News-Record.com

Morgan,

Why isn't central office providing these items? It's their responsibility and why we pay taxes.

To clarify my previous question...why aren't the teacher supplies provided by central office? I understand why the students need help.

That's a good question. The good people of Guilford County have rallied behind their neighbors (as they always do in a crisis), but that doesn't excuse the central office and school board from doing their part.

Of course, teachers at schools were having trouble getting supplies even before this fire. That's really bugged me for some time - GCS has millions to waste on botched construction and pet programs, but teachers have to beg, borrow and personally pay for classroom necessities.

The citizens of Guilford County and North Carolina spend roughly half a billion dollars per year funding Guilford County Schools. Is it too much to ask that our classrooms have basic supplies?

Having said that, I hope people do contribute to this effort - I plan on doing so. The kids and teachers at Eastern shouldn't have to suffer for the mistakes of the school board and GCS administration. It's not their fault the people in charge have mismanaged our tax money.

SPEAKING OF MISMANAGED MONEY....

VOTE FOR GARTH TOMORROW IF YOU LIVE IN DISTRICT 2! WE CAN MEND OUR SCHOOLS ONE BOARD MEMBER AT A TIME.

Above posters,
I would think that Guilford County Schools already provided supplies but many of them were damaged in the fire. If they pay to provide the items again would that not come through taxpayer dollars? What is the difference between the district providing items at taxpayers' expense with no choice over the selection and people going out on their own buying the items of their choice? It would also seem people could donate items quicker than the district can order them.

Morgan,

I may be wrong but I think when posters question expenses it's born out of past mismanagement. It's hurtful to our wallets when we see Grier and board members giving themselves raises, or wasting money on million dollar trailers that turn out to be a lemons, and in the same breath, ask for donations for small, inexpensive items.

I for one would be happy to donate. It's not the giving that we're questioning, it's the constant waste that makes us wonder why they can't then afford pencils, glue and paper.

I know to a new person we must sound like a bunch of scrooges, but Morgan, time and time again this board throws our money away.

What seriously worries me is that WXII 12 and others that have raised a lot of money are going to just hand it over to Grier. I wouldn't trust him with my lunch money.

Morgan,

Sure, if central office provided the necessary school supplies to Eastern, it would be paid for by taxpayer money. All of the funds that they have are provided by taxpayer money. The point is that they are given about $500 million each year to operate the schools, and that should be enough to ensure that suffcient suplies are provided to schools. Time after tme, when Terry Grier or the school board want to do something they find the money. Terry Grier has an "office" account that is used for lavish entertaining at the finest restaurants in town (I know I have seen the receipts). So, what is more important, Grier's lavish entertaining or school supplies for Eastern?

And, to answer your question more specifically, we as taxpayers have already provided funds to operate the schools, so it shouldn't be necessary for us to dip into our personal funds to do it again, especially this year when the school waste has been in the millions.

If you are worried about donating money to GCS, then donate to Eastern PTA,(tAX DEDUCTIBLE) they can then put the money to use as they see fit. Many time parents know the real needs, and who better than the involved parents at that school.

Debora,

Thank you, as always, for your wisdom. Yes, absolutely, donations should go to the Eastern PTA - then we know that the money will be wisely spent for the teachers and students.

Thanks!

Morgan, do you have any children, nieces, nephews, etc. in the Guilford County School System? Do you own a home and pay taxes in Guilford County?

Let me clue you in to Dr. Grier and his professional staff. They're all flunkies that couldn't cut it at Project Homestead and the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. They represent the worst the county has to offer and they all need to go.

GIVE THEM MONEY VOLUNTARILY??? PLEASE

You raise some good questions, Morgan, but I think #2 provides some solid answers

Everyone (or, at least, most folks) sympathize with the Eastern kids and want them to have the supplies they need, even if it means dipping into our own pockets.

What gets people mad is that schools consistently are told they can't have the money to buy basic supplies. If you don't believe me, just ask a few teachers how much they have to spend out of their own pockets to equip their classrooms. And now that there is an emergency, GCS apparently doesn't have the money in reserve to buy supplies for the Eastern kids, as they are turning to the community.

However, there always seems to be an endless stream of money for the latest construction snafu, expensive consultant, program-of-the-month, feel-good training or pie-in-the-sky pet project.

The Guilford County School Board can spend $500,000 on a controversial racial sensitivity training program for teachers yet they can't supply those same teachers with ample amounts of basic classroom materials. That doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in the people who are spending our tax dollars.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ................
The outpouring from this community has been tremendous. Many have asked what they can do and what else is needed. They are packing the bags for the students as I type this. We could use notebook binder pencil holders, notebook dividers, colored pencils. This can be delivered to Mount
Pleasant Methodist church, today only to get them
in the hands of the students in the morning!!!

Also if anyone would like to help out a teacher
immediately there is a need for the portable
luggage style trolley or pull cart and portable
file cabinets or plastic containers. The teachers at GTCC cannot leave anything in their room overnight. I think there will be around 25 teachers there.

The Memorial T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts will
be available at the Lighting of the Greens in
Gibsonville on November 17th. Other location
sites are in the works and if you want to pre-order
log into www.wildcatfamily.com and go through
the contact us tab. We can have them Friday night
if you order this week.
Again...thanks to everyone that has stepped up.
I cannot express how much it has meant to us.......

An update on specific needs today:
3 ring 2" binders !!!

May be delivered today at Mount Pleasant United
Methodist Church. We be given to 11th and
12th graders tommorrow as they enter the building.

Message for Editoral Staff
Letter is not for Publication

The BOE has a choice on the new Eastern Guilford Replacement School.

It can adopt a "business as usual" approach and finish the new school in 33 months.

Or

It can fast-track the construction and finish in 21 months. I urge you to push for the 21 month program.

This would mean a lot to staff, students and parents of Eastern Guilford High School.

Best regards,

Joe Stafford

CONGRATULATIONS TO GARTH HERBERT!!

FINALLY, DISTRICT 2 HAS REPRESENTATION ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

I'm crying as I write this because I feel so
blessed. Dr. Cooke really wanted to make sure every student at Eastern had one binder, looseleaf paper, pencil, pen, and a composition book to start school and the parents of the students wanted to help get this together for them.

Students normally have one binder per class which would require four, but under the circumstances we wanted to try and get one per student with dividers.

We had 500 binders , but were almost 600 short yesterday at 12:00. We called the central office and they worked dilengently but could not get them to us until Wednesday because they found them in Charlotte.

The workers felt a sense of urgency because we were told we had to move our stuff and wanted to finish the 9th and 10th graders bags before doing so.

With no prior knowledge of the binder shortage, I had a phone call around 3:30 from a complete
stranger that asked the infamous question...what can I do to help?

I jokingly said can "you" produce 600 binders.
He simply said where will you be later tonight.

Last night at the PTSA meeting at Eastern Guilford
Middle School, 600 binders were brought into the building by one man and we were able to stay another day at the church to stuff the bags for the 9th and 10th graders.

This meant so much to the people that have taken the last three days off of work and worked from 8 - 6 sorting and creating a bag of supplies for over 1000 students.

These same people went to GTCC to deliver the supplies to the 11th - 12th graders. On their way back to the church they called me concerned because they were looking for the shipment of binders for the 9th-10th graders to arrive and did not know what to do.

It tickled me to tell them to just look in the trailer.....................they are all there

They don't have everything they lost, but they can
get back to work and feel the love and concern
of the community reaching out to them.

Thank you Jeff Huffman..the "BINDER HERO"
Thank You Guilford County Schools
Thank you community.......................

Yesterday was a great day for democracy. It was a great day for High Point.
It was not about North High Point, it was the whole of High Point making a statement.

WE WANT CHANGE!

Welcome Garth Herbert!

Why yes, last night was the celebration worth waiting for the last two years.

As long as the last two years may have seemed it is now just another short 729 days until Greensboro gets another shot at Kris Cooke and all of Guilford County gets another shot at Dot Kearns. Only then will Guilford County be truly liberated.

In two years you better find people to run against these board members because this year there was only one contested race the other four got on without a fight including one who is a newcomer. As for district 2 I hope he can hold up to his promises and change our board. IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!!!!

Congratulations GARTH!

This is certainly a statement for "all things come full circle."

Those same 8th graders that were in tears the night of Black Tuesday, February 2004, the night of the vote for the High Point Choice Plan are now 11th graders who drive. Many worked so hard posting hundreds of signs for Garth, hanging door knockers, working the poll sites in the rain. They showed maturity and RESOLVE. These same children who were wronged by the "Choice" plan have many friends who just turned 18 years of age. These friends voted for Garth.

This is a wonderful lesson in Civics for all of our children, to never give up and to fight for what you believe is right - that all children deserve neighborhood schools - that all children would like to enjoy years of close bonds with friends and not be separated from their peers.

I am SO proud of our young leaders. Your parents taught you well.

Golfdad,

Change comes a step at a time, a day at a time. Plans are in the works for Election 2008. People have learned what it takes to win. It starts with only one little pebble in the brook to make some big waves. Look for tidal waves in 2008.

I have helped in times of crisis before. Collecting and delivering for Christmas cheer, participating in the Coats for Kids Campaign, collected door to door for the local food banks, and have served dinner to the homeless on Thanksgiving. I always came away feeling good about helping others, but now it will have a whole new meaning.

Nothing can prepare you for the unexpected heartache when you are handing out school supplies to over 500 students and one of the faces walking by ........is your child..

EG parent,

I hope you can gain an insight as to how some have felt in High Point over the past couple of years. Two years ago I was told my daughter could not go to our community HS (800 yards from our house). She had to travel 11 miles to another school. Her close friends managed to stay behind. It’s the most humiliating thing in the world to go in front of the BOE and BEG to go to your local school and then to be slapped in the face with a rejection!

NOBODY CRIED FOR MY DAUGHTER!

This year many of my other friends have been forced away from our community school. Another area in South High Point has been forced away from their community school

NOBODY CRIED FOR THEM!

I cried for the kids of Eastern but they are much better off in many ways than my daughter was. They were treated with deserved respect and humanity by the BOE and the community.

Eastern Guilford Replacement School

I will be at the BOE meeting tonight trying to get them to fast-track the Replacment School. 21 months not 33 months. Hope everyone can come and support this effort.

Buckmtn- you are on to something. Somebody has learned to win school board seats. Look out Dr. Grier!

Barbara Ann- Thank you for your kind words. There were about 20 kids that worked really hard to help Garth. Every one was directly affected by Dot and Susan's selfish motives during the kidnapping of 2004 and again with the recent redistricing. On one t-shirt were the words "Never, never, never quit" which was the message conveyed to us all in 2004. We haven't.

Truth- You really do speak the truth! It is so hypocritical for Dot to whimper about long bus rides and friends being separated from friends. That is exactly what she has done to the Southwest kids. Some might remember Susan's words on February 11, 2004. She said, "These kids can make new friends."

One seat at a time!

Just one thing wrong with that statement.

Next time it will be two seats!

Tonights board meeting was probably Susan's last.
As Allan chronologically went through her achievemnts he stopped at the year 1999. I dont think that Alan considers the Choice plan or Map C worth mentioning.

I agree with him.

Truth,

You have said it all. The students at Eastern have been treated with dignity and humanity by the BOE and the community. This is heartwarming to see. It seems like everyone is on board to make the rest of the school year work for all the kids at Eastern. With all the support, it will work.

Regarding the other issue you mentioned....the trauma that the kids of the High Point "Chance" Plan had to experience in the past of not knowing where they would go to school, being thrown in a lottery and separated from lifelong friends, not to mention the long bus rides should not have to be endured by any child. I think many people still do not realize the hurt and disruption this has caused to the North High Point and Jamestown area families - that is the sad part, not to mention some of the political fall out for many people. And let's not forget the many families we have lost to private schools and other counties because High Point was seen as "different".

No child's fate should ever be up to a lottery. These children of the first lottery never forgot. They worked hard on election day and their efforts paid off. There is much good that has come out of a unfair plan that was so wrong. Many friends and strong community ties have been created because of the "Choice" Plan. People started to get involved in school issues, many issues. We had never read so much school news in the newspapers as we have in the last few years. The enemy known as "complacency" disappeared for many parents; others simply went private because they just got tired of it all.

I hope there will be positive changes happening in our schools. It will take lots of hard work for trust to be restored. We cannot afford to lose more great parents and kids in this county.

Truth,

you definitely hit the nail on the head. While those 8th graders are now in 11th grade, they all escaped the fallout of a bad plan. The 7th graders became the victims of it and many, including my daughter, ( not to mention my son) are no longer in GCS and will never return. Are they happy about it? No. are they getting a great eductaion in private school? yes. the additional fallout is that people like me, while we still vote, and will vote for the right things and people, have no skin in the game. I'm most disgusted by the apparent lack of concern over our schools bythe vast majority of Guilford County. When there are no candidates running against encumbents in many districts, i have to shake my head and wonder. Garth's success has been long coming and I don't want to take anything away from that, but there are many of us that have paid the price for this success.

I have supported Terry Grier on a lot of things. But the extension of his contract to the next decade in middle of night in secret session is unbelievable. Two voted against it, but we don't know why. To do this on the last meeting for two members to tie the hands of the new board is unnecessary and poor form. They gave no notice to the public that his contract was going to be changed. Holidays are coming and I am sick of what is happening.

Mike,

You are one of the great parents we have lost. I still remember your awesome, heartfelt speeches at school board meetings. Many have definitely paid the price in a very personal sense; others in blood, sweat, time and tears - battles lost and battles won. Guilford County continues to suffer from this loss. I wonder if they even realize this? That is the irony of all this. Have our schools improved in High Point? Look at the scores. Is Southwest less over crowded? Look at the number of students there. Is SW diverse? Contrary to lies spread, it was ALWAYS diverse. Has Andrews improved from being one of the lowest schools in the state? Is the violence any better in our schools? The list goes on and on and on.

Hopefully parents of the younger children will step up to the plate to insure a positive and safe educational experience for their children. This is my daughter's senior year. I can honestly say that she has done well in Guilford County Schools but she would have succeeded anywhere. I am glad it is her final year. The last several years with all the redistricting turmoil and stress has taken its toll.

I hope one thing parents have learned is that you must ever be involved for the sake of our children. You can make a difference.

Joe,

Mendenhall and Sykes had to go out with a BANG. May they rot.

Whatever happened to performance objectives for Terry Grier? What has he done to deserve an extension of his contract? The Guilford County BOE has shown us once again that they don't deserve any respect. A lame duck board taking action that was unannounced and in the cover of darkness is unacceptable. When will the people of this county stand up and demand honest management of our public schools? Mendenhall and Sykes, you have sealed your sorry legacy on this board. Since North Carolina employee contracts are only good for one year, the new school board can make this the first order of business.

Joe, how many years? 1 year to 2010 or was it beyond 2010?

Joe,

You should have a blog. We got more info from you than this sorry blog!

Yeah, this doesn't smell right at all.

Whether or not Dr. Grier deserves a raise isn't even the point - it is the manner in which this was handled. A lame-duck board giving any employee a contract extension in their last meeting is in poor form, as Joe said. But to do so unannounced and after a late-night, closed-door meeting just screams of dirty, backroom politics.

Personally, I don't believe any public employee - be it the superintendent of a school system or the football coach at UNC - should have a long-term guaranteed contract. I would wager that 99 percent of us in the workplace do our jobs without a contract, so why can't these people? These contracts simply put too much of an obligation on the taxpayers.

Friends: I'm sorry, I failed to see this reported in this morning's N&R...did I read this right (from you all), that Grier got a contract extension?!?!?!?

bang gang,

I'm sure that Mendenhall made the motion and Sykes seconded it, but they had to have some help from others for it to pass with only two "no" voters. What we need to know now is who the remaining members are that voted for this. This group feels that they can do whatever they want to do and the public can take a flying leap.

This is a letter to the editor I sent to Yes! Weekly for their pathetic BOE endorsements/non-endorsements....I think this will tell it all about myself....after hearing through you all that Grier got an unannounced contract extension, I think you may have found someone interested in Dot's seat in 08.
=============================
In your crass and hurried attempt at making election endorsements, let me offer and inject, if you will, a little bit of both sanity and clarity.
Case in point, your Guilford Co. Board of Education endorsements in the following races: Deena Hayes (who ran unopposed in the District 8 race), Nancy Routh (who ran unopposed in the at-large seat), and your non-endorsement of neither candidate in the Garth Hebert/Debbie Maines race in North High Point’s District 2.
You wrote of Hayes: “…she turned her position into a full-fledged political franchise...Our only caveat is that sometimes she seems to care more for the spotlight than the cause.” Therein lies the problem. It is, in fact, a big problem when a school board seat is turned into a political machine when one of the lieutenants takes their marching orders from downtown instead of working for her constituents, the children of the failing school(s) she is supposed to represent and the parents of the children of the failing school(s) she supposedly represents.
Yes! Weekly endorsed Hayes, but offered no endorsement in the Hebert/Maines race, a race where the progressive Hebert emerged victoriously; he almost certainly will ensure that the entire board stick to fiscal accountability and put children first. And you also offered an endorsement to Routh who ran unopposed simply because “no one else is masochistic enough to want the job.”
Do your homework. Do you realize what is going on in Guilford County Schools? Personal and personality-driven agendas among some board members, along with administrative mismanagement are threatening the livelihood of our schools.
Instead of neighborhood schools for all children, we have legalized bussing, 1950s-style, for some children. Instead of new schools, we have trailers. Instead of real school supplies that teachers need to do their job on a daily basis, staff have orders from downtown ordering schools and departments to cut budgets. Instead of an open environment where teachers can do their jobs freely, teachers fear reprisals if they register a complaint or blow the whistle. Instead of accountability, we have mismanagement of taxpayer dollars. Instead of having some of the best schools in the state, Guilford County has some of the most failing schools in the state. Instead of schools that have adequate fire suppression in chemistry labs, we have schools that you’re lucky to find a working fire extinguisher in. Instead of spending money on basic supplies to teachers can do their jobs, money is wasted on programs that do little or no good.
When does the madness end? It HAS to stop! It’s not a money issue. It’s not a color issue. It’s a leadership and a management issue. And the first two things that need addressed are both leadership and the mismanagement of taxpayer money. And don’t have the nerve to ask for another bond to be passed unless both of the above items are addressed first. Otherwise, any futile attempt at another referendum will be D.O.A.
I look forward to the new breed of leadership that Hebert and Belton will bring to the board. And if this seems like an early announcement of some sort on my part, well, maybe it is. For it was my name that I wrote (typed) in on Tuesday’s ballot, instead of punching Routh’s name. We need real change and real solutions to real problems in Guilford County Schools. And the only way to secure that change is with a change in leadership. But I’m not holding my breath, at least not anytime soon.

E.C. Huey
Greensboro

EC,

The board came out of closed session late last night (after 11:30 I believe) and voted to extend Grier's contract by one year - to 2010.

I'm sorry, I wasn't able to get it before my deadline.

Joe,

I am a North High Pointer who recently had the opportunity to help Garth get elected. On election day I worked the polls in the Emorywood area. This is the area where Dot and Susan live.
Remember, this is supposed to be a North High Point thing.
Well, many, many people down there voted for Garth because they want change. Many many people want to give Grier a hard time.

This board have not listened to the community if they have extended his contract.

Once again the Board betrays the citizens of Guilford County!

thanks Jennifer. This always seems to happen in the dark of night when no one's watching or has gone to bed. It's sad that our children never come first.

Hammy

r u real or fake???????

I say you are FAKE, FAKE, FAKE!

Last Night
I had 1 Board meeting to attend and 2 Soccer games. I found out Wednesday about the moronic staff recommendation to give away public land and put our children’s safety in jeopardy by giving away school land and granting construction right of ways to High Point City in a move that even High Point City Council had not approved nor asked for. So I added a second Board meeting to the evenings agenda.

I told Grier’s assistant I wanted to address the Board on this issue as a member of the community and I asked her what moron on staff recommended we give away an acre of land for a dollar. Well I was surprised when I arrived at the meeting that it was removed so fast from agenda, but sickened to learn that behind closed doors they took an impromptu action to extend the contract of the leading staff moron! I am sure it didn’t make the agenda without his nod of approval.

Yes, I am sick and I am sure mad. What I would like to know, how many abstentions were in on the vote?
Are there any more get Grier out of here magnets around? I may need one as they did not get the message!

Garth: Congratulations on your victory. If anyone else has those magnets/yellow yard signs laying around, I would like some too. As a former Andrews H.S. teacher and someone who's just as fed up as you are at the pathetic state of our schools, and as someone who is, as of today, is exploring the possibility of running in 08 for a board seat, you have my unending support.

E.C. Huey
West Greensboro

Huey:
I believe we have a great campaign management team ready. I am told we had over 100 poll workers, hung 5,000 door hangers and placed 2,000 yard signs. We even carried Emerywood, ie the entire spectrum all of whom asked 1 question, do I want to get rid of Grier. I do not want to fire him, I want him to leave ASAP so we can fix our schools. I do not want to pay a penny in severance and will do all to keep that from happening. That being said, the value of his departure I rate as very high, so tempt me, please.

Seriously, let me know where you live and what seat you would like. I want the joint fixed as soon as possible and new blood is a prerequisite.

Jennifer,

What I would like to know is why the board decided to give Grier a one-year extension at this time and this manner, knowing that it would be an antagonizing act to the public? Is a one-year extension that valuable? What's the message that the board is sending to us, the parents, the public, the voters, and the taxpayers? Was this a throwing down of the gauntlet and their answer to the voting results in District 2? I hope it was worth it, as it appears that it antagonized one of their traditionaly biggest school supporters, Joe Stafford.

Let's see, I have quite a collection of these magnets. I have of one of those "Get Grier Outta Here" magnets. I really don't want to give that one up though, based on what they command on E-Bay that magnet is a valuable part of my retirement portfolio.

I also have one those "Grier-Ended" magnets.

Finally I still have one of those Susan Mendenhall celebrating 16 years of non-representation magnets. That's unbelievable, you people over in High Point elected her 4 times for her to be on the School Board for 16 years. What were you doing all of this time, sniffing fumes coming out of the furniture factories?

I hope everyone keeps this in mind about this School Board. Remember they want another $800 million plus in NEW SCHOOL BONDS. More money to be mismanaged for an even longer period of time by Dr. Grier and his incompetant overpaid staff.

Extending Grier's contract in the middle of the night is the equivalent of a two-year old, wearing a poopy diaper, kicking and screaming and throwing a tantrum because he didn't get his way.

Nice one BOE. Your true colors are more vibrant than ever.

Congrats to the two that did NOT vote for this insanity. I'm guessing Darlene...and....geeez..it's hard to know who else. A year ago I could have guessed, today with all the agenda-driven spit swapping, it's hard to tell.

Not even Garth can save this sorry board now.

Garth: I'll e-mail you before the day is out.

E.C. Huey
erikhuey@aol.com

Good news Mr. Huey!!

A quick search of my garage turned up 40 Grier-ended magnets, 5 Get Grier Outta Here magnets, 25 Get Grier Outta Here signs and 15 Wanted, New School Board and Superintendent signs. There is also one slightly used Get Grier Outta Here quilt.

As they say at Central: Can I take your order, please?

I've been informed by a reliable source that my previous speculation is somewhat flawed. Last night's action to extend Terry Grier's contract happened thusly:

Motion made by Susan Mendenhall

Seconded by Kris Cooke

The vote was 8-yes, 2-no, 1-abstain

Voting "No" was Darlene Garrett and Nancy Routh

Abstaining was Anita Sharpe

Voting Yes was Alan Duncan, Marti Sykes, Deena Hayes, Amos Quick, Dot Kearns, Walter Childs, Susan Mendenhall, and Kris Cooke

There you have it, citizens of Guilford County. This is your school representation.

No reason for granting the extension was given. We can only assume that it was to demonstrate teh board's confidence in Terry Grier and the board's appreciation for the fine work done in school construction and test results in 2006.

I also heard from a reliable source that recently several board members were gathered on Eugene Street and talk of Garth being elected was discussed. I heard that Grier actually got choked up talking about the fact that Garth wanted to get rid of him. The ladies were taken by surprise but later furious that Grier's feelings were hurt and that Susan and Marti vowed to make it right before they left.

That Grier is quite a MAN!!

Dear College Fund,

Can I have fries with that?

Anita Magnet

I wonder if the Rhino still has the proof of the "Cheerleader Ad" from a couple of years ago. Only 727 days until Krissie & Dottie are up for re-election. I'm going on the assumption that Dottie is Guilford County's answer to the Energizer bunny.

Buck,

You gave Dot far too much credit - do you really think that she has the energy of the Energizer Bunny?

I prefer to compare her to Strom Thurmond.

CF: e-mail me, I want about 6 signs and some magnets. erikhuey@aol.com

Click on the link below and scroll down to the bottom.

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Grier"

Did anyone see coverage of the contract extension in the N&R. If so, where?

Joe, this is what is reported today in the HPE.

##########

Four more years
Grier gets contract extension from board

BY KATISHA HAYES
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
GUILFORD COUNTY – The school board wants to stick with the superin­tendent at least another four years.
The Guilford County Board of Edu­cation voted late Thursday night after a lengthy closed session to extend Su­perintendent Terry Grier’s contract until June 2010.
Grier’s extension was approved just before midnight by an 8-2 vote, with board members Nancy Routh and Dar­lene Garrett dissenting and an abstention from Anita Sharpe.
Along with the exten­sion, board members es­tablished goals for the su­perintendent for the 2006­ 07 school year. The goals fo­cus on five main areas pin­pointed at boosting stu­dent performance in the classroom.
Board Chairman Alan Duncan called the hefty goals a “full plate” for the superintendent.
The board has asked Grier to:
Develop a process to measure if programs and initiatives geared to-
Grier’s extension was approved just before midnight by an 8-2 vote.
ward improving reading scores, mid­dle school achievement and high school graduation rates are working. Board member Susan Mendenhall urged the board to establish goals that focused more on student achievement.
Create an instructional leadership development training program for school administrators, particularly principals. Board member Walter Childs said too many principals don’t know enough about their school’s cur­riculum and how to get teachers to worker harder and smarter.
Form a project team to meet with school system employees to get feed­back on working conditions and find ways to improve them.
Strengthen the Minority Women Business Enterprise program based on increasing the percentage partici­pation of minority contractors.
Increase the number of schools making AYP and boost student perfor­mance on the SAT.

Joe, I couldn't find anything in the N&R about the extension. Of course, I would have expected to see something about the school board election results on the Chalkboard too.

It appears from the comments from the board meeting that Walter Childs doesn't seem think our teachers work hard or smart enough. Interesting, but how would he know?

As a teacher I am very upset about Dr. Childs comments. He is a school board member that rarely offers any ideas since he is too busy either falling asleep or being worked on behind the scenes by Dot Kearns.
He also betrayed his community by having them shipped off to the other side of town. This is another school board member that is just not worth it. I will totally disregard his comments as should all other teachers.

Why does the school board list increasing the number of minority contractors as one of its five most important goals for the superintendent?

Creating work for minority contractors does absolutely nothing to improve education in Guilford County - which is supposed to be the board's mission. Yet they list this as one of their top priorities, ahead of improving school safety, rebuilding Eastern High, meeting state ABC goals and closing the achievement gap.

It's no wonder the schools have so many problems, given what the school board focuses its energies on.

Teacher-
Find someone that lives in district 1 to run against Childs. I have a couple in mind already. We'll interview all contenders, choose the best for Andrews and Guilford County and then we'll get them elected....with one arm tied behind our backs!

I've been working behind the scenes. The overwhelming majority feel that Childs backs down to the white man (Grier) and that he is being controlled by Kearns. They want CHANGE.

Just Saying, that is a really good question. It sounds political not educational.

I would like to see the schools get out of the construction business. We could have experienced contractors build the schools and Guilford County could lease the schools with an option to buy, or buy the schools once they have been built. I doubt that private industry would have the same constraints such as meeting all these minority contractor goals. Then the school board could get on with the business of education. It would probably be a win-win if it could save money as well.