How does this behavior continue to occur at DCSS?
Where are the checks & balances?
Why does the Ron Ramsey/Robert Tucker Office of Internal Affairs treat teachers so poorly yet seems to ignore the behavior of administrators?
A grand jury indicted a DeKalb County assistant principal on charges he altered attendance records to make his elementary school appear to meet federal mandates.
Derrick Wooten was indicted Tuesday on four counts of public record fraud, four counts of criminal attempt to commit a felony and one count of computer forgery.
A DeKalb judge signed a warrant for his arrest.
Wooten was working as an assistant principal at Stoneview Elementary in Lithonia when he instructed eight teachers to change students’ attendance records on a school computer, District Attorney Robert James told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“He is accused of changing attendance records to reflect children were in school when they weren't. This was all to make it look better for AYP,” James said Tuesday. “The motive was to cover this up so the school doesn't get put on the Needs Improvement list.”
What do you expect? Fraud in DeKalb is the norm:
ReplyDelete4 indicted in DeKalb pension fraud
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/4-indicted-in-dekalb-882224.html
This says it all about DCSS:
ReplyDelete"As of Tuesday, Wooten, an employee since 2007, remained with the school system in an administrative position, Woods said."
@9:12 PM
ReplyDeleteIs the guy in that article's name really "Robert Xtravaganza"?
As a teacher in DCSS, I'm not surprised. I've been asked to change other records before by my AP. I asked that those instructions be given to me in writing before I changed the documents. After that request, I never heard anything else about the "needed changes".
ReplyDeleteI have heard rumors that this has happened at other schools. I hope some teachers there have kept their documentation to show that they were acting on the directive of an administrator.
How many times have teachers been asked to change grades when students have earned a failing grade? How many times have the teachers been asked to leave DCSS while the administrators get away with this unethical and illegal practice. Where was the Office of Internal Investigations while this happened? As a culture of unethical behavior has been encouraged and rewarded in DCSS, this is not surprising.
ReplyDeleteRonald Ramsey is guilty of mistreating teachers. As you can see, he is blind when it comes to administrators.Administrators rely on this man to do their dirty work for them. He does not go by any law books when administrators call him up and demand that he fire or displace poor teachers. Another administrator in trouble and still Ronald Ramsey had nothing to do with investigating this because he was more than likely on his second job instead of Dekalb School time.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of this story -
ReplyDeleteDid Frankie Callaway encourage cheating and then hurriedly retire?
In the end, it was the teacher who refused to change the grade (or reported that a sub changed her gradebook in her absence) who lost her job -- and Frankie Callaway abruptly retired with a nice pension, and is now principal of a DCSS charter school, Leadership Academy.
From a long lineage of teachers I don't think this type of behavior is common, in DeKalb or anywhere else for that matter.
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising that all of the cheating stuff has been found in administering the CRCT.
ReplyDeleteIs someone afraid to open the can of worms that is the administration of the Georgia High School Graduation Tests? Is there no evidence or suspicion of irregularities in any of Georgia's school districts?
I find it hard to believe that, as rampant as CRCT cheating was in some middle and elementary schools, that nothing happened in the high schools.
That's a big fifty gallon drum of worms. Several of them.
Will you please reply as to where your GHSGT was given in the schoolhouse? Our students were crammed in the cafeteria without even a chair in between the students. It just doesn't seem like that would be a good place, due to distractions and closeness of students. Should they be held in homerooms, and administered by the homeroom teachers? From No One Asked Me My Opinion.
ReplyDelete@10:33 if the graduation tests are being given in cafeterias with little room to move between students and rooms that are notorious for making noises louder than they really are, than the students were not given the test in the best of testing environments. Such an important test should not be given in such close quarters or in such a noisy room. This is why DCSS has so many problems.
ReplyDeleteI ask yet again: When will the needs of children be put before the convenience of adults?
DCSS will never change as long as parents think that they can run individual schools, administrators lack teaching experience and quality degrees, officials from outside the district stop putting their nose in DCSS politics where it doesn't belong, the friends and family program continues and flourishes, children and education are after thoughts, the army of coaches continues while students who have true needs don't receive extra help, our district lacks quality professionals in the curriculum department and a real superintendent.
ReplyDeleteI hope that teachers are smart enough to ask for things in writing before they do anything, like change a grade or other important legal documents, as any administrator would throw you under the bus before they'd accept the blame.
After accounting for CRCT retests that need to be added into the 2009 and 2010 percentages of DCSS Title 1 schools that Made AYP, I was struck by how unbelievably close in numbers that Atlanta Public Schools and DeKalb Schools are in Title 1 schools with respect to that Made AYP in 2009 and then the enormous decrease in 2010.
ReplyDeleteLook at the unprecedented decrease in schools that Made AYP in APS and DCSS from 2009 to 2020:
Percentage of schools that Made AYP in DCSS:
2009: 87%
2010: 54%
*Number of DCSS Title 1 Schools: 89 in 2009 and 2010
Percentage of schools that Made AYP in APS:
2009: 81%
2010: 58%
*Number of APS Title 1 Schools: 92 in 2009 and 91 in 2010
The decrease in DCSS Title 1 schools making AYP is almost identical to APS. This gives you an idea of the culture that controls DCSS. Sadder still is that not one BOE member bothered to ask why this statistically aberrant decrease happened.
"I hope that teachers are smart enough to ask for things in writing before they do anything, like change a grade or other important legal documents, as any administrator would throw you under the bus before they'd accept the blame."
ReplyDeleteAdministrators will not put requests for grade changes in writing because they know it is unethical and illegal, but they figure out other ways to punish teachers who won't change grades - particularly when it comes to younger teachers.
Why is this man being indicted and Ralph Simpson was allowed to pay back Title I money that did not belong to him? I guess Derrick Wooten was not a part of the Friends and Family plan. What is the answer Ramona?
ReplyDeleteHigh school graduation tests are done in our high school gym - similar concerns about noise and crowding
ReplyDeleteRalph Simpson did not break any local,stae not federal law. He, too, was caught with "failing to get his bosses permission in writing' ( including Ron Ramsey) also Butler was given permission by Lewis and had her books on display at Principals meeting with th Supt. endorsement. Al least, know some of the facts before you through mud.
ReplyDeleteTaking Title I Money to benefit your own pockets is against federal guidelines. Get your facts straight. Title I money is to be used for the benefit of students. What student benefited from the sale of his books other than his own personal childeren. This would explain why he didn't get permission. Permission would not have been granted and he knew that. I guess you also must be a part of the friend's plan.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 11:21
ReplyDeleteIt's called selective prosecution, and it reeks of favoritism and nepotism.
We were quick to build evidence to charge this guy, but look what we did in the cases of Lewis and Pope.
Though Wooten may exemplify many DCSS principals in his unprincipled behavior, I think he may be a scapegoat for those higher up who put the screws to him or even suggested that he commit the acts he was alleged to have committed.
Looks like we got a Simpson fan on this blog. I'm not talking about the cartoon, though DCSS leadership could be the subject of some hilarious, satirical show on Cartoon Network.
ReplyDeleteBowties. Expensive ones. Paid for with Title I money.
Anonymous 12:35, I'm not a Simpson fan but one of the law. It would be easy to say in court that the students that received the books benefited from them. It would be difficult to disprove that, especially given the recipients knew and respected Simpson. You have a legitimate argument that the content was weak however you'd make that argument through the eyes of an adult not a student.
ReplyDeleteSimpson did not break any laws but failed to get his bosses permission to do this. Thedford attempted to deceive by creating POs just under the amount needed for higher level approval. Simpson was given a choice, either return the money with a demotion and salary cut or be dismissed. He chose the former for obvious reasons.
Don't let your blind hatred cover up the fact that everyone must follow they law, even the prosecution.
So why it is that Fulton Title I Schools continue to progress? Not just progress, but distinguish themselves.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Fulton Title 1 schools do a better job of covering up their cheating? Hopefully no one is naive enough to believe that cheating hasn't being going on at most school systems and has been for years.
ReplyDeleteGood Grief! Can we please get rid of EVERY SINGLE CLew Circle leader? PLEASE! I am sick and tired of these headlines that keep coming out about DCSS. I've said it many times before..
ReplyDeleteUntil Tyson, Turk, Moseley, Mitchell-Mayfield, Thompson, Ramsey, Tucker, , Audria "Puttin' on the Ritz with Clew's P-card" Berry, the Guilroy's, Jamal "Where's Waldo" Edwards and everyone directly involved with the folks mentioned above ARE GONE! FIRED! RETIRED! WHATEVER! DCSS will remain the fraud it has been since Clew took power and made DCSS into a gravy train for his friends and family. The sad thing, even though Clew is gone, the gravy train continues.
This man who changed attendance record SHOULD be suspended WITHOUT PAY, until the charges are proven false. I'm tired of letting the accused sit in an office at the Palace and continue to draw a paycheck. In the private sector this guy would be fired TODAY!
It wouldn't surprise me if Audria "puttin' on the Ritz with Clew's P-card" Berry, had this gentlemen change the records.. Her office of improvement is abysmal, failing and she knows the writing is on the wall. Any sane "new Super" would never keep this woman, in their inner circle, with her record of failures at DCSS.
ReplyDeleteIs Stoneview a Title 1 school? If it is and the records were fudged, wouldn't there be Federal charges forthcoming? Seems to me these "changed" documents directly correlates to the amount of Title 1 funds Stoneview would get. Am I wrong about this?
We need new audits of everything and an OPEN discussion about every detail of those audits. NOTHING KEPT PRIVATE! I'm tired of the lack of transparency that Tyson promised when she took the top job. Hey Ramona, you're getting paid the big bucks now, why don't you become a leader and start cleaning house, so our new Super can come in, fire you and rebuild DCSS into a successful school system that has a special respect for the DCSS mission and its' students.
I am tired of the friends and family plan, it never has worked and is costing the DeKalb taxpayer dearly with legal costs and other costs that have nothing to do with the school house and educating our children.
I cannot understand why this person was indicted and the others who were removed and placed in other positions in January, have not been. Can we as taxpayers get some kind of explanation? Will the others be able to fade into retirement or other jobs? If DCSS did such a great job in investigating these people, had enough information to remove them, why then do they continue to sit? If they are guilty, why is no one moving on them as they did with Wooten, Berry, and Alexander? If they are innocent, their names need to be cleared! Reportedly some friends and family are in this group. Makes you wonder....
ReplyDeleteSimpson and Butler should not have had contracts renewed. Teachers and administrators in the cheating scandal should not have had contracts renewed. Administrators such as Wooten who are suspected of changing attendance records should not have contracts renewed. Friends and family members unqualified for their job or not doing their job should not have contracts removed.
ReplyDeleteThis seems very simple to me. If Tyson, is unable to clean house by not offering contracts to employees who are not doing their jobs, are not qualified for their jobs, or who are not honest and forthright than she never deserved her raise.
I believe that contracts have not come out yet, and if the palace and schools are cleaned out by not giving contracts out than, Tyson, needs to give the raise back, as she is also stealing from the DeKalb tax payers and children attending the county schools.
8:51, you may have hit on what's going on without realizing it: "It wouldn't surprise me if Audria "puttin' on the Ritz with Clew's P-card" Berry, had this gentleman change the records."
ReplyDeleteCould this be why he's not suspended without pay--fear that he might sell out the bigger rats?
Or maybe he's just related to someone.
"Could this be why he's not suspended without pay--fear that he might sell out the bigger rats?
ReplyDeleteOr maybe he's just related to someone."
The conspiracy theorists are running rampant again. How about he's suspended with pay until he is found guilty after a hearing? Does innocent until proven guilty mean anything anymore? After all, it is probably cheaper to keep him on board until June 30th and not renew his contract than investing in firing him now.
I think Anon is correct. The non-renewal of contracts is the best course of action for most of these cases.
ReplyDeleteThe checks and blaance were there and worked. He asked teachers to change records. Four teachers reported that. He was removed from his position and the matter refered to the DA and the professional standards commission.
ReplyDeleteHe has now been indited. The only thing yuo could ask for that would have been an improvement is that he had more integrity and not done it.
He gets removed from the school and if found guilty will not be allowed to work in education. The proper procedures were followed and I agree the checks and balances were there and worked. Thank you teachers for being brave enough to report the incident and thank you someone in the admininstration for refering the matter to the DA and the professional standards people and taking the appropriate action. Too bad it happened but in the era of Enron and Madoff etc. it is no surprise.
ReplyDeleteNo conspiracy theorist here... just look at the history of the leaders at DCSS adn it's easily explained. No transparency, always distracting with one good thing, while there are several other bad things rearing their ugly head behind the Palace gate!
ReplyDeleteThey made the bed they are sleeping in and the bugs have been tough to eradicate. We need a total Palace cleaning and soon!
I agree with Anon 11:10, the hero's in this are the 4 teachers that reported this. They should be commended as they were probably hesitant for fear of possibly losing their job. Perhaps the new whistleblower policy provided some comfort to them.
ReplyDeleteThere are bad apples in every profession. Thankfully we have 4 brave teachers willing to do the right thing on behalf of the students and school to report this AP. If there is other situations like this in the school district, hopefully it will encourage other employees to do the same. We need to get rid of the bad apples that may be compromising the education of our children.
I still can't understand why the county pays people who are relieved of their duties. Put them on administrative leave, without pay and if you're later wrong that the without pay was without justification, make them whole at that time. Why continue to pay someone who may have violated their obligations as an employee and therefore breached their contract? You will never recoup that money. I'd rather pay on the backend.
ReplyDeleteAnd kuddos to those educators who reported this practice. I'm sure it took guts.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem with conspiracy theories and DCSS is that the theory is usually much less ambitious than the reality turns out to be.
ReplyDeleteLeo, you are asking a question that many on this blog seem to forget, teachers are contract, state employees. The typical remedy for investigating a claim is to put the employee on administrative leave with pay. If they did otherwise, the school district (i.e. taxpayers) could be liable to that employee, expecially if they are cleared of the charges.
ReplyDeleteWe live in a very litigious society and should take all precautions to minimize any losses. Dollars paid to settle employment lawsuits are best used for educating children. Let the process work as is.
Unethical behavior in DCSS is deep, to the degree of being a norm in the culture of the system. After consistently confirming directives and requests via email, I was told by an administrator to stop using email to reply and confirm conversations, which I ignored. Further, if even a small sampling of Spec Ed is audited, it will take the whole department down due to falsified meeting notes, and changes to IEPs (especially as related to testing accommodations) without prior consent from parents. It is not the teachers, it is the leadership in a lot of schools. Incompetence, illegal and immoral behavior on the part of SPED administrators is covered up, in an effort to uphold the appearance of being in compliance with Federal Law. Also, there is an effort to circumvent any policy on bullying by writing in students' Individual Education Plans that when they bully another student, it is a 'manifestation' of their disability which means they can never be held accountable for bullying other student. There is just so much questionable behavior in the system that has been going on for years.
ReplyDeleteUnethical behavior in DCSS is deep, to the degree of being a norm in the culture of the system. After consistently confirming directives and requests via email, I was told by an administrator to stop using email to reply and confirm conversations, which I ignored. Further, if even a small sampling of Spec Ed is audited, it will take the whole department down due to falsified meeting notes, and changes to IEPs (especially as related to testing accommodations) without prior consent from parents. It is not the teachers, it is the leadership in a lot of schools. Incompetence, illegal and immoral behavior on the part of SPED administrators is covered up, in an effort to uphold the appearance of being in compliance with Federal Law. Also, there is an effort to circumvent any policy on bullying by writing in students' Individual Education Plans that when they bully another student, it is a 'manifestation' of their disability which means they can never be held accountable for bullying other student. There is just so much questionable behavior in the system that has been going on for years.
ReplyDeleteWhat a load. Unethical behavior is not deep in DeKalb any more than it is in society today. There are over 9000 employees in DeKalb schools and the vast majority are honest and hard working. There never was the culture of dishonesty that I found working for APS. Some people look at society and see things that are in themselves. Certainly one of Georgia's problems is that ethical behavior is not as a well developed concept as the good ole boy network. What in our society gives us an example to live by (Certainly not big business, the insurance, or the oil companies)? I am sure that everyone who contributes to this bog do not violate the speed limit, pay the taxes that they owe, never makes excuses for their short comings, never tell white lies to their loved ones (sure you look good in that dress) because you know that being unethical is a slippery slope.
ReplyDeleteI applaud Ms Tyson in her response to the situation - it's a far cry from the demand from Lewis for all employees to write letters of support to the principal who actually changed grades on student's CRCT tests.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, this is a sign that we are heading in a better direction.
Not sure how else Tyson could have responded. We need to watch the 4 whistle-blowers very closely. Make sure they are treated fairly in the future. These palace folks have very long memories. I think these 4 will outlast the current DCSS leadership, as long as we hire a new Super soon.
ReplyDeleteLeo I'm with you, suspended without pay! Period! Don't like it? Work somewhere else.
If the former superintendent gave the permission to principals to publish book then where is this in writing? Why wouldn't a so called awol principal not understand school law? Simpson and Miss Butler operated on GREED and fast money.
ReplyDeleteNow, Miss Butler is asking her followers to follow her on Twitter. Plus laughing about how she is still being paid by the county. Hopefully DCSS will not renew her contract if she was fired as the new superintendent said.
Butler's sister , Miss Annette Sanders Roberts is also showing up in the parking lot of her former school as parents reported,sharing pictures of her new husband and laughing hysterically about DCSS paying her while she is on a paid vacation.
Simpson on the otherhand has somewhat calmed down. But the other book seller turned author honestly believe that she did nothing illegal and is being represented by an attorney. It was reported that at her sister's school, only five cookbooks could be located. What was the amount of books she purchased? I think in the thousands, but only 5 are in the library at her former school, Rainbow. Makes you wonder who hired these folks as administrators?
Attendance thieves, bookgate, and the list goes on. Look out Twitter, here goes another victim.
There's a big difference between allowing someone to sell books to employees at an event -- and using faked POs and Title 1 funds to purchase thousands of dollars worth of your books...
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. The book thieves should not have their contracts renewed. None of them! How long will Dekalb continue to pay people like these two sisters who refuse to accept responsibilty for stealing? Simpson too needs to accept responsibilty and move on too. But I guess being busted down to a private is good too.
ReplyDeleteAre the sanders sisters coming back to DCSS? Let us hope not.Take a cruise with Roland Martin, or Tom Joyner and just sail away.
A little off subject...has anyone else noticed a problem in Esis where absentees are being doubled?
ReplyDeleteIs it a user input error or is it a system error?
I worked with Mr. Wooten when he was at Kittredge. A great educator, I thought. Sad to hear he made this awful choice. Proud of those 4 teachers.
ReplyDeleteContracts were given out last Friday. I believe none of those removed staff were given contracts. Instead they got a letter stating they were delaying their contract decisions until or by May 15. I guess things should be resolved by then. I wonder if any of those family and friends plan members got their contracts.
ReplyDeleteTeachers, be honest-how many of you failed to complete paperwork in a timely manner, including IEPs, and you forged a parent's name on a log, and an administrator saved your neck. The vast majority of administrators do this because they do look out for the teachers, but for some of you, it sure is a hard task. We had a teacher who repeatedly did not comply with special education regulations. We still supported her to the end because we are not in the business of getting rid of some of these poor teachers. Thank goodness for the other 10 awesome special education teachers in the building. --the LTSE
ReplyDeleteUnethical behavior in DCSS is a part of the leadership culture. It also exists everywhere in society. No one is perfect. But just because something exists in society does not mean we should all just go along with it. Just because someone else has 'gotten away with it,' is not an excuse to look the other way or accept things the way they are. There are a myriad of problems in DCSS, and it is all coming to light.
ReplyDeleteThere are good teachers just like there are good and responsible LTSEs. It doesn't matter what our opinions are. If there is an audit of Special Education, there are all types of people who will be in trouble, including anyone who falsified a date, forged a signature, mislead a parent, pushed inappropriate services or modifications for convenience or funding, etc. or anyone who knowingly processed and approved a document which they knew to be bogus.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous@10:51pm...managing people is a tough job. Being an effective leader means building a team, developing everyone so that they have a common goal, and motivating people, even those who are acerbic. If you had to routinely 'save someone's neck' or carried someone for a year, then you did not lead or manage. There should be zero tolerance for falsified documents or non-compliance. Someone who chronically misses deadlines needs to be supervised and developed. Threatening and being unpleasant and making demands/threats never works. You have to lead people so that they want you to be successful as part of the team you are all on. True people management skills are learned, but are not automatic when you are promoted because you have an advanced degree. Talk to that difficult person and listen. It may not work, but maybe you can make some progress. Don't assume that titles will command respect.
ReplyDeleteThe master plan is working!!
ReplyDeleteMany if not all recent posts on this blog lack emotion! There is little expression of anger, outrage, or disbelief! It is as if we are all emotionally spent. All of our "givvadam" has been used up.
This is exactly, EXACTLY what the leadership of DCSS, JD, et. al. was hoping for! We were so busy fighting the brush fires, we missed the massive malestrom that has gutted our school system.
What has changed?
There has been little or no movement on finding a new superintendent.
The case(s) againt Lewis, Pope and crew are mired in legal quicksand.
Even word coming out the HM case will go to arbitration means very little.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have been worn down, beaten once again by a well conceived, well executed battle plan...a war of attrition.
Jim Bohica Ben Dover
@ 10:51 -
ReplyDeleteWe had a teacher who repeatedly did not comply with special education regulations. We still supported her to the end because we are not in the business of getting rid of some of these poor teachers.
As a parent, I would have appreciated it if you would have let that "poor teacher" go. Personally, I pity the "poor students" under the teacher's care. Why is it that in education, no one gets fired? People get fired every day everywhere else...
Suspension without pay would not be legal. The proper course was followed turn the matter over to the Professional Standards Commission and the DA. The DA booked him into jail. If proven guilty he will lose his job and be sentenced to jail and or fined. Unless an administrator admits wrong doing then they can not be punished until due process has taken place. Of course, if you don't believe in or want to wait for due process, then why not just execute the suspect rather than suspend them without pay.
ReplyDeleteLet me remind you that DeKalb now has an independent auditor who answers to the board. If you are employed and know of any wrong doing in your school or building it is not only your duty to report it and is required by the Georgia educator code of ethics. If the wrong doing is criminal then not reporting it makes you an accomplice. In my case, I would go to my principal first and if it were not handled then to the auditor. If unlike me you have a principal or building manager who is dishonest then go straight to the auditor. Please remember the line betweenb wrong doing or unethical behavior, and something or someone you just don't like. I think it is fine to pose questions about anything, especially if you are unsure that it is proper. However, don’t repeat the gossip on stuff you haven’t experienced. Likewise, if you are not a DeKalb employee and have some first hand reservations about wrong doing go to the proper authorities rather than anonymously repeat innuendo, hearsay, and misinformation. For instance, I heard Dr. Lewis's speech and saw his email about the principals who cheated. He did not "demand" that people write them nor could any thing he said or wrote be construed as a demand. He may be guilty of other things but that is not one of them.
ReplyDeleteGood point. In fact, I believe SACS instructed the board a while back to create a whistle-blower hotline -- has that been done? I've not heard anything about it. Is there an easy process for reporting wrong-doing?
ReplyDeleteps - you're right. shouldn't have used the word "demanded" - rather he "asked"... Below is the actual text of the email, in case some of you don't remember --
ReplyDeleteTo: All DeKalb Employees
From: Dr. Crawford Lewis, Superintendent Subject: Message From the Superintendent
Date: 24 June 2009
As you know by now, Atherton Elementary School was recently implicated in the CRCT cheating scandal that has been a source of much publicity by the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC). As Superintendent, I was both concerned and surprised that this investigation was elevated to the front page of Sunday's AJC newspaper and warranted a probe by the District Attorney's office. Dr. James Berry and Mrs. Doretha Alexander are good people who made a grave mistake. They both acknowledged their involvement and accepted their consequences. They have served the DeKalb School System with distinction for many years. It is important that you know that the school district was not consulted nor played any role in their recent arrests. While we do not condone their actions in any way, they should be allowed to move on with their lives. DeKalb County School System is a family, and during difficult times family should come together. As a family, I am asking the entire system to reach out to Dr. Berry and Mrs. Alexander and show your support. An e-mail, card or phone call will go a long way towards showing Dr. Berry and Mrs. Alexander that we still care about them. The DeKalb County School System is a great school district working together to ensure that all of our students are successful and prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.
@10:51pm "Lead Teacher for Special Educaiton"...As a teacher, I have missed deadlines and been in trouble, however, as a Spec Ed teacher for years, I never once falsified a date or forged a signature,and it was hard to stay out of trouble. I am sure there are many others who can say the same. Those are serious offenses and probably criminal. If you are aware this is going on, then you have an obligation to report it. You should not, under any circumstances, be covering up for anyone. Being in a leadership position calls for difficult decisions and a high degree of good character. Any administrator who participates in being deceitful to mask an employees deliberate, illegal acts is culpable too. You should not expect a 'pat on the back' for helping to cover up a problem. We are here to serve the public and students and must do so with some degree of integrity.
ReplyDeleteCere give it a break. Stop beating a dead horse. You all need to worry about what's really getting ready to happen.
ReplyDeleteWho could say nay to that?
ReplyDeleteSorry - just pointing out the new, better way Tyson is handling employee issues. I, personally feel positive about the direction she is trying to take. She is tough on bad behavior. Her predecessor was not. Look what happened.
ReplyDeleteLTSE @10:51 Your comments are indicative of the attitude that has served only to bring DCSS down, and how otherwise good and skilled people can be misled into believing an illegal act will be overlooked and excused. You are supposed to lead and uphold decent practices, even when it is difficult. If you think you are a good LTSE because you 'help' "poor teachers" by covering up their problems and misdoings, you are misleading yourself.
ReplyDeleteWell she should have been tough on herself when Lewis was doing his dirt!!!! Ms. Associate Supt over Operations!
ReplyDeleteSo you think it is acceptable how she handled Ralph Simpson and Carol Thedford?
ReplyDeleteLet's give credit when credit is due... she had to do what she had to do before to retain her job... culture-wise. Although tape recording and beocming a "whistle blower" may have merit... the culture clearly needs to change for the kids... the kids are entitled to a future.
ReplyDeleteWhat about all of the other people that did what they had to do to retain their jobs? Oh, I forgot! You MUST be a part of the friends and family plan. People have been telling on people for years and NOTHING was done. Why all of a sudden the whistleblower policy that a huge organization like DeKalb should have had long before SACS mandated them to have one, is getting such high accolades. Please give me a break!!!! You all just wait until the BIG TRIAL and all of your mouths will be hanging open.
ReplyDeleteLook, in order for things to change, we need to start somewhere. Let's start now. I want RT to get credit for starting to do the right thing. She's not going to be here a year or two from now. We need a culture change. Now. If you are being required to do things that are wrong or uncomfortable or unethical, keep a journal. Use a tape recorder. Call SACS. Call Dr. Barge. you do the right thing and report. Don't do the wrong thing and comply. The rith thing has to start somewhere. Where will be as a society if we don't start changing things today? There's an interesting Holocaust quote about the preacher that didn't stand up for the Handicap folks when Hitler came to eliminate them because he wasn't handicapped and he didn't stand up for the Jews because he wasn't Jewish but then there wasn't any left to stand up for him when they came to take him away. It has to start somewhere. The blog is making a difference. If Ramsey did something bad or wrong, report him to the state bar of Georgia -- he's an attorney with a license so report it that way. If there is a real crime -- a rape, an assuaul, a theft, go to the DA -- start reporting. It is time for the crime to end and for the system to start using the money to actually educate children.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a conspiracy theorist here. However, I wonder if the DeKalb legislators who must vote on this HB22, are trying to do something to keep DCSS and the current atmosphere working. If they shrink the board, you better believe politics will take a huge role in the policy and how it is formed. I'm nervous having 5 or 7 will give the very folks power who has had it and squandered it for years! Jay Cuningham, Dr. Walker, SCW, and Mr. Bowen. I guarantee you they will draw districts to give these folks the majority.. The North DeKalb folks will get their one voice and voila! Friends and Family stays intact, Guilroy's, Jamal Edwards and other BOE family members will keep their jobs and the new Super will be hired in house. Taxes will be raised, more money for Audria Berry's Office of Destruction and there will be no audit and if there was one it would be shoved in a box and forgotten about. Clew did it, what would prevent the 5 member BOE to do it too.
ReplyDeleteI was for HB22 before I became skeptical of it. Can someone explain how everyone's voice will be heard and represnted by a 5 member board in DeKalb County?
@ 3:20 pm
ReplyDelete"I guarantee you they will draw districts to give these folks the majority.. The North DeKalb folks will get their one voice and voila! Friends and Family stays intact'
Remember that Edler won her seat from Zepora Roberts with 80+% of the vote. If there had been a high quality candidate with with no baggage, then Copelin-Woods would have also been defeated as well. Many South DeKalb voters are also disgusted with the way the school system is run - perhaps more so than Central or North DeKalb.
The key to any BOE race is getting high quality candidates. Perhaps the Edler and Jester wins will show that the stranglehold the current BOE members (Jester and Edler excepted) have had on the school system can be broken.
OFF TOPIC:
ReplyDelete10-15 more coaches are being hired for next year.
Also Dr Davis a part of the sorority.
@ 9:37 Having the sorority that you went to on your vita or any information for a job of any kind is a turn off. Phi Bet Kappa is very different from a sorority and true honor, but the sorority doesn't mean squat. We have enough of this in the county already. Don't need more of it.
ReplyDelete"10-15 more coaches are being hired for next year."
ReplyDeleteLet's hope Ms. Tyson lets Audria Berry go so the next superintendent won't be burdened with her. Title 1 school achievement has reached such a low point that it's bordering on criminal to keep the same management in place.
Lewis' mistakes need to be swept clean for the new superintendent. Ms. Tyson needs to earn that big raise by getting rid of Lewis' "friends".