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Morgan,

It looks as though you and Joe Killian were given some bad information a few weeks ago regarding the rumored gang fight at SWH, that was reported had not occurred. I read today that Garth Hebert was quoted as saying that a small gang fight did occur, and it wasn't off-campus as you indicated, it was in front of the principal's office. Pretty hard to miss that one! (Actually, this was what I had heard at the time.) It was reported that two Latin King gang members jumped a former member. According to Garth, they got 10 days of suspension, a light punishment for gang activity on campus. I guess you just went to the wrong sources to get the information. It looks as though a school member is a better source of information in the future.

As a sidebar, a Page student was reported to say that there are Crips, Bloods, Latin Kings, Folk Nation, and Vice Kings gangs at Page. This all seems to be getting pretty serious, if true.

Wally World,
I spoke to Garth Hebert about the incident this week. He did describe the incident as gang-related and that the principal handled it very well (he may also have indicated that no lockdown ocurred but I can't remember). However, he said he was there during a weapons search and there were no weapons found. He also said that students and parents were spreading rumors about the nature of the incident and that it was blown out of proportion. Mr. Hebert mentioned that the incident carried over from the previous day so I am not sure if what he told me contradicts what else I heard. The incident being several weeks old now, all I remember is checking into this with another reporter and it not turning out to be as serious as we were led to believe.

Wally World,
I spoke to Garth Hebert about the incident this week. He did describe the incident as gang-related and that the principal handled it very well (he may also have indicated that no lockdown ocurred but I can't remember). However, he said he was there during a weapons search and there were no weapons found. He also said that students and parents were spreading rumors about the nature of the incident and that it was blown out of proportion. Mr. Hebert mentioned that the incident carried over from the previous day so I am not sure if what he told me contradicts what else I heard. The incident being several weeks old now, all I remember is checking into this with another reporter and it not turning out to be as serious as we were led to believe.

Question. . .I thought the Twilight School was not approved at the last board meeting, yet there is a job ad for Twilight School teachers in today's paper. There is also a job ad requesting principals for Guilford County (in general). What's going on?

Andi,
The school board approved the twilight school budget at its last meeting.

With our current busing schedule the elementary school schedule can not be increased by one
hour without affecting middle and high school students.

My high schooler gets on the bus at 7:15 and gets home at 5:30, because he has to ride the same bus that the middle school kids ride.

If this increases his school day, I will lead the revolt!!!

I AM WITH U!!!

Increasing the length of the school day is an absolute last resort. The current school day has too much non-productive work in it now. The goal should be to have a more efficent work day not a longer work day.

My daughter is in AL at our local middle school. She is bored with the longer core classes of this year and mad that she lost an elective. She will be out of her mind if she stays in school longer. Some kids in our system are not doing good enough and its needs to be improved but do we have to do the one size fits all thing over and over again?

Anonymous,

Being bored is not unusual. I would recommend that you encourage your child to read. She should have access to reading material that she can pull out and read when she is bored. It may be better if she sits in the back of the class. She may want to read ahead in text books. The teachers hate that but it helps the child.

Just FYI: NO, there is no way I will support a longer school day. IF I have a 2 to 1 guaranteed reduction on bus time, I would entertain such folly, but I will not see it and will not get it, therefore NO! The reason for a 2 to 1, simple, I will only get ½ of what I am promised on a good day. When discipline is restored, when arts are in place again, when I can see happy kids in safe schools who cannot pass tests, then after my 3rd grader graduates and I am no longer on the Board...

…Let me amend the ending, when my third grader has graduated or is in private school where the rest of his peers will already be and I am no longer on the Board…

…Let me amend the ending, when my third grader has graduated or is in private school (the very last thing I will do in education) and I am no longer on the Board…

Garth,

Why do teacher days (catch up) off for students not occur on either Mondays or Fridays in order for students to have an extended weekend? They seem to always occur during mid-week. Some of the teachers I know refer to them as usually a total waste. Meetings that are typically useless many times consume the bulk of these days.

Do you and Terry G get along quite well?

Is everyone who on this blog sang your praises last year still supporting you? Have any hate mail, cross burnings in your front yard occurred yet?

Is it harder to keep the debits and credits in balance at the BOE compared to your accounting practice?

Is your Board colleague Deena to consumed with issues of race instead of education for all kids?

Why do you think there is more unruliness and misbehavior at the largely minority populated County schools as opposed to the others?

Your thoughts on these and other matters you feel of concern would are appreciated.

Lord Hear Our Prayers.

District 2 is completely behind its good friend and Leader Garth Hebert.

Bubba:

I also believe teacher workdays are mismanaged, but if they are Monday Friday like I would like, teachers would take days off also. Though I believe that after school training would be more approved of by teachers and more effective the State feels otherwise. They are required therefore the wisdom is to stagger them so the same courses are not equally impacted in certain High Schools and Elementary schools.

Terry tolerates me quite well, but no one is expecting a love fest anytime soon.

I never ran to please bloggers, I am what I am and apologize freely for my screw ups. I made quite clear my first priority was the kids, especially those from poorer backgrounds such as my own. I do not believe we are going the right direction and giving preferences to intolerable behaviors and not giving self respect and accomplishments is wrong, terribly wrong. Joe Stafford has found it in his heart to point out where he believes I have failed him and the kids, he has my gratitude and respect. There is currently a burning ban, when it is lifted all cross burners are invited to email me and please schedule a night I can be free to attend and bring marshmallows and hot dogs. I prefer hickory for dogs and oak for mallows. I am doing what I said I would, some things take time.

Is it harder to keep the debits and credits in balance at the BOE compared to your accounting practice? This question I refuse to answer at this time. Knowledge is power.

Is your Board colleague Deena to consumed with issues of race instead of education for all kids? As long as Deena is consumed with race and keeps away from conflicts of interest I will respect her cause. I may feel she betrays her race by promoting the acceptance of poor behavior among minorities, but it is at least a somewhat legitimate debate.

Behavior: I again will evade a question partially, Look at schools across the nation that require strict standards and you will see they outperform their cohorts of similar demographics. It is not a race or economics issue, it is an issue of tolerating what employers will not.

My own thoughts…I have never said I would pursue a career in politics, 2 years from now another crazy fool from district 2 will need to step forward and try to make a difference. They will find it a growing, rewarding and meaningful experience.

Last, I sure hope he hears my prayers…