Any suggestions for new DeKalb school board? Should Georgia consider appointed boards?
Let’s suggest some folks who might be possible school board candidates in DeKalb now that the state Board of Education has recommended the ouster of six veteran members. I expect the governor to move quickly on approving that recommendation and naming the replacements.
I also wonder if Nathan Deal would reappoint any of the vanquished board members, including those who have only served two years at this point. He apparently has that prerogative.
Any names come to mind?
In the meantime, here is an interesting suggestion from retired educator John Davis that Georgia move to appointed school boards. Typically, the mayor appoints the boards. (Here’s a list of places with appointed boards.)
By John Davis
During 40 plus years in education, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of school organizations. One of the most noteworthy
was where the mayor appointed the five-member school board.Each member
had some business background or educational experience. Nonereceived a salary, secretarial assistance or expense accounts.They were responsible for hiring a superintendent and developing and following school policy. If the public did not like the way the schools were being handled, they needed to look no further than the mayor’s office. It was a very efficient and effective operation.
It has been my experience that school systems experiencing organizational/leadership problems usually have dysfunctional school boards. When examining the causes of dysfunction, several factors seem to repeatedly occur.
The first problem is the size of school boards. When boards exceed seven members, it becomes more difficult to reach consensus and more likely members will fragment into political/district diversions. In other words, members focus more on the local district they represent rather than on what is best for the entire school system.
The second problem is offering salaries and benefits to elected school board members. This tempts some individuals to seek the elected position to bring in some extra money and, in some cases, their entire income, even though they have little or no understanding of multi-million-dollar budgets and how to make complicated business decisions. There is also the problem of individuals running for elected positions with ulterior motives that are narrowly focused and counterproductive to serving as a team player.
The third problem is the way school board members are elected. School board elections take place at the same time as county, state and/or federal elections. This places the school board nominees’ names toward the end of the ballot. Most board members do not seek or cannot afford large campaign organizations; thus, the public has very little exposure to the background or experience of those seeking a board position.
By the time most voters get to the school board portion of the ballot, they select a name that either sounds familiar or just make a wild guess. Unless the media has gotten involved with school board coverage, the general public is left pretty much in the dark about qualifications.
What I liked about the school system where the mayor
appointed the school board was that it was important for the mayor, an elected official, to appoint highly qualified individuals and then make surea highly qualified superintendent would be hired who could work with the board and the community.The dysfunctional DeKalb County Board of Education offers a golden opportunity for the state Board of Education and the governor to address organizational/structural problems that exist in many school districts. Instead of replacing board members with another group of nine individuals representing nine mini school districts, think outside the box and select representatives whose interests reflect the greater district needs.
While the DeKalb board will shrink to seven members next year as a result of state legislation, consider a five-member board. Instead of another election for the members, have the board composed
of one representative from the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, one from the DeKalb PTA, one from the Organization of DeKalb Educators, onefrom among retired educators and one at-large member.Of course, there are numerous combinations of groups that could represent the DeKalb County schools, and this is offered as one example.
My plea is to address the root problem, which is the current organizational structure of selecting school board members. Let us be honest: Any change to the structure cannot be any worse than what we now have.
–from Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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202 comments Add your comment
sam123
February 22nd, 2013
11:57 am
The DCSS can not negatively impact State Teacher’s Retirement system of Georgia. The percent paid in and how much the teachers, contribute has state law mandates.
I think what you are talking about is the 403B that the county used to pay into until about 2008. It was taken away under Crawford Lewis, There is a lawsuit concerning the issue of how it was stopped back then which has not been settled. Legally, the school system does not have to pay into a 403B. The following year the board voted, following protocol, and the teachers continue to no longer receive their 403B, which was a board tax sheltered annuity. People constantly get the two mixed up. The 403B was started when social security was stopped years. ago. Some school systems in Georgia still pay into social security and TRS. Decatur City Schools is an example of that.
Check with your teacher friends from out of state and you will find many different scenarios.
bob from account temps
February 22nd, 2013
11:59 am
i think they should appoint robots to the school board
Bernie
February 22nd, 2013
12:02 pm
The Hammer @ 11:51 am – Are you serious with your comment? surely public funding failed you for sure! Public funding insures the ALL of our children are educated equally and fairly. At least that is the concept that is to be followed. However due to shortsighted, racist,bigoted and prejudice people which may include you will only select a precious few of their own choosing to educate with public funding. I am kicking myself now for even reponding to your comment!
d
February 22nd, 2013
12:03 pm
@The Hammer – I don’t think most people *inside* the public education system wants the “homogenized people” that you claim. However, the major problem we face in public education is that forces outside public education control the line of thinking right now. Dr. Trotter has mentioned several – Gates, Broad, Walton, etc. Georgia legislators seem to be ensnared by the siren song from Michelle Rhee – a self proclaimed “bad teacher” whose record in DC was very similar to Beverly Hall’s record in Atlanta. That is the problem with the ban on collective bargaining in Georgia. Teachers know what we need to do to create productive citizens from our students, but frequently we are not permitted to do so because of the “reformers.”
Bill
February 22nd, 2013
12:08 pm
As a retired teacher of DeKalb County of 24 years, teaching in Junior High, Middle School and High School for 30 years, being the textbook coordinator at my DeKalb middle school for many years, being an athletic coach (soccer) in DeKalb for 24 years, being former president of the DeKalb Association of Educators for 8 years, member of PAGE, 5 years as a trustee to the PAGE Foundation, Mr. Deal I put my name in nomiation to serve on the DeKalb Board of Education.
DowntownA
February 22nd, 2013
12:09 pm
how about let the mayor of atlanta and city council pick the school board? Atl needs to be represented by more African-Americans and the mayor will make sure the right people get picked.
Mid Ga Retiree
February 22nd, 2013
12:12 pm
I am familiar with a local government that had a school system and an appointed board. Instead of the mayor appointing the school board it was done by the grand jury. Educated, business-minded people were routinely appointed to the board, and if I am not mistaken, there were term limits. The system eventually consolidated with the county school system and an elected board is now in place. No term limits are in place and the board is, in my opinion, not nearly as productive or efficient. I think the idea of appointed boards has a lot of merit and would like to see a serious study of this concept.
Lisa Hanson
February 22nd, 2013
12:14 pm
As a former school board candidate in Cobb County, who ran against a controversial incumbent, I can honestly say that the majority of the people vote based on name recognition, NOT necessarily for the best candidate. It is a sad state of affairs when people care more about a calendar issue and not the real issues affecting our schools, and children’s education. This said school board member in Cobb has been called out for numerous ethics violations, yet he still gets by with them due to his age and people excusing him for being a senile old man. SACS should take a good hard look at this Cobb Co. boardmember as he has pulled some of the same antics that the Dekalb school board members who are being replaced have. I wish people would be more proactive when doing their homework regarding candidates and their qualifications… It is up to the voters to take the initiatives to ensure quality representation from school board members.
d
February 22nd, 2013
12:14 pm
Please excuse my “s” on what should have been “want” in my last post. I didn’t catch the typo in time!
who cares
February 22nd, 2013
12:16 pm
I think the best thing, for the parents of that county to do, is vote with your feet and move out of that school district all together.
FM Fats
February 22nd, 2013
12:16 pm
Joe Bembry is out of jail and available!
Dr. John Trotter
February 22nd, 2013
12:20 pm
@ d: I think that Michelle Rhee is phony as a three dollar bill. Where are the test scores (the actual tests) of her “miracle” students whom she taught in D. C.? They seem to be missing, right?
As an administrator, if I were willing to beat up teachers, don’t you think that I could have played this same game that she and these other gypsy and slutting superintendents play? (Did I just make up a word…slutting? Ha! I do indeed call these superintendents “gypsy superintendents” and “educational sluts.” I have been calling them this for years…in many of my articles.)
atlmom
February 22nd, 2013
12:21 pm
hey, since everyone thinks that the GA PreK program is great (even the president! —and, well, in my experience it is).
Why not run the school system like the GA PreK program?
Let the parents find a spot. Then the state (or the county, or city, or whoever) sends a check to the school.
Then you don’t need a school board.
Because I think we have proven in 50 years of history, that having an appointed board or an elected board or the state or the county or the city run a school system is an awful way to go. It is not working. We can keep tweaking the system like we have done for decades, or we can do something radically different.
Private Citizen
February 22nd, 2013
12:24 pm
You would think this historic 14 hour hearing and unanimous decision would be news, but guess what?, outside of the metro Atlanta area, in the hinterlands where local newspapers are real tight with their local boards of education, and have a sort of cooperative arrangement where they promote each other, there is not a whisper of mention of this news. It would really rock-the-boat in the where people are trained to the obedience system and school boards role play as local royalty.
Ssshhh. Don’t print that, whatever you do!!!
Aquagirl
February 22nd, 2013
12:29 pm
Because I think we have proven in 50 years of history
No, we haven’t “proven” public education is a failure, a generalized sweeping statement is proof of nothing. Well, except your ability to make a generalized sweeping statement with no foundation.
Private Citizen
February 22nd, 2013
12:34 pm
tsiky tisky Dr. John, no reason to be sexist. you must spend too much time on the road getting coffee at convenience stores with the counter / cash register next to the magazine rack. ha
I usually turn the top of the rack magazine around so the back cover is facing outward. Ever seen one of those girls on the side of the road “talking on the cell phone” (not), impatiently rubbing their hairdo, sort of stamping feet as if waiting for someone, meanwhile with the parked police cruiser in the parking lot across the street, surveilling them? There’s a lot of that is urban/rural Georgia. Lots of dysfunction, role playing, meth labs, throw in jail, not rehabilitate. A guy just told me that when he was in prison, there was no rehabilitation and a warden told him “I own (for profit) stock in every one of you guys. Every year I buy shares in the (for profit prison) company. It’s all a money grab. Everybody’s makin’ money, the police, the prosecutor, the judge, the prisons.”
slobberbelly
February 22nd, 2013
12:34 pm
Deal should re-appoint NOBODy. They all need to go. Time to start over with a school board appointed by the Governor. With the partisanship expressed by DeKalb voters and elected officials, (all of which began with the election of Vernon Jones) that will be the ONLY way to seat a competent school board.
Private Citizen
February 22nd, 2013
12:35 pm
And everything is a felony now.
Private Citizen
February 22nd, 2013
12:36 pm
Well, except for what school boards do. If I throw a car battery in a lake, I get a felony charge and five years in prison. If they lose $100 million dollars, they talk about “relationships.”
The Deal
February 22nd, 2013
12:37 pm
At this point I would be fine with no board and a superintendent that is hired by the county CEO. One throat to choke.
futuro de dekalb
February 22nd, 2013
12:39 pm
¿se considerará un latino para servir en la junta escolar?
Dreaming of a Fresh Start...
February 22nd, 2013
12:39 pm
I like the idea of a mayor appointed school system. I also agree that we should select representatives “whose interests reflect the greater district needs”. However if we are to consider one representative from the Organization of DeKalb Educators we should also consider one representative from the Georgia Federation of Teachers.
CJae of EAV
February 22nd, 2013
12:40 pm
Personally sounds like a cop out to me to say we shouldnt have elected school boards because the voters to pay attention to who’s running and/or the candidates don’t run effective campaigns to educate votes about the issues. The same could be said for any number elected positions at all levels (local, county, state & federal).
I implications of how this plays out will be far reaching beyond just the current woes in DCSS. All of those who cry out for local control should be watching this closely. At this point we’ve set the stage to allow the Gov to dismantle local boards, which in a defacto sense does inch us toward appointed local boards. But before we rush down that path we would be wise to consider the status quo and evaluate seriously how much of the present sense in disfunction would truly be removed by adding even more poltics into the governance of local school districts by making them poltically appointed positions. Are we really ready for all of that would bring?
bootney farnsworth
February 22nd, 2013
12:40 pm
@ bbb
not only did you not answer the question, you are sadly and stupidly mistaken in your basic premise.
atlmom
February 22nd, 2013
12:41 pm
aquagirl: then we just tweak the system more and see how it goes? Is that the answer? What I’m saying is – we’ve been doing this for decades – and we spend more per student now than ever, and we get worse results than we ever have. It’s definitely NOT due to money…so what is it?
Please – show me where I’m wrong.
Another Voice
February 22nd, 2013
12:43 pm
Dr Trotter – how about addressing Maureen’s question without sarcasm? Who – real people – would you suggest be appointed? Forgeth the rhetoric about whether the law will be upheld or not — just tell us who you think is competent.
I’d add Dan Weber of Dunwoody to the list, and if Fran Millar wasn’t busy being a legislator, would propose his name. Another good name would be Kay Weber – 30+ years in DeKalb as teacher and was principal at Peachtree Charter Middle School during some difficult transition years. She retired from the sytem, but she is one sharp lady and not afraid to speak up for children.
I’d put my name on the list – CPA, Ivy League economics degree, MBA from Emory, 30+ years in various business positions with Fortune 50 companies, and a graduate of DCSS (when Peachtree was still a high school). Volunteered at one of the most challenged high schools in Atlanta Public Schools, and continue to be involved with education through a non-profit board position.
But, oh, dear, I was smart enough to see the DCSS train wreck coming. One year of education – at Vanderlyn, one of the top elementary schools in the state, no less – was enough to convince me to send my child to private school. And that simple fact would, in the eyes of many, be a barrier to being on a public school board.
bootney farnsworth
February 22nd, 2013
12:43 pm
@ hammer
brutally put, the reason public schools continue to exist is simple. socialization and domestication of the citizenry
bootney farnsworth
February 22nd, 2013
12:46 pm
how about Beverly Hall – she’s available
(sorry, couldn’t resist)
Aquagirl
February 22nd, 2013
12:51 pm
What I’m saying is – we’ve been doing this for decades
What “this” have we been doing for decades? We’ve been doing public education far longer than decades, so I’m not sure what you’re identifying as a problem.
Dreaming of a Fresh Start...
February 22nd, 2013
12:52 pm
I would support the mayor appointing board members. I agree we should select ‘”representatives whose interests reflect the greater district needs”. However we MUST have a board who reflect the diversity of Dekalb County. Also, if we have one board member from the Organziation of Dekalb Eduactors we should also have one member from the Georgia Federation of Teachers.
bootney farnsworth
February 22nd, 2013
12:54 pm
and some people wonder why DCSs got into such a mess, and so quickly.
Chamblee Dad
February 22nd, 2013
12:54 pm
When people complain of political candidates these days regardless of office (why even vote? I don’t like any of them!), many acknowledge one of the main problems with the democratic process, even with the lure of $$ or more likely power & influence = most of the people that I and many would consider ideal for the job have no interest in taking it, they have more dignity & less patience for this type silliness, to ever run for the position. They run the other way.
I know a couple in particular, many like us half-tease from time to time “why don’t you run?” They have addressed the board repeatedly, come better prepared than those up front, & are clearly more qualified/knowledgeble than anyone else on the board & most central office staff. If you’ve attended & watched enough board meetings you know at least a couple. They are invested in education in an unbiased way (at least while looking in from the outside – I’ll concede). They are not pushing their own individual/local/area school agenda. They are usually challenging the efforts of the board based on incorrect information, inproper process & clearly out-of-whack priorities. They speak of true achievement in the classroom, reasonable class sizes, equiping & compensating our teachers (not ODE style – I’m talking from true rank & file prospective). They speak against canned programs doomed to fail. They want true “success for all” – in reality, not yet another expensive pet project. “Victory in the Classroom” as the only goal, not just a slogan. “Premier” as a reputation earned, not self-proclaimed.
Though I voted for her, but did feel it would serve the greater good to have the all 6 board incumbent members removed, I consider Nancy Jester mostly fitting this mold. Yes, she took actions to protect her turf, & that’s the problem = she had turf. If all were elected AT LARGE, only 5 at most, I think we’d have a better outcome.
Appointed, regardless of who does it, creates a similar problem. They are beholden, not to a home district, but to political patronage, which has always been the American way. And that carries more quid-pro-quo than any election.
So to me district-based elections vs. appointed, both devils you know.
At-large elections on very small board (no more than 5)? Not necessarily all angels, but gotta be less devils.
bootney farnsworth
February 22nd, 2013
12:56 pm
its times like this I really miss Hosea.
bootney farnsworth
February 22nd, 2013
1:00 pm
@ futuro
sorry, wrong minority. the current majority minority in DeKalb is not interested in your opinions or input
Concerned for children
February 22nd, 2013
1:00 pm
The courts are going to issue a temporary restraining order if the Governor attempts to suspend duly elected officers that have been elected by the citizens. I do not agree with many of the actions of this board or any other board, but the government does not have the legal and constitutional power to remove these officers. This county has over a billion dollar budget, so the government can appoint his cronies and buddies to run it, against the will of the citizens. I also believe that voting and civil rights issues will come into play. Is it not the republicans that always talk about local control. They are for local control until it is something they do not agree with, then its okay for the state or federal government to get involved. The same is currently playing out in Sumter County, Ga and the boards almost mirror each other.
Lindsay
February 22nd, 2013
1:08 pm
Not sure appointments by elected officials will work. No salary is a MUST. Health insurance benefits may be ok, as it is a way to (hopefully) ensure teachers can receive quality health insurance. The problem that will be hard to fix is engaging DeKalb voters to care about who they are voting for and whether or not they are running for the right reasons.
Board Member is not a job title, it is a service to the community and it needs to be performed by someone who cares about education, DeKalb County students AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, being good stewards of DeKalb taxpayers’ money.
bootney farnsworth
February 22nd, 2013
1:12 pm
no compensation for BOE members is a no go. assuming they actually do their jobs, they deserve some form of payment.
not a lot, but something to cover the costs and expenses of their service.
Chamblee Dad
February 22nd, 2013
1:12 pm
When people complain of political candidates these days regardless of office (why even vote? I don’t like any of them!), many acknowledge one of the main problems with the democratic process, even with the lure of $$ or more likely power & influence = most of the people that I and many would consider ideal for the job have no interest in taking it, they have more dignity & less patience for this type silliness, to ever run for the position. They run the other way.
I know a couple in particular, many like us half-tease from time to time “why don’t you run?” They have addressed the board repeatedly, come better prepared than those up front, & are clearly more qualified/ knowledgeable than anyone else on the board & most central office staff. If you’ve attended & watched enough board meetings you know at least a couple. They are invested in education in an unbiased way (at least while looking in from the outside – I’ll concede). They are not pushing their own individual/local/area school agenda. They are usually challenging the efforts of the board based on incorrect information, improper process & clearly out-of-whack priorities. They speak of true achievement in the classroom, reasonable class sizes, equipping & compensating our teachers (not ODE style – I’m talking from true rank & file prospective). They speak against canned programs doomed to fail. They want true “success for all” – in reality, not yet another expensive pet project. “Victory in the Classroom” as the only goal, not just a slogan. “Premier” as a reputation earned, not self-proclaimed.
Though I voted for her, but did feel it would serve the greater good to have the all 6 board incumbent members removed, I consider Nancy Jester mostly fitting this mold. Yes, she took actions to protect her turf, & that’s the problem = she had turf. If all were elected AT LARGE, only 5 at most, I think we’d have a better outcome.
Appointed, regardless of who does it, creates a similar problem. They are beholden, not to a home district, but to political patronage, which has always been the American way. And that carries more quid-pro-quo than any election.
So to me district-based elections vs. appointed, both devils you know.
At-large elections on very small board (no more than 5)? Not necessarily all angels, but gotta be less devils.
Comment in Moderation
February 22nd, 2013
1:22 pm
Yep, Trotter. Nothing says you are really eductated and have best interest of others in mind than Ha! at end of sentences. How’s the Board of Education in Clayton doing…..seems like your hands are all over that dumpester fire.
RKB
February 22nd, 2013
1:24 pm
They voted to remove one of the only competent, professional, true “educators” that the DCCS had…quite frankly Dekalb doesn’t deserve her…. Go ahead Dekalb, vote some matchbook cover degree – having, criminal clowns to replace her….what a F’ing joke this all is….
Dr. Pam Speaks bio:
In November 2008, Dr. Pamela Speaks was elected to the DeKalb County Board of Education for District 8 and began her term in office in January, 2009. Dr. Speaks is a retired DeKalb County School System (DCSS) educator who has served students in many capacities over the past thirty years.
Dr. Speaks began her professional career in education after she earned a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University. She continued her education and earned a Master of Arts from Northeastern. She also earned a Specialist in Education (Ed. S.) from Jacksonville State University. Finally, she earned a Doctorate in Education (Ed. D.) from Sarasota.
Dr. Speaks taught physical education and special education in Brookline, Massachusetts and in Boston, Massachusetts. She moved to Georgia, and for twenty-five years, Dr. Speaks worked in the DCSS as a special education teacher, as a specialist for the Regional Assessment Center, and as an administrator.
As an administrator, Dr. Speaks earned the reputation as being one who demonstrated high standards of excellence and expected the same from the teachers she was assisting to earn their certification. Consequently, teachers in schools across the district credit Dr. Speaks with helping them become effective classroom teachers. Additionally, she supported teachers as an Instructional Coordinator. Finally, she ended her career in the DCSS as Title I Director. In that position, Dr. Speaks was responsible to oversee the federally-funded program that provides additional funding to schools that serve economically disadvantaged students.
She has two children who graduated from the DCSS. Her daughter is a 1994 graduate of the DeKalb School of the Arts and her son is a 2002 graduate of Lakeside High School.
southern opinion
February 22nd, 2013
1:27 pm
Get an ALL Asian BOE. See if academic emphasis changes! Bet you things would change as far as parent interest, academic responsibility, financial consideration, student discipline, and involvement of all board members. They take education seriously!!!
DeKalb Inside Out
February 22nd, 2013
1:32 pm
Profile – School Board
What is the desired profile of a school board rep? School board reps work roughly 20 – 40 hrs/week and make $18K annually. We severely limit ourselves to the type of person that can do the job …
* Old retired people
* Independently wealthy
* Significant others of a single income home
* Somebody that can afford to live on $18K
Are these the profiles of the school board reps we want?
RKB
February 22nd, 2013
1:37 pm
The State “Agency” voted to remove one of the only truly professional, accomplished and honest members that they had on the Dekalb County School Board yesterday, Dr. Pamela Speaks. Frankly, the county does not deserve her service, its inhabitants are only interested in ignorance and buffoonery. Dekalb only seems interested in criminals, charlatans and match book cover “degree”-having imbeciles as its public servants…. I hope that you clowns get what you deserve…
Dr. Speaks Bio:
In November 2008, Dr. Pamela Speaks was elected to the DeKalb County Board of Education for District 8 and began her term in office in January, 2009. Dr. Speaks is a retired DeKalb County School System (DCSS) educator who has served students in many capacities over the past thirty years.
Dr. Speaks began her professional career in education after she earned a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University. She continued her education and earned a Master of Arts from Northeastern. She also earned a Specialist in Education (Ed. S.) from Jacksonville State University. Finally, she earned a Doctorate in Education (Ed. D.) from Sarasota.
Dr. Speaks taught physical education and special education in Brookline, Massachusetts and in Boston, Massachusetts. She moved to Georgia, and for twenty-five years, Dr. Speaks worked in the DCSS as a special education teacher, as a specialist for the Regional Assessment Center, and as an administrator.
As an administrator, Dr. Speaks earned the reputation as being one who demonstrated high standards of excellence and expected the same from the teachers she was assisting to earn their certification. Consequently, teachers in schools across the district credit Dr. Speaks with helping them become effective classroom teachers. Additionally, she supported teachers as an Instructional Coordinator. Finally, she ended her career in the DCSS as Title I Director. In that position, Dr. Speaks was responsible to oversee the federally-funded program that provides additional funding to schools that serve economically disadvantaged students.
She has two children who graduated from the DCSS. Her daughter is a 1994 graduate of the DeKalb School of the Arts and her son is a 2002 graduate of Lakeside High School.
Private Citizen
February 22nd, 2013
1:57 pm
School boards exerting “local control” is a myth. Schools are about transferring curriculum “knowledge.” School boards do not “control” anything in this regard, nor should they. School boards manage: pay the light bill, make sure the roof is not leaking, and that the buses run on time. They manage the check book and local infrastructure. That is a big job all by itself and it is a service to teachers and students.
________________________
I think elected local boards is a joke. It is make-believe that they have power over education and it a con job from big power that local boards have control. When they exert “control” it is negative control. It is a complete mis-fit. It is a personality charade. When I watched the last of the hearing, the last two “new” board members just rattled about a bunch of visionary dross. Frankly, it was ridiculous, like a side-show at the midway. Point being, they don’t have any power over education. They can ban books and obstruct hirees and create distraction. Maybe I’ve just not ever seen a “model version” of a productive school board aside from… paying the light bill, making sure the roof doesn;t leak… balance the checkbook.
Hire skilled teachers and get out of their way and let them do their work. But Georgia is allll about something else.
Private Citizen
February 22nd, 2013
2:06 pm
The SACS method for K12 appears to be to lightly-manage the local carnival side show that gives the local the impression that they have “power” and to lightly-manage this “perception management” apparatus, while the national initiatives from SACS true masters is implemented. They have to do something when the school district checkbook and lawsuits get out of line. But if this is okay, SACS will tread lightly while the federal bulldozer revs it’s engine. Whoever said the national DOE has created an IRS system to occupy teachers/administrators is spot-on. The rule book is big, the conditions complex, and the requirement can not ever be met, therefore it is a self-perpetuating system of occupation and authority for those who buy into it. The key point about education is mission and relevance. When the state and local give so much command to what is a bizarre national system, the myth of “local control” is on the very very bottom of the pickle barrel. Pay attention with Serf’s Collar posts about the control strategies going on with excessive testing and emphasis on “feelings” in place of content. The seems to be a real effort to interfere with schools and keep them off balance, resulting in a guaranteed disabling of the populace.
Private Citizen
February 22nd, 2013
2:12 pm
I’d be all for national administration of schools, but for some reason in the United Stated, national administration seems to create burden, confusion, and entirely ignore teachers having the tools to do their job based on real applied-practitioners demanding the tools they need. Something else is going on. It is no small thing that Georgia has no (zero) sequential vocabulary program and that much of math instruction has been turned into a mess of combined concepts instead of sequential mastery.
A master teacher commented about “the standards” make a system where the teacher has to keep moving, whether the kids know the material or not. If you think about this for a minute, it is completely counterproductive for teachers to not have the authority to do effective work. Local school boards provide nothing, no relief whatsoever, on these important issues of real control. They do not merit reference as having “control” either, for the simple reason that they do not.
Todd
February 22nd, 2013
2:16 pm
This one is easy…..
1) Limit school board members to one term. It seems to me that, if the members were limited to a single term, they wouldn’t worry about getting reelected, planning their next four years on a salary, office, and expense account, and developing their fiefdom. Doing so would allow the members to focus on the kids….they wouldn’t have to worry about who they might piss off….they can simply do whatever is in the best interest of the kids.
2) require each board member to maintain separate malpractice coverage with at least $1,000,000 in coverage, so that each can have their own attorneys paid for out of the coverage limits.
3) eliminate the salary component….representing children is a public service, not a job. If the 1.5k per month is that important to the member’s personal finances, it will cause them to want to keep the position too long….rather than doing the best job they can.
Private Citizen
February 22nd, 2013
2:23 pm
For many Georgia school boards, the use of “control” is to get rid of annual comprehensive testing that shows their standing and performance in a national comparison, and instead, replace it with testing the does a comparison within Georgia. This is an example of “negative control” and appears to be supported by the state DOE. At the very least, the state DOE accepts this. It allows them to pay personnel and test company to make a “Georgia version” of annual comprehensive test. This type of dishonest “make believe” activity is one reason why many unconnected Georgia students are told they are getting quality norms, but why over a long period of time Georgia students and communities are manipulated as dumb peasants and real national comparisons reflect this lack of serious services.
Chamblee Dad
February 22nd, 2013
2:31 pm
Now talking strategy:
Deal decides to remove board on Monday, does he announce replacement then, before hearing on lawsuit scheduled on Thursday, or wait until after? He’s gotta have a list ready.
Other side: If yes, remove, will board let suit continue? – yesterday “at one point in the lengthy hearing, a state board member asked the DeKalb board members not to sue if they were ousted, but Gene Walker said he was not going to relinquish his constitutional rights.” Who else will be involved? Would he proceed by himself if others want to drop?
If we end up with 15 members on Thursday, then what? I think they’ve got a good chance of winning on Thursday based on Constitution. Create a stalemate. Neither group can do anything. Which 6 would the “new 3″ meet with? Who would even be allowed in the building? No one? so one at the Gov. Mansion, the other in Walker’s basement?
May I suggest a DCSS BOE Hunger Games? I’d watch that.
Kelly Monsalvo
February 22nd, 2013
2:31 pm
Lynn13 you must be talking about the Decatur School Board. They are wonderful and have brought Decatur’s school system up to great levels in a short amount of time because they are selfless and always but students first. I am so thankful my kids are in CSD cause they are getting a fabulous education! I wish that Superintendent Edwards and the Decatur School board could take over the DeKalb system so DeKalb’s kids could get as great an education as ours are in Decatur. God bless DeKalb’s parents, teachers and students and let’s hope help is on the way.