tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post6244898921566370495..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: A Little Bit of Hope and Good News...Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-66454498716721820522010-01-25T17:59:10.577-05:002010-01-25T17:59:10.577-05:00Shayna was former head of the Atlanta bar and woul...Shayna was former head of the Atlanta bar and would have made for a great BOE member, and would have helped get the BOE to pass ethics reform. It is amazing to me that there is such rampant nepotism. This is 2010 and DCSS is one of the largest school systems in the Southeast. It needs to be run like a legtimate business, not a family picnic.<br />DCSS employment is still about who you know, not how good are you at your job and what prior experience you have.<br /><br />Marcus Turk was hired because he is related to a former administrator, and now is in charge of the finances of a billion dollar enterprise. What is it going to take to get a Board of Education that leads and hold administration accountable. No more nepotism, no more waste, no more bloat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-61407422958127099982010-01-25T17:38:35.231-05:002010-01-25T17:38:35.231-05:00I applaud the effort to get some real ethics guide...I applaud the effort to get some real ethics guidelines to the school board. I really believe that there needs to be policies written into place that are binding now and for ever after (which may not be the case if it is passed by the BoE rather than the legislature). There are several reasons that I believe these provisions, such as anti-nepotism, are necessary --first and foremost being that the taxpayers are entitled to the most qualified applicants being hired in each position. There could be a way around the policy if someone is actually the most qualified but such relationships make for many issues going forward. The current system isn't in the best interest of taxpayers or the children, who should be first and foremost in consideration in how we run things. It's a tough battle on the BOE because the system has been in place a long time and it take 5 votes to change anything.Shaynanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-52813970302175436542010-01-25T14:27:38.849-05:002010-01-25T14:27:38.849-05:00Paul Womack voted to (1) give Crawford Lewis a rai...Paul Womack voted to (1) give Crawford Lewis a raise and (2) extend Crawford Lewis's contract as Superintendent of DCSS.<br /><br />There is NO excusing this. NONE.<br /><br />Paul Womack's vote to keep Lewis and give him a raise were wrong. There is no defending it.Bottom Linenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82919695310744967422010-01-23T13:55:52.163-05:002010-01-23T13:55:52.163-05:00I think this is the right thing to do Celeb. I als...I think this is the right thing to do Celeb. I also am sorry someone is giving up hope. We need to get together and all have coffee. <br /><br />Everyone just at least have a cup of coffee and think positive. I have run for school board twice and lost twice. However, I did well the second time I ran in the general election.<br /><br />With the Supreme Courts decision of the overturned 20-year precedent saying that, corporations could not pay for campaign ads from their general treasuries. The Supreme Court also struck down a law indicating corporations could not buy “issue ad” ---which only thinly veil support for or opposition to specific candidates in the closing days of campaigns.<br /><br />What may the results be? Will it affect the school board elections?<br /><br />According to President Obama, “The corporations can unleash muti-million-dollar ad barrages against candidates who try to curb special interest power, or devote millions to propping up elected officials who back their schemes.” What will happen on our school board front? Will candidates get ads run by corporations who want to buy school property at a good price? Will candidates get ads run by companies who want to do business with the school system? Let us talk about ethics and talk about how this law may influence our school board races.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485840445272819682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-68301520799019058662010-01-23T11:11:27.430-05:002010-01-23T11:11:27.430-05:00We fully intend to work ourselves to the bone to i...We fully intend to work ourselves to the bone to identify 5 new board members to replace the 5 whose terms expire this fall. I'm sorry that you have given up hope, Anon. I haven't yet. I won't go down without a fight - screaming and kicking!<br /><br />Stick with it people - we really do have a chance to breathe new life and perspective into the board this fall. We do have some quality people there already - we just need to find 5 more to add so that they can move forward with a like-minded, simple agenda - providing the best education possible for our children using time-tested, proven methodologies and by providing well-paid, respected quality teachers, state of the art technology and healthy learning environments.<br /> <br />Period.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13125124339771443732010-01-23T10:52:35.092-05:002010-01-23T10:52:35.092-05:00"I've invested tons of time, opinion, and..."I've invested tons of time, opinion, and sacrifice in trying to better things only to hit a wall."<br /><br />This is understandable. That is why I got involved in politics. I knew that was the only way to truely make a difference.<br /><br />I also had tried to voice concerns actually from the inside. This get you nowhere as you are only a teacher and teachers really do not have a voice as an individual or as a group as seen by the recent raise given to the super.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485840445272819682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-58657242337252163532010-01-22T23:01:03.699-05:002010-01-22T23:01:03.699-05:00Cere: This blog is a great venue to vent frustrat...Cere: This blog is a great venue to vent frustrations. <br /><br />Unfortunately at the end-of-the-day DCSS Administration really has never taken ANY of the input to heed. While they continously request "public input" their decisions have always been preconceived. They don't give a crap about public input -- just watch it on TV24 during the board meeting broadcasts. Sometimes the district's recommendations coincidentally match with public opinion, sometimes they don't. Regardless, the Super and BOE do what they planned to do in the first place. Every time. <br /><br />Personally I'm sick and tired of being played. I've invested tons of time, opinion, and sacrifice in trying to better things only to hit a wall. I'm done. Best wishes to you bloggers. You need to find a Superintendent, Board, or medium that can better help you achieve your objectives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-35415670799069223152010-01-22T18:31:08.913-05:002010-01-22T18:31:08.913-05:00Nice op-ed by Womack, but actions speak louder tha...Nice op-ed by Womack, but actions speak louder than words. When he starts to vote in a way that assures me his isn't in Lewis's pocket (and when he stops insulting teachers by saying they are easily replaced), I will be impressed.fedupindcsshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11895950244074463477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47415741576608861572010-01-22T18:31:04.602-05:002010-01-22T18:31:04.602-05:00There has got to be something done about ethic and...There has got to be something done about ethic and the School Board.<br /><br />This is a nice letter. <br /><br />However, something also has to be done about the climate of the Dekalb County School System and giving a pay raise to the Super did not help. Ethic is one of the problems in the Dekalb County School System. Much attention needs to be placed on the climate of the schools and the education of our children. Ethics is important but secondary to me.<br /><br />Dekalb County School Systems Top Priority is to teach our childrena and our most important factor in doing this is highly qualified teachers. Right next to this is keeping our children safe and secure. Then after this we can worry after ethics and all the other things that are important but just not as important.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485840445272819682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-31313974064285886662010-01-22T18:09:43.035-05:002010-01-22T18:09:43.035-05:00At any rate, this is a well-written letter. I hope...At any rate, this is a well-written letter. I hope Womack is able to move the ideas he expresses in it forward. But - he's going to need help - so pay attention to the election this fall. We have the opportunity to replace 5 members of the board!<br /><br />These people's terms end in 2010 -- think of a candidate we can support with a high level of integrity and a can-do work ethic. <br /><br />Zepora Roberts (District 7)<br />Jim Redovian (District 1)<br />Sarah Copeland-Wood (District 3)<br />Jay Cunningham (District 5)<br />Eugene Walker (Super District 9)<br /><br />As Ella said, this is not an easy job. And turning this ship around from where it is currently docked will be an extraordinary task.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-59998337378814553702010-01-22T18:07:28.535-05:002010-01-22T18:07:28.535-05:00Very good observation by Cerebration with respect ...Very good observation by Cerebration with respect to possibe reasoning behind the salary increase for Dr. Lewis. Someone also mentioned his contract was changed to provide only 4 months severance if he was relieved of his duties. Anyone else hear that?<br /><br />When you consider the AJC is attempting to discredit Pat Pope with their articles, one has to wonder if Heery Mitchell is hoping for a change of venue. Think about it, based on the publicity generated about the key witnesses for the school system, can a judge find 12 impartial jurors in the county?<br /><br />Yes, this trial is really big! March can't get here soon enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-9525497827839794022010-01-22T15:55:33.297-05:002010-01-22T15:55:33.297-05:00Is anyone else bothered by the fact that DeKalb Sc...Is anyone else bothered by the fact that DeKalb Schools employs 13,285 people, and only 7,500 of them are teachers. That's over 5,700 people to support 7,500 teachers. <br /><br />Why can't we adequately fund the classroom (which is where ALL of the learning takes place), and then use what's left for support? <br /><br />No system needs 5,700 people to support 7,500 employees. We need a new business model. <br /><br />Does every school system have 42% of its personnel in support positions? No wonder we have falling down schools, kids crammed like sardines into classrooms, and little access to science equipment and technology.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7483765575320669242010-01-22T10:19:57.861-05:002010-01-22T10:19:57.861-05:00"They elected us to do the best job we can in..."They elected us to do the best job we can in making sure that every child in DeKalb County has an education that will allow them to compete in the 21st century." <br /><br />Here! Here! Sadly, that's not what they are doing. <br /><br />As far as the Lewis thing goes - I'm not so sure he was given a raise (which in reality was only $15k, far less than Lewis had hoped for to increase his pension check) in order to simply keep him in his chair for the upcoming Heery trial. <br /><br />This trial is really big people. This trial and it's associated attorney's fees are usurping all extra resources and attention away from the task at hand as outlined by Womack.<br /><br />It's a big mess. It's going to take some time - and some very serious transparency to work it out. I have a feeling the DA is going to get the ball moving pretty soon. Our school system can't sit around in limbo like this much longer.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82336472693708841492010-01-22T10:07:38.812-05:002010-01-22T10:07:38.812-05:00Yes, it was. He was very, very wrong on Lewis, bu...Yes, it was. He was very, very wrong on Lewis, but it is nice to see him admit that the ethics of the BOE has to change dramatically. One thing we know for sure is that Womack and Gene Walker and Zepora Roberts won't be hanging out together on their spare time. Wow did he go after them in the AJC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47451725091277635182010-01-22T10:01:27.407-05:002010-01-22T10:01:27.407-05:00Isn't this the same Paul Womack who just said ...Isn't this the same Paul Womack who just said Crawford Lewis was doing an outstanding job and deserved his raise?Paula Caldarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515215184962897541noreply@blogger.com