More from the second redistricting forum
Once again, we had a lot more from the redistricting forum than we could fit in the paper. So here is more from Tuesday night's forum at Penn-Griffin Middle School:
- No one spoke in favor of the redistricting plans on the table. Many of the speakers also oppose the current High Point reassignment plan and say they are tired of the board constantly redrawing lines.
"We've created a Frankenstein school system," said David Thompson.
"This is the third time in four years I've done this," said John Gerhis.
"Please, when you consider redistricting, consider neighborhood schools," said Kay Underwood (By the way, it was nice to meet Kay at the forum - she says she's a regular Chalkboard reader).
"Give us back neighborhood schools," said Martin Phillips.
"Don't shuffle the problem; fix the problem. We can't wait three more years," said Garth Hebert, who ran for the at-large school board seat last year.
- Several speakers noted that cross-town busing was particularly wasteful, given the rising cost of fuel. I think you made this point, Barbara Ann, if I remember.
- There were a surprising number of reassignment plan supporters in attendance. They also oppose the new redistricting proposals because they say the reassignment plan hasn't been given a chance.
"The choice plan has not had an opportunity to fail because it has not had an opportunity to work," said Rev. William Fails, who ran unsuccessfully for the District 1 school board seat last year.
"I come before you to ask you to stay the course," said High Point city council member Bernita Sims. "I think the choice plan is the best thing you guys have come up with in the last couple of years."
- Frequent Chalkboard contributor Joe Stafford made an interesting point. He talked about the buses that carry one and two students to magnet schools - say, a Gibsonville student who comes to High Point for Penn-Griffin's arts program. He said the district simply doesn't have enough money to devote a school bus to one or two kids.
- I was a little surprised that more people didn't turn out. Yeah, 140 people isn't a bad turnout for a school meeting by any stretch, but it's nowhere near the attendance that some of the High Point reassignment meetings have drawn the last couple of years. Any thoughts on that?
Comments (39)
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Bruce,
To answer your question -
been-there-done-that-burned-out
Now we all move or go to private school. It's very simple.
Posted on September 21, 2005 12:01 PM
Bruce, you are comparing apples & oranges when you state you are surprised at the turnout at only 140 people. It was on a Tuesday night and many kids have extracurricular activities. You would know that if you had to tend after your own kids. I think 140 was outstanding for a Tuesday night.
Not to mention that many people probably feel it was the board doing their token lip service to the community so why bother?
If you want to see a 1,000 people at a forum again, let's schedule another one for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Our daughter is in private school now, but my wife and I still have 2 votes; so nothing has really changed.
Oh and General Slak, Mr. Grier is like a cat that uses a litter box with one of those fancy self-cleaning features. Eventually you still have to clean it out though, same here for Guilford County.
Posted on September 21, 2005 12:05 PM
Bruce, it is interesting that when you quote people against redistricting that you quote parents and that when you quote people that are happy with the way things are you quote either elected officials or community leaders. Why is that?
Did any PARENTS in favor of the way things presently are speak? Or was it token speeches from Bernita Sims, Rev Failes, and whatever representative the HP NAACP threw into the mix?
Did any parent get up and say the bus rides are worth it? How about a student?
Posted on September 21, 2005 12:27 PM
Not saying that 140 is a bad turnout, Buckmtn. Just surprised that it wasn't a little bigger.
And for the record, the 2003 redistricting meeting that drew 1,000 High Point residents was 1. on a Thursday night; 2. not even in High Point (it was at Smith HS); and 3. took place in the middle of a snowstorm. Nearly all school meetings and public forums take place on weeknights, so that explanation doesn't hold up.
Great 1, there were a couple of parents/regular community folks who spoke in favor of the current reassignment plan - we quoted one of them in today's paper. It's certainly safe to say that the majority of people there were anti-HP plan, though.
Posted on September 21, 2005 12:43 PM
I bet all the people in favor of the Lottery got their 1st choice OR they are in an area that may get redistricted to Andrews and that scares them more than a rigged lottery.
Another wanting to keep the Lottery said she has a kid at Penn-Griffin and wants him to have a free ride to Southwest High School.
The only valid opinions about the Choice Plan need to come from people that have been "directly" affected by it.
How about the guy that said he lives across the street from SW and his daughter was assigned to Central? Their appeal was denied but all her friends are back at SW. His opinion of the Choice Plan should carry more weight than Ms Alston who's son received his school of choice.
I don't remember hearing any speakers from Central. Is that because they KNOW they will be OK, no matter what happens to the rest of us?
Posted on September 21, 2005 12:55 PM
Not having grown up in Greensboro or High Point, I wondered if someone could help me with a little history.
One of the speakers said that High Point and Greensboro should not or could not be treated the same because of their history. If I'm not mistaken, she mentioned that High Point at one time had an all white high school and an all black high school. I missed the connection or the history. Didn't Greensboro also have Dudley and Greensboro High (Grimsley) that were segregated? These two schools are still the center of pride of their communities and probably have the most active and supportive alumni of all Guilford County Schools.
Just a little confused about the connection and the history. Can anyone explain?
Posted on September 21, 2005 1:55 PM
EXCELLENT POINTS, "Just my observation".
Bruce, it's kind of like this:
If someone give you 3 choices: you can cut off your right arm; your left arm; or choose a leg? Or you can go to a reputable PRIVATE hospital and be saved as they have a staff and administration who will take care of your medical needs and guarantee that your limbs will be saved.
So if someone gave you a choice of 3 equally bad choices, in your opinion, which do you choose? To me it was a "fishing" party last night. Let's see who we can fish out to object to certain redistricting plans; the politicians had been well rehearsed and ready to come out to sing the praises of the "choice" guinea pig plan(I was waiting for someone to start shouting "FOUR MORE YEARS" - we voted for you Dot - now do what you said.) If people don't like two eqaully bad new choices, and others love the IT plan, well we will show the board members they must still go with the IT plan, "we gave them choices" and no one liked it..
I also thought is was quite ironic that there was a sign that told a certain neighborhood where to sit. i.e., size up the audiences and see who all is from that one end of town. Very strange indeed. Needless to say, people are wise to these games and they ALL spread out. Do we all need to start coming in disguises or something. Maybe next board meeting around Halloween we can all wear costumes so no one knows who lives near whom?
People are all just TIRED of being MANIPULATED and many, many have gone private.
Parents want responsble spending; a common sense approach to education; to educate kids the shortest distance from the houses; do not ship them across town on a bus.
As Garth said it so well last night. You insult poor kids when you tell them you have to be SWAPPED and go to a "better" school to be educated. Our kids aren't baseball cards.
You heard many people last night of various races talk about "community" and not shipping their communities out, Andrews people INCLUDED. Of course, to some "neighborhood schools" might mean walking to school; we are talking about established communities. They used to exist but it seems that GCS is hell bent on destroying this sense of security for our children and their children. "Community" is important to all the transplants here. Central area has had theirs for years but it seems that SWH area transplants are being denied this chance.
And yes, to someone who asked on this strand. Why did most or all of Central people get their FIRST CHOICE? Sounds like the same 1999 redistricting plan to me.
It is not their kids being thrown in a lottery.
How many of their kids did not get their first choice.
Bruce, where are those appeals numbers?
Posted on September 21, 2005 1:58 PM
Kay,
I caught that too and am equally confused. Seems like this person looked right at Amos. Maybe he can answer.
I am not from here either. So I didn't get the difference myself.
Maybe someone who grew up around here can explain.
but the bottom line is this: It is not GREENSBORO SCHOOLS; it is not HIGH POINT SCHOOLS. It is GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. If you do it in HP you must do it in Greensboro and the rest of the county.
This is the way I understand the law as I know it to be.
Posted on September 21, 2005 2:01 PM
Oh yeah Bruce I've heard several people talk about this 2003 meeting over at Smith. I wasn't involved back then because foolish me, I thought my family was safe from any of this nonsense since we are only a 5 minute walk from SWHS. BOY WAS I EVER WRONG!!!
That kind of attendance is impressive, considering the standard School Board tactic is to hold the meeting as far away from the epicenter of the problem as possible. What was the problem back then, the schools in Browns Summit or McLeanville booked up?
Bruce, I understand that 9-Star General Slak was right under your nose last night, did you happen to salute him?
Which reminds me, General, I apologize for being AWOL last night, I'll make it up at the next forum. Perhaps you should give one of your motivational speeches at the next North High Point Board of Education meeting over at Ham's. The one where you tell everyone about how Dot Kearns evacuated all of her family members out of the Guilford County Schools in High Point before she dropped a bomb on everyone on 02/10/04 is one of my favorites.
Posted on September 21, 2005 2:10 PM
I actually don't know the General's secret identity. If I had realized he was sitting nearby, I would've said hello - it's always nice to meet Chalkboard contributors in person.
Still waiting on those appeals numbers, Barbara Ann. At this rate, I hope we can get them before the end of the school year! I'll ask again this week.
Buckmtn, there certainly was a lot of grumbling back in 2003 about that meeting being held at Smith.
The reason the school board gave was that they didn't want any one school to have a "home field advantage." So they basically made it inconvenient for everyone. Plus, the weather was absolutely lousy that night, so 1,000 people had to drive back to HP from Smith on icy, slick roads.
Posted on September 21, 2005 2:55 PM
Just my observation,
You are right on target. This whole thing is not about saving Andrews. It is about letting Central get back to its GLORY days, and they want to screw Sw and Andrews in the process. I think Dot and Susan could care less about Southwest and Andrews. Old money High Point holds the power in this town.
Posted on September 21, 2005 4:42 PM
We heard some people say last night they like the lottery!
I say back up your enduring support of the plan with some facts! Why do you like the lottery?
Will someone answer that question?
The school board will not say why they are hell bent on this plan and supporters do not say why!
Our community deserves an answer!
Don’t give tell me Tom, Dick and Harry got their first choice because everyone knows that is not the case for the majority of children that live in North High Point or Jamestown and those are the students being forced out of their neighborhood schools and communities. These students first choice would be to not be in this situation to begin with and not to be starting over.
According to a couple of board members the students/parents at Andrews and Central love it and why not most of them are not affected.
The supporters of the lottery/busing should be demanding quality schools in their neighborhoods and NOT allow the school board to pass their responsibility on to other citizens. I’m not saying we should not all volunteer and help out but the bottom line is “our” students should be looking forward to spending their high school years with the friends they have grown to love and know. NOT START OVER!!!
We all remember growing up and having a best friend and the security you felt in that relationship, the students of Southwest are no different. Geez! They are teenagers and want to enjoy their high school years with friends and their parents want the same for them.
How many times have we heard this is the all important freshman year well I say what’s good for High Point should be good for the rest of the county and WHY NOT?????
What makes Greensboro’s situation so unique so unapproachable?
There are schools failing in Greensboro, there is racial and social imbalance in Greensboro!
Why should only a select group of students being going through this?
The answer: They should not
Posted on September 21, 2005 4:56 PM
Norma Ray,
Your observation is correct. Ironically, what will happen is the slow (not so slow), permanent erosion of High Point area schools because of this discriminatory plan. Dot wins the battles but the war will be lost at the expense of children.
They better build a 4000 seat High School in the Northwest part of the county. That's where I'm headed.
Posted on September 21, 2005 5:08 PM
Bruce,
"Thanks for the memories" of Jan. 2003. Not only did they make it "inconvenient". Be on notice folks a big meeting is usually planned around a 3 day weekend, usually MLK day or it is the night of a major PTA meeting at SWH. Also redistricting drama starts while you are taking down your Christmas tree in January. This year was a total new twist; it started in August.
But according to Eric, the big map will be ready by, you guessed it, the end of the year. So come with January and taking down the tree, comes redistricting. BUT, the plot thickens.....it will be an election year; bond refs may be coming up.....so let's hope what Anita is proposing can really, really work....we all need a break.
back to Smith Stadium.....
Add to the fact with the 3 day weekend (MLK), let's assume many people travel and we won't be able to get in touch with many.
But thanks to the marvels of modern technology (and I must say I didn't even own a computer then) and phone works great too. Basically 3 people stated the ball rolling to get 1,000 people out that night. Some thought it had been cancelled due to weather and didn't come or we would have had more people at the stadium. So phones, flyers, PTA contacts, and homeowners associations really can work quickly when they come under attack. It's called "tell a friend".
Yep, when it comes to your kids, they do come first and when you put your mind to it, great things can happen.
Posted on September 21, 2005 5:21 PM
Dear Just my observation. I am the guy who's daughter is at Central. I did not say that all her friends were reassigned back to SW I said some won their appeals and are back, some are at private school, some at Ragsdale and some have moved to NW.
What was quite funny was as I was saying that one of the reasons we gave Central a go was that several of her friends were supposed to there as well Dr. Grier was giving me a nodding approving smile. When I said they weren't actually there it knocked the smile right off his face.
I didn't finish my wording last night so I sent it onto the board via E-mail today. It went something like this.
The night previously I had been at Central for a parents evening and had been impressed with the teachers and the school is really nice. We get a lot of info from the Principal and have had several phone calls from the teachers informing of our daughters progress. That is good right? I then said. What I don't understand is why if the backbone of good school is already there do they need to bus my daughter all the way over town to improve it. If there is something wrong and needs fixing do as Anita said the other night. "Put your money where your mouth is".
I did get a reply from Alan thanking me for the input.
At the end of it all I am with Scott. If we don't get back to SW my house is back on the market and is going to be sold. NW is going to need another bond!
I do love N.High Point though. Thats what makes it difficult. I think its a real melting pot of different cultures.A great place to live.
So, why does it get pooped on all the time?
Posted on September 21, 2005 8:55 PM
I'm with you "Reassigned". I may have mixed up some details but I feel your pain and especially your daughter's pain. I thought Grier should have stopped you mid-sentence and sent you to Doyle Craven to get an immediate transfer. They could do it, you know.
Keep fighting. Keep us all informed regarding the replies you receive from the school board and what they say. (By the way, don't expect a reply from Mendenhall)
Posted on September 22, 2005 8:02 AM
Bruce,
You corrected and chastised buckmtn about the 1,000 people attending a school forum incorrectly. The last one was in 2004, it was in North High Point, it was on a Sunday afternoon, and even though it was a January day, the weather was excellent. This was the meeting previously discussed under a different strand for the choice plan hearing by the board which Jennifer says that you did not attend, so you wouldn't remember that meeting. To be honest, you could have held that meeting on Tuesday afternoon in the middle of a hurricane, and 1,000 people would still have showed up.
You can be forgiven for not rememebering about that one since you didn't attend. But, you might argue that the meeting wasn't 1,000 people, it was only 800 or 900, or whatever (No one took attendance, so who knows. Ask the fire chief who alan duncan had called because the building was over fire code), but buckmtn's point is accurate and valid, because he was there, along with all of the others who visit this board regularly.
I'd also say that the difference in attendance between the two meetings is that at the one in 2004, parents were under the impression that turning out in large volumes and speaking passionately against the choice plan would make a difference (they were wrong). Most of those same people didn't come out for the recent meeting because they have grown weary over the last year pleading with this school board to do the right thing, but all in vain. While I attended the one in 2004, I didn't attend this one, like hundreds of others, because we know that it won't make any difference. You have some members of this school board who have an agenda, and they are making sure that it sticks. And, fairness in education has nothing to do with their agenda. In High Point, it's about Dot Kearns getting her way and ensuring the return of Central High to its glory days, no matter who suffers or pays the price.
Posted on September 22, 2005 8:28 AM
Where's the data on "Swapping"? Is that the featured topic that Grier shares when he accepts these paid, speaking engagements around the country?
I seriously want to see some evidence, some data, some research, SOMETHING that concludes that this new SWAPPING concept is productive.
What's next? The "ADOPTING" proposal? You will be required to hand your children over to another family that's school is deemed more appropriate??
WHEN will the half-witted, concocted-in-the-middle-of-the-night, solutions STOP?
Posted on September 22, 2005 8:58 AM
You are confusing two different meetings, Stormy. The meeting you are talking about (which I do remember) happened in January, 2004.
The Smith meeting took place in early 2003 and concerned proposed redistricting of the four High Point-area schools.
Posted on September 22, 2005 9:44 AM
Bruce,
I am not confused at all. I'm well aware that the choice plan community meeting took place in January 2004 at the Southwest High School Auditorium. I was there, you were not (Jennifer said so). If there is confusion, it must be your own. This is the meeting that Buckmtn was making reference toward. It is true what you say about the Smith meeting, but what does that have to do with anything?
Buckmtn said "If you want to see 1,000 people at a forum again, let's schedule another one for Saturday or Sunday afternoon". And you started talking about the Smith redistricting meeting and said "Nearly all school meetings and forums on weeknights, so that explanation doesn't hold up". I was trying to point-out to you that your premise is not accurate. You want to talk about the Smith meeting, and Buckmtn and I are talking about the Southwest choice plan meeting.
You corrected and chastised Buckmtn, and you weren't on target, Bruce. There "was" a huge turnout for a school meeting in High Point on a Sunday afternoon. Buckmtn was accurate in mentioning that meeting, and his point was well-taken that if you want to get a large turnout for a meeting, hold it at a time and date that will attract more people, without other competing events.
Why are you being so contentious on this matter, Bruce? Buckmtn spoke accurately, and you seem intent on attacking him and his premise, which is based on fact. Do you want to make it appear that Southwest people are disinterested in the rediculous redistricting proposals on the school board?
Posted on September 22, 2005 10:29 AM
C'mon, Stormy, I wasn't attacking or chastising Buckmtn and you know it. Let's stop arguing and get back to the discussion, okay?
My only point was that compared to previous meetings about this topic, Tuesday's meeting didn't attract as many people. Not that it was a bad crowd, just not as good as in the past.
I thought someone might have some explanations and you actually came up with one - maybe folks don't think the board is listening and don't see the point in speaking out any more.
By chance, were you ever on the Faber University faculty or were you ever a Hall of Fame outfielder for the Red Sox?
Posted on September 22, 2005 10:47 AM
I was at the High Point meeting! I spent several thousand dollars and hundreds of hours going over facts and figures. I calculated the cost of the busing program that was quite prophetic. My numbers played out Grier's were false. The numbers and premise that got the plan funded and smokescreened so many inconsistancies were fabrications of the Grier administration.
When hacked and attacked by the overwhelming majority of their constituency the Board ignored the pleas of parents and students and spent millions on a false promise of affordability and "world class" programs, you ask why so few chose to show up on a rainy Tuesday? After many friends have moved, home values declined, many more trying to sell their homes, you ask why no show. Well Bruce, I have failed at more businesses than most would even think. I started my first business at 21. I have made more money than I could imagine, I have 3 great kids and a tolerant wife who is smarter than I, and I owe teh community much more than I can repay. I therefore having a safety net for my kids education have chosen after building 3 homes in High Point, choose to stay and fix the problem. Do not think the lack of voices negates the real issues. Do not mistake lacking the ability to pound ones head against a brick wall as apathy, rather see it as a sign of exhaustion or intelligence. Why fight when you can move. I have the luxury of being able to afford the fight. Next year I will take an advisory role at the CPA firm my wife and I started 16 years ago and I will commit much more time to fix the problems, either from outside or inside the Board of Education. But my ability and choice does not mean that thousands aren't just as fed up and are more intelligent than I and have found a better solution for their families!
They say for every letter written from a voter at least 20 wanted to write. If so, in actual attendance you can say that at least 2800 thoughts, prayers and frustrations were there with those 140 tired, beaten souls.
Garth
Posted on September 22, 2005 11:21 AM
Bruce,
OK, if you weren't attacking or chastising buckmtn, what were you doing? You were the one that said that he was wrong about getting more people to a meeting if it was held on a day and time that didn't present so many conflicts, and he referenced the Southwest choice plan meeting as an example. You contradicted him, and, in my view, your words did chastise him. You were the one that made a big deal about this, Bruce.
Now, yes, it is true that if you had the recent meeting on a Sunday afternoon in High Point instead, you would not get 1,000 passionate people there. You might only get 200-300. And, you know the reason very well why that would be the case. NHP and Jamestown people have attended a lot of school meetings over the last 1 1/2 years, made a lot of passionate pleading speeches to the board, and what has it garnered them as a result? Nada. Zilch. Any discussion of eliminating the choice plan has been stonewalled by Dot Kearns and Susan Mendenhall, and the Greensboro representatives continue to defer to them, because they are High Point's representatives.
I'm sure that the rest of Guilford is sick and tired of hearing NHP/Jamestown's concerns about the choice plan/redistricting, but I'm sure that the folks are equally tired of having to express those concerns with no one even getting a valid answer, if they get an answer at all.
Bruce, you know that the choice plan hasn't produced one positive result that was promised. It hasn't produced "world class schools". It hasn't helped in reducing the achievement gap. It hasn't improved the educational process in Andrews or Southwest. It hasn't relieved oveercrowding at Southwest. I've asked you for months to identify just one educational benefit that has resulted from the choice plan, and I haven't seen that yet. The educational process at Andrews and Southwest hasn't improved one iota since the choice plan, and if anything, many things are much worse. I could go on for eons talking about the problems in our schools, and especially in High Point, but what's the use? No one that can change anything is listening and they don't care. There are a multitude of problems and issues that exist in this school district, all over the county, and this school board doesn't do anything to make improvements or changes. Redistricting concerns are just one facet of the problem here in Guilford County, and until you get a focused, competent school board in place, nothing will get any better.
Yes, I've been both of those things, but my guess is that you already knew that.
Posted on September 22, 2005 11:25 AM
Bruce,
I wish you'd spend less time trying to figure out WHO Chalkboard posters ARE and more time listening to WHAT they have to say.
Posted on September 22, 2005 11:35 AM
Beautifully said, Garth.
There are battles and there is the Cold War.
Some people just choose their battles and in a nutshell that is one reason you didn't see many people out on Tuesday.
Another observation I found quite fascinating is this: Most people who spoke from the SW and Colfax district were just simple parents who spoke from their hearts and you could feel their "pain." They have walked the walk and lived the talk. Others who didn't come out had "been there, done that" as many have said.
Many of the speakers of the other speakers had various politicians or ministers come out to speak for "them". Or did they? Did they really speak for the "them" or were they speaking for who they voted for to help their agendas? It was obviously quite political.
Sometimes it is just best to take mental notes and observe.
Sometimes that is the best thing one can do. I really, really, really learned a lot Tuesday evening of how this town operates.
"I can see clearly now the rain is gone."
Posted on September 22, 2005 11:48 AM
Hey Bruce,
There has been an actual Susan Mendenhall sighting at the HPE, and she actually said some words. She said that redistricting is hard work. Can you imagine how hard it is to "draw circles around every school and have a neat little attendance zone". Yeah boy, that's hard work.
She referenced those 1999 redistricting meetings and said that the board aimed for the neighborhood concept, seeking to give families for all racial and economic backgrounds what they wanted: schools close to home. Well, how can one argue with that, giving people what they want?
"We also as a board were committed to as much diversity as possible...that was our goal at the time". Again, how can one argue with that?
She then ventured to say "This time around it will be hard to please parents who want neighborhood high schools". Huh? What has changed now that establishing neighborhood schools is not possible? Who has said that we no longer want neighborhood schools, and that we want our children bussed for hours every school day to another school across town? And, in so doing, to what purpose? There sure hasn't been any educational benefits recognized over the last year that are obvious to the naked eye.
Perhaps, Ms. Mendenhall would care to meet with and talk with her constituents about her goals in redistricting and hear her constituents' views on this subject, rather than hiding out and avoiding those constituents? What say you, Ms. Mendenhall?
Posted on September 22, 2005 1:14 PM
Okay, this is off topic, but has anyone seen/heard about the state assistant teams that are being sent to Andrews and Middle College A&T?
It seems that entire problem has been ignored! Are the teams there yet? What are they doing? Revamping programs, or initiating higher standards, or what? Of course students that haven't mastered the minumum requirements of reading/writing shouldn't be in the 9th and 10th grade and you can't teach years of basics in one short year so I am anxious to see/hear the solution.
Posted on September 22, 2005 1:27 PM
Well said, Garth.
And, Bruce, I almost didn't go because I felt this will accomplish nothing. My husband talked me into it, and I went to only hear the same pleas for neighborhood schools. I saw the same blank looks from the school board members. It is obvious this is ALL political. Was it by chance that Benita Simms and V. Alston showed up? I don't think so!!! You said yourself, Bruce, more people spoke out against the plan than for it. So one thousand people could have gone to this forum, but it wouldn't mean a darn thing!!! Old money High Point is in control.
I am done going to these meetings, but it doesn't mean I won't be there in spirit for those who continue to attend them!
Posted on September 22, 2005 1:38 PM
Debora,
The state assistance team has arrived at Andrews. It comprises of at least 6 individuals. I met one reviewer today. She is very nice, very approachable, and is positive about being at Andrews. I may get a chance to talk to her in depth later as she and the others hope to hold parent interviews.
Posted on September 22, 2005 2:29 PM
Sandy,
I look forward to hearing their solution. It will be interesting to see what their plans are and hopefully the ideas will work. It is a shame that over half of the students didn't make even the minimum requirements. Won't we all like to hear what things they willdo that the GCS didn't think of!
Posted on September 22, 2005 2:51 PM
Well, leave it up to that other Guilford newspaper to give a perspective on school board redistricting meetings in an unvarnished manner. Yes, it is the one that John Robinson said only produced faux news. For those of you who are not fluent in French, that would be fake news.
The newspaper's editor wrote the frontpage story this week, and the topic was school redistricting as practiced by our current school board. This article strips the varnish right off of this issue and tells it like it is. This article really is a must read for anyone who is a regular reader of the CB. The author tells it about the school board in a manner that the News-Record will never do.
I won't spoil anyone's reading enjoyment of this article by repeating it here, but the following quotes provide the essence of the article:
"The school board still wants to use the school system for societal change, not education."
"The desire for neighborhood schools crosses all racial and economic boundaries."
"Parents pointed out that it would be far easier to build a sense of community around the school if their children attended the school in their community."
"What you can bet is it (redistricting plan) will have nothing to do with the welfare and education of children."
"The education of children is so far down the school board's priority list that it rarely gets to the on-deck circle and almost never gets into the game." (As a former HOF, I really liked the baseball analogy, Bruce.)
"The school board cares about diversity, it cares about money, high paid consultants and new programs that are expensive to implement."
Well, that gives you just a flavor of the article. But, as I review these quotes that I have just written, is there anything there that all of us have not been saying on this board for the past months?
Posted on September 22, 2005 3:46 PM
Drawing circles in the sand. Yeah that's the ticket
Posted on September 22, 2005 5:07 PM
Hey Bruce, Any comment on the High Point NAACP's head's wife admitting at the hearing that there was a de-facto quid pro quo "election day votes for Choice plan" pledge made to Dot, who, as Barbra ann mentioned, is an at-large member of the schoolboard. This is outrageous. dot sold out other people she is representing for votes. Can you imagine. Why isn't the press jumping on this???? Dot gives North High Point the moose member in return for votes..disgusting. this is corruption and influence peddling. Congress should be investigating.
Posted on September 22, 2005 7:38 PM
Here are two of the
GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION CODE OF ETHICS
that Dot and Susan do not comply to. Who do we take this up with?
As a member of the Guilford County Board of Education, I will work to improve public education, and to that end I will strive to:
2. Act with honesty, fairness, integrity and discretion in all relationships.
(from Tuesday its fair to say non-compliance)
16. Act to represent the citizens of the entire district which supersedes any
conflicting loyalty a member may have to other advocacy or interest groups, or to an area from which the member may be elected.
(same again)
We need a commision to investigate!
Posted on September 22, 2005 8:42 PM
The conflict of interest is a good onw too!
http://www.guilford.k12.nc.us/policies/administrative.htm
Posted on September 22, 2005 8:49 PM
Follow link.
Click on sect B Board of Operations BH.
This about sums it up.
The NAACP's wife was not the only one talking about voting. There were other speakers as well that mentioned it.
Posted on September 22, 2005 10:57 PM
Joe,
Where are you?
What is your take now on the cost of all this busing if gasoline goes to $5.00 a gallon after Hurricane Rita lands in the gulf?
Garth, how would $5.00 a gallon gas change the original projections that you ran on your software in winter 2004?
What about the cost of gasoline for all the families who have to drive their kids across town now; to school; to sports and other activities after school?
Do you think thing GCS should start giving gasoline vouchers to people who will drive their kids instead of taking the bus? Just a thought.
Posted on September 22, 2005 11:13 PM
Let's settle this. The January 2003 meeting also
involved Ragsdale and Adams Farm. Let's put a choice plan in Adams Farm and give them the choice of Ragsdale, Smith, Western, and Andrews!
Sounds like a winner to me.
Ragsdale only needs to show up to defend themselves every 2.5 years. We are tired.
And rest of Guilford County should be tired that the GCS board to wasting so much money in HP. Think of all the paper schools could buy.
Posted on September 25, 2005 10:45 PM
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Posted on March 15, 2006 3:49 AM