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Bye Bingelli
Submitted by StaceyDiamond on Mon, 2008/03/24 - 8:29pm.
I see the school board didn't pick Bingelli. I'd just like to know how to pronounce his name, depending on the talking head, its either Bin-jelly or Bing-ul-ee. Also, I'd like to hear why McIntyre wants to leave Boston to come here.
Submitted by Sandra Clark on Mon, 2008/03/24 - 8:58pm.
Stacey: McIntyre got the top job here. He was CFO in Boston. Our school board essentially bypassed our own CFO for Boston's -- a guy with one year in a classroom.
Submitted by Pam Strickland on Mon, 2008/03/24 - 9:29pm.
Strictly, guessing. I'm thinking that Boston is cold and wet. We're hot and sticky. Some people thing it's a good trade off.
I don't know enough about the individual players to say they should or shouldn't have picked the home grown person. But I am willing to say that sometimes you need fresh blood. Frankly, I'm not impressed by a whole lot that the Knox County schools are doing. I think it needs some shaking up.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
I hope those who voted for McIntyre at least refrain from ever saying "We know what goes on in the classroom has the greatest impact on a child, etc,etc,etc."
It's like appointing a military commander who has never been on a battlefield. It's worse than useless; it's dangerous.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2008/03/25 - 10:11am.
Bingelli appeared to have won the job, then lost it due to his interest in the South Carolina job and his unavailablity for personal interview. Fairfax is one of the top 30 school districts in the nation (out of 13,000+) from what I've read. We wouldn't want anyone connected to that kind of success unless it's a college sports coach.
Submitted by Brians Blog Team (not verified) on Tue, 2008/03/25 - 11:08am.
If you want the truth go to Brian's Blog and read the last dozen entries. He exposes the Haslam conspiracies from the plane scam on. It is digusting that these RINOs are running things bringing in people from BOSTON to run OUR schools. We have had enough. We agree with Sandra Clark for once on this.
...and frankly they don't make sense to me. Is he saying that Haslam flew Bingelli to Knoxville on his private plane so that Bingelli would be "tainted" and not get the job? Would someone from "Brian's Blog" team explain it to me because it makes my head hurt trying to decipher this whole conspiracy theory.
And speaking of Rinos Brian's Blog: "Hello, pot? This is the Kettle...you're black". When I hear you criticize Mike Ragsdale and Mike Arms I might think that you are less than a Rino.
Is he saying that Haslam flew Bingelli to Knoxville on his private plane so that Bingelli would be "tainted" and not get the job?
As I read his post the other day, he's saying that if Binggeli got the job, it was a Haslam conspiracy because they flew him here. And if McIntyre got the job, flying Bingalli here was a Haslam conspiracy to keep him from getting the job.
I had no idea the Truth Squat had such creative minds.
I made a hat out of tin foil and read Brian's Blog backwards and now I understand the whole thing. The conspiracy was to create the illusion of a conspiracy so that the real conspiracy from the conspirators appeared to be a conspiracy when everybody else thought it was a conspiracy. How could I have missed that?
By the way, did you also know that the new digital televisions will be equipped with an "eye" so that not only will you be watching tv, "they" will be watching you? This eye will recognize body types and therefore program the commercials specifically for you. I guess I'll be getting a lot of ads for Krispy Kreme donuts. If you want to know the Truth, you should listen to more late night radio and read the Truth Squat's blog. Backwards, of course.
The conspiracy was to create the illusion of a conspiracy so that the real conspiracy from the conspirators appeared to be a conspiracy when everybody else thought it was a conspiracy.
Submitted by Brians Blog Team (not verified) on Tue, 2008/03/25 - 3:48pm.
Brians Blog Team members have followed this from the beginning. If you actually take the time to read Brians Blog you will see that Haslam has been protected by the News Sentinel who picks on the County. The same for the tabloid bully paper who wants the county mayor to resign. Do you really think that nobody in the city travels and has meals. Why wont the tabloid bullies and their boss investigate. Pilot Oil buys papers and runs the town and that is why. Why is the city mayor so concerned with schools. Since when. Why does he want someone from BOSTON with all the liberals and atheists for our schools.
Submitted by Pam Strickland on Tue, 2008/03/25 - 5:44pm.
It wasn't the Boston guy that he met w/ or who was flown here on the Pilot jet. It was the Virginia guy.
As for liberals and atheists, tehy have those everywhere, even Knoxville. Boston probably has fewer b/c of it's highly Catholic immigrant population. I've been to churches in Boston. One was nondenominational. The other Episcopalian. I couldn't see that they were different than the churches here. One thing I will say is that religion isn't part of the schools. Rmember that separation of church and state thing.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
Submitted by StaceyDiamond on Tue, 2008/03/25 - 6:32pm.
I've heard that the Boston area schools are poor because everyone with money puts their kids in the numerous private schools, maybe he wanted out of that environment. As someone who is from here, I get tired of that(being from here) being a detriment. For the school's sake, I hope this guy can do what Lindsey could not.
Submitted by Carole Borges on Tue, 2008/03/25 - 7:02pm.
Not all of them of course, but from what I've seen the BOE there is way more progressive than here. My granddaughters go to public school, and there are a lot of support services for kids who aren't doing well. I taught in the alternative high school diploma program in MA and was really impressed with all the teacher training workshops they offered. Some of the kids transferred to charter schools when they first came on the scene, but a large number of them ended up back in regular school because their parents felt they were getting a better education in public school. So maybe there is hope...
"Board Chairwoman Karen Carson shared a story she was told about when McIntyre became Boston's chief operating officer in 2006. He asked each of the district's departments to show him a mission statement on how their jobs related to academic achievement. There was some resistance in the maintenance and food service departments. He replied that those departments may not be necessary. This caused the departments to rethink their mission statement."
A mission statement on how food services relates to academic achievement? He was kidding, right?
Let's see, how about "Studies have shown that children who are under-fed tend to pass out, and consequently, unconscious students tend to perform below average on state standardized tests."
A chief operating officer who doesn't think maintenance and food services departments may not be necessary, in ANY school system, because they don't want to fill out even more paper work , needs to find another job...and not here!
Submitted by Pam Strickland on Tue, 2008/03/25 - 8:13pm.
Gary, we get it. You hate the guy, and he hasn't even signed a contract yet. If you have something constructive to say, say it. Otherwise, go over the KNS were the entire feedback system is devoted to hate and aginners.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
I don't hate the guy. I'm just waiting for someone to comment on what there is to be positive about him being chosen.
He's getting paid a quarter-of-a-million, he's got less classroom experience than what it takes to get tenure in this county and then get 1/8 of his salary, and he's either dumb or arrogant enough to threaten to close a school system's food service and maintenance departments, because they didn't want to write a mission statement for him.
Submitted by Pam Strickland on Tue, 2008/03/25 - 9:36pm.
Management gets to ask for things. Department heads are expected to follow through. I've helped write a few mission statements. It's not something I particularly care for, but it sometimes is helpful in getting the folks involved in the process to see what their real purpose is and what needs to be done.
He is an administrator, not a classroom teacher so stop bellyaching about his lack of adequate classroom experience. The superintendent has more responsibility than a teacher, so it's reasonable that s/he gets paid more.
Now, school board members are elected by the voters. It's their job to hire someone to run the district. They have. If you have this kind of complaints, my question is: did you step forward to challenge anyone as a school board candidate? If yes, you clearly were defeated. If no, you've got no room to complain.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
The superintendent has more responsibility than a teacher
I never thought I would read an upper management lie on a progressive blog site that purports to be for the working class.
I realize that white collars need to feel needed, and that they need to feel that what they do is needed, but here's some advice:
Next time you go to the mechanic, call the plumber, or call the heat and air repair person, please realize that without these people doing necessary jobs, all the people who subject others to Death-by-PowerPoint and torture by mission statements would find their lives in modern day America screeching to a sudden and painful stop.
Submitted by Pam Strickland on Wed, 2008/03/26 - 9:34am.
I knew I was up too late.
Let's reword that to "The superintendent has different responsibility than a teacher."
I've been a teacher. It is a huge responsibility, but I did not begrudge the Head Master (I was at a parochial school) their salary or experience outside the classroom.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
I do not begrudge a high salary, when and if it is earned by what a person contributes to the organization. These days, high salaries rarely correspond to how a person benefits an organization.
I do begrudge high salaries for those people who claim to be "public servants." Both Mayor Haslam and Governor Bredesen have my respect for not taking theirs, although it's clear they have earned it.
I wish the superintendent success in his endeavors, in the interests of the county. It would have been better if the vote had been 6-3, especially given the political climate that currently exists in Knox County.
That said, nobody forced McIntyre to come here, his eyes were open, and I hope someone informed him of the situations and divisiveness ongoing in Knox County government and politics.
Because, with the vote on the school board going as it did, McIntyre is not just walking into a confrontational environment, he has become a part of it.
Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Thu, 2008/03/27 - 1:26pm.
I think folks who just want to feed the divisiveness will continue to do so. I'm encouraged that someone with organizational and management experience might be able to change the culture that has pervaded KCS, from half-hearted efforts at magnate schools to a hamhanded process in building Hardin Valley Academy when it was much more important to fix our failing schools.
I'd rather have someone with a background in education administration than just a former teacher. All these folks who don't like the idea that McIntyre didn't spend more than a year in the classroom need to remember the difference. KCS is a large system that needs stronger management, a willingness to take risks, and a culture that engages parents and tries to get them involved. I contend we should spend less money in the curriculum area and more on holding parents accountable (some systems even require parent report cards) and court summons for parents whose children chronically don't turn in homework. Our teachers have more curriculum materials than they can possibly use. What they desperately need are new, innovative tools that help hold EVERYONE accountable.
Submitted by CathyMcCaughan on Thu, 2008/03/27 - 2:11pm.
Our teachers have more curriculum materials than they can possibly use.
No. My children have had class after class without enough books for everyone. There are schools with almost no books or supplies.
some systems even require parent report cards
Punish the children for their parents' issues? Besides we already have that system. It's called the PTA. The parents who give lots of money, get lots of control.
court summons for parents whose children chronically don't turn in homework
No. The concept of homework needs to be redefined. If you are going to hold parents accountable for children who refuse to do it, can't do it or constantly lose it, you may as well expect parents to do it for them.
We can all do better.
Yes we can. The first step is seeking solutions and stop playing the blame game.
Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Thu, 2008/03/27 - 4:43pm.
No. My children have had class after class without enough books for everyone. There are schools with almost no books or supplies.
Ask the Project Grad school teachers if they are swamped with useless materials. They are.
Punish the children for their parents' issues? Besides we already have that system. It's called the PTA. The parents who give lots of money, get lots of control.
No, punish the parents who are chronically uninvolved in their child's education, and drag the rest of the class down with them.
No. The concept of homework needs to be redefined. If you are going to hold parents accountable for children who refuse to do it, can't do it or constantly lose it, you may as well expect parents to do it for them.
Really? How so? Our children as a nation are far behind in study skills and college preparation as compared to other developed countries.
Yes we can. The first step is seeking solutions and stop playing the blame game.
Correct. And putting new tools in the hands of teachers is an important first step. I've spoken with several Knox County principals who think parent report cards are not a bad idea at all.
Submitted by Bird_dog on Thu, 2008/03/27 - 4:55pm.
but I remember parent orientation at 3 different schools, 15 different teachers, all with handouts and their particular policies and rules - and the teachers' names were usually not on their handouts! Honestly, I couldn't keep it straight. I'm just thankful to have survived teenagers.
Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Fri, 2008/03/28 - 6:17am.
I've got no opinion on the superitendant but this caught my eye:
"my question is: did you step forward to challenge anyone as a school board candidate? If yes, you clearly were defeated. If no, you've got no room to complain."
Pam, you are saying that someone's opinion doesn't count unless they've run for the appropriate office.
So much for public input.
____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
Submitted by Pam Strickland on Fri, 2008/03/28 - 7:28am.
No, that's not what I was saying. I said that at this point, the man hasn't signed a contract so his efforts in Knox County can't yet be evaluated/analyzed. Therefore, the complaints/concerns should have been expressed by the individual who was up in arms about McIntyre's suitability for the job should have participated in the selection process by speaking directly to the school board members during the selection process.
Yes, we here can discuss politics and policy and the news of the day, and that's important. But Gary, who I haven't seen post here previously, seems to be here only to trash Mr. McIntyre and the school board. He's not up for discussion and various possibilities, just trash. Life's to short to be so negative.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
But Gary, who I haven't seen post here previously,
On this thread or on the blog in general?
Frankly, I didn't waste my time voicing my opposition, because after the first cut, I saw the usual suspects line up, and I figured it was a done deal. And in my opinion, it was.
Maybe KCS does need better management, but since the superintendent has a great affect on teacher morale and leadership, I hope he understands just how important it is to the teachers that they have a supporter at the top.
I know teachers who saw Lindsey when he visited their schools just once over his entire tenure.
That worked as long as Lindsey wined and dined the Board, on taxpayer's expense, up at Riverside.
I hope this isn't a repeat.
But for all those who criticize electing a superintendent, you need to be clear on this: The superintendent is still elected; he just needs five votes to win. Will he look after those districts represented by members who didn't vote for him, as well as he'll look out for those districts whose representatives did vote for him?
Submitted by Pam Strickland on Fri, 2008/03/28 - 9:00am.
Frankly, I didn't waste my time voicing my opposition, because after the first cut, I saw the usual suspects line up, and I figured it was a done deal. And in my opinion, it was.
Just as I thought. You had legitimate concerns, apparently shared by others and you didn't step up. Democracy is not a passive process. You have to get in there and get your feet wet. As my mama used to say, if you didn't vote, you lost your right to complain. Get out there, discuss, debate, complain, and listen. Maybe not in that order, but you get the idea. Don't wait until after the fact, when you complaining does nothing to better the situation to complain. Go forth, and spread you word at a point when it matters.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
Stacey: McIntyre got the top job here. He was CFO in Boston. Our school board essentially bypassed our own CFO for Boston's -- a guy with one year in a classroom.
Strictly, guessing. I'm thinking that Boston is cold and wet. We're hot and sticky. Some people thing it's a good trade off.
I don't know enough about the individual players to say they should or shouldn't have picked the home grown person. But I am willing to say that sometimes you need fresh blood. Frankly, I'm not impressed by a whole lot that the Knox County schools are doing. I think it needs some shaking up.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
need fresh blood
Yeah, just like Charles Lindsey!!
One year of teaching experience.
I hope those who voted for McIntyre at least refrain from ever saying "We know what goes on in the classroom has the greatest impact on a child, etc,etc,etc."
It's like appointing a military commander who has never been on a battlefield. It's worse than useless; it's dangerous.
Bingelli appeared to have won the job, then lost it due to his interest in the South Carolina job and his unavailablity for personal interview. Fairfax is one of the top 30 school districts in the nation (out of 13,000+) from what I've read. We wouldn't want anyone connected to that kind of success unless it's a college sports coach.
If you want the truth go to Brian's Blog and read the last dozen entries. He exposes the Haslam conspiracies from the plane scam on. It is digusting that these RINOs are running things bringing in people from BOSTON to run OUR schools. We have had enough. We agree with Sandra Clark for once on this.
Link...
...and frankly they don't make sense to me. Is he saying that Haslam flew Bingelli to Knoxville on his private plane so that Bingelli would be "tainted" and not get the job? Would someone from "Brian's Blog" team explain it to me because it makes my head hurt trying to decipher this whole conspiracy theory.
And speaking of Rinos Brian's Blog: "Hello, pot? This is the Kettle...you're black". When I hear you criticize Mike Ragsdale and Mike Arms I might think that you are less than a Rino.
Is he saying that Haslam flew Bingelli to Knoxville on his private plane so that Bingelli would be "tainted" and not get the job?
As I read his post the other day, he's saying that if Binggeli got the job, it was a Haslam conspiracy because they flew him here. And if McIntyre got the job, flying Bingalli here was a Haslam conspiracy to keep him from getting the job.
I had no idea the Truth Squat had such creative minds.
I made a hat out of tin foil and read Brian's Blog backwards and now I understand the whole thing. The conspiracy was to create the illusion of a conspiracy so that the real conspiracy from the conspirators appeared to be a conspiracy when everybody else thought it was a conspiracy. How could I have missed that?
By the way, did you also know that the new digital televisions will be equipped with an "eye" so that not only will you be watching tv, "they" will be watching you? This eye will recognize body types and therefore program the commercials specifically for you. I guess I'll be getting a lot of ads for Krispy Kreme donuts. If you want to know the Truth, you should listen to more late night radio and read the Truth Squat's blog. Backwards, of course.
The conspiracy was to create the illusion of a conspiracy so that the real conspiracy from the conspirators appeared to be a conspiracy when everybody else thought it was a conspiracy.
Now you're speaking Hornbackian....
Brians Blog Team members have followed this from the beginning. If you actually take the time to read Brians Blog you will see that Haslam has been protected by the News Sentinel who picks on the County. The same for the tabloid bully paper who wants the county mayor to resign. Do you really think that nobody in the city travels and has meals. Why wont the tabloid bullies and their boss investigate. Pilot Oil buys papers and runs the town and that is why. Why is the city mayor so concerned with schools. Since when. Why does he want someone from BOSTON with all the liberals and atheists for our schools.
Why is the city mayor so concerned with schools. Since when. Why does he want someone from BOSTON with all the liberals and atheists for our schools.
Oooo, BOSTON. Yuck.
I do declare, I just might swoon.
It wasn't the Boston guy that he met w/ or who was flown here on the Pilot jet. It was the Virginia guy.
As for liberals and atheists, tehy have those everywhere, even Knoxville. Boston probably has fewer b/c of it's highly Catholic immigrant population. I've been to churches in Boston. One was nondenominational. The other Episcopalian. I couldn't see that they were different than the churches here. One thing I will say is that religion isn't part of the schools. Rmember that separation of church and state thing.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
I've heard that the Boston area schools are poor because everyone with money puts their kids in the numerous private schools, maybe he wanted out of that environment. As someone who is from here, I get tired of that(being from here) being a detriment. For the school's sake, I hope this guy can do what Lindsey could not.
Not all of them of course, but from what I've seen the BOE there is way more progressive than here. My granddaughters go to public school, and there are a lot of support services for kids who aren't doing well. I taught in the alternative high school diploma program in MA and was really impressed with all the teacher training workshops they offered. Some of the kids transferred to charter schools when they first came on the scene, but a large number of them ended up back in regular school because their parents felt they were getting a better education in public school. So maybe there is hope...
Ah, progress!
Link...
"Board Chairwoman Karen Carson shared a story she was told about when McIntyre became Boston's chief operating officer in 2006. He asked each of the district's departments to show him a mission statement on how their jobs related to academic achievement. There was some resistance in the maintenance and food service departments. He replied that those departments may not be necessary. This caused the departments to rethink their mission statement."
A mission statement on how food services relates to academic achievement? He was kidding, right?
Let's see, how about "Studies have shown that children who are under-fed tend to pass out, and consequently, unconscious students tend to perform below average on state standardized tests."
A chief operating officer who doesn't think maintenance and food services departments may not be necessary, in ANY school system, because they don't want to fill out even more paper work , needs to find another job...and not here!
What a bureaucrat!
Gary, we get it. You hate the guy, and he hasn't even signed a contract yet. If you have something constructive to say, say it. Otherwise, go over the KNS were the entire feedback system is devoted to hate and aginners.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
You hate the guy
I don't hate the guy. I'm just waiting for someone to comment on what there is to be positive about him being chosen.
He's getting paid a quarter-of-a-million, he's got less classroom experience than what it takes to get tenure in this county and then get 1/8 of his salary, and he's either dumb or arrogant enough to threaten to close a school system's food service and maintenance departments, because they didn't want to write a mission statement for him.
On the bright side...? Anyone?
Management gets to ask for things. Department heads are expected to follow through. I've helped write a few mission statements. It's not something I particularly care for, but it sometimes is helpful in getting the folks involved in the process to see what their real purpose is and what needs to be done.
He is an administrator, not a classroom teacher so stop bellyaching about his lack of adequate classroom experience. The superintendent has more responsibility than a teacher, so it's reasonable that s/he gets paid more.
Now, school board members are elected by the voters. It's their job to hire someone to run the district. They have. If you have this kind of complaints, my question is: did you step forward to challenge anyone as a school board candidate? If yes, you clearly were defeated. If no, you've got no room to complain.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
The superintendent has more responsibility than a teacher
I never thought I would read an upper management lie on a progressive blog site that purports to be for the working class.
I realize that white collars need to feel needed, and that they need to feel that what they do is needed, but here's some advice:
Next time you go to the mechanic, call the plumber, or call the heat and air repair person, please realize that without these people doing necessary jobs, all the people who subject others to Death-by-PowerPoint and torture by mission statements would find their lives in modern day America screeching to a sudden and painful stop.
Are you #9's long lost cousin?
I knew I was up too late.
Let's reword that to "The superintendent has different responsibility than a teacher."
I've been a teacher. It is a huge responsibility, but I did not begrudge the Head Master (I was at a parochial school) their salary or experience outside the classroom.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
I do not begrudge a high salary, when and if it is earned by what a person contributes to the organization. These days, high salaries rarely correspond to how a person benefits an organization.
I do begrudge high salaries for those people who claim to be "public servants." Both Mayor Haslam and Governor Bredesen have my respect for not taking theirs, although it's clear they have earned it.
I wish the superintendent success in his endeavors, in the interests of the county. It would have been better if the vote had been 6-3, especially given the political climate that currently exists in Knox County.
That said, nobody forced McIntyre to come here, his eyes were open, and I hope someone informed him of the situations and divisiveness ongoing in Knox County government and politics.
Because, with the vote on the school board going as it did, McIntyre is not just walking into a confrontational environment, he has become a part of it.
It is what it is.
I think folks who just want to feed the divisiveness will continue to do so. I'm encouraged that someone with organizational and management experience might be able to change the culture that has pervaded KCS, from half-hearted efforts at magnate schools to a hamhanded process in building Hardin Valley Academy when it was much more important to fix our failing schools.
I'd rather have someone with a background in education administration than just a former teacher. All these folks who don't like the idea that McIntyre didn't spend more than a year in the classroom need to remember the difference. KCS is a large system that needs stronger management, a willingness to take risks, and a culture that engages parents and tries to get them involved. I contend we should spend less money in the curriculum area and more on holding parents accountable (some systems even require parent report cards) and court summons for parents whose children chronically don't turn in homework. Our teachers have more curriculum materials than they can possibly use. What they desperately need are new, innovative tools that help hold EVERYONE accountable.
We can all do better.
No. My children have had class after class without enough books for everyone. There are schools with almost no books or supplies.
Punish the children for their parents' issues? Besides we already have that system. It's called the PTA. The parents who give lots of money, get lots of control.
No. The concept of homework needs to be redefined. If you are going to hold parents accountable for children who refuse to do it, can't do it or constantly lose it, you may as well expect parents to do it for them.
Yes we can. The first step is seeking solutions and stop playing the blame game.
sister. AMEN!
Ask the Project Grad school teachers if they are swamped with useless materials. They are.
No, punish the parents who are chronically uninvolved in their child's education, and drag the rest of the class down with them.
Really? How so? Our children as a nation are far behind in study skills and college preparation as compared to other developed countries.
Correct. And putting new tools in the hands of teachers is an important first step. I've spoken with several Knox County principals who think parent report cards are not a bad idea at all.
It is, after all, about accountability.
but I remember parent orientation at 3 different schools, 15 different teachers, all with handouts and their particular policies and rules - and the teachers' names were usually not on their handouts! Honestly, I couldn't keep it straight. I'm just thankful to have survived teenagers.
I've got no opinion on the superitendant but this caught my eye:
"my question is: did you step forward to challenge anyone as a school board candidate? If yes, you clearly were defeated. If no, you've got no room to complain."
Pam, you are saying that someone's opinion doesn't count unless they've run for the appropriate office.
So much for public input.
____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
No, that's not what I was saying. I said that at this point, the man hasn't signed a contract so his efforts in Knox County can't yet be evaluated/analyzed. Therefore, the complaints/concerns should have been expressed by the individual who was up in arms about McIntyre's suitability for the job should have participated in the selection process by speaking directly to the school board members during the selection process.
Yes, we here can discuss politics and policy and the news of the day, and that's important. But Gary, who I haven't seen post here previously, seems to be here only to trash Mr. McIntyre and the school board. He's not up for discussion and various possibilities, just trash. Life's to short to be so negative.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
But Gary, who I haven't seen post here previously,
On this thread or on the blog in general?
Frankly, I didn't waste my time voicing my opposition, because after the first cut, I saw the usual suspects line up, and I figured it was a done deal. And in my opinion, it was.
Maybe KCS does need better management, but since the superintendent has a great affect on teacher morale and leadership, I hope he understands just how important it is to the teachers that they have a supporter at the top.
I know teachers who saw Lindsey when he visited their schools just once over his entire tenure.
That worked as long as Lindsey wined and dined the Board, on taxpayer's expense, up at Riverside.
I hope this isn't a repeat.
But for all those who criticize electing a superintendent, you need to be clear on this: The superintendent is still elected; he just needs five votes to win. Will he look after those districts represented by members who didn't vote for him, as well as he'll look out for those districts whose representatives did vote for him?
Time will tell.
Just as I thought. You had legitimate concerns, apparently shared by others and you didn't step up. Democracy is not a passive process. You have to get in there and get your feet wet. As my mama used to say, if you didn't vote, you lost your right to complain. Get out there, discuss, debate, complain, and listen. Maybe not in that order, but you get the idea. Don't wait until after the fact, when you complaining does nothing to better the situation to complain. Go forth, and spread you word at a point when it matters.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
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