Honestly, I'm not sure what aggravates me more...condescension or hypocrisy. Linard McCloud, the renowned band director for the incredible Burke High School band, served as the moderator for Dr. McGinley's District 20 Community meeting at Burke High School. This was the same man who served under Dr. Goodloe as a "moderator" for the A Plus Program at the Rhett campus as Rivers' students were abruptly moved to Burke without even hot water in the cafeteria at the start of the school year. It was a joke, yet McCloud stood by the administration in full support of the fiasco. We threw McCloud's comrade (and former Burke English teacher) Andrew HaLevi under the bus, yet McCloud remains a shining star.
So, who is Linard McCloud? McCloud is our neighbor. As McCloud told us to support Dr. Goodloe moving the Rivers' students to the Rhett campus, his own child remained in Mt. Pleasant schools. Don't get me wrong. I'm in favor of choosing the best educational path for your child, but don't pretend these options are good enough for our children and grandchildren when they're not good enough for your own.
McCloud moderating that meeting stinks as much as Thuane Fielding's attempt at telling us it was all about the children knowing her child is at Buist Academy. Cut the crap and give us some credit. I even heard another District 20 board member Ivy Ascue has her child at James Island Charter High School, yet she and Ms. Fielding think we should send our children to these low-performing schools. We see right through you. People like you keep our community separated and it's time to call you out on it. By the way, Ms. Fielding, I'd love to know YOUR opinion on closing Charleston Progressive so we can EXPAND a school for cheaters.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
What should the Fourth Option be?
CCSD tried to present their three options to the District 20 Community tonight. They goofed right from the start when they attempted to give Wilmot Fraser a police escort out. That sums it up. CCSD is so disconnected with our community, they haven't a clue as to who he is. Mr. Fraser simply put a motion on the floor and they refused to change the agenda.
We've seen your options, CCSD. There are NO options for Fraser Elementary, Charleston Progressive, or the Charter School for Math and Science. We knew that and we didn't need you wasting our time. Tonight was our turn for you to LISTEN to us. The community hung in there and waited for their voices to be heard. The consensus was the need for better options. Yet, what should they be?
We've seen your options, CCSD. There are NO options for Fraser Elementary, Charleston Progressive, or the Charter School for Math and Science. We knew that and we didn't need you wasting our time. Tonight was our turn for you to LISTEN to us. The community hung in there and waited for their voices to be heard. The consensus was the need for better options. Yet, what should they be?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Bill the Bulldozer
Okay, I finally took the time to listen to last week's school board meeting on the Comedy (oops, I mean Educational) Channel last night.
My new name for Bill Lewis is Bill the Bulldozer. As he presented the proposal for our schools to the board, he admits we were "all punch drunk in putting this together" on late Friday. Yeah, that's quite an understatement, Bill. He goes on to tell us basically it's okay, Toya, we're working with Mayor Riley. Then Bulldozer Bill begins his presentation district by district.
In response to the Johns Island proposal, Ray Toler says, "Frierson is a newer building. Why close it?" Bulldozer Bill replies, "Nobody lives out in Wadmalaw." I think those residents of Wadmalaw would have to challenge you on that one, Bill.
Mr. Toler asked for a quick count on the population and capacity of the elementary schools, probably wondering why Mt. Zion survives the ax, yet Frierson doesn't. Little yes man to Bill mumbles some numbers in an attempt to answer Mr. Toler's question. AND THEN, Dr. Mac speaks the real truth: "We're seeing progress at Mt. Zion. We're not seeing it at Frierson." In other words, Mt. Zion makes me look better. Let's close Frierson.
New board member, Chris Fraser states something about "reserve capacity." And then goes on to explain Johns Island has a lot of growing room and we don't want to get ahead of ourselves. What does Bill do? Well he might as well have blown Chris a few kisses as he states, "That's a very profound statement." I'm sure Bill was muttering under his breath, Mr. Real Estate mogul, who do you think you are challenging the almighty Bill?
It's also quite a trip to listen to Ms. Toya chime in on that Courtney campus downtown. You know? That's where the Charleston Progressive parents have desperately tried to ensure their magnet school stays afloat despite the district's refusal to fund it as a magnet school. Will that campus go to Buist or will it go to the Montessori school? The Montessori parents are interested in the Berry campus. Yet it's really all about what those Buist parents want. Gregg made that very clear. He stated, "I'd really like to have the (Buist) Principal's position" on this. You know, 'cause that Buist Principal saved me a few years ago more than once and I owe her BIG time.
When Bill gets to District 20, it's a WHOLE different story. We have multiple schools with kids at risk and our goal is getting our kids into SAFE SCHOOLS (who cares if we educate them, right?) as soon as possible. Because...the EARTHQUAKE IS COMING! Well, an earthquake did actually visit Summerville this morning, but ask our parents if they're really worried about the next BIG ONE and I assure you, they're not.
Bill's presentation continues. Let's sell James-Simons (cha-ching,cha-ching). Move those kids to Rivers ('cause we can't let that Charter school get that building) and then move the Charter School to that mold infested Archer Building. Bill goes on to say, Mayor Riley sent us a letter about starting a Police Academy at Fraser. Where do the Fraser kids go? We're never told, but we've known that Fraser Elementary would be closed for quite a while and merged with the Sanders-Clyde students in the new building. It just ticks me off they haven't openly stated it. They expect us to believe Mayor Riley came up with his Police Academy idea out of his "bleep" over the weekend. I can just see the Mayor's letter to CCSD now..."As much as I love eating lunch with the Fraser students and as much as my sister's organization loved teaching those students how to Step, we have realized it would serve our community better to create more qualified police officers to arrest these students than provide them with a proper education..."
At the end of the circus show, I couldn't help but root for Ruth! Ruth Jordan asked, "What percentage of Buist students live on the peninsula?" And guess what? Dr. Mac doesn't answer. Go figure. She even has the audacity to state it makes sense to transport those kids to ensure they're attending a decent school. Don't worry. Anyone who follows this blog knows I've been there and done that. I won't go there again.
Yet I highly recommend watching the school board meetings on Channel 60 in the evening. They can be quite interesting...
My new name for Bill Lewis is Bill the Bulldozer. As he presented the proposal for our schools to the board, he admits we were "all punch drunk in putting this together" on late Friday. Yeah, that's quite an understatement, Bill. He goes on to tell us basically it's okay, Toya, we're working with Mayor Riley. Then Bulldozer Bill begins his presentation district by district.
In response to the Johns Island proposal, Ray Toler says, "Frierson is a newer building. Why close it?" Bulldozer Bill replies, "Nobody lives out in Wadmalaw." I think those residents of Wadmalaw would have to challenge you on that one, Bill.
Mr. Toler asked for a quick count on the population and capacity of the elementary schools, probably wondering why Mt. Zion survives the ax, yet Frierson doesn't. Little yes man to Bill mumbles some numbers in an attempt to answer Mr. Toler's question. AND THEN, Dr. Mac speaks the real truth: "We're seeing progress at Mt. Zion. We're not seeing it at Frierson." In other words, Mt. Zion makes me look better. Let's close Frierson.
New board member, Chris Fraser states something about "reserve capacity." And then goes on to explain Johns Island has a lot of growing room and we don't want to get ahead of ourselves. What does Bill do? Well he might as well have blown Chris a few kisses as he states, "That's a very profound statement." I'm sure Bill was muttering under his breath, Mr. Real Estate mogul, who do you think you are challenging the almighty Bill?
It's also quite a trip to listen to Ms. Toya chime in on that Courtney campus downtown. You know? That's where the Charleston Progressive parents have desperately tried to ensure their magnet school stays afloat despite the district's refusal to fund it as a magnet school. Will that campus go to Buist or will it go to the Montessori school? The Montessori parents are interested in the Berry campus. Yet it's really all about what those Buist parents want. Gregg made that very clear. He stated, "I'd really like to have the (Buist) Principal's position" on this. You know, 'cause that Buist Principal saved me a few years ago more than once and I owe her BIG time.
When Bill gets to District 20, it's a WHOLE different story. We have multiple schools with kids at risk and our goal is getting our kids into SAFE SCHOOLS (who cares if we educate them, right?) as soon as possible. Because...the EARTHQUAKE IS COMING! Well, an earthquake did actually visit Summerville this morning, but ask our parents if they're really worried about the next BIG ONE and I assure you, they're not.
Bill's presentation continues. Let's sell James-Simons (cha-ching,cha-ching). Move those kids to Rivers ('cause we can't let that Charter school get that building) and then move the Charter School to that mold infested Archer Building. Bill goes on to say, Mayor Riley sent us a letter about starting a Police Academy at Fraser. Where do the Fraser kids go? We're never told, but we've known that Fraser Elementary would be closed for quite a while and merged with the Sanders-Clyde students in the new building. It just ticks me off they haven't openly stated it. They expect us to believe Mayor Riley came up with his Police Academy idea out of his "bleep" over the weekend. I can just see the Mayor's letter to CCSD now..."As much as I love eating lunch with the Fraser students and as much as my sister's organization loved teaching those students how to Step, we have realized it would serve our community better to create more qualified police officers to arrest these students than provide them with a proper education..."
At the end of the circus show, I couldn't help but root for Ruth! Ruth Jordan asked, "What percentage of Buist students live on the peninsula?" And guess what? Dr. Mac doesn't answer. Go figure. She even has the audacity to state it makes sense to transport those kids to ensure they're attending a decent school. Don't worry. Anyone who follows this blog knows I've been there and done that. I won't go there again.
Yet I highly recommend watching the school board meetings on Channel 60 in the evening. They can be quite interesting...
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Way to Go, McClellanville!
What a joy it was to read the McClellanville parents spoke their minds at their community meeting last night. Oh, I wish I had been there. They were even able to get the microphone from Sue Robertson (how much is she getting paid, again?)Evidently Ms. Toya played the "you can trust us" game again, but they didn't fall for it. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the community forums go. I hope everyone is taking notes from the McClellanville community.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest yesterday for allegedly "scheming to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat" was quite an eye-opener for me. Is there any chance we can get some federal investigators down here? An elected official who thinks he's above the law? The Governor is also charged with "illegally threatening to withhold state assistance...to the Chicago Tribune, in an attempt to strong-arm the newspaper into firing editorial writers who had criticized him."
Hmmm...thoughts of Mayors dance in my head, yet I can't figure out why. I think I just like Mayors so much that I often think of them when I'm reading the Post and Courier.
School closings? I'm not surprised. It sounds like the plan is finally being carried out. And we've got just the school board to get the dirty work done.
Hmmm...thoughts of Mayors dance in my head, yet I can't figure out why. I think I just like Mayors so much that I often think of them when I'm reading the Post and Courier.
School closings? I'm not surprised. It sounds like the plan is finally being carried out. And we've got just the school board to get the dirty work done.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Whenever I post something regarding Buist, the bloggers start blogging. Few, if any words are uttered when I report the dismal state of Burke Middle school's percentile of students scoring Below Basic. It's sad. I guess I can safely assume, the lack of education taking place in most of our downtown schools is not a concern. The fight over Buist is the focus. Why stop now?
The District 20 resident serving on our county school board and now current Chairperson Ms. Toya Green made some comment about not being able to sleep if Drayton Hall's charter was approved. I busted out laughing when a friend told me that. That girl is a trip. Did anyone else hear that? Approving Drayton Hall's charter may result in cuts elsewhere...like magnet school transportation. Sounds like a great idea to me. This same Ms. Green evidently sleeps just fine as her daughter attends school at Buist Academy with District 20 cheats. She's nestled with "sugar plums dancing in (her) head" over those four foreign language teachers, too. Yeah, no unequal education there, Ms. Green. God forbid we spread the wealth to Drayton Hall. Connect the dots. It doesn't take a rocket scientist. Smooth boy Meyers has concocted quite a batch of magnet school moonshine, hasn't he?
The District 20 resident serving on our county school board and now current Chairperson Ms. Toya Green made some comment about not being able to sleep if Drayton Hall's charter was approved. I busted out laughing when a friend told me that. That girl is a trip. Did anyone else hear that? Approving Drayton Hall's charter may result in cuts elsewhere...like magnet school transportation. Sounds like a great idea to me. This same Ms. Green evidently sleeps just fine as her daughter attends school at Buist Academy with District 20 cheats. She's nestled with "sugar plums dancing in (her) head" over those four foreign language teachers, too. Yeah, no unequal education there, Ms. Green. God forbid we spread the wealth to Drayton Hall. Connect the dots. It doesn't take a rocket scientist. Smooth boy Meyers has concocted quite a batch of magnet school moonshine, hasn't he?
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