Get Schooled

By Jeff

February 28, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Well, I’ve challenged Bobby Jenkins - a superintendent - in most forums, including face to face in his office.

Would challenge him in court as well, but a) don’t have the money and b) he aint worth my time.

I feel sorry for the people of Randolph, but rest assured I will still fight Jenkins’ power over them by proxy - I intend to help defeat one of his closest allies this November (Sandford Bishop).

By Carmin

February 28, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

I was a teacher at a private school in Alabama and learned that my daughter had been pulled in the bathroom by another “trouble-making” little boy. They were both in 1st grade, yet he was a little older. He pulled his pants down and asked my daughter to touch and kiss it. She, of course, refused and when she tried to get out he blocked the door, Thankfully the teacher founf them. I told the school that either he went or I would. They allowed him to stay, my daughter and I left soon after. The school board said, “that’s just what boys do”. I am now back in Atlanta, GA!

By mmm

February 28, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

I don’t know where to begin on this one.

I’ve spoken before the Dekalb County School board so many times the last time I signed up the area assistant superintendent told me that he didn’t feel he needed to know the details of what I was going to say, he was sure whatever I said would be appropriate.

I’ve actually considered running for the board, but I don’t live in the district of the specific board members I feel I could do a better job than—-my rep is very competent.

Do you all consider volunteering full time to create your own public school that does things differently protesting? It feels that way to me. But I have an engineer’s approach to actually redesigning and building something different.

By De Anza

February 28, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

Yes, at community college. I was being harrassed by a college professor and after several letters to the college president, the professor was fired. bye bye Dr. Goldsberry, you suck!!!!

By will

February 28, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Let’s try to get a few facts straightened out about this story.

A principal cannot “expel” anyone from school. If a student is facing the possibility of a suspension of more than 10 days in a public school in Georgia, the matter must be submitted to a disciplinary hearing officer or disciplinary tribunal for the purpose of determining guilt and assigning punishment. The Tribunal\Hearing Officer decision may be appealed to the local Board of Education, the LBOE’s decision may be appealed to the State Board of Education and the SBOE’s decision may be appealed in Superior Court.

If these appeals have not be exhausted, it is unlikely any court will hear this matter.

By Roger

February 28, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Twenty years after graduating high school in Texas, I was told that I never existed. My school lost my transcript and never really wanted to do anything but tell me “sorry bud”. Funny thing is that I was told this by the same Principal that shook my hand when I walked across the stage. When my parents flew to Texas and went to visit the school on my behalf I was sent a letter riddled with typos and mistakes that basically said “there’s nothing we can do”. The Superintendent of the district finally got back with me after my story was printed (with a picture of me in my cap and gown) on the front page of the local paper.

With no thanks to the state of Georgia, I was able to get back into college. The Government Institutions of Higher Learning in Georgia would not accept my transcripts from the colleges I attended in Texas. They insisted on seeing my high school transcripts or take my GED (good enough degree). This my friends is a pathetic joke. I am currently going to a private institution (Shorter) because they took my college transcripts and I’m currently making all A’s. I have thought about applying to UGA’s Terry College for my MBA but if they utter one word about my “high school” transcript, I’ll take my tuition and alumni association money somewhere else.

Here’s the ironic thing. I actually want to teach. However; I’m doubting that I’ll make any real progress in the field with all of the restrictions placed that give the students so-called rights they haven’t earned. Funny how when you actually “earn” something, they take that away from you too. This is what we get when big government idiots who refuse to do anything but sit on their hands and collect votes are in charge of your education.

By Belinda

February 28, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

Roger, sad to say, but what you said is so true!

By HS Sp Ed Teacher

February 28, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

As a teacher, I have stood up to the administrators—often on behalf of my students; a few times on behalf of myself.

Sometimes, the parents can’t get off work to come to school or don’t know how to advocate for their teen.

By jim d

February 28, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Here’s the thing,

It doesn’t make any difference.

I addressed a BOE and requested a simple yes (that no retaliation would be taken against anyone working for the county) prior to handing over a petition which contained over 600 signatures.

When I was told my request didn’t warrant a response I proceeded to black out all 600+ surnames before presenting it so as to protect the school employees who had signed it.

My what fun to have anticipated their answer (having my marker in hand) and then squeak out 600+ surnames with a magic marker while they were attempting to conduct business! :-)

By jim d

February 28, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Roger,

Your post brings to mind these words of a great president.

“Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them.”

Ronald Reagan

By Rik

February 28, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

The school principals wield too much power over the students. My son received 3 days of ISS at Hiram High because he accidentally struck a kid with his rifle during drill team practice. With no evidence to support their assertion (the students were unsupervised) they suspended him for “horseplay” despite the fact that others were doing the same thing. It took them over a week to decide his case because the principal was too busy with personal matters to deal with it. He has regretfully quit the drill team and changed his mind about ROTC. I wrote the board and tried to appeal to no avail. What waste of breath!

By AeroNautica0909

February 28, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

I went to high school in New York and I’ve always challenged school leadership. I’ve challenged the principal on numerous occasions but since I sat on a board of students for the Chancellor for the New York City Public Schools, I’ve challenged school officials there as well, including the chancellor himself.

I and others have challenged the chancellor on issues such as security. The board I sat on had some influence in determining what middle school students learned in their classes.

As for my school principal, I challenged him on scheduling, security, class issues, for example. I and others fought off a change in scheduling that would keep us in class longer and us stay in school longer. The year after we left the scheduling changed for those who were still at my HS.

However, the key for change is to have many people uniting under one umbrella. Dissent in the group for change shows disunity and allows for those who are to be removed to get ammunition and point out the discontinuity in the dissenters.

By vanessa/michael sasfras

February 28, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

this is really intresting because i have asituation in which the school say we work for you parents but they proved different my son was diagnosed with depression and i told school officials because he also recieve specific learning disability services the school said we dont see depression and threw out the window my son was being picked on by the kids called and told me i called school and said to get him hes talking crazy again they took it light went and got him ask if everything was alright and sent him to next period an incident occurred in which he was provoked and he was pulled by administrator and police in which a weapon was found and he was arrested the school tried to push it to have my son arrested even though they know he wasnt a problem child just one that needed help in which they didnt give someone please help us because right now im writing and calling the board but seems to no avail.

By lovelyliz

February 28, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

Challenging the leadership in a private school never works unless you are the parents with the $$$$$$$.

By Lee

February 28, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

Been there, done that. Finally got tired of jousting windmills and put daughter in private school.

Best decision I ever made.

School systems know that they have inept administrators in charge. That is one reason they have policy manuals that look like the Encyclopedia Brittanica.

Weak men like lots of rules. Easier to hide behind.

*”I’m sorry Mr. Lee. I agree with you, but school policy says….”

What he really means is, “Damn, I’m glad I don’t have to make a decision on this one. Thank God for a book full of rules.”

Tell me this, has anyone ever tried to go before your local school board. You have to sign up at least two weeks before the meeting to get on the agenda, in person. They don’t accept a phone call, email, or snail maile. 9 times out of 10, you give your ten or fifteen minute speech while the board sits there staring off into space. You sit down, no discussion, next person.

The only person I ever saw that got any satisfaction from going before the board was the president of the athletic association. You pack a board meeting with 50 or so angry parents (like the athletic assn did) and you might get something done. Otherwise, don’t waste your time.

Little wonder when people want to fight the system, they get a lawyer.