Valdosta City School Board & System of Education Monthly Meeting
Dr. Marilyn McCluskey Addresses, (May 24, 2010, 7:00 PM)
SUBJECT AREA: Valdosta City School System
I just got Teacher of the Year (2010) and I never got a gift from her and so. Ah, I know and I want to address this first. I know some of you probably say that I am a trouble maker and I though long and hard about this and I thought long and hard before I came before you guys and I did some soul searching and I said you know; Harriet Tubman I am sure was a trouble maker, and Martin L. King Jr., and Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Dr. Dorothy Heights, I am sure Leigh Touchton and Beverly Madison. They are also trouble makers and I am pretty sure that the biggest trouble of them all right now is probably President Barack Obama. But the one thing I can say is; if it had not been for these trouble makers. I would not have been able to walk through the front door of the Valdosta City School Board (VCSB) and I would not be able to stand here before you tonight holding a doctorate from the University of Georgia.
So if my trouble making will make a change in the Valdosta City School System guys I am sorry, but I am going to have to make a little more trouble. Because I hope that I am really, really I want you to see that I am not trying to work against you. I really, really just want change to come and the emphatics for me starting all of this was in my class room and most people don’t know this.
My students and I would go to the news paper and we would pull articles out and our thing was we were looking at the crime section and we looked for those students, those people that are 25 and below and we clipped out the articles and we would post them and discuss them and we realized something quickly. Most of those people were people that we knew most of those people were people that had dropped out of the Valdosta City School System. And my goal was we got to do something. We have to make a change.
One of us could be that person sitting in the Waffle House refusing to give up our wallet to somebody that the Valdosta City School System failed. And that’s the bottom line. That’s the biggest point that people do not understand. It’s not whether or not we like each other. Ah, I like yawl but by the way. But it’s not all about whether we like each other it’s about doing what is right for kids.
What I want to talk about to you tonight and it’s a policy that I am sure that you guys don’t know about. Last year we were instructed to send our old students to the PLC. As 8th grade teachers we had to identify students that were going to the 16 in the 9th grade and we ended up sending 17 students I know from the 8th grade did not go to the high school. The seventh grade teachers identified 20 students, and our 6th grade teachers identified 15 students and what we did is that ended up with us sending 52 students to the PLC.
Now I had a problem with that then because the next thing that came up was you know the PLC is a separate school now and the first thing I said is, O’ my God. They are going to dump kids over there because those test scores would not count and when I looked at the test this time of course that’s what happening. Those 22 9th graders that took the math tests at the PLC; every last on of them failed. And so my thing is this. I have a question and I am hoping one of you will answer it. Why was the Pineville Learning Center turned into a regular school? And why is it that we had 52 students, Valdosta Middle School only had 4 and you know it would not be bad if you send them over there. If you want to call them out and if you were going to do something special for them the come up with something innovative to really get them learning. But it’s not equal over there.
They had less resources than both middle schools. I know I personally sent a e-mail to a Board Member saying this is ridiculous. These kids are using this text book. This science test book that we threw away this year and we disregarded two years ago. And so after I fussed, and baulked a little bit. They finally got science text books, brand new science text books. I know because I personally pulled them out of my closet and sent them over there. They got work books finally. I had 5 computers and when I would go over to work with science teachers at the PLC. I felt so bad because here I am sitting with 5 computes. I could do WEB QUEST and at that time he had one.
So I am begging you tonight if you are going to dump them at the PLC then at least take times out of your busy schedule and go over to the PLC. This is something that you need to see for yourself because know they say women lie; men lie, numbers don’t lie. Go see it for yourself and you will see that the items are not there. You will see what text books they have and to me. It made me think about the school that my mom use to talk about back in the 60s, and I really, really, really, really feel. That if you are really concerned and if you are really interested please go over there and do something for our kids and its kind of sad because people are looking at their watches and things.
And I am going to be honest with you a change is not going to come until you are ready for a change to come and if you are not ready to do right by the kids of Valdosta. Then you will not see a change in Valdosta. The crime will continue to go up and pretty soon it will be over the creek side on the other side of town and then it will be too late.
Thank you!
This INFORMATION was a total WHITEOUT by local media in Valdosta, Georgia and shows a continuous practice and pattern of our local unacceptable News Media. Moreover I have transcribed it (here) because citizens have a right to know what transpires at public meetings in the State of Georgia in 2010.
This practice and pattern have existed for decades and have left citizens deaf, dumb, and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings in our community. But who cares in our beloved Republic in 2010?
Friday, May 28, 2010
Ms Mason Address To Board and Public... 1971 Justice Department Court Order Status...Yet Local News Media WHITEOUT Machine Practice and Pattern Continues. Why?
Valdosta City School Board & System, Of Education Monthly Meeting
Ms MASON ADDRESS, (May 24, 2010, 7:00 PM)
SUBJECT AREA: City School Board Update to Department of Justice 1971 Court Order (40 years ago)
We have to transfer some teachers this school year. Ah we started the process about three years ago when we transferred our teachers and our assistant principals. When our K-5 elementary schools…..we started transpiring…..So we started that process about 3 years ago when we were not aware of the Department of Justice. We started that process then. This year we are going to have to start the involuntary process of the reassignment. So we are going to have to take both of our middle schools and do some transfers.
We are also going to do SL Mason and South Eastern Transfer so I don’t know numbers yet. We are going to have to wait until our contracts come in from our teachers which or contracts are due back from our schools tomorrow. We are going to have to look at contracts; we are going to have to look at certification to get the exact number on who is going to be transferred. Again, we are going to look at certification, the race, and the needs of the schools.
So we will have more numbers for you probably in the next two to three weeks. We are gong to have to meet with cabinets. We are going to have to meet administrations; we are going to probably meet with the curriculum as well to see where people are going to be placed and what numbers are going to go where at each school.
We are also going to give the Department of justice a proposal to make sure that when we give these numbers to them in October---ok. We don’t want to go in October with our numbers and hear we don’t have unitary status. We want to know ahead of time that we have unitary status. So with that being said, we have a 15 percent ratio that we need to be in; in our district wide average is 33 percent. So we need to take our numbers with all of our schools and make sure we are in our 15 percent average. So the last time we looked at our middle schools the Department of Justice told us that we needed to be at 50 percent.
So it’s going to be quite a few transfers between the two middle schools. We think we are going to be ok with South East and SL Mason. But it’s going to be a hand full of transfers. But our big concern is going to be with those middle school transfers. Transferring those middle schools. Because our counselor at the Department of Justice wants it to be 50, 50 with our minority so ah. She is not concerned about the high school. They are their own, and she counting that separately, she is counting PLC separately. So it’s the middle schools that we have the big concerns with. So it is going to take several meetings.
Interruption by: Board Member Warren Lee: THIS BOARD QUESTIONS COULD NOT BE HEARD BECAUSE THERE ARE NO MIC AND SPEAKERS IN THE MEETING ROOM.
Ms Mason Response to Warren Lee: Right and I think Dr. Cason and I talk about this constantly and we are very confidently that we can get unitary status. But it’s just going to be a lot of work to do the transfers between those middle schools.
I wish I had numbers for you tonight but again we don’t have contracts back. So therefore I can’t give you numbers. The numbers that we reported to the Department of Justice were last year’s numbers. So once we get contracts back in they will all be in tomorrow. So we will be working on those reports this week and next week. Again we will have meetings and we will determine who’s going where and we will have a better feel for giving you numbers of who’s going to be transferring……. But we know that our middle schools are going to be the big number of transfers.
Does anyone have any questions?
BOARD MEMBER, Warren Lee, Just an input in regards to 15 percent….Ah, at this point but by no means, I hope this Board is happy with 33 percent minority increase.
Interruption by: BY MS Mason: I understand…
Board Member Warren Lee: Just let me finish.
I realize that we are in a hard crunch now as far as minority hiring is concerned….. And I have talked time and time again with the Board and the Superintendent. We…..I want to make sure Mr. Chairmen and the Board as a hold that we do everything possible to increase minority hiring and when I say minority. I am talking directly about Black teachers.
Interruption by Ms Mason: I understand,
BOARD MEMBER, Warren Lee, “Just let me finish please….”
This is what we need to do. Thirty three percent is not going to get it and that’s Mr. Lee, and hopefully this Board feels the same way. We must improve our hiring of Blacks in this system; not only at the middle schools but at our primary schools. You know we have to do better and if we can’t do better then maybe some changes are going to have to be made. Because we have been here for a long time singing this tune now and I know they are out there.
Interruption by Ms. Mason: But I will tell you!
Board Member Warren Lee: Just let me finish! Ms Mason responds: OK!
Lee continues: We are going to have to do something Board of Election to try to increase our minorities to come to the Valdosta City School System. Its time out for us; just sitting and talking without coming together as a Board, Mr. Chairmen to do something to address this problem.
Now this problem has been around for too long and Board of Education, Mr. Superintendent and Chairmen. It is time now to put it to rest. It is a lingering shame that we still have the Justice Department looking at this system. I say once and for all less do everything we possibly can to give Ms Mason the tools that she need. Her and her staff to bring in qualified teachers which includes-----Black teachers. Thank you.
Ms Mason Response, I will tell you….starting their teachers out at $45,000.00 a year. We cannot compete with that in the state of Georgia. We are recruiting at another table and they are going to go to another table that is going to pay $12,000.00 more a year and for a kid coming out of college. They are going to go to that table.
Board Member Warren Lee, “Look! Give us an opportunity to come up with something”
Ms Mason Response And I appreciate that you are doing that because I want minority teachers here too. We want highly qualified teachers for our students here and I understand minority recruitment but according to the Department of Justice though; they said we are on target for minority recruitment. It’s just that…..
Interruption by Board Member Warren Lee, “I appreciate what you are saying; but I have been here for a long time.”
Ms Mason Response, I know, I understand that; I understand but our main focus right now is ……..
Board Member Warren Lee, response to Ms Mason: “I appreciate what you all are doing.”
Another Newer Board Member response to Warren Lee: Most of this Board is new so I think the public needs to know and understand about this Board. Some of yawl done been here a long time. We have not and we are doing what needs to be done and will you please recognize that during that part of the discussion that we just had.
Board Member Warren Lee, That’s why I said…..
Ms Mason Response, .But after our group has put together the final results I will be back to give you those final results of the transcripts. Thank you…
SPECIAL NOTE: Since there were no microphones or speaker system at the meeting. It was impossible to pick up a small part of Board Member Warren Lee questions, and other dialogue from the meeting. However there was little omitted or not given here. (It is imperative that microphones and speakers be made available at this public meeting in the State of Georgia for all citizens to hear what goes on at this meeting. This has been presented before the Board for well over a year.)
This IGNORED INFORMATION by all local television stations and news papers were ignored here in Valdosta, Georgia. I transcribed it for all citizens because I believe citizens have a right to know what transpires at public meetings in the State of Georgia in 2010. For decades our local news media has ignored important information and has contributed to keeping citizens deaf, dumb, and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings. But who cares in our beloved Republic in 2010?
Valdosta City School Board
Of Education Monthly Meeting
PRESIDENT LEIGH TOUCHTON, (NAACP)
(May 24, 2010, 7:00 PM)
SUBJECT AREA: Complaints from NAACP Legal Redress Committee, and questions concerning Valdosta Daily Times publication about the City School System.
Ms Leigh Touchton: Ah, Ms Fisher since your attorney is not here tonight and ah, Ms Fisher and I have a long history together. So I know she will make sure that it gets to the attorney.
But basically the second Open Records Request I am just asking about the audit. Ah, and when it was done; where I can see all the information. And then the Third Open Records Request I am just asking for a variety of things pertaining to the article that was in the news papers on Sunday regarding the testing at the CRCT erasure situation at the middle school.
And I am basically interested in what happened to in particular some students that was pulled out by the principal what that erasure rate is and also some other questions pertaining to that and also pertaining to the investigator that was brought in to speak to the teachers and I believe his name was Chester Nutterwood and according to the article in the Valdosta Daily Times. He was identified as an investigator with the Processional Standards Commission. But he is not with the Professional Standards Commission, and I am just wondering what the situation with that was?
And then our branch is all because we have received complaints and the NAACP now has a stack of investigations that we are required by our State Conference (NAACP) to address. That’s part of it. And there is an issue with the presence that was given to the teachers that had to speak to this investigator and I am just concerned about that because you know. I don’t know why teachers have to be given presence if they are fulfilling their professional duties, and that’s part of it, is to participate in an internal investigation or an external investigation. And I just think that looks really bad and so I would like some clarification as to what all happened.
Thank you!
Leigh Touchton
President of the Valdosta-Lowndes County (NAACP)
Addresses Valdosta City School Board of Education
SPECIAL NOTE: Since there were no microphones or speaker system at the meeting. It was impossible to pick up a small part of Board Member Warren Lee questions, and other dialogue from the meeting. However there was little omitted or not given here. (It is imperative that microphones and speakers be made available at this public meeting in the State of Georgia for all citizens to hear what goes on at this meeting. This has been presented before the Board for well over a year.)
This IGNORED INFORMATION by all local television stations and news papers were ignored here in Valdosta, Georgia. I transcribed it for all citizens because I believe citizens have a right to know what transpires at public meetings in the State of Georgia in 2010. For decades our local news media has ignored important information and has contributed to keeping citizens deaf, dumb, and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings. But who cares in our beloved Republic in 2010?
Valdosta City School Board
Of Education Monthly Meeting
Dr. Marilyn McClusky Addresses
(May 24, 2010, 7:00 PM)
SUBJECT AREA: Valdosta City School System
I just got Teacher of the Year (2010) and I never got a gift from her and so. Ah, I know and I want to address this first. I know some of you probably say that I am a trouble maker and I though long and hard about this and I thought long and hard before I came before you guys and I did some soul searching and I said you know; Harriet Tubman I am sure was a trouble maker, and Martin L. King Jr., and Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Dr. Dorothy Heights, I am sure Leigh Touchton and Beverly Madison. They are also trouble makers and I am pretty sure that the biggest trouble of them all right now is probably President Barack Obama. But the one thing I can say is; if it had not been for these trouble makers. I would not have been able to walk through the front door of the Valdosta City School Board (VCSB) and I would not be able to stand here before you tonight holding a doctorate from the University of Georgia.
So if my trouble making will make a change in the Valdosta City School System guys I am sorry, but I am going to have to make a little more trouble. Because I hope that I am really, really I want you to see that I am not trying to work against you. I really, really just want change to come and the emphatics for me starting all of this was in my class room and most people don’t know this.
My students and I would go to the news paper and we would pull articles out and our thing was we were looking at the crime section and we looked for those students, those people that are 25 and below and we clipped out the articles and we would post them and discuss them and we realized something quickly. Most of those people were people that we knew most of those people were people that had dropped out of the Valdosta City School System. And my goal was we got to do something. We have to make a change.
One of us could be that person sitting in the Waffle House refusing to give up our wallet to somebody that the Valdosta City School System failed. And that’s the bottom line. That’s the biggest point that people do not understand. It’s not whether or not we like each other. Ah, I like yawl but by the way. But it’s not all about whether we like each other it’s about doing what is right for kids.
What I want to talk about to you tonight and it’s a policy that I am sure that you guys don’t know about. Last year we were instructed to send our old students to the PLC. As 8th grade teachers we had to identify students that were going to the 16 in the 9th grade and we ended up sending 17 students I know from the 8th grade did not go to the high school. The seventh grade teachers identified 20 students, and our 6th grade teachers identified 15 students and what we did is that ended up with us sending 52 students to the PLC.
Now I had a problem with that then because the next thing that came up was you know the PLC is a separate school now and the first thing I said is, O’ my God. They are going to dump kids over there because those test scores would not count and when I looked at the test this time of course that’s what happening. Those 22 9th graders that took the math tests at the PLC; every last on of them failed. And so my thing is this. I have a question and I am hoping one of you will answer it. Why was the Pineville Learning Center turned into a regular school? And why is it that we had 52 students, Valdosta Middle School only had 4 and you know it would not be bad if you send them over there. If you want to call them out and if you were going to do something special for them the come up with something innovative to really get them learning. But it’s not equal over there.
They had less resources than both middle schools. I know I personally sent a e-mail to a Board Member saying this is ridiculous. These kids are using this text book. This science test book that we threw away this year and we disregarded two years ago. And so after I fussed, and baulked a little bit. They finally got science text books, brand new science text books. I know because I personally pulled them out of my closet and sent them over there. They got work books finally. I had 5 computers and when I would go over to work with science teachers at the PLC. I felt so bad because here I am sitting with 5 computes. I could do WEB QUEST and at that time he had one.
So I am begging you tonight if you are going to dump them at the PLC then at least take times out of your busy schedule and go over to the PLC. This is something that you need to see for yourself because know they say women lie; men lie, numbers don’t lie. Go see it for yourself and you will see that the items are not there. You will see what text books they have and to me. It made me think about the school that my mom use to talk about back in the 60s, and I really, really, really, really feel. That if you are really concerned and if you are really interested please go over there and do something for our kids and its kind of sad because people are looking at their watches and things.
And I am going to be honest with you a change is not going to come until you are ready for a change to come and if you are not ready to do right by the kids of Valdosta. Then you will not see a change in Valdosta. The crime will continue to go up and pretty soon it will be over the creek side on the other side of town and then it will be too late.
Thank you!
SPECIAL NOTE: Since there were no microphones or speaker system at the meeting. It was impossible to pick up a small part of Board Member Warren Lee questions, and other dialogue from the meeting. However there was little omitted or not given here. (It is imperative that microphones and speakers be made available at this public meeting in the State of Georgia for all citizens to hear what goes on at this meeting. This has been presented before the Board for well over a year.)
This INFORMATION was a total WHITEOUT by local media in Valdosta, Georgia and shows a continuous practice and pattern of our local unacceptable News Media. Moreover I have transcribed it (here) because citizens have a right to know what transpires at public meetings in the State of Georgia in 2010.
This practice and pattern have existed for decades and have left citizens deaf, dumb, and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings in our community. But who cares in our beloved Republic in 2010?
Ms MASON ADDRESS, (May 24, 2010, 7:00 PM)
SUBJECT AREA: City School Board Update to Department of Justice 1971 Court Order (40 years ago)
We have to transfer some teachers this school year. Ah we started the process about three years ago when we transferred our teachers and our assistant principals. When our K-5 elementary schools…..we started transpiring…..So we started that process about 3 years ago when we were not aware of the Department of Justice. We started that process then. This year we are going to have to start the involuntary process of the reassignment. So we are going to have to take both of our middle schools and do some transfers.
We are also going to do SL Mason and South Eastern Transfer so I don’t know numbers yet. We are going to have to wait until our contracts come in from our teachers which or contracts are due back from our schools tomorrow. We are going to have to look at contracts; we are going to have to look at certification to get the exact number on who is going to be transferred. Again, we are going to look at certification, the race, and the needs of the schools.
So we will have more numbers for you probably in the next two to three weeks. We are gong to have to meet with cabinets. We are going to have to meet administrations; we are going to probably meet with the curriculum as well to see where people are going to be placed and what numbers are going to go where at each school.
We are also going to give the Department of justice a proposal to make sure that when we give these numbers to them in October---ok. We don’t want to go in October with our numbers and hear we don’t have unitary status. We want to know ahead of time that we have unitary status. So with that being said, we have a 15 percent ratio that we need to be in; in our district wide average is 33 percent. So we need to take our numbers with all of our schools and make sure we are in our 15 percent average. So the last time we looked at our middle schools the Department of Justice told us that we needed to be at 50 percent.
So it’s going to be quite a few transfers between the two middle schools. We think we are going to be ok with South East and SL Mason. But it’s going to be a hand full of transfers. But our big concern is going to be with those middle school transfers. Transferring those middle schools. Because our counselor at the Department of Justice wants it to be 50, 50 with our minority so ah. She is not concerned about the high school. They are their own, and she counting that separately, she is counting PLC separately. So it’s the middle schools that we have the big concerns with. So it is going to take several meetings.
Interruption by: Board Member Warren Lee: THIS BOARD QUESTIONS COULD NOT BE HEARD BECAUSE THERE ARE NO MIC AND SPEAKERS IN THE MEETING ROOM.
Ms Mason Response to Warren Lee: Right and I think Dr. Cason and I talk about this constantly and we are very confidently that we can get unitary status. But it’s just going to be a lot of work to do the transfers between those middle schools.
I wish I had numbers for you tonight but again we don’t have contracts back. So therefore I can’t give you numbers. The numbers that we reported to the Department of Justice were last year’s numbers. So once we get contracts back in they will all be in tomorrow. So we will be working on those reports this week and next week. Again we will have meetings and we will determine who’s going where and we will have a better feel for giving you numbers of who’s going to be transferring……. But we know that our middle schools are going to be the big number of transfers.
Does anyone have any questions?
BOARD MEMBER, Warren Lee, Just an input in regards to 15 percent….Ah, at this point but by no means, I hope this Board is happy with 33 percent minority increase.
Interruption by: BY MS Mason: I understand…
Board Member Warren Lee: Just let me finish.
I realize that we are in a hard crunch now as far as minority hiring is concerned….. And I have talked time and time again with the Board and the Superintendent. We…..I want to make sure Mr. Chairmen and the Board as a hold that we do everything possible to increase minority hiring and when I say minority. I am talking directly about Black teachers.
Interruption by Ms Mason: I understand,
BOARD MEMBER, Warren Lee, “Just let me finish please….”
This is what we need to do. Thirty three percent is not going to get it and that’s Mr. Lee, and hopefully this Board feels the same way. We must improve our hiring of Blacks in this system; not only at the middle schools but at our primary schools. You know we have to do better and if we can’t do better then maybe some changes are going to have to be made. Because we have been here for a long time singing this tune now and I know they are out there.
Interruption by Ms. Mason: But I will tell you!
Board Member Warren Lee: Just let me finish! Ms Mason responds: OK!
Lee continues: We are going to have to do something Board of Election to try to increase our minorities to come to the Valdosta City School System. Its time out for us; just sitting and talking without coming together as a Board, Mr. Chairmen to do something to address this problem.
Now this problem has been around for too long and Board of Education, Mr. Superintendent and Chairmen. It is time now to put it to rest. It is a lingering shame that we still have the Justice Department looking at this system. I say once and for all less do everything we possibly can to give Ms Mason the tools that she need. Her and her staff to bring in qualified teachers which includes-----Black teachers. Thank you.
Ms Mason Response, I will tell you….starting their teachers out at $45,000.00 a year. We cannot compete with that in the state of Georgia. We are recruiting at another table and they are going to go to another table that is going to pay $12,000.00 more a year and for a kid coming out of college. They are going to go to that table.
Board Member Warren Lee, “Look! Give us an opportunity to come up with something”
Ms Mason Response And I appreciate that you are doing that because I want minority teachers here too. We want highly qualified teachers for our students here and I understand minority recruitment but according to the Department of Justice though; they said we are on target for minority recruitment. It’s just that…..
Interruption by Board Member Warren Lee, “I appreciate what you are saying; but I have been here for a long time.”
Ms Mason Response, I know, I understand that; I understand but our main focus right now is ……..
Board Member Warren Lee, response to Ms Mason: “I appreciate what you all are doing.”
Another Newer Board Member response to Warren Lee: Most of this Board is new so I think the public needs to know and understand about this Board. Some of yawl done been here a long time. We have not and we are doing what needs to be done and will you please recognize that during that part of the discussion that we just had.
Board Member Warren Lee, That’s why I said…..
Ms Mason Response, .But after our group has put together the final results I will be back to give you those final results of the transcripts. Thank you…
SPECIAL NOTE: Since there were no microphones or speaker system at the meeting. It was impossible to pick up a small part of Board Member Warren Lee questions, and other dialogue from the meeting. However there was little omitted or not given here. (It is imperative that microphones and speakers be made available at this public meeting in the State of Georgia for all citizens to hear what goes on at this meeting. This has been presented before the Board for well over a year.)
This IGNORED INFORMATION by all local television stations and news papers were ignored here in Valdosta, Georgia. I transcribed it for all citizens because I believe citizens have a right to know what transpires at public meetings in the State of Georgia in 2010. For decades our local news media has ignored important information and has contributed to keeping citizens deaf, dumb, and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings. But who cares in our beloved Republic in 2010?
Valdosta City School Board
Of Education Monthly Meeting
PRESIDENT LEIGH TOUCHTON, (NAACP)
(May 24, 2010, 7:00 PM)
SUBJECT AREA: Complaints from NAACP Legal Redress Committee, and questions concerning Valdosta Daily Times publication about the City School System.
Ms Leigh Touchton: Ah, Ms Fisher since your attorney is not here tonight and ah, Ms Fisher and I have a long history together. So I know she will make sure that it gets to the attorney.
But basically the second Open Records Request I am just asking about the audit. Ah, and when it was done; where I can see all the information. And then the Third Open Records Request I am just asking for a variety of things pertaining to the article that was in the news papers on Sunday regarding the testing at the CRCT erasure situation at the middle school.
And I am basically interested in what happened to in particular some students that was pulled out by the principal what that erasure rate is and also some other questions pertaining to that and also pertaining to the investigator that was brought in to speak to the teachers and I believe his name was Chester Nutterwood and according to the article in the Valdosta Daily Times. He was identified as an investigator with the Processional Standards Commission. But he is not with the Professional Standards Commission, and I am just wondering what the situation with that was?
And then our branch is all because we have received complaints and the NAACP now has a stack of investigations that we are required by our State Conference (NAACP) to address. That’s part of it. And there is an issue with the presence that was given to the teachers that had to speak to this investigator and I am just concerned about that because you know. I don’t know why teachers have to be given presence if they are fulfilling their professional duties, and that’s part of it, is to participate in an internal investigation or an external investigation. And I just think that looks really bad and so I would like some clarification as to what all happened.
Thank you!
Leigh Touchton
President of the Valdosta-Lowndes County (NAACP)
Addresses Valdosta City School Board of Education
SPECIAL NOTE: Since there were no microphones or speaker system at the meeting. It was impossible to pick up a small part of Board Member Warren Lee questions, and other dialogue from the meeting. However there was little omitted or not given here. (It is imperative that microphones and speakers be made available at this public meeting in the State of Georgia for all citizens to hear what goes on at this meeting. This has been presented before the Board for well over a year.)
This IGNORED INFORMATION by all local television stations and news papers were ignored here in Valdosta, Georgia. I transcribed it for all citizens because I believe citizens have a right to know what transpires at public meetings in the State of Georgia in 2010. For decades our local news media has ignored important information and has contributed to keeping citizens deaf, dumb, and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings. But who cares in our beloved Republic in 2010?
Valdosta City School Board
Of Education Monthly Meeting
Dr. Marilyn McClusky Addresses
(May 24, 2010, 7:00 PM)
SUBJECT AREA: Valdosta City School System
I just got Teacher of the Year (2010) and I never got a gift from her and so. Ah, I know and I want to address this first. I know some of you probably say that I am a trouble maker and I though long and hard about this and I thought long and hard before I came before you guys and I did some soul searching and I said you know; Harriet Tubman I am sure was a trouble maker, and Martin L. King Jr., and Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Dr. Dorothy Heights, I am sure Leigh Touchton and Beverly Madison. They are also trouble makers and I am pretty sure that the biggest trouble of them all right now is probably President Barack Obama. But the one thing I can say is; if it had not been for these trouble makers. I would not have been able to walk through the front door of the Valdosta City School Board (VCSB) and I would not be able to stand here before you tonight holding a doctorate from the University of Georgia.
So if my trouble making will make a change in the Valdosta City School System guys I am sorry, but I am going to have to make a little more trouble. Because I hope that I am really, really I want you to see that I am not trying to work against you. I really, really just want change to come and the emphatics for me starting all of this was in my class room and most people don’t know this.
My students and I would go to the news paper and we would pull articles out and our thing was we were looking at the crime section and we looked for those students, those people that are 25 and below and we clipped out the articles and we would post them and discuss them and we realized something quickly. Most of those people were people that we knew most of those people were people that had dropped out of the Valdosta City School System. And my goal was we got to do something. We have to make a change.
One of us could be that person sitting in the Waffle House refusing to give up our wallet to somebody that the Valdosta City School System failed. And that’s the bottom line. That’s the biggest point that people do not understand. It’s not whether or not we like each other. Ah, I like yawl but by the way. But it’s not all about whether we like each other it’s about doing what is right for kids.
What I want to talk about to you tonight and it’s a policy that I am sure that you guys don’t know about. Last year we were instructed to send our old students to the PLC. As 8th grade teachers we had to identify students that were going to the 16 in the 9th grade and we ended up sending 17 students I know from the 8th grade did not go to the high school. The seventh grade teachers identified 20 students, and our 6th grade teachers identified 15 students and what we did is that ended up with us sending 52 students to the PLC.
Now I had a problem with that then because the next thing that came up was you know the PLC is a separate school now and the first thing I said is, O’ my God. They are going to dump kids over there because those test scores would not count and when I looked at the test this time of course that’s what happening. Those 22 9th graders that took the math tests at the PLC; every last on of them failed. And so my thing is this. I have a question and I am hoping one of you will answer it. Why was the Pineville Learning Center turned into a regular school? And why is it that we had 52 students, Valdosta Middle School only had 4 and you know it would not be bad if you send them over there. If you want to call them out and if you were going to do something special for them the come up with something innovative to really get them learning. But it’s not equal over there.
They had less resources than both middle schools. I know I personally sent a e-mail to a Board Member saying this is ridiculous. These kids are using this text book. This science test book that we threw away this year and we disregarded two years ago. And so after I fussed, and baulked a little bit. They finally got science text books, brand new science text books. I know because I personally pulled them out of my closet and sent them over there. They got work books finally. I had 5 computers and when I would go over to work with science teachers at the PLC. I felt so bad because here I am sitting with 5 computes. I could do WEB QUEST and at that time he had one.
So I am begging you tonight if you are going to dump them at the PLC then at least take times out of your busy schedule and go over to the PLC. This is something that you need to see for yourself because know they say women lie; men lie, numbers don’t lie. Go see it for yourself and you will see that the items are not there. You will see what text books they have and to me. It made me think about the school that my mom use to talk about back in the 60s, and I really, really, really, really feel. That if you are really concerned and if you are really interested please go over there and do something for our kids and its kind of sad because people are looking at their watches and things.
And I am going to be honest with you a change is not going to come until you are ready for a change to come and if you are not ready to do right by the kids of Valdosta. Then you will not see a change in Valdosta. The crime will continue to go up and pretty soon it will be over the creek side on the other side of town and then it will be too late.
Thank you!
SPECIAL NOTE: Since there were no microphones or speaker system at the meeting. It was impossible to pick up a small part of Board Member Warren Lee questions, and other dialogue from the meeting. However there was little omitted or not given here. (It is imperative that microphones and speakers be made available at this public meeting in the State of Georgia for all citizens to hear what goes on at this meeting. This has been presented before the Board for well over a year.)
This INFORMATION was a total WHITEOUT by local media in Valdosta, Georgia and shows a continuous practice and pattern of our local unacceptable News Media. Moreover I have transcribed it (here) because citizens have a right to know what transpires at public meetings in the State of Georgia in 2010.
This practice and pattern have existed for decades and have left citizens deaf, dumb, and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings in our community. But who cares in our beloved Republic in 2010?
Leigh Touchton Address of a Continuous Practice and Pattern of The Valdosta City School Board System, Local News Media WHITEOUT Machine. WHY?
Valdosta City School Board & System of Education Monthly Meeting
PRESIDENT LEIGH TOUCHTON, (NAACP, May 24, 2010, 7:00 PM)
SUBJECT AREA: Complaints from NAACP Legal Redress Committee, and questions concerning Valdosta Daily Times publication about the City School System.
Ms Leigh Touchton: Ah, Ms Fisher since your attorney is not here tonight and ah, Ms Fisher and I have a long history together. So I know she will make sure that it gets to the attorney.
But basically the second Open Records Request I am just asking about the audit. Ah, and when it was done; where I can see all the information. And then the Third Open Records Request I am just asking for a variety of things pertaining to the article that was in the news papers on Sunday regarding the testing at the CRCT erasure situation at the middle school.
And I am basically interested in what happened to in particular some students that was pulled out by the principal what that erasure rate is and also some other questions pertaining to that and also pertaining to the investigator that was brought in to speak to the teachers and I believe his name was Chester Nutterwood and according to the article in the Valdosta Daily Times. He was identified as an investigator with the Processional Standards Commission. But he is not with the Professional Standards Commission, and I am just wondering what the situation with that was?
And then our branch is all because we have received complaints and the NAACP now has a stack of investigations that we are required by our State Conference (NAACP) to address. That’s part of it. And there is an issue with the presence that was given to the teachers that had to speak to this investigator and I am just concerned about that because you know. I don’t know why teachers have to be given presence if they are fulfilling their professional duties, and that’s part of it, is to participate in an internal investigation or an external investigation. And I just think that looks really bad and so I would like some clarification as to what all happened.
Thank you!
Leigh Touchton
President of the Valdosta-Lowndes County (NAACP)
Addresses Valdosta City School Board of Education
SPECIAL NOTE: Since there were no microphones or speaker system at the meeting. It was impossible to pick up a small part of Board Member Warren Lee questions, and other dialogue from the meeting. However there was little omitted or not given here. (It is imperative that microphones and speakers be made available at this public meeting in the State of Georgia for all citizens to hear what goes on at this meeting. This has been presented before the Board for well over a year.)
This INFORMATION was a total WHITEOUT by local media in Valdosta, Georgia and shows a continuous practice and pattern of our local unacceptable News Media. Moreover I have transcribed it (here) because citizens have a right to know what transpires at public meetings in the State of Georgia in 2010.
This practice and pattern have existed for decades and have left citizens deaf, dumb, and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings in our community. But who cares in our beloved Republic in 2010?
PRESIDENT LEIGH TOUCHTON, (NAACP, May 24, 2010, 7:00 PM)
SUBJECT AREA: Complaints from NAACP Legal Redress Committee, and questions concerning Valdosta Daily Times publication about the City School System.
Ms Leigh Touchton: Ah, Ms Fisher since your attorney is not here tonight and ah, Ms Fisher and I have a long history together. So I know she will make sure that it gets to the attorney.
But basically the second Open Records Request I am just asking about the audit. Ah, and when it was done; where I can see all the information. And then the Third Open Records Request I am just asking for a variety of things pertaining to the article that was in the news papers on Sunday regarding the testing at the CRCT erasure situation at the middle school.
And I am basically interested in what happened to in particular some students that was pulled out by the principal what that erasure rate is and also some other questions pertaining to that and also pertaining to the investigator that was brought in to speak to the teachers and I believe his name was Chester Nutterwood and according to the article in the Valdosta Daily Times. He was identified as an investigator with the Processional Standards Commission. But he is not with the Professional Standards Commission, and I am just wondering what the situation with that was?
And then our branch is all because we have received complaints and the NAACP now has a stack of investigations that we are required by our State Conference (NAACP) to address. That’s part of it. And there is an issue with the presence that was given to the teachers that had to speak to this investigator and I am just concerned about that because you know. I don’t know why teachers have to be given presence if they are fulfilling their professional duties, and that’s part of it, is to participate in an internal investigation or an external investigation. And I just think that looks really bad and so I would like some clarification as to what all happened.
Thank you!
Leigh Touchton
President of the Valdosta-Lowndes County (NAACP)
Addresses Valdosta City School Board of Education
SPECIAL NOTE: Since there were no microphones or speaker system at the meeting. It was impossible to pick up a small part of Board Member Warren Lee questions, and other dialogue from the meeting. However there was little omitted or not given here. (It is imperative that microphones and speakers be made available at this public meeting in the State of Georgia for all citizens to hear what goes on at this meeting. This has been presented before the Board for well over a year.)
This INFORMATION was a total WHITEOUT by local media in Valdosta, Georgia and shows a continuous practice and pattern of our local unacceptable News Media. Moreover I have transcribed it (here) because citizens have a right to know what transpires at public meetings in the State of Georgia in 2010.
This practice and pattern have existed for decades and have left citizens deaf, dumb, and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings in our community. But who cares in our beloved Republic in 2010?
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