tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post5365751333324667551..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Note to Board: Stop Pushing TysonCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24495615113361525202011-04-27T22:39:00.836-04:002011-04-27T22:39:00.836-04:00We had two candidates who could possibly have led ...We had two candidates who could possibly have led the district. Cox and Culver both had experience in large districts and have superintendent experience. Culver had more experience and a strong record of achievement and financial managemet, but Cox has a prestigious doctorate and seemed to connect with the community. Bottom line is they both had too much integrity to work for the DCSS board. People complained about them and picked them to pieces and then the board showed their true nature (trecherous). Do we wonder why they dropped out? Shoud we wonder who will even consider coming now? Can we recall the board and let a new board do the search?jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10566824165395883183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-62615194792479833172011-04-27T07:04:06.846-04:002011-04-27T07:04:06.846-04:00Unknown @ 5:30:
DES went from 86% to 78%, Vanderly...Unknown @ 5:30:<br />DES went from 86% to 78%, Vanderlyn went from 126% to 136%. The real issue is that those two tweaks were against the county criteria. The Austin 28 is 30% closer to Vanderlyn and moving people between Womack and Vermack further created overcrowding at Vanderlyn and underpopulation at DES… no reason to move these students other than to protect all Austin homeowners. The WOVERS are equidistant between Vanderlyn and DES. And by the way…why didn’t Nancy tweak the students for Chesnut so they could have more homeowners if it is all about limiting transitions?To What Endhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02146644108167098592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-88394189631602054392011-04-26T22:19:29.836-04:002011-04-26T22:19:29.836-04:00I don't buy that dekalb2. ODE did have a pref...I don't buy that dekalb2. ODE did have a preference for Mr. Culver, but I don't think they would get involved in leaking confidential information. That would destroy their credibility. They were unlikely to have had access to this kind of information anyway. David Schutten is smarter than that.Septemberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06895347331969652752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-33711377974958368192011-04-26T21:28:55.835-04:002011-04-26T21:28:55.835-04:00....and superintendent.....and superintendent.dekalb2https://www.blogger.com/profile/12374468666322386110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4314537143156369572011-04-26T21:24:24.411-04:002011-04-26T21:24:24.411-04:00I think that the leak may have come out of ODE. T...I think that the leak may have come out of ODE. There is constant communication with ODE, media, and the board.dekalb2https://www.blogger.com/profile/12374468666322386110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-84066954346793888672011-04-26T20:45:02.728-04:002011-04-26T20:45:02.728-04:00It doesn't matter so much who did the leaking ...It doesn't matter so much who did the leaking as it does which board member started it -- in other words, only the board members and perhaps an attorney should have been privy to what went on.<br /><br />If it wasn't a board member who went to the media, I suspect it was someone who it did it at their behest.<br /><br />However, to protect themselves, I suspect that the media would have required confirmation.Anonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13434798345498298882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25439817990790351582011-04-26T20:18:58.627-04:002011-04-26T20:18:58.627-04:00Ms. Curtis,
Thank you for your thoughts. I genera...Ms. Curtis,<br /><br />Thank you for your thoughts. I generally agree with you. I would be glad to act on the guilty party(s). Of course we will only be able to guess as to whom. The media will protect their sources.<br /><br />It is unfortunate this happened. I believe Dr. Cox would be our superintendent now if not for this disclosure.<br /><br />There are other good candidates out there. We will be looking to find the best possible.<br /><br />Thank you for your interest.<br /><br />Don McChesney<br />Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TSusan Curtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00972313857435334862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-54388803354673223382011-04-26T20:09:15.380-04:002011-04-26T20:09:15.380-04:00@ 5:30 pm
"Jeff was on Georgia Gang when the...@ 5:30 pm<br /><br />"Jeff was on Georgia Gang when the New Birth Pastor scandal broke "<br /><br />You are right. Those modulars are "permanent" structures. The Vanderlyn parents wanted modulars that would be classified as permanent structures as a measure against redistricting so that's what they got. Those modulars are not like trailers. They are truly more like small cottages and are place right next to the building. They have the wiring for abundant technology.Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862880288663811743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-66678923661587639542011-04-26T20:05:17.736-04:002011-04-26T20:05:17.736-04:00@ 4:35 pm
"Jeff was on Georgia Gang when the ...@ 4:35 pm<br />"Jeff was on Georgia Gang when the New Birth Pastor scandal broke "<br /><br />Wasn't Jeff Dickerson the PR person for New Birth at one time?Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862880288663811743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-3148838648173359752011-04-26T17:30:57.076-04:002011-04-26T17:30:57.076-04:00@to what end at 340,
If the problem was created by...@to what end at 340,<br />If the problem was created by Jester why are you stating that Ramona's plan was ok with you? If there wasn't an initial problem then why make the changes that were recommended by the consultants? Heck, why make changes at all? That's right, there was a terrible overcrowding/undercapacity problem. The plans were drafted to address this. You stated that Jester made tweaks. Tweaks are just that - small adjustments. Vanderlyn will be less overcrowded. The modulars were staying in any scenario. Dunwoody ES will utilize more of its capacity. <br /><br />So the plan moved forward as given by the consultants/super and there were small adjustments made. How on earth did that "create" the problem? The assumption is that the problem existed to begin with and the redistricting plans sought to address the problems. Your issue is that you got moved to another school and you are unhappy about this. It's a classic case of things need fixing as long as they don't involve changing anything for me.unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12184874366242706793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41719347391108936972011-04-26T16:35:01.548-04:002011-04-26T16:35:01.548-04:00@DeKalb 2 and the answer to your question of who ...@DeKalb 2 and the answer to your question of who has the contacts with both the BOE and the press is...<br /><br />drum roll none other than good old Jeff Richardson the hi paid PR guy. Jeff is very sympathetic to the establishment and the core of BOE members who want to maintain it. After all, they pay him the big bucks to cover their sorry butts. <br />I also seem to remember that Jeff was on Georgia Gang when the New Birth Pastor scandal broke and he was very quick to try to provide cover.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56739539763951439542011-04-26T16:29:42.007-04:002011-04-26T16:29:42.007-04:00The thing is – salary negotiations are supposed to...The thing is – salary negotiations are supposed to be “personnel issues” which the board is absolutely forbidden to discuss publicly. These are legal negotiations and are very delicate. To violate the sacred trust of executive session and the legal responsibility to uphold a person’s privacy is unconscionable.<br /><br />It is obvious that ’someone’ was very afraid that the board was going to vote to hire Dr. Cox and this ’someone’ didn’t want Dr. Cox so this ’someone’ sabotaged the negotiations.<br /><br />This is so bad on so many levels. If the board thought they didn’t have the public’s trust before, they have no idea just how untrustworthy they have now painted themselves.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-34744595069880706672011-04-26T15:59:02.372-04:002011-04-26T15:59:02.372-04:00Unknown at 3:40
The problem was created by Jester....Unknown at 3:40<br />The problem was created by Jester. Ramona's recommendation balanced enrollment. Jester's "tweaks" did not. End of story.To What Endhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02146644108167098592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-55012036981427755042011-04-26T15:40:27.517-04:002011-04-26T15:40:27.517-04:00@to what end,
You must have been districted out of...@to what end,<br />You must have been districted out of Vanderlyn and seem a tad bit bitter. Jester is cleaning up a problem that was created with the 4/5 academy. Let me get this straight, you were OK with Dunwoody ES being significantly underutilized as long as your MLS Listing said "Vanderlyn" was your elementary school? Your petition and various plans wouldn't have solved Vanderlyn's overcrowding. You were fine with this. Now over capacity and undertilization (which, while not perfect, have improved) are suddenly a problem? The problem will be improved (not eliminated) and you complain? It appears that your logic fails you. You are correct that Dunwoody's capacity issues will take years to solve because we need more schools in Dunwoody. This problem wasn't created by Jester and as far as I can tell, she is going in the right direction.unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12184874366242706793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-23443409147118533352011-04-26T15:17:58.077-04:002011-04-26T15:17:58.077-04:00I assume you all saw that the final candidate, Cul...I assume you all saw that the final candidate, Culver, withdrew and quit his job in Illinois...What a waste of money....But, we need to be diligent and find the right candidate from outside of Dekalb and probably Georgia!!Momfirsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17442013512328561751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-40587126447955711992011-04-26T15:13:53.941-04:002011-04-26T15:13:53.941-04:00Nancy Jester a thoughtful problem solver? With all...Nancy Jester a thoughtful problem solver? With all due respect she was responsible for "balancing enrollment" in Dunwoody by keeping Vanderlyn at 143% with modulars that taxpayers have to fund and left DES (less than a mile away) at 78%. Kingsley is still underpopulated. And Chesnut? Don't even get me started. <br /><br />As far as being responsive to customer requests, Nancy ignored a petition signed by more than 1200 Dunwoody residents who did not support a decentralized redistricting plan that would have created TWO racially segrated schools in Dunwoody.<br /><br />I'm sorry, but Nancy Jester has done nothing but create a mess in Dunwoody that will take years to clean up.To What Endhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02146644108167098592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-1037486482495351732011-04-26T14:49:36.334-04:002011-04-26T14:49:36.334-04:00dekalb2
It doesn't matter if Belcher got the ...dekalb2<br /><br />It doesn't matter if Belcher got the story second hand, which ever board member leaked it to that person knew exactly what he was doing and what might happen. <br /><br />Jester's email indicates that the board of ed is just going to move on and not work to find who the leak was.<br /><br />Kind of like kiss and make up.<br /><br />That is a shame. <br /><br />If working together continues to be the primary goal, then the children will suffer. Working towards the right solution is what has to be the goal.<br /><br />In addition, as long as each of them fears for their pet projects and own communities, our board members will continue to be to dependent on each other. They are mostly worried about securing each other's vote.Anonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13434798345498298882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-19947458663173522222011-04-26T14:39:10.557-04:002011-04-26T14:39:10.557-04:00I have been thinking long and hard about who might...I have been thinking long and hard about who might be leaking the information to the media. The media really focuses on news that comes from a RELIABLE source. I don't think that a board member leaked any information directly to the press. It has to be someone that is in regular contact with both the school board and knows members of the press personally. The person I am thinking about also endorsed Arthur Culver as a candidate. Let's think about Watergate and Deep Throat.dekalb2https://www.blogger.com/profile/12374468666322386110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-21423385289703764132011-04-26T14:15:16.924-04:002011-04-26T14:15:16.924-04:00Just got another reply about my email to the BOE. ...Just got another reply about my email to the BOE. Here it is:<br /><br />Hello Ms. Curtis,<br />Thank you for copying me on your email to Chairman Bowen. I always<br />appreciate hearing from citizens. I share your outrage about the breach<br />of confidence regarding executive session. These actions harm the<br />taxpayers and children of DeKalb. Unfortunately, it is difficult to<br />determine who leaked the information.<br /><br />I remain dedicated to finding a strong, effective and ethical<br />Superintendent for DCSS. The task is most definitely made more difficult<br />by recent events but I am committed to it.<br /><br />Please feel free to call or email me any time.<br />Appreciatively,<br /><br />--Nancy Jester<br />DeKalb County Board of Education<br />District 1<br />404.394.8750<br /><br />I must say I am pleased to get a thoughtful response. I just wish that there were more people like Nancy on the BOE. When I say like Nancy, I mean: thoughtful in approaching problem-solving, responsive to customer requests, and willing to work hard.Susan Curtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00972313857435334862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45727075586241269632011-04-26T13:50:24.105-04:002011-04-26T13:50:24.105-04:00From a recent article in Crossroads:
District 9 S...From a recent article in Crossroads:<br /><br />District 9 School Board member Dr. Eugene “Gene” Walker said legislators don’t have a good reason for wanting to change the size of the board.<br /><br />“Look at our budget and our operations,” he said. “We are the best-run school system, yet they want to reduce our numbers. What they are doing is trying to micro-manage us.”<br /><br />Read more: CrossRoadsNews - Ellis urges Deal to veto bill to reduce size of School Board<br /><br />http://www.crossroadsnews.com/view/full_story/12887352/article-Ellis-urges-Deal-to-veto-bill-to-reduce-size-of-School-Board?instance=lead_storyAnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13434798345498298882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-20590623634497704492011-04-26T13:47:17.590-04:002011-04-26T13:47:17.590-04:00What about getting an interim from the outside to ...What about getting an interim from the outside to clean house, restructure, retain accreditation, audit etc and then start anew.<br /><br />The end of the contract could correspond with the next school board election when we can only hope DeKalb voters may do better...<br /><br />Then we hire a new superintendentAnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13434798345498298882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12505963721529549432011-04-26T13:43:36.550-04:002011-04-26T13:43:36.550-04:00Richard Belcher reported last night on WSB that th...Richard Belcher reported last night on WSB that the 3 who voted against Cox were Bowen, Cunningham and Edler.<br /><br />Walker may not have been present.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-8770144286668537082011-04-26T13:41:00.579-04:002011-04-26T13:41:00.579-04:00@SHS - thank you for the info. When I worked in D...@SHS - thank you for the info. When I worked in DCSS, I just used the "history" button for the emails I sent. I've missed that button many times since I resigned. I will definitely use the readnotify on everything I send the BOE. <br /><br />@atl - Good idea! I will email the governor, etc. with my concerns. I don't need a BOE that agrees with my every philosophy (although I think I know more about education than many of them, having taught for 20 years); I just need a BOE that acts professionally, ethically, and collaboratively.Susan Curtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00972313857435334862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-1229618341772946282011-04-26T12:53:49.294-04:002011-04-26T12:53:49.294-04:00@ Susan Curtis, @ ATL, etc
The DCSS BOE is an ar...@ Susan Curtis, @ ATL, etc<br /><br /><br />The DCSS BOE is an arrogant bunch of ne'er-do-wells. They would not know professionalism if they tripped over it. Community service? Public servants? Those concepts are a joke to them.<br /><br />Here is my suggestion: go to www.readnotify.com and sign up for their free trial. Attach a read.notify tag to every BOE and DCSS address you e-mail -- every time you e-mail. It is not visible to the recipient.<br /><br />You will get a report that gives quite a lot of information, including when your e-mail was opened, for how long, if it was forwarded to anyone else, and the location of the recipient when he/she opened the e-mail.<br /><br />You will have absolute proof that, more than likely, your e-mails were never even opened. <br /><br />After the trial period of, I think, 25 e-mails, ReadNotify costs $24/year for the basic version. It is invaluable -- and you may find yourself using it for more than just writing to the unresponsive DCSS BOE!<br /><br />Perhaps when election time comes around, we could put our numbers of unanswered e-mails together and create/distribute a graphical picture of just how arrogant the DCSS BOE is.SHShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07809309296308250111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-50772798232468146102011-04-26T12:47:54.123-04:002011-04-26T12:47:54.123-04:00WAS TOM BOWEN THE LEAK???WAS TOM BOWEN THE LEAK???Open+Transparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02248529568051717909noreply@blogger.com