tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post6825811317601330792..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: The Parrot is Dead... stop denying itCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-692549690724145792010-08-14T17:14:38.761-04:002010-08-14T17:14:38.761-04:00Has anybody tried to go over there lately? I had t...Has anybody tried to go over there lately? I had to see someone about my certification last week. Well, you will not be able to go past security in the front. It was not like that in the old office. It's awful. Sonny Perdue, please do something before you leave office, especially if the Republican candidate wants my vote. SACS, actions speak louder than words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85899857655967993502010-08-14T17:12:48.025-04:002010-08-14T17:12:48.025-04:00You know that your school system isn't in a &q...You know that your school system isn't in a "good place" when problems aren't allowed to be discussed in an open and frank manner. This has been the case for YEARS in DeKalb County Schools. Principals are only allowed to paint rosy scenarios, even when their buildings are falling down around them. If they DO raise concerns, they are punished instead of their concerns being addressed. <br /><br />And then it trickles down from the principals to the teachers. Teachers are told to never speak negatively about anything and, again, if they do, they are punished. <br /><br />And then we parents and concerned community members go to school board meetings and raise these concerns and we're called "background noise." How can our children EVER get the education they need in this atmosphere?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30445004000139216242010-08-14T17:11:23.887-04:002010-08-14T17:11:23.887-04:00Question-What do you think the current BOE members...Question-What do you think the current BOE members will do to a new Superintendent if he or she starts cleaning house?<br />Answer-The same darn thing that they did to Johnny Brown. Say what you must about him, but people retired by the handfuls. He downsized positions that were'nt needed. Boy the BOE didn't like that, especially SCW. There was no real explanation given to the tax payers when they got rid of him. I really don't give a rat's behind if the BOE doesn't like the Super. Whether he/she does his/her job is my concern. In came CLEW, and the next is history. Right now, $20,000 yearly is missing from my household. And now to hear that people's children received preferred treatment.....sickens me. Some of these people make more than me, by doing a lot less or nothing for that matter. Somebody....please help us. We love our jobs. We love our students. But we are tired of being used and abused by the folks over there in the Palace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-20210780292878465772010-08-14T16:58:35.817-04:002010-08-14T16:58:35.817-04:00We've been knowing that the BOE and the Elitis...We've been knowing that the BOE and the Elitists in the district office have been corrupt for years. This is truly old news. Thanks Ch. 46 for breaking the story, but we need more. We challenge you to keep pushing forward. Oh, and did Beasley's school make AYP last year? If not, then shut up. AYP is a big joke. Most parents don't really know how it operates anyway. Anyway, does AYP indicate the teacher or the student? I tell you what, why don't the little precious babies from N. DeKalb switch with students in S. DeKalb. I bet that S. DeKalb would make AYP and N. DeKalb would not. Many, not all, but many parents in S. DeKalb have children who don't value education. Is that my fault? No, it isn't. So, the failing schools have nothing to do with the school or the teachers, its the people who attend these schools. In order to get parents to attend functions, they have to offer food, and that sometimes doesn't help. Yes, I said it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-80249198224108068952010-08-14T16:49:04.338-04:002010-08-14T16:49:04.338-04:00Listen, does anyone actually think that these peop...Listen, does anyone actually think that these people will resign. Hockey Sticks no! The will have to be forced out. They believe that they are above us. If their children, friends, and other relatives are so qualified, they should apply in other systems. I don't know what Mark E. is waiting on. He removed accreditation from other school systems for far less. Mark, yes, I am calling you out. You are in bed with the DCSS. Because nepotism exists know, actions must be taken now. I agree with Z. Roberts, seems like she is the fall guy. There are other out there doing the same things. I believe that if you put SCW, ZR, and JC together, they couldn't pass the 5th grade CRCT. I am in favor of a board member being required to pass a basic (very basic) skills test to qualify for this office.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-65822774327436488722010-08-14T15:31:28.702-04:002010-08-14T15:31:28.702-04:00Cere, you're right on target with the firings....Cere, you're right on target with the firings.. I'd like to add Robert Moseley, who think the parents who actually care and ask tough questions are "background noise" those were his words. Plus, his little black book of attendance levels at schools needs to be pried out of his cool fired hands. He has never seen a honest number he couldn't fudge a bit. Plus, he was the one who kept saying the cut and paste, Fairfax, VA, demographers report was honest and true. This guy needs to go. Dr. Thompson and Mitchell-Mayfield should also think about resigning. Cere, the entire cabinet of Clew's need to go. How can we trust any of them?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24552441989180393102010-08-14T13:58:07.727-04:002010-08-14T13:58:07.727-04:00The BOE can't fire anyone except for the super...The BOE can't fire anyone except for the superintendent. We need a new interim superintendent.<br /><br />The new superintendent will need to review assignments and make sure that appropriate personnel is in place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-29622756423115735702010-08-14T13:41:06.452-04:002010-08-14T13:41:06.452-04:00Such hiring practices (nepotism, crony-ism, sexual...Such hiring practices (nepotism, crony-ism, sexual/romantic)robs DCSS of desperately needed personnel with skills, experience, and judgment.<br /><br />Our district's students suffer because--even with DCSS diploma in hand--they are not marketable. Tax payers suffer that DCSS has paid 1 000 000 of dollars to rent trailers that it could have owned and maintained for less!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-617790556199531432010-08-14T13:38:54.233-04:002010-08-14T13:38:54.233-04:00Has ELPC announced their 2010-2011 meeting schedul...Has ELPC announced their 2010-2011 meeting schedule? I've not seen it. Just went to their website and still has last year's dates. I think I'm on the ELPC email list -- haven't heard anything...No Duhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14462063673391668451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-87063998763028573352010-08-14T13:34:31.940-04:002010-08-14T13:34:31.940-04:00The BOE should review all the AP's or Principa...The BOE should review all the AP's or Principals who won their job unfairly through "set-up" interviews where the candidate and/or interviewer were well aware of the personal or family relationships and were tacitly pressured to chose the pre-chosen candidate.<br /><br />Make it a firing offense upon discovery for any candidate for AP or Principal not to divulge any connection (business, familial, or romantic ) to the interviewing panel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-69387360559747862262010-08-14T13:18:33.801-04:002010-08-14T13:18:33.801-04:00Some suggestions of people to fire that the public...Some suggestions of people to fire that the public would support -<br /><br />Anyone known to have had an affair with Crawford Lewis and received a promotion during that time. We're all aware of who the XXX's are.<br /><br />Philadrea Guillory - it is well-known that she only has her job as head of the television studio due to the strings her mother pulled years ago. She is not good at it. The students at Dunwoody could have made a far better video than the one she showed a the last board meeting. Fire her and replace her with a professional from the field. Professionals do not cost nearly as much as we are paying Phil. We could save at least $50,000 and associated additional costs in benefits.<br /><br />Ms. Butler - the CNN cookbook queen who stepped over a PhD qualified director of health and wellness to become "Executive Director" of health and wellness. She is a book and self-promoter with no qualifications whatsoever for her current duties. (In fact, do we need this position at all?)<br /><br />Morcease Beasley - nip this fiasco in the bud. We have directors of core subjects and school levels - these people can handle the workload until a permanent superintendent takes the reins. He has been the WORST move for teacher morale since furloughs.<br /><br />David Guillory (see Phiandrea above - same issues only insert transportation instead of television). Hire an experienced PRO from FedX or UPS or somewhere where they know how to route buses efficiently - perhaps even using computers!<br /><br />How about your own cohort Tony Hunter? You know, the guy who brought us Esis? You have not heard what teachers are saying about this system if you think it's remotely successful.<br /><br />Marcus Turk - FInd a check that he signed in payment to Vincent Pope and Associates. He knew damn well that Pope should not have been on the job. Who signed Pope's checks? Who is responsible for the money? Where does the buck stop in DeKalb? Was he so beholden to Lewis that he wrote checks for millions to the architect husband of our director of construction without question? How about the fact that he specifically told Lewis not to use his Pcard for vacations, yet somehow, the bill got paid in the end! We need someone with a more rigid backbone with their hand on the checkbook. (And speaking of -- please - join the hundreds of other school districts nationwide that are posting their check registers online for the public to see. Now THAT would be transparent!)<br /><br />Any other suggestions? I am guessing that Ramona needs help in figuring this out.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-92178680646273214522010-08-14T13:03:23.309-04:002010-08-14T13:03:23.309-04:00A Call to Prayer? What's that about? Please te...A Call to Prayer? What's that about? Please tell me she doesn't think we're only relying on hope and prayer. She has the power to FIRE. Stop praying and clean house for god's sake woman. If you're doing the right thing, he or she will support you in the actions you take.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-90645574700500818392010-08-14T11:36:53.823-04:002010-08-14T11:36:53.823-04:00Stop mentioning Ernest Brown! He supported Clew-l...Stop mentioning Ernest Brown! He supported Clew-less and he supports the current leadership (CLew's cabinet, no matter what he says in public. I'm sorry to say, I have a trust and perception problem with Mr. Brown.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-42525684095628894782010-08-14T09:28:52.319-04:002010-08-14T09:28:52.319-04:00To all Ramona Tyson devotees--no disrespect to Dek...To all Ramona Tyson devotees--no disrespect to Dekalb County Christians here---please do remind her that prayer and faith in God is a personal matter not to be foisted on the rest of the DCSS employees.<br /><br />She is an Interim Superintendent not a high priestess for heavensake!<br /><br />One more of these "call to prayer" and there will be a lawsuit from the Catholics and Episcopalians!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-46117870943336818502010-08-14T09:13:55.665-04:002010-08-14T09:13:55.665-04:00I to believe the Parrot is Dead. I waited & wa...I to believe the Parrot is Dead. I waited & waited for someone in south DeKalb to take the lead in stating outrage and disgust with the state of our school system during the indictments. No voices arose. No Chamber of Commerce leaders, no Leadership DeKalb graduates, no corporate leaders said anything. No "I'm mad as hell & I'm not going to take it anymore."<br /><br />The problem is not just 2 or 3 board members or three or four (dozen) administrators. It runs much deeper than that & I am not optimistic it will change quickly or easily.<br /><br />Serving on the School Closure Task Force this spring reminded me just how difficult and strained relations are. And there is NO trust. (A political advantage for some.)<br /><br />Changing the constitution seems like blowing in the wind but we can at least ask the DeKalb Delegation to reduce the number of board members to 7. Nine is too many and why pay the extra money.<br /><br />I like Ms Tyson and implore all to be respectful. But I was frustrated that she told the DeKalb Delegation and Chamber attendees that all of the Communications Department has been cut... while Philandria Guillory is still employed.<br /><br />Allegiances do run deep and I hold little hope that an outsider will come in a miraculously glean the wheat from the chaff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91267217515516165612010-08-13T21:24:05.627-04:002010-08-13T21:24:05.627-04:00Looks like I'm going to take a day off and go ...Looks like I'm going to take a day off and go to the Sept 1 DCPC as well. ANYTHING to make me feel less powerless. Thing is, I fear we can be as much a part of the process as they will let us, but they really don't care what any of us think, so are we really making any headway? I want to be strategic and organized about how to make a difference, but quite frankly, I don't even know where to start. Cere does a great job of shining a light on the craziness, but how much can one person do?PolitiMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04994037235035183747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12974893333159792402010-08-13T20:26:39.116-04:002010-08-13T20:26:39.116-04:00@ Anonymous 7:43 PM
In terms of media coverage .....@ Anonymous 7:43 PM<br /><br />In terms of media coverage ... in spite of what Wendy Saltzman did ... Channel 46 is helping to sponsor the 100 Black Men's 18th Annual 2010 Casino Royale on August 28, 2010. <br /><br />So Channel 46 is unlikely to report on 100 Black Men of DeKalb in terms of any wrongdoing. <br /><br />Channel 46 does not have clean hands here.Be True to Your Schoolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-66731019849657109492010-08-13T20:09:59.892-04:002010-08-13T20:09:59.892-04:00Because of the corrupt, immoral and unsalvageable ...Because of the corrupt, immoral and unsalvageable school system administration and BOE we have, sooner than later Dunwoody will have a state rep or senator write up a bill for them to become a charter school system separate from DCSS, or Milton County will eventually come to be and our pathetic school system will be the overarching reason D-Woody leaves DeKalb County to join Milton.<br /><br />Of course Ron Ramsey will still be the head of DCSS Infernal Affairs, and will blast D-woody, call for an economic boycott, and make blantantly racist rants, which Zepora Roberts, Gene Walker and Sarah Copelin-Wood will echo.<br /><br /><br />P.S. Whatever happened to Ernest Brown?? He was a real hope to be a BOE member to make a difference, even though he made some disturbing comments fully supporting the indicted and disgraced Crawford Lewis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-88889196288126403172010-08-13T20:08:40.772-04:002010-08-13T20:08:40.772-04:00@ Anonymous 7:36 PM
I completely agree for an ISD...@ Anonymous 7:36 PM<br /><br />I completely agree for an ISD that Chamblee and Dunwoody MUST join together. No question! <br /><br />However, while we are pushing to amend the Georgia constitution to allow ISDs, I think the next right step is to go for a charter cluster. It was my understanding that a charter cluster is made up of only one high school, one middle school and the feeder elementary schools. However, if I am wrong, then perhaps Chamblee and Dunwoody need to join forces to create a strong charter cluster.<br /><br />A strong charter cluster will give our schools the protection they need from the corruption, fraud and theft at DCSS -- as well the current inept BOE.<br /><br />I am a former co-president of the Dunwoody Chamblee Parents Council. I am all for Chamblee and Dunwoody working together for the good of our schools, our students and our teachers. I will take a day off from work and will be at the September 1 DCPC meeting at Peachtree Middle School.Be True to Your Schoolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-18162816085628934042010-08-13T19:45:14.170-04:002010-08-13T19:45:14.170-04:00The parent council areas I suggested earlier...
D...The parent council areas I suggested earlier...<br /><br />Dunwoody/Chamblee<br /><br />Tucker/East DeKalb<br /><br />Emory/LaVista/Avondale Estates<br /><br />Lithonia/Stn Mtn<br /><br />Southwest DeKalbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-80313619364349058732010-08-13T19:43:11.940-04:002010-08-13T19:43:11.940-04:00The media has not reported on DCSS because there a...The media has not reported on DCSS because there are people in the media who are teaming up with DCSS leaders. Can you say 100 Black men of deKalb? <br /><br />I'm yet to see a story done on why this non profit's offices are located at McNair High School. Are they paying rent? Are they using equipment that the taxpayers paid for? I know they do some good for the community, but why do they get a chance at locating at a local high school, when neighborhood associations must pay liability and overtime for personnel to lock up buildings at other schools? All I'm asking is how can this non-profit use McNair as their home address? Look at their website and google their address, it's McNair High School!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24976838155708209122010-08-13T19:36:42.178-04:002010-08-13T19:36:42.178-04:00Be true to you school, good post however we need D...Be true to you school, good post however we need Dunwoody and Chamblee to join forces. Just one high school and the feeders would not give you a tax base large enough to draw from, with two full areas like Chamblee and Dunwoody you can have a larger base to draw taxes from. You can also offer classes to students from both schools. If you create ISD's too small you will leave areas in no mans land. Earlier today, I suggested using the parents council areas. I think we need to have a discussion at the DCPC on Sept. 1st. I'm appalled that the charter issues at Chamblee were thrown under a bus. Where are the parents? We're discussing a charter at Chamblee Middle right now. I also saw the 5 new trailers. Dunwoody Mom, now do you see why the current leadership must go NOW! They are taking our system and dumbing it down. Our leadership hates achievement. My wife and I are ready to fight for our kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91452253886804127142010-08-13T18:50:42.225-04:002010-08-13T18:50:42.225-04:00The 100 positions cut were para's, not teacher...The 100 positions cut were para's, not teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-23329874070081011892010-08-13T18:49:14.318-04:002010-08-13T18:49:14.318-04:00She was upfront about that. At the ELPC meeting sh...She was upfront about that. At the ELPC meeting she stated that while it seemed like a good idea to pick away at central office and other managerial positions, they had to first go to the big budgets and crack big nuts... (so to speak)... She had to start with cuts that would be big chunks to get any traction on a necessary $115 million in total cuts. Plus, there was a clock ticking. Using a scalpel takes longer than a hatchet.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-20603194737940792652010-08-13T18:28:33.159-04:002010-08-13T18:28:33.159-04:00@ Be True to Your School
Very good post. I also w...@ Be True to Your School<br /><br />Very good post. I also was struck with the simplicity of the budget proposal. It's like Mrs. Tyson looked at the TSA and said - oh - That's an easy $28,000,000. Then she looked at teacher positions and said - gee teachers are worth $65,000 a year. Let's just eliminate 100 positions and get another $6,500,000. We'll just let the remaining teachers take up the slack. Now let's just have some furlough days and that's more millions.<br /><br />What she should have done is kept our classes at a reasonable size for students. Then she could have said ok, with what's left over, how much do all non-teaching departments need to trim. Each department could have come back with detailed, innovative and creative plans regarding how they were going to meet their decrease in funding (cutting, consolidating job functions, and outsourcing). This would have required some work, but our children would not have been sitting on floors. I could have created Mrs. Tyson's budget in 2 days. She cut the core business by cutting the schoolhouse personnel. Since non-teaching personnel average more than teachers and number more than teachers, it looks like she passed up a great opportunity to really "rightsize" our system.<br /><br />Very sad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com