Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet “The Crisis,” wrote:
There are cases which cannot be overdone by language, and this is one. There are persons, too, who see not the full extent of the evil which threatens them; they solace themselves with hopes that the enemy, if he succeed, will be merciful. It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war; the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf, and we ought to guard equally against both.
This upcoming election is not a battle of “politics.” This upcoming election is not an exercise in discourse on esoteric ideas. This upcoming election is not a fight between the elite and the common man, nor is it a fight between religion and irreligion.
Those of us who live in the real world understand that men and women of all faiths, political persuasions and ethnicities agree that when their children’s education is in peril, we must step in together to remove that peril. I have heard the following statements from citizens of varied political parties, religions and races:
The future of our children has been threatened.
The teachers, whom we hold dear, have been assaulted.
The reputation of our county has been sullied beyond recognition.
This is not a “fear bomb.” This is real.
There is a natural firmness in some minds which cannot be unlocked by trifles, but which, when unlocked, discovers a cabinet of fortitude. . .. Thomas Paine, The Crisis
I cannot tell you how many people I have spoken to who become visibly and audibly enraged when they tell me their impressions of the board majorities’ actions. When I talk to them, fellow citizens recount decisions made by the board majority, or they recall quotes by individual majority members – and one can see the anger, the indignation – the disbelief that this blatant abuse of power is happening in the United States. In Burke County. Without recourse.
Collectively, we have been frustrated and we have been tired. But we are not down, and we have just begun a new fight.
This election is about restoring priorities so that the Board puts our children first.
This election is about stopping the abuse of power by those seemingly drunk with it.
This election is about making the Burke County Board of Education accountable to the public it serves.
I turn with the warm ardor of a friend to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out: I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it. Thomas Paine, The Crisis
Thanks for your support. We are all in this together.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Thanks David.
David Turbeville has been concerned about the school board for quite some time, and he and I have had long discussions about the board and its actions over the past months. David would be an outstanding school board member. This selfless act - of refraining from running for a seat on the board at this time - speaks to his selflessness and heroism. The following is his letter to the Editor that was printed in the Morganton News Herald Tuesday, July 21, 2009:
I have been asked by numerous people why I am not running for the school board. While I know I would have done a good job in representing the families and children of the Western District, there are two people who are running in the Western District who are much, much more qualified than me and any other candidate running in the Western District. These two people are Ms. Catherine Thomas, who is running to fill Tracy Norman's seat and Ms. Susan Stroup , who is running to fill David Barnard/John Aulgur's seat.
Ms. Thomas is a lawyer who can easily understand the educational laws. She will not need to depend on the “special” counsel that the school board needs to have now. Ms. Thomas has been actively following the actions of the school board. She still has children in the school system, so she will always have the best interest of our children at heart.
Ms. Stroup is a retired principal from our school system. She understands the in’s and out’s of the schools, the needs of the teachers and students and the importance of having a good school board. She will listen to the people she represents.
Both Ms. Stroup and Ms. Thomas have great communication skills. They will both answer phone calls and e-mails. They will not ignore them as the present school board does. Both will not be intimidated by telling us the truth about issues or by other board members. Ms. Thomas and Ms. Stroup will be open, honest, intelligent and caring representatives for the Western District.
I encourage anyone who would have voted for me to vote for Ms. Stroup and Ms. Thomas in the Western District as well as Mr. Sam Wilkinson in the Eastern District and Buddy Armour in the Central District. We can’t allow the board to continue on the destructive path they are on and by electing Ms. Thomas, Ms. Stroup, Mr. Wilkinson, and Mr. Armour, we will be able to correct many of the mistakes of the current school board majority. By electing these four individuals, then and only then, will the “public” be placed back into “public” schools.
I have been asked by numerous people why I am not running for the school board. While I know I would have done a good job in representing the families and children of the Western District, there are two people who are running in the Western District who are much, much more qualified than me and any other candidate running in the Western District. These two people are Ms. Catherine Thomas, who is running to fill Tracy Norman's seat and Ms. Susan Stroup , who is running to fill David Barnard/John Aulgur's seat.
Ms. Thomas is a lawyer who can easily understand the educational laws. She will not need to depend on the “special” counsel that the school board needs to have now. Ms. Thomas has been actively following the actions of the school board. She still has children in the school system, so she will always have the best interest of our children at heart.
Ms. Stroup is a retired principal from our school system. She understands the in’s and out’s of the schools, the needs of the teachers and students and the importance of having a good school board. She will listen to the people she represents.
Both Ms. Stroup and Ms. Thomas have great communication skills. They will both answer phone calls and e-mails. They will not ignore them as the present school board does. Both will not be intimidated by telling us the truth about issues or by other board members. Ms. Thomas and Ms. Stroup will be open, honest, intelligent and caring representatives for the Western District.
I encourage anyone who would have voted for me to vote for Ms. Stroup and Ms. Thomas in the Western District as well as Mr. Sam Wilkinson in the Eastern District and Buddy Armour in the Central District. We can’t allow the board to continue on the destructive path they are on and by electing Ms. Thomas, Ms. Stroup, Mr. Wilkinson, and Mr. Armour, we will be able to correct many of the mistakes of the current school board majority. By electing these four individuals, then and only then, will the “public” be placed back into “public” schools.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
TMI
(Too Much Information)
Bio:
I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1965. My family (Ed and Abigail Redman and my older brother Todd) moved to Morganton in 1972.
I attended Forest Hill Elementary School for first and second grades (Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Baker were my teachers). I attended Mountain View Elementary from third grade through sixth grade (some of my teachers: Thelma Luciana, Sheila Stroupe, Kaye Irvin, Effie Williams, Ann Freeman, Belinda Woody). I then attended Morganton Junior High and Freedom High School and graduated in 1984.
I attended Wake Forest University from 1984 to 1987 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. I got married, moved to Morganton and had a son (Hank Shell), and then decided to go to law school in Macon, Georgia at Mercer University School of Law (1991). After two years at Mercer, my son and I left Georgia and I attended my third year of law school at Wake Forest University. I had my son Grant (Shell) in January of that third year. My marriage only survived two years of law school, so the third year of law school I was a single mother of two small children.
I graduated from Mercer's law school, passed the NC Bar Exam, and joined a small office practice in Winston-Salem. Most of our work was Real Estate, Estate Administration and Domestic Law. While I lived in Winston-Salem, I realized that I could not offer my children the life there that they deserved. A single parent with no close support, I realized that my children were suffering due to my long work hours, and decided to move back home to Morganton.
When I moved back to Morganton in 1996, I was fortunate to be able to work at Environmental Inks and Coatings with my father, Ed, and my brother, Todd Redman. This job has allowed me to keep “regular hours” rather than what I had been used to in Winston-Salem, and I have held that job ever since. I work for a different CEO and different executives than I worked for when I came to EIC. I work as general counsel (in house attorney), and some of the things I do include writing contracts, forming policy, advising business executives about potential legal issues and overseeing personnel.
In 1997 I married Joe Thomas, an airline pilot. Joe is the son of one of Morganton’s most beloved residents – Dr. Jim Thomas (yes, he was my pediatrician, too!) and his wonderful wife, Mary. Together Joe and I are parents/step-parents of 4 bright young men – the three oldest of whom are a year a part. My children and step-children have attended Forest Hill Elementary, Liberty Middle School, Walter Johnson Middle School, Freedom High School and Patton High School.
The three oldest all graduated from Freedom High School. Joey is currently a rising junior at UNC-A, Hank is a rising sophomore at Appalachian, and Frank will be a rising freshman at Appalachian. Grant attended Forest Hill through fifth grade, Walter Johnson Middle School, and now is attending Patton High School as a rising sophomore.
My education in Burke County – first grade through high school graduation – enabled me to achieve the post-high school educational goals I sought. Burke County's education is allowing my sons to do the same. Every school system needs improvement, and I certainly recognize that Burke County is no exception, but I am more than satisfied with the education my children and I received in the Burke County school system.
Bio:
I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1965. My family (Ed and Abigail Redman and my older brother Todd) moved to Morganton in 1972.
I attended Forest Hill Elementary School for first and second grades (Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Baker were my teachers). I attended Mountain View Elementary from third grade through sixth grade (some of my teachers: Thelma Luciana, Sheila Stroupe, Kaye Irvin, Effie Williams, Ann Freeman, Belinda Woody). I then attended Morganton Junior High and Freedom High School and graduated in 1984.
I attended Wake Forest University from 1984 to 1987 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. I got married, moved to Morganton and had a son (Hank Shell), and then decided to go to law school in Macon, Georgia at Mercer University School of Law (1991). After two years at Mercer, my son and I left Georgia and I attended my third year of law school at Wake Forest University. I had my son Grant (Shell) in January of that third year. My marriage only survived two years of law school, so the third year of law school I was a single mother of two small children.
I graduated from Mercer's law school, passed the NC Bar Exam, and joined a small office practice in Winston-Salem. Most of our work was Real Estate, Estate Administration and Domestic Law. While I lived in Winston-Salem, I realized that I could not offer my children the life there that they deserved. A single parent with no close support, I realized that my children were suffering due to my long work hours, and decided to move back home to Morganton.
When I moved back to Morganton in 1996, I was fortunate to be able to work at Environmental Inks and Coatings with my father, Ed, and my brother, Todd Redman. This job has allowed me to keep “regular hours” rather than what I had been used to in Winston-Salem, and I have held that job ever since. I work for a different CEO and different executives than I worked for when I came to EIC. I work as general counsel (in house attorney), and some of the things I do include writing contracts, forming policy, advising business executives about potential legal issues and overseeing personnel.
In 1997 I married Joe Thomas, an airline pilot. Joe is the son of one of Morganton’s most beloved residents – Dr. Jim Thomas (yes, he was my pediatrician, too!) and his wonderful wife, Mary. Together Joe and I are parents/step-parents of 4 bright young men – the three oldest of whom are a year a part. My children and step-children have attended Forest Hill Elementary, Liberty Middle School, Walter Johnson Middle School, Freedom High School and Patton High School.
The three oldest all graduated from Freedom High School. Joey is currently a rising junior at UNC-A, Hank is a rising sophomore at Appalachian, and Frank will be a rising freshman at Appalachian. Grant attended Forest Hill through fifth grade, Walter Johnson Middle School, and now is attending Patton High School as a rising sophomore.
My education in Burke County – first grade through high school graduation – enabled me to achieve the post-high school educational goals I sought. Burke County's education is allowing my sons to do the same. Every school system needs improvement, and I certainly recognize that Burke County is no exception, but I am more than satisfied with the education my children and I received in the Burke County school system.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Harassment in the Schools
I have spent a lot of time writing on this blog and talking to school employees about the problem of harassment and intimidation of employees by other, supervisory employees (and board members). I have also suggested to many that the ability for employees to report acts of harassment anonymously is crucial in resolving harassment issues, and that victims of harassment or witnesses who report instances of harassment must not fear retaliation.
The State of North Carolina just passed a law that specifically directs school boards to draft a policy on such by December 31, 2009. It is called the "Violence in Schools Prevention Act," and the text can be found on The Crowing Hen (see left sidebar). Although this bill is touted (or decried, depending on your viewpoint) as a landmark to affording protection to gays, lesbians and the transgendered, it's reach includes protection for "conventional" folks as well.
You can bet that if I am elected, I will be sure that the board includes harassment on the basis of employee expression or free speech outside of working hours in that policy and educate employees, administrators and board members that those activites are protected against harassment or discrimination.
This law does not replace run-of-the mill workplace harassment laws (Title 7), but it should give school employees (and students) some comfort that retaliation for reporting harassment will not be permitted, and that all complaints of harassment will be investigated and resolved.
Also, before all of you "sages" chime in and remind of the "law of unintended consequences," I must say that harassment and discrimination of employees or students on any basis is unacceptable. And regarding the expense of writing, training and maintaining this policy, I would imagine the "Safe Schools" grant funds might be in play for this.
The State of North Carolina just passed a law that specifically directs school boards to draft a policy on such by December 31, 2009. It is called the "Violence in Schools Prevention Act," and the text can be found on The Crowing Hen (see left sidebar). Although this bill is touted (or decried, depending on your viewpoint) as a landmark to affording protection to gays, lesbians and the transgendered, it's reach includes protection for "conventional" folks as well.
You can bet that if I am elected, I will be sure that the board includes harassment on the basis of employee expression or free speech outside of working hours in that policy and educate employees, administrators and board members that those activites are protected against harassment or discrimination.
This law does not replace run-of-the mill workplace harassment laws (Title 7), but it should give school employees (and students) some comfort that retaliation for reporting harassment will not be permitted, and that all complaints of harassment will be investigated and resolved.
Also, before all of you "sages" chime in and remind of the "law of unintended consequences," I must say that harassment and discrimination of employees or students on any basis is unacceptable. And regarding the expense of writing, training and maintaining this policy, I would imagine the "Safe Schools" grant funds might be in play for this.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Putting “Public” back in “Public Service”
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
First Things First:
What can be done immediately to help restore the public’s trust in the Burke County Board of Education?
Hopefully there will be a majority open to voting these measures through:
REVISE PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY
The first thing that the board can do to help in rebuilding the public’s trust, is to re-work the public comment policy with input from the PUBLIC. My specific requirements for a public comment policy are:
- To allow public comment at least at every regularly scheduled meeting.
- To allow the opportunity for everyone to comment.
- To allow the public to speak on anything related to the educational system.
- To provide “Town Hall” style meetings for issues in which the public at large has demonstrated interest.
- To allow folks to sign-up to speak at the meeting itself, not via a reservation with the Central Office.
- The Chairperson would not be able to prohibit speech based on his/her subjective view.
Public figures are subject to ‘personal attacks’ based on their public performance. It is part of the job. Speakers will be directed to refrain from personal attacks on school employees and to not speak of personnel issues in a public forum, but dissatisfied citizens will be able to publicly disagree with individual board members.
PUBLIC DISRUPTION POLICY
Give me a break. Show some respect to the public and this won’t be necessary.
OPEN MEETINGS POLICY
This would be a new policy that requires the board to meet in a venue that can accommodate the public. If a venue cannot be acquired, the board would be responsible for providing live audio (and video if it can be accomplished cheaply) to folks outside the venue. The board would work with COMPAS to provide live access to meetings through the cable system.
It would be good to figure out a way to broadcast the meeting to those of us who do not have access to high speed internet or cable – like through the radio. (Anyone who has any suggestions about how to accomplish this, please let me know.)
The board would be required to hold meetings after general working hours. Meetings held before 5:00 pm on a weekday should not occur - if it is necessary to hold a meeting before 5:00 pm, the meeting should be limited in purpose.
PUT SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY ON NOTICE:
Regardless of the current board attorney’s credentials or work product, in my opinion, one of the reasons the board has lost the public’s trust is due to their continued reliance on “advice of counsel.” Unfortunately for counsel, he is not able to refute statements made by board members about what was discussed in closed session – so it is not clear to me what decisions the board makes are based on sound legal advice, and which are attributed to sound legal advice but are actually based on the whims of the majority.
So, without having to get into all of the legal/policy areas in which board counsel and I disagree, I think it is evident that counsel has lost the trust of the public. Even though counsel works for the board, it is imperative that the public have confidence in the board attorney.
I would suggest that the board inform the current attorney that his services are no longer necessary, and that the board immediately begin the search for a new attorney who 1) is well versed in school law or 2) willing to spend the time, blood, sweat and tears to learn school law.
Although I can opine as to the abilities and qualifications of lawyers who may apply, I will recuse myself from voting if the attorneys in question are members of the Burke County Bar.
DISMISS SPECIAL COUNSEL
‘Nuff said.
These policies would be the first I would ask the board to pass as soon as “boots are on the ground.” This would be the first step in earning back the public’s trust.
There are a boat load of issues that need to be resolved quickly, and I will post my suggestions as to how to handle them later. In my opinion, the most immediate concern is restoring the public’s trust in the board, and showing SACS CASI that the board can follow the leadership requirements inherent in retaining accreditation.
The next crucial area is giving the school employees the ability to express opinions without recourse or retaliation from the Board, Administration or other employees. In my mind this particular situation is as troubling or more troubling than public participation issues. However, it will take work from all sides (including teacher and staff representatives) to agree upon how to address this serious issue, and to correct it.
My thoughts are that the board and school system must adopt a Code of Conduct, that harassment policies for employees be either rewritten or enforced, and that employees are given access to a "hotline" to which they can make complaints and be guaranteed that there will be no retaliation against them for making the complaint.
I can't speak directly for Wilkinson, Armour and Stroup - but we have discussed the importance of regaining the public's trust, and I know that they, like me, will do all that they can to earn that trust.
That is all for now - thank you for your support.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Press Release
Monday, July 6, 2009
Morganton, North Carolina
Thomas Files for School Board Seat
My name is Catherine Thomas and today I filed as a candidate for the Western District seat on the Burke County Board of Education currently being held by Ms. Tracy Norman. Some of you may know me as Cathy Redman from my school days. I was brought up in Burke County and attended and graduated from Burke County Schools. My husband Joe and I have a blended family of 4 boys – three of whom graduated from Freedom High School, and one who is a rising sophomore at Patton High. I currently work as in house counsel for Environmental Inks and Coatings Corporation in Morganton, and have held that position for 12 years.
I am running for this position because:
I recognize that the Burke County school system has achieved great things over the past years and realize that our teachers and staff are responsible for those achievements. I believe it is crucial that we continue to support our teachers and staff so that they can continue to elicit great things from our students.
I believe that teachers and staff should be able to do their jobs using the skills they have acquired, and should not be subject to discrimination or harassment by any school board member or administrator.
I believe that Open Meetings Laws must be adhered to and that the current board’s efforts to circumvent the public’s right to witness the dealings of the board and to comment on the board’s actions or proposed actions are direct violations of our rights as United States citizens.
I have a copy of Robert's Rules of Order and I am not afraid to use it.
As an attorney who actually deals with personnel and policy issues daily, I hope to collaborate with the board to provide all of the employees of the school system with policies that protect them from harassment or discrimination from their supervisors. I hope that a new board majority will be able to quickly rectify the “Public Comment Policy” to conform with the public’s notion of fair play and transparency in government. I hope to be able to show the folks at SACS-CASI that a new majority will not trample on the public’s right to be heard, and will not rule the meetings with an iron fist and a hidden agenda. I hope to be a good steward of the public’s trust and the public’s money – and to make every decision with the well-being of the students of Burke County foremost in mind.
I have been following the current school board and writing my impressions of their activities on my blog, http://www.barkburke.com/ for quite some time. You’ll find much of what I stand for on that blog, so please visit!
Please consider supporting my campaign and those of my fellow candidates – Sam Wilkinson (Eastern District), Deborah Davis (Central District) and Susan Stroup (Western District – John Aulgur seat). I believe that together we can effect needed positive change on the school board.
Morganton, North Carolina
Thomas Files for School Board Seat
My name is Catherine Thomas and today I filed as a candidate for the Western District seat on the Burke County Board of Education currently being held by Ms. Tracy Norman. Some of you may know me as Cathy Redman from my school days. I was brought up in Burke County and attended and graduated from Burke County Schools. My husband Joe and I have a blended family of 4 boys – three of whom graduated from Freedom High School, and one who is a rising sophomore at Patton High. I currently work as in house counsel for Environmental Inks and Coatings Corporation in Morganton, and have held that position for 12 years.
I am running for this position because:
I recognize that the Burke County school system has achieved great things over the past years and realize that our teachers and staff are responsible for those achievements. I believe it is crucial that we continue to support our teachers and staff so that they can continue to elicit great things from our students.
I believe that teachers and staff should be able to do their jobs using the skills they have acquired, and should not be subject to discrimination or harassment by any school board member or administrator.
I believe that Open Meetings Laws must be adhered to and that the current board’s efforts to circumvent the public’s right to witness the dealings of the board and to comment on the board’s actions or proposed actions are direct violations of our rights as United States citizens.
I have a copy of Robert's Rules of Order and I am not afraid to use it.
As an attorney who actually deals with personnel and policy issues daily, I hope to collaborate with the board to provide all of the employees of the school system with policies that protect them from harassment or discrimination from their supervisors. I hope that a new board majority will be able to quickly rectify the “Public Comment Policy” to conform with the public’s notion of fair play and transparency in government. I hope to be able to show the folks at SACS-CASI that a new majority will not trample on the public’s right to be heard, and will not rule the meetings with an iron fist and a hidden agenda. I hope to be a good steward of the public’s trust and the public’s money – and to make every decision with the well-being of the students of Burke County foremost in mind.
I have been following the current school board and writing my impressions of their activities on my blog, http://www.barkburke.com/ for quite some time. You’ll find much of what I stand for on that blog, so please visit!
Please consider supporting my campaign and those of my fellow candidates – Sam Wilkinson (Eastern District), Deborah Davis (Central District) and Susan Stroup (Western District – John Aulgur seat). I believe that together we can effect needed positive change on the school board.
***Update***
Due to mutual agreement between Deborah Davis and Buddy Armour, Buddy has decided to run for the his current seat! Hopefully Deborah will wait in the wings for the next election!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A View from the Trenches . . .
Words spoken by Mrs. Susan Stroup during the Public Comments portion of the Burke County Board of Education meeting on June 30, 2009.
Prelude: Mrs. Stroup stated that she was going to stand in front of the Board Members in order to look them in the eye and not stand behind the podium. Ms. Norman stated that she could not do that. Mrs. Stroup responded that the public comments policy did not prohibit this. Mr. Jones nodded in agreement with Mrs. Stroup. Ms. Norman then stated that Mrs. Stroup needed to stand behind the podium so the live streaming camera could see her. Mrs. Stroup responded that she had already checked with the tech staff and they could indeed provide the coverage in front of the table.
“Remember Who You Are and Who and What You Represent”
My name is Susan Stroup and today I retired as Principal of Glen Alpine Elementary School and I am no longer an employee of Burke County Schools. Thus, I am free to speak out.
The past few months have been very challenging to be an administrator or teacher in
We finished the school year with every school in
We accomplished this because our leader kept his focus on children and so did we. All stakeholders in
This issue is not just about David Burleson, the man. It is about what David Burleson represents. What he represents reminds me of our American Flag . This flag is just a piece of fabric on a wooden stick purchased at the Dollar Store. But, its power is what it represents!
The Superintendent contract, that you will vote on today, is about what it represents. It represents the standard that David Burleson has lived. It represents his character, commitment, caring, high student achievement results, visionary leadership, innovative leadership, servant leadership, and a devoted steward of the people’s money, resources, and our most precious children.
Voting against David Burleson today will be a vote against all that he represents. It will be just like voting against the American Dream and all that is good in
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
After the meeting, Norman said, "The Burke County Board of Education is moving forward. July 1 marks the dawn of a new day, a new day for our students."
From The Morganton News Herald, July 1, 2009
Please purchase a newspaper or go to http://www.morganton.com/ to read “Update: Board Ousts Burleson.”
If you can manage to make any sense out of Madame Chair’s quotations –please let me know. This is what I got out of it:
“We have already gotten rid of all of the other administrators we didn’t like.”
“These new administrators are solely responsible for high test scores this year.”
“Today is a new day – the lunatics are now in charge of the asylum.”
Burke County is not drinking the Kool-Aid.
November is coming.
From The Morganton News Herald, July 1, 2009
Please purchase a newspaper or go to http://www.morganton.com/ to read “Update: Board Ousts Burleson.”
If you can manage to make any sense out of Madame Chair’s quotations –please let me know. This is what I got out of it:
“We have already gotten rid of all of the other administrators we didn’t like.”
“These new administrators are solely responsible for high test scores this year.”
“Today is a new day – the lunatics are now in charge of the asylum.”
Burke County is not drinking the Kool-Aid.
November is coming.
BASTA!
Comments from Susy Tilley (who spent her formative years in Italy - thus - "Basta!" or, in english - "ENOUGH!):
Mr. Burleson has spent his life working towards bettering our children. Do we want him to stay because he's a great guy? No. That's just icing on the cake. Give the citizens more credit and realize that we want him here because he's an excellent superintendent and under his leadership, our students continue to thrive.
The DPI report cards for each school show growth, an average of 18% in the 2006-2007 school year. It is my understanding that the percentage of progress our students made in the 2008-2009 school year, although not yet published, will be even higher.
According to Ms. Norman, the children who don't make it are the minorities and the poor. The largest positive progress differential on the report cards is made up of three groups: Blacks, economically disadvantaged and children with disabilities!
Those very same children Ms. Norman told the media were failing in this public school system.
She said that it is time to get on board and give these kids the same education as the "upper crust." It's her opinion, not fact, that we have a substandard school system.
The media was able to dispel that rumor and disprove Madam Chair's statistics that same night on TV.
We have a superintendent with a contract, which the board approved. Mr. B could retire, if he chose, on April 10th, 2010, with full state benefits. This board has made it its mission to see that he not get what is rightfully his after all the years of work and dedication. Aside from breaching the contract, it's just plain wrong!
This board has been dishonest with the people of this county in order to get elected. The board majority approved the use of special counsel to be paid under Utica Insurance, a policy we taxpaying citizens pay for. The cap for the legal expenses is 100K. As of right now, no one on this board knows how much of that has been used.
Ms. Sain told me to ask Ms. Norman. Ms. Norman told me to ask David Burleson. She told me to ask Mr. Burleson, what HER lawyer's fees were up to! Mr. Schwartz stated that Utica keeps up with that and they don't generally notify the board until the maximum cap is close to being reached.
This is financially irresponsible, given that we, the taxpayers would be footing the bill for any of your legal whims exceeding 100K. It is also irresponsible to even CONSIDER using ANY money, to buy Mr. Burleson's contract.
This money belongs to our children. The people who pay property taxes say that is where it needs to go. Taking it away from them is tantamount to stealing, no matter how you shift it, move it, etc. It does not need to go to a buyout simply because YOU don't like the guy. You were elected to be impartial representatives of our children AND your children. The fact that some of you chose and still choose not to educate your kids in this system is completely your decision. Maybe you think that our children are "lower crust."
If you based your decisions on incorrect statistics, well, you were misinformed. It is NOT your job to force a public school system to be anything but a PUBLIC system that welcomes all cultures, races, economic statuses and beliefs.
Do not think that if you take children from abuse, drugs, poverty, put a uniform on them and let them read only what you want them to, they will be a success in life. It does not work that way, and you know it. Mr. Burleson has always had the foresight to know that it takes family, community and school to make a child successful in life. This is how BeeBee, Bust'r and Betsie got their start. He knew long ago that "at risk" children need an earlier start and extra community support in order to have a fighting chance in this world.
Ironically, this county was just granted 5.8 million dollars, which will help our students learn the benefits of good physical and mental health. For the next three years, our children will have comprehensive programs to deal with the problems of drugs, alcohol, violence and neglect. This size grant is extremely difficult to get and I want to thank Mr. Burleson and all the people who collaborated with him in order to get this incredible opportunity. You are truly the kind of visionaries we need here.
Stop your crusade and be accountable to those who elected you.
Susy Tilley
Mr. Burleson has spent his life working towards bettering our children. Do we want him to stay because he's a great guy? No. That's just icing on the cake. Give the citizens more credit and realize that we want him here because he's an excellent superintendent and under his leadership, our students continue to thrive.
The DPI report cards for each school show growth, an average of 18% in the 2006-2007 school year. It is my understanding that the percentage of progress our students made in the 2008-2009 school year, although not yet published, will be even higher.
According to Ms. Norman, the children who don't make it are the minorities and the poor. The largest positive progress differential on the report cards is made up of three groups: Blacks, economically disadvantaged and children with disabilities!
Those very same children Ms. Norman told the media were failing in this public school system.
She said that it is time to get on board and give these kids the same education as the "upper crust." It's her opinion, not fact, that we have a substandard school system.
The media was able to dispel that rumor and disprove Madam Chair's statistics that same night on TV.
We have a superintendent with a contract, which the board approved. Mr. B could retire, if he chose, on April 10th, 2010, with full state benefits. This board has made it its mission to see that he not get what is rightfully his after all the years of work and dedication. Aside from breaching the contract, it's just plain wrong!
This board has been dishonest with the people of this county in order to get elected. The board majority approved the use of special counsel to be paid under Utica Insurance, a policy we taxpaying citizens pay for. The cap for the legal expenses is 100K. As of right now, no one on this board knows how much of that has been used.
Ms. Sain told me to ask Ms. Norman. Ms. Norman told me to ask David Burleson. She told me to ask Mr. Burleson, what HER lawyer's fees were up to! Mr. Schwartz stated that Utica keeps up with that and they don't generally notify the board until the maximum cap is close to being reached.
This is financially irresponsible, given that we, the taxpayers would be footing the bill for any of your legal whims exceeding 100K. It is also irresponsible to even CONSIDER using ANY money, to buy Mr. Burleson's contract.
This money belongs to our children. The people who pay property taxes say that is where it needs to go. Taking it away from them is tantamount to stealing, no matter how you shift it, move it, etc. It does not need to go to a buyout simply because YOU don't like the guy. You were elected to be impartial representatives of our children AND your children. The fact that some of you chose and still choose not to educate your kids in this system is completely your decision. Maybe you think that our children are "lower crust."
If you based your decisions on incorrect statistics, well, you were misinformed. It is NOT your job to force a public school system to be anything but a PUBLIC system that welcomes all cultures, races, economic statuses and beliefs.
Do not think that if you take children from abuse, drugs, poverty, put a uniform on them and let them read only what you want them to, they will be a success in life. It does not work that way, and you know it. Mr. Burleson has always had the foresight to know that it takes family, community and school to make a child successful in life. This is how BeeBee, Bust'r and Betsie got their start. He knew long ago that "at risk" children need an earlier start and extra community support in order to have a fighting chance in this world.
Ironically, this county was just granted 5.8 million dollars, which will help our students learn the benefits of good physical and mental health. For the next three years, our children will have comprehensive programs to deal with the problems of drugs, alcohol, violence and neglect. This size grant is extremely difficult to get and I want to thank Mr. Burleson and all the people who collaborated with him in order to get this incredible opportunity. You are truly the kind of visionaries we need here.
Stop your crusade and be accountable to those who elected you.
Susy Tilley
This Is Not Iran
Thank you Caroline Avery!
BCPSS School Board Meeting - June 30, 2009
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. The law requires that you give me this opportunity …. but – recognize this – I never take this right for granted.
Maybe, that is something that this school board has done for this community ---- you have woken us up and forced us to recognize how fragile our rights as US citizens really are when elected officials choose to abuse their power.
I have watched you deny public comment, limit public comment and intentionally shut down public comment by creating “new rules” and holding meetings at inappropriate times for working families.
As most of you know, I have watched this school board since December of 2007. I started off this quest looking for the good, the true and the noble. I have been sorely disappointed. I also underestimated the amount of damage that a new majority could do to our schools in such a short amount of time.
I have watched this community hushed as a member of this school board had the school district map lines re-drawn with no authorization from the majority of this board. I still question how that happened.
I have watched this school board try to prevent our AP students from reading Pulitzer Prize winning novelists … and try to silence the students and their parents when they publicly spoke out against the actions of this board.
I have seen members of this school board treat some of the best and brightest in our system with disdain and disrespect … it has caused me to wonder if there are members of this school board who lack respect for higher education?
I have watched as an administration is cleaned out … and a new and bigger administration is hired. All of this, during tough economic times …
Burke County has an unemployment rate of about 15% … this community is hurting … our nonprofits are hurting … we are working together to try and help one another.
Everyone is making sacrifices.
What is this board doing? What sacrifices are you modeling to this community?
Hiring more administrators? Firing much needed teachers and teacher assistants? And now …. considering buying out the contract of the evil and wicked David Burleson? Evil and wicked??? – this is a man who just won almost $6 million in federal grants for our schools over the next 4 years, a man who is a hero to many students and parents in our schools, a man who has devoted most of his adult life to the BCPSS.
Not exactly a villain.
Yet, you have an extra $170,000 to pay 2 Superintendents for another year???? Tell that to our school employees who lost their job. Tell that to the parents who have children in bigger classes now.
Maybe $170,000 is not a lot of money to you … well, it is to me … and I’ll bet it is to many people in this room … and I know it is to many in our community.
I ask you – PLEASE take your time. Be intentional, be careful and be very deliberate with what you do with OUR money. You have been entrusted with the funds of Burke County taxpayers. Please take that responsibility SERIOUSLY.
Do not forget - you asked for this responsibility.
To whom much has been given much is expected.
Thank you.
Caroline Avery
BCPSS School Board Meeting - June 30, 2009
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. The law requires that you give me this opportunity …. but – recognize this – I never take this right for granted.
Maybe, that is something that this school board has done for this community ---- you have woken us up and forced us to recognize how fragile our rights as US citizens really are when elected officials choose to abuse their power.
I have watched you deny public comment, limit public comment and intentionally shut down public comment by creating “new rules” and holding meetings at inappropriate times for working families.
As most of you know, I have watched this school board since December of 2007. I started off this quest looking for the good, the true and the noble. I have been sorely disappointed. I also underestimated the amount of damage that a new majority could do to our schools in such a short amount of time.
I have watched this community hushed as a member of this school board had the school district map lines re-drawn with no authorization from the majority of this board. I still question how that happened.
I have watched this school board try to prevent our AP students from reading Pulitzer Prize winning novelists … and try to silence the students and their parents when they publicly spoke out against the actions of this board.
I have seen members of this school board treat some of the best and brightest in our system with disdain and disrespect … it has caused me to wonder if there are members of this school board who lack respect for higher education?
I have watched as an administration is cleaned out … and a new and bigger administration is hired. All of this, during tough economic times …
Burke County has an unemployment rate of about 15% … this community is hurting … our nonprofits are hurting … we are working together to try and help one another.
Everyone is making sacrifices.
What is this board doing? What sacrifices are you modeling to this community?
Hiring more administrators? Firing much needed teachers and teacher assistants? And now …. considering buying out the contract of the evil and wicked David Burleson? Evil and wicked??? – this is a man who just won almost $6 million in federal grants for our schools over the next 4 years, a man who is a hero to many students and parents in our schools, a man who has devoted most of his adult life to the BCPSS.
Not exactly a villain.
Yet, you have an extra $170,000 to pay 2 Superintendents for another year???? Tell that to our school employees who lost their job. Tell that to the parents who have children in bigger classes now.
Maybe $170,000 is not a lot of money to you … well, it is to me … and I’ll bet it is to many people in this room … and I know it is to many in our community.
I ask you – PLEASE take your time. Be intentional, be careful and be very deliberate with what you do with OUR money. You have been entrusted with the funds of Burke County taxpayers. Please take that responsibility SERIOUSLY.
Do not forget - you asked for this responsibility.
To whom much has been given much is expected.
Thank you.
Caroline Avery
Under Three Minutes Please!
And this from future Chief Justice Michael Jones . . . (and I mean 'Chief Justice' most sincerely - keep an eye on this young man!)
Inconsistencies of opinion arising from changes of circumstance are often justifiable. There is one sort of inconsistency that is culpable: it is the inconsistency between a man’s conviction and his vote, between his conscience and his conduct.
That is why I am here. My conscience directs my conduct, before you today. Necessity compels me to speak true rather than pleasing things—and I prefer to save our students, rather than attempting to engender votes with derisive and hurtful comments.
At the meeting on June 11, Ms. Norman made a statement that served no purpose but to try to spark division in our community and in our schools. By implying that the residents of the “affluent neighborhoods” don’t care about minorities, the disabled, or the financially disadvantaged, you, ma’am, have engaged most irresponsibly. To further imply in your interview, on camera, with WBTV, that which the students of families of those neighborhoods have gained, is simply handed to them, is a cheap shot with no basis in truth. Work ethic does not come as a result of socio-economic background. Laziness exists on both sides of the line you want to draw—just as does the desire to work hard, to have compassion, and to work with a conscience towards the needs of others.
You attempted to pit the good citizens of our county against one another for no other purpose than to serve your selfish ends.
But I have news for you, Ms. Norman: The good folks of Burke County are more intelligent than you give them credit for. We see through your rhetoric. We see through your egoism. We see through your vendetta. We the people of Burke County reject your tone, ideas, and your attempts to win votes with the prejudice you seem to harbor and your desire to spread your prejudice so that you might divide, conquer, and infect. Your rancor, your spitefulness, and your insolence is a scourge we reject. In short, we go on record to reject you. When November comes, we will go to the ballot and speak with a unified voice—you are finished here.
With apologies to T.S. Eliot, your tenure on this school board, and in this county will not end with a bang, but with a whimper.
Michael Jones
Inconsistencies of opinion arising from changes of circumstance are often justifiable. There is one sort of inconsistency that is culpable: it is the inconsistency between a man’s conviction and his vote, between his conscience and his conduct.
That is why I am here. My conscience directs my conduct, before you today. Necessity compels me to speak true rather than pleasing things—and I prefer to save our students, rather than attempting to engender votes with derisive and hurtful comments.
At the meeting on June 11, Ms. Norman made a statement that served no purpose but to try to spark division in our community and in our schools. By implying that the residents of the “affluent neighborhoods” don’t care about minorities, the disabled, or the financially disadvantaged, you, ma’am, have engaged most irresponsibly. To further imply in your interview, on camera, with WBTV, that which the students of families of those neighborhoods have gained, is simply handed to them, is a cheap shot with no basis in truth. Work ethic does not come as a result of socio-economic background. Laziness exists on both sides of the line you want to draw—just as does the desire to work hard, to have compassion, and to work with a conscience towards the needs of others.
You attempted to pit the good citizens of our county against one another for no other purpose than to serve your selfish ends.
But I have news for you, Ms. Norman: The good folks of Burke County are more intelligent than you give them credit for. We see through your rhetoric. We see through your egoism. We see through your vendetta. We the people of Burke County reject your tone, ideas, and your attempts to win votes with the prejudice you seem to harbor and your desire to spread your prejudice so that you might divide, conquer, and infect. Your rancor, your spitefulness, and your insolence is a scourge we reject. In short, we go on record to reject you. When November comes, we will go to the ballot and speak with a unified voice—you are finished here.
With apologies to T.S. Eliot, your tenure on this school board, and in this county will not end with a bang, but with a whimper.
Michael Jones
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