News-Record.com

My thanks to the citizens of High Point and most special appreciation to the 100+ dedicated poll and campaign workers. I apologize to those who wanted to work the polls but we were unable to utilize due to overstaffed schedules. We had over 120 hoodys and shirts printed and quickly ran out.

Though elected for district 2, I campaigned to equally represent all High Point Schools and made it clear that we are only as strong as our weakest school!

My special thanks and appreciation to the students who came out to work the plls as well and one special little girl who spent 12 hours in the rain handing out leaflets, mechanical pencils and mints. That one picture I have of her at 7:00 PM in the cold rain will forever pull at my heart and remind me why I am doing this.

Sadly the Board did not get the message I received loud and clear election day. There were no exceptions, everyone said they wanted Grier out of here. I talked with one bearded old farmer who had no kids or grandkids in our schools and he said “I voted for you so go and run the ……out of here! We need better schools!”

I hope Debbie considers running for DOT's seat in 2008. I did not get any enjoyment campaigning against her. Had she also taken the stand to remove Grier it would have been much closer a race.

In case any elected official in High Point missed it, it was a pretty clear message.

My apologies for accidentally limiting to High Point, I am well aware of my Jamestown, Greensboro and Colfax constituencies as well.

CONGRATULATIONS FROM COLFAX

We support you and are glad to have you.

The movement is already underway to unseat Kris Cooke in 2008. What she did last week in supporting a contract extension for Dr. Grier demonstrates her total lack of respect for the both the students and taxpayers of Guilford County.

A story I have from working the polls:

I handed a pamphlet to a guy walking into the building and asked him to please consider voting for Garth. He didn't even acknowledge me. Then, halfway to the building, he stopped and came back. He said, "Is he the one that wants to get rid of Grier?"

I said he was and the guy started toward the building again. I yelled, "Is that good or bad?"

He said, "That's good!"

No question about it. This town is ready for CHANGE!!

Hello all. This is now a powerful movement and a powerful moment in history. If a progressive slate of condidates can be drawn up, we can take back our school board, one seat at a time. As for me, please stay tuned, for I will have an announcement in the coming weeks as to my intentions for the at-large seat in 08. Stay tuned.

Erik E.C. Huey
West Greensboro

Kris Cooke.

You voted for Grier's extension.

2008 your outahere!

Somebody should get the Rhino ads ready.

Jennifer,
I thought two new BOE members were elected last week. What about the other guy?

Just a quick comment while at a fraud seminar this week. One of the most common organizations littered with fraud are public school systems.

Makes you think, Guilford County doesn't come up short of cash too often does it? Or overspent on projects? Or Board Members with pet projects or conflicts of interest?

The "other guy" goes by the name curious but uses his real email address.

But, I think he will be an asset to the board. Hopefully he will realize, unlike his predecessor, that Grier works for him and not the other way around. Also, hopefully he will not vote the same as Dot on every single issue that ever comes up over a 4 year period! Ridiculous!!

Curious,

You're right, District 6 has a new representative: Jeff Belton.

But I got the feeling that folks on the Chalkboard weren't so much worried about the uncontested Greensboro seat as they were with High Point's District 2 seat, the only contested school board race.

Welcome aboard to both new members.

If the new District 6 representative is another version of Marti, THAT IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM.

For the sake of the students let's hope not

Jennifer:

Is it now safe to do an article on AYP’s? They managed to sneak under the radar of the Fire at Eastern, but are equally hot! Neither are joking matters and I sincerely believe there is some serious structural problems to be pointed out from the AYP’s.

I’d like to know your take on them. I am sure you were ready to address theissue in a serious way but never got the chance. NOW IS THE TIME!

I will weigh in on the AYP's. They were dismal! With the new scoring of math everyone's score went down. Even with that factor to have more than half not make AYP tells me we are not doing what is necessary. And yes, I am being serious. It was not a surprise to me, nor probably to most of the readers here.

Losing TA's has hurt many elementary schools. Look at Jones Spanish Emersion, for years they did so well (I think 3 years ago they were top in our county) then they lost TA's, changed principals and now they missed AYP.

I have high hopes for the Mission Possible program, but we need to have a way to evaulate other programs and see what works and throw out those that don't. I don't understand how we can spend so much money on magnet school themes, when the children at almost all these schools are not doing well in basics. Why aren't we double dosing them with math and reading? How can they succeed in middle/high without basic skills of reading? You have to read in every subject, even math? The goal to have every student on level by 3rd grade is admirable, but are we reaching that goal? Has anyone looked?

Now I have a question? On the change ratio on the ABC report, does the change ratio mean % increase/decrease on a 100% scale?

Yeah CURIOUS, what about the other guy. What is the District 6's representative stance on Dr. Grier from Day 1? You have to admit that Marti Sykes off of the Board is a positive first step for our district; but is Dr. Grier doing anything for District 6, let alone the entire county?

So the question is can the District 6 representative be counted on to help show Dr. Grier the door?

Garth,

We included AYP results for the elementary/middle schools in the chart that ran with the ABCs story on Nov. 2. (The high school results ran back in August.) The story ran on A1 next to the Eastern fire story. The results were in a big list that ran inside the A section.

I've been trying to get in touch with the Title I office to see which schools have to offer tutoring because of AYP sanctions. I want to do a story about the tutoring since the district switched the order of sanctions and more schools will have to offer tutoring instead of transfers.

I haven't had a chance yet to get back with them this week.

Jennifer,
it seems like you haven't had the chance to get back on AYP's because you have been working on Eastern bus schedules, Eastern basic stationary, Eastern emergency contact lists, supply lists, report cards, etc, etc, etc, Eastern, Eastern, Eastern.

Dont get me wrong I feel for those kids but enough is enough. GCS has to solve these problems.

Debora brings up some excellent points all worthy of being discussed and more critical to ALL of our children. Eastern kids included.

I would actually appreciate some info on the Belton Guy? Was he interviewed by the N+R?
What do we expect from him?
Is he Marti reincarnated or in another form?

Truth,

We're trying as fast as we can to get back to stories we were working on before the fire. It might not be quickly enough for some folks, and I'm sorry about that. But we're doing the best we can.

I don't remember all of these people complaining about the Eastern coverage griping two years ago when the N&R was all over the High Point choice plan. Every day, it was High Point, High Point, High Point.

Why? Because it was the big story then. Just like the Eastern fire is the big story now.

Sorry the Eastern fire didn't happen at a convenient time for you guys. The nerve of those pesky Eastern kids for having their school burn down!

Jenniefer

I am aware of the publication of the numbers. What was missing was YOUR take on it. Are we moving in the right direction. What do you think are the bright spots…

Also, please note Central Principal brought home the “Humphrey” yesterday. Ms. Johnson is one of High Points shining stars. We so desperately cannot afford to loose such.

EDUCATION – not busing, not contract extensions that serve no purpose, we should be addressing education. Maybe talking about AYP’s and Ms. Johnson’s success will bring the discussion back to what the schools are for.

Thank you Garth!

If anybody out there has been sleeping and missed it -- Garth Hebert is the new school board representative for High Point.

"School board representative for High Point"...MAN it feels good to say that, finally!!!!

Thanks Garth.

This is the man that speaks for ALL High Point!

Oh, what a beautiful day!

Central Parent,

Garth in no way speaks for all of High Point. He's an embarassment to High Point as are most of you Grier haters. He'll serve no purpose and will not be able to sway the majority. In fact he will be largely ignored. Fortunatenly High Point will still have Dot and Walter to represent us.

Hurray for Susan extending Grier's contract beyond Garth's term on BOE! Grier is doing a good job and hopefully will stick around for years to come.

By the way someone (Dr nut job) hijacked my name and made some stupid comments about the Eastern School Fire. Shame on you!

The Real Truth

TRT or not,

It's funny to me that you think Garth is an embarrassment to High Point. Given that he received 65% of the vote last Tuesday, I would say High Point is PROUD of Garth!

TRT,

If you want to claim Walter as your rep, you go right ahead! What a joke. Garth could sit on the panel and do NOTHING but sleep and be as affective as Walter.

I guarantee that Garth will do more for Andrews than Walter ever has.

TRT.

That is funny. You should go and talk to the people in HP who tell a completely different story. Several of us did that last Tuesday the 7th.
You are definietly out of touch. I actually talked to one of Dots friends for a couple of hours on the 7th. She told me that many of her friends believe that she should "not" be on the BOE.

You are completely out of touch. Maybe you should change your name to The Real Nut job!

TRT,

As a Central parent, i didn't know anyone existed at the school that thinks Grier & company are doing anything but a dimal job. Oh, I take that back, they are doing a really good job at running off good people, increasing private school enrollment and bankrupting the system like he's done every where else he's been

I am a Central parent. Garth speaks the truth. I do not agree with him on neighborhood schools but i do agree with accountability. Grier has to go . i told the school board that and received a nasty reply from Marti. Glad she is gone!! Our AYP scores should have been enough to fire him not an extension on contract.

Did anyone out there see yesterday's ridiculous lead editorial? Here's a counterpoint I sent in, maybe it'll get printed:

Dr. Terry Grier’s loudest critics are fond of “whistfully rhyming?” Maybe the News & Record should investigate just who these critics are. I can tell you that parents of High Point children make up a very small percentage of these “critics.”

Ask the parents. Ask the rank-and-file, the instructional staff in Guilford County Schools themselves, and they too will share a difference of opinion. They can also tell stories of how this system continuously mismanages taxpayer money. And the children are the ones who are put on the back burner because of the system’s missed priorities.

Using the N&R’s own words, here’s where the math doesn’t work: student achievement in Guilford County is not up. Nearly 46 percent of schools achieved expected or high growth. That means that over 50 percent of schools did not. Schools that were on Judge Howard Manning’s widely-publicized closure list earlier in the year still remain there. Is Mission Possible working? Is there data to show it is working? Is the illegal bussing of our High Point children yielding the promised results? My sources tell me enrollment is way down at the affected schools, of which Dot Kearns, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke and the other liberals on the School Board promised to racially diversify. The Board’s little socioeconomic experiment is failing and the only thing it has accomplished thus far, in addition to pushing more families out of the system entirely, is to begin the process of electing progressive citizens like Garth Hebert to the Board.

Did Mr. Grier deserve a contract extension? A beleaguered school construction program, costly academic programs that are not working, lack of whistleblowing protection for teaching staff, the threatened removal of middle school resource officers (in the name of satisfying political agendas and special interests)—for all of this and more, I see where Mr. Grier deserved a contract extension.

Thankfully, two Board members denied him that opportunity. But for Childs, Cooke and Kearns, all of whom are up for reelection in 2008, several challengers await the opportunity to transform this Board into one that puts children first. Stay tuned.

E.C. Huey
Greensboro

E.C. Huey,

I am curious to know what you mean by "beleaguered" and how Dr. Grier is responsible (i.e. for the construction flaws found at Eastern, Kernodle and Hairston). Which costly academic programs are not working? And is Dr. Grier in fact trying to remove middle school resource officers? I thought that was a motivation by some of the board members (in the end, the board commissioned the staff to study alternatives to school discipline/safety, so removing the SROs is not a sure thing).

Mr. Huey,

I extend my appreciation of the letter that you've written and I hope that the N&R will indeed print it.

If you decide to run in 2008, you will have the support of many.

Thank you.

Morgan,
Middle College at A&T and Bennett are not working. Many of the magnet schools aren't working if the definition of working is passing AYP's or ABC's or EOG's.

Dr Grier is not responsible for the question about SRO's are middle schools-that is a political agenda.

The Academy at Central is a joke. Fights everyday, kids cussing out teachers, a major accident waiting to happen there. But Grier wanted it and many people tried to tell him it wouldn't work. Who pays the price for his continued errors! Our students

Morgan,

Why don't you think that Grier isn't responsible for the construction problems at the three middle schools? Is he not in charge of the schools as superintendent? And, what about the Oakwood Home's fiasco? We overpaid extremely for a property and didn't even inspect sufficiently to realize that expensive repairs would be needed. Is he responsible for that, and, indeed, to be rewarded with a contract extension and greater job security?

It seems that everything that good happens in this district is attributable to Terry Grier, but when things go wrong, he bears no responsibility. If someone on his staff is not performing adequately, he is responsible. The buck stops at his desk, unless, of course, he is allowed to deflect the responsiblity to someone else.

Is there anything that Terry Grier can do that the News-Record would take issue with or hold him responsible or accountable? Anything?

Morgan,

I'll ask you the same question that I have asked Allen Johnson several times with no reponse.

How can Allen say that Grier deserved a contract extension, in part, because student achievement is up? Please show us the statistics that support that statement.

The Early College of Education at Southwest has 3 students enrolled. I would say that was also a waste....after Grier was told it wouldn't work.

How about the World Class magnet programs at Andrews? Thhhhht, not working.

Morgan, are you new here? Are you really going to challenge the readers of this blog on the history of GCS? Girl, you came back from vacation with SPUNK!!

Hairston, Kernodle and Eastern middle were built before Grier came here-- so I can't blame him for that, however the lack of open communication when the problem was found lays on his plate. To somewhat balance that, I do admire his mainly open communication with the Eastern fire.

Morgan,

Speaking of programs not working, what is the status of the cooking academy at Central since Bruce Davis has disapproved of this?

What is now in the Tomlinson Building? Anyone?

I believe beleaguered school construction program would be cost overruns on various projects and not inspecting the building at Oakwood Homes before buying. Anita covered that subject quite well.

Above all "beleaguered school construction" would mean shifting funds from bond projects the voters had voted on (perhaps before your time Morgan) and putting them into projects like the Smith Academy that the voters did not VOTE on for bond funds (refer to commissioners's meeting on same), and the continued obsessions with percentage of minority contracts instead of looking for the best person to do the best job for the best price. As recently mentioned "set asides" for the sake of diversity are illegal. Beside that GCS is meeting their legal percentage women and minority contracts.

The school system should get out of the building business and back to the education business.

Grier did do a great job in finding locations for the Eastern students in an emergency situaion.

Debora,

Where have you seen the open communications about the Eastern fire? I must have missed that. It seems that the News-Record has assumed the role of getting information from GCS that they need, per Pam Dawson's posts. As a matter of fact, I've seen little communication, open or otherwise, from Terry Grier or his staff.

Speaking of communications, who was appointed to coordinate the Eastern situation? Surely, someone on the GCS staff was appointed as a full-time coordinator to work with the Eastern folks to smooth this situation for them and find answers for them on many concerns, because it appears that they really have needed and deserved it.

Stormy,
the Monday after the fire there was an approximate one hour televised meeting where Dr. Grier, and many of his staff answered questions, gave the plans etc. There have been many (not enough) answers on the website. I'm sure that not all the details are being talked about, but for the first few days after the fire, there was alot of communication. I think its time to update everyone on further plans for those students.
Everyone probably knows that I don't agree or support Dr. Grier very often, but give the devil his due. On occasion he does some decent things.

The school board set these goals for Grier. Increasing the number of minority contractors has nothing to do with education. This is political agenda oriented. Many feel there are significant conflicts of interest involved here.

In the end, the buck stops with the school board if they are setting arbitrary and subjective goals or ones that have nothing to do with education. I agree with Debora if someone does something right give him credit.

Pam, I would say hang in there, keep plugging away at the questions until you get answers. I would imagine the questions and details are overwhelming. Write everything down so you can remember. All the kinds can be worked out over time. The important thing is to stay organized and have all your parents involved in the process of getting it right.

meant to type all the "kinks" can be worked out

Debora,

OK, if the Eastern folks are all satisfied that they are being well-served by Terry Grier and his staff in their time of need, then that's good enough for me. I'll stand at ease.

Stormy,
I don't have kids at Eastern and I think Pam has many questions. As a person that has watched many things happened behind closed doors, I just thought it was nice to have some answers for the Eastern people in what was a relatively fast and open way. There seem to be many kinks that will have to be worked out, but moving and accomodating 1000 plus students in just a few days is a good feat.

Morgan, et. al.: I think others have taken the words out of my mouth and have spoken eloquently. The buck stops with Grier, whether it be the construction problems or student achievement or magnet programs that are not working. Grier is at the helm. GCS needs to get out of the construction business because it is doing nothing but continuing to wa$te money. Appoint an outside firm to take over all real estate and construction matters so that GCS can attempt to focus on what should be its core purpose: educating our children.

Which academic programs are not working? Geesh, where do I start? Responsible Discipline Process, now known as Positive Behavior Support; SpringBoard...start with those two.

Andrews is a "technology magnet" and yet the technology in that school is a joke. Many staff do not have access to technology in that building.

NumbersGame...thank you for the anticipated support. I will have an announcement very shortly regarding my intentions for 08 as I'm still exploring the feasibility of running. But I will have an announcement soon.

E.C. Huey
Greensboro
hueyforguilfordschoolboard@yahoo.com

Erik,

You have my support too. I guarantee that you will have the support of many others.

There will be a strong force helping you get elected.

And a force that has learned quite well from past mistakes and not making those same ones in the 2006 District 2 election.

Luke 5, Truth, et. al.:

Thanks to both of you as well. Let me just say this, I'm exploring either the Cooke seat or the Kearns seat, and I'm leaning heavily towards the Kearns seat. Childs, Cooke and Kearns are all vulnerable in 08 and if we can put a good grass roots slate together, then I think a good strong voting bloc can be be established on the Board and we can really starting doing some good for these children. If I focus on the Kearns seat, and folks, I'm leaning very heavily towards that right now, I'm starting very early. I look forward to everyone's anticipated support as we begin to build a grass roots countywide campaign.

Stay tuned...

E.C. Huey
Greensboro
hueyforguilfordschoolboard@yahoo.com

Huey,

I really hope you take on Dot so you can feel what its like to get beaten up by an old woman! You Grier Haters don't get to cocky. You only won District 2 because we let you win. Maines didn't make a good candidate either so Garth won by default. I didn't support or vote for either one of them. Even the news papers agonized over giving Garth their endoresment but in the end it came down to who was less worse. Debbie's a nice person (unlike Garth)but wrong for the BOE. Garth was just less worse thats all. Huey won't stand a chance against the Kearns machine. She is loved throughout Guilford County and will get energetic tireless support assuming she runs again. If she doesn't we'll hand pick someone qualified that is progressive and positive unlike you. Someone enlightened who can continue to support Grier and the positive things he's doing for our children. So I hope you run because I will take great pleasure in humiliating you and your supporters. I'll give you a civics lesson you will never forget. I'm not afraid of your intimidation tactics. I'll combat your lies with the truth! I can't wait til November 2008! Grier will be here until 2010 and longer if we are lucky!!!

The Real Truth

TRT,

If Dot has a chance of winning, it'll have to come from GSO, because she has lost all of her HP support, including Emerywood where she lives.

"you only won District 2 because we let you win"

Sure sounds like a poor loser to me.

Bring it on in 2008! We have tons of practice now for what it takes to win and two years to get even better. Maybe we can send you a package with some more Kerry/Edwards stickers for your Volvo to cheer you up.

TRT- Come on...Dot would be 81 years old by the end of the next term. An 81 year old school board member??? Puh-lease. Even Greensboro won't go for that. That fact and the Get Grier Outta Here platform will be enough to win the seat.

Do I think Dot will run? Yes Will she win? NO!!!! I voted for her last time but never again. She doesn't even have the nerve to respond to my emails.

DebbieG

We hope you will join forces to help elect a new, progressive at-large school board member. By joining hands across the county we can change our schools. Two years is a lot of time to start the momentum rolling.

One way or another Dot is going down in 2 years.

Grave,

I pray that you are correct.

TRT: you sound very bitter. And it is sad because you could be putting your energy into helping us do something good for our children. Who said anything about telling lies? I'm a Christian, I don't tell lies. I will be telling the truth in this campaign, if and when I make my intentions known, and the truth hurts. The truth, TRT, is that Dot's votes have hurt our children and it is time for a change. And we will simply expose all of those votes. That's all. But hey, if you think you can do better, then throw your hat in the ring too. The more the merrier. But it sounds like you're taking a page out of the liberal playbook and resorting to character assassination before the campaign has even started. So bring it on, TRT. Let's have some fun...

E.C. Huey
GSO
hueyforguilfordschoolboard@yahoo.com

Mr. Huey-
I think I love you!

TRT-
If you could "hand pick someone qualified who is progressive and positive" why didn't you put somebody up for Susan's seat?

HFan: this campaign, if and when I make my intentions known, is likely to get ugly, especially if Kearns decides to run again. Some things are likely to be said that people may not like. Politics is an ugly game. But I'm not political. All I will do is tell the truth. For it is the politics and the political agendas and the special interests that have hurt this school system.

I'm a former Andrews H.S. teacher. That puts me on the playing field. I'm a father of a 1st grader at Guilford Primary School. That, too, puts me on the playing field. I see the waste. I see the mismanagement. I've seen how redistricting has destroyed a long-time icon such as Andrews H.S., a fixture of that community for years. And I've seen how a lack of resources and attention has destroyed that school. It's not a money issue, it's not a color issue, it's not a diversity issue, it is a continuing lack of resources issue.

I could count on one hand the number of times I've seen Dot and Walt while I was there teaching at Andrews. No board members ever came to our classrooms...None!

Ask Dot and Walt if they've seen any of the reports from the State Assistance Team last year. It took a RHINO TIMES article over the summer to trigger the progressive DARLENE GARRETT to seek out the preliminary, the monthly and the final report(s) from that assistance team. then ask Dot and Walt why they found nothing wrong with Grier's attitude toward the state assistance team when they were briefing him on their findings before last school year ended, and how they walked out, and this was documented by an assistance team member. And then after all that, ask why they voted him a raise and a contract extension.

Not lies, but truth.

a typo...it was Grier, according to this team member, that had walked out when the team was briefing him on their final report, a briefing that took place according to state law on a final report and monthly reports that were required according to state law.

BTW, my sources tell me more schools have teams this year, and Andrews, once again, has a team.

E.C. Huey
GSO
hueyforguilfordschoolboard@yahoo.com

What became of the team's suggestions for Andrews? What about all those magnet or specialty programs there? There was a lot of money spent prior to the choice plan or with the choice plan to make some technology labs etc. What we need to do is focus on the basics.

Those students (not just Andrews, but the ones that have assist. teams) need to be taught to read and write at a minimum level first. Repeatedly I have said that you don't 'get dumb' in the 10th grade when tested on EOG's-- one of the problems is that middle school is not nearly rigorous. My 8th grade son is not doing anything more challenging than he did in the 5th grade in English. Of course he reads at a higher level than then, but the course work, projects etc are no tougher than when he was 5th grade. How will he ever be ready for Honors or AP English (BTW he is strong AL) so he is capable of doing more, he just isn't required to.

If you take that thought farther, then the students in regular class just aren't getting pushed hard enough to stretch them.

Mr. Huey,
What do you think of paying the school board more? If the pay was equivilent to a 'real' job maybe some of the board would treat it as such and work in the schools, etc. I know that many of the school board work full time jobs, when can they visit schools and see what is really going on? They have families to support. Would more people run if we paid them more? There are many committee meetings that the board members are assigned to, and that takes time. I don't see how they can be effective when it is just a 'second' job for many. I am not advocating to pay $80,000 or anything high number, but for the hours required to do a good job I don't think $12,000 is much. I know that many drive all over the county, go to assemblies at schools, meetings, project teams, etc as well as the regular BOE meetings. Just something to think about.

And one more thing, if you decide to run; good luck! I fear that the political machine that backs Dot always comes out during a Presidental year. Many are provided with transportation and given a check list of 'good' candidates for their suggested voting. Although BOE is non partisian, the support of GC Democratic party can be a powerful opponent.

Deb: as far as I know, very little has been done, if anything at all, according to my inside sources there. As I said, they have a team there again as I speak. I taught "college prep" English there, both 9th and 10th grade, that was in no way "college prep." I pushed my kids. I demanded higher expectations. But some of the precious darlings I had during my tenure there were plagued with severe discipline problems. Many came from broken homes, where there was abuse in the home. Several "A" students I had while I was there came from abusive families, and they knew what they had to do to get their education. But there were students there who wasted time. Regretfully, administrators were told to slow down the suspension rates because "downtown was concerned." Sounds like a political agenda to me instead of either disciplining children or attempting to provide a good structural alternative setting, which they desperately needed.

The specialty programs? They're just surviving, there was no real effort to promote those programs, and there still isn't. I could go on and on, and I will, in time. Paying the Board more? There's plus and minuses to that. The pluses being that members could focus more on their core Board duties. Minuses? Turning into even more of a political machine than some of them think it is already.

BTW, for what it's worth, I'm well aware of the GC political democratic machine. I was once a part of it. And then I got wise and started thinking for myself, long before I got involved in school advocacy. I know what I'm up against. I'm not afraid. Because our efforts will be grass roots.

Stay tuned.

E.C. Huey
GSO
hueyforguilfordschoolboard@yahoo.com

Isn't it possible that the Guilford County Dems would support Mr. Huey once they hear what he's about?

That would put the proverbial nail in Dot's coffin.

Nail in Dot's coffin? You need a stake, mallet, and silver bullets.

Various posters:
I am well aware of the construction issues of which you speak, given that I reported on them (three middle schools, Smith Academy, Dudley, etc.) I was asking Mr. Huey to elaborate on his points. I started working here in April and I haven't been on vacation.

The reality of it all is that only a minority of citizens in Guilford are truly disenchanted with the BOE's policies and that's the North High Point community.

The preponderance of Guilford resident's are satisfied with the direction of the Board as evidenced by the number of uncontested BOE seats in 2006.

For all the chattering about throwning the bums out and posturing going on, the 2008 BOE results will be a repeat of 2006.

I predict Garth will take a pragmatic approach on the Board and in order to be effective will understand the need to work with Dr. Grier in order to effectuate the best policies for our kids. Compromise and teamwork always trumps threats and innuendo. After all, Garth will be only one voice among the many and in order to deliver for his constituency will need to give and take in order to promote change.

After all, it's all about the polietics.

Dear Realistic Parent,
I think many parents in various parts of the county are not happy, however that doesn't necessarily equate with running for the school board. I think it is a hard and thankless job, even when people are happy with your participation.

I too believe that Garth will take a practical approach and work with the board, but Dr. Grier works at the pleasure of the board (as he has said many times)-- I hope Garth will be vocal in what he sees as the needs of our students. Look at what Deena has been able to do since she is vocal enough about MWBE's-- it is now part of Dr. Grier's evaluation, when in truth it has nothing to do with education. Maybe Garth can get education as part of the evaluation-- too numbers, not small accomplishments. Contrary to what has been reported, most school's scores are down, many programs waste money, there are way to many 'meetings' for administrators that take them out of their schools, the teachers are afraid to complain and don't think they are important. Crime is up in our schools, etc.

Many of use decide to work within the system to try to make changes, but that doesn't mean we would run for school board.

It's sad of the vitriol that's hurled at Dr. Grier by many who post on this blog. Dr. Grier works at the pleasure of the Guilford County Board of Education and his performance is overseen by elected officials who determine if he has succeeded in implementing the policies they direct him to follow or if he doesn't have the authority to terminate his employment.

If we are unhappy with the progress of education in our county, the elected officials should be held responsible and voted out. Apparently, the indignation level for this to succeed is not high enough, thus not serious enough for change to occur as evidenced by the lack of contested BOE seats in 2006.

The people of Guilford County have spoken and in contrast to the vocal minority in North High Point, the BOE has been given an overwhelming mandate to continue it's policies to better equip our children for the future.

RP,
Debora is NOT from High Point!

Having said that I agree that "most" of the people that are against Grier are from High Point. The main problem being that this area is being trested differently the rest of the County.
Discrimination tends to bring out the fighting spirit in people and sometimes its not very pretty.
Only when we ( High Point) are treated the same will we back off.
Until then we are going to be a pain.

Truth,

I never mentioned anything about Deborah being a resident of NHP. Please specify my comment that indicated such.

When 66% of High Point's HS's were performing less than spectacular, the BOE tried to implement policies to reverse the slide and educational achievement inequities that were being experienced at Andrews & Central vs Southwest. I can understand the frustrations of especially the NHP parents when faced with the measures put into place that were implemented to improve educational quality in that community, the policies were well intentioned, but unfortunately the attempted integration of urban kids with the better to do suburban crowds are almost always met with opposition.

Realist Parent,

And now the number is 100% of High Point's high schools are performing less than spectacular.

WOW!

Let's see. What board members were unopposed this year?

Deena: her people are probably happy with her performance. After all, she is trying her best to teach them that if they whine loud enough and claim that everything is about race, they won't have to work hard. That one is understood.

Alan: he votes one way for his schools (the way the parents wish) and another way for the High Point schools. Comes off as a slimeball hypocrit to some but not to the people in his district. If I lived in his district, I would want him back too.

Darlene: Her people love her because she votes with empathy. If it isn't something she would want for her own kids/family, she doesn't force it on others. Understood.

Dr. Routh: The whole county loves her because she votes with her heart and her brain and not with underlying, sleezy motives. She is a great asset to Guilford County. If she ever decides not to run I hope it is because she is going to become our superintendent.

The Real Truth,

You have just bolstered the case for maintaining the status quo at the Board of Education.

RT,

Darlene Garret didn't run for election this year. she was re-elected in 2006. If you are wrong on this, what else are you wrong about? Check your facts.

Morgan,

I think that the reason that someone made the comment about coming back from vacation is that Joe Binker made this post on 11/11, and it sounded as though you were gone and Jenifer was manning the education beat solo:

"There was indeed news between Nov. 6 and 9 off the education beat. It was both online and in the newspaper. Jennifer was running the education beat solo during those dates (Morgan has had a few days off) which were busy due to the continuing situation with Eastern. A quick check of our publishing system shows Jennifer had at least four or five stories in process during that time that have shown up in the paper since or will Sunday."

RP,

And Dudley was on Judge Manning's list. Let's see....I wonder why these students weren't bussed to Page and Grimsley and Page and Grimsley students bussed to Dudley or everyone just put in a fixed lottery or just a little swapping - Oh that's right, High Point is different. We have been told that many times. Old High Point and its leaders are seeing the rippled effects of supporting the lottery. The North continues to boycott downtown. Recent editorials in the papers have given testimony that not only are Greensboro and High Point competing but there is a rift between the North HP and downtown.

RP,You are so out of touch. The lottery was never about education. One reason that was given for the lottery was to remove the overcrowding at SWH. It was about making Central whiter and brighter. Now all the schools have issues, and guess what, SW is more overcrowded than ever with more houses being built near the school.

There are other low performing schools improving without all the swapping. If the focus is on education and discipline, it can be done. Garth will focus on this and look out for all students. One by one the members of the board who voted for the lottery are being replaced.

Morgan: e-mail me and I'm more than happy to elaborate. For the record, the Board should get out of the real estate and construction business entirely (vis-a-vis, another position of mine)....I feel the Board should explore the appointment of an outside firm to handle all construction and real estate, let this firm deal with contractors and (almost illegal) set-asides. The Board's core business should be overseeing that GCS is educating our children and that is NOT taking place as evidenced by our once-again lackluster ABC and AYP scores.

E.C. Huey
GSO
hueyforguilfordschoolboard@yahoo.com

Realistic Parent,
The real problem is that the board was prepared to cut into our community and send half of it to the other side of town. This is something they would not consider for Dudley, Grimsley, Adams Farm, Eastern etc etc.
I have no problem who comes to my local school but I dont think the board has the right to assign people who live less that a mile away from a school to somewhere else.
Until this happens to you then you cannot imagine how angry this makes you feel.
But as you point out this will realistically not happen to you since you dont live in High Point.

I am actually really bored of trying to explain this to people.

Truth,

In every school district there are lines drawn where kids that might live within spitting distances of a school are assigned to another school farther away for reasons such as overcrowding, course selection, and many others to numerous to mention here. This situation is not necessarily peculiar to High Point, but occurs nationwide. So please spare me the "We've been Martyrd" crap.

Your community was singled out as a result of the disparity between the three HS as a result of the quality of education and other factors. To complain that Greensboro should get the same treatment is childish and narrow minded and not a true apples to apples comparison in light of the fact that it doesn't have the significant amount of problems that 66% of the HS in your community has. I believe the State had sent in teams to help turn 66% of HP's High Schools around.

Sometimes kids have to be taken out of an environment and placed into one that helps the child to flourish and be more creative. The BOE attempted this but was met with opposition from a minority of parents who preferred to be equal but separate, and that's sad.

RP,

Why don't you find one single child that has flourished as a result of being bused to SW?

And as someone earlier posted, it's no longer 66% of the high schools failing in HP - it's now 100%.

Is that really what the board intended?

Some say yes.

The reasons that you mention like overcrowding and course selection would be acceptable except that this was just blatant bussing/swapping. I think you know already.

RP, this is America. People will not accept that their children be forced to go to the fourth lowest school in the state.
People are deserting Southwest and running for Davidson County, Home schooling and Private schools.
Call it being selfish, call it what you like but its reality.

The final result will be that Southwest ends up like Central and Andrews.

Its reality. Its happenning.

So, let me ask you how do you think the problems should be solved? Why could ANdrews and Central not have the same solution as Dudley or Smith?

I would not wish what happenned to North High Pointers and South High Pointers on anyone.

I dont understand why the board thinks why a Black or Poor child can only learn next to a White or a middle class child. I frankly find it labeling and insulting.

I would also like to know why Andrews cannot be treated lie Dudley or Smith?

My mistake. Darlene was elected in 2006.

All I was saying is that these people ran unopposed because the people in their districts are happy with them.

The reason only one seat was contested is because Susan didn't do anything for her people at any school other than Central for the last 10 years and it finally became obvious.

Somebody like Deena running unopposed doesn't necessarily mean that her people are happy with Grier. They are happy with her and what she is trying to do for them, while screwing the rest of the county in the process. Why would somebody from her own district run against her? (At least not until Skip tells them to...he runs that district)

To answer the previous question, Andrews can't be treated like Dudley or Smith because Andrews doesn't have any board representation. I feel certain that somebody will run for that seat in 2008.

Realistic, I would also like to know where else this type of direct swapping is happenning in Guilford County? The problem is exactly as you said, High Point was "singled out".

If the school board had done this anywhere else then there would be uproar. It would not happen. So why was High Point singled out? Its not the only place with failing schools in this County.

I think Nancy Routh said it best back in 2004:

You don't have to move kids to educate them!

So take that RT!!

RP,

How have the children that were bussed to SWH and Middle School been helped? There are many stories about these children being late for school and some missing their bus after school. How does being tardy for class give them the courses they need? How is getting home late at night helping them with homework time? Go visit the middle school and see how the number of ISS have increased.

Some of the bussed students at SWM have begged to go back to Welborn. Others have simply walked out of class and their parents have picked them up. Many cannot participate in sports or after school activities and they have no transporation from home. These are the students who have been failed even further.

One more thing, Truth is 100% correct. Parents who care about their children's futures are not going to send their children to one of the lowest schools in the state. They will do whatever it takes to provide an sound education for their children. Many people in North High Point and the Jamestown areas moved here from excellent school districts. They have no roots here and will never be forced to a failing school. As Darlene G said a few board meetings ago. "People said they wouldn't come and they did not come." And Truth is right, it does get "boring" and tiring explaing this over and over again. END OF STORY.

My sources within Andrews tell me enrollment currently is in the 900s, down from 1200 this time last year and waaayyyy below "projections."

They didn't come....

E.C. Huey
GSO (not HP, not NHP)
huey@guilfordschoolboard@yahoo.com

E.C.

If you run, you will get alot of support and I think the county will come together for once!

They better because: IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BRING DOWN AN IDIOT AND HIS SUPPORTERS!

Real T.
I agree with your last two posts.

It looks like this redistricting over in High Point does not work.
Why not reverse it and then it will stop them all complaining and get on with educating?

RP-If Gboro has 2 schools with dismal results and one that is succeeding and all three are in the same proximity as the HP schools, would you agree to a swapping?
And if the swapping occurs, do you think that the board members in that area will have an opponent the next time their term is up?

The best analogy I ever heard was from a Ragsdale student who spoke at the overcrowded Smith Stadium in winter 2003 after GCS proposed the "Triangle Shuffle" Swap.

He said if you have two cars that are broken and one is working. You don't swap all the parts, mix them up and expect them all to run. You now just have three broken cars. That is what has happened in the three High Point high schools with all the redistricting, swapping, parents leaving.

Eastern, undoing redistricting now is not an immediate fix as we have lost so many children and families to private schools and to other counties. The focus needs to be of fixing the problems not putting problems on a long bus ride.

As someone posted here, why couldn't Andrews be treated the same as Smith and Dudley. Smith received a top notch, proven principal who turned around a struggling minority school in Norfolk. I lived in the Tidewater Area for 23 years. Lake Taylor High School had quite a reputation. These are the kind of leaders we need to run our schools that are struggling. Leaders who will focus on self-esteem, discipline, hard work and education. And as someone else said and I agree, it is insulting to think that you have to have a black child sitting next to a white child so he can learn.

And finally, education and failing students starts way before high school. Most of the time by then, it is too late. These same kids who can't read were here in the system long before Dr. Grier came. It is time to get back to the basics of education and enforcing the rules in our schools for all students. Think of all the time, energy, money wasted and hard feelings as a result of the constant redistricting, swapping, lotteries, threats of redistriscting in the High Point Schools. All this time, money and energy could have been spent on education, volunteering, tutors, teachers, etc. I know Garth can make a difference and we are looking forward to Mr. Huey coming on board. Mr. Huey I have enjoyed your posts immensely. Sometimes the truth does hurt.

I'm not surprised you sick people would relish in the thought of Dot Kearns's passing. You really are demented. You don't have to agree with her but to equate someone's death in a positive light is just sick! All because you don't want your darlings sitting next to black students! You people are beyond shameful! Dot has been a stalwart leader in this County longer than most of you have been alive. She does it for the good of the citizens .... period. She votes what she believes is best for all children and, unlike you, she cares about all children no matter what color their skin. Dot deserves better, she deserves respect!

I'm confident that you will not get your wish and the school board will remain in the hands of reasonable people. Because a handful of nuts cannot influence the rest of Guilford County. Dr Grier will be here as long as he wants and Garth will continue to act like a jerk (because he knows no other way to act) and gain no support among other board members. You will continue to be disrespectful and behave like spoiled babies.

The Real Truth!

The reason the redistribution of equitable education in the High Point community didn't work, was because a vocal minority wouldn't allow it to work. The strategic plan proposed and implemented by officials elected by you and me was not permitted the breadth of time in order to show results.

Barbara Ann, the majority of the schools in Greensboro at the time of implementation of the HP plan were not broken. Comparing Greensboro to HPoint is not an apples to apples comparison in light of the dismal condition that the HP schools were in. I can't quite understand that the NHP people don't see the significance of the problem, 66% (2/3rds) of the schools in High Point were in need of bold and immediate attention as a result of failing to educate the community of High Point's kids in an equitable manner. It's unfortunate that certain parents in that community felt that the other part of High Point's kids are entitled to an equitable education so long as they don't bus kids to their kid's schools.

Garth is your typical politician, blusters a lot during the campaign, "I'm gonna fix this, I'm gonna fix that, oh look out now, here's comes Mr. Accountability with my 10 digit calculator and if I can't credit it I'll debit it"... all attributed to the puffing qualities of someone wanting to get elected. However, upon ascension to the seat, reality sets in and how the tune changes. He's already pissed off quite a few of his future fellow board members who are biding their time to trim back his feathers. Being a maverick and not a team player doesn't sit well. Keep in mind he's only one among 12(?) who decides what's best for our kids and at this point, his ability to be effective off the blocks doesn't appear to be going well. And his accounting prowess is gonna bring accountability to the Board...yeah where else have we heard that...Just ask the millions who lost their pensions where were the accountable accountants when it came to cooking the books at Enron, MCI Worldcom, etc?

Fancy Nancy,

You are correct, It Does Take A Village.

Smith and Dudley have been broken for years. Back in 1998 you an check statistics and see just as many failing kids leaving those schools as Andrews and Central.
Get your facts straight RP

"the majority of the schools in Greensboro at the time of implementation of the HP plan were not broken"

Who has told you that lie Unrealistic?

Its just a down right lie! As truth said. Check the numbers.

RP,

You do not have all the facts. I take it you do not live in High Point and know what went on behind the scenes with the Central alumni and the local politicians. There is more than meets the eye. Many of us have been involved for many years and know quite well what the real agendas were. You know what the influenced press wrote. The "Choice Plan" was not about Andrews. That has been explained many times before. There was much reseach and thousands of man hours put in to show that a lottery, busing and/or swapping doesn't work. The "world class" programs never came. What and the heck good was it to make SW an "arts school" in name. Ever heard the term "Starving Artists"?
The problems at particular schools should have been addressed long ago with competent, strong leadership at the school, emphasis on following the rules and being respectful, thus keeping competent teachers on board. Resources in the way of tutors and mentors should have been provided BEFORE a state team had to come in. If Andrews were still a Title I school, it would be an Opt out school like several others. What would this solve? It would just move struggling students to another location. If a child can't read or keep up by the 9th grade it doesn't matter where he physically sits if he is not getting the help he needs, nor wants to be helped. Each child needs to be followed on an individual basis. I would bet that the struggling student no matter where he was bused from or to is still the same struggling student.

Yes, those who wanted "equality" got their wish - three "equally" bad or mediocre schools.

You are wrong about Garth. Garth has a heart for all children. He is a very intelligent and dedicated person. He has a keen sense of the business world and how it works, something lacking in many of our board members. It is sad you are singling him out to fail before he has even started. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

And as someone mentioned Deena for example, look how far she has gotten with minority contracts - even one of Dr. Grier's goals now for the year. There is definitely the "power of one" and it seems the squeaky wheel eventually get the oil. Above all, it will be great to have someone on the board who questions the numbers, right or wrong. This can only help our schools to improve. So far Anita, Nancy, Darlene have done a great job asking the right questions. They ask and analyze before they blindly vote for things.

No one in their right mind, if they could prevent it, would send their child to a school that is considered one of the lowest in the states. They only get one shot at their child's education and future. But in the end, it is the children who are just bused to a "better" location, who are still being failed.

Truth,

Do Dudley & Smith represent 66% of the schools broken in Greensboro, as Central & Andrews in the HP community.

Not even close.

Speak the truth for once and shame the devil, Truth, 'cause your comparisons are realistic.

Smith and Dudley represent 50% (not too far off from 66%) of the HS in Greensboro, all other schools are in the county. Western, Eastern, Ragsdale, NW, NE, SE are all in the county-- actually Western might now be located in Greensboro town limits, but has never been considered a 'Greensboro' school.

RP hasn't been paying attention. The schools merged quite a few years ago. It is a COUNTY school system.

The board isn't supposed to break down the "schools in High Point" anymore than they can break down the "schools in West Greensboro" or the "schools on McGuinn Drive".

As for the Choice Plan in HP..the white parents at Andrews wanted those black kids out of their school. That is where it started.

thanks BarbaraAnn, & fancyNancy for the early vote of confidence. Folks, the bottom line is this...nowhere else in our county has incurred the illegtal busing of our children. The fact remains that HP continues to be the forgotten stepchild of this county school system and it has to end. Part of the problem, many realize, is that HP never prepared for growth and if they built the schools they needed to handle the growth, we probably wouldn't be in this predicament. That's why I would support the construction of our next newest schools to be built in HP, but I will not support any more bond referendums until the mismanagement of taxpayer money ends on Eugene Street.

BTW, I'm planning an announcement sometime after Thanksgiving and I'm in the early stages of soliciting volunteers. E-mail me if you're interested because this will truly be an all grass-roots, countywide effort. I'm also on the hunt for a location to have a news conference when my announcement is made.

E.C. Huey
GSO
hueyforguilfordschoolboard@yahoo.com

RP,

"I can't quite understand that the NHP people don't see the significance of the problem, 66% (2/3rds) of the schools in High Point were in need of bold and immediate attention as a result of failing to educate the community of High Point's kids in an equitable manner."

If that is so, who was on the school board when the kids of High Point were failed to be educated? Ta-ta. Dot Kearns and Suosan Mendenhall. I guess it's time for both to go. Oh, Susan is already gone, isn't she? Perhaps, someone will defeat here in 2008 who will be interested in really educating the kids. Dot has had her chance many times. All we have to show for it is three failing high schools.

RP, here are the composite passing rate scores for the schools we are talking about for the last few years. If you go back even more then the same trends continue. One interesting thing is that Andrews was a much better school in 2003 when the Choice plan was being hatched out. I dont know all the details but I believe that Grier TOTALLY mis-managed the leadership of the school about then which virtually sent the school in a nose dive. If you look at the scores then you have to ask the question why werent Smith and Dudley given a higher priority for great things such as the choice plan? Back then they had much worse scores. Strange? Perhaps you can explain that.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Andrews 56.4 51.7 41.2 35.2 41.1
Smith 43.8 41.4 44.1 45.5 47.5
Dudley 37.2 48.5 45.6 50.9 51.7
Central 60 60.7 54.6 52.4 61.1
Southwest 66.2 72.2 73.6 73.7 70.7

By the way, this is all public info. I believe the site has been linked on here several times.

Lets try and line the up for you a little.

..........2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Andrews...56.4 51.7 41.2 35.2 41.1
Smith.....43.8 41.4 44.1 45.5 47.5
Dudley....37.2 48.5 45.6 50.9 51.7
Central...60 60.7 54.6 52.4 61.1
Southwest.66.2 72.2 73.6 73.7 70.7

Interesting numbers Truth.

Its seems that Andrews and Central have higher combined average passing rates in every year except one for the past six years. The year they were worse was 04/05. In 05/06 they scored better again.

We pass more kids in High Point than Greensboro city? WOW!!!

Why has the school board been obsessed with High Point?

Some people say that it is not feasible to bus struglling schools of Dudley and Smith with those high flyers Grimsley and Page.

Distance from Dudley to Page = 6.1 miles
Distance from Smith to Grimsley = 5.4 miles

Now lets look at High Point.

Distance from Southwest to Andrews = 6.3 miles
Distance from Southwest to Central = 9.4 miles

I am not going to split hairs but come on. Of its feasible in High Point then why not Greensboro? We have already established with Truths numbers that Dudley and Smith need more help.

Did you know that Ragsdale is 1.2 miles closer to Andrews than Southwest?

High Points rests its case.

Discrimination confirmed.

(or was it lack of representation?)

To Barbara Ann and The End:

I take offense to your comments that,"No one in their right mind ... would send their child to a school that is considered one of the lowest in the states." and "Parents who care about their children's futures are not going to send their children to one of the lowest schools in the state." I send my child to Andrews every day. Does that make me a bad parent in your eyes?

My child has received a great education at Andrews with the SAT/ACT/GPA/AP scores to prove it. Don't be so quick to criticize everything at Andrews if you don't know what you are talking about.

T.O.Y.: ...Again, and for the record, I taught at Andrews last year and the year before. I may have taught your child. I had several "A" students in my classes. I don't fault the school. I fault the lackluster leadership. I fault the district leadership that has allowed that school to tank. I fault the lack of Board representation that continuously fails to put any resources in Andrews.

E.C.
GSO

Dont blame Barbara Ann. Blame the school board. Andrews was a much better school a few years ago. The school board sold the idea that Andrews kids can only learn by the side of Southwest children. What does a Southwest parent think? He thinks thats BS and I am getting the hell out of here.

Think about it! We are all victims of the school board and Dr. Terry Grier.

I have heard stories through these years from Andrews parents and pupils about how good the school is and asking to be left alone.

The school board didnt listen.

Tired of You,

It was the white parents at your school that caused the school's reputation to plummet.

Before the choice plan was passed, they stood at the school board meetings and talked about all the problems at Andrews. They said there were no AP classes there. They talked about all the discipline problems. They talked about how much they were suffering. They painted a horrible picture of the school.

The Andrews parents were adamant that the only cure was to ship in some white kids and ship out some black kids. They had no intention of leaving Andrews, their kids wanted to stay. They wanted our white kids!!

Let me repeat, the Andrews parents weren't willing to sacrifice ANYTHING to solve the problem. They wanted white 15 year old kids to do all the work.

Dottie and others took it from there. Dot would say that one school was perceived to be better than the others when in actuality, nobody from SW was comparing schools. SW was no more concerned with what was going on at Andrews or Central than Northwest parents worry about Southeast, or Brooks Global parents worry about Montlieu.

The only thing most SW parents knew about Andrews was what they had recently learned which was ALL negative. Somehow the SW parents were then painted as racists because they didn't want their kids to go to the hellhole that the Andrews parents had described.

So forgive us if the only impression we have of Andrews is bad, but don't blame us.

And since your kid is doing so well, would you like to offer them up to help some poor struggling kids at one of our Middle Colleges?

REALISTIC PARENT:

WHAT DOES IT MATTER IF THE SCHOOLS ARE IN HIGH POINT, GREENSBORO, OR THE COUNTY??? I THOUGHT THIS WAS "GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS" FOR MANY YEARS, NOT HIGH POINT OR GREENSBORO SCHOOLS?? THIS IS ONE SYSTEM MANAGED BY THE SAME PEOPLE, THEREFORE IF SOME FAIL THEY ARE ALL IN THE SAME FORMULA.

Tired of You,

Ditto what "Central Parent" and "Tired of You" stated. The state numbers on the school as a whole speak for themselves along with a state team needed and Judge Manning's report. I vividly recall parents from Andrews standing at public forums in 2003 and 2004 and painting a VERY negative picture of Andrews. They shot themselves in the foot. 2003 was also the year of the many fights at Andrews along with the cheating scandals and athletes being removed for unreported absences. Unless the media has made all this up. Southwest parents didn't say this.

Many parents I know from Southwest called to volunteer and tutor at Andrews. They were turned away by the then principal and others.

No, you are not a bad parent. You do what you need to do. That is excellent that your child received a good education in spite of all the statistics, the loss of many students and the loss of many teachers. A good parent IMO works from within to help their child and their school, but trying to disrupt another person's school by stealing their kids is not the answer. You either help improve your school or get out if it doesn't work for you. Busing who you don't want out, and that goes for some of the original Central parents and alumni too (who caused some of the original redistricting problems), has not solved anything for anyone.

Each school should be helped where it is needed. Each school should have the resources and competent leadership it needs.

How do you think kids feel that were bused "out"? What message does that send to them? If it were me, I would feel I wasn't good enough or I was the cause of my school being considered "bad" so they bused me out. Never mind I cannot attend after school activities or sports in my own neighborhood - just bus me right past my school across town into the "white" school. The irony of this all is that SW was always a diverse school - by most standards, the perfect mix of numbers.

Barbara Ann and Tired of Dot:

You are missing the whole point. I am tired of hearing you say derogatory blanket statements about Andrews. Don't give me a tirade on the history of what you did as a great Southwest parent and what wrongs the Andrews parents did. All I'm saying is think before you type. You imply mean things about other people when you make blanket statements such as you did in the earlier posts I commented on. Stop doing it. You can make your point without including such comments.

And for you Tired of Dot, and your comment about my kid helping out at one of the middle colleges. My kid doesn't do that but does volunteer 4 hours a week at one of the struggling elementary schools in High Point. You just can't say anything unless it has a snide bite to it, can you.

TRT

P l e a s e go buy some more stickers for your Volvo. I know this will help your pain.

Tired of You,

Good luck in hoping for a toned down and civil discourse with these people.

They'll never forgive or forget the perceived "unfair" treatment they, the NHP group, received from the BOE and will always complain that they (meaning G'boro) deserved it to. Their vindictiveness will always cloud their desire to bring their entire community together. As a result, High Point will forever be divided by the Haves and the Have Nots.

Quite frankly, and here's the gist of the matter, NHP is the ritzier part of that community and don't want to associate with the lower class, which is typically minority and poor people, nor have these kids enrolled in their schools.

It's the classic struggle between the Haves and the Have Nots and it's occuring in High Point.

RP,

You've just described Emerywood, not North High Point.

Tired of You,
The derogatory statements about Andrews are true. IT IS ONE OF THE WORST PERFORMING SCHOOLS IN THE STATE.

Almost everyone I know that was suddenly redistricted to Andrews this year has made other plans. They are flourishing at HPCA, Weslayan, Forsyth County and Davidson County.

You might have a better mix of kids at Andrews if the Andrews parents hadn't painted such a desperate picture of the school. But to say "Our school really sucks. We want you to come help us" isn't very inviting. Their own selfish plan backfired. Look at Truth's numbers above. They were much better off before they started their recruitment scam.

Find those gals that were so vocal at the BoE meetings and blame them for Andrews' demise. (If you don't have their names, some people that post here could help you)

Volunteering 4 hours a week at a local elementary schools is nice and a CHOICE they made but not close to what the Andrews parents wanted our kids to do which was 6 hours a day, 180 days a year.

I hope everybody has a terrific Thanksgiving!

Come on Realistic parent.

You have now resorted to the "you guys are not reasonable people" so you deserve it. The next move is to bring out the race card.

In reality, you tried to come up with what would be realistic arguments for a case to what the Board has done with High Point. You have lost every argument. You have seen the numbers, you have heard the history and you now know the geography. I think you were mis-informed. Take a look at the numbers and try and put yourself in our position. Can you do that?

Now, why dont you give us some credability in your position. Which school do you have kids at in Guilford County?

RP,

Luckily the children who were wronged in the HP Lottery plan did not forget. Many of them posted signs, worked the polls in the rain, drove to help out at the polls to get Garth elected. Yes drove their 18 year old friends to vote. Now these children who were wronged have learned one of the best civic lessons and that is fighting in what you believe in. All things sure come full circle and they came back full force.

Tired of You (aka TOY), Quit reading the newspapers if you are tired of hearing negative feedback on Andrews. Also quit having the moms stand up at the forums with their child next to them to tell how horrible Andrews is. This is where everyone first heard about Andrews. Well we heard it from teachers that quit too and the stories from the cafeteria workers, and then there are the resource officers. Let's not forget Judge Mannings' report nor GCS's statistician's numbers.

Southwest parents did not create what happened to Andrews. Put the blame where it belongs. Trying to ship in a few white children from NHP didn't work either and it never will.

Southwest parents as well as the NHP community did have the opportunity to pull together as a whole in order to resolve the education problem that effected Andrews and Central and instead put barriers up excluding everyone who didn't fit into their sphere of influence as well as ethnic preference by saying it's not our problem when it was.

And what did the Andrews and Central parents offer to do to help with the education problems? (besides saying "Get the black kids out of our schools")

It was never up to the NHP parents to make their school a lesser school in the process. Did you ask this of NWH? or Grimsley? It is NO