tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post194458856183292456..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Limbo is no fun - Will the board choose a new superintendent or are they secretly planning to maintain the status quo?Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-29960676016527816302011-06-04T22:17:28.188-04:002011-06-04T22:17:28.188-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.DeKalb Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16252885521826870258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85845428419022540922011-06-04T18:03:11.483-04:002011-06-04T18:03:11.483-04:00Thanks for sharing those responses, Mom of 3. We ...Thanks for sharing those responses, Mom of 3. We are all tired of waiting in limbo. It's good to get a crumb or two!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-69725123541308848572011-06-04T14:43:04.517-04:002011-06-04T14:43:04.517-04:00FYI - These are the messages I received to an inqu...FYI - These are the messages I received to an inquiry for an update on the Superintendent Search<br />---------------------------------<br />The superintendent search is a highly confidential matter. Discussion is prohibited by the rules of executive session. Please be aware that the process is continuing.<br /><br />Thank you,<br />Don McChesney<br />----------------------------------<br />I appreciate your concerns. Please feel free to contact me at (number removed)<br /><br />Regards,<br />Donna Edler<br />-------------------------------<br />I understand the frustration. I share it. I cannot disclose the discussions in executive session but I can tell you that the superintendent search is continuing. During the time since someone leaked information about Dr. Cox, causing her to withdraw, we have continued to meet and discuss other potential candidates and options. <br /><br />If you have time for a phone call, please send me your number and we can discuss this matter. (<br />--Nancy Jester.<br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 22:54:15<br />As we look forward to the new school year, I have grave concerns about the state of our school system. We have many issues to address, a key one being the hiring of a new superintendent. What is the current strategy?<br />Are you reconsidering some of the candidates put forward by the recruitment firm? Is a new call for applicants being issued?<br /><br /><br /><br />This is a course and decision that impacts each of the students, employees and taxpayers of DeKalb County. The lack of information about what is going on with this process is of great concern. I respectfully request that an update be released about the status and timeline of the superintendent search directly.<br /><br /><br /><br />Sincerely,momofthreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07435202723210676762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-36304155422361214192011-06-04T12:52:55.735-04:002011-06-04T12:52:55.735-04:00Interesting. Thanks for the update, psc. I wonde...Interesting. Thanks for the update, psc. I wonder if this board can possibly ever come to a consensus... hope so.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25006476593211647082011-06-04T12:07:53.153-04:002011-06-04T12:07:53.153-04:00Jay Cunningham and Donna Edler attended Stan Watso...Jay Cunningham and Donna Edler attended Stan Watson's monthly meeting this morning. Both adamantly stated that the superintendent search is ongoing and they consider it a top priority. Jay also commented as another blogger did earlier, they are not going to 'settle' just to meet a timeline, they want to get the right person for this job.<br /><br />There were a few education insiders at the meeting that shared there was one national candidate that got strong consideration however they got another job offer before they began discussing salary parameters. They believed there were a few additional quality candidates under consideration however none could get consensus support among Board members.pscexbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634017508215285786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-57354164065239565552011-06-04T09:38:10.719-04:002011-06-04T09:38:10.719-04:00The DCSS BOE must find a new superintendent from o...The DCSS BOE must find a new superintendent from outside of the district soon! While Tyson seems to have performed her duties well in place of Lewis, many voting citizens will not stand for a DCSS insider with any ties, real or imagined, to the old corrupt ways of Lewis, Pope, et al. I am a trusting person, but once one has broken that trust, it is nearly impossible to regain. It will be far easier for me (and perhaps other parents, teachers, and tax-payers, too) to trust an outside superintendent than Tyson or any other DCSS insider. I encourage the BOE to make a wise and swift choice for the good of the students, staff, and citizens of DeKalb County.FieldsGrovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05138111630750879143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56456201393734231392011-06-04T09:18:11.938-04:002011-06-04T09:18:11.938-04:00I actually don't think we are "getting&qu...I actually don't think we are "getting" anyone right now. The Board had no executive sessions last week.<br /><br />As others have said, they clearly are at a stalemate. I think they are making no real progress.<br /><br />If the June 30th deadline is met, it will be the equivalent of a Hail Mary pass in sports.themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-36811681664877853252011-06-04T08:45:09.434-04:002011-06-04T08:45:09.434-04:00We are going to get who we get. The board isn'...We are going to get who we get. The board isn't speaking and they do not care what type of person the public wants. We can go to board meetings until we are blue in the face and they are going to do what they want to do. They are going to raise taxes and keep misspending our money. <br /><br />I do not teach in DCSS anymore. Left because I wasn't teaching and was tired of having uneducated people running our district at all levels. <br /><br />I agree with you that money is misspent all over the place. I agree that we have too many people at many levels of the district expect in our overly large classrooms. However, I don't see this changing. What happened during the proceedings with Cox was definitely wrong, but it didn't surprise me. The school board members -ALL of them- have not shown that they care about our children for some time. Sarah may care about "her" kids, but she fails to look at the bigger picture and also fails to realize that many of her kids are in failing schools. <br /><br />There is no pill that is going to solve this. Even a new superintendent will need a few years to straighten things out. Contracts have been signed for employees and to worthless companies for services that we do not really need and/or do not work.<br />Not sure how we can save this district, but I see it getting a great deal worse before it gets better. I honestly expect Beasley or Tyson to be named our next superintendent. The email that I received from one board member and I sent it to them all, was that what they were doing was secret. <br /><br />I do not think that the way Cox's negotiations were handled were correct (I agree that what took place was wrong), but I honestly have learned not to expect those running DCSS to be moral or do legal things. I do not trust the people at any level in the district. Very few have the children's best interests at heart.<br /><br />As long as the board is keeping it's mouth shut about what is happening with the board and people are running their mouths that Tyson is doing a fabulous job than we can expect more of the same in DCSS-which is not good for our children or us in the future.teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376631088818447603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-21445936549820900652011-06-04T01:20:31.195-04:002011-06-04T01:20:31.195-04:00@ Teacher
The word is "moot," not "...@ Teacher<br /><br />The word is "moot," not "mute."<br /><br />And, the issue is not moot at all. Because you did not believe that Dr. Cox was right for the job, you indicate that you were okay with the illegal actions taken by one or more BOE members. Would you have felt the same way if Mr. Culver was the finalist?<br /><br />Wrong is wrong and illegal is illegal. <br /><br />If you "do not think that the board is incapable of selecting a qualified candidate," then you must believe that they are, in fact, capable.<br /><br />However, the remainder of your comment does not support the topic sentence in your paragraph. What exactly are you trying to say?<br /><br />Are you a current, certified teacher for DCSS? What is your field and what grade do you teach?SHShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07809309296308250111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-2906479256598501632011-06-03T23:35:59.112-04:002011-06-03T23:35:59.112-04:00@ SHS
I agree that the point about Cox is mute, h...@ SHS<br /><br />I agree that the point about Cox is mute, however I do not think that the board is incapable of selecting a qualified candidate. They have too much to hide and have to care for their friends and family working in over paid jobs that they do not belong in. I don't trust one board member. I had hopes for the new board members, but they seem to be sheep and follow along with the majority. Our kids are doomed until someone higher up can help them.teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376631088818447603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-76713760155808032142011-06-03T22:57:59.178-04:002011-06-03T22:57:59.178-04:00@ Teacher
Whether you thought Dr. Cox was qualifi...@ Teacher<br /><br />Whether you thought Dr. Cox was qualified or not is completely irrelevant. <br /><br />The superintendent selection process <i>as defined by</i> the DCSS BOE led to Dr. Lillie Cox. The fact that Tom Bowen and/or someone else on the BOE did not like the probable outcome of the process DOES NOT excuse that person for <i><b>illegally revealing confidential information</b></i> and derailing the whole BOE-defined process.<br /><br />Actually, that kind of behavior is pretty much the definition of a criminal enterprise.SHShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07809309296308250111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-40720385879553673792011-06-03T22:01:09.164-04:002011-06-03T22:01:09.164-04:00A superintendent should wear four hats, possess fo...A superintendent should wear four hats, possess four leadership styles; relational [human relations and customer service]; operational [supervisory, i.e. effecting change and managerial]; systems [trust building (coaching and mentoring), systems building]; and the fourth dimension, strategic. A great leader is competent in three areas: personal, professional and technological. Think about what makes a great student leader, a great teacher leader, a great administrator leader at the local school house. We need a great leader for DCSS. Someone who has a knowledge base to surround themselves with top-notch effective staff members to do an impossible job-bring us back full circle-where students exceed standards, where students can justify their answers, explain how they find their solutions. A great leader in education knows education...knows instruction.<br /><br />http://www.governmentresource.com/files/4DL_presentation.pdfPassionate...https://www.blogger.com/profile/07428539988625033252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-285552144963962842011-06-03T21:35:24.675-04:002011-06-03T21:35:24.675-04:00I think that the board is gridlocked. I don't...I think that the board is gridlocked. I don't think they can agree on even what type of person they are looking for.<br /><br />I think that some, like Gene Walker, think things are fine and we don't need a game changer.<br /><br />That is very scary to me.Anonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13434798345498298882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-89513832500059427152011-06-03T21:32:23.502-04:002011-06-03T21:32:23.502-04:00@ Melaniestef
Please be more specific about the &...@ Melaniestef<br /><br />Please be more specific about the "masterful" job done by Tyson.<br /><br />Please name the "competent people" that Tyson has surrounded herself with.<br /><br />BTW -- Dr. Hallford was a high school English teacher who eventually worked his way up to principal and then into the DCSS central office. As deputy superintendent and then superintendent, Dr. Hallford was an experienced educator with a <i><b>real</b></i> doctorate who steered DCSS through the shoals of the integration court case to settlement and release from federal court supervision.SHShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07809309296308250111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-61911408837139798122011-06-03T21:22:23.375-04:002011-06-03T21:22:23.375-04:00SHS
Cox did not have enough experience at any of...SHS <br /><br />Cox did not have enough experience at any of her jobs to run DCSS. The person for the job was Mr. Culver. He would have shaken things up for the kids and not have cared about his reputation, as his heart has been proven to be with what is best for the children. My cousin worked in his district in the Houston Area and said that he always put the kids and their best interests first. He may not have been popular with all, but those wanting the kids to be held responsible and receive a quality education liked him. Cox is too young to have this attitude. She has hopped jobs too often climbing the education ladder. She cares too much about her reputation that rocking the boat is not in the best interest of her job goals.teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376631088818447603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-36891002866939194692011-06-03T21:00:31.953-04:002011-06-03T21:00:31.953-04:00Premier DCSS cruise ship hit a huge iceberg with i...Premier DCSS cruise ship hit a huge iceberg with indictments, CRCT cheating, etc. Captain Ramona Tyson ordered life boats to be filled and lowered with our children...to keep us afloat until we are rescued. They are patiently waiting in those boats...waiting to be rescued...waiting for the new DCSS 2011-2012 ship to arrive with a new captain, our new superintendent..waiting for the BOE crew members to take orders from the captain, waiting for the DCSS teachers to educate them... waiting for the adults to protect them from the icebergs ahead. The new 2011-2012 DCSS ship needs to return to shore remembering the bottom line of a successful journey in education: Students need teachers. Teachers need provisions. That is how education started-one person needing to learn something-another person having the skills to teach them what they needed to learn.Passionate...https://www.blogger.com/profile/07428539988625033252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47663350564347767622011-06-03T20:13:39.713-04:002011-06-03T20:13:39.713-04:00Why go after an unknown whenwe have Ramona Tyson. ...Why go after an unknown whenwe have Ramona Tyson. She has done a masterful job with the mess she inherited and with whatever limited power the Board gave her as Interium Supt.<br />She doesn't have to "know" instruction. We had a Deputy Supt named Gloria Tally who didn't have a clue about increasing student achievement, Ginny Springer was a "stump speaking joke". WE had Hallford and Freeman who didn't know instruction. A good leader surrounds himself/herself with competent people and let them do the job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-29742247585034492302011-06-03T20:04:05.614-04:002011-06-03T20:04:05.614-04:00Supt.coming soon. Trust the Board will learn from ...Supt.coming soon. Trust the Board will learn from Cobb and Fulton and do the right thing by hiring a Supt.with experience from a large METRO syatem with a proven track record. I hope I don'e have to apologize!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25005996852269032732011-06-03T19:23:46.111-04:002011-06-03T19:23:46.111-04:00Hey Fred, Aquafinanow, et al ...
We had the right...Hey Fred, Aquafinanow, et al ...<br /><br />We had the right person for the superintendent job -- Dr. Lillie Cox. <br /><br />There was no rush to decision when the process pointed to Dr. Cox. But, someone on the BOE -- someone who is looking more and more like Tom Bowen -- sabotaged the process. Lillie Cox clearly was about changing status quo. The gravy train that is DCSS could not afford <i>any</i> change in status quo -- the children be damned! <br /><br />DeKalb County School System is NOT about educating children. It is a <b><i>front</i></b> for lining the pockets of friends-and-family. <br /><br />As long as the people who had to know about Crawford Lewis's and Pat Pope's criminal actions -- i.e., Ramona Tyson, Marcus Turk, Bob Moseley, Ron Ramsey, Felicia Mitchell-Mayfield, Audria Berry, et al -- remain un-indicted, on the payroll, failing at their jobs, yet getting obscene salaries and annual raises -- then we have to assume that the criminal enterprise in DCSS is underground, but alive and well.<br /><br />And the next superintendent will be someone who can be fully trusted to maintain status quo, keep the gravy train running for the benefit of friends-and-family <i>only</i> and manage the criminal enterprise.SHShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07809309296308250111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-18712032989020964812011-06-03T18:02:03.119-04:002011-06-03T18:02:03.119-04:00@aquafinanow Really? You think this board simply d...@aquafinanow Really? You think this board simply doesn't want the public to know about any potential candidate negotiations? This same board that LEAKED the last negotiations to the press? You TRUST them?Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-81599379102120064342011-06-03T17:22:50.299-04:002011-06-03T17:22:50.299-04:00The problem is that any new superintendent can'...The problem is that any new superintendent can't do what they really want until next year. They have to fulfill signed contracts, so people couldn't be let go until next May. Contracts have been signed with America's Choice and other companies, so a new superintendents hands are tied here as well. We need to keep this in mind, if/when someone new comes on the job. <br /><br />@aquafinanow, I don't trust the board. I am waiting for Beasley or Tyson to be named superintendent. Neither would be a good choice for the kids. The board doesn't ask enough questions when making decisions. They didn't show enough anger about the negotiations with Cox being leaked, or when Sarah threatened a reporter, or when another called himself God. When Turk was praised as being the best at his job, I almost choked-really? Come on. Anyone trusting the current board, shows why our county is the way that it is.teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376631088818447603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-65124622205188514722011-06-03T17:02:09.390-04:002011-06-03T17:02:09.390-04:00Sorry folk, I happen to trust that this Board is i...Sorry folk, I happen to trust that this Board is in the process of hiring a qualified Supt. but wants to make sure the J.Q. Public does not spoil the process..by wantin input..input..input.<br />Fulton & Cobb citizens did a better job of letting the Board do its job but in Dekalb we want to run the show without running for the Board.<br />I plan on staying supportive and positive. I am not sure thatr I can support the next Splost, but either way I get one vote and it will count one way of the other.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-39882710615183997572011-06-03T16:52:11.337-04:002011-06-03T16:52:11.337-04:00I am really upset that the AJC quoted Marshall Ors...I am really upset that the AJC quoted Marshall Orson's opinion but not anyone else. Does he have a personal inside connection to the AJC? I don't know of anyone who would want to keep Tyson for TWO years. <br /><br />If Tyson promised to get rid of the Beasley and immediately advertise for and hire someone with loads of classroom experience plus experience turning around a large, diverse school system, then she would have my respect.<br /><br />The Board seems to have completely abandoned any efforts to reform/improve/radically change the academic status quo. Experience has shown (at great taxpayer cost) that fancy new buildings do not enhance learning and academic achievement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-46170217994024517852011-06-03T16:09:31.697-04:002011-06-03T16:09:31.697-04:00We need a person for Superintendent who's expe...We need a person for Superintendent who's experienced in turning around a big, diverse urban school district like ours, not one who is experienced in holding status quo while waiting for such a person. The process should be transparent and stakeholders should have a chance for input. To say that the Board needs "more time" isn't logical--it's not like each day brings new insights into what we need or who's out there to apply. Time for what? It's like when you have a lump in your breast and the doc says "Let's watch it." Time to excise the tumor and move toward health. Going this long without strong educational leadership isn't good for DCSS.DCSS Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03269611161090106017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85545184395019449502011-06-03T15:58:05.176-04:002011-06-03T15:58:05.176-04:00I want them to diligently search too! I'm jus...I want them to diligently search too! I'm just saying that they don't appear to be doing anything. Maybe secretly, they are working very hard to cull more applicants? <br /><br />SACS has an October deadline for a new super. I don't think they'd be pleased to learn the board stuck with the interim.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.com