tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post1030164335381116685..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: DCSS Stonewalls on Open Records Request -- Let Your Legislators Know!Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-61190099061830803092011-03-18T22:12:38.655-04:002011-03-18T22:12:38.655-04:00"She had as much to lose as anyone (maybe eve..."She had as much to lose as anyone (maybe even more) if that audit had been completed "<br /><br />The audit was completed. The Ernst and Young consultants gave the summary to the BOE. How else would they arrive at the figures of 14.8 million dollars?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-275172381410309832011-03-18T20:51:48.801-04:002011-03-18T20:51:48.801-04:00Lynn Cherry grant's sisters were some of the h...Lynn Cherry grant's sisters were some of the highest paid secretaries in DCSS. <br /><br />She had as much to lose as anyone (maybe even more) if that audit had been completedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43477453915952079802011-03-18T18:49:06.536-04:002011-03-18T18:49:06.536-04:00CORRUPT!
WHITE-WASHED!
Who is looking after the ch...CORRUPT!<br />WHITE-WASHED!<br />Who is looking after the children?<br />Who is watching over taxpayer dollars?<br />The fox is guarding the henhouse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-33875106896723469542011-03-18T09:08:13.701-04:002011-03-18T09:08:13.701-04:00@ 5:33 am
"We even have this tool called ema...@ 5:33 am<br /><br />"We even have this tool called email -- wow! Or telephones. Or snail mail.... "<br /><br />Hers's a quote from former BOE member Lynn Cherry Grant to Jim Walls. His article appeared in the AJC and Atlanta Unfiltered: <br /><br />"Lynn Cherry Grant, who stepped down in 2008 after serving 16 years on the DeKalb board, had a different take when I called her about it....<br /><br />...Grant also recalls that some other board members were upset about some of the consultant’s findings.<br /><br />“Everybody had a sacred cow,” she said. “If you had a relative or best friend or somebody you went to church with … then you were not very happy to hear they were being overpaid by $5,000.”<br /><br />http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2011/02/28/despite-the-law-dekalb-school-minutes-vanish-without-a-trace/<br /><br />If there was no study like Ms. Tyson says, then Chanda White's (Ms. Roberts's daughter) raise was given on fabricated information and needs to be rescinded.<br /><br />Face it. Anything that had to do with the original information in this "study" is missing on the DCSS BOE website. Minutes after minutes are there in detail - but only the minutes for all of the meetings about this "study" are missing. The original meeting where this "stud" was discussed (April 1, 2004) and Ernst and Young said there were $14,000,000 in overpayments to non-teaching personnel doesn't have the minutes missing - the ENTIRE MEETING is missing from the DCSS BOE website (as if it never occurred) even though the notes for the meeting were noted as approved in a subsequent meeting (also the AJC article tells us the date). This does look odd.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-34808750172164193202011-03-18T05:33:25.168-04:002011-03-18T05:33:25.168-04:00We even have this tool called email -- wow! Or te...We even have this tool called email -- wow! Or telephones. Or snail mail....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48446693804746998212011-03-17T22:45:53.134-04:002011-03-17T22:45:53.134-04:00One could even find and track down Dr. Brown and h...One could even find and track down Dr. Brown and his "cohorts" if one really wanted to.... they are still "in business" and not so far away... (Abby Boring is in Rome I think in Dr. Brown in Texas?).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-89667475595600247852011-03-16T22:07:14.725-04:002011-03-16T22:07:14.725-04:00All the board members who made decisions based on ...All the board members who made decisions based on Dr. Lewiss' recommendations are around also. That's why it is so strange that Lynn Cherry Grant made comments about the study.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-16763454450925591612011-03-16T21:24:48.956-04:002011-03-16T21:24:48.956-04:00No. Simone Manning Moon was the board rep during ...No. Simone Manning Moon was the board rep during most of this time. She left early (smart woman) and eventually Bowen was elected. They appointed someone to hold the seat during the interim who wasn't going to run.<br /><br />The employees who were on the executive committee at the time are surely still alive and probably in the area. Why not just pick up the phone and ask?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-84396372629553353622011-03-16T16:14:31.571-04:002011-03-16T16:14:31.571-04:00@ 3:47
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The retired teachers get some money,...@ 3:47<br />"<br />The retired teachers get some money, they are already experienced, and we aren't on the hook for decades of pension and benefits."<br /><br />That's probably why the other metro counties use part time teachers. I looked up this title in other counties and saw that some of the counties use Paraprofessionals. There are many well educated parapros who could perform this job function.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-69338786480559178512011-03-16T15:47:14.389-04:002011-03-16T15:47:14.389-04:00Anon 1:56 is right on. I don't know of any da...Anon 1:56 is right on. I don't know of any data that backs up the return of investment on Parent Resource Centers, but if there is a need and ROI, then staff them with retired teachers on an annual pay rate, with no benefits.<br /><br />The retired teachers get some money, they are already experienced, and we aren't on the hook for decades of pension and benefits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-60166768664347490412011-03-16T13:56:17.350-04:002011-03-16T13:56:17.350-04:00@ 8:37
"It should be noted that having these ...@ 8:37<br />"It should be noted that having these meetings is a MANDATE with Title 1 funding, along with the parent centers."<br /><br />If this is indeed a mandate then DCSS should staff these parent centers with part time employees like most of the other metro area school systems do. How many teachers would the millions a year spent on non-teaching personnel in these centers buy?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-20612248899599186212011-03-16T13:53:08.547-04:002011-03-16T13:53:08.547-04:00@ Anonymous 6:41
"It should be noted that the...@ Anonymous 6:41<br />"It should be noted that the only Board member that is still around is SCW. She probably does not remember the discussion regarding the scope change."<br /><br />Where are minutes discussing the scope change? I've read every BOE meeting minutes in 2005 and 2006, and there is nothing in the minutes about the scope change of this issue. Even Lewis admitted over payment cost DCSS millions a year. <br /><br />How can you use the "study" to justify a very hefty raise for a BOe members child, but then say the data is missing? That really doesn't make sense. Where did Chandra White's raise come from - <br /><br />BOE minutes 1-9-06:<br />"“Dr. Lewis recommended a change in salary based on verified years of experience for Chanda White, a relative of a board member, in her current position as a Title I Parent Facilitator.<br /><br />In discussion that followed, Dr. Lewis stated that Ms. White is one of nine people in this category requiring a salary adjustment based on verified years of experience as identified in the Compensation Classification Study. "Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-1492217636469782952011-03-16T13:51:22.900-04:002011-03-16T13:51:22.900-04:00"Dr. Lewis says the AJC newspaper report the ..."Dr. Lewis says the AJC newspaper report the day following the Ernst and Young presentation to the BOE was wrong. He says the actual amount saved if DCSS adjusts salaries is only $1,900,000 a year. Dr. Lewis says he promised no one would see a pay reduction from the survey results and he would honor his promise."<br /><br /><br />This shows how much of a jack@#$ Crawford Lewis was as supt.<br /><br />I don't believe him that the E & Y audit only showed $1.9 in salary savings instead of $15 million.<br /><br />But even if it was $1.9 million, that's almost TWO MILLION DOLLARS that should have gone into the classroom instead of overpaid non-teaching staff.<br /><br />Look at the salary increases of administrators like Tyson, Jamie Wilson, etc. Teachers as myself as treated like dirt, yet the Central Office insiders and anyone related to a BOE member get salary increases they would never get as a teacher, or even in the private sector.<br /><br />Apologists like Anon 10:06 defend Tyson, Lewis and the Central Office, but seem to have no problem with teachers being treated like pond scum. Shame on you Anon 10:06.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-67345929496549700832011-03-16T13:29:37.000-04:002011-03-16T13:29:37.000-04:00"It should be noted that the only Board membe..."It should be noted that the only Board member that is still around is SCW. She probably does not remember the discussion regarding the scope change.<br />Looking for a study along with the circumstances surrounding it when those that were involved are no longer around can take time."<br /><br /><br />TOM BOWEN was on the BOE during much of this!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-39860883097757109782011-03-16T11:34:11.663-04:002011-03-16T11:34:11.663-04:00any citizen can sue prose -- doesn't need to b...any citizen can sue prose -- doesn't need to be a lawyer. All of the "players" from 2004 are still around -- just not in DeKalb... superintendant, AJC reporter, BOE members-- some even blog here as anons, etc. Someone is hiding something huge --maybe it really shows the ponzi... Maybe RT doens't know her staff is hiding stuff from her... remember Dr. Brown was sabotoged internally.... isn't this 2004 time frams involved in the period of time that overlaps the big monster law suit in DeKalb.... is there a connection?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91533079718357284822011-03-16T11:08:28.305-04:002011-03-16T11:08:28.305-04:00Why doesn't Ms. Tyson just post all this very ...Why doesn't Ms. Tyson just post all this very public information she presented to the BOE Monday night regarding the Ernst and Young study on the BOE website as attachments? If the information was presented to the BOE in a public meeting, it should be posted on the BOE website under the March 14, 2011 meeting as attachments. That way taxpayers can download it, view it and make up their own mind. Sounds like a transparent move to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25595598377318837702011-03-16T11:04:41.193-04:002011-03-16T11:04:41.193-04:00@ 10:02
BOE minutes and data from the state websit...@ 10:02<br />BOE minutes and data from the state website are what's posted here. You can look at this data as well as a wealth of information on the DCSS and state websites. A little data will go a lot longer than just typing on a blog that people are lying. Prove it with the data. Otherwise it's just your opinion and sounds like you just don't like what the data says. There's no emotion in data. It's just dry facts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11287377222124531912011-03-16T11:00:43.498-04:002011-03-16T11:00:43.498-04:00@ 10:02
Post some of your own information. Do ...@ 10:02 <br /><br />Post some of your own information. Do a little research to show the DCSS administration in a good light. Just be sure to cite your weblinks and sources.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-57790745278642560752011-03-16T10:58:14.858-04:002011-03-16T10:58:14.858-04:00@ 10:02
There is no "spewing falsehoods"...@ 10:02<br />There is no "spewing falsehoods" or "attacking the character of individuals" here. Just facts and quotes from BOE minutes. Why don't you look at the BOE minutes yourself to see if any facts have been omitted that would present this in a more benign light? <br /><br />Please post some facts that show DCSS does not have the highest Staff to Teacher ratio in metro Atlanta. Post some facts that show upper management salaries are on par with teachers when it comes to raises. Post some facts that show our Title 1 schools are making AYP at the same rate as other systems. Post any facts that show te results of DCSS upper management decisions in a better light. That should be someone's job in the Central Office. Maybe you would like to take that on. <br /><br />There is a wealth information on the state and DCSS website regarding salaries, benefits, number of personnel, standardized test scores, revenue streams and expenditures. <br /><br />Why don't you do some research to present the DCSS administration in a good light based on facts and credible sources cited? That seems to be a better way to sway public opinion. It takes some time, but you seem very passionate on the subject.<br /><br />Please make sure to give the weblinks to your facts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-75308060043864920662011-03-16T10:56:38.916-04:002011-03-16T10:56:38.916-04:00@ 10:02 am
"Dan Magee...why don't you get...@ 10:02 am<br />"Dan Magee...why don't you get yourself a copy of the information that DCSS and Ernst & Young have put together on this subject instead of continually spewing falsehoods"<br /><br />Are you saying the BOE minutes are falsehoods? I don't think so. They are a matter of public record. <br /><br />Surely the BOE members were given copies of the information that DCSS and Ernst and Young put together on this subject since you say it is so readily available? Perhaps they can give their constituents this information that belongs in the public arena. Are you suggesting posters email them and ask for the information? <br /><br />It seems like the easiest thing would be to post all these documents as attachments on the DCSS BOE website under the March 14, 2011 meeting in which they were presented. If Ms. Tyson referred to these documents during the March 14, 2011 meeting, then they should be posted to that meeting as attachments. <br /><br />There is no "spewing falsehoods" or "attacking the character of individuals" here. Just facts and quotes from BOE minutes. Why don't you look at the BOE minutes yourself to see if any facts have been omitted that would present this in a more benign light? <br /><br />Please post some facts that show DCSS does not have the highest Staff to Teacher ratio in metro Atlanta. Post some facts that show upper management salaries are on par with teachers when it comes to raises. Post some facts that show our Title 1 schools are making AYP at the same rate as other systems. Post any facts that show te results of DCSS upper management decisions in a better light. That should be someone's job in the Central Office. Maybe you would like to take that on. <br /><br />There is a wealth information on the state and DCSS website regarding salaries, benefits, number of personnel, standardized test scores, revenue streams and expenditures. <br /><br />Why don't you do some research to present the DCSS administration in a good light based on facts and credible sources cited? That seems to be a better way to sway public opinion. It takes some time, but you seem very passionate on the subject.<br /><br />Please make sure to give the weblinks to your facts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-68846239061502769332011-03-16T10:53:43.203-04:002011-03-16T10:53:43.203-04:00E&Y has the report. I was told that they DO NO...E&Y has the report. I was told that they DO NOT SHRED anything!<br /><br />Either DCSS requests a copy of someone has to SUE DCSS to get it!<br /><br />I was told only DCSS can get the report WITHOUT a judge!<br /><br />Who is willing to SUE to get the report?<br /><br />Any lawyers out there who can file this motion?<br /><br />S7Sagamore 7https://www.blogger.com/profile/06152206779671223406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-19183433348159448792011-03-16T10:06:37.971-04:002011-03-16T10:06:37.971-04:00Dan Magee...why don't you get yourself a copy ...Dan Magee...why don't you get yourself a copy of the information that DCSS and Ernst & Young have put together on this subject instead of continually spewing falsehoods and attacking the character of individuals simply because the outcome is not what you expected. <br /><br />Those of you who want to continue with these lies that somehow something was done illegally or unethically just impune your reputation. <br /><br />That this blog continues to allow this type of nonsense to continue is frightening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-23151448504365524052011-03-16T09:31:10.032-04:002011-03-16T09:31:10.032-04:00b. Dr. Lewis recommended that David Guillory, curr...b. Dr. Lewis recommended that David Guillory, currently Director of Transportation, be appointed to the position of Interim Executive Director of Transportation, with the salary to be reviewed and brought back to board for consideration at a later time.<br /><br />Ms. Anderson-Littlejohn questioned why this interim position is brought to the Board when Mr. Reed’s interim position was not brought to the Board. Dr. Lewis explained that it is because Mr. Guillory is a relative of a board member and the position is interim until the final recommendation on the Human Resources position currently being held by Mr. Reed on an interim basis comes before the Board. <br /><br />Mr. Franzoni said that he is in total support of Mr. Guillory personally but that he will vote against this for the same reason as the previous item. Mr. Hawkins stated that this does require a separate vote.<br /><br />Ms. Andrews made a motion to approve the recommendation, and Ms. Roberts seconded the motion.<br /><br />Ms. Joyner agreed with Mr. Franzoni and explained that she would vote against this for the same reason she voted against the previous substitute motion because she wants the Board to vote on this position along with the previous positions as one item including salary. Ms. Joyner made a motion that the Board reconsider the previous action of the Board to approve the promotions without the salary adjustments. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion to reconsider.<br /><br />The Chair called for a vote, and the motion to reconsider was approved by a vote of 6-2, with Ms. Andrews, Ms. Copelin-Wood, Mrs. Edwards, Mr. Franzoni, Ms. Joyner, and Ms. Roberts voting affirmatively, and with Ms. Anderson-Littlejohn and Ms. Grant opposed.<br /><br />Ms. Joyner made a motion that the Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation on promotion and salary adjustments in its entirety. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion.<br /><br />The motion passed by a vote of 5-3, with Ms. Andrews, Ms. Copelin-Wood, Mrs. Edwards, Ms. Joyner, and Ms. Roberts voting affirmatively, and with Ms. Anderson-Littlejohn, Mr. Franzoni, and Ms. Grant opposed.<br /><br />Ms. Andrews moved to approve Dr. Lewis’ recommendation that David Guillory be appointed Interim Executive Director of Transportation to include the recommended salary increase. Ms. Joyner seconded the motion.<br /><br />Ms. Anderson-Littlejohn called for a vote, and the motion passed by a vote of 6-1-1, with Ms. Anderson-Littlejohn, Ms. Andrews, Ms. Copelin-Wood, Ms. Grant, Ms. Joyner, and Ms. Roberts voting affirmatively, Mr. Franzoni opposed, and Mrs. Edwards abstaining.”Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48800201544518774252011-03-16T09:30:47.195-04:002011-03-16T09:30:47.195-04:00Dr. Lewis stated that the dollar amount is well wi...Dr. Lewis stated that the dollar amount is well within reason. While he recognizes the Board’s concerns, he believes these individuals have earned these positions and asked the Board for its support of his recommendation. Ms. Anderson-Littlejohn stated that the Board had just received the detailed salary information and had not had time to review it and asked Dr. Lewis to consider the need to table the item to allow for further review and discussion.<br /><br />Dr. Lewis asked the Board to vote only on the individuals at this time and bring the salary recommendations back to the Board at a later time to allow for further review of the salaries to be certain they are in line with the single salary scale. Ms. Joyner stated that student achievement is important and she will not hold the Superintendent back, but she is frustrated about how the salaries are determined.<br /> <br />Ms. Roberts said that while she does not have a problem with any of the individuals being recommended and will not vote against the recommendation, she agrees with Ms. Joyner that there needs to be a standard unified approach to salaries. Increases should be given after working in the position, rather than the salary going with the position at the time an individual assumes a position.<br /><br />Mrs. Edwards encouraged the Board to support Dr. Lewis’ reorganization as presented by the Superintendent to support his moving forward. The Board spent many dollars on the compensation classification study and adopted a single salary structure and this should be the model. The salaries should be well within this range. No position should be devalued, and individuals need to be paid based on their position, educational training, and based on the single salary structure adopted by the Board. <br /> <br />Mr. Franzoni clarified his concern, stating that this is a 35% increase in central office staff over the Board’s policy and he is recommending it be tabled only because of this perceived bloating of central office staff.<br /><br />Dr. Lewis said he has spent 4 to 6 months working on this reorganization. He asked the Board to support only the names and titles only to allow him to move forward and to hold the salary issue until he can determine that the salaries are consistent with the single salary structure and at that time, he will ask that it be retroactive.<br /><br />Ms. Copelin-Wood made a substitute motion that the Board approve only the positions, with the salaries to be considered at a later time. Ms. Andrews seconded the motion.<br /><br />The substitute motion passed by a vote of 5/3, with Ms. Andrews, Ms. Copelin-Wood, Mrs. Edwards, Ms. Grant, and Ms. Roberts voting affirmatively, and with Ms. Anderson-Littlejohn, Mr. Franzoni, and Ms. Joyner opposed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-28516293252003276992011-03-16T09:30:15.253-04:002011-03-16T09:30:15.253-04:00Ms. Joyner questioned how the salary increases wer...Ms. Joyner questioned how the salary increases were determined, noting that although there is a single salary structure, she could not determine any consistency in the increases. Mr. Cost stated that the administrative salaries and contracts are based on years of experience and salary schedules are maintained for every position. While positions of like title fall under the same salary schedule, the years of experience could make the salaries vary. Also the position from which the individual is moving may create a larger salary difference if he/she is moving from a lower position. Dr. Lewis clarified that the promotions would be effective immediately upon approval by the Board, and the total cost of the promotions is $60,000. Ms. Joyner stated she thought the single salary structure was based on equity compensation and therefore, it should be based on the years of experience in the position one holds rather than the new position. Mr. Cost said it is based on years of experience and an individual is given credit for experience related to the new position. Ms. Joyner said that she has real issues with the pay scale.<br /><br />Mr. Franzoni suggested tabling the item and Dr. Lewis responded that the delay would disrupt his immediate plans for the 2006-2007 school year. <br /><br />Ms. Anderson-Littlejohn stated that she has concerns and doesn’t understand the rationale behind the changes and the accompanying salary increases. She questioned whether the school system was becoming top heavy and whether the system would be better served by putting this money back into the classroom. She reminded Dr. Lewis that when the Board adopted this year’s budget, she spoke of the possible need to amend the budget at some point to put additional funds into programs where the need is greatest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com