News-Record.com

Dr.Grier has been in his Laboratory once again,tweaking his "FORMULA" for his success.

Could relieving himself of federal accountibility
be an ingredient in this new mixture?

Meanwhile,a message for Dot and Susan;

WAKE UP! Get your head out of the sand and represent High Point with some degree of sanity.

I am now 100% sure that Grier wants my school, Andrews to sink. We just lost our principal, our teacher turnover rate is too high. It is obvious that we need more resources. And now he wants to turn down federal funding? To me he is saying that he wants Andrews to fail. There is no guarantee that the County Commissioners will provide additional funding to make up for the federal funding. And why should they? The federal government is offering money and we're saying no thank you???

I think he wants to throw Andrews away.

I think it's great the elementary schools will get more money.

What about my kids? They don't count?

Has everyone just given up on Andrews?

I think High Point gets cr$#%!ed on all the time.

Grier has already proven himself unethical. This is his way to avoid the federal sanctions of NCLB. He would rather take money away from Dudley, Smith, Andrews, and Central than have the state come in and provide additional help.

If the school is Title 1 and misses AYP for 2 consecutive years, the state PROVIDES ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

Does Grier's plan actually sound like one with the best interests of the students in mind? No, he simply wants to avoid the stigma and the mark on his resume. And he is willing to do this at the expense of the students and their education.

School Board - it's time to do the right thing.

Fedup,

Thank you for clarifying what "SANCTIONS" are. Grier and the BOE talk about 'sanctions' like it's the plague.

"Sanctions"--for not achieving AYP's for two consecutive years, is HELP--Let me repeat--H-E-L-P!! for the school. It is the much needed help that the school has been crying out for, the much needed help that our SUPERINTENDENT hasn't been able to provide.

Sure, no Superintendent wants it on his resume because it shows he couldn't do the job of turning a school around. But you'll be okay Dr. Grier--there are many other glaring, dismal entries on your resume that will overshadow another 'sanctions' entry.

Allowing Grier to reconfigure Title One status, just to avoid "sanctions" is criminal and unethical. If our BOE allow this latest tactic, it will confirm my suspicion of ineptitude of the ENTIRE GCS administration.

Fedup and Fedupper,

I'm sorry to say that I'm the MOST fedup. I have children at every level of this assinine school system and I can't take another minute of Grier's games.

WHEN will our School Board see that he is only thinking of retirement.

Just wanted to put some more info into this. Our county is one of just a few that even considered adding HS to the Title 1 Catagory. The federal guidelines state that any school that is 75% free/reduced must be on the list. To lower that and include HS/MS with a lower percentage means that the money alloted is spread over a larger group of schools. The amount of money given to the county is the same whether 5 or 20 schools are given the Title 1.

I don't think there are any concrete answers, but if Andrews doesn't make AYP this year and has Title 1 next year, then the county has to let kids 'opt out' to another school. And guess what? The kids that leave are the kids that are doing good already. County has to pay to transport them to another school, and I fear that it will dilute the quality that is at Andrews. Also, private tutoring paid by the county is an option after not making AYP for 3 years (I think I have that right) In other words, the parents that are well informed will move their kids, the others won't. Will this help Andrews? The HS that were Title 1 this year also got extra asst principal, more counselors, more cirriculam facilitors that didn't come out of the Title 1 money. That money means that the other HS and all other schools have to give up things to make this necessary.

I doubt that the kids came to Andrews or any other HS and then started having trouble. We probably lost those kids much earlier in the school life. It will take years to see if putting all money in the elem. schools will pay off. I found it interesting that the principals would rather give up money than 'fail'-- We have to teach these children the basics early, quit social promotion and make sure the students are ready for each grade... of course if you fail kids too many times, then they drop out! It is certainly a problem. I will be watching to see how this pans out.

Debora,

I suspect your children do not attend Andrews.

Are you saying that the "wrong" children will opt out? Are you saying the kids passing AYP should be held hostage and forced to stay? Where do you get your statistics?

My family cannot afford private school. This was our hope of getting a good education - an opt out.

To all the Andrews moms and the fedups,

Grier and the board have failed Andrews over and over again. Next year was our chance, our right to improve our situation, an opt-out to a passing school with less turnover, less violence, and less stress.

To change the status now so that the Choice Plan can be salvaged is wrong. All Grier has done in the past is try to spread the kids around so that the test scores improved. He, Dot and Susan knew all along they had this ace up their sleeve.

WE CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN! Let's rally together! Get on the phones to the board members and the commissioners and let them know that this is WRONG! Call the state board of education. Our children deserve better than Dr. Grier.

You are correct, I don't have a child in HS yet. I get my figures and info from board meetings, newpapers,speaking to board members and teachers and principals and reading education magazines. I feel sorry for parents and students that aren't getting a good education, and personally hate the 'choice' plan.

I am only saying that the statistics show that the children that chose to opt out are not the failing children. If your good student and all others passing AYP's opt out, what will happen to the rest of Andrews?

The real solution in my mind is to fix all the schools, the problem is; how? I want all children to have a safe learning enviroment, and a quality education the problem is, how do we get there? If the administration(principals) doesn't want the extra money to assist in fixing these problems how we will get there? If we don't use federal money, then the local money will be all there is available. Should the rest of the county have to give up stuff($$$) to make the difference up? I question why they are afraid of being held accountable for the quality of education at their school. Maybe you and the other parents should try to talk to the newly appointed principal for Andrews and make sure she hears you!

This topic will come up at the next board meeting, maybe you can come and voice your opinion. I know that I speak out when I don't like the direction things are headed. I know that most HP parents are fed up (can't blame you) but giving up will not help the children.

Wow; this topic has generated a lot of feedback. I'm glad to see it and I hope you guys keep commenting.

Just to let you know, we hope to write a follow-up story to this and we would love to talk with some concerned parents and citizens for the story. If anyone is interested in offering some on-the-record comments, please call me at 373-7078 or e-mail me at bbuchanan@news-record.com

We now return you to your regularly-scheduled conversation!

Debora,

You say, "If your good student and all others passing AYP's opt out, what will happen to the rest of Andrews?"

Tell me - is that mentality fair to my kid? Do you actually want my kids to suffer for "the rest of Andrews"? Why don't you send your kids over?

I certainly don't want your child (or any other) to suffer! That is my point entirely! I want the BOE to fix Andrews so that everyone will have a good school.

I don't have a personal agenda for Andrews, either pro or con. I was just repeating the concerns that I have heard. Certainly as a parent your kids should be your main concern, but what will happen to that school(and the other kids) if GCS doesn't give these children a safe and learning enviroment? I agree with "another PO'D parent"--I believe he/she said it best!

Get on the phones to the board members and the commissioners --let them know how you feel.

Amy Holcombe, director of federal programs for the district, sent me an e-mail with information on more of the rationale behind the proposed change:

She refers to the law governing Title I: Section 1112: "In general, each local educational agency shall provide assurances that the local educational agency will take into account the experience of model programs for the educationally disadvantaged, and the findings of relevant scientifically based research indicating that services may be most effective if focused on students in the earliest grades at schools that receive funds under this part."

She adds that Sharon Ozment (chief finance officer) read this piece of No Child Left Behind legislation at last week's board meeting to explain why the district is considering a shift of Title I resources.

"Most other counties have followed suit by making this shift last year and are no longer serving any of their high schools based upon this section. DPI has advised the allocation of resources at the lower grade levels as well," Holcombe wrote.

A question (or two) for readers: if Title I money is meant to help poor students improve, is it fair to spend it on transporting students who are doing well but want out of a low-performing or otherwise problematic school? How does that help the students who most need the help?

One year ago Dr. Grier used his theory of divide and conquer to successfully split High Point neighborhoods into enemies over the loyalty of their schools.

It is now time to reverse course on Dr. Grier and his spineless sidekicks.High Point must unite and remove this MADMAN from his reign of terror.

Has the time come for High Point to secede from Guilford County and start its'own school system ?

The tar is boiling and the feathers are plucked,
it would make a great outfit for Dr. Griers' going away party!

Jennifer,

Your question: "question (or two) for readers: if Title I money is meant to help poor students improve, is it fair to spend it on transporting students who are doing well but want out of a low-performing or otherwise problematic school? How does that help the students who most need the help?"

I didn't write the policy for the NCLB. You ask: "Is it fair to transport..." Well, YES. If you don't like it, take it up with the President of the United States.

We can't rewrite the NCLB to our likings. If a school fails, the kids have the right to be bused to Timbukto, if that's what the legislature says.

Shame on you, Grier, ANYONE who thinks that they can skirt the law.

I have an idea: make the school so phenomenal that kids will be beating the door down. Now that's legal.

So, Grier and Co don't mind spending millions to bus certain kids into Andrews and call it a "Choice Plan" but when the time comes to bus the kids that want to leave OUT, he whines about the transportation costs.

Does anybody remember what the 8 new buses were going to be used for next year? It was to transport kids "against their will" all over High Point.

Keeping the sanctions basically guarantees an end to the forced busing and begins true "choice" busing.

here are some links that people might find interesting:

AYP info
http://www.guilford.k12.nc.us/ayp/ayp_qa.htm

Title 1 info
http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml?src=pb
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/PES/ed_for_disadvantaged.html#title1

Grier claims to have a doctorate in education but the only way he knows to raise test scores at our schools is by moving kids (lottery) or holding them hostage (dropping title one). Pathetic.

Bruce, you crack me up - "now back to our regular conversation" and we are....

Jennifer,

What do you think Sharon Ozment would say? She works for the GCS. Do you remember when the funds were shifted from Washington St. last year and she told Trudy Wade they would be back to ask for these same funds at the Commissisoners Meeting. Sound familiar?

Their reasoning: Title I: Sect. 1112 states "students at the earliest grades"....well
they knew this WHEN THEY FIRST GAVE THE MONEY TO HIGH SCHOOLS. Why the shift now? Give me a break. Why didn't they give it to elementary schools in the first place if they felt it should start earlier.

It is like playing a board game with a 3 year old and you just change the rules as you go along.

As to "Most counties have followed suit, blah, blah, blah,....SO WHAT! I guess they want out of sanctions too. Most school systems would not want the government to take over and have the control.

Marcy is right. The NCLB law states that kids can opt out - all kids - any kids. The sanctions are put there to bring assistance to a school that is struggling, not to leave kids stuck in a downward spiral with no hope.

The other fact is that Andrews has not improved this year with the funding. It is not the money; it is how the money is used. What good is all this money on "win-win" programs, etc. when the real issues are lack of support for the teachers, parents and the principal. Until the real problems are ACKNOWLEDGED and dealt with in an effective manner, no amount of money will help if it is wasted on experimental programs like the "Choice Plan".

If a school is failing, kids should be able to opt out. That is the law and the intent of the law.

p.s. Bruce -at the interest in this subject - you may hit 50 posts again!

Here's the bottom line.

If Grier's plan goes through, the losers are:

All students attending Dudley, Smith, Andrews & Central. All Title 1 federal funding ceases.

These same students lose the added resources that the State would provide them.

These same students have no opt out provision.

The winners: Grier and the School Board's resume. They don't have to worry about the State coming in to provide added assistance. And the elementary and middle schools will get a little more money.

It's great to spend more on the early grades, but at the sacrifice of the kids who are in high school at these schools??????? Did Grier and company just make a statement that there's no hope for these kids???? That's the way I see it and that's the bottom line.

Remember, Grier and the School Board look out for their resumes first. Education falls way on down toward the end of the their priorities.

To all of you, my friend in the education field who lives in Greensboro and has been very involved in school and community issues for many years in the Triad said it best,

"YOU PEOPLE IN HIGH POINT ARE ALWAYS GETTING SCREWED!"

Guess that about sums it up.

The federal legislation is that if you take Title 1 money, you must apply it to the poorest schools.

Here's a thought - the High Point Choice Plan was designed to take 2 of the 4 Title 1 High schools along with another high school and redistribute the lower socioeconomic kids.

Now Grier and the board can remove the federal funding from the 2 schools because they are no longer considered the poorest (due to the mixture with Southwest).

Was it the plan all along to remove funding from Andrews and Central? If the High Point Choice Plan had not been approved, I bet there would be no discussion about this. Grier would not have as an option the ability to pull this funding.

So, Barbara Ann, I think your friend is absolutely correct!

Thought,

Regarding "Grier would not have as an option the ability to pull this funding."

Technically, the district can pull the funding.

The only federal limits are that a school must get a share of the money if more than 75 percent of students qualify and a school can't get the money if less than 40 percent of students qualify. The local districts can set their own limits within that range.

Every year they look at what the thresholds will be for doling out the Title I money. I think the changes they made for this year resulted in several schools being added and one dropped. And not too long ago, the high schools didn't even get Title I money.

I think "Thought" has left us a lot to think about. As stated, Jennifer, not too long ago the high schools did not get this Title I money. So why did they get it recently? And why is it now being pulled?

And don't despair about Central. Word is out they have a new grant coming in for $125,000.

Don't forget that grant money is always out there.

In 1999, Central folks had their grant redistricting plan for HP schools that didn't quite work out. Thus one reason for the beginning of Andrews downward spiral. It seems somehow that Central is always taken care of. Wonder why that is?

Jennifer,

Let me make sure I understand this correctly. Grier wants to strip the 4 high schools of title 1 status. By doing so, they avoid the sanctions of No Child Left Behind. The 4 high schools lose 1.5 million dollars.

In turn, Grier asks the County Commissioners to fund the 1.5 million dollars.

Today's article in your paper suggests that there simply won't be enough money to around this time from the Commissioners. And the School Board wants an additional $10 million on top of that.

Am I the only one who thinks this is stupid?

I too think it is totally wrong for Dr G to try to reallocate Title 1 funds out of the high schools. If the money had been used successfully and the schools were where they should be, it could be a different story, but as we in HP know, that's not the case. I do think Central is on an upswing largely in part to a new principal, but there are still many kids with needs there.

As for Andrews (where I went and planned on my kids going), I think Dr G may have finally done the school in with his appointment of a new principal who has NO experience as a principal. No offense to Ms. Brooks, but she is in her 2nd year as an asst principal - prior to that she was a high school/middle school teacher. She's also at a school with a totally different mix of kids and is working under a strong principal. No way would anyone in their right mind put someone with these credentials at Andrews, particularly with most of the asst principals not coming back to Andrews next year. Please note too that this appointment was done with no input from parents or teachers. I'm hearing that many of the teachers who are left at Andrews are going to be gone next year - they feel it is obvious that Dr G has no intention of trying to make Andrews work. I think it's pretty obvious that Dr G has a "yes-man" in place who will adhere to his policy of no suspensions (unlike Whitman - and we wonder why he left...).

All this said, it is vitally important that we speak out at the next GC board meeting which w/b held in HP on Tues, March 8th at 6:45pm at 900 English Rd. Most of you sound like you know the ropes, but for new speakers, you must sign up before the meeting by calling the GC schools (370-8100)by 5pm Tues. You can sign up at 6:30 before the meeting, but you may not get to speak until after the meeting (bring your pillow). I just saw that a Special Called Meeting is being held Monday to discuss the Title 1 funding - get the emails going now!

Please note:

Guilford County Board of Education
Special Called Meeting
712 N. Eugene Street, North Carolina, NC 27401
Monday, March 7, 2005
11:30 a.m.

II. 2005-2006 Preliminary Budget Update
1. Continued Discussion of Title I Designations

Remember - the County Commissioners have already warned them. In a memo dated Feb. 28 from J.D. Rowland to all Department Directors, "we continue to operate in an environment where needs exceed available revenues." "The budget request that you submit ...should be a critical issues oriented budget that prioritizes programs and services based upon their relevance to carrying out ...the mission and purpose....Look for ways to be more efficient and be creative in identifying alternative funding sources and revenue enhancements."

Yet, Grier recommends removing 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS from the 4 high schools and asking the Commissioners to fund the money.

This year we begin the debt service to pay off the $300 School bond.

It's true Grier and Dot think money grows on trees! And, Dot wants to have taxing authority.

I guess we'll all be moving to Davidson County before long!

to "Question",

No, you're not alone. You are NOT the only one who thinks that Dr. Grier's money games are stupid.

Sometimes I truly believe that he is TRYING to get fired! I think he's doing stupid things on purpose so that his contract will get bought out. That's what he did in SEVERAL other school systems! Is it just coincidental that his house is on the market?? I'm guessing that his bags are packed and his resumes are printed.

If you ask me, this man is crying out to be fired! If we ask the commissioners for ANYTHING it should be a check to buy this man a one way ticket outta here. In the long run, this county would SAVE money.

Excellent idea on the request for funds from County Commissioners to buy out Dr G's contract. If only the board had not given him a 2 year extension (out of nowhere), he w/b finished at the end of this school year.

Let us ALL make sure that he IS finished at the end of this school year.....

Also, please visit Patrick Eakes blog. He has uncovered yet ANOTHER character flaw in our not-so-superintendent.

Grier may now officially add "LIAR" to his list of accomplishments on his resume.

Who is Patrick Eakes and how do you get to his blog?

Marcy,

Thanks for your suggestion. I googled and found the following link for all who is interested. Copy the string below and paste it into your browser (the string splits a line - make sure you get the whole thing).

http://patrickeakes.blogspot.com/2005/02/character-education.html

The question of "Should Title I money be spent to transport kids who are doing well in school?" has come up.

In fact, Dr. Grier said this is one of the main reasons he wants to move Title I money away from these high schools. The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires Title I schools to offer student the opportunity to transfer if their school fails to meet test score goals for two consecutive years. By removing the Title I money, the district has no obligation to allow students to transfer.

Back in the summer of 2002, I had the good fortune of participating in a press conference with then-U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, one of No Child Left Behind's main architects.

This question came up and Secretary Paige said, in no uncertain terms, that all students in these schools should have the right to transfer, whether they personally passed or not. I remember his exact word: "This is the No Child Left Behind Act, not the No School Left Behind Act."

That's not to say that Dr. Grier's proposal is or is not the right thing to do. But it does seem to be at odds with the intent of No Child Left Behind.

Robbie,

You can find Patrick Eakes' site here: www.patrickeakes.blogspot.com

Go to his second post about character education.

If you're familiar with Grier and his shenanigans, this won't surprise you.

Bruce,

I could KISS YOUR WHOLE FACE!!!!! I know that you're now a married man, so I won't, but Thank You!!

Thank you for sharing Secretary Rod Paige's words. Since Grier claims to be such good friends with him, I'm surprised that these words have slipped his mind.

What are the ramifications for NOT abiding by the NCLB act? I think it would be hard to run a school system from jail, don't you?

It's also worth pointing out that Andrews, Dudley, High Point Central and Smith aren't the only Guilford County high schools that didn't meet federal AYP benchmarks.

However, the sanctions (i.e. allowing students to transfer) only apply to those four high schools because they are the only high schools in the county that receive federal Title I money, which is given to schools with large numbers of poor children. The sanctions only apply to Title I schools.

In addition to those four, Northwest, Page and Southeast also didn't make AYP in the 2003-04 school year.

Marcy,

The Guilford County Board of Education is within its legal rights to remove Title I status from the four high schools.

The federal government says that any school where 75 percent or more of kids qualify for free lunch must get Title I money. None of these four schools reaches that level. Local school systems can use Title I money on schools that fall below that threshold at their discretion, as long as at least 40 percent of the school's kids qualify for free lunch.

So this proposal to cut Title I funding doesn't violate No Child Left Behind in a legal sense. But I think this decision would go against the spirit of the law, according to what Secretary Paige said. Does that make sense?

And while we here at The Chalkboard are always glad to be of help, we don't need any thank-you kisses. My wife would exile me to the garage and it's too cold for that!

Yep, that makes perfect sense. It means that Grier has concocted his own interpretation of the law. In my opinion, it's unethical. Now I know why the 'choice plan' was so important to him. He arranged the FRL kids to the perfect proportion at the HP high schools KNOWING perfectly well that he would pull the funding this year if AYP's were not met.

Can you please ask the Secretary of Education how HE feels about this? I know he's hard to get in touch with him, but being the brilliant jounalist that you are--I know you can do it!-- kisses or not!

Please follow up on this with the Secretary of Education. It's obvious that Grier is doing EXACTLY what the act is trying to prevent!

Just had this thought while driving today. Don't know the exact numbers now for the 3 high schools with regard to socioeconomic mix, but remember that the "Choice" Plan, now the "HP Reassignment Plan" or the "Random Assignment Plan" (last name I heard by Susan M) was meant to be the GREAT EQUALIZER for all three schools. Remember Kahlenburg and his visit that your tax dollars paid for? His talk on social engineering.

Many who voted in November, voted for the "equalizing" of the HP schools if you voted for Dot. (Remember Dot's and Susan's motion for the HP "Choice" Plan?) Jim Kirkpatrick's platform was for true, open choice and also to restore order and discipline in our schools.

Now I guess the 3 high schools are all truly getting closer to "equal", since none of the High Point high schools will get those Title I funds if they get shifted to elementary schools. Everyone will be in the same boat, "equal" and no federal dollars. Also as the numbers continue to shift, and if nothing is done about the violence and lack of respect,this will become "equal" in all three schools too. Each school have to figure it out with the help of the parents and teachers, but without that Title I money.

Just think about this and remember how you voted in November. Many of you in High Point got the "equal" schools you just voted for. This is what you wanted. I hope you will know how to vote in 2006. Remember, history speaks for itself.

Just sent in from a dear friend:

"...There is no more powerful advocate for children than a parent armed with information and options."

--U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige

Marcie,

I don't know about that jail thing. Look at Martha Stewart on the front cover of Newsweek. She is thinner, richer, and getting the last laugh.

Roberto,

I think even Martha wouldn't stoop so low as to rip the rights out from under our children, as Grier is doing.

At least she has served her time.

I believe that Grier could get away with murder and say, "oops, I misspoke," or "It wasn't me, I just do what I'm told," and our board of ed. would excuse him and then extend his contract.

The plan will also take money from the elementary and middle schools. Watch the tape again...the plan is for ALL schools to be at the 75% level before they can receive federal funding.

Elementary schools are currently receiving funding if 40% of the students are on FRL. That will change to 60% next year, then eventually to 75%.

Just one example: Oak View Elementary has 63% of their students on FRL. By 2007-2008 they will lose their Title I status too.

Middle schools are currently receiving the funding if they have 49% of their students on FRL. That will go to 65% next year then to 75%.

This proposal will take money from MANY schools!

It will take more than $1.5 million from the commissioners to make up for all these schools.

At the last BOE meeting a handout was given with the proposed re-allocating of the Title 1 funds-- it shows the winners and losers for the 05-06 year. All this is under debate (go Monday if you can) Schools would receive money for their FRL numbers and also the children on Level 1 and level 2 of EOG's. Last year the percentage of MS HS was lowered to 49%; I believe the year before it was 65%.

The school board also has "equity plus" funding that is local money that can be used any way they want to help lower income kids. Traditionally the title 1 schools also got the local money. IMO the fairest way for the local money to be used is to divide it per child, in every school!! Some schools have a small total population, say 300 kids, with 150 FRL, that is 50%--they get money. Some schools have 600 kids and the same 150 FRL so that is 25% and they get no help. Fair? I'm not so sure. If you are socioeconomically disadvantaged, does the fact that you are in a school that is 25% FRL instead of 50% mean that you don't need the help? There is always thoughts on both sides of the debate, but at least all of us are concerned!

Debora,

You bring up excellent points. I am an actuary and this is one of the dark secrets to percentages and statistics - it can be made to hide the individuals. The other secret is that someone like Grier can make the percentages always work to his advantage. I always want to see the raw numbers - they never lie - just as in your example.

Bruce,

If the 4 high schools lose their Title I designation, will the total funding from the federal government to the state to GCS change? Or is it simply a reallocation of the funds with the total funding amount remaining constant?

As always, Debora has given us excellent points to thing about.

Another point to ponder is just because you are poor, does that mean you can't learn? There are wealthier children too who also have special needs and deserve to get the help out of a public education. Their parents pay taxes too.

There are kids of all income brackets; race; different learning abilities; health factors; that may need various kinds of help. Funds should be available to help all these kids.

The greatest irony about the Title 1 funding is that the school board member who was elected to a large degree by the African American community(Dot Kearns) has already weighed in on Grier's side on this one. If Dot were the champion for the poor and the minorities that she pretends to be, she would never take all this money away from these 4 schools just to protect her crazy, social experiment gone haywire.

h,

Good question and glad to clear this up.

No, the total amount of federal money isn't being reduced. Dr. Grier is proposing redistributing about $1.5 million -- taking it away from Andrews, Dudley, High Point Central and Smith high schools and moving it to a number of elementary schools in low-income neighborhoods.

GET TERRY GRIER OUTTA HERE! GET TERRY GRIER OUTTA HERE! GET TERRY GRIER OUTTA HERE! GET TERRY GRIER OUTTA HERE!

I'm with you Marcy. I think the guy wants to go so he keeps doing controversial things but the problem is our school board is so: 1.dumb 2.naive
3.corrupt 4.self-serving 5.politically motivated and 6.hypocritical (I'm only speaking of his magnificant posse ALAN,KRIS,DOT,SUSAN,MARTI)that they keep implementing his crazy schemes.

He starts off every issue with 5 votes in the bag knowing he only needs 6.

Lets hope the other 6 board members stop him on this latest dance of fools or one of his brainwashed "Gang of Five" shocks the whole county by telling him NO!

NO on this one!

Dear School Board Members,

I know you're out there. Do you hear us? We are your constituents.

Let me define that word for you.

CONSTITUENT /kun-'stich-u-went/ n: one who authorizes another to act for him.

You, board members, are the 'another' in the definition. YOU are authorized to ACT FOR US. Are we making it crystal clear how you can act FOR US?

Let me make your jobs even easier:

1. Say "NO" to Dr. Grier to his insane idea of pulling Title I funds just so he won't have to abide by the NCLB Act.

2. Say "NO" to Dr. Grier when he tries to change a program that you ALREADY voted on.

3. Say "NO" to Dr. Grier when he brings yet another experimental plan to the board room.

4. Say "NO" to Dr. Grier when he wants to beg the commissioners for more money to waste.

5. Say "No, no, no"--slap him on the hands like a small child if you have to.

6. Say "YES" to terminating his contract ASAP.

Thank you School Board Members,

THIS constituent has spoken. And as you can see, many others have spoken as well.

REPRESENT your constituents, like you were ELECTED to do, or resign immediately.

I second that.

Make that a third!

I totally agree. Where does the School Board members get off thinking that they know what is best for their constituents? Aren't they supposed to represent the views of their constituents? or am I missing something?

Will someone PLEASE forward all of these messages to them so that they can read them at their leisure? I'm sure that they are too busy during the day, fixing our schools, to read them.

*************************************************

T...is for terrific, something he is not
E...is for ethics, a trait that he forgot
R...is for the ride on buses that he's made so long
R...is for his resume he tries to build so strong
Y...is for Y, Y, Y IS HE STILL HERE?

G...is for the grief he causes everywhere he's been
R...is for the ridiculous plans he presents, time and time again
I...is for I, "frankly", can't wait for him to leave
E..is for his exit, I'd have to see to believe
R...is for R YOU WILLING TO PUT HIM ON THE NEXT BUS OUT OF TOWN?

*************************************************

Dr. Seuss,

I have ALWAYS loved you!! I have all of your books and will add this to my collection. This is your finest work yet.

Maybe you can prescribe something to help us all through this turmoil. Maybe some truth serum for Dr. Grier?

Thank you Dr. Seuss for coming to our rescue!!

It's so reassuring to know that there are GOOD DOCTORS out there!!

This BAD DOCTOR has bullied us long enough!!

Marcy and Sherry,

Thank you so much for your support.I dont't have any prescriptions for the turmoil you are going through but I would like to help if I can.

I was thinking of re-writing some of my previous works to raise awareness to your problems.

My first will be called TERRY B GRIER WILL YOU PLEASE GO NOW! The previous one was about Marvin K Mooney. If you aren't familiar with that one, it starts out "The time has come. The time is now. Just go. Go. Go! I don't care how." It ends, "Terry B Grier! I don't care HOW. Terry B Grier! Will you please GO NOW! I said Go and Go I meant...The time had come. So...Terry WENT." Obviously, I will have to wait just a little while longer to publish it.

I'm also considering:
MR GRIER CAN LIE! CAN YOU? (Formerly Mr Brown Can Moo! Can You?)

I CAN RUN A SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH MY EYES SHUT! (I Can Read With My Eyes Shut)

OH, THE THINKS YOU CAN THINK! (Same title, different illustrations)

THERE'S A BOARD MEMBER IN MY POCKET (There's a Wocket in my Pocket)

If you can think of any more, I would LOVE to hear your suggestions.

Oh my, you ARE the GOOD DOCTOR aren't you!!

Publishers will be knocking your door down very soon. Maybe you can donate all of the proceeds to the Guilford County School system--if there's one left when the BAD DOCTOR gets through with it.

I have a few ideas:

"PUT ME IN THE ZOO"
(Same title, different "character")

"HOP ON DOC"
(Formerly, "Hop on Pop")

"THE FOOT BOOK"
(Same title but contains instructions on how to kick Grier 'OUTTA Here')

"GO, GRIER, GO!"
(Formerly, "Go, Dog, Go")

"THE EAR BOOK"
(Same title but teaches a lesson in listening)

"THE MAN WITHOUT THE HAT, NEVER CAME BACK"
(Formerly, "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back")

"ONE FISH, TWO FISH, RED FISH, NO CLUE FISH"
(Formerly, "One fish, two fish, red fish, BLUE fish")

You have a lot of work ahead of you Dr. Seuss, rewriting all of these books. I'm sure they will all be Award Winning and popping up in schools around town soon.

I think you could teach our school administration a thing or two about how to educate children--you've been doing it for many years now.

Dr. Seuss,

How about "THE GRIER THAT STOLE CHRISTMAS"

Oh, the irony...Dr. Seuss's ABC's

I say DR. SEUSS for SUPERINTENDENT!!!!

To Cindy Lou Who:

I think Dot makes a better Grinch than Dr. G.

Dr. G. is more diabolical like Dean Wormer from Animal House. (Double secret probation)

And if he keeps it up all of Guilford County will have grades like Delta House. (0.0 GPA or has no grade point average)

Right now he reminds me of the drum major at the end of the movie leading the band down the alley.

Okay, I probably shouldn't encourage this, but "Animal House" is one of the funniest movies ever.

If Dr. Grier is Dean Wormer (your casting, not necessarily mine), who would fill the role of Niedermeyer?

And who would be Bluto (the John Belushi character)? I just hope he or she doesn't start a food fight at the next school board retreat!

I typically stick to literary works,
So I've never seen the Animal House quirks.

I may have to rent it tonight.

***********************************************

Cindy Lou,
This is for you:

You're a mean one, Mr. Grier
You really are a heel!
You're as cuddly as a cactus
You're as charming as an eel,
Mr. Grier!
You're a bad banana with a
Greasy black peel!

You're a monster, Mr. Grier
Your heart's an empty hole!
Your brain is full of spiders
You've got garlic in your soul,
Mr. Grier!
I wouldn't touch you with a
Thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole!

You're a vile one, Mr. Grier
You have termites in your smile!
You have all the tender sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile,
Mr. Grier!
Given the choice between the two of you
I'd take the, um, seasick crocodile!

You're a rotter, Mr. Grier
You're the king of sinful sots!
Your heart's a dead tomato splotched
With moldy purple spots,
Mr. Grier!
You're a three-decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich
With arsenic sauce!

You nauseate me, Mr. Grier
With a nauseous super naus!
You're a crooked dirty jockey
And you drive a crooked hoss,
Mr. Grier!
Your soul is an appalling dump heap
Overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of rubbish imaginable
Mangled up in tangled up knots!

You're a foul one, Mr. Grier
You're a nasty, wasty skunk!
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk,
Mr. Grier!
The three words that best describe you are as follows and I quote:
Stink, stank, stunk!

Aaaaaah!!! Music to my ears!

That's one of those tunes that gets stuck in your head. I'm sure I'll still be humming it when I go to the Board meetings next week!

Thanks Dr. Seuss, now that's good medicine!

You kids have sure been playing a lot today and I had seen this quote while I was out today.....guess I will post it anyway.....then I'll tune back in - consider this a commercial break....

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I'd say this has been a year of testing for all of us.

Then there is always "Never, never, never, never give up." Winston Churchhill

Carry on kids.........

Bruce,

This strand may hit the record 100 mark! This will help at number 71.

Bruce,

Clearly Niedermeyer would be played by Mike Harris as he is the one that does all of Dean (Wormer's) Grier's dirty work. Just ask the employees of GCS, and they may be willing to tell you.

I'm not sure that we have a Bluto identified in this play as yet. Bluto, of course, was pre-med and his advice was to begin drinking heavily, which is what many parents of Guilford County students will be doing soon if the Dean isn't replaced.

And, Bluto would say to us "Over, did you say over? Nothing is over until we decide it is. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No, and it a'int over now!!"

Carrying on with the Animal House theme (telling my age that I remember the music soundtrack-yes I still have the vinyl album)

Dr Grier, you make me want to SHOUT!
A little bit louder now
Get out of town now!

Sha-ma-lam-a, sha-ma-lam-a
Grier's such a ding dong...
Sha-ma-lam-a, sha-ma-lam-a
When will he be gone?
He is why, he is why
All HP parents are ready to cry...

I'm an so glad someone told me about the Chalkboard - it certainly helps one keep their sanity when dealing with Dr G and the school board.

Thank you Sherry, I appreciate your support.
We all agree--keeping Grier is a last resort.

I accept your nomination for SUPERINTENDENT.

r.i.g.o.r, my man!! (Or woman as the case may be.) You are great!

As Otter said, "I think this situation absolutely requires a real futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part." Are we the guys to do it or are we going to leave it up to someone else years from now to clean up this mess? Action is needed to save what's left of our schools.

BOSTON-1773

Taxation without Representation.

Citizens unite to fight for their rights.

HIGH POINT-2005

Taxation without Representation.

Once again it is time for American Patriots to

stand up and fight for their rights.We as

citizens have not been represented on the

Guilford County School Board for some time now.

As the Tea was dumped in Boston Harbor over 200

years ago,the time has come to dump Dot and

Susan into the "OLD HAGS RETIREMENT HOME".

Teddy Ballgame, Dr. Seuss, Marcy and the rest of

of the gang, THE TIME IS NOW!!!!

Bruce:

Thank you for playing Animal House trivia with Teddy Ballgame and I. If you are nice to Teddy he can actually e-mail you your favorite sound bites, I'm not as technologically advanced.

Since you and Jennifer are always serious and keep things on course I'll do you the honor of a serious post out of me.

If God forbid this School Board were to give Dr. Grier a 2 year contract extension this summer it would put him on course for I believe a 7 year tenure.

Well Bruce you then have your answer as to who would play Bluto, it would be the 65,000+ children of Guilford County Schools who would all get to say "7 YEARS OF SCHOOL DOWN THE DRAIN."

That's not a laughing matter.

Otter, Jr.

I have three words for you

TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!

Throw the tea in the harbor and bring on the beer. We all need to have a party to keep our sanity. Teddy Ballgame can bring the Animal House music!

I think Marcie is holding out on us. Is she part of the Peanuts Gang? Where is Lucy, Charlie Brown and don't forget about Pig Pen? We could have a whole new theme going here.

If Lucy appears, she could set up a booth outside the schools and give psychiatric counseling for 5 cents to all those distraught kids and their families who get thrown in a lottery. She could hold that football and say "gotcha" again. Yes, you still don't have a decent school. Now not only do you not have a school you don't have any money for your school either and you cannot get out of this football game!

I'll hold onto my security blanket. It may be all I have left when I can't sell my house in High Point.

Linus

I am too busy teaching "character education" to the convicted felons that Guilford County Schools can still continue to hire under their current policy. I will have to catch you later. Maybe Charlie Brown can give us some advice.

Wow, that Character Education is a great use of tax payers money. It keeps my psychiatrict business going. I am up to 10 cents a session to turn these convicts around. I am starting a franchise for my booths at some other schools too.

LUCY

I have a real gift for music and really wanted to go to the Arts school (plus I live less than a half-mile away from Southwest).

Unfortunately, I was told I will be assigned to a school in a lottery and because my parents buy my lunch, I probably won't get to go to Southwest. I will be forced to study to be a biochemist or take 4 years of Mandarin Chinese.

I JUST WANT TO PLAY MY PIANO!!

If one more person tells me I look like Alan Duncan I'm gonna scream!

"Wah, wah wah wah wah wah. Wah wah wah wah wah wah wah wah!"

AAARRRGGGHHHHHHH!

Schroeder, keep up the piano playing, please!

If you did attend SWH, they would only be able to offer you beginning piano--just the basics. (That is if they even have a teacher) I have heard you play and I know that you are already beyond what they could teach. The "World-class" instruction that they brag about over there is just for the brochure. You could get better instruction from a "Learn it yourself" video.

Also, just read Susan Mendenhell's quote in the paper about Character Education being basically, "following the Golden Rule."

You mean she's familiar with "The Golden Rule"???????? I'm shocked!

Hey Mendenhell--PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and Chuck.....

Nah, you are way cuter than ol' Duncan. I've always thought that Alan looked more like the Elf in the Rudolph movie...you know, the one that whines and says, "I want to be a dentist..." I think it's the cow-lick.

Suck up Chuck, it could be worse, you could be compared to Dot or Mendenhell.

Marcy,

"World Class" is just for the brochure?? Are you sure?? They wouldn't lie to a kid would they? I am a classical musician!

-------------------------------------------

It's OK, I just talked to Jim Moen. He will send a bus to my house at 6:20AM and will drive me all over Guilford County for 90 minutes then to Weaver. I asked about the cost of that since I live so close to Southwest. He just smiled and said Grier would find the money. He said he would buy a bus just for me if he had to. Anything to shorten the ride time and save the Choice Plan.

Gotta love that Grier!

But I fear that he may have to go out and get more consulting jobs to be able to afford a bus JUST for you?

I worry about that man....selling his house...downsizing....no more leisurely trips to CA.....he's obviously let himself go....weight gain....bags under his eyes--and ALL these sacrifices just so he can buy more buses. I hope he gets a raise this year.

Good Luck Schroeder over there at Weaver. I hear the kids who attend there are VERY tired by the end of the day. Maybe they'll give you a keyboard to practice to and fro..

Hey Marcy,

That's right, Mendenhall does know the "Golden Rule". She firmly believes it means that whoever has the gold rules, as in federal grant money, "Show me the money!"

Teddy,

Didn't you know that more money = better schools?

Well, that's the philosophy of our Superintendent anyway. You know, I wouldn't mind "showing them the money" if I knew that it would go towards quality in education that involved the basic "R's". Am I just a stupid cartoon character or wouldn't it make sense to fix existing programs before you begin new ones?

If this administration spends even one more dollar enhancing Grier's resume (because every decision they make is based on covering up a previous "oops") I'm going to have come off of these funny pages and deck someone!

I feel like "I" am the real person and "THEY" are the comics!!!!

Oh, and my apologies for misspelling Ms. Mendenhall's name--I do, though, think it's more appropriate as Mendenhell.

I think I'm gonna start spelling it that way on purpose. Mendenhell. I like it!

Hey Jennifer, is there a prize for the person who has the 100th post to this topic?

So far we have covered all the classics, Dr. Seuss, Animal House, and Peanuts. However there is one more....

OK everybody now is time for a matching test. Take Dr. Grier and the members of the School Board. Now identify each as one of the dwarfs in Snow White.

Unfortunately, we don't have a prize, other than our thanks for this amazing participation.

I've seen a bunch of new people here this week and I love it. We set up these blogs with the goal of becoming a virtual town square - a place where folks can share ideas.

I'm also happy to relay some information from John Robinson: as of today, this is officially a record number of posts for a News & Record blog. The previous record was 86.

Keep up the good work and thanks again!

Hmmm. That's a hard one, Mark. I haven't seen that movie in several years but I think I can still remember the dwarfs.

I can definitely match Sleezy, Slimey, Sneaky, Goofy and the mean, ugly witch. After that, it gets tough.

How about you, Bruce. Any opinions?

I'd like to echo Bruce's thanks. This has been a lively discussion and we appreciate everyone's participation.

For new visitors, you might want to check out some previous posts. Recent ones that might interest you include block vs. traditional scheduling and early stats on the High Point reassignment plan.

Let us know if there are other topics that interest you. We can start new strands based on those topics.

And if we can help you find information you're looking for, let us know. From earlier blog comments we've pulled together information that people wanted on how many trailers are in the district and how Harris Teeter became sponsor to the district's Teacher of the Year program.

We'll do our best to track down the information that you're seeking, or point you in the right direction to find someone who does have what you need.

Thanks again for your participation.

Now back to the discussion. Where were we? Charlie Brown or Snow White?

Another PO'd parent:

That's an interesting rendition of Snow White you remember. Your version apparently has 10 dwarfs rather than 7!!!

Not to mention a mean ugly, witch.

You don't have any deliberate typos in this statement do you?

Jennifer,

I'm taking you up on your offer to investigate something.

PLEASE can you or Bruce contact the Secretary of Education--whoever it is now.

I'm refering to the post Waaaaay back when Bruce quoted the former Sec. Rod Paige and his comments about "NCLB not No School left behind..." I REALLY want to know what our Federal Dept. thinks of Grier's tactics to escape the NCLB Act by refiguring the Title I status.

As Bruce stated, this is NOT the intent of the ACT!! and I think MOST would agree.

Can you PLEASE get a statement from someone in the Dept. of Education, preferably the Secretary.

Thanks

I would like to know that too. I understand that he wasn't required to list these schools as Title I but he did. By doing so, he took a portion of the money from other schools that really do have 75% of their students on FRL.

I think that if he called them Title I, provided them with federal funding, and the schools still failed to meet their AYP's, he should be held accountable.

Marcy & LCH, thank you for the serious posts. I agree with both of you and I hope that Jennifer and/or Bruce look into your questions.

Not only should the good Dr. be held accountable, but the Board members who go along with this cherade should also be held accountable.

Please refer back to Marcy's post of 3/02 at 11:23PM, that's CONSTITUENT.

Also Jennifer, could you please check with your editor on something for me. Could you ask how he feels the N&R's picks for School Board are doing since the 2 incumbents have had an additional 90 days to corkscrew everything further into the ground.

Mark,

Excellent question for the folks at the N&R. I have been wondering myself if there will be a retraction on their picks.

Also, I just want to clarify....the "good Dr." is Dr. Seuss. Grier is now know as the "bad Dr."

Thanks, just want to keep every one straight and give credit where credit is due or NOT due.

Jennifer and Bruce,

I also want to hear what the Secretary of Education says about how Guilford County skirts the NCLB Act. Thank you for looking into this.

Marcy:

Even though good Dr. and bad Dr. may seem simple enough I still might confuse myself.

So in keeping with our movie theme and since "the bad Dr." likes to moonlight at Nova University, how about if I just refer to him as the "THE NUTTY PROFESSOR" from now on.

Yea!!!!!!!! Post 100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only prize I could ask for is a NEW superintendent.

Just send him/her over to Eugene St. ASAP!!!!!!!!

Thank you N&R for the outlet for all of my pent up school issue hostility.

You may have just saved some lives!!!!!

Nutty Professor sounds good Mark and you stole the 100th post right out from under me!!!

I'm guessing that if a wish is granted to you for being the 100th poster, that it would be the SAME as mine!!!!!!!

Git Grier Outta here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This really is a very serious topic. I can understand that the stress that the board has placed upon all of causes us to be silly sometimes - I hope that this has just been stress relief for you.

For me, it is stressful everyday. I have a 10th grader at Andrews. Imagine the situation my family is in.

We have no hope.

Every decision Grier and the Board has made has turned out to harm us.

We cannot afford to move and we cannot afford private school. We are caged animals under the control of the Guilford County School Board.

Andrews mom,

You're right, this is a serious subject. Laughing and joking about it does make it all a little more palatable.

I'm sorry that you're not happy at Andrews. It's a shame that by law, you should be able to "opt out" next year--(if AYP's are not met) but Grier will finagle his way out of that by changing Andrews to a non-Title I school. If he does that--he should have to move his office into Andrews and do all of his very important work from there.

Good luck to you. I implore you to go to the board meetings this coming week and make your voice heard.

You have friends here at the chalkboard if you need to vent!

As requested, here is the official DOE position on the proposed change to Title I school designations:

Thank you for your e-mail. This is the guidance I received from the Office of the General Counsel. Under section 1113 of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, a district must annually rank its schools in order of poverty and serve schools in rank order. The district must rank schools with poverty rates above 75% without regard to grade span. In other words, it must rank its middle and high schools along with its elementary schools and serve them in rank order. Once a district has served all of its schools above 75% poverty, it may then rank by grade span and serve only schools within one or more grade spans. As a result, a district may decide to serve only elementary schools and not serve middle or high schools. Because this is an annual requirement, a district could serve all schools in rank order of poverty one year and decide in the next year to serve only elementary schools once it has served all of its 75% schools. A district may not "skip" higher-ranked schools within a grade span in order to serve a lower-ranked school. A district can decide not to serve a high school that has a poverty rate below 75%, provided it does not serve any high schools with lower poverty rates.

Thank you for your e-mail and your interest in the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, please visit www.ed.gov/nclb.

Jennifer,

Here's another plea for investigation. I would like you to contact Nina Shokraii Rees, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement, Department of Education.

She will have interesting information to give you about Grier's plan.

You may wish to search the N&R archives during the summer of 2004. There was an op-ed written by the N&R after the GCS School Board voted on the opt out schools for those Title 1 schools last year that had not met AYP for 2 consecutive years. In that op-ed, your staff stated that "the wrong students" were opting out of the school.

Ms. Reese followed up the next day or 2 with a letter to the editor criticizing the op-ed and providing you with a real education about NCLB.

I would be quite interested to read an interview that you and/or Bruce conducted with her about this matter.

Teddy,

That's a very "nice" pre-fab answer that you received from the DOE.

I want to see a direct answer from them about this SPECIFIC "switcheroo" that Grier is playing.

I want to know what they say about reclassifying a school just to by-pass the NCLB act. It should not be legal, much less ethical to add or delete Title I status just to circumvent the bad, bad sanctions of the NCLB ACT.

Also, I want to know EXACTLY, WORD FOR WORD what "sanctions" does for the school. I think the community would be pleasantly surprised what that offers their school.

Notice how our BOE NEVER mentions exactly what "sanctions" are--like it's the boogy-man or something.

Marcy,
Unfortunately by the answer that Mr Ballgame quoted, you can see that distinctions(you is 'in' the group to be served. are made yearly! Remember is you are over 75% you have to be a Title 1, if you are under 40% you are out-- so the BOE makes the choice yearsly who to serve. The BOE is within it's legal rights to make the changes that Dr Grier has proposed. That does not mean it is the ethical thing to do. With that being said, can anyone say that the $500,000 spent yearly over the last two years has done Andrews any good? This is NOT a critisim, it is a honest question. I was thinking if the BOE can be shown the improvements that the $1 million dollars has made, then maybe they will also question the reasoning. Maybe someone should make the suggestion that if Andrews isn't a Title 1, that parents of dissatisfied students would still like the exercise the 'opt out' rule and provide your own transportation. Just a thought.

Sorry about the typos in earlier post-- taking cold medicine and should have checked before posting-- should have been who (not you) is in the group and remember if- -not remember is-- guess I had better quit before I fall over! :)

Debora,

Thanks for the info, and I hope you start to feel better soon.

I think that if one million in improvements can't be shown at Andrews, then the BOE should have to pay it back--since NOW they claim that they won't need it in the future, that tells me that they didn't need it in the past.

Also, Grier will NEVER allow an opt out for Andrews--even if they provided their own transportation-- because then he would have an empty building on his hard-working little hands.

Hey, just a thought, maybe he could live there..then he'd have room for all of his pals at NOVA to come visit him!

And one more thing...it's funny that you say, "maybe someone should make the suggestion..."--to who?? NOBODY that I'm aware of in Grier's administration takes advice from the community and I can name only 1 or 2 schoolboard members who listen to their constituents......

This is why we're all going crazy over here at the Chalkboard!!!! No one wants to hear what the little ol' citizen has to say!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks bloggers for LISTENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marcy,

Sorry, but the DOE answer that I posted above was their response to my specific question regarding what Grier is proposing. They gave a generic answer, but they were asked the right question. In short, Grier knows exactly what he can do. As has been said before, it's not ethical, but it is legal. But, then when did Grier ever stand on ethics?

Teddy,

I figured as much. Thanks for contacting them. I would just like to hear what former Sec. Rod Paige says about this--when he insinuated last year that it's not the right thing to do.

Of course it's legal. I would hope that our high-paid attorney for the BOE is on top of things--I just think it's time that someone called Grier down on his MANY tactics that teeter on the line of WRONG--you know, it's kind of like when Mendenhell, darn, I mean Mendenhall refers to the "Golden Rule"....maybe Grier thinks she talking about the "Golden Arches"???....then he starts thinking about Big Macs and Whoppers and then forgets that he's running a school system...?

I don't know, I try to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, but I'm only a pen 'n ink character. What do I know?

Oh, and speaking of ethics, Grier was basically ask to not ever utter the words, "Rotary Club" again. Even they have found him to be unethical.

I'm embarrassed that this phoney is running--attempting to, I mean--our schools.

Thanks Teddy for all your hard work. You always put in extra innings.

Jennifer and Bruce,

I would also be very interested in your interview with Ms. Rees (see gamblin man post above).

Could you respond to this blog with your reply?

Thanks

The bad Dr. Grier seems to be one sly fox.

He reminds me of a former president by the name of William Jefferson Clinton.

Both men seem to think they are above the law and share the same warped standard of ethics.

As Clinton used to kick back in the oval office and enjoy a big fat cigar,pondering what the definition of "IS" was,I can only picture the Bad Dr.grier with his feet on the desk,smoking a big stogie,thinking, "What a bunch of dumb-ass hillbillies that I have to deal with on this Board of Education.Next metting,I've gotta ask for a RAISE".

Just got back in town. Boy you guys have been busy.

Jennifer, I think we just like this strand. Are we going for 200 posts?

Here is a recap Jen and Bruce of what we want to see in case you need new strands started:

Gamblin Man wants the interview about NCLB (summer 2004) after the op-ed article - this sounds good to me - the real scoop on NCLB.

Yes, Jen we want to know about how HT became the sponsor of the huge Teacher Award. Sounds like you want us to know so tell us.

On the number of trailers, we would like to know the total number of trailers. Equally important is to tell the audience how many "temporary" trailers are more than 10, 20 years old, or even more. Sounds like GCS has their own definition of "temporary". The "temporary" actually applies more to how long principals stay; not how long we have "temporary" trailers. You can get this information form Eric Hoagster, GCS. He is very knowledgeable on this subject. He is the map man.

Now back to another subject. I find it is so ironic all this hoopla about "Character Education" a few days ago. Just had a very long conversation this week with a friend of mine who teachers kindergarten and another friend who teaches at another elementary school. The first friend told me was shocked when she read the papers and found out GCS was teaching "Character Ed". They have no book; no lesson plan; no assigned time of the day, like the other subjects. I did see last week a poster on the wall in 1st grade. Come to think of it, I have been substitute teaching for 5 years, I have never ever seen "Character Ed" listed in a lesson plan. Is this just another PR promotion in N & R by GCS? My friend called a friend who has some old books from another city on it as she thought it would be a good idea. She said no one had told her she was supposed to be teaching this. Other teachers didn't know either.

They do have the "word of the week", for example "respect", "honest", etc. It is mentioned a a morning program for the younger kids and maybe over the PA system while kids aren't listening half the time.

It is not like a planned curriculum like reading or math. You may want to let the other teachers know that they "are teaching this". Most of them are quite surprised.

Just thought I would pass this on. Feel free to start some new strands.

Does anyone know where the Equity Plus funding originates? Is it money that can be counted on every year?
I am asking because under Dr G's plan, he is using the Equity Plus $ to make up the Title 1 $ he took from the elem schools (change Title 1 from 40% free/reduced to 60%)and middle schools (change 50% to 65%). By doing this, many elem schools don't have a net loss (although 17 do) and magically there are 12 elem schools where AYP is not an issue anymore.
For the middle schools, no school shows a net loss and 4 schools (that have never made AYP) are no longer an issue. We all know the damage done to the high schools.
When all schools are required to be at 75%, I am sure there w/b some net losses (which we will never hear about) and there are magically 15 more elem schools and 3 more middle schools where AYP means nothing. Grand total under proposed plan, phase 1 = 20 schools with no AYP ramifications and under fully phased in 75% = 35 schools.
For those of us in HP, the proposed plan shifts a net of over $300,000 out of HP schools - what else is new???
One last thought on this - why are ALL GC assistants required to meet Title 1 standands when hardly any w/b teaching in Title 1 schools if Grier gets his way?

It's not done this way in other counties.
He must have been traumatized by an asst as a child-he really has it out for them.

One correction to the last post - under 75%, 12 (not 15-I can't type) elem schools would no longer be Title 1. Totals are correct.

The superintendent of Guilford County schools is a fraud, a liar, a cheat, and a hypocrit. I'll refrain from all the MANY other adjectives that describe this man.

Taxpayers need to know the truth--he's wasting their tax dollars and he still comes back asking for more.

What's WORSE, is that our school board members, our ELECTED representatives to the school board, ALLOW his ineptness to continue. Someone on our board MUST take a stand to start the process of selecting a new superintendent.

I will NEVER understand why Guilford County feels that this man, with a history of SEVERAL firings, is good enough for our children.

Our children deserve a well educated, capable, compassionate, and articulate superintendent with a GOOD character and reputation, NOT one that has been kicked out of other school systems. Guilford County children are NOT throw-aways!--Why do we tolerate a throw-away superintendent?

I'm hard-pressed to say which I despise more, Grier, or our school board members that just lounge back and let him run the system amuck.

I'm disgusted and fed-up at the complacency when it comes to our schools, you can drive by them and mistake them for trailer parks or abandon prisons. I drive around this town and see new banks, Scout buildings, churches etc...that look like mansions--and our schools have duct-tape on the windows and ramshackled trailers. It's no wonder that the test scores are embarrassingly low, suspensions are embarrassingly high and teacher morale is equivalent to jail workers forced to pick up trash on the highway.

We MUST ban together to force our school board members to WAKE-UP and realize that they are not taking their jobs very seriously. I have seen middle-school student councils run with more ambition than our school board meetings!

Our board members are NOT even familiar with normal policies and procedures for typical board discussions and votes. ONE board member (Deena Hayes) admitted that she couldn't even remember how she voted on a VERY important issue JUST RECENTLY!!!!

Is our school board just a dumping ground for people that just want to remain in the public eye, but do not have a brain??

GET THEM ALLLLLL OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Slakattak,

A few posts back, you call Grier a "sly fox"--do you think there is any connection to the rabid fox found around town that attacked Mrs. Troxler?

We really need to rid this county of ANY RABID beasts!!!

Sherry,

A fox is a fox is a fox...

Let,s call Animal Control and let them deal with Grier in the same manner they did Troxlers' fox.

Slakattak,

Good idea! 'm looking up Animal Control right now. Rabid Grier has spread his infection long enough!

He MUST be put down before he attacks any more unsuspecting children.

Sherry,

If you think carefully, you will realize that T. Grier is doing exactly what the school board or at least those in control of the school board want. T. Grier would not still be here if the school board did not want him here.

It is about money, politics and not about education.

Rob

Rob,

It's obvious that education is not the priority of this administration.

This must end. It's time for the community, parents, taxpayers, students, and teachers to say, "Enough." This cannot be a "till death do us part" relationship with Grier. He must go now, contract or not. Every day that he continues to sit over at Eugene Street costs us more than what we see on paper. He needs to go NOW, then we can start dealing with the incompetent Board.

Mendenhell is next...and so forth until we have dedicated professionals filling those seats. I'm in this for the looooooong haul and I will NOT REST until we have an administration worthy of representing the children of Guilford County.

We have to take our schools back.

REMINDER*********************

School Board meeting tomorrow. They LOVE to hear from their constituents. To all speakers tomorrow, please ask the board members BEFORE your time starts that you would like their FULL attention while you speak. They need this reminder before EACH speaker. They tend to dose off, shop on-line, play footsies with their neighbor, etc...tell them you would like to see the whites of their eyes and hand out Q-tips if you have to so that they can clean out their ears.

It is time that we DEMAND respect from this board and DEMAND to be HEARD.

PLEASE, all disgruntled chalkboard bloggers, GO to the meeting tomorrow and speak your piece, let them have it, read all 100 some of the posts from the chalkboard--these so-called community leaders need to know what their community is saying.

Sherry

I agree with you 100% I am just saying that it will take more than getting rid of T.Grier to fix our schools. They have been neglected for too long. That may be a first step but it will not solve everything.

Will another replacement comes that does exactly what the school board wants.

My point is they could get rid of him if they want to. They could get rid of him if they didn't think he was doing what they wanted.

It is very clear to Guilford County that he is doing exactly what the school board wants him to do because he is still here.

Plans must be made now for the 2006 elections to change this school board. What about recalling school board members through petitions?

Rob:

You must want to see if Marcy or I would sign your petition first.

Rob,

Unlike California, North Carolina doesn't have a recall provision.

Interesting comments.. :D