tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post1441367534134502098..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: News of the DayCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-10311574930573867122010-07-02T19:44:54.739-04:002010-07-02T19:44:54.739-04:00That is what DCSS aspire to when they send teacher...That is what DCSS aspire to when they send teachers to Ron Clark Academy workshops for $300 a head?<br /><br />http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.aspx?storyid=145883Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-23568751627008200952010-03-04T12:19:18.745-05:002010-03-04T12:19:18.745-05:00http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-teachers-han...http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-teachers-handing-out-346791.html<br /><br />DeKalb teachers handing out free <br />The Atlanta Journal-Constitution<br />10:53 a.m. Thursday, March 4, 2010 <br /><br />DeKalb County teachers will read to children this weekend as part of Read Across America.<br /><br />Stories will be read Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North DeKalb Mall and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Stonecrest Mall.<br /><br />The Organization of DeKalb Educators will provide a free book to every child that attends, said David Schutten, the group’s president.<br /><br />In addition to storytelling, the events will feature face painting and crafts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41857810189449587042010-03-04T07:17:35.413-05:002010-03-04T07:17:35.413-05:00Dr. Frannie Tartt was former Executive Director of...Dr. Frannie Tartt was former Executive Director of Elementary Educatior.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-32874089574957445872010-03-04T01:48:40.084-05:002010-03-04T01:48:40.084-05:00@ retired educator 10:34 pm
The demographic infor...@ retired educator 10:34 pm<br /><br />The demographic information for the Fannie Tartt on Linked-in is Chief Learning Officer at DeKalb Schools as one of her positions. I don't remember Dr. Tartt's DCSS title.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-44674296250992355572010-03-03T22:37:32.289-05:002010-03-03T22:37:32.289-05:00THANKS! We always appreciate clarification!THANKS! We always appreciate clarification!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-53562822873613929382010-03-03T22:34:35.350-05:002010-03-03T22:34:35.350-05:00Dr. Fannie Tartt retired from the Dekalb County Sc...Dr. Fannie Tartt retired from the Dekalb County School System in 1999and has never been paid nor worked for DCSC in any capacity since Dr. Fannie Tartt does not or has never formed a consulting firm and has never been on Linked In in any capacity. She continues to be a very active community servant who volunteers in many capacities. She did serve on the Blue Ribbon Task Force(free of charge)under the direction of Dr.Johnny Brown not Dr. Crawford Lewis.Mr. Moseley was not on that committee but Jim Redovain was on the committee.retirededucatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03383213220594619231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-77619078540752865092010-03-03T19:38:04.580-05:002010-03-03T19:38:04.580-05:00Re: the civil rights complaint.
http://www.ajc.co...Re: the civil rights complaint.<br /><br />http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/civil-rights-complaint-filed-345054.html<br /><br />Now, when we desperately need to ALL come together to address the needs of the whole school system, when we need to present a united front to achieve NO Needs Improvement schools,<br />we get this inflammatory (and inaccurate) rhetoric:<br /><br /><i>Simply put, in the Dekalb County School System, High Quality Academic programs known as Magnet High Achievers and IB programs are at a current ratio of 7 on the Northside of the <br />County to 2 on the Southside of the county.</i><br /><br />Inaccurate<br /><br /><i>Additionally, the way Dekalb County School System determines access to the programs are based on priority being given to the home attendance area students in the case of the IB programs,<br />which has a 6 to 1 ratio. Six on the North end of the County and 1 on the South end of the County.</i><br /><br />Inaccurate<br /><br /><i>In reference to the Magnet High Achievers programs, which uses the lottery system, on the surface it may look as if equitable access is given. However, it isn't. Because of the lack of IB programs on the South end of the County and priority given to home attendees on the North end, the Kittredge and Wadsworth High Achievers' lotteries are escalated to impossible odds for Students on the South end of the County to give them a significant opportunity to access. And again, the South end of the County's students, who are overwhelmingly predominantly Black, are negatively impacted the most.</i><br /><br />Wadsworth is not in the south end of the county?<br /><br /> <br /><i>IS YOUR CHILD VICTIM OF DISCRIMINATION?<br /><br />Probably, if your child falls in one of these categories?<br />1. Did your child apply for an IB program?<br /><br />2. Was your child planning on applying for an IB <br />program but the location deterred you?<br /><br />3. Was your child label ineligible to participate in the lottery <br />program for Kittredge or Wadsworth?<br /><br />4. Is your child's ITBS scores at least in the 70th percentile <br />or higher in reading, math and/or both?<br /><br />5. Under NCLB were you eligible to choose a school, <br />but the choices offered did not meet your child's educational needs?<br /><br />6. Did you apply for a school choice under HB 251 <br />because the school your child is to attend is way beneath your child's needs?<br /><br />7. Did you apply for a school choice under HB 251 <br />to meet the educational needs of your child?<br /><br />8. Was your child eligible to apply for school choice under NCLB, <br />but instead you applied under HB 251 because the choices under NCLB did not meet your child's educational needs? <br /><br />9. Did your child attend a high academic school during the 2008 - 2009 <br />school year and was forced to attend a very low academic school or school on the NI list this school year 2009-2010?<br /><br />10. Is your child interested in attending the Dekalb School of the Arts, plays in the orchestra, high academic but does not have access to a orchestra program in their current school?<br /><br />11. Do you believe your child is very smart based on <br />ITBS scores (NOT CRCT) and grades?<br /><br />12. Do you believe that the educational program your <br />child is in is way beneath your child's ability?<br />13. Is your child attending home school or a private school because the educational programs are beneath way beneath your child's academic ability?</i><br /><br />Actually, yes, my child is. She qualified for the High Achievers' Magnet Program, but was not admitted...<br /><br />Inflammatory.Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-79410914574993005932010-03-03T15:24:35.467-05:002010-03-03T15:24:35.467-05:00Lewis favorite non-response to people asking for d...Lewis favorite non-response to people asking for details:<br /><br />"I'm can't answer that because it's (a personnel matter, comment on a legal case,....), however I know I'm doing the right thing and I can sleep at night."<br /><br />Think he can use that one with these guys? Plead the 5th baby--maybe that will work.<br /><br />...and I hope the school board gets a transcript of his "interviews" because they can use it for a template for all of the ethics hearings they are gonna have to hold for the rest of the crums in the admin...<br />(wooo...Ron Rammsey, Marcus-the-Turk...)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-89650344400139506442010-03-03T15:12:24.099-05:002010-03-03T15:12:24.099-05:00Annon 10:44 2/26
"Just because you disagree w...Annon 10:44 2/26<br />"Just because you disagree with a decision, it does not make it an ethical issue. We are waiting for your proof..."<br /><br />...and you'll never get the "proof" on ethical issues because the new ehtics policy won't extend past the school board members."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-79520049277902674842010-03-03T12:38:13.604-05:002010-03-03T12:38:13.604-05:00Well, now we know why Chelf was so well-liked.Well, now we know why Chelf was so well-liked.Paula Caldarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515215184962897541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45862037816862569412010-03-03T11:00:57.334-05:002010-03-03T11:00:57.334-05:00More on the Wayne Chelf situation. It appears tha...More on the Wayne Chelf situation. It appears that he asked a teacher to change a grade for a student so that the student could graduate on the honor roll. He is, of course, gone from DCSS, however, it does add a link of credibility to Dr. Lewis' stance. <br /><br />http://www.dawsonnews.com/news/article/3416/Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-78658065773063715762010-03-01T14:48:49.769-05:002010-03-01T14:48:49.769-05:00My high school biology teacher was fantastic--the ...My high school biology teacher was fantastic--the kids loved him, he was good at communicating the material, and he was funny and charming. But he still had an affair with a student (and he was married to boot). His being liked by the kids didn't mean the school could give him a pass. Chelf was charming, to be sure, but he was a poor administrator. <br /><br />And so is Lewis. You need to have the guts to appoint people below you who can do the job, not because you knew them where or when. There is too much of that here, and it results in poor decision making down the line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45144300811661510862010-03-01T11:55:27.414-05:002010-03-01T11:55:27.414-05:00Chelf was a very polarizing figure. You either lo...Chelf was a very polarizing figure. You either loved him or hated him. But I will tell you this: He knew the student body well. It makes a difference when the principal knows the name of every student and doesn't hide in the office all day. Students really appreciate that and it makes for a much more pleasant atmosphere within a school.<br /><br />I can't figure out Lakeside parents and the surrounding community. They are incredibly vocal, but they are quiter than you'd expect when its comes to the facility (ugh, the rest rooms and pool are the worst you'll see), and they don't have a problem with all the administrative transfers and parents/students who lie about their address. Lakeside is full of admin transfers and also students who use the address of a relative/friend/etc. They wouldn't need all those trailers if they cut down on AT's and enforced residency requirements.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-70766502895269659562010-03-01T11:20:16.622-05:002010-03-01T11:20:16.622-05:00Compare the state of Lakeside and the attitudes of...Compare the state of Lakeside and the attitudes of the students during Mr. Chelf's administration as compared to Ms. Moton's administration. The atmosphere of the school went downhill. Part of this was the huge influx of students that Lakeside was unprepared for, that came, I belive in her 2nd year, but Mr. Chelf at least acted like he was interested in the students, came to events, got to know the kids, didn't hide in his office. I know some people didn't like him, but he did have the support of the kids which is important.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73396184220379183232010-03-01T09:10:00.657-05:002010-03-01T09:10:00.657-05:00This is from the state press release:
The Georgia...This is from the state press release:<br /><br />The Georgia Professional Standards Commission’s release states that Chelf “broke rules by failing to maintain a professional relationship with students; failing to exemplify honesty and integrity in the course of professional practice; and failed to demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards.”<br /><br />Sounds like SOP with Chelf. Except in Dawson County they have rules and procedures that they follow. Lewis may have recognized Chelf's obvious failings (unlike a lot of the Lakeside community), but he did not follow procedure and he sure as heck did not report him to the state. Instead, he kept having special community meetings, put things off, retracted decisions, etc. His actions during the Chelf thing showed that he was not a decisive leader willing to do the hard thing when it was right (until he absolutely had no choice).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-92087686096294518242010-03-01T05:43:25.180-05:002010-03-01T05:43:25.180-05:00Wow, Cere.
Wonder what he did? I really wonder a...Wow, Cere.<br /><br />Wonder what he did? I really wonder about all those parents who pushed so hard for him.<br /><br />Dr. Lewis doesn't make decision easily and this was well known even back then. Obviously, Dr. Lewis was on to something.themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45940645296923334502010-02-28T22:26:14.754-05:002010-02-28T22:26:14.754-05:00Well, it looks like Dr. Lewis and Pat Pope could h...Well, it looks like Dr. Lewis and Pat Pope could have another person joining them for Tiddly Winks!<br /><br />Dr. Lewis will at least feel relatively vindicated when he reads the story being reported at the <a href="http://www.dawsonnews.com/news/article/3393/" rel="nofollow">Dawson News</a><br /><br />It seems old Wayne Chelf has been suspended without pay from his job as principal at Dawson County High School.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-18499445487526950002010-02-27T09:36:32.397-05:002010-02-27T09:36:32.397-05:00Appearance is reality. Moody is named in the Pope...Appearance is reality. Moody is named in the Pope investigation. He stated to the AJC that he will recuse himslef from any portion of a CAC meeting when a project he is going to bid for is discussed. Awful convenient if you ask me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-74735536336019337892010-02-27T07:50:41.421-05:002010-02-27T07:50:41.421-05:00"Anon 10:44 PM, David Moody doesn't need ..."Anon 10:44 PM, David Moody doesn't need an apologist. There are members of the CAC who are angry that Moody is on the CAC, because it discredits the CAC."<br /><br />Nothing to be an apologist for as you made several inaccurate statements. <br /><br />If that is true that members are angry he is on the committee, all they would have to do is request a new vote for a chair. That is what we call in this country the democratic process.<br /><br />BTW, I spoke to a friend on the committee and they indicated a few Board members expressed concern with this appointment. This was discussed at their first meeting when Mr. Moody allegedly made the statement about not accepting contracts while on this committee.<br /><br />Just because you disagree with a decision, it does not make it an ethical issue. We are waiting for your proof that he will still bid on contracts as FACTS are how most people make judgments not false allegations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-90387271110639872482010-02-26T23:08:39.802-05:002010-02-26T23:08:39.802-05:00Board of Ed members and other high ranking DCSS ad...Board of Ed members and other high ranking DCSS administrators, along with some of the Sam Moss staffers who make recommendation on contracts, attend CAC meetings. If you don't think its advantageous for Moody to be chair of the CAC, you've never operated in the business world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12343203352826691992010-02-26T23:06:04.376-05:002010-02-26T23:06:04.376-05:00Anon 10:44 PM, David Moody doesn't need an apo...Anon 10:44 PM, David Moody doesn't need an apologist. There are members of the CAC who are angry that Moody is on the CAC, because it discredits the CAC. It is a major advantage for him to be on the CAC versus those others competing with him for projects. Seriously, go to one of the fine colleges in the metro area and take a class on ethics. Unseemly. Unethical. Unfair. Inexcusable. Ya can't defend the indefensible.Open + Transparentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-80677455395334885482010-02-26T22:44:43.812-05:002010-02-26T22:44:43.812-05:00"Moody has been clear he will still bid on DC..."Moody has been clear he will still bid on DCSS construction projects. His chairmanship of the CAC brings a huge advantage on how DCSS operates and awards contracts, along with much contact with DCSS staff."<br /><br />What??? This points to the problem, many posters don't know what they are talking about. It has been reported on this blog that David Moody announced at the first meeting that he would not bid on any projects while serving on the committee. Do you have any proof that he did? If so, please name the project as it would be listed on the school system website.<br /><br />According to Robert's Rules of Order, a committee chairman simply helps prepare the agenda, runs the meeting, and makes recommendations to the Board on behalf of the committee. He had no additional powers over any other member as he was one vote of 20. <br /><br />Add to that, this committee had NOTHING to do with contract awards. They simply asked questions of the regarding the status of projects and where they were according to plan. Their objective was to make sure projects were done in accordance to the CIP and communicate whether that was the case to the public. <br /><br />This committee had NO operational responsibilities. The name of the committee is really misleading as it is more of a review than advisory committee. While it is good that citizens volunteered their time to be a part of this process, they should not be subjected to false accusations of their roles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47645132302506249922010-02-26T22:21:45.081-05:002010-02-26T22:21:45.081-05:00Anon 8:31 PM, are you kidding??! The appointment ...Anon 8:31 PM, are you kidding??! The appointment of David Moody to the CAC by Tom Bowen was either one of the most naive appointments, or one of the most unethical, you'll ever see. Moody accepting it says much about his ethics and character.<br /><br />Moody has been clear he will still bid on DCSS construction projects. His chairmanship of the CAC brings a huge advantage on how DCSS operates and awards contracts, along with much contact with DCSS staff. I've heard directly from Bowen's confidants that Bowen didn't really know Moody well before the appointment.<br />Then why appoint him?<br /><br />The chairperson of the DeKalb County School System Board of Education, a billion dollar operation, needs to be smarter, and much more aware of ethical conflicts.<br /><br />As Anon 9:46 said, they are many, many people knowledgeable of construction in DeKalb. If Bowen wanted someone with that background, he should have demanded his appointee agree to never bid on any DCSS projects, which run into the tens of millions ($70 mil for Tucker High alone). This is worse than Bowen dropping the ball. It is fair game to question his judgement, at least when it comes to appointees.Open + Transparentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-78966613506582251052010-02-26T22:15:59.227-05:002010-02-26T22:15:59.227-05:00Columbia High School is not completed. The project...Columbia High School is not completed. The project completion was delayed due to weather. The grassing and track will be completed once the weather breaks. You cannot install a new track and sod on rain soaked base. Project once completed will still be under budget though delayed due to weather. The contractor has done an excellent job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-14894146676883429192010-02-26T21:46:31.467-05:002010-02-26T21:46:31.467-05:00Anonymous said...
Tom Bowen simply appointed a &#...<i>Anonymous said...<br /><br />Tom Bowen simply appointed a 'construction knowledgeable' resident to the committee. The committee elected him as the chair.</i><br /><br />The thing is, Tom Bowen's appointment of David Moody -- and David Moody's acceptance -- was unethical. David Moody is not the only "construction knowledgeable" resident of DeKalb County. Millard Choate of Choate Construction comes immediately to mind. Millard does not bid on school projects. An added benefit is that Millard does outstanding, high quality work. I'm not sure Moody would recognize high quality work if he fell over it!Gingernoreply@blogger.com