SL Mason Elementary Hosts Community Walk! Did you know about this Community Leaders? If not, why not?

SL Mason Elementary Hosts Community Walk

(Picture_015 – Principal, John Davis meets with an SL Mason family during the community walk)

Jennifer J. Steedley, Director of Public Relations
jsteedley@gocats.org
[p] 229.671.6065 [c] 229-460.3133

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 22, 2010

S.L. MASON HOSTS COMMUNITY WALK

S. L. Mason Elementary School’s faculty and staff not only talk the talk, they literally walk the talk. On Wednesday, October 13, 2010, a group of dedicated educators walked door to door meeting parents and members of their school’s local community. The mission of the community walk was to build relationships between the school and its local community. Enhancing the community’s perception of the school will ultimately result in an increase in student achievement. The faculty and staff visited approximately one hundred homes in the neighborhood between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.

Each neighbor was greeted with a brochure filled with information on how to become proactive and help student achievement as a parent or volunteer. Early learning kits packed full of manipulatives were given to homes where kindergarten age and younger children resided. Addition, subtraction, and or multiplication flashcards, along with suggested activities for their use, were given if children in the home were in grades first through fifth. If no children lived at the address, the community member was given a list of ways he or she could help with student achievement and were invited and encouraged to become a volunteer in the school.

S. L. Mason believes having open lines of communication built on mutual respect fosters a win-win situation. Schools are a fundamental part of the community. Reaching out to the community widens the learning environment. Only through developing strong school-community relationships can the school learn to understand the socially constructed realities of the students it serves, which plays an integral part in educating the whole child. To be an effective school, we must have a steady flow of communication with our community and positive parent involvement.

This visit could not have occurred without the donations from and support of S. L. Mason’s Community Partners in Education: Office Max, Teacher’s Harvest, and Texas Roadhouse. In addition, parent volunteers, Mrs. Peck and Mrs. Vickers were instrumental in preparing materials for the home learning kits.

S. L. Mason’s goal is to visit all neighborhoods in our school zone. The October 13th community walk was the first of four planned for the school year. We are committed to walking the talk. Through this endeavor, we hope to make parents and the community feel more valued and welcome at their school, which will assist us in meeting the needs of all children and result in superior performance for all.

XXX

Jennifer J. Steedley
Director of Public Relations
1204 Williams Street
Valdosta, GA 31602

TitleTown, USA!!!
229-671-6065 (Direct Line)
229-460-3133 (Cell)

jsteedley@gocats.org
www.gocats.org

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down, Whiteout Media (Valdosta School Board Meeting)

June 1, 2010

TO: Editors, Concerned Americans, Military Veterans, Internet, and Beyond

The Valdosta Daily Times recent Thumbs Up, Thumbs down articles omitted speakers from two previous City School Board Meetings held recently. However local television stations and news papers failed to publish the following citizens as they addressed the School Board. http://medianeeded.blogspot.com

Ms Mason gave the status on the Department of Justice Pending Court Order of 1971 on segregated schools, discriminatory practices in hiring of Black African American Educators among other issues. Thumbs up to her!

Local NAACP President Leigh Touchton gave invaluable information about Pineville Learning Center and alleged problems at the school discovered during their site visit, firing and hiring practices recently carried out along with the other complaints she had received. Thumbs Up to her!

Ms Beverly Madison addressed the board on various issues on the education of our children. Thumbs up to her! Then there was Minister John Robinson and he received a loud applaud from the audience following his address before the Board but this too was ignored by our news media. Thumbs Up to him!

Board Member Warren Lee gave powerful comments concerning the U.S. Court Order but this too was never reported by local media. Thumbs up to him!

Dr. Marilyn McClusky gave a power point presentation on student and teacher low morale. She addressed Pineville Learning Center inadequate supply of study supplies and although she has a doctorate degree from the University of Georgia. Her address was also ignored by local media. Thumbs up to her!

This proves a pattern and practice of keeping citizens deaf, dumb, and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings in the State of Georgia. As a retired military veteran in a city of 48,000 we the people should expect better news coverage.

Thumbs down on all Valdosta News Media Outlets for not informing the general public!


GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
Retired United States Armed Forces Military Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of all humanity

Dr. Marilyn McCluskey Address of A Continuous Practice and pattern of the Valdosta City School Board & System and Local News Media WHITEOUT Machine. Why?

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?

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?

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?

Local TV and News Paper Keeping Citizens Deaf, Dumb, and Blind to Public Meetings! "Valdosta, Georgia"

President Leigh Touchton (NAACP)
Addresses Valdosta City School Board of Education

Monday, May 17, 2010

DATE: March 10, 2010, 7:00 pm, Audience 117 people participating but only thirty-two seats were available!

Hi, everybody, Leigh Touchton, President NAACP Lowndes Valdosta Branch. Do you need my address? NO!

I am here tonight and I wish I had had the conversation three days ago that I had here in the chambers tonight. Ah, I would have written a much stronger letter. Ah, but I wrote this letter Ah, not knowing as much as I know tonight. Ah, basically I am distrubed and distressed by the number of Black teachers and administrators that have been hired, fired and demoted in the last week and a half. Ah, I thank that the fact that 4 Black School Board Members voted against these recommendations from the Superintendent while five White School Board Members voted for it. I believe that sends a clear message to the community that the Black Members of your School Board believe that your recommendation were inherently unfair.

Ah, I know from years of experience that Valdosta City Schools is under court order to diversity the staff (1971). I can speak from experience that my daughter will be starting her 4th year at S.L. Mason and she has never had a Black teacher. Even though 70 to 80 percent of every class that she has ever been in has been populated with Black students. I am rather tired that my daughter has never had a Black teacher and we are in a school that is over 70 Percent Black and you are serving a clientele which is over 70 percent Black and you are under court order to diversify the staff.

I spent three and a half hours at Pineville Lomax Learning Center in the last week and a half. Touring the facility got a great deal of questions answered and I saw a staff at (PLC) Pineville Learning Center that was almost 80% Black. When we’ve come before you; not just myself but when SCLC, and other people have come before you and asked what is the problem with hiring more Black teachers you always tell us that you cannot find qualified Black teachers. Well my suggestion to you is respectfully is that you consult with Principal Dunn at PLC. Because he has done a phenomenal, phenomenal job of diversifying his staff.

Ah, if he can do it there is no reason why now the Valdosta City School System cannot do it. It is simply not fair, and the court has said that it is unfair of what is going on here and I am at least one WHITE Parent who is tired of her daughter not having any Black teachers. Ah, I could go on and on about the lack of male Black teachers, the lack of male Black Administrators but Ah, that’s something that has been covered at length numerous times before so I will just mention it. Ah, this letter is basically outlining my complaints regarding the lack of diversity and the fact that over 50 percent in fact almost two out of three 56 percent of the people who were fired in the last ½ weeks are Black people. Out of the 8 new people that were hired only one is a Black person according to the Open Record Request that I filed a week ago and received the information from you.

Now maybe there have been new hires since then. This Open Records Request that I have given you tonight Ah, basically outlines what I found out and asking you to provide more information about the new hires and also there applications for employment. Because some of the things that we are hearing is that Black applicants are held to a higher standards and we can give you names in private of specific cases whereby Black applicants were denied employment where as White applicants with fewer credentials less experienced with in fact incomplete employment applications were in fact hired by the City Schools.

Ah, at this point you terminated 56% on your RIF List are Black people that is almost two out of three on your rehire right here, new hire list 1 out of 8 is Black. That’s 12.5 percent I think those numbers speak for themselves. What I have not ascertained yet, but I will be in tomorrow with another Open Records Request is the number of people who have been demoted and erased of those people who have been demoted because based on the conversations that I have had out in the council chambers. It looks like several people Ah; several Black people were retaliated against or ah, simply demoted so that IMS could save money. But in my opinion if you are going to demote people you need to be doing it in a racially fair manner and not targeting Black people. Thank you!

This is a transcribed edition of what transpired during Valdosta City School Board Monthly Meeting. However local newspaper and television stations failed to publish this to the general public. This has been a routine practice for several decades in our community leaving citizens deaf, dumb and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings in the State of Georgia. (Yet elected officials from both city and county branches of government appear on mostly conservative radio stations and provide information to some but not to ALL citizens. I provided this information (HERE) because I believe ALL citizens have a right to know what takes place at public meetings in Valdosta-Lowndes County Georgia. Just keeping certain citizens deaf, dumb, and blind has existed for too long and must be stopped immediately. Therefore local citizens must ask if our local governments are still following the Old Valdosta City Charter of 1860 to control and suppress citizen.



GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
Retired United States Armed Forces Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dr. Marilyn McCluskey
Addresses Valdosta City School Board of Education

DATE: March 10, 2010, 7:00 pm, Audience 117 people participating but only thirty-two seats were available!

I met most of you guys and what I want to talk to you tonight about is teacher morale. I have a Power Point presentation to share with you guys. And ah, basically what ah, Ms Touchton was just talking about; the source of what I have to talk about tonight and that is why teacher’s morale is low. And I know my moral is low right now and lot of people that look like me their morale is low as well. So could you start it now please (Power Point Presentation). I want to come before the Board and I plan to come before every Board Meeting until I leave in October and give you guys some professional development classes from me. Ah as far as we see what the needs are in the system are.

Ok! Teacher Morale and you can really go through that pretty quickly. Morale is the extent to which a person’s needs are met. It is also the extent to which the person feels SATISFACTION in his/her job. That is what morale is. It is important because students learn and teaching retention can all be tied to the level of teacher moral. Our students are not performing like they should and a lot of it I believe is because teachers are not satisfied with their job.

Next Board Meeting I will talk about effective leadership which is a major problem. Ah, things that happens when morale is low, you have confusion, insecurity, frustration, lack of confidence, fear of supervision and lot of people are not coming before you guys because they fear being retaliated against. And I know this happened. I am Teacher of The Year and I am no longer I my classroom. I am in ISS “In School Suspension” and no loner in my classroom so for that reason so that lets us know that…they are not coming.

Low morale….ultimately leads to HIGH ABSNTEEISM and HIGH TEACHER TURNOVER which ends up costing the system (US) million of dollars. OK, how can you all increase teacher morale? OK, this was in the Valdosta Daily Times and the RIF Policy we just had is definitely a morale killer. If someone is not affected directly. Everyone in the school system is indirectly affected. RIF (Reduction In force) Policy was not in itself, a “Morale Killer.” Morale was killed when the policy was thrust upon teachers with no Rhyme or reason. And I got some points that I will go through fairly quickly.

Dr. Cason said he wanted to make sure that he was not being unfair to anybody. Was it fair? This is how we perceived RIF to be killing morale.

(1) Principals at each school first provided input, Dr. Cason said. Did principals take the opportunity to rid themselves of teachers that they did not particularly like?

(2) Then he looked at what best suited the needs of the “KIDS,” Dr. Cason said. Then children in the Valdosta City School System need effective teachers and smaller class sizes; we can not afford to have larger class sizes. Has anyone examined the discipline records lately? RIF out a lot of effective teachers discipline reports if you pull them you will see that the kid’s clientele we serve cannot be best served in classes that are large. You will have more opportunity for increase discipline.

(3) The Third thing, I was totally confused to this so he may can clarify this later? Ah, are these (RIF) Positions going to be fill later on with hew hires? I kind of wanted to that but really, really hurt me morale is the fact that it said that the district office personnel spent hours upon hours working with the list before it was presented to the Board. Hours doing what?

OK! No areas was spared I looked at the budget; talked with Mr. Rush and had a good conversation. I felt really good about Mr. Rush. I could tell you he is confident in his job. He really helped to see that some of the things I suggested were not going to work. Because I like Mr. Rush now; very good. He is a good man. (Laugh and applause)

Ok! Those who will be affected by the policies at all levels of the system from teachers. This is what really hurt me. Was some of the cuts really necessary? Why would we RIF people for instance an assistant principal with 32 years experience, a doctorate degree from a credited university, certification in all areas of special education, special education Director Certificate,. In stead of promoting this individual to Special Education Director. We gave it to a new hire which is a coaches wife. I know we love foot ball. But education needs to come first in Valdosta City Schools. (Applause from Audience)

OK, now I talked to Mr. Rush about this and he clarified it for me. I said Mr. Rush you remember you was telling me about that fund that Yawl grew up to 6 million dollars? He said I got to have money in the bank to pay the bills. I said that’s OK Mr. Rush, I understood so we can just skip that one (Loud Applause)

OK: Now Dr. Cason said that this fiscal year the budget is not approved yet. I think this is great news because this means you guys an opportunity to repeal the RIF. If you do RIF, you got some people that’s going to lose lots of things. If they lose things? If they loose things can they pay taxes? Can you guys get money if they cannot pay their taxes? We had a good conversation a few minutes ago. I did not realize it until he told me that a principal talked with me a few minutes ago that principals have 230 days. Right? Can we cut some days? Can we cut them from 230 to 215?

He is really telling me that there are 50 principals having 200 days. Can we cut a few days there? And we are willing on our end if yawl had asked us? We are willing to furlough. We are willing to cut our supplement. You could have sent out a Survey saying what yawl want to do? To make sure that your colleagues still have their jobs? Like we said; we are a family and we stick together like a family. Like if you knew that that had been your sister, your mother, your daughter or somebody in your family you would have been very, very upset.

I am leaving, I leaving Valdosta a City Schools System in October. I want to be here, and it hurts me to my heart to see the people that I work with lose their jobs. Husband and wives losing their jobs. People crying because they lost their jobs. People who have given this system 32 years and I know how hard it is. Because this year I gave this system everything my class room was featured in the Valdosta Daily times “two page spread.”

All of you; most of you have been in my class room. You know how hard I worked on my class. So imagine it you got other people that have worked that hard in this class room. To us; this is a slap in the face. What is the message I feel you guys are sending is? That we are the majority so why worry about the minority? That’s the message that coming across!

When I looked at the bowl. I got to agree a little bite with Ms Toutchton. I was kind of a little surprised because I know some of yawl are teachers. It kind of shocked me a little bit. I though we would have a little sympathy there. But I admit that it is kind of hurt me a little bit. But I really would like for you guys to think about this, talk about this; see if we can cut. Now if you make a hundred and fifty dollars; two or three days it won’t kill you. If it will save somebody’s job. It won’t kill you. So basically you have the rest of the slide. The only other thing I want you guys to do tonight is to think. Please, please those are my ideas.

Mr. Rush went through them with me. I am going to let him go through those and then I am going to come back and present those to you. But I gave you some ultimatums, and the best ones I came up tonight sitting here talking to him was lets cut two 30 days. Let’s cut some days.

But I thank you guys so much for your time. I hate that the rest of you did not get the opportunity to come to my room because I don’t have a class room anymore. (Loud and Long Applause)

This is a transcribed edition of what transpired during Valdosta City School Board Monthly Meeting. However local newspaper and television stations failed to publish this to the general public. This has been a routine practice for several decades in our community leaving citizens deaf, dumb and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings in the State of Georgia. (Yet elected officials from both city and county branches of government appear on mostly conservative radio stations and provide information to some but not to ALL citizens. I provided this information (HERE) because I believe ALL citizens have a right to know what takes place at public meetings in Valdosta-Lowndes County Georgia. Just keeping certain citizens deaf, dumb, and blind has existed for too long and must be stopped immediately. Therefore local citizens must ask if our local governments are still following the Old Valdosta City Charter of 1860 to control and suppress citizen.

GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
Retired United States Armed Forces Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sister Madison
Addresses Valdosta City School Board of Education

DATE: March 10, 2010, 7:00 pm, Audience 117 people participating but only thirty-two seats were available!

Good Evening my name is Ms Madison; I am a substitute Teacher with the Valdosta City School System. But I am also the Legal Redress Chairman for the NAACP/Valdosta Lowndes County Chapter. I was going to yield my time to Dr. Maclusky but she talks fast. Ah, but I too am concerned about the moral of the teachers. I still have grandchildren still in the system. I have brothers and sisters and other family member’s children in the system and it hurt my heart to see the way things were done. I know that there is a better way. I know that we can do a better job than what we did with that RIF. I know that there is money somewhere and you all just need to take your time to do it. Forget about who is Black who is White and work together as a Board and solve this problem.

You are tearing this city apart with this stupid stuff---that you are doing. It makes no sense. We have had enough racial tension in this town. Let’s work together folks and get it done. You work for me. I voted you in, I can vote you out. Think about it (Loud Applause)

This is a transcribed edition of what transpired during Valdosta City School Board Monthly Meeting. However local newspaper and television stations failed to publish this to the general public. This has been a routine practice for several decades in our community leaving citizens deaf, dumb and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings in the State of Georgia. (Yet elected officials from both city and county branches of government appear on mostly conservative radio stations and provide information to some but not to ALL citizens. I provided this information (HERE) because I believe ALL citizens have a right to know what takes place at public meetings in Valdosta-Lowndes County Georgia. Just keeping certain citizens deaf, dumb, and blind has existed for too long and must be stopped immediately. Therefore local citizens must ask if our local governments are still following the Old Valdosta City Charter of 1860 to control and suppress citizen.


GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES (Scripted for the General Public)
Retired United States Armed Forces Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Minister John Robinson
Addresses Valdosta City School Board of Education

DATE: March 10, 2010, 7:00 pm, Audience 117 people participating but only thirty-two seats were available!

Made by: Mr. John Robinson: “Good Evening everybody; everybody doing alright, good, my name is John Robinson, I live at …….Lake Park Georgia: I got 19 Grand Children two of my sons went through your school system and my grand kids are there now. I got one being pushed through the system. I am going to introduce myself from another angle. I have been diagnosed with esophageal malignant cancer, terminal and I am facing some issues with the county and the city, along these racist lines. And, I also was the lead plaintiff for 12 long years, Miami Florida with Man well Noriega; Noriega was in the basement during my trial.

My judge was the United State Federal Judge William Hoeveler out of Miami Florida. My attorney was the richest attorney in the State of Florida, John (Jack) Scarola the owner of the famous Islands of Malta, Denny Secrecy and Bernardt. The famous Marvin Dunn was our philologists. I know how these (terminated teachers) people feel. I was stripped of all my dignity and my pride. I felt as if someone just reached inside of me and jerked my heart out. You see, you done painted a picture of this county and this city----of a pattern and practice of something by an all Super White Structure in this city; and it is NOT disputable because it is factual. It’s time out for talk, time out for practicing and playing now. It is time to get it right.

I faced a federal judge, Google him, his name is Moses Baker. He is now a federal judge. We talks about everyday about this city, school board, and system. You done been condemned by the United States Justice Department as far as your zoning herding people into one direction to another trying to set a certain standard for certain qualities of life. Our little school over there where the Wildcats play looks like all they needed is barb wire around the top and it looks like a prison. It seems like something that would set the tone back from the Baroque Age, the Renaissance, and the Reform Time.

I am just here to say this. It is a shame it is a down right disgrace for people to be in a place. Done been in a place for so long facing what we are facing here today. We can not get on one accord on anything. The line is drawn in the sand. Yawl made the decisions. Don’t get it right and you going to pay a price. Somebody is going so deep into your pocket. It is going to tear this city apart. These guys that I have been talking with. This is not a joke, and I have been talking over the history of this place all the way from 1918. From the charter that hanged on the wall in our court house.

Now I am going to yield my time and get out from here but this is something everybody needs to be under consideration. Because this talk is done, and all these people I have informed to talk to others in this city. And we are looking at Mr. Copeland and those firms. We have been talking with them. So we can have some matching dollars to match whatever it takes to do what needs to be done.

This is my home; I have been gone for forty-years. I drank water from the Black Water Cooler down town on Ashley Street when there was a 10 cents store and Jimmy Mitchell and all those old places were there. And I come back here 40 years later and I found this. My worst cancer I had and my disease is malignant, and it is terminal-----was racism. Yawl, Thank yawl! Prepare yourselves; I am fixing to go Rhynes (Applause from Audience), I don’t want to hear no more of this, and I an’t joking, I an’t joking! END of Robinson Address.

This is a transcribed edition of what transpired during Valdosta City School Board Monthly Meeting. However local newspaper and television stations failed to publish this to the general public. This has been a routine practice for several decades in our community leaving citizens deaf, dumb and blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts from public meetings in the State of Georgia. (Yet elected officials from both city and county branches of government appear on mostly conservative radio stations and provide information to some but not to ALL citizens. I provided this information (HERE) because I believe ALL citizens have a right to know what takes place at public meetings in Valdosta-Lowndes County Georgia. Just keeping certain citizens deaf, dumb, and blind has existed for too long and must be stopped immediately. Therefore local citizens must ask if our local governments are still following the Old Valdosta City Charter of 1860 to control and suppress citizen.


GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES (Scripted For the General Public)
Retired United States Armed Forces Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity


SPECIAL NOTE: Board Meeting Whiteout! No News Paper or Television Coverage, (120 CITIZENS ATTENDING) iS Valdosta 1860 City Charter Mentality Still In Force? (To Control, Supress, Abate, and Keep citizens dumb)

School Board Members: By Name, and Districts....Your Right To Know; Who is Serving YOU!

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW: And no American Citizen should be intentionally left Deaf, Dumb, and Blind to the times and unable to make intelligent decisions based on facts!

Superintendent
William Cason

District 1,
Ms. Annie Fisher

District 2,
Ms. Vanasse Flucas

District 3, Mr.
Warren Lee, Vice Chairman

District 4,
Mr. Dean Rexroth

District 5,
Mr. Trey Sherwood

District 6, Mr.
Bill Love, Chairman

At-Large,
Mrs. Jeana Beeland

WHY AN AT-LARGE DISTRICT IN 2010 IN VALDOSTA, GEORGIA?
WHY AN AT-LARGE DISTRICT IN 2010 ON CITY COUNCIL?
WHY AN AT-LARGE DISTRICT IN 2010 ON COUNTY COMMISSION?

WHY? WHY? WHY? Is the United States Justice Department Needed to Correct this outdated practice?

VCS Board Answers (Local) Citizen! A Must See and Read!

"WELCOME TO TITLE"

The following questions were presented to the "Valdosta City School Board of Education." The BOARD ANSWERS are following each question. As I promised my radio listeners during my "Daily Radio Broadcast" on (WJEM 1150 AM, Monday - Friday FROM 9:30 - 10:00 am) that I would make ANSWERS public.

I believe "CITIZENS" have a right to know and not be kept "DEAF, DUMB, and BLIND to the times" and unable to make intelligent decisions based on FACTS in our metropolitan metropolis. Our SCHOOL BOARD should represent all citizens and not a select (CONSERVATIVE) few. It should utilize all MEDIA OUTLETS including WJEM 1150AM, WGOV 950AM, FOXY 97-3FM, and others that parents, students, and comunity leaders listen to.

All fair minded Board Members should understand that all NEWS MEDIA OUTLETS should be used and not just the one wherein our 44th president is called a CLOWN, and another STATION that make fun of the president daily without question. I belive Valdosta Can do better! It seems that our board members approve of exhaulting one media outlet above others. How Sad in 2010?

Copy and Paste: http://www.talk921.com/
http://www.gocats.org/ (School Website)

(Population of 48,000 but VCS Board are only represented one radio station and a certain group of listeners. Why sould this website be on the school website and not on others?

(VCSB Members seems unfair to other local media radio and television stations in our comunity of 48,000 citizens). Who are they really representing)?

Does 92.1 website and content represents the majojrity of parents and students in the VCS System? Should not the majority of students and parents in the VCS System be equally informed as American Conservatives Listeners?

So why are our Board Members so happy in 2010 with this disrespect of the larger portion of citizens? Why have community leaders not spoken out on the issue of fairness to all citizens?

VALDOSTA CITY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS IDENTIFIED:

Superintendent, William Cason
District 1, Ms. Annie Fisher
District 2, Ms. Vanasse Flucas
District 3, Mr. Warren Lee, Vice Chairman
District 4, Mr. Dean Rexroth
District 5, Mr. Trey Sherwood
District 6, Mr. Bill Love, Chairman
At-Large, Mrs. Jeana Beeland

QUESTION: (Why an At-Large Seat in 2010?) And this is being DONE on CITY COUNCIL ALSO WHY?

[WE REMAIN 100% SURE THAT THIS PRACTICE WILL BE STOPPED] BECAUSE VALDOSTA IS HOME OF MOODY AIR FORCE BASE AMONG OTHER INSTITUTIONS WHO NO LONGER BELIEVE IN THE OLD VALDOSTA CITY CHARTER OF 1860 MENTALITY. THIS IS NOT A BLACK OR WHITE THING; IT IS A RIGHT THING AND RESPECTING ALL OUR CHILDREN ATTENDING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

"JUST KEEPING IT REAL IN 2010, SO WHEN TRUTH COMES INTO THE MIND AND SOUL OF THOSE THAT SEEK TRUTH, THEN ALL FALSEHOOD MUST VANISH; AND FALSEHOOD IS FOREVER A VANISHING THING."

----IT IS ALL ABOUT OUR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDREN, AND COMING GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN. PEACE!

START HERE: If you care?

QUESTIONS TO VALDOSTA CITY SCHOOL BOARD”

1. What has the Valdosta City School Board of Education and Superintendent done to hire more QUALIFIED Black African American Educators?

A. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Valdosta City Schools conducts a vigorous recruiting campaign annually in order to staff our schools with a diverse and highly qualified staff.

• The recruitment team targets minority colleges along with other colleges in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina.

• VCS offers contracts “on the spot” to highly qualified individuals who meet the needs of the system.

• To attract applicants to our system, the recruitment team distributes Georgia salary schedules, local supplement information, continuing education information, Transition to Teaching Grant Programs, teacher loan-forgiveness program, benefits package, apartment packets, Valdosta Greeting Service brochures, VCS Facts and Figures, business cards, Valdosta/Lowndes County brochures (Chamber of Commerce), mortgage information/brochures, realtor brochures. Additionally, the team answers any questions applicants have about our system.

• Human Resources maintains a list of candidates expressing interest at job fairs and aggressive efforts are made to follow up with potential applicants via letters/emails. An annual tour is offered to all applicants at all school levels each year. This allows an opportunity to meet our students/faculty and to see the diversity of our school system. It also gives the applicant an idea of what VCS is about.

• Open positions are posted on www.TeachGeorgia.org, Department of Labor, VSU, Val Tech, RESA (Regional Educational Services Agency), Moody job Boards, neighboring schools, and all colleges/universities with which the team attends recruitment fairs.

• Each of our schools is also sent a vacancy announcement to post for all open positions. With vacancy notices being posted at the school level, all staff members are given the opportunity for transfers and promotions.

• VCS is listed in the Career Opportunities for Minority College Graduate Directory each year. VCS follows the court order in reference to maintenance of applications and assignment of faculty and certified staff. See Section IV of order. VCS implemented a panel interview procedure in February 2009 to ensure all applicants are highly qualified and to allow for more diversity.

2. What justification does the Board have for allowing only THIRTY- TWO SEATS when 473 people shows up at meetings? And why has this been allowed for such a long period of time without action?

B. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Valdosta City Schools has a 5 year facilities plan that includes new facilities for the Central Office. However, there are still some schools that need to be rebuilt and some that need to be remodeled.

• Our priorities will be with the needs of our student population.

• We have open forums twice a year. These forums are always held on school campuses, allow for more seating room, and give an opportunity for community stakeholders to provide feedback and ask questions of our board and superintendent.

• Additionally on February 8, 2010, during the regularly scheduled meeting of the VBOE, the first reading of VBOE policy BCA was presented. (See attached minutes.)

• This policy will allow all work sessions to be moved out of the Superintendent’s Office and into different Valdosta City Schools. This will be done on a rotating basis throughout the school year. During the summer months, the work sessions will remain at the Superintendent’s Office.

• On March 8, 2010, the second reading of the policy was presented and unanimously accepted by the VBOE. (See attached minutes.)

• Beginning in September of 2010, all work sessions will be held on school campuses in an effort to host more community stakeholder input and participation. (See updated policy here.)

3. What answer will the Board give to “Governor Sonny Perdue” for not having open access to Public Meetings to the general public in the State of Georgia?

C. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWER:

• All meetings of the Valdosta Board of Education are open to the public.

4. What answer was given to the 473 citizens that asked for Superintendent William Cason to resign-----for denying children to watch the Presidents Speech on life Television? Is this the NEW PRESIDENCE set in stone for all future political figures in the State of Georgia or City?

D. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• In December of 2009, the VBOE completed the superintendent’s annual evaluation. They are the governing body that decides when and on what terms the superintendent’s contract will be based. At the February 8, 2010, board meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve Dr. William O. Cason’s contract for an additional calendar year. (Please see the minutes from the February 8, 2010, board meeting here.)

5. Does Board Members and Superintendent represent all the citizens in Valdosta? If so, then why do Board Superintendent and Chairman appear on just CONSERVATIVE radio stations (ONLY) where our President is called CLOWN and many other derogative names? Does Military Recruiters come onto Valdosta City School Properties to recruit CHILDREN into the United States Armed Forces? Who grants this approval, and does this action also takes away valuable time from EDUCATORS, and violate Georgia Performance Standards?

E. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• The Superintendent and VBOE represent the citizens of the City of Valdosta; in fact the BOE members are elected by citizens of Valdosta in their representative districts.

• The Superintendent and members of the Valdosta Board of Education, as well as members of the faculty and staff of the Valdosta City Schools are regularly invited to a number of different media outlets that include radio to share the news of our great school system.

• In addition to media outlets, including radio, Superintendent Cason has been invited to and has spoken at numerous churches and civic organizations in the Valdosta community. Military recruiters do come into the Valdosta City Schools.

• The students meet with the recruiters during their scheduled lunch periods. Approval for recruiters to come on campus is granted because laws in the No Child Left behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 require high schools that receive federal funds to provide certain student contact information to military recruiters upon request and to allow recruiters to have the same access to students as employers and colleges.

6. Does the chairmen, Superintendent, and Board Members appearance on CONSERVATIVE radio stations (ONLY) show disrespect to members in our Armed Forces stationed at Moody AFB, Iraq, Afghanistan, Retired Military Veterans, and their children attending Valdosta City School System?

F. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• As mentioned in question #5, the superintendent, faculty, staff, and board members of Valdosta City Schools are commonly asked to participate in many media outlets to promote the system.

• As veterans, Superintendent Cason and Board Chair Love highly respect those men and women who fight for our freedoms everyday.

• Our conversations to media outlets do not address military issues; we discuss what is going on in our school system. However, there has been an instance where we invited the family of a fallen Moody Airman to various radio shows and other media outlets to honor the work that their son had done at one of our schools.

• The family of Scott Craven was honored with an outdoor café at Sallas Mahone Elementary named in their son’s memory in May of 2009. More than 15 members of the Craven Family traveled from Pennsylvania to Valdosta for the Memorial Ceremony. Mr. Craven spent countless hours at the elementary school working with children of deployed parents. The mentoring program has since been named in his honor –The Scott Craven Mentoring Program. The program has been expanded to now offer mentors to children with incarcerated parents and children who have experienced the death of a parent. The Cravens host a yearly fundraiser and send all of the proceeds back to the elementary school for use in the mentoring program.

• In addition, we hold quarterly meetings with Moody Air Force Base personnel. The Moody School Board Liaison Committee (MSBLC) meetings rotate between the Valdosta City Schools’ Central Office and the Lowndes County Schools’ Central Office. These meetings are very helpful in discussing pertinent information about upcoming deployments and homecomings that may have an effect on student attendance.

• We have also been invited to become a part of Moody’s newcomers meetings that occur monthly.

• Superintendent Cason has just completed a one year term as an Honorary Commander for Moody Air Force Base as of February 25, 2010. Previously he has also served in this same capacity at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina.

• Our relationship with our hometown heroes is very strong and one in which we are very proud. Disrespect is not intended toward anyone by any member of the Valdosta Board of Education or Superintendent Cason.

7. Why has the Board made it so DIFFICULT for citizens to address the Valdosta City School Board of Education----during monthly meetings?

G. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Procedure is based on historical files located in the Central Office dating board policy KCA back to July 8, 1996. This is many years prior to the current superintendent’s hiring and Chairman Love’s or previous Chairman Rowe’s respective elections and appointments.

• During the last few months, Superintendent Cason researched other public participation policies from surrounding districts and asked the BOE to consider amending the policy. The policy revisions were presented for a first reading on February 22, 2010. (Please click here for the minutes that discuss further revision.)

• On March 8, 2010, the revised version was presented for a second reading and unanimously approved. (Please click here for the minutes to see the discussion surrounding the second reading.) The new policy can be seen here.

• The new KCA policy went into affect immediately, and at the March 22, 2010, meeting we had a community stakeholder walk up for public participation. (Please click here to see the minutes including our first guest for public participation.)

8. Why did the Board endanger citizens by having doors locked during Board Meetings? Why was this issue NOT immediately addressed once brought before the Board and local news media? Did local news media and or television stations advise the general public that the VCSB was violating Valdosta City Fire Codes?

H. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• The back door of the building is automatically locked at 4:30 p.m. when the Valdosta City Schools Central Office closes.

• The door has a keypad entry so that only employees of Valdosta City Schools can enter and exit through it.

• There are documents that are housed in the back portion of the facility that are confidential in nature and have employee’s identifying information. However, since the issue has been brought to the attention of the Superintendent we unlock the back door during school board meetings in the event that there was an emergency and someone needed to exit quickly.

• The local news media has been in attendance at large board meetings. Questions about why they did not advise the public about possible fire code violations would need to be directed to them.

9. Is it true that our city actually lost business and industrial opportunities due to Valdosta having two school systems? That is one predominately White and the other Black as was published in the Valdosta Daily Times on November 15, 20009. Or was this just used to justify consolidation of the two school systems in the near future?

I. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• This question would need to be answered by members of the Lowndes Valdosta Chamber of Commerce. They have a better knowledge of potential business and industry looking into our area.

• As far as what was reported in the Valdosta Daily Times, again, that would need to be directed to the writer of the particular article in question. For the intent of the article, again, questions would need to be directed to the Valdosta Daily Times and the reporter of the story in question.

10. Why was Monthly Board Meetings not moved when it was obvious that hundreds of citizens would attend (VSCB) Meetings but only thirty-two seats would be available?

J. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:•

According to OCGA 50-14-1, “Whenever any meeting required to be open to the public is to be held at a time or place other than at the time and place prescribed for regular meetings, the agency shall give due notice thereof. ‘Due notice’ shall be the posting of a written notice for at least 24 hours at the place of regular meetings and giving of written or oral notice at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting to the legal organ in which notices of sheriff’s sales are published in the county where regular meetings are held.”


11. Has the Georgia State President of the NAACP (Edward Dubois) requests and recommendations presented to the Board ---been answered? If yes, what was the Board answer? If not answered, why not? What was his response to your answer if any? (Decision NOT to allow children to watch the Presidents Live Speech on TV).

K. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• As you will see in the attached minutes from the November 9, 2009, board meeting, Mr. Dubois offered to sit down with board of education members to discuss issues in the Valdosta City Schools. The previous BOE Chair, Ricky Rowe, offered to do that the next morning. Members from the NAACP did attend; however, Mr. Dubois was not in attendance.

• For additional information about whether or not Mr. Dubois is satisfied with the response, you will need to contact him.

12. Is the Board pleased with the lack of disbursement of information from Board Meetings to the general public on hot bed Issues? Does the Board encourage all Local News Media, and Radio Stations to cover meetings to better inform the general public?

L. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Board meeting dates are published for two consecutive weeks in the Valdosta Daily Times soon after they are adopted by the board of education.

• In addition any time the board has special meetings, such as the Annual Board Retreat, the director of public relations issues a press release to area media outlets.

• Any “hot bed” issues have been covered by local television stations, the area newspaper and many of the areas radio stations. Unfortunately, many of our media outlets work on an 8 – 5 basis so events that occur in the evening are not always given coverage by television and/or radio. Even when provided with current information about happenings in the Valdosta City Schools, the area press has the choice of whether or not they want to publish the information.

13. Why would the Board ALLOW citizens and children attending Board Meetings to be in danger by having hallways blocked, doors locked and has citizens sitting on the floor?

M. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• The Valdosta City Schools superintendent called the Valdosta Police Department on several occasions to request police officers be in attendance at board meetings.

• On those occasions, the requests were granted to ensure the safety of the community stakeholders, board of education members, and staff of Valdosta City Schools in attendance.

• Information on the doors being locked can be referred to in question #8.

14. If a speaker system is available at the Valdosta City Council Meetings, Lowndes County High School Board of Education Meetings, Lowndes County Commissioners Meeting etc, then why cannot VCSB Meetings? Is it that VCSB Meetings are unimportant?

N. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWER:

• See question #7.

15. Why was former VCSB Superintendent Walker picture not posted on the wall along with other superintendents that served in our school system----for years?

O. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:


• Former Superintendent Walker’s photo was not on display very simply because we didn’t have one. When asked for his help in obtaining one, the photo that was sent was very small. When it was enlarged to match the existing photos, it was very pixilated and was not of quality for public viewing.

• We were finally able to work with a photography company to provide a large, quality photo that was added to the wall at the end of 2009.

• Mr. Walker was aware that his photo was not hanging prior to this time. He helped us acquire the current photo that is now on display.

16. How should outsiders view the Valdosta City School System that failed to comply with the Untied States Justice Department Court Order that dates back to 1971? Was the order issued based on race in the Valdosta City School System? If so, what was the primary issue of concern for the Justice Department? And what has the school done to correct the problem?

P. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Although question #16 doesn’t specifically ask which section of the court order wasn’t being complied with, please refer to the actual documentation of the Court Order from the board meeting by clicking below. The attachment goes into detail about the primary concerns in 1971 from the Justice Department. http://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/meetings/TempFolder/Meetings/DOJ%20Desegregation%20Document_1342682azlp155wz2ewhvzufpxgnut.pdf.

• Since Dr. Cason has taken the role of superintendent in 2008, he and his staff have worked diligently towards unitary status with the Department of Justice.

• Valdosta City Schools conducts a vigorous recruiting campaign annually in order to staff our schools with a diverse and highly qualified staff. The recruitment team targets minority colleges along with other colleges in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina.

• VCS offers contracts “on the spot” to highly qualified individuals who meet the needs of the system. To attract applicants to our system, the recruitment team distributes Georgia salary schedules, local supplement information, continuing education information, Transition to Teaching Grant Programs, teacher loan-forgiveness program, benefits package, apartment packets, Valdosta Greeting Service brochures, VCS Facts and Figures, business cards, Valdosta/Lowndes County brochures (Chamber of Commerce), mortgage information/brochures, realtor brochures.

• Additionally, the team answers any questions applicants have about our system.

• Human Resources maintains a list of candidates expressing interest at job fairs and aggressive efforts are made to follow up with potential applicants via letters/emails.

• An annual tour is offered to all applicants at all school levels each year. This allows an opportunity to meet our students/faculty and to see the diversity of our school system.

• It also gives the applicant an idea of what VCS is about. Open positions are posted on www.TeachGeorgia.org, Department of Labor, VSU, Val Tech, RESA (Regional Educational Services Agency), Moody job boards, neighboring schools, and all colleges/universities with which the team attends recruitment fairs.

• Each of our schools is also sent a vacancy announcement to post for all open positions. With vacancy notices being posted at the school level, all staff members are given the opportunity for transfers and promotions.

• VCS is listed in the Career Opportunities for Minority College Graduate Directory each year.

• VCS follows the court order in reference to maintenance of applications and assignment of faculty and certified staff. See Section IV of order.

• VCS implemented a panel interview procedure in February 2009 to ensure all applicants are highly qualified and to allow for more diversity.

17. Why does the Board ignore citizen comments before the Board and their questions go unanswered? Have the (VCSB) 1971, Federal Court Order been complied with and CLOSED after 38 years? If not, Why NOT?

Q. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• The superintendent and members of the Valdosta Board of Education make every effort to respond to all citizen inquiries.

• As mentioned previously, Superintendent Cason has an open door policy and has worked with the BOE in adopting amended policies allowing easier access to citizens interested in public participation at our board meetings.

• Twice a year since 1971, Valdosta City Schools submits a report to the Department of Justice outlining positive steps to reach total/full unitary status.

• It is the hope of Valdosta City Schools that we are granted total/full unitary status in October of 2010.

18. Does the Board approve of local news media failure to inform the general public that Valdosta City Fire Codes were not being followed?

R. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Refer to question #8.

19. Does City School Educators have a right to speak out when decisions are made that are NOT in the best interest of children without being retaliated against by leadership? In short, does educators have a valid input on major issues, and decisions made?

S. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• All schools in the Valdosta City Schools hold regular faculty meetings.

• In addition to those faculty meetings there are grade level/content area meetings, meetings with Instructional Lead Teachers, and teacher liaisons for Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings. Also, Superintendent Cason has an open door policy.

• Each year the Valdosta City Schools conducts a comprehensive needs assessment where the current curriculum and many interventions and/or programs are evaluated giving our staff and faculty the chance to provide feedback on what works, what could be improved, and what hasn’t worked for the students that they serve.

• As a system, staff and faculty discuss the findings and how they relate to the individual school improvement plans and the system improvement plan during the annual Data Retreat.

20. Did Board Members blame the Superintendent instead of blaming themselves for NOT allowing children to watch the Presidents live speech on television? Is there any pictures presently displayed in Valdosta City Schools of the 44tth President of the United States or of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue? Is so, where are these pictures displayed?

T. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• The Superintendent had DVD and VHS copies of the President’s speech made so that teachers could write curriculum around the topics discussed by President Obama.

• Teachers used the video to write lesson plans linking the speech to Georgia Performance Standards.

• To air the speech live would not have been possible in some of the schools so the Superintendent made the DVD’s and VHS tapes available and posted a link to the system website (http://www.gocats.org/News0910/PresObama.htm) so that the speech could be used as a teachable moment.

• In addition, copies of the DVD and VHS tapes were distributed to each school’s Media Center in the event that students or parents wanted to check out a copy for viewing at home.

• The Central Office has ten copies of the DVD available upon request. No one has requested to check out any copies from the Central Office.

• Teachers have posters of many of the Presidents of the United States displayed throughout the school system in individual classrooms.

• Though it is not a requirement, teachers are allowed to post pictures of public officials (to include governors and Presidents of the United States) as they wish.

21. Does discussions on Valdosta City School Board Issues Board start at the Country Club; prior to coming to Work Sessions and Board Meetings? If so, are all Board Members present during these COUNTRY CLUB DISCUSSIONS? Moreover does the VCSB approve of such meetings in the State of Georgia? Is this practice legal in the State of Georgia?

U. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Superintendent Cason, previous school board chair Ricky Rowe, nor current chair Bill Love are members of the Valdosta Country Club.

• On board meeting days Superintendent Cason can be found at his office (1204 Williams Street) preparing for the evening’s meeting. All board meetings are held on the published dates at the published locations.

22. The local media and radio published that Superintendent Cason said that; President Obama Speech was a waste of instructional time of EDUCATORS, and violated Georgia Performance Standards. THEN WHY WERE EDUCATORS ALOWED TO WASTE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME ON THE FOLLOWING IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA?

a. Teachers sat for 2 hours in the gym last year looking at a play put together by Valdosta State University Drama Department.
b. Teachers have lost time for fund raiser drive, and for students to go to the office to get drinks if they sell one item.

c. Teachers lose instructional time for the Valdosta High School Band to come and do a concert.

d. Teachers lose instructional time for the Boy Scouts, to recruit boys.
e. Teachers lose instructional time for the Book fairs.
f. Teachers lose valuable time for pep rallies, school pictures, sleep testing (S.T.E.E.P. testing), and guided reading for lower grades implementation program, and there are countless other times teachers lose instructional time.

V. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Superintendent Cason never said the speech was a waste of instructional time.

• He has said on a number of occasions that he a proponent for maximizing every instructional minute provided during the school day.

• Nor did he say it violated Georgia Performance Standards.

• He said the provided lesson plans were not aligned with Georgia Performance Standards.

• He wanted to give the faculty and staff an opportunity to view the speech in an effort to create lesson plans that were aligned with Georgia Performance Standards.

23. Does the VCSB denial of Valdosta City School Children to watch the president’ s live speech on television give the impressions; that the Board is following the Old 1860 Valdosta City Charter Mentality. That was RELUCTANTLY removed from the second floor of Valdosta City Hall in early 2004 at the request of a Retired Military Veteran. It read, in Article 100, Section XI: “THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL SHALL PASS ALL PROPER AND NECESSARY LAWS AND ORDINANCES FOR THE CONTROL OF SLAVES AND FREE PERSONS OF COLOR IN SAID TOWN AND SUPPRESS AND ABATE ALL NUISANCES ARRIVING FROM HOGS, DOGS, HORSES, OR OTHER STOCK STRAYING AT LARGE IN SAID TOWN, OR FROM OTHER CAUSES?”

W. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• NO

24. Did the Board inform the Valdosta Fire Department that the Board was violating the “Valdosta City Fire Code 7-2.1.5?”

X. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Refer to questions #8 and #18.

25. Why did the Board NOT evaluate Superintendent Cason’s performance as required by the Georgia School Board Association? Why did it take citizens asking questions before the Board before the evaluation was done? (Item was brought before local Civil Rights Organizations by citizens aware of this discrepancy)

• The Valdosta Board of Education has a date and a timeline by which the Superintendent’s evaluation is scheduled. According to the current board chairman, the timeline was followed as prescribed, Please refer to question #4.



26. Why did the VCSB take 38 years to comply with the 1971 Court Order? Is Valdosta above the law? Is VCSB NOW trying to comply with the Court Order for the purpose of consolidating the two school systems? Are there any Valdosta City Schools (NOW) classified as segregated by race as defined under the Civil Rights Laws?

Y. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Valdosta City Schools is and has been an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Court Order can be referred to by clicking here.

• It should be dually noted that according to the April 2, 2008, DOJ Draft document, “It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the Board of Education of Valdosta City has achieved partial unitary status in the areas of student assignment, transportation, extracurricular activities, and facilities.

• No further need remains for the court to retain jurisdiction over these four areas of the District’s activities.” Please refer to answers in questions #1 and #16 for information regarding the corrective actions being taken for the area of faculty and staff.

• For the question about consolidations of the two schools systems, we are currently not planning for or in preparation of school consolidation.

27. Why is the VCSB front office called the “The Little White House” by many City School Educators and parents?

Z. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Many of the current staff members of the Central Office were hired by retired Superintendent Allen who is African American as you will recognize in question #32.

• Valdosta City Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer that hires based on the qualifications of applicants. It is highly unfortunate that job performance is being evaluated by “school educators and parents” based on ethnicity.

28. What positive vibes can Black Educators, White Educators, administrators, and principals get from the following statistical data below; as an incentive to relocate here in Valdosta City School System? Regardless of the reasons; should the 1971 Justice Department Court Order be extended to “EQUAL EMPLOYMENT” based on the low employment (NUMBERS) of Black African American Educators in a school system that is 80 percent Black?

Z1. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Please refer to questions #1 and #16 about our rigorous recruitment program.

• We certainly hope that everyone can feel the excitement and pride exhibited by those employed by the Valdosta City Schools. We all have one common goal – to educate the children who represent the future of our community.

• The Department of Justice has commented that we have a higher number of African American teachers than most Georgia school systems.

29. What is being done to correct the disparity of City Schools named in honor of Whites----to the exclusion of Blacks, Latino’s, Asians, etc? Moreover how many schools are PRESENTLY named in honor of WHITES vs. BLACKS and other ethnic groups? How would (EACH) Board Members feel if all Valdosta City Schools were named in honor of Lation’s and excluded all others?

Z2. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Sallas Mahone Elementary was built in 1950,

• Pinevale High School in 1956, which later became Lomax-Pinevale Elementary,

• SL Mason Elementary (on Azalea Drive) in 1963,

• WG Nunn Elementary (on Forrest Street) in 1966,

• Southeast Elementary in 1967,

• Newbern Middle School in 1994 and JL Lomax Elementary in 2005.

• Since the alternative school would stay at the old Lomax-Pinevale location, the names were split, JL Lomax’s name went with the elementary students to their new school and the alternative school became the Pinevale Learning Center.

• When West Gordon school was torn down and the old SL Mason facility on Azalea Drive was vacated, the SL Mason Elementary School name went to the new facility on West Gordon. West Gordon Elementary was simply named for a geographical location.

• Since SL Mason was named for a person, the name went to the new facility. Board policy FDC addresses the naming of facilities.

• We have no new facilities in the 5 year plan, only a rebuild of Southeast Elementary School.

• In answer to your question, Sallas Mahone, WG Nunn, SL Mason, and JL Newbern are all named honoring Caucasian men or women;

• JL Lomax is named after an African American.

• West Gordon, Southeast, Valdosta Middle, and Valdosta High are all simply geographical.

• The reasoning on the name of Pinevale High School is not listed in our historical documents.

• Valdosta Early College Academy is named so because it is a part of Valdosta City Schools and Valdosta State University.

30. Has the following statistics tarnished the atmosphere in the Valdosta City School System? Is the United States Justice Department needed to come into Valdosta City School System and investigate the fairness in Valdosta Hiring Practices of minority in filling these positions? Moreover are the following STATISTICS accurate in 2010?

Z3. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• As of April 15, 2010 Valdosta City Schools’ diversity was as follows: African American-76.84%,

• Caucasian-17.82%, Other-5.34%.

• The atmosphere in Valdosta City Schools is one of pride.

• We are proud of who we are and what we represent.

• Our mission in Valdosta City Schools is quality teaching and learning, resulting in superior performance for all.

• Our vision is to prepare students to pursue infinite possibilities for the future.

• We have grown academically and will continue to prosper under the guidance and support of the Valdosta Board of Education. Additionally we are following the Equal Opportunity Employment Policy – VBOE Policy GAAA. Refer to answers given to questions #1 and #16 for additional information that has been previously addressed.

“THE VALDOTA CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM” (80 Percent Black)
31. Is it possible for Colleges, and Universities Students and Educators both Black and White to take the following as a negative in the 21 Century about our school system?

Z4. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• NOT PROVIDED HERE

32. Should the Board seek the help of the United States Justice Department to show more diversity in hiring; so educators will feel that they are a part of the system? (Twenty-three (23). positions of authority, perceived and real, is occupied by whites, in a school district that is approximately 80 percent black. STATISTICS SAYS EVERYTHING: This is as of the first 10 days of School September 10, 2009)

Z5. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

a. The City School Superintendent is WHITE. William Cason---------School Board decision
b. The Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning is WHITE.------- Hired by Dr. Cason
c. The Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations is WHITE. ------Hired by Superintendent Altman,
Promoted by Dr. Cason

d. The Curriculum Director for grades Pre-K-5 is WHITE.--------------------- Hired by Dr. Cason
e. The Curriculum Director for grades 6-12 is WHITE. -------------------------Hired by Sam Allen
f. The Director of Special Education is WHITE. ---------------------------------Hired by Sam Allen
g. The Head of Human Resources is WHITE -The Director of Personnel is WHITE. (Same person)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hired by Sam Allen

h. The Administrative Secretary is WHITE.-------------------------------------- Hired by Sam Allen
i. The Director of Title 1 is WHITE. -----------------------------------------------Hired by Superintendent Altman, promoted by Dr. Cason
j. The Director of Title 11-The Director of Title 111 is WHITE. --------------Same Person - Hired by Superintendent
Altman, promoted by Sam Allen

k. The Director of Instructional Technology is WHITE. -----------------------Hired by Sam Allen
l. The Director of Nutrition is WHITE.------------------------------------------ Hired by Sam Allen
m. The Director of School Social Services is WHITE.------------------------ Hired by Sam Allen
n. The Director of student Information is WHITE.----------------------------- Hired by Sam Allen
o. The principal of the Valdosta High school, a school that is overwhelmingly BLACK, is WHITE.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hired by Dr. Cason

p. The head football coach is WHITE.-------------------------------------------Hired by Dr. Cason
q. The names of all schools that bear somebody’s name except one is WHITE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Previously addressed in question #29

r. The receptionist is WHITE.---------------------------------------------------- Hired by Dr. Cason
s. The ultimate authority that our children face, the Juvenile judge, is WHITE.
----------------------------We did not hire nor have input in the selection of the Juvenile judge.
t. Five out of 9 school board members are WHITE. Even though 80 percent of the students are Black. (The
question is raised to the casual observer that the district lines have been gerrymandered to insure that whites would always control the education of black children).--------The Board of Elections drew the electoral maps.

u. With every position of authority, perceived and real, is occupied by Whites, in a school district that is
approximately 80 percent Black.------------------------- This is a statement therefore an answer can’t be supplied.
**Under Dr. Cason’s leadership 8 African Americans (6 women, 2 men) and 1 Hispanic male have been promoted to leadership positions. **

33. How does Black Board Members feel about the statistics (below) that represent their Majority Black Districts? How does White Board Members feel about the statistics (below) that represents their Majority White Districts? Is it possible that many children living within the city school districts---are actually attending Lowndes County High School?

Z6. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:


• We are honored and privileged to serve each and every student in Valdosta City Schools. It is the obligation of our faculty, staff, and board to offer a quality education to all students that attend any of our schools. Lowndes County Board of Education will have to answer your question regarding out of district students at Lowndes High School.

“FACTS AND NUMBERS IN THE VALDOSTA CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM’
BLACK, WHITE, GRAND TOTAL

1. J.L. Lomax Elementary,
(Black- 617, White 11, Other 29, G. Tot. 657)

UPDATED AS OF 4/15/10
(Black-608, White-13, Other- 32 = Total 653)

2. Salas-Mahone Elementary
(Black 443, White 390, Other 119, G. Tot. 952)

UPDATED AS OF 4/15/10
(Black-473, White-371, Other- 121 = Total 965)

3. S.L. Mason Elementary School
(Black--629, White--189, Other--42, G. Tot.--860)

UPDATED AS OF 4/15/10
(Black-662, White-204, Other-44 = Total 910)

4. W.G. Nunn Elementary School
(Black--976, White--50, Other--52, G. Tot.—1078
UPDATED AS OF 4/15/10
(Black-992, White-57, Other- 47 = Total 1,096)

5. Southeast Elementary School
(Black--285, White--8, Other--6, G. Tot.--299)

UPDATED AS OF 4/15/10
(Black-296, White-7, Other-9 = Total 312)

6. VECA
(Black--56, White--5, Other--4, G. Tot.--65)

7. Newbern Middle Elementary (Black—482, White--9, Other--13, G/ Tot.--504)
UPDATED AS OF 4/15/10
(Black-519, White-19, Other-6 = Total 544)

8. Valdosta Middle School (Black—620, White—251, Other—42, G. Tot.--913)

UPDATED AS OF 4/15/10
(Black-613, White-268, Other-49 = Total 930)

9. Valdosta High (Black-1,232, White--358, Other--71, G. Tot. -- 1,661)

UPDATED AS OF 4/15/10
(Black-1,227, White-371, Other-82 = Total 1,680)

10. PLC (Black—211, White--7, Other--5, G. Tot.--223)

UPDATED AS OF 4/15/10 (Black-293, White-8, Other-5 = Total 306)

Grand Total: Black: 5, 551 Whites: 1, 278 Other: 383 G. Total: 7,212
UPDATED AS OF 4/15/10 (Black-5,683, White-1,318, Other-395 = Total 7,396)

34. I appreciate everything the Board has done in regards to educating our children and providing the very best learning environment possible. I also understand that it is not all about race; but the high crime rate in our community can be (directly) traced back to the unemployment rate of many parents in the underprivileged areas of our community. For instance if the “Little White House” had more qualified Black and Majority Administrators. Then Valdosta could very well see a reduction in the crime rate and this rate could be decreased if local governments would hire more Blacks and Minorities as Department Heads.

Z7. SCHOOL BOARD ANSWERS:

• Not a question therefore it cannot be answered.

35. Lastly, most citizens of average intelligence understand that equal employment, diversity, and inclusion are attributes that contributes to reducing crime among our youths while fostering a better working environment for all Valdosta City School Educators. I wait your response in writing and had previous questions been answered earlier----this list would have been much shorter. Thanks!



GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
Retired United States Armed Forces Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity

Cc: Local News Media
Members of the General Public (Hand Outs)
Radio Stations, Churches
Civil Rights Organizations [SCLC, NAACP, NAN, ICU, FCU, BPC]
Other Pertinent Concerns