until we see wholesale resignations from the "cabinet" of Clew and Tyson it's business as usual.
I would love to hear what's going on at the Palace behind close doors. Are they laughing at us or are they scared? I sure wish we had a few more whistleblowers at DCSS. We could use some about now.
Wonder if Marcia Coward, the person who filed the complaint, is aware of this? She might have something to say about this.
Bowen is not what he seems...he is no better than the worse BOE member. I am glad these emails are out...they are JUST the TIP of the iceberg. Bowen has bigger aspirations...this is just a pit stop for him. He just wants his name out in the public. I do not believe he really cares.
Go back and look at his comments during the period of time leading up to Lewis' contract renewal...when Lewis was terminated...how POPE was defended during the year + investigation by the DA. Its ridiculous. He's ridiculous...and may be the most dangerous member on the BOE.
Cere,
Did Marcia Coward provide her claim to SACS? Can you find out and/or have any contact with her about doing this? Anyone? Filing a complaint with the BOE will not get anything done...filing something formal with SACS just might. This needs to be investigated and SACS would find this interesting...but they need formal filings.
I would make sure SACS also got copies of the AJC article and disingenuous quote by Bowen and his later emails.
How sleazy. The tone of Bowen's correspondence is that ethics-based objections to SCW's actions are pesky and that they should "go away."
This is worse than I thought it was, not so much because I thought Bowen was above sleaze, but because it's appalling for anyone elected to a job, to treat the voters/consumers in this way. No wonder it feels like the BOE doesn't listen to the community--they are listening with an agenda of, above all, don't lose power and make the things that threaten them, go away. Notice that he didn't say, there might be a problem here, or that we'll have to look into this in some way--you can imagine all those little Blackberrys frantically typing away with the Zeporah disaster right now. I wonder how they will make that "go away."
I would love to hear what's going on at the Palace behind close doors. Are they laughing at us or are they scared? I sure wish we had a few more whistle blowers at DCSS. We could use some about now.
I don't think they are scared. I think they are concerned about who the next superintendent will be. I think the very top layer of people are probably worried if they will have jobs when there is a new superintendent. I think everyone is a bit worried about their jobs because of the economy, but that is typical everywhere right now.
Bowen is not what he seems...he is no better than the worse BOE member. I am glad these emails are out...they are JUST the TIP of the iceberg. Bowen has bigger aspirations...this is just a pit stop for him. He just wants his name out in the public. I do not believe he really cares.
If he really does have political aspirations, then this position has turned out to be real nightmare for him. It isn't like he can "brag" about being the chair of the DeKalb Board of Ed. Not exactly a stellar addition to the resume. I do believe that the theory about aspirations explains many of his actions and words. He needed this to be resolved quickly so that it goes away quickly.
This is Bowen's worst nightmare, one he can't wake up from.
This meeting is today! I hope someone can go and report back.
NOTICE OF DEKALB BOARD OF EDUCATION TO MEET WITH THE DEKALB CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE AND DEKALB DELEGATION
In keeping with the Open Meetings Act, this notification is to advise that
members of the DeKalb County Board of Education have been invited to meet
with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and DeKalb Delegation, at 12:00pm,
Wednesday, August 11, 2010. The meeting will be held in the Conference
Center at DeKalb Technical College, 495 North Indian Creek Drive,
Clarkston.
The purpose of the meeting is to facilitate discussions regarding the SACS
inquiry. While a quorum of Board members will be present, no action will
be taken.
I think SCW appointed reps that reflected her believes and values and voted exactly the way THEY wanted to.
The Task Force was just another sign of Dr. Lewis' intrinsic weakness as a leader. He couldn't stand the heat but wouldn't get out of the kitchen. The first round of school closings had left him so battled scarred that he couldn't believe that he had to do it again.
Dr. Lewis wanted people to love him. He hated conflict which explains why he lied so many times.
Haven't I been telling you'll that the entire BOE is corrupt..maybe now you will listen to me...even though I am Anon like so many others.
Being an insider, I have witnessed some of the BS they shovel to the media and at the open BOE meetings. But as soon as the cameras are off and the exlusive "Executive Session" takes place it's time for all the pigs to play inn the mud..TOGETHER.
These email sent via balckberry will be the nail in the coffins of each BOE member. SACS must intervene at this point. Now the world knows that they are the root of all the problems in DCSS.
The BOE have been a constant disappointment. As my mother always reminds me "He is just a man." loosely translated...stop putting individuals on pedestals that they have not earned. We are so quick to think the best/worst of folks....I say reserve judgement until you witness for yourself what is true. and please don't slam those who may speak the truth about an individual...It may turn out that someone has a little more insight than the rest.
Misleading the public may not be a crime but it is punishable and I certainly don't mean a slap on the wrist (reprimand). Toss these turkeys out on their tails....just saying..
Wow! Just when I thought things in DCSS couldn't get worse. Why is the board not being fired and totally replaced? I want the entire administration replaced as well.
Our schools are in worse shape than I have ever thought. More parents need to wake up and demand that their children are put first and not the interest of the adults.
When will someone stop this madness? The board is not capable of making a good decision about the superintendent job or any other administrative positions, or closing schools, or right sizing our district across the board.
If nothing is done after this tidbit. SACS is just a money making operation in my book. Is there anyone who cares about the children?
Is anyone going to the meeting at noon today?
Thanks for your insight Anon 8:08!
They might be concerned but remember when an outsider like Johnny Brown was brought in to clean up the mess, these long time crooks at the Central Office took care of him and rather quickly he was out the door. Was he a showman? Yes! But he was uncovering the stuff that is That's why if we had a BOE with some spine the likes of Tyson, Moseley, Turk, Mitchell-Mayfield, Ramsey, Thompson, Berry, the Guilroys and Edwards kids would have been shown the door. The fact they are still around is a disgrace.
These folks named above are the very folks that watched Pope and CLew turn OUR school system into a criminal operation. The fact that Turk kept the books and saw what was happening and did not do anything about it is criminal.
These folks need to resign or be shown the door! As long as the BOE continues down this slippery slope of corruption nothing is going to change unless the State or SACS steps in.
These emails by Bowen are enough for me that he should resign along with Zepora. You know folks it's not the corruption that will get you, it's the cover-up and he tried so desperately to cover this task force mess up.
I wonder how this policy review board is going to work, who is going to serve on this review board and how are they going to be chosen?
Why haven't we heard from Tyson? Is her teleprompter broken? Someone needs to tell her that she is the Superintendent and the longer she goes silent, the trust and transparency she promised this spring to parents was just a bunch of hot air.
I'd be at the meeting if I didn't have to go to a funeral. I hope someone reports who was there and the discussions that took place.
You thought you could "trust" Tom Bowen?!?! I'm disappointed.
But, I'll give you credit for learning.
Just don't make the same mistake in the future. Tom Bowen is not honest. And Tom Bowen cannot be trusted. At all.
Anon at 11:56 last night asked:
"I would love to hear what's going on at the Palace behind close doors. Are they laughing at us or are they scared?"
Well, let's see--they just appointed, with no competition or apparently even any discussion, a relative to the position of principal at Clarkston HS. So I would say they still don't give a damn what taxpayers think
August 11, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The DeKalb County School System announced today their intention to work judiciously to ensure DCSS’ compliance with AdvancED/SACS CASI Standards and policies for accredited school systems.
The DeKalb Board met Friday, August 6, 2010 to discuss the SACS CASI inquiries, received in a recent letter, and its search for a new superintendent, which was one of the issues raised by SACS CASI.
“SACS CASI is committed to helping DeKalb, and all accredited schools and school systems, continuously improve,” said Tom Bowen, chairman of the DeKalb County School Board. “DCSS will respond to SACS CASI with all the information they require in a forthright, transparent and timely manner.”
Dr. Mark Elgart, president and chief executive officer of AdvancED, said “This is an opportunity to improve a school system that faces a unique set of challenges. “Our focus is to make sure the school system is meeting AdvancED’s Standards and policies for accredited schools.” AdvancED is the parent organization for the K-12 division of SACS.
“We are already hard at work ensuring that we compile all the information SACS CASI has requested,” said DeKalb Schools Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson. Ms. Tyson has already ordered a review of all of the school system’s 247 policies, and has recommended a new ethics policy that will govern all system employees.
While the initial letter requested a response in 30 days, acknowledging the beginning of a new school year in DCSS, AdvancED/SACS CASI has agreed to extend the deadline to September 11, 2010 for responding to its inquiries.
Whoa! The new deadline is September 11th !?!?!
Are you kidding me?
911?
I'm skeptical that our board knows how to be forthright and/or transparent.
Transparency is a problem. There are too many groups at work.
There are the little meetings on the side and by email. There are the you scratch my back and I will scratch yours for votes. However, there may be a few board members who really are trying to do a good job. They may be the whistle blowers. Who knows? Nothing was going to change without the involvement of SACS and for the children of DeKalb SACS needed to be involved. If a school board member really cared about the students they might have went to SACS with concerns.
I know Marcia Coward who---BTW---is the new president of the DeKalb Council of PTAs. I'll contact her, in case she doesn't read the blog.
@Anon 9:31 who said,
Why haven't we heard from Tyson? Is her teleprompter broken? Someone needs to tell her that she is the Superintendent and the longer she goes silent, the trust and transparency she promised this spring to parents was just a bunch of hot air.
You may want to take a step back. This blogger wants Ms. Tyson to take care of the day to day operations of the schools and make sure the teachers and our children are shielded from the 3 ring circus going on now. If she is constantly doing interviews, it means she has taken her eyes of the ultimate prize and responsibility, ensuring our children receive a quality education in a safe and secure environment.
Is there anyone else here that wants her to do that? Time spent dealing with the media means time not spent on the schools.
The Superintendent is the chief oficer of the schools. S/he needs to both do the day to day work AND address controversies, either directly or through a spokesperson. Being "too busy" with other tasks is just a way to let others fill in the media void.
Thank you, Anonymous, 1:05 PM
Plus, Tyson had an opportunity to speak to the media after the BOE meeting this past Monday night, August 6. She blew off the media that night.
Here's a news flash for you, Ramona: all your interactions with the media will not be sanitized and tightly scripted. Get in the promised "transparency" mode and deal with it. Now!
Well guess what? There is a press conference this Thursday at 11am with Ms. Tyson.
Personally, Ms. Tyson needs to address controversies. She is the leader of the DCSS. Like President Obama, he has avoided a formal press conference for many months now. Why can't we hear what they have to say in a public form? Why can't the media ask their questions?
Perception is the key here, like Redovian said last night. If she can't string some sentences together to provide parents some insight into what is going on, she needs to resign her post.
I look forward to Thursdays presser and I also hope that the journalists attending asks the "Tough Questions". I want to know what she thinks when a BOE member threatens violence upon someone else? My son asked me, when he signed his student handbook, that he is held accountable for threats or bullying, with suspension or expulsion. Why isn't Zepora Roberts held to the same standards. My 6th grader asked me that. So Ms. Tyson should never avoid cameras and answer the questions honestly.
Anon 12:25, are you on Tyson's staff? Good grief! She is paid with our tax dollars! OUR MONEY! She is in charge of allocating funds and right now DCSS has done a poor job getting those funds to the teachers.
Like the last few days have proven a lot of our tax dollars is being wasted on the Central Office Bloat at the Palace! Those funds in the classes will help our children, not in the pockets of friends and family.
Cerbration...
Any updated video from the second segment from Wendy from last night?
Anon 1:39.
Not sure how you define "several months," as the president held a press conference just a little over 2 months ago. In any event, the president (any president) speaks to the press DAILY via a spokesperson holding a scheduled briefing. If Ms. Tyson could do that even bi-weekly--granted, she'd need to find someone coherent in the DCSS media office--it would show a lot more transparency.
My bad on President Obama. Please don't attack me, I was mistaken. I had heard something on CNN last week that it had been over a year since his last FORMAL press conference, when he made the gaffe about the Rhode Island Police Dept.
However, The leader of any public organization should speak regularly with the press, not just through a spokesperson. When Ms. Tyson spoke at DCPC, in the Spring, she spoke of transparency and trust. We haven't seen much of that and I look forward to her presser on Thursday. She also admitted to me and my wife, at that meeting, that she wasn't a great public speaker. Avoiding cameras and press gives the impression she is trying to hide something, that's all I meant with the earlier post.
Oh, I agree, "The leader of any public organization should speak regularly with the press, not just through a spokesperson."
But at this point I'd settle for our DCSS leadership not running away or threatening violence when approached by the press, even if they have to use a spokesperson.
If you believe the leader of any public organization should speak to the press, then this request should be directed to the chair of the BOE. The superintendent is hired by the BOE to handle the day to day operations of the school. Can any of you name one superintendent in the metro area or country that has daily or regular press briefings? When would they have time for this? Do you think that just because someone sticks a microphone in front of you, you should grant an interview on the spot? If this is what you are seeking, perhaps we need to recommend a policy that the superintendent does this.
In this litigious society we live in, everyone should be careful what they say when interviewed. Do you notice how when interviews are conducted on morning shows with people in the news, a lawyer accompanies them? Anyone wonder why?
If the public has questions (and it's the job of the press to ask questions for the public), then yes, public servants have a duty to answer those questions.
Additionally, you can watch the interview with Jim Redovian here in the video library -
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/local-video/index.html
The video is called DeKalb School Ethics Part 2
Tyson is about to hire a public relation person and and a person to audit the school system and that can go over her head to the school board if need be. She is down to two candidates and will hire a candidate for both shortly.
She is going to have a press release with SACS to clear up somethings.
As someone who does crisis communication for a living, I have to say it would be in the BOE's best interest (and ours as parents/taxpayers!) to have a regular--not daily, but regular--scheduled press briefing, primarily with a trained and articulate spokesperson, but also with the Superintendent and BOE chair.
If you leave the media to find their answers elsewhere, they look elsewhere--like here. And I'm guessing this blog is probably not the BOE's idea of where they want the media and public getting information to form their opinion of the BOE.
Anon. 2:57. Geez, calm down! We're not asking for a daily briefing. The other night Ms. Tyson was approached to react to the Zepora and nepotism business. She could have answered the questions calmly and moved on, instead we had Dr. Thompson with her hand up in front of the camera. CLew was in front of cameras constantly along with his spokesperson.
DCSS has created this situation, if it was normal and above board, there would not have to be so many questions. Are you aware of what's happening? The stakeholders of DCSS want to know what the heck is going on. Right now the perception is not great and we need someone who will answer questions. All we get are 3 minute snippets at SELECT meetings to make our comments with no reaction. A lot of folks have sent emails and they go unanswered. It's not much to ask, in this environment, what the Super of schools think. If she is unable to do this she should resign. PERIOD!
We're not asking for an inquisition, just answers to some questions. If she wants to say no comment then let me hear her say no comment, not Dr. Thompson or anyone else.
One thing for sure DCSS has plenty of lawyers. I think Ms. Tyson is not great in front of a camera and there are people who are protecting her, like Dr. Thompson.
By the way to answer the question about other superintendents, I've seen plenty. Beverly Hall of APS, The Cobb County Super, The Gwinnett Super, who is retiring, I've seen plenty.
@Anon 4:18, you said,
The other night Ms. Tyson was approached to react to the Zepora and nepotism business. She could have answered the questions calmly and moved on, instead we had Dr. Thompson with her hand up in front of the camera.
Think about it, you are asked to comment about one of your bosses on a situation you know is indefensible. How would you have answered? Sometimes 'No Comment' is the best comment. A question about Zepora should be directed to the BOE chair, not one of her subordinates.
Several years ago, Dr. Hallford was charged with DUI. What do you think would have happened to a teacher that commented to the media about that situation? As I recall, the only public comments came for the BOE and David Schutten. Political correctness and job preservation is alive and well.
@ Anonymous 4:21
"I think Ms. Tyson is not great in front of a camera and there are people who are protecting her, like Dr. Thompson. "
LOL. Ms. Tyson has been in front of cameras for years presenting at BOe meetings. Just look in the BOe meetings. She has presented some expenditure request (eSis, SchooNet, Compass Learning, Plato, ActivBoards, computer refresh program, etc.) at almost every BOE meeting. Her fluency got the BOE to spend $11,00,000 on eSis and SchoolNet. All the while the TV cameras were rolling (I've seen her speak at BOE meetings while the camera's are there). She is an excellent public speaker. That is one reason her lack of educational and business experience has drawn scant attention.
I think pleading that she has trouble speaking in public is a very good dodge. Let's hear from posters who have attended meetings with Ms. Tyson as the featured speaker. Isn't she an extremely accomplished public speaker?
now ZRoberts is stating that she was bullied by Wendy Saltzman and CBS46...Really?..Seriously? That's your defense...we all have seen what you do to people that get under your skin....you annilate them with your tongue...poor Zepora playing the victim is so beneath you....and Jim Redovian says for the viewers to stick aroud to see if ZRoberts is sanctioned or asked to step down....well how long should we stick around Jim? Should we wait until SACS asked all of you to step down?
You know, Ramona Tyson could have been 'advised' not to speak to the press.
That said, there's better ways to not speak to the press than running away while someone purposefully gets between you and the camera.
Ms. Tyson is a very good speaker. She is smart and able to answer questions off the cuff.
Ms. Tyson's ability should not be in question here. However, she needs someone else to handle this for her.
Ms. Tyson seems very different when she is speaking in her role as interim Super vs in her role as head of MIS. In the latter setting, she was articulate and focused. That's her area of expertise.
But as interim Superintendent, she does seem to search for words, and last week's Elliminate session was very hard to understand. She doesn't appear comfortable with what she has to say as head of this sinking ship. Ms. Tyson always struck me as straightforward--thus the articulateness. But perhaps when she is forced to fudge and sidestep and endlessly "look into it more", she can't relax and speak naturally.
The problem with this is that we need a superintendent who IS comfortable talking in public, talking to the Board, and talking to parents. The job is very public and very politicized--not for the faint of heart. If Ms. Tyson is among the latter--which as a basically nice lady who's more comfortable with technology than people, I suspect she is--then she should gracefully sidestep and let someone who can B-S with the best, take over. I nomiate Dr. Thompson or Mr. Moseley. Or maybe Tim Freeman.
Beverly Hall-- are you kidding me? She didn't even have the press conference as scheduled the day the cheating results were announced. Her Board of Ed has been silent except at the meeting.
Cobb cuts 100s of teachers, no press briefings. Fulton cuts budget, programs, jobs and now is raising taxes -- no briefings.
Some of you are just so angry that you are losing touch with realism.
"Some of you are just so angry that you are losing touch with realism."
August 11, 2010 4:56 PM
Maybe, we are Anon 4:56 pm. But anyone who is an apologist for the DCSS Central Office is enabling mismanagement, graft, unethical behavior, cronyism, nepotism, etc., etc., etc.
Ramona Tyson is very articulate...she does not have a problem expressing herself..ask anyone who have come into contact with her. And I agree she speaks well in front of the BOE and when the cameras are rolling.
The problem is she is ill-prepared and ill-advised by the people around her. The questions must be asked...
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS & WHO'S IN CHARGE?
Tyson is in over her head and this will lead to more problems for DCSS. I fear that when this trial begins there will be no one minding the Palace because everyone will be at the courthouse test-a-lieing (oops testifying).
So many subpoena's have been handed out @ the Palace that the only people that will be at work will be security and the custodians.
@ Anonymous 4:53
"Ms. Tyson is a very good speaker. She is smart and able to answer questions off the cuff. "
I totally agree. I've seen her speak numerous times. She is at her best in front of a crowd. Her lack of educational and business experience has led her to make some very bad decisions for students and teachers, but she has defended those decisions fluently and admirably. She sold the BOE on spending $11,000,000 on eSis and SchoolNet. Nary a question was asked. She even got a promotion for bringing eSis and SchoolNet to DCSS.
A@5:01 asks:
"WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS & WHO'S IN CHARGE?"
Funny. In crisis communication that's one of the very first things you establish for the public and media. These guys (DCSS/BOE) are almost a case study in how to do all of this wrong. Of course, being incompetent and, um, ethically challenged, doesn't help either.
@ Anonymous 4:56
"Some of you are just so angry that you are losing touch with realism.""
The problem is that DeKalb is truly at the bottom of the barrel. We have the lowest scores of any metro system - lower than APS or Cobb or Clayton or Fulton, etc. That's what parents/taxpayers are angry about. The DCSS leadership including Ms. Tyson, Mr. Moseley, Ms. Mayfield, etc. and the entire BOE are responsible for this mess - not the teachers and students.
Some people like to say it's the kids - like we should just exchange them for "better" kids. Some people like to blame the teachers. Hey - not only did this administration and BOE vote on the hiring of every single teacher, they also told them how to teach, how to grade their students, how to interact with parents, etc., and there are around 1400 Central Office employees, Instructional coaches, APs and Principals to make sure the 6,400 teachers have done exactly what the administration tells them.
The teachers have been following the directions of the administration who is supported by the BOE. If our system is failing, who is responsible? The administration likes the big bucks that come with their authority, but they do not want to be responsible for the decline in student achievement. Well, who else is responsible?
I don't have a child in DCSS any more (thank goodness), but I pay a substantial amount of taxes. I don't resent paying those taxes if DeKalb students get good value from them. They aren't, and it's very clear who has caused it.
"In crisis communication that's one of the very first things you establish for the public and media."
Now that is a true statment! During the RIFs, they laid off their media relations department (excluding you know who) including Dale Davis, who served as a spokesman for the district. Until they get another PR person on board, comments to the media will probably be scheduled events not impromptu.
In response to Zepora's charge that Wendy was 'bullying' her, Wendy has posted the raw video footage of her parking lot interview of Zepora. View it in it's entirety here - You can see that no such thing occurred. In fact, Wendy even points out that she has never spoken with Zepora before (so this footage is her only interaction with Zepora ever).
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/news/24569570/detail.html
ps - didn't they vote to hire an outside PR firm just a couple of months ago? What became of those people?
No, she wasn't "bullied". She was "bully-ed". Her words, not mine.
Would it kill anyone in Stone Mountain to speak correctly???
"The DCSS leadership including Ms. Tyson, Mr. Moseley, Ms. Mayfield, etc. and the entire BOE are responsible for this mess - not the teachers and students. "
In fairness, the parents bear some responsibility in the low scores also. Teachers can do their best in trying to reach a child but support from home is needed to make a lasting impact. Can teachers succeed without parental support? Sure, many great teachers have but it sure makes the job easier when they know they won't get cursed out for calling about concerns with a student.
5:27 PM, Imagine just how bad our schools would look if you took Dunwoody, Druid Hills, Lakeside and Chamblee out of the mix.
Cereb,
Ms. Tyson announced today that a person will be hired real soon. She has it down to two people. She is waiting for the criminal background checks to come back. The same is true for the assistant super for auditor. These two will be on board shortly to change the media slant and help with the audit.
"These two will be on board shortly to change the media slant and help with the audit. "
If it's business as usual, then the media slant will not be changed.
@ Anonymous 6:26
"In fairness, the parents bear some responsibility in the low scores also. "
If every DCSS student had these three fundamentals:
1. A safe and clean environment
2. A reasonably sized classroom with a competent and well compensated teacher
3. Abundant access to cutting edge science and technology equipment
I don't think we would have anywhere near the problems we have now. Our per pupil expenditure is over $10,000 per student. Teachers and parents in DCSS have become so accustomed to having most of the money going to admin and support rather than teachers, poor customer service, and broken and scant cutting edge science and technology equipment that they can't conceive of what good schools look like. The three fundamentals listed above have been and remain totally up to the admin and support side of DCSS. Parents are helpless to provide this environment and so are teachers. With a billion dollar budget for 93,000 students, we should have these three fundamentals.
@ Anonymous 6:52,
Not to disagree with you but you may want to look at the school district in Kansas City. They made a significant investment in their infrastructure and had several of what you suggested. At the end of the day, it did not significantly impact student performance. Great teachers can light the fire of motivation in students but they only have them for 6.5 hours a day for 180 days. While there are many cases over time of students achieving despite their home environment, having parental support makes the job easier.
Any teachers out there who care to comment on this?
Too much money is spent in this county on transportation, options, and top administration.
Getting more equipment and material to the teacher would definitely help verses spending it on the above items. However, the most important factor in a classroom is the teacher.
6.5 hours a day is quite a lot! I would think teachers could get the job done if classrooms were right-sized, equipment was available and discipline tactics were utilized. Teachers are powerless to gain access to the necessary tools and classroom support. Parents are powerless to demand those items. Why? Because the administration is far, far too focused on ways to increase administrative bloat and ways to expand their power base for personal gain. Too many greedy 'leaders' have raided the cookie jar.
This is from a conversation at the AJC blog - I really feel this is where we are.
Personally, from my experience in DeKalb and what I have learned about many other large systems with low-performing schools, school systems with a lot of poverty are at risk for predatory managers. I think many large school systems have become jobs programs for these upper-level, six-plus figure managers often spending federal Title 1 money like kids in a candy shop.
School systems with high levels of poverty serve as a vehicle for a superintendent and cronies to use to place whomever they choose in whatever made up position they can think of at a ridiculous salary that would not be remotely offered to that same person anywhere in the private sector. School systems like this are multi-million dollar playgrounds and are therefore leaders are very territorial of their protected turf. They love the idea of serving the "poor" and "uneducated" as they see them as powerless conduits to those yummy federal dollars. Now they're getting some competition though - from the corporate charter school companies. People have figured out that schools - nowadays - are a multi-billion dollar business nirvana. We can discuss educational ideals and theories ad nauseam, but the fact will remain, education at is core, has become nothing more than a money-maker for the elite and an opportunity for a sound-bite for politicians. It's business, pure and simple.
It's the classroom and the student that suffers in the end. I see the teachers working hard and the parents asking for their fair share for their schools, and only being met with patronizing commentary or empty promises or worse, outright lies. Poor parents know that something's wrong, but don't know exactly how to fix it. Wealthier parents have some idea how to fix it, but are punished for being vocal and purposely held back from getting the major dollars (for nice buildings and construction) as the system's way of controlling their behavior and demands.
All of this will only lead to the demise of the United States as we have known it. We are pouring out two kinds of citizens from our schools: those who are educated and those who can barely read and write with very few in the middle. Some say this is purposeful, I think it's just pure, simple, uncontrolled greed.
Sorry. Bad attitude today. As one of the bloggers often ends their comments, Cynical? Yes.
@ Anonymous
"Not to disagree with you but you may want to look at the school district in Kansas City. They made a significant investment in their infrastructure and had several of what you suggested. At the end of the day, it did not significantly impact student performance. Great teachers can light the fire of motivation in students but they only have them for 6.5 hours a day for 180 days "
Most important is that you need all 3 fundamentals:
1. A safe and clean environment
2. A reasonably sized classroom with a competent and well compensated teacher
3. Abundant access to cutting edge science and technology equipment
I did some research on the Kansas City School System. As far as I can see, Kansas City did not provide a fiscally responsible plan for improving their schools. Their investments were driven in a "top down" manner with little cost benefit analysis, the bloated, inefficient and wasteful administration stayed intact, and many incompetent teachers were left in place.
Parents and teachers, do you think the 3 basic fundamentals listed above are important for DCSS students? If implemented, would they attract and retain quality teachers? Do you think they would they make a difference in student achievement?
Wow, Cere, that piece signed C,Y was something.
The Press Conference for tomorrow has been canceled! Wow. What's going on! There are a lot of defenders of Ms. Tyson here, I think she is in over her head.
Cere said, "Teachers are powerless to gain access to the necessary tools and classroom support. Parents are powerless to demand those items. Why?"
Our middle school lacks a fundamental necessary tool -- a working copy machine. It is broken more than it is working. It was broken last year while teachers were trying to prepare their students for finals (no study guides would be copied -- heck, the FINALS couldn't even be copied!). The teachers spent their own money -- in many cases -- to ensure the students had what they needed.
Wednesday of last week, the teachers are finally let back in the building after furlough days -- with the next day being Registration. You guess it! The copy machine was broken!!
Our principal is working within the system. The parents are trying to work "outside of the system" i.e. asking "other people" to help break through the bureaucracy. Was sent an ancient "loaner" that will need to be retrofitted just to be plugged into the school's power supply.
That parents have to stand up and fight for such pedestrian things is shameful. Makes me really angry and frustrated. But, not once have I felt like slugging anyone.
@ Anonymous 4:39
"Think about it, you are asked to comment about one of your bosses on a situation you know is indefensible. How would you have answered? Sometimes 'No Comment' is the best comment."
Didn't something like this happen to a general in the army? What happened to him when he made comments about his boss?
"Tyson is about to hire a public relation person and and a person to audit the school system and that can go over her head to the school board if need be. She is down to two candidates and will hire a candidate for both shortly."
Where did you get this information? Just curious.
If DCSS wants to be transparent then Ms. Tyson needs to speak. Too many parents want to know who the heck is guarding the hen house. Right now, the foxes of the BOE are guarding it and will "Zepora slug" anyone who comes too close!
Post a Comment