Gotta Love Elizabeth Kandrac!

Hallelujah! Elizabeth Kandrac is "taking on the district." Well, it's about time someone does. We finally have an educator on the school board who believes in checks and balances (unlike that other former Principal "what's her name" who enjoys going along to get along).

I had to laugh at Mr. Douglas' comments regarding Ms. Kandrac. Here's the recap: "I just think that she ought to resign and let someone who truly ....cares about the children - and the education in North Charleston - represent North Charleston." Was he implying he actually cared about the children and their education while HE was on the board? Well, that's a new one. What did he do for North Charleston all the billions of years he sat on the board? I guess we could say he contributed to more segregation and unequal education with the School of the Arts and Academic Magnet. We could also say he did a great job shaking the hands of high school graduates unable to read by "rubber stamping" all of those great policies he approved.

Speaking of policies, I had to laugh again when Mr. Gregg Meyers was quoted as saying the school "board's role isn't to monitor what's happening in classrooms...but to focus on guiding the district with policies and budget." You mean, like that literacy policy the board is working on? How ARE those policies coming, Mr. Meyers? Don't even get me started on that ridiculous Buist policy you came up with. Don't you get it?? You HAVE to know what is going on in the classroom to create policies. And clearly if we have illiterates in high school something is NOT happening IN THE CLASSROOM. I think what Mr. Meyers was really trying to say is he doesn't visit too many schools and he definitely doesn't take the time to observe teachers teaching. The man has to prioritize, right? How can we as taxpayers expect him to be a lawyer, visit schools, AND...fix that hair? C'mon. There's only so much time in the poor man's day. Have you seen that hair?

Personally, if I was Ms. Kandrac, I'd go live happily ever after with my new spouse and forget all about this crazy place. But she cares too much. That's her only problem. That and the fact that she actually takes her role on our school board seriously. Yeah, she's actually doing the job we elected her to do. Thanks, Ms. Kandrac. I wish you well, no matter what direction you choose.

Do we really need a policy for that?

The following came from an article in the Post and Courier on Tuesday: "Charleston County School Board members took another step Monday toward making literacy the district's top priority and creating a policy to back that up."

Another step (as if they need more than one) and "toward making" as if it still isn't their top priority but they're thinking about it. I wonder how long this will take. CCSD wants to blame the parents. But wait a minute. CCSD didn't teach the parents how to read either! Yeah, that magic reading formula is taking us a few decades to create.

It's a sad day in public education when elected officials need a committee to create a literacy policy as a way to ensure our children are being taught to read in our schools. Since when did teaching a child to read become so complex? And what was the district's top priority before literacy? Putting a SMART board in every classroom?

It's hard not to believe the "keep 'em down" mentality is still alive and well here in Charleston County. Are we in the 19th century or the 21st century?

Burke Can't Even Keep its Athletes

I'm impressed with Burke's quarterback Del'Javon Simmons who has decided to choose quality education over a senior year of athletic glory at Burke High School. I also think it speaks volumes that he chose not to relay his choice to Coach Earl Brown. Athletic Director and Coach Brown doesn't get and hasn't gotten it for a long time. Isn't it time for him to retire? Brown is quoted in the paper as stating, "If he's going down there to dedicate himself to making good grades, he could have done the same thing here." See, I didn't get that from the article, Coach Brown. I understood that the Burke student wanted "to prepare for the college tests" and clearly felt attending the prep school in Florida would afford him that opportunity more so than remaining at Burke. Simmons was just trying to be nice.
It's bad enough we can't keep our quality academic students at Burke. Now we can't even keep our star athletes. When is this community going to rise up and admit we have some serious problems at Burke?
Good luck, Del'Javon. You've already proven yourself wise beyond your years by making this choice.

Office for Civil Rights Comes to Town

Evidently attorneys from the Office for Civil Rights want to hear from parents and community members affected by the recent school closings. They will be meeting Wednesday, July 29 from 6pm-8pm at the St. Julian Divine Center on Cooper Street.

Fraser parents filed a complaint against the school district for racial discrimination when the district decided to close numerous schools in order to address their budget crisis. The only schools chosen to close were predominately African-American Title I schools. Fraser parents want to know why the burden of the budget crisis fell on only this group of students. The schools these students are scheduled to transfer to are also predominately African-American Title I schools.
According to their complaint, "The impact is falling disproportionately on black children in Charleston County creating a disparate impact."

I feel for the Fraser parents. Many of them simply wanted to wait until the Fall of 2010 to move when the new Sanders-Clyde building will officially be ready (We all know the new school is not going to be ready in December 2009 as promised).

It makes you wonder. What will the Office for Civil Rights do? Can they do anything? The schools are closed. The children have been forced to prepare themselves for attending different schools in a few weeks. Can the Fraser parents prevent this from happening to other schools? Will community members from other constituent districts finally rally together against CCSD? I guess only time will tell.

If you had any doubts...

You now should have no doubts as to where the Superintendent of Charleston County Schools priorities lie. For Dr. Mac, it's all about appearances. So much so, that Elliot Smalley, Director of Communications got a $10,000 raise. Budget crisis? The perfect storm? Think again...the storm affects the CLASSROOM...you know...teachers and students. But no way no how is Dr. Mac going to lose the posse paid to make her look good.
I enjoyed the Post and Courier's editorial on this so much, I think I may renew my subscription. Here's the link for those of you who may have missed it:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/jul/22/joining_six_figure_club89927/

Ray Toler, Elizabeth Kandrac, and Cousin Arthur voted against the raise. We should be asking the rest of our school board how they rubber stamp such nonsense.

The lawsuit goes to Columbia

Nothing will change in Charleston County unless parents sue. True District 20 parents on Buist waiting lists should sue CCSD and the parents using false District 20 addresses. The lawsuit the District 20 school board and a District 20 parent filed against CCSD over Buist Academy will make it to the Court of Appeals on Wednesday, May 27.

I hope they get a less bias ruling than they received in Charleston County from Judge Scarborough, a former Buist parent.

For a quick recap, the District 20 board ruled District 20 students should receive priority to the only excellent rated school on the peninsula a few years ago, meaning District 20 students get in first before anyone else in the county. CCSD and the County Board ignored them. Yet, CCSD embraced the constituent boards when the US Justice Department filed a desegregation lawsuit against Charleston County over twenty years ago. CCSD was able to avoid desegregation citing state law which clearly says constituent boards determine which kids go to the schools in their districts. Funny how constituent boards exist only when CCSD deems it necessary.

In CCSD land, Buist is a "county-wide magnet school" for the "gifted and talented." I'll leave the G&T part alone because anyone with half a brain knows CCSD isn't really testing four and five year olds for being gifted. Kids are tested in the 2nd grade and gifted and talented programs start in the 3rd grade for a reason. There also is no such thing as a county-wide magnet school unless the constituent boards approve it. While the District 20 board of the 1980s may have agreed to be manipulated by CCSD, the board of the 21st century said "no way no how."

Let's just hope the Court of Appeals reads what Mr. Kobrovsky sent them.

Dot Scott says it all...

According to today's paper, last night Dot Scott, President of Charleston's NAACP, "made it clear from the meeting's outset this was not a time for those who 'don't support public schools,' or those in favor of tax credits, to have their say." She calls that a town hall meeting? That's not a town hall meeting. That's an anti-Ford rally. No wonder Ford let his seat remain vacant.
And this is coming from Scott who supposedly put her child(ren) in private school. Has she read the Post and Courier lately?

The Cat's Out of the Bag

Finally. The public knows the truth. CCSD socially promotes kids through our schools who are unable to read. CCSD CAN'T teach our kids how to read. I know. It's the lack of parental involvement. But guess what? CCSD didn't teach them how to read either.
Now what are we going to do about it? According to our Superintendent Dr. McGinley, CCSD has already taken care of these concerns with MAP testing and "coherent curriculum." Unfortunately, she must have missed the article where a CCSD teacher admitted many teachers can't even interpret the MAP scores. Who's in charge of MAP testing? Dr. Rose, the Director of Assessment and Accountability, was the rocket scientist behind implementing a test to help teachers determine what students needed help on in preparation for the PACT testing. Is your head spinning like mine is? Why hasn't Dr. Rose trained the teachers to interpret the scores? Why didn't CCSD just put that money towards REDUCING CLASS SIZE?
And the article in today's paper on the incredible strides the principal at Alice Birney is taking to teach middle school students to read proves coherent curriculum clearly does not exist in Charleston County. In other words, Dr. McGinley's little piece in yesterday's paper just doesn't make sense.
And wasn't McGinley the Chief Academic Officer when we socially promoted all special education students at Burke Middle? The Post and Courier stated our former superintendent "instituted the A-Plus program" at Burke middle, yet wasn't our CURRENT Superintendent the true master behind that joke of a plan? The joke of a plan that couldn't even properly ensure students received services required by federal law?
I wonder how Darby's rally is going at Morris Brown tonight. Yeah, public schools just need more money, Darby. It takes BIG BUCKS to teach kids how to read.

Senator Ford speaks the truth

Here's our own Senator Robert Ford in The State paper on Sunday stating vouchers are the way to go. "...Ford is making the case that the students who would benefit most from a voucher-style program in South Carolina are African-Americans who attend poorly performing schools."

"He dismisses those who say his program would hurt already struggling public schools, framing the argument as a choice between protecting schools or giving children the lifeline they need to succeed."

“You’re damn right I’m hurting public education, because public education is hurting our kids,” Ford said."

I couldn't agree with that quote more.

Fraser parents aren't going away quietly, despite our downtown representative on the school board insisting that CCSD will now begin to better education our inner-city youth. In Monday's paper it states Ms. Toya Green believes "the only way to offer a better education to students is to try something different."

My hat is off to Fraser parents, especially Latonya Gamble. According to today's Post and Courier, Fraser parents are seeking an opinion from the Office for Civil Rights as to whether their children are being racially discriminated against with regards to school closings. "Fewer than 75 white students attend the five schools that will be closed."

While CCSD claims they set up criteria and the targeted schools (excluding Charlestowne Academy) fit it, it makes you wonder. In a budget crisis, everyone should be making sacrifices. Yet who else is?

Ms. Gamble "questioned how the district planned to improve education for students by sending them to other failing schools." Sounds like a damn good question to me.

Who does magnet school transportation really benefit?

I've heard School board veteran Gregg Meyers was a civil rights attorney, back in the day. I guess he had a change of ways. While, Mr. Meyers has no problem stuffing Fraser children into the Archer building in August, he can't stomach the idea of saving nearly $3 million by eliminating transportation to Charleston County magnet schools.
I also heard Mr. Meyers used to have a bus stop in front of his house on Sullivan's Island when his child went to Buist Academy. Surely, this bus stop was not necessary. I guess he feels his Mt. Pleasant constituents deserve the same luxuries he awarded himself. Too bad he doesn't think the Fraser children deserve to wait until August 2010 until they have to move from their neighborhood school.

There should be no bus transporting a child from his excellent rated neighborhood school to Buist Academy, plain and simple. A Mt. Pleasant parent wrote a letter to the editor the other day pleading for magnet school transportation to continue (especially to Buist Academy) for the children from McClellanville. That seems like a pretty reasonable request if that child would not be granted a similar education at his neighborhood school. Yet according to my sources, that kid doesn't exist. Who are the children from McClellanville to whom he makes reference? There are a couple of kids from Awendaw. And there are half a dozen kids from Adams Run, Ravenel, and Hollywood who attend Buist Academy. Maybe he got his McClellanville kid confused with those kids. Or maybe he's just another Mt. Pleasant parent who likes that bus transportation for his own kid who, according to MapQuest, barely lives five miles from the school.

In this budget crisis, if magnet school transportation is provided at all it should be set up the same way transportation is mandated under No Child Left Behind federal legislation, plain and simple. Otherwise, Mr. Meyers, we're going to continue to question your motives.

CCSD is at it again. Will the District 20 board fight them...again?

While our community may continue to question the motives of a college student pursuing a seat on our constituent board, one thing is for sure. By his recent posting on this blog, it sounds like he has a mind of his own. Although I'm tired of the College of Charleston's pseudo partnerships with our schools, maybe Mr. Shalosky represents a different perspective. I say, "Welcome, Mr. Shalosky." You may be just the breath of fresh air our community needs, especially if you can think for yourself and quickly educate yourself on the history of our constituent district. Our District 20 board has been played by the big board as "never being happy" for years, simply because the District 20 board has refused to rubber stamp what the CCSD "experts" want.

I don't know all the facts, but evidently CCSD now wants a rush job on changing attendance lines in the districts where schools are scheduled to close next year. And guess what? CCSD officials have to do what they hate to do, turn to the constituent boards for approval. From what I understand, District 4 did what they do so well...they avoided their duties as elected officials. Yet according to Mr. Shalosky, it sounds like we can count on the District 20 board to do what we elected them to do.

Changing attendance lines should be taken slowly and seriously. This process should be put on hold until the community is properly informed and their voices are heard. What's the rush anyway? CCSD is rushing the closure of Fraser the same way they rushed our Courtney children to Rivers and then our Rivers' children to Rhett. And look at the mess Burke middle is still in. When does it end?

The District 20 board should create attendance lines for Buist Academy. They should also fight for Fraser children to remain at Fraser. To ask those children to move to Archer in August and then move to the new Sanders-Clyde in January is shameful. I assure you it would never be expected nor would it be tolerated in Mt. Pleasant. So why do we tolerate it downtown?

I urge District 20 residents to call your board members and let them know "we're still not happy." Our District 20 board needs your support.

In the meantime, I'll look forward to any information anyone has on where this process stands. And isn't it time to march?

Public tax dollars for a private school? Now I've heard it all

Mayor Riley is a complex man with a clear agenda. Over the past thirty years we have watched our public schools sink into a dismal state with our mayor's hands right in the mess of it. By the city council's approval of "spending $4.75 million to buy land that essentially would be given to a new private school" known as Meeting Street Academy, one thing is very clear. Mayor Riley wants successful PRIVATE schools on the peninsula. To heck with any chance of successful PUBLIC schools. Segregation will continue as planned. Thank God for councilman Tim Mallard. I don't know the man, but at least he attempts to provide some form of democracy in this monarchy we live in by refusing to be a "yes-man" for the king.
Don't get me wrong. I'd love to see Meeting Street Academy succeed. It would be great for them to prove what we've known for several decades. CCSD doesn't know how to educate our kids anymore.
Yet to use public tax dollars to purchase land for a private school serving as few as 200 students as the mayor puts claims on Fraser's building for a Police Academy AND Burke High School can't even claim Stoney Field as their own is just plain sick.

Is it Charleston, SC or Rileyville, SC?

I had to laugh at the editorial in the Post and Courier Saturday morning. In my opinion, laughing is the healthiest way of dealing with the politics of this town. The editorial refers to Dr. McGinley's proposal of selling the Taj Mahal (a/k/a 75 Calhoun Street) in an effort to get us out of the financial mess we're in. I don't believe it and I give her a "C minus" on this one. If she was really sincere, that would have been her first proposed option. The editorial states "Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. (gotta love the full name in there) wants CCSD to remain on Calhoun Street..." And we all know what the mayor wants the mayor gets, right?
I don't know if any one else got it, but I got the sneaky suspicion the author of that editorial was sticking it to the mayor when they then stated "Maybe moving the district headquarters from its traditional location in the county seat won't turn out to be an option, particularly given the city of Charleston's strong desire to keep the headquarters downtown." The CITY of Charleston? I thought it was just the MAYOR of Charleston who had openly expressed opposition to the idea.
Yet, as long as we remain silent, they are one in the same. I just wish the residents and councilmen of the CITY of Charleston would quit letting the Mayor speak on our behalf.

Outreach? I think not.

I couldn't help but notice the irony of The Chronicle's front page last week. The top three featured articles are authored by Barney Blakeney, Arthur Lawrence, and Brenda Nelson. We are all very familiar with Mr. Blakeney and Mr. Lawrence. Yet who is Dr. Nelson, or should I say REVEREND Nelson? She says, she has "had the opportunity to really listen to the heartfelt concerns of many..." Well, duh, woman. We can't dispute that. Don't you get paid close to $100,000 a year to show up to CCSD's dog and pony shows? I'm sure you are listening, but are you really HEARING us? I doubt it. In your article, you actually insult our intelligence when you feel it necessary to 1) identify yourself as a "Minister" and 2) quote a passage from the Bible. Your audacity to quote Hosea 4:6 really turns my stomach. As you quote, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou has rejected knowledge."
HUH?
I'm a true believer in separation of church and state, but I decided to thumb through the Old Testament and read a little. The passage Ms. Nelson quotes from continues "Because you have ignored the law of God, I also will ignore your children." Now THAT makes sense to me. We could place quite a few political cronies in place of God in that sentence and it makes even more sense to me.

Cut to the chase. Ms. Nelson is part of the problem. Her "testimony" in The Chronicle makes it clear she does NOT understand. She is black, yet she is out of touch with the black community. She knows CCSD is not teaching our children the basic skills necessary to function in society, yet she says nothing, reaping the rewards of her paycheck and kissing a little "you know what" to make sure it keeps coming.

I believe it was Ms. Memminger, a Fraser parent, who inquired about Brenda Nelson at the Burke Community meeting. She asked: Who IS she? And WHAT does she do? Close out her salary and others like her before you close our schools. Clearly if an active parent like Ms. Memminger doesn't know who CCSD's Community Outreach Coordinator is or what she does there hasn't been a heck of a lot of reaching going on.
Mr. Lawrence's article suggested merging our two downtown magnet schools to create true integration. I heard he got a phone call from Ms. Nelson reaching out to him the next day on what a bad idea that would be. Mr. Blakeney's article quotes Rev. Lewis and retired educator David Mack Jr. and the obvious fact all of the schools proposed to be closed are predominately African-American and the lack of quality funding and education taking place in these same schools year after year.
Which brings me back to Ms. Nelson. These communities were blind-sided by CCSD. That's not reaching out. That's p--sing people off. Many of the schools, such as our own Charleston Progressive won't exist under any of CCSD's options. Can you imagine if CCSD did that to a predominately white school? One day a school is advertising for 2009-2010 applicants, the next day they have no building.

I believe our community really wants integration. Yet CCSD is going about it the WRONG way. Communicate with the parents at CPA, Buist, and Community Montessori PRIOR to your proposal. Give them a chance to propose options. Instead, CCSD has pitted school against school, which unfortunately is creating more racial tension. How can you close a predominately black school with no prior warning and give its building to a predominately white school without creating racial tension? I pray at tonight's school board meeting the parents of these schools will unite and realize who the real devil is in this sick process.

Condescension and Hypocrisy

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.

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?

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...

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.

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.

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?

Valid points, but....?

I had quite a few critics on my last post make some valid points. Unfortunately, I couldn't help but wonder, were they Buist parents who had trouble sleeping for a change? Sorry folks, but I've lived this life too long. So long, I don't even appreciate true criticism when it comes my way. I apologize to those true critics who have nothing to do with Buist. But a mother's past has little relevance to what a positive future she is trying to make for her children. How many of you have the nerve to have your life story blasted in the Post and Courier? I certainly don't.

No one owes Ms. Capers more of an apology than our Superintendent. Our superintendent made quite an ass of herself in Wednesday's paper. Yeah, I said it. Sorry, I'm not here to please. I'm here to vent and hopefully make a change in the right direction. She said, "My heart broke when I read...about a Charleston mother..." Sniffle, sniffle...Yeah, yeah...according to my sources, you knew ALL about this Charleston mother and her children's story BUT you didn't give a rat's ass until that story wound up in the front page of the Post and Courier. Then you have the tackiness to "invite" Candace Capers back "into our schools." Dr. Mac, she didn't leave "our schools." She just went East of the Cooper, where so many of our white parents went long ago. They were just lucky 'cause they could afford to MOVE there, unlike so many others. Yeah, we also know how you shuffle the black kids to James Island under NCLB. My sources tell me there is NO bus that transports downtown kids to Mt. Pleasant. Why is that?
I also say, "Blah, blah, blah", on your administrators and their lack of resumes, too. Four out of those six Principals you praised in your commentary are first timers, Dr. Mac. I'm not knocking them. I'm just saying you have some nerve praising them. There's no resume, yet somehow you made it sound like there was one. These are all changes you've made in the last few months, yet you act as if these people attributed to your projected improvement rating. And please don't put our CDA "on the West side" under your leadership. We're tired of has-beens like Mr. Benton and we're certainly tired of guinea pigs, Dr. McGinley. Give us some credit and admit these schools need some serious help. We'll pray you made the right decisions with your "superstar" administrators. But in the meantime, will you please give Ms. Capers a damn bus so she can get her kids to a better school? You know? Like you do those Buist kids.

There's a Hero Among Us

Candace Capers is the parent CCSD wants us to be...or not? She is an active parent. According to the Post and Courier, she's so active she chose to take her children out of our district's failing schools and get them East of the Cooper...where the real schools are. You know? The schools rating Excellent on their report cards, making AYP EVERY year (not just every other year or worse). Moultrie Middle is a middle school which actually offers foreign language, something her 6th grader would not be receiving if she kept her at Sanders-Clyde or worse, Burke Middle. Those Mt. Pleasant schools actually require their children to read AND paraphrase.
God bless her. She's a hero. Thank you, Ms. Capers, for speaking the truth too many of us are afraid to utter. And good luck to your children who are truly receiving an education we cannot provide them on the peninsula.
And shame on you CCSD for not providing them transportation!

KJ is Mayor!

For those critics who claim I never have anything positive to say, this one is for you. Here's some good news! Kevin Johnson will be the first African-American mayor of Sacramento, California. Mr. Johnson has made a difference, refusing to accept mediocrity in our public schools. He believes in charter schools and as a result has started his own schools. He believes all children can learn no matter what their zip code.
These are happy times! Go KJ!

Thoughts on the new School Board candidates?

I'm not really sure what to think. Clearly, I believed Marvin Stewart was a much stronger voice for District 20 than Ms. Green. Why Ms. Green decided to run again is beyond me.
Losing David Engelman on our board is huge. He truly believed in holding CCSD accountable for the money they spend...which is clearly NOT going into the classroom.
Chris Collins? God help us all. He seems like a nice guy, but I'm not sure he knows up from down. He's a perfect "Mayor Riley pick", if you ask me.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Sanders Clyde hits the New York Times

I have to admit, I don't read the New York Times. But as word spread that Sanders-Clyde was on the front page of yesterday's paper, I had to pick up a copy. Personally, I think the writer's depiction of our "city of race and class divisions as old as the time-mellowed neighborhoods in this Old South shrine" was right on target.
What shocked me was our very own Dr. Rose so blatantly admitting something was amiss with the test scores at Sanders-Clyde. When did she realize this? Did she notify Dr. Goodloe from the beginning? When Dr. Goodloe stated she wanted Mishawna to duplicate her "success" at Fraser, did she mean what I now think she meant?
CCSD knew something was going on. So did the State Department. It's not rocket science. Whether Dr. Rose was upfront from the beginning...we may never know. Yet she certainly "saved face" with the New York Times, didn't she?
At least there's a few school board members and parents who don't mind speaking the truth, no matter how hard CCSD tries to hide it.

Low expectations continue

When I read the morning paper, I just shook my head. Last night, our school board voted to give our Superintendent an "$8,000 performance bonus and $300 monthly travel allowance increase"...if the district scores "an absolute rating of average," which of course we won't know until AFTER the November 4 election.
Not only do we applaud average, we give bonuses for average. That pretty much sums it all up for me.

who to vote for who is underdog voting for????????

I want to take a moment and talk to you about the upcoming election. Of course in this heated school board election you all have your chosen favorites. I wanted to let you all know why I am voting this way so that you can choose your own.
I am only talking about the Charleston County school Board because this is the main subject on this blog. I will not get into the national races or any other this isn't about that.
Charleston County School Board (2 seats to fill North Charleston)
Elizabeth Kandrac -she knows what the system is like and still wants to help fix it. Less of a Learning curve here.
Mattese Lecque-her former position at the Department of Justice and service to her country impresses me-lets hope she is tough enough for this group
West Ashley Seats (2 seats to fill)
David Engleman-He has nothing to gain and usually votes sensibly. Honest much more than not.
District 20
Marvin Stewart-He has been fighting for a longtime and still has it in him. I admire that. Also he cares about district 20 makes reasonable conclusions. Toya doesn't she only cares about her situation.
GO MARVIN STEWART

Too bad no one is running for district twenty if anyone hears of some write-in's let me know. If not write in Joe Riley--he claims that he cares...lets see if he does.

Chirs Fraser...does he know Wilmot Fraser?

I always crack up when Buist supporters come out in force on this blog. I can tell you about our kids' illiteracy rate and you could care less. I could tell you our kids are NOT being taught music, art, or foreign language and you say our community isn't doing enough. We'll agree to disagree on that foolishness. There's no convincing you everyone deserves the same educational opportunities...no matter where there live or who their parents are. So, I'm changing the subject on the Plessy v. Ferguson supporters.
When I saw Charleston County school board candidate Chris Fraser's sign in front of the "Cigar Factory" condos, I couldn't help but wonder...does Chris Fraser know the Wilmot Fraser we know? They spell their names the same. Are they related?
Wilmot Fraser is the former Principal of East Bay Elementary (k/k/a Sanders-Clyde). While he is now in a better life, his son also named Wilmot Fraser has been a strong voice for our schools.
Yet the irony of a white man named Fraser with his sign next to our Fraser Elementary, named after Wilmot Fraser...a school many of us are convinced is "up next" in CCSD's real estate auction is just too much to ignore.

When current school board member Brian Moody announced he would not be running for reelection, yet endorsed Chris Fraser "the real estate developer", we heard Chris Fraser say,“I am very excited for this opportunity to run for a seat on the school board. There is no issue more important to our community and economy today, than improving the number and quality of graduates who enter the workforce. I have seen first hand the students in these schools and believe we need to create the best environment for these kids to grow and learn.” So is he saying he's actually visited our downtown schools? I doubt it.
My next question to Mr. Fraser would be: Why is your sign next to the Cigar Factory? Will Fraser Elementary be Fraser Elementary Condos (Part Deux Cigar Factory) in a few years?
We all know the talk is to merge Sanders-Clyde and Fraser...Maria initiated that when she made Mishawna Principal of both schools. No rocket science there...

The news also reported that "Fraser is principal broker-in-charge of Grubb & Ellis | BarkleyFraser a commercial real estate firm. For the past two years he has served as chairman of The Education Foundation, an initiative of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce that builds partnerships between the business community and the schools..." Nothing more needs to be said there for me...Then we hear, "During his term, Fraser helped convene local leaders in business and education, and helped strengthen the relationships between the two to determine workforce needs and requirements."
Hmm...in other words, sounds to me like, we need to make sure Mayor Joe has his bed-makers and fry-cooks.
I want to know if Chris Fraser has kids in our schools (not magnet schools like Green and Meyers) and if so, where?? C'mon Chris Fraser, prove to us you're in this for the RIGHT reasons.

Sniff, sniff...I smell a rat!

School board member Gregg Meyers was able to pull off some free advertisement for his girl Toya today in his letter to the editor in the Post and Courier. Mr. Meyers makes reference to the "charter school Kool-Aid", yet if you want my honest opinion, Mr. Meyers and his girl are drinking way too much "magnet school Kool-Aid." You know, the "separate and unequal education" we folks down south REALLY appreciate.
Mr. Meyers says, "if you've had the Kool-Aid, you don't want any questions asked of charter schools." The same could be said about your magnet school Buist Academy, Mr. Meyers. Buist Academy: that crazy school downtown where it just so happens Ms. Green's child entered with flying colors as well as your own. How many kids did you have go through that school, Mr. Meyers? 6? 12? You're as lucky as Darius Rucker on that county-wide list, huh?
Students enter as District 20 residents, don't live in District 20, and yet they get to stay at Buist as District 20 residents "'cause they didn't know they couldn't move." Mr. Meyers led that crowd and I can smell him from here.