tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post4076420154545543516..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: School leaders say they need a PR firm to help clean up the messCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-3546151361461319732010-05-07T22:22:30.734-04:002010-05-07T22:22:30.734-04:00Don't y'all think you should send some of ...Don't y'all think you should send some of these comments, in "cleaned up" English to Ms. Tyson and the current Board -- perhaps annon. if need be -- just to see, if perhaps -- something just might be able to be accomplished in the "doing the right thing" department with an interim super. and a Ms. Edwards off of the BOE? The whole thing reminds me by the day of a Madoff or other Ponzi scheme.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24348304388607111832010-05-07T19:11:00.705-04:002010-05-07T19:11:00.705-04:00Most system and media insiders know that Julie Rh...Most system and media insiders know that Julie Rhame knows her stuff and has been trying for years to put positive changes in place for DeKalb. Dale Davis is an incompetent idiot. Other than driving Lewis's car, holding his coat, guarding the bathroom door when Lewis had to urinate (I'm not kidding) and giving inept statements, he had nothing to offer. Sadly he is not the worst that department has to offer. <br /><br />That award goes to Philandrea Guillory. This would be Frances Edward's daughter. She can not write a sentence correctly. She is notorious for showing up when she feels like it, submitting poor work, and being difficult to work with. However, as a former BOE member's daughter she is untouchable. Her husband was also promoted after Lewis took over, as the head of the Transportation Department. Together, they make well over $200K a year. Thanks, Mom!<br /><br />Unfortunately, J. Rhame has been stuck with both Dale Davis and Philandrea Guillory. It's a shame, as Rhame and the rest of the department are excellent. <br /><br />That department is a perfect example of the rest of central office. A majority of intelligent and devoted workers who may soon lose their jobs and mixed in with hooked up has-beens (or never-weres) who will probably receive contracts. When the ax falls for those 150+, it will have little to do with loyalty to the system or how well they did their jobs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-86629280396782257052010-05-07T19:02:25.342-04:002010-05-07T19:02:25.342-04:00The postings on this blog about everyone's fea...The postings on this blog about everyone's fear of Dr. Lewis could not be more true. You didn't dare challenge him - even if you were a close advisor. <br /><br />Especially after Callaway was ousted. She and her husband had been promoted beyond their competence level for years as good personal friends of the Superintendent. Their children were hired and promoted as well. When Frankie Callaway was forced to resign it sent a shockwave through the system. Anyone could go at any time if they dared to disagree with the Man. <br /><br />Crawford Lewis was paranoid throughout his tenure because he knew that he obtained his position by betraying Dr. Brown and working backdoor deals with all the board members. This included promotions for those the board members favored (Pritchett and McGiboney) and for family members of board members (Frances Edwards, Zepora Roberts,). <br /><br />He spent his entire time as superintendent fearing a similar coup. Dr. Brown was no good either, but that did not change the fact that Lewis had blood on his hands. He may have always been smiling and calling his employees by their first names, but everyone knew what was behind the mask.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-59056662719748088542010-05-07T06:56:23.515-04:002010-05-07T06:56:23.515-04:00Good find, DeKalb Parent - thanks for digging that...Good find, DeKalb Parent - thanks for digging that up. Send it to Ms. Tyson and the board.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-32455563318040518542010-05-07T00:46:00.697-04:002010-05-07T00:46:00.697-04:00@Kim 1:06am
In my meanderings through the blog ar...@Kim 1:06am<br /><br />In my meanderings through the blog archives, I found this from April 19, 2009 recounting the April 17 BOE meeting (http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2009/04/summary-of-417-dekalb-boe-called.html):<br /><br /><br /><i>E2) Ms. Pope briefly reviewed the facilities inventory book with the BoE. She identified 10 ‘current and soon to be’ unused properties’ and provided recommendations for each:<br /><br />1. Tilson ES (Pre-K Academy, serving children as young as 3 months)<br />2. Forrest Hills ES (single gender)</i><br />Well, that didn't happen, so I guess we just leave that one to deteriorate...<br /><br /><i>3. Open Campus (under evaluation)<br />4. DSA (under evaluation)</i><br />Resolved that one by declaring it full of asbestos - just like all the others of its vintage that we are still putting kids and staff into every day - so we can sit on it and let it deteriorate until the real estate fairies bring some one to pay a bajillion dollars for it...<br /><i>5. DESA/Hooper Alexander ES (sell or lease)<br />6. Clarkston Center (sell)</i> seen any moves toward this in the last year?<br /><i>7. Freeman A (sell)<br />8. Freeman B (sell)</i> <br />good luck with that.<br /><i>9. Robert Shaw Annex (Trade with county, sell, or lease)<br />10. Rock Gym (Trade with county, sell, or lease)</i><br />Any progress there, folks?<br /><br /><i>Ms. Pope requested the attorney’s research, acquire, and review all deeds to ensure there are no restrictions. She mentioned DCSS owns a few sites without a building</i><br /> just a few??<br /><i> and mentioned the park near Heritage ES as an example. She also acknowledged two other facilities. Heritage is planned for short term use by the Marines</i><br />we all know how that turned out, aaaand we have another facility deteriorating before us<br /><i>and that they have not decided how to use the former Chamblee MS.</i><br />which has been left vacant for so long that it is too dangerous to walk into without protective covering, according to a prior post.<br /><br /><i>Robert Shaw annex is currently being leased by the Health department for $1200/month however there is not a record of the monies being collected. Rock Gym is currently being leased to the City of Stone Mountain for $1/year.</i><br />and the beat goes on...<br /><br /><i>It is expected there will be a complete facility inventory report by June 2009.</i> <br />OOOkey-dokey! <br /><i>There is also a concurrent project to evaluate current facilities and make recommendations for further closure/consolidation. That study is expected to be completed by the end of the 2010 school year</i><br />still on the radar? <br /><br /><i>Dr. Lewis mentioned State Rep. Fran Millar requested he meet with him and other legislators to discuss the reimbursement dollars.</i><br />wonder if this meeting ever took place.Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-15268438748186912062010-05-07T00:43:15.002-04:002010-05-07T00:43:15.002-04:00Anonymous 10:32 Thank you for all the information....Anonymous 10:32 Thank you for all the information. So much of what you said hit home for me. you are correct if you ever question cl or pope/reid you would in up in a back room or sent across the county. I myself have suffer the wrath of him and her. I do know many, many people who have been treated badly because of these people. I thank god every day that i am ok.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-69139290567584453782010-05-07T00:00:00.764-04:002010-05-07T00:00:00.764-04:00Anon 3:42,
Yes, you are most definitely missing s...Anon 3:42,<br /><br />Yes, you are most definitely missing something. The fact is Ms. Rhame is one of the good ones. As others have pointed out, and they are dead-on accurate by the way, Lewis was the root of the problem, not listening to her or allowing her to have any input. Even so, she and her staff have worked hard to do the best they could with what they were given. This group of people have earned their pay. Now that Lewis is gone, hopefully things will change and you'll see a big difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-26069579560661955902010-05-06T22:22:37.146-04:002010-05-06T22:22:37.146-04:00Thank you anonymous 10:32 with that information. ...Thank you anonymous 10:32 with that information. I myself have watch dale davis for many years and he should be gone. He never makes any since when he is on the news. His words, we are looking into the matter. If he had to do a one on one interview lord help us. He has a air about him. Since he no longer has to hold the super's coat and open doors for him what will he do know?<br /><br />Again thank you for your comments i read it two times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-57690332855389371832010-05-06T19:35:49.156-04:002010-05-06T19:35:49.156-04:00Oh my. You are right, DM.Oh my. You are right, DM.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-36615486735730187282010-05-06T19:29:53.011-04:002010-05-06T19:29:53.011-04:00And it keeps on coming...Cere, this may need its o...And it keeps on coming...Cere, this may need its own thread...<br /><br />"Sloppy paperwork cost DeKalb County schools $25 million dollars last year and almost cost millions more again this year, officials <br />said.<br /><br />The mistakes caused the state Department of Education to revoke $11 million in construction funds and temporarily withhold another $14 million, according to records obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. DeKalb taxpayers ended up paying for the $14 million in construction projects with sales tax dollars, which could have been used for other purposes.<br /><br />Further, the district’s rocky relationship with the state almost cost the troubled school system another $27 million this year."<br /><br />http://www.ajc.com/news/sloppy-paperwork-missed-deadlines-521866.htmlPaula Caldarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515215184962897541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-559388495023308822010-05-06T19:12:30.646-04:002010-05-06T19:12:30.646-04:00@ Anonymous 3:42 pm
"Julie Rhame is a compet...@ Anonymous 3:42 pm<br /><br />"Julie Rhame is a competent and honest professional who is not in a positon to have any impact on DCSS policy. "<br /><br />I must be missing something here. She has no impact on DCSS PR policy, but she continues to receive $145,000+ from taxpayers in salary and benefits that could go to direct instruction for students. And we are putting science and math teachers feet to the fire if they don't raise student test scores. <br /><br />Please explain why Julie Rhame is still working for DCSS. That seems like a "jobs program" to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-15376291080251800502010-05-06T17:11:45.581-04:002010-05-06T17:11:45.581-04:00An even costlier event --
$40K worth of batteries...An even costlier event --<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/40k-worth-of-batteries-521784.html" rel="nofollow">$40K worth of batteries stolen from DeKalb school buses</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56701160843661788722010-05-06T15:42:56.447-04:002010-05-06T15:42:56.447-04:00Julie Rhame is a competent and honest professional...Julie Rhame is a competent and honest professional who is not in a positon to have any impact on DCSS policy. She also serves at no pay on the Decatur school board. She lives in Decatur.<br /><br />I regret that anyone without an intimate knowledge of how the silos at DCSS work (or do not work) would disparage her.<br /><br />The idea that any PR firm could help DCSS even for 10 times the 25K is silly. I'd pay 25K just to get the board to keep quiet-that would raise our image a great deal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-40192315838863419922010-05-06T13:25:52.665-04:002010-05-06T13:25:52.665-04:00Anonymous 10:32,
Thank you for your insight! Incr...Anonymous 10:32,<br />Thank you for your insight! Incredible piece and there needs to be more like you. The only way this situation is going to be solved is through whistle blowers like you. I hope you go to the DA, FBI, AJC(Maureen Downey, she is the only one to trust there) and spill the beans. DeKalb taxpayers need to know this.<br /><br />In regards to the post about Dale Davis being a reporter, I think the person who posted that was talking about his ties with the media, especially Fox 5. When DD was the Public Information Officer with DeKalb police, I think in his mind he wanted to be a TV reporter. DD loved being on camera, just ask the TV beat reporters in town. I honestly think he thought, in his own mind, that he was an actual reporter for the local TV stations. <br /><br />I do know he has some very tight ties with some in the media in this town, especially Fox 5 and the AJC. There were a couple of incidents when parents were approached by the I-Team. They were given a lot of documents that showed CLew was way in over his head and feeding the public bold faced lies. After a couple of weeks of communication with the producers from Fox, everything went silent. Then the parents discovered, through a DCSS insider, that CLew knew everything that the parents had given Fox 5.<br />The insider even made mention that DD most likely had his hands all over this.<br /><br />CLew and DD did everything they could to silent their critics. Background checks, criminal activity checks and it wouldn't surprise me if Private investigators were hired to tail parents and track their whereabouts. At least now we know why DCSS has such a large police force, did CLew use them as his own Private Investigators? You know, for the safety of the system.. Maybe it was just to cover his own posterior since some parents were getting awfully close to exposing CLew for what he was.<br /><br />I agree with the insiders perception above, CLew had to keep his critics silent. He was so inept and paranoid time finally caught up with him, especially Pat Pope. Could she still be on the payroll to keep her quiet? What does she know? What's incredibly sad here is that Clew is retired now but DeKalb taxpayers are on the hook for his legal fees, even if DCSS decides to file a suit against CLew. <br /><br />By the way, here are some more scandal numbers...<br /><br />23. 100 Black Men of Atlanta being able to operate on McNair High School property, use DCSS equipment to operate their website and produce videos in exchange for a lifetime membership for Clew. Sounds fair doesn't it?<br /><br />24. DCSS not once talking with DeKalb planning about their 20 year vision project for the county, Zoning and development that would directly effect the size of attendance zones.<br /><br />25. Having a demographer, from out of state, model a report that was a cut and paste from a system in Fairfax County, VA and that had no reflection of what was actually happening in the county.<br /><br />I thank God DCSS finally hired a good man as their own demographer. Hopefully, he will remain honest as he was with the task force data. <br /><br />There are tough times coming our way, Jim Redovian even told parents at the DCPC, that there is no timetable for recruiting a Super or replacing Talley. <br /><br />Ms. Tyson will have to make some tough cuts and hopefully she will look inside the central office first, before cutting points, paras, music and art.<br /><br />We need whistle blowers like the one above to expose the real DCSS to the true stakeholders, the DeKalb taxpayers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-79425166341843054352010-05-06T12:54:39.748-04:002010-05-06T12:54:39.748-04:00I think for most of these top earners, it's ju...I think for most of these top earners, it's just easier to leave them in place making those salaries rather than having to do the hard work of:<br />1. Assessing the necessity of their position <br />2. Assessing comparable salaries in the marketplace for their skills set<br />3. Cutting employees and/or equalizing salaries with the marketplace<br /><br />Also, many of these people are friends, have social connections such as fraternity or sorority commonalities, or have helped each other in their career paths. <br /><br />The way it generally starts is a new program is started or purchased by DCSS's top administrators and the BOE. Then personnel positions are created due to the program started, and people are hired for these positions at hefty salaries. Often these people "know" people in influential positions or know the person running the program or have a personal connection. <br /><br />The program is eventually discontinued. Rather than disappoint that person, DCSS has always deemed it fair to find another position somewhere within the system to place that person so he/she can retain the same salary. <br /><br />LOL - Sometimes, small departments are created so a collection of "out of work" personnel from discontinued programs can be placed in there until something more permanent can be found for them. You should see these people with disparate skills sets work together on "make-work". They meet all the time with each other, generate paperwork, and bide their time. Sooner or later, the ad hoc department will be closed, and the members quietly moved into the vast DCSS army of admin and support (8,500 strong). <br /><br />If a supervisor is lucky, he/she will obtain someone from these personnel moves that make more money than the supervisor. Then the supervisor will have an automatic raise to ensure supervisors always make more than their employees. <br /><br />This is what is meant when so many bloggers call DCSS the "Family and Friends" program. It's all about relationships and the creation and preservation of a comfortable standard of living. It's a sweet deal for everyone but teachers and students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-26234531067228892192010-05-06T12:28:19.227-04:002010-05-06T12:28:19.227-04:00@ Anonymous 11:49
Your are correct.
223 personne...@ Anonymous 11:49<br /><br />Your are correct.<br /><br />223 personnel make over $100,00 and account for over $31,000,000 in salary and benefits.<br /><br />102 principals<br />1 counselor<br />2 teachers<br /><br />That leaves 117 employees for DCSS that are not inside the schoolhouse based. Rather, they are administration and support personnel outside the schoolhouse.<br /><br />source: State Salary and Travel auditAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-34417689365249586872010-05-06T12:21:34.082-04:002010-05-06T12:21:34.082-04:00Anonymous @8:45am...ummm, what are you talking abo...Anonymous @8:45am...ummm, what are you talking about? Dale Davis was NEVER a reporter in this town or anywhere else! What a hoot!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-49649183129361104232010-05-06T11:49:48.148-04:002010-05-06T11:49:48.148-04:00How many folks in DCSS are currently earning 6 fig...How many folks in DCSS are currently earning 6 figure salaries, and what percentage of these have jobs directly related to educating our kids? One blogger astutely pointed out that a teacher with a PhD in field could only dream of 6 figures (or would need to work for the system for decades to even approach this level). What is wrong with this picture? And why are we surprised that our kids are not receiving a good education??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-53201577131957563312010-05-06T11:42:36.164-04:002010-05-06T11:42:36.164-04:00Archived issues of the Kaleidoscope can be found h...Archived issues of the Kaleidoscope can be found here http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/newsroom/kaleidoscope/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-31207466483837177632010-05-06T11:32:27.604-04:002010-05-06T11:32:27.604-04:00While reviewing Kaleidoscope, I noticed that there...While reviewing Kaleidoscope, I noticed that there was no link to archived editions. Does anyone know if past issues are accessible?<br /><br />Just curious if this year’s CKHS star cross country runner or Valedictorian have been featured in a previous issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-76541594760614034342010-05-06T10:32:49.894-04:002010-05-06T10:32:49.894-04:00Continued...
DD is promoted again this time! To D...Continued...<br /><br />DD is promoted again this time! To Director of Media Relations…He’s on cabinet—JR is not. He’s given the ‘go’ to run the ‘show’ and JR? Well, she just better figure it out and run PDS-TV. So she keeps on trucking…she establishes the electronic Kaleidoscope, new educational programming on PDS-TV and tries to forge fresh relationships with the local media. Her department is technically not PR anymore—it’s Communications (the admins’ decision, not hers). She does a lot of internal communication and even submits PR plans to the administration (which they must just toss) for different initiatives. She works hard, but she’s stifled. She’s trying to break thru a straight jacket.<br /> <br />And just so you know, when she was taken off cabinet and banished that’s when the Jaheem Herrera incident occurred and DD had the reins. Insensitivity. Ignorance. Arrogance. That was DeKalb’s stance—wouldn’t you agree? But what more could you expect from a former police officer with no degree and no sense of how to complete a coherent sentence with subject-verb agreement? Every other media response/incident thereafter DD spearheaded—just him and the old supt…not accepting a peep of counsel from anyone with experience. And the school system has been sliding down its stinky slippery slope of BS ever since.<br /> <br />(to be continued...)<br />Countless media reps have said they can’t work with him. He’s disrespectful and uses profanity with them and withholds public info ALL the time.<br /> <br />This is a long story, people, and a very sad one….and let’s not even start on the whole PDS-TV debacle. But you are right; DeKalb Schools’ PR is in the pits. The school system just doesn’t understand PR—and is extremely tardy trying to figure it out. They’ve gotta do better. Let’s pray they do.<br /> <br />As far as M.Lewis (old supt’s daughter) who works for Decatur City Schools? The chick was there when JR got there—so no favors done 4her…and word is, she’s just as testy as her daddy. <br /> <br />From my eyes, this is what has taken place over the years. You don’t have to believe me—I just felt compelled to share the truths of which I believe and have experienced first-hand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-40222570578924463572010-05-06T10:32:20.308-04:002010-05-06T10:32:20.308-04:00I’ve followed this blog for seasons—since its ince...I’ve followed this blog for seasons—since its inception really—in silence, yet in admiration. While I’m always encouraged to see thoughtful dialogue generated, particularly dialogue that works to drum up ideas to improve our students’ education, it always irks me when misinformation is tossed about. If you allow me, I can probably give you some insight on what’s really going on with “PR” –or with Central Office, period. No sugarcoating, I promise.<br /> <br />The past administration was an absolute reign of terror, as someone else mentioned on this blog. That supt ran the district by a cloud of FEAR. If you disagreed with him, wham, you’re demoted or “blacklisted” -never to be utilized or heard from again. For some odd reason, this school system’s employees (central office particularly) operate on prestige: who’s who among the highest paid, the highly positioned, the well dressed and well driven. It’s a soap opera. So if silence and compliance w/foolish policies keep you among the ‘who’s who’ ~ then hell, silence is literally golden. So imagine being “blacklisted”—embarrassing for the ppl who worked so hard and puckered so perfectly to get to central office. Integrity isn’t the norm here. Compliance is commonplace. Even the educated, the once-respected, they don’t buck the system bc Clew had ‘em scared. And to be honest, this was so because he himself was/is insecure. “Wait, you think you know more than me? You dared to challenge me to adopt a new school of thought? You corrected me? You disagree with me? Well, then poof! Goodbye! To the bottom ranks you go. You’re invisible to me now! Anyone else want to try that??” Intimidated by intelligence, he was. Insecure. And guess who else is too? Dale Davis, the old supt’s best pal, golf partner, breakfast bud and certified chauffeur. <br /> <br />If you really want to be investigative, investigate Dale Davis’ credentials. Investigate his starting pay in 2005, which was about $40K and how a former police officer (who supposedly never left a desk job) quickly rose to a pay of $101K being a mouthpiece and a sucky one at that. Bc of his friendship, allowances were made. <br /> <br />A while back, a few wise, more strong employees (now retired or with the state dept of ed) advised the old supt to look a little closely at his pal and notice that DD couldn’t write, couldn’t speak publicly without a script, and didn’t make for good relationships with the local media…Heeding their advice, Julie Rhame is hired and while DD interviewed for that job too, he isn’t given the job and is instead placed under her BUT still is given a $20K raise for being a good sport and promoted from Public Information Officer to Assistant Director of Media & Public Relations.<br /> <br />But JR was like no other. The clothes, the kissykissy face, the hierarchy—she seemed to care less. She seemed to just want to do right by the school system. For her that meant, trying something new like social media platforms (blogging, an informational FBook page, maybe Twitter…merely ideas) market research, brown bag lunch meetings with the media. ::GASP:: Something different?? Something new? You say we need to change? You say we should back off from the ‘premier’ tag? Get thee away! So she’s kicked off of cabinet, banished and out of the loop. Never consulted again.<br /> <br />to be continued...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13011885474505049622010-05-06T09:36:12.176-04:002010-05-06T09:36:12.176-04:00@ Anonymous 7:28 am
I know what a school system n...@ Anonymous 7:28 am<br /><br />I know what a school system needs to pay effective PR people. But I agree with Dunwoody Mom. DCSS PR Department is not doing a good job. <br /><br />You may say that they are not allowed to do their jobs (I've seen that on this blog). Then why not just have a couple of people to "daily media requests, open records requests, and communications pieces that need to be written"? I'm not sure how public relations could get any worse.<br /><br />Maureen Downey's piece on the Lakeside triplets being valedictorian and two salutatorians was a great piece. Did DCSS's PR department give her that information? They certainly should have.<br /><br />DCSS is a close in county with many beautiful green communities, easily accessible to the city's playhouses, museums, and restaurants. Due to our extensive surface streets, we are a veritable oasis in a metro traffic nightmare. Top international scientific community members live in DeKalb and work at the Centers for Disease Control. Emory University is another intellectual powerhouse in our midst. Perimeter Center is a crown jewel of the Atlanta business community. Arabia Mountain and Stone Mountain are ideal for family outings. Our commitment to special education, Grady hospital and MARTA shows we are a socially responsible community. We have many caring, dedicated and well educated teachers, and contribute a significant number of students to top notch colleges. Our student population is diverse and international which gives us a distinctly cosmopolitan flare. DCSS parents are involved and determined to break the cycle of poor management of the school system.<br /><br />My husband and I are 27-year DeKalb residents and retirees. Recently we were so concerned about all the negative press about the school system that we started looking at houses in North Fulton. Just fighting that traffic and seeing the bland environment convinced me what we have here in DeKalb is worth staying and fighting for.<br /><br />That's why I say our PR department is either incompetent or ineffective. Either way the job is not getting done, and DeKalb is paying the price not just in salary and benefits for this department. It is paying the price in the public's perception of its reputation. That's the biggest price of all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48318662437160782012010-05-06T09:23:58.611-04:002010-05-06T09:23:58.611-04:00I was wondering if someone could do some research....I was wondering if someone could do some research. I would but I am headed to volunteer at ny kids school this morning.<br /><br />I seem to remember that Decatur City Schools hired one of Crawford Lewis' family members to work in their PR Dept. Anyone know this person is? Daughter-in-law? I remember seeing this in a report a year or so ago.<br /><br />Ms. Rhame could you explain how one of CLew's family members gets a job for Decatur City Schools? A system you represent? Too much nepotism using our tax money.<br /><br />Does anyone else know anything about this? I'm just saying.. If Ms. Rhame can't put her DCSS job on her Decatur City Schools Bio what is she trying to hide? Ms. Rhame is very capable at her job but why no mention of her paying job on her Decatur Bio?<br /><br />I have friends who work in TV in this town. They are stunned a Services Clerk like Philandrea Guilroy gets paid 6 figures to hrun a cable TV local access channel, while people doing a comparable job at a commercial station in a top 12 market, like Atlanta, make only 75K.<br /><br />Seems to me, like a previous commenter mentioned before, the PDS Channel 24 could be contracted out for alot less.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-21770115792746359632010-05-06T09:18:51.793-04:002010-05-06T09:18:51.793-04:00I agree as well, DM - and the school system does p...I agree as well, DM - and the school system does put out a lot of positive press releases as well as a newsletter called 'Kaleidoscope".<br /><br />Here's the link to the newest edition -<br /><br />http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/newsroom/kaleidoscope/newsletters/current.html<br /><br />However, that said, it seems that our own Kim Gokce is the most positive reporter of good news from Cross Keys! Kim - share with us again, the accomplishments of some of the CK students...Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.com