tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post2251165629127427135..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: USMC Academy - A Good Idea but Perhaps in the Wrong PlaceCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-55629008817550615932009-07-03T19:21:21.154-04:002009-07-03T19:21:21.154-04:00Food for thought -- here is a link to a new articl...Food for thought -- here is a link to a new article posted today comparing the Chicago military schools with DeKalb's initiative and speculating that Arne Duncan has a plan to expand this as a school "choice" nationwide.<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow">http://blacklistednews.com/?news_id=4703</a><br /><br />AN EXCERPT <br /><i>The Choice Argument<br /><br />Military academies are promoted as an option within the public school system for parents. We heard it from Arne Duncan (ex-CEO of CPS and current secretary of education) and we hear it from Dale Davis, public information officer for the Dekalb County School System, who calls the military school "an addition" for parents to consider. Compare that with what Colonel Mills said in December 2007 in the Online News Hour: "The purpose of the military academy programs is to offer our cadets and parents an educational choice among many choices in Chicago Public Schools and to provide an educational experience that has a college prep curriculum, combined with a military curriculum."<br /><br />We must dissect what kind of "choice" parents are given. If one's only choices are a school in desperate need of repair or a shiny new military academy, parents will often "choose" the "better" school.</i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-53797887359001759812009-06-07T15:27:59.785-04:002009-06-07T15:27:59.785-04:00Thought I'd post the official press release --...Thought I'd post the official press release --<br /><br /><i>For Immediate Release Contact: Dale A. Davis<br />June 2, 2009 DeKalb County Schools<br />678-676-0787<br />DeKalb County School System postpones the opening of the first<br />DeKalb Marine Institute (DMI)<br />In March 2009, DeKalb County School System (DCSS) and the DeKalb Board of Education announced plans that the United States Marine Corps would assist the school district in offering the community a military academy that would provide quality education while instilling discipline to those students who chose to enroll. Both DeKalb County School System and the Marine Corps were actively moving forward with the intent to open the academy in August of 2009. However, the memorandum of agreement, which has been developed by both the school system attorneys as well as the attorneys from the Marine Corps (which identifies the responsibilities of each party), has not been signed at this time by the Marine Corps. This agreement is crucial to both parties and ensures that all variables are agreed upon and all expectations by both parties are confirmed. Thus, the DeKalb Board of Education and DeKalb County School System’s administration will continue to communicate with the Marine Corps with hopes of finalizing an agreement. If accomplished, the school system will move forward with plans to open the school in August of 2010. There is no confirmation, however, that DeKalb County School System will in fact do so. DCSS’ legal counsel will continue to work with legal counsel for the U.S. Marine Corps to monitor and revisit those items which are needed to complete the process. Such items include, but are not limited to, building selection and modification, the application process for students and the curriculum modification and other important points of the school’s administration. DCSS will keep the public informed of its progress concerning this matter.</i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-77367541085102857242009-06-03T10:45:24.582-04:002009-06-03T10:45:24.582-04:00I would suggest that you all read the article at A...I would suggest that you all read the article at Atlanta Progressive News regarding the Academy. It's good reporting -<br /><br />http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0466.htmlCerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-31236031541948976282009-05-30T17:41:51.116-04:002009-05-30T17:41:51.116-04:00I suppose everyone has seen the article in today's...I suppose everyone has seen the article in today's AJC "Military school in DeKalb put on hold." The article says that the Military has run into problems coming up with the money that they committed to the school. The article says that the delay is temporary but the school will not open this fall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-10476168328575645332009-05-30T16:56:52.638-04:002009-05-30T16:56:52.638-04:00So - does anyone know what's up with this agenda i...So - does anyone know what's up with this agenda item for Monday's Board meeting at Lakeside?<br /><br />17. Amendment to the Application to the Department of Education for Funding New High School "B"<br />Presented by: Ms. Patricia A. Pope, Chief Operations Officer<br /><br />(You may recall that "new high school A" was Arabia HS.)Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-34202534870881407702009-05-30T15:26:23.755-04:002009-05-30T15:26:23.755-04:00I think there is a growing concern in DCSS about o...I think there is a growing concern in DCSS about overall enrollment and then about specific enrollment at certain high schools. If you continue to offer a zillion stand alone options, you run the risk of rendering some high schools unable to open and be sustainable.<br /><br />I suspect the problem was a multi-part one, but probably hinged on a long term plan for housing the program. DCSS almost lost a bunch of Bill Gates money a few years ago, because they couldn't find an appropriate home for DECA. When donors (or in this case the Marines) give a lot of money, they get to attach strings...themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-14474485762564535722009-05-30T12:56:31.038-04:002009-05-30T12:56:31.038-04:00how un-"marine-like" -- are they really that unorg...how un-"marine-like" -- are they really that unorganized? Or perhaps they didn't like some of the terms in the contract? Or maybe it was going to cost more than they had imagined? Who knows? <br /><br />I don't think it's a matter of bureaucracy or "getting their act together" - it most likely is an apprehension about the way the plan was going. <br /><br />Hopefully, this will get worked out more slowly and deliberately and they will open something larger and more marine-like (ie: a high school building) in the summer of 2010.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7392284576996953352009-05-30T11:19:17.033-04:002009-05-30T11:19:17.033-04:00Something is fishy in the state of Denmark.Something is fishy in the state of Denmark.No Duhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14462063673391668451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-86609377371829567652009-05-30T00:39:19.772-04:002009-05-30T00:39:19.772-04:00Apparently, politics within the Marines are the re...Apparently, politics within the Marines are the reason this school has been backburnered. The Marines couldn't get <I>their</I> act together.Anon999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6366448923545552022009-05-29T19:33:47.593-04:002009-05-29T19:33:47.593-04:00It is so interesting that Crawford stopped the ope...It is so interesting that Crawford stopped the opening of the USMC Academy....one has to wonder if it was on the South side of town would the project get pushed off for another year while he considers things. Probably not....he would have said too bad like he's done on countless other issues that have risen and fallen on the southside of town.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13382780706624928512009-05-29T18:00:01.818-04:002009-05-29T18:00:01.818-04:00From the AJC:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metr...From the AJC:<br />http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/dekalb/stories/2009/05/29/dekalb_marine_school.html<br /><br />The DeKalb County school system has canceled its plans to open amilitary academy this fall.<br /><br />The planned partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps was “not feasible,”said system spokesman Dale Davis in a news release, but he said that the two parties would continue discussions “in hope of reaching a mutual agreement that is in the best interest of both institutions.”<br /><br />Davis gave no specific reason for the failed negotiations, and didn’t return a call for comment.<br /><br />The proposed school was controversial.<br /><br />An opponent of the proposed school said he believes school officials are temporarily bowing to political pressure.<br /><br />“I think they’re feeling enormous pressure,” said Tim Franzen, of the American Friends Service Committee. “And I think right now they just want all this pressure to go away.”Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-71290693738132191352009-05-21T14:37:09.115-04:002009-05-21T14:37:09.115-04:00That's a great link to an excellent public broadca...That's a great link to an excellent public broadcasting report. (I find it interesting that DCSS declined to be interviewed for the program.)<br /><br />At any rate, the Chicago program admits that their military academies serve troubled students. The thing that they say is most exciting about it is that the program creates a sense of community for these students - which encourages them to at least show up every day. Their test scores are not great, and neither is their graduation rate, but I got the sense that they are very excited to create a shift in perspective for these difficult to reach young people.<br /><br />They called it a different way to deliver the education product. They quoted Dr. Lewis from his April speech stating that ours would serve college bound students with a math/science curriculum and will deliver college credits in the high school program. Josie Alexander was quoted as already backpedaling on that premise. <br /><br />I applaud the Chicago school leadership for their honestly and candor in what they've accomplished, and not been able to accomplish in their military academies. It was refreshing to listen to an administrator talking on the level.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-50610435160952903842009-05-21T09:43:58.751-04:002009-05-21T09:43:58.751-04:00WABE had a story this morning on military schools ...WABE had a story this morning on military schools in Chicago. Summary of Dana Goldman's report - none of the 6 public military schools in Chicago made AYP last year, but they're thought to be a good thing for struggling students because at them attendance is up, truancy down, and students are on task. Dr. Lewis is quoted as saying that Dekalb's Marine academy will be "a math/science school that will have kids on a preparatory track for college." However, the level of rigor is still unclear. The Marines were pushing for a requirement that students take some college-level classes, but Josie Alexander, a lawyer working for Dekalb on the school contract, said that we "cannot guarantee that each and every student will have the ability to complete college-level classes." [What's a college-level class? Do they mean AP?] At any rate, the schools are not a particularly effective recruitment tool, as less than 5% of the students in Chicago go directly into the military when they graduate from them.<br />The report is at http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wabe/news.newsmain/article/0/1/1507762/Atlanta/DeKalb.Military.School.May.Take.Lessons.From.Chicago<br />If that URL is too long to see, just go to http://www.pba.orgLakeside Momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-68226747009734475962009-05-17T10:52:00.000-04:002009-05-17T10:52:00.000-04:00Is Joseph C. Guillory related to the head of DCSS ...Is Joseph C. Guillory related to the head of DCSS trasportation, David Guillory?<br /><br />When it comes to nepotism (and cronyism) in DCSS hiring, our Board of Education members turn a blind eye.Open+Transparentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-28099265066680875292009-05-16T10:56:00.000-04:002009-05-16T10:56:00.000-04:00Maybe we should take this theme all the way and hi...Maybe we should take this theme all the way and hire a Military-trained Superintendent -- <br /><br />"12 Military Generals, School District Executives, Entrepreneurs Chosen for National School Superintendent Training Program<br /><br />LOS ANGELES – Twelve prominent leaders from across the country, including high-ranking<br />military officers, entrepreneurs and education executives, have been selected to participate in the 2009 Broad Superintendents Academy, The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems announced today.<br /><br />The Broad (rhymes with “road”) Superintendents Academy is a 10-month executive management training program run by The Broad Center to prepare prominent leaders from education, military, business, nonprofit and government sectors to lead urban public school systems. The Broad Superintendents Academy is the only program in the country that recruits and trains non-traditional superintendent candidates as well as stand-out career educators. To date, graduates of the program have filled 53 superintendent positions and 70 senior school district executive positions."<br /><br /><br />http://www.broadfoundation.org/asset/1165-090114tba2009class.pdfCerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85461166441664786972009-05-09T00:58:00.000-04:002009-05-09T00:58:00.000-04:00GUILLORY,JOSEPH C
Another Guillory? What?
Is he...GUILLORY,JOSEPH C<br /><br /><br />Another Guillory? What?<br />Is he related to overpaid DCSS Transportation Chief David Guillory, who's wife Philandrea, daghetr of former BOE member Frances Edwards? Both David and Philandrea make well over $100,000each per year.<br /><br />Pretty convenient that son Jamal Edwards, her son, is a Network Liaison Specialist in the DeKalb School System.Open+Transparentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73095186931802202112009-05-08T20:18:00.000-04:002009-05-08T20:18:00.000-04:00It would be a bad idea to move the military academ...It would be a bad idea to move the military academy (or anybody) to the former Briarcliff high school location. The building has been condemned for several years, yet it has still been occupied since it was condemned.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85247265367347501372009-05-07T13:50:00.000-04:002009-05-07T13:50:00.000-04:00As usual Cere, you are asking some very good quest...As usual Cere, you are asking some very good questions! I recognized some of those names as HS ROTC teachers. I 'believe' they are still considered 'active duty' however I will defer to anyone else that knows the status of ROTC teachers at any school.<br /><br />Regarding the MoA, Dr. Lewis did say he would make it available to the community for review after it was completed. The district also indicated they would provide answers to the questions submitted by index cards and post them to the website (I recall this being done for the transportation meetings shortly after they occurred). I would suggest sending an email to Bob Moseley and Alice Thompson asking for a status. I'll snoop around in the meantime also.pscexbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634017508215285786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-65425194518234269272009-05-07T13:10:00.000-04:002009-05-07T13:10:00.000-04:00Say - have they signed the "Memorandum of Understa...Say - have they signed the "Memorandum of Understanding"? When will that be available for the public?<br /><br />When are where can you get an application?<br /><br />And - Dr. Lewis and Bob Mosely promised that all the questions written on 3x5 cards at the meeting would be answered an posted online - has that happened?Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-57641222082247387862009-05-07T09:46:00.000-04:002009-05-07T09:46:00.000-04:0016 of these people make over $70,000 a year.
I'm ...16 of these people make over $70,000 a year.<br /><br />I'm assuming they are ROTC teachers in our high schools? There are 44 people listed as MS teachers - divided by 21 high schools gives us 2 per high school at least. Lakeside has 1 - I'm pretty sure DSA has 0. So where are these people teaching? Do we have schools with several MS teachers? Judging by their travel expenses - they must travel between schools? <br /><br />Could some of them perhaps staff the Marine Corps Academy?Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-84997253754032474142009-05-07T09:41:00.000-04:002009-05-07T09:41:00.000-04:00Interesting tidbit I hadn't noticed before -- as I...Interesting tidbit I hadn't noticed before -- as I was perusing the DCSS salaries - I resorted by job descriptions and found the following people already work in DCSS with the title, "Military Science Teacher" - these people total $2,502,932.00 in salaries and spent $13,552.00 in travel expenses --<br /><br />Some names MAY look familiar -<br /><br />GILLIARD,TAMMY M<br />ADKINS,EUGENE <br />BALLARD,ANDREW D<br />BOHLES,WILLIE L<br />BORDEN,DONNIE R<br />DAVIS,WILLIAM G<br />DEAS,ROSEMAN L<br />ESPY,FREDERICK L<br />FERGUSON,JAMES A<br />FRAZIER,TIMOTHY C<br />GRAVES,THOMAS E<br />GREER,CHERYL K<br />GUILLORY,JOSEPH C<br />HAM,ROBERT E<br />HAWKINS,MONIQUE S<br />HILL,LUTHER <br />HORTON,TERRY L<br />INGRAM,JOE L<br />JENKINS,BARRY J<br />JOHNSON,EDWARD J<br />KEEN,RANDALL T<br />LATSON,DONALD C<br />LAUER,JOHN C<br />MACKSON,IRENE D<br />MARINEY,CLARENCE <br />MCADAMS,MARY E<br />MCDANIEL,JAMES C<br />MCFARLAND,ANTONIO L<br />MCNEAL,WILLIAM <br />MOODY,THOMAS R<br />PAULING,CALVIN B<br />REAVES,WILLIAM F<br />REESE,TRACY L<br />ROBINSON,DARRYL J<br />ROGER,JAMES E<br />ROSS,CARLTON B<br />SCOTT,GREGORY K<br />SIDER,SIDNEY L<br />SITERO,CHARLES M<br />STACKHOUSE,LENWOOD <br />STAFFORD,RAYMOND <br />THOMPSON,STEVEN L<br />TURNER,JAMES L<br />VANDERHEIDE,ANDREWCerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-75743214299596794272009-04-29T08:04:00.000-04:002009-04-29T08:04:00.000-04:00ps - let Sonny know how you feel either way about ...ps - let Sonny know how you feel either way about these bills - for or against. I just copied and pasted that last part and then noticed it supported all bills. I'm particularly interested in using small, available schools for charters for free (Heritage).<br /><br />Now that's something we could actually use in our neighborhood - a small, charter elementary to relieve crowding at our area elementary schools.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-54899413343948078722009-04-28T22:38:00.000-04:002009-04-28T22:38:00.000-04:00Here's something to take note of --
Three pieces ...Here's something to take note of --<br /><br />Three pieces of legislation passed by the General Assembly are waiting to be signed into law by the Governor -- and they need your support to become law. One is - <br /><br />"HB 555 would allow local charter schools to utilize unused facilities owned by the local school board without charge."<br /> <br />Seems that Heritage could be better utilized as a small charter school for elementary students -- we could use the space for that age group.<br /><br /><A>http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/sum/hb555.htm</A>.<br />Oh - the other two?<br /><br />HB 251 would allow students to transfer to another public school in their assigned public school system. <br /> <br />HB 100 would modify the Tuition Tax Credit Scholarship program to allow for the explicit continuation of scholarships from year to year, make the donation process more efficient, and allow all donors to receive a tax credit of up to 75% of their state income tax liability.<br /><br />Please contact Governor Sonny Perdue and let him know that you support these bills and meaningful education reform in Georgia. Governor Perdue can be contacted at:<br /> <br />Governor Sonny Perdue<br />The Office of the Governor<br />State of Georgia<br />203 State Capitol<br />Atlanta, Georgia 30334<br /> <br />Phone: 404-656-1776<br />Fax: 404-657-7332<br /> or go here to send an email -<br /><br /><A>http://gov.georgia.gov/00/gov/contact_us/0,2657,78006749_94820188,00.html</A>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45611268738383342802009-04-17T11:18:00.000-04:002009-04-17T11:18:00.000-04:00I noticed that too, Anon. I think Wooten needs so...I noticed that too, Anon. I think Wooten needs some "educating" - let's take on that task bloggers.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-90464356374091511142009-04-17T10:04:00.000-04:002009-04-17T10:04:00.000-04:00Jim Wooten, best friend of the disgraced Ralph Ree...Jim Wooten, best friend of the disgraced Ralph Reed, and 4 ft 11 in. in high heels, is the AJC's conservative columnist. If you're not a hard-line right winger, he'll call 'ya a derogatory name in his column. Here's what he has to say today about anyone who dares question the location of the Marine Academy:<br /><br />http://blogs.ajc.com/thinking-right/?cxntlid=nav_mtr_opn_thnkng_rght<br /><br />"Congratulations to DeKalb School Superintendent Crawford Lewis and his board for starting the DeKalb Marine Corps Institute come August. To those who resist it on any basis other than the usual neighborhood NIMBY-ism, shame on you."<br /><br />"Shame on you" for voicing an opinion??<br /><br />Jim knows nothing about Heritage and how the new school will affect the neighborhood. But he still calls everybody out about it.<br /><br />Feel free to e-mail Jimbo at jwooten@ajc.com.<br /><br /><br />P.S. If he knew about DCSS Central Office's bloated salaries and overstaffing, maybe he wouln't be so quick to give prop's to C Lew.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com