tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post6756780372625157265..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: September 6 Board Work SessionCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-19104542929783622442011-09-15T17:45:29.947-04:002011-09-15T17:45:29.947-04:00Thanks for sharing the information about the DCSS ...Thanks for sharing the information about the DCSS Procurement Department. It is a self sustaining department and was reconized for its efforts. All is not bad with the Central Office.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04676448124010158751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-87299990865280997852011-09-15T17:43:23.155-04:002011-09-15T17:43:23.155-04:00The Title 1 presentation given at the 9/12 Board m...The Title 1 presentation given at the 9/12 Board meeting is online and accessible from the main school system webpage. Please take a look at it as it provides information regarding allocations to each funding category along with whether it is a mandate. I believe many will be surprised when they look at this presentation on where this money goes.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04676448124010158751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4556826150230703932011-09-14T13:59:09.472-04:002011-09-14T13:59:09.472-04:00UPDATE: This is from Nancy Jester's email new...UPDATE: This is from Nancy Jester's email newsletter after the Sept 13 meeting:<br /><br /><i>Saving you money<br />Congratulations to the DCSS Purchasing Department! They have been recognized by he U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance with the U.S. Communities Merit Award of Appreciation. Here's a tidbit from the recognition that was read at the last Board meeting: <br />"The DeKalb County School District Purchasing Department, with its five staff members, has the fewest staff to student ratio in the Metropolitan Atlanta area and has one of the fewest staff to student ratios in the entire United States for the K-12 public school sector. For the fiscal year 2011, the cost savings from innovative initiatives such as the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, combined with rebates received from the P-Card program and leveraged rebates from various other vendor programs have returned to the district enough to cover the entire cost of salaries and benefits for all five of the Purchasing Department staff members."<br /> <br />Thank you for your hard work! </i><br /><br />Good news! I like sharing some good news... Nice job to our Procurement Department.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-57708662440912254492011-09-12T23:29:09.228-04:002011-09-12T23:29:09.228-04:00Fred,
Please let everyone know when the Title 1 i...Fred,<br /><br />Please let everyone know when the Title 1 information is posted on the DCSS website.<br /><br />Thank you for your continued efforts.<br /><br />S7Sagamore 7https://www.blogger.com/profile/06152206779671223406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-14046549373802887782011-09-12T20:56:29.685-04:002011-09-12T20:56:29.685-04:00Thank you Dr. Lewis. I see you are still watching ...Thank you Dr. Lewis. I see you are still watching Audria Berry's backside.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6541352261871429862011-09-12T20:17:46.064-04:002011-09-12T20:17:46.064-04:00It will be interesting to see the comments after t...It will be interesting to see the comments after the Title 1 presentation by Dr. Berry during the Business meeting. It was pretty clear that mandates dictate how those dollars can be used with the school system being audited multiple time by multiple agencies. I found out I made a mistake in saying $660 per student per Title 1 school was allocated. The actual number is $325 for the 91 Title 1 schools.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to seeing that presentation placed on the school system website. Hopefully some of the misinformation about Title 1that has been floating around will cease and we can have fruitful discussions on how these dollars should be used to help improve student performance.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04676448124010158751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-9778707961706839682011-09-09T22:04:35.062-04:002011-09-09T22:04:35.062-04:00@ Anonymous 7:44 PM
If you know Black History or ...@ Anonymous 7:44 PM<br /><br /><i><b>If you know Black History or read nonfiction books like "Help" ...</b></i> <br /><br />Honey -- the name of the best-selling book that Kathryn Stockett wrote is, <i><b>The Help</b></i>. Not <b><i>Help</i></b>. It's on the cover.<br /><br />Two other important points on the cover of <i><b>The Help</b></i> are:<br />(1) "a novel" -- note: that usually means it is a work of <b>fiction</b>.<br />(2) "This could be one of the most important pieces of <b>fiction</b> since <i>To Kill A Mockingbird</i> ... If you read only one book ... let this be it." -- NPR.org<br /><br />BTW --"Bless your heart" has <i><b>nothing</b></i> to do with black history. I am a Southerner and Dunwoody Mom has the usage exactly right.<br /><br />Bless your heart ...SHSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37863577153764359222011-09-09T21:24:32.371-04:002011-09-09T21:24:32.371-04:00With the absurdity that Jester was facing, I think...With the absurdity that Jester was facing, I think that a "bless your heart" was in order.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6581739554379929092011-09-09T20:51:17.922-04:002011-09-09T20:51:17.922-04:00The term "well, bless your heart" has bo...The term "well, bless your heart" has both a serious and a saracastic meaning. We use the term in a serious way, when someone is in trouble or hurting.<br />It's also used in its saracastic form to be patronizing.Paula Caldarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515215184962897541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-40762660285789036312011-09-09T20:36:02.769-04:002011-09-09T20:36:02.769-04:00Or alternatively:
Bless your heart.
Southernese...Or alternatively:<br /><br /><i>Bless your heart. <br /><br />Southernese for "f-you".<br /><br />You can't come to work today because your mother died, your dog ran away and someone stoled your truck? Oh, Bless your heart.</i>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-10844777624557187242011-09-09T20:34:08.723-04:002011-09-09T20:34:08.723-04:00From the Urban Dictionary:
"Bless your heart...From the Urban Dictionary:<br /><br /><i>"Bless your heart"<br /><br />1. This is a term used by the people of the southern United States particularly near the Gulf of Mexico to express to someone that they are an idiot without saying such harsh words. <br /><br />2. "You are an idiot but I like you and care about you so I dont want to hurt your feelings."<br /><br />Little Billy: I am 6 years old (only holds up 4 fingers) <br />Scarlet: Oh honey, bless your heart, but that's only 4 fingers. <br />Little Billy tries again: I am 6 years old (this time holds up the same 4 fingers and 4 more on the other hand) <br />Scarlet: Child....Bless you and your momma's heart.</i>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-59124414859679093482011-09-09T20:23:01.376-04:002011-09-09T20:23:01.376-04:00In fact, Walker's comments had to do with the ...In fact, Walker's comments had to do with the attempt to change law firms for DCSS. He was advocating for Josie Alexander's firm, as it is a black-owned firm. He saw the attempt at changing firms and consolidating responsibilities not as a means to saving money or going with the lowest bidder, but as a personal affront to a black-owned firm.<br /><br /><i>Walker obviously (from his own recounting at the meeting) has long-held racial bitterness due to his childhood of segregation in south GA. He attended segregated schools in Thomaston, which may have been a very difficult burden to bear, as he still harbors much resentment all these years later. His words to the board included these comments, "I am a very race-conscious person. I know discrimination. I will not lead you to believe that I am race neutral. I see color. I love color. I do see in black and white, but judge me by my actions."</i><br /><br />http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2009/10/school-board-needs-to-make-decisions.htmlCerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-60303015044833831262011-09-09T20:11:47.097-04:002011-09-09T20:11:47.097-04:00And dare we address the anti-Latino bias in DCSS? ...And dare we address the anti-Latino bias in DCSS? It's a brown thing. I can understand animosity toward white people by black folks since "racism" or distinction by race is unfortunately and tragically ingrained in American society. So I only see an attitude that some recognize in Walker as a byproduct of racism, not of racism itself.<br /><br />That being said, animosity towards Latinos because of language (even accent), and, yes, skin color is openly expressed by both white and black folks.<br /><br />So I believe Walker and the rest of the Board, wrongfully accused of racism because he and others are looking out for black folks' interests, ARE racist in their bias against the large and growing Latino population in DCSS schools. <br /><br />Look at Walker's casual, spurious dismissal of Dr. Durón as a candidate for superintendent, which none of us would've known about hadn't Zeporah fed us the leak.Joseph Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11173200928266749158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-76093907313808555862011-09-09T19:52:36.900-04:002011-09-09T19:52:36.900-04:00Well just bless your hearts". If you know Bla...<i>Well just bless your hearts". If you know Black History or read nonfiction books like "Help" you would know that that is "the code". </i><br /><br />Bullcrap....LOL..."The code" for what? "Well, just bless your hearts" is a Southern expression, period, the end - it is not specific to a particular race. My grandmother was constantly making that statement to me and I say it to my children as well. <br /><br />That was a poor diversion attempt away from Walker's words.<br /><br />But, hey, I'm sure you won't quit trying will you?Paula Caldarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515215184962897541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-36200358544833156982011-09-09T19:44:49.077-04:002011-09-09T19:44:49.077-04:00Can we please stop misquoting people. I have read...Can we please stop misquoting people. I have read on this blog and on Get Schooled that Dr. Gene Walker is a racist because "he said it himselfappened to have been inattendance at that meeting and what he said was: " Yes, I SEE COLOR". A racist acts and discrimiates based on ones color. This statement was made in response to someone saying the Board should be color blind. In order to be fair and to move forward, one cannot ignore the presence of a very diverse population in DeKalb. Every child has a right to a quality education. Every employee has the right a fair evaluations and opportunities for recognition and upward mobility. Diversity training is definately needed by the entire Board. Nancy Jester made a racist comment that I bet most white ( not even Jester) are aware of- she said in response to the majority of the Board being sore winners..."Well just bless your hearts". If you know Black History or read nonfiction books like "Help" you would know that that is "the code".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91108143719432828902011-09-09T18:54:53.663-04:002011-09-09T18:54:53.663-04:00@ Anon 9/8 4:49 PM
Why give McKay the bylines the...@ Anon 9/8 4:49 PM<br /><br />Why give McKay the bylines then if they're DCSS press releases from Jenkins?<br /><br />I don't know anything about protocol for bylines.<br /><br />Just wonderin'Joseph Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11173200928266749158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-8569012263055945632011-09-09T17:03:22.922-04:002011-09-09T17:03:22.922-04:00@anon1102,
Has it ever occurred to you that Jester...@anon1102,<br />Has it ever occurred to you that Jester received more communication, petitions, etc. that wanted something opposite from you in Dunwoody? Your own post stated that the Cluster Council could NOT come to a consensus so your views weren't the dominant ones by your own admission. By the way, I was at that meeting and Nancy Jester was NOT in attendance. Jester always stated that she wasn't in favor of moving the magnets to a "central" location. So, her support for the "decentral" view is consistent. Don't you remember that everyone was saying that "Dunwoody kids should stay in Dunwoody"? The "Central plan" took some kids out of Dunwoody and sent them to Nancy Creek and Montgomery. The "Decentral" plan had Dunwoody kids staying in Dunwoody. <br />I realize you're still upset about redistricting but there was nothing unethical about Jester's behavior. Just because she didn't agree with your group doesn't mean that she wasn't representing Dunwoody based on all of the feedback. Throwing around the word "unethical" just because you disagree is embarrassing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-65399726227713528552011-09-09T11:53:25.761-04:002011-09-09T11:53:25.761-04:00I saw that movie. I cried. Not being a southerne...I saw that movie. I cried. Not being a southerner, I really hadn't grasped the history of the race relations here. However, I remind myself that I live in a world where we now have a majority black school board, a black school superintendent, a black county CEO, a black mayor of the city of Atlanta, a black U.S. Congressman and a black President of the United States. Obviously, things are going much better for blacks in the U.S. these days. That's good. I think younger people don't see or confront the horrors of racism of their older ancestors. Sadly, people like Gene Walker keep feeding the fires of radical racially-motivated thought in order to keep their political power. I look forward to the day that modern blacks say to that, "We're past that. We are equal. Let's move on."Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4150099009150925072011-09-09T11:41:50.184-04:002011-09-09T11:41:50.184-04:00Bravo, Anonymous @11:02. The redistricting process...Bravo, Anonymous @11:02. The redistricting process was a chapter in Dunwoody history that needs to be put to rest but highlighted so we can learn from past mistakes. Just the other day a friend of mine's mother mentioned that she was tutoring a little boy that used to attend Austin. He told my friend's mother that he was no longer able to attend his school because he lived in an apartment. Nancy Jester and her crew vehemently pushed a plan that would have ultimately not allowed an apartment dweller to attend Vanderlyn and Austin (regardless of proximity). I hope and pray that Dunwoody learns that this behavior has no place in the world we live in today. By the way, I saw a good movie this past weekend. It was called The Help; has anybody seen it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-84896641239393151512011-09-09T11:38:40.291-04:002011-09-09T11:38:40.291-04:00"With that in mind, I make the conscious deci..."With that in mind, I make the conscious decision to listen and be honestly curious and respectful of the other person’s point of view. This approach will get us closer to bridging a conflict gap and foster better understanding because it shows respect for the difference of opinion."<br /><br />Wow. He really said that? Walker? That's just a bunch of campaign nonsense. The truth about how he really is has been revealed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11260207625599441372011-09-09T11:02:29.819-04:002011-09-09T11:02:29.819-04:00SHS,
Don't minimize my concerns of lack of rep...SHS,<br />Don't minimize my concerns of lack of representation by my District BOE member or their ethics just because my concerns stem from her behavior during the redeistricting. The redistricting was a hugely significant event in DCSS and it served to highlight the true intentions and integrity of the entire Board. <br />The unethical behavior by Nancy Jester that I'm speaking of does concern her role during redistricting - she provided a written statement to Ms. Tyson and Mr. Drake that the majority of people in Dunwoody were in favor of the Decentralized Redistricting Plan. She represented this fallacy in spite of the fact that she was made VERY aware of the lack of consensus in Dunwoody --- many personal conversations and hundreds of emails opposing that plan were sent to her, she was given a well supported community petition NOT in favor of that plan (with over 1100 signatures), she was in attendance when the Dunwoody Cluster School Council could NOT come to a majority vote on a redistricting plan, and she was aware of the opinions of many voiced during the Public Input Meetings and on the On-line Public Surveys clearly showing that my Community could NOT arrive at a consensus - much less a majority in favor of any plan. <br /><br />Specifically, the unethical behavior I am indicating pertains to one of the ethical behaviors as required by the Georgia School Board Assocation as that BOE members "Communicate to the board and the local superintendent expressions of public reaction to board policies and school programs"<br />Nancy Jester failed to represent a significant portion of members of this community and that is unethical behavior for a board member.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-53225620615776376642011-09-09T08:01:19.707-04:002011-09-09T08:01:19.707-04:00That's right! I paid Donna Edler by PayPal. ...That's right! I paid Donna Edler by PayPal. Maybe I could open a dispute and get my money back.No Duhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00544438085465296470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-26633278869127111802011-09-09T01:25:34.581-04:002011-09-09T01:25:34.581-04:00From the eduKALB website last October, while he wa...From the eduKALB website last October, while he was campaigning for re-election, Gene Walker's answer on the how the BOE should work together. Funny, he doesn't seem to be all that "respectful" of BOE members who disagree with him, 10 months later:<br /><br />"In your previous experience, how have you best been able to bridge conflict, or help to build consensus when part of a deeply divided group?"<br /><br />Walker:<br />When it comes to educating our children, I believe we all share the same basic ideals, yet we disagree on the best approach to get us there. With that in mind, I make the conscious decision to listen and be honestly curious and respectful of the other person’s point of view. This approach will get us closer to bridging a conflict gap and foster better understanding because it shows respect for the difference of opinion.Open+Transparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02248529568051717909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-65732131428990060582011-09-08T22:07:00.327-04:002011-09-08T22:07:00.327-04:00From Donna Edler:
All,
Thank you for your sup...From Donna Edler: <br /><br />All,<br /> <br />Thank you for your support. A great time was had at the fundraiser (Retire The Debt For School Board Member, Donna Edler) this past Saturday, September 3. There was food (and drink), fellowship and fun. The extra bonus was that my husband, Darryl, and I shared the celebration of our 23 wedding anniversary with old and new friends.<br /> <br />I will be sure to share your concerns for DCSS with our new superintendent, Dr. Cheryl Atkinson, as I meet one-on-one with her next Thursday, September 14. Don't forget to mark your calendars for the DCSS Community Engagement Session to be held on September 20, 2011, 6pm to 9pm at the DCSS headquarters.<br /><br /> <br />Please know that we continue to accept contributions via PayPal at www.DonnaEdler.com or mail at Friends of Donna Edler, 1364 Cedar Green, Stone Mountain, GA 30088. Thank you for your continued support.<br /> <br />Best regards,<br /> <br />Donna Edler<br />DeKalb BOE, District 7<br />Friends of Donna Edler<br />770-808-7779DeKalb Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16252885521826870258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-75877044735211342712011-09-08T17:43:50.161-04:002011-09-08T17:43:50.161-04:00Sandy, I'm sure the "unethical" refe...Sandy, I'm sure the "unethical" reference was to Nancy's published letter in response to Dr. Atkinson's initial announcement. Some people don't understand that public officials have an obligation to their voters and taxpayers to provide, not hide, information.DeKalb Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16252885521826870258noreply@blogger.com