tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post6306966598275094713..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Call to ActionCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-70454707258793213152011-01-21T15:38:05.888-05:002011-01-21T15:38:05.888-05:00Anyone see the article in today's AJC? It see...Anyone see the article in today's AJC? It seems that Dr. Barge wants to leave it to local districts to select math curriculum going forward -- which makes much sense for fully functional districts with expert math teachers in charge of curriculum. Survey please -- who trusts DeKalb on this one? Should folks be writing to the the state Board of Ed? Dr. Barge? State Legislators? One of my favorite proposals is that we have legislation requiring the state board of ed to adopt (in toto) one of the top 5 best rated curricula from somewhere else -- math from Mass.; english from Iowa... find something in the top 5 and adopt it without tinkering... no more guinea pigs....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-81135974703844584522011-01-19T00:34:41.848-05:002011-01-19T00:34:41.848-05:00Interesting link, Anon - I'll repost it so peo...Interesting link, Anon - I'll repost it so people can easily click to read -<br /><br /><a href="http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/11105.aspx" rel="nofollow">UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF TITLE 1 FUNDS</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-34347061406399715822011-01-18T21:31:16.060-05:002011-01-18T21:31:16.060-05:00Title 1 Fraud
My child attended a Title 1 school. ...Title 1 Fraud<br />My child attended a Title 1 school. We are an upper middle class family, but a large portion of the school community is lower income families. When my son went for his testing before kindergarten started, he apparently didn't know the sounds of a couple of letters in the alphabet. Because of this, and this only, he was "invited" to participate in the Title 1 reading program. I asked the teacher if she would be teaching the alphabet to the class. She said yes. I asked if this included teaching the sounds the letters make. She said yes. I asked if she felt my child would learn them well right along with the other children. She said yes. So I asked why it was felt he needed to be pulled out of class to receive "special" instruction - along with the 7 children who were non-English speaking children in the class. She didn't have a good answer other than the "data" showed that he "qualified". I said no - my child was not to be removed from the class, ever, without my permission and he would do just fine learning along with the rest of the students. In spite of the fact that I spent sometimes three days a week in the class acting as a teacher's aide because the class had 32 CHILDREN in it (I thought Title 1 was supposed to reduce class size??), I found out at the end of the year that my son had been taken out for "special tutoring" by the Title 1 specialist every week - on the days I wasn't there. Believe me, the principal and teacher got an earful. This is fraud - it was deceitful - it was completely unnecessary. My child didn't do any worse or any better than any other child in the class at the end of the year. My rights as a parent were trampled on. My child was labeled as a "special needs" child and USED to make sure this school met their quota of title 1 students. He is now a sophmore in high school, and has been a straight 1 student since kindergarten. He never "tested" into a title 1 program again.<br /><br /><br />Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/11105.aspx#comments#ixzz1BRcO2ZjgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37133900900084743112011-01-18T21:22:56.042-05:002011-01-18T21:22:56.042-05:00@10:34AM I don't mind Tyson getting a pay rais...@10:34AM I don't mind Tyson getting a pay raise, but why does it continue for a FULL YEAR after a new supt, is hired on July 1st?"<br /><br />To slow down the next superintendent for a full year before the new moon of reform rises?<br /><br />Or is for silence on the past storms?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82029412017005511172011-01-18T20:44:24.899-05:002011-01-18T20:44:24.899-05:00This blog haa been the most amazing forum to share...This blog haa been the most amazing forum to share ideas and information -- keep at it. The Asst. DA in DeKalb has commended the blog for being over 90% accurate with its information. Many on the BOE HATE IT! Why? Because we are sharing our collective information and verifying information. Yes, you can write to legislators and try to get legislation. You can contact the state department of education and get information or ask for help in managing, operating or controlling the school system. Will you succeed? Who knows but if you don't ask, you definitely won't succeed. If you sit quietly, everyone loses, particularly the kids (okay, palace (and New Birth) win). I think that that there was very heavy handed intervention from NB and Washington DC to get Ms. Keys out of the DA's office.... this blog is very effective... don't knock it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25296278034363012402011-01-18T18:38:02.841-05:002011-01-18T18:38:02.841-05:00Chill out Anon 4:53 PM. I put in my time with man...Chill out Anon 4:53 PM. I put in my time with manual labor for my school, as does my spouse.<br /><br />We post on here not because we are whiners, but because this is the first time any of us have ever had a "community gathering place" to air out our frsutrations with the system. A system that spends a billion dollars a year of your and my tax dllars.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-51031372104372163352011-01-18T17:53:55.068-05:002011-01-18T17:53:55.068-05:00I've posted here how many hours I've volun...I've posted here how many hours I've volunteered for DeKalb schools over the last 14 years, but oddly, no one believed me! They didn't believe people actually volunteered that much - but guess what - we do! Lots of us. ESPECIALLY when you are a PTA officer or member of school council AND a band parent, sports parent, Beta Club parent or whatever... We're talking hundreds of hours every year. <br /><br />So yeah, I do that part too - as do most of us on this blog. More volunteer hours are given from people who participate on this blog than just about anywhere. Trust me - we are not just whiners and complainers - we are major "doers" as well. We've just figured out (the hard way) that we have a very broken system and we need help from the outside and transparency from within.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13310088702264173372011-01-18T16:53:22.403-05:002011-01-18T16:53:22.403-05:00let me get this straight-we can stop talking and t...let me get this straight-we can stop talking and take action by writing letters and emails?<br /> I think I'd rather volunteer to help some kids at school catch up up on their reading or math. Start a science garden in the spring some where in the south and have an after school club. Give some money to the partners in education foundation, help catch phone calls in the office. Being a neighbor works both ways. Maybe I should have shoveled that sidewalk rather than complain about it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11494392920463034752011-01-18T13:56:31.728-05:002011-01-18T13:56:31.728-05:00Why bother commenting to the board of ed? Why bot...Why bother commenting to the board of ed? Why bother commenting to the superintendent. They are all corrupt. Cutting teachers salaries, eliminating paras, providing differential services and instruction, cheating students from a good education so that they can take more money home. <br /><br />Congratulations on your million dollar raise Ms. Tyson (not even a Dr., eh). Congratulations for eliminating two more teacher positions this coming year and many more over the course of your DeKalb career.<br /><br />I, for one, do NOT think you have done a good job to this point. You have hired consultants to do the work of consolidation, but likely will bow to political pressures in formulating your own plan. You have yet to fire people who don't show up to work, yet earn more money than teachers. You have yet to reign in Beasley's paper terror and thus set up the district to lose what promising young and experienced teachers we have and leaving us with no pool of good replacements given the districts reputation for how they treat teachers.<br /><br />You put administrators and your own purse first. Congratulations! You have done your Board and your buddies proud. Meanwhile, the children are starving for intellectual stimulation! Congratulations, Board, for successfully slapping children, parents, teachers, in the face!<br /><br />http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-approves-73-000-807788.html<br /><br />Congratulations to the DeKalb Delegation and the Governor and SACS. Your total lack of interest in our district has ruined our kids educational and financial well-being and futures. Job well-done.<br /><br />Yep, not happy with this vote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-90935524739212642632011-01-18T13:25:23.954-05:002011-01-18T13:25:23.954-05:00There was no debate.
The freshman class board memb...There was no debate.<br />The freshman class board members asked to table the vote and the establishment vetoed the motion.<br /><br />Then SCW jumped the aisle and voted in favor of the raise when the table was vetoed.<br /><br />I'm very disappointed in Womack and Bowen. I can't be disapointed in SCW, Walker, Speaks and SCW not changing their stripes during their tenure. At least they showed up to the meeting finally.<br /><br />Walker, Cunningham and SCW weren't there for the public input. Who cares, it's only the public, the taxpayers, our bosses?<br /><br />I didn't feel that employees of the county should have had the right to speak at all much less in favor of the raise of their boss.<br /><br />It is sort of like Jeff Dickerson talking publicly about his employer on the Georgia Gang.<br /><br />Only in this State and County can this type of behavior exist and hopefully not too much longer.<br /><br />I'm going back to work!<br /><br />S7Sagamore 7https://www.blogger.com/profile/06152206779671223406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47758898576530336552011-01-18T13:15:38.320-05:002011-01-18T13:15:38.320-05:00It was frustrating this morning not seeing the mee...It was frustrating this morning not seeing the meeting streamed. I even brought my headphones from home so I could listen at work. Would have liked to have heard the debate.PolitiMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04994037235035183747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-86527190971882318122011-01-18T13:11:35.748-05:002011-01-18T13:11:35.748-05:00Yes there was a meeting, it was Ramona's raise...Yes there was a meeting, it was Ramona's raise!<br /><br />A couple of board members tried to table the vote to another meeting. <br /><br />4 board members voted to table it.<br />Jester<br />SCW<br />McChesney<br />Edler<br /><br />5 members voted to disallow the tabled suggestion.<br />Bowen<br />WOMACK<br />Walker<br />Speaks<br />Cunningham<br /><br />Then the board voted for the raise.<br /><br />Yes, she got her raise. <br /><br />6 people in favor of the raise.<br />SCW / jumped the aisle<br />Cunningham<br />WOMACK<br />Walker<br />Speaks<br />Bowen<br /><br />3 were opposed. <br />Nancy Jester<br />Donna Edler<br />Don McChesney<br /><br />Donna even said she didn't think this was final, final, but I don't see how.<br /><br />7 people spoke publicly, 4 in opposition and 3 in favor.<br />Dr. Bouie and his wife were 2 of the 3.<br /><br />It is still an unsavory environment at DCSS.<br /><br />Ramona, time to fall on the sword!!!!<br /><br />S7Sagamore 7https://www.blogger.com/profile/06152206779671223406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-36116687767405302222011-01-18T12:58:34.968-05:002011-01-18T12:58:34.968-05:0073K raised approved! 6-3 vote
DeKalb county resi...73K raised approved! 6-3 vote<br /><br />DeKalb county residents, we didn't even get a meal first!<br /><br /><br />Jim Bohica Ben DoverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-15406226207109513782011-01-18T12:49:53.827-05:002011-01-18T12:49:53.827-05:00I turned on Channel 24 this morning expecting to s...I turned on Channel 24 this morning expecting to see the BOE meeting scheduled for today, January 18, 2011. Instead, there was a replay of an earlier meeting.<br /><br />Wasn't there supposed to be a meeting this morning? If so, Philandra where are you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25517161915501701602011-01-18T12:36:47.343-05:002011-01-18T12:36:47.343-05:00My understanding is that she gave all employees a ...My understanding is that she gave all employees a bonus (probably to make up for the lost pay), got rid of the furlough days, and beefed up the travel budget.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-77839667956006870262011-01-18T11:10:49.637-05:002011-01-18T11:10:49.637-05:00Also, be sure to read the post at Maureen Downey&#...Also, be sure to read the post at Maureen Downey's "Get Schooled" blog reporting on the media conference with state Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody.<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2011/01/16/general-assembly-2011-no-vouchers-no-money-less-hope/" rel="nofollow">Gold Dome 2011: No vouchers, no money, less HOPE</a><br /><br /><i>As to Deal’s pledge to put an end teacher furloughs and shortened school years, Millar said that will depend on whether school districts banked some of their stimulus money.<br /><br />“This does not depend on the state,” he said. “It depends on what local systems have in their bank accounts. The possibility to end furloughs depends on what your local school board did with the stimulus dollars.”<br /></i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-16290452773950544372011-01-18T10:44:19.363-05:002011-01-18T10:44:19.363-05:00Please note: TODAY January 18 at 1:00pm the joint ...Please note: TODAY January 18 at 1:00pm the joint Senate-House Education Committee will host hearings at the Capitol on the upcoming K-12 budget. <br /><br />We'll see how the state plans to fund education next year.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-3611519220987245262011-01-18T10:34:41.358-05:002011-01-18T10:34:41.358-05:00I don't mind Tyson getting a pay raise, but wh...I don't mind Tyson getting a pay raise, but why does it continue for a FULL YEAR after a new supt, is hired on July 1st?<br /><br />Her salary needs to go back to the already very generous is not already too high $168k per year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-3828502576770007102011-01-18T08:57:58.592-05:002011-01-18T08:57:58.592-05:00@ 7:08 When a substitute is hired for a teacher t...@ 7:08 When a substitute is hired for a teacher they are not paid the same as a teacher. Even with long term sub work is not a teacher's salary or benefits. Substitutes are also not making the same money that they were paid last year and took a $10 a day pay cut to $75 a day. <br /><br />If Tyson doesn't like her pay, let her walk. She hasn't been willing to be a superintendent and make the necessary cuts to the administration and put the children first. She has continued Lewis' mantra of expanding the administration and putting kids last.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-55865473783679123202011-01-18T08:53:05.736-05:002011-01-18T08:53:05.736-05:00The AJC blog with comments on Blackwell's arti...The AJC blog with comments on Blackwell's article are excellent. There is an especially valuable response from "Crass Realist", who graduated from SWDeKalb about 30 years ago. He reflects on the changing neighborhood and places blame on the M to M program. He also comments on the high schools with day care programs. How many of them are there, where are they located, how are they funded, and how many children attend ?Georgia Galhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15329220727812072090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41055063326652247292011-01-18T07:08:11.471-05:002011-01-18T07:08:11.471-05:00When someone is hired to replace a principal or a ...When someone is hired to replace a principal or a teacher do they make the same salary as the person they are replacing? In DeKalb, all salaries are based on the job title and experience... why should the superintendent be treated any different?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-78294136070522097542011-01-18T05:13:55.071-05:002011-01-18T05:13:55.071-05:00Tyson needs to get rid of Beasley!Tyson needs to get rid of Beasley!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64569174268849098292011-01-18T04:01:13.054-05:002011-01-18T04:01:13.054-05:00She could refuse to serve as interim and return to...She could refuse to serve as interim and return to her former job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-38448674614989272922011-01-18T02:44:35.769-05:002011-01-18T02:44:35.769-05:00Just what has Tyson done to clean up? I don't...Just what has Tyson done to clean up? I don't think it takes a lot of thought to hire all these consultants.<br /><br />Does she ever mention student achievement?<br /><br />If she cleans up the central office, I would give her a bonus.<br /><br />Does she deserve the same pay as an experienced superintendent? Absolutely not!<br /><br />Wonder if we could get Cindy Loe to come in as interim?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6065371979530765742011-01-17T23:59:12.524-05:002011-01-17T23:59:12.524-05:00If Tyson were male there would be absolutely no de...If Tyson were male there would be absolutely no decussion period. Bob Moseley would have gotten his money up front, no doubt about it. In my opinion and I am entitled to one, Tyson has done more in 9 months to keep DeKalb in the road while trying to clean up some of CLewis and Halford' mess. Francis Edwards and Halford did so much wrong. If only we had kept Brown!!!<br />Wow, who wants to come to our struggling system that is worth anything.<br />We should leave Tyson alone and let her keep doing the great job she is doing and pray for relief for her and the system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com