new organization

[cdgn]

Just wondering if anyone knows of the group of people, or maybe even just one person, who is part of a new "organization" calling themselves; something like the board for ethical school boards?
Apparently these individuals feel it necessary to use a scare tactic method toward the Crossett School Board.
Just wondering. Let me know if you know anything about this.

[heathwaldrop]

It's true. I can't remember the exact organization name, but it's threatening legal action against the board over the uniform issue. Look for a story about it in the News Observer next week. We didn't get the materials in time to do anything with it this week, especially because of the holiday.

[braves]

I hope it's not some of the ones that spoke and are writing letters to the editor who don't have a child or grandchild involved. One is a retired teacher and maybe she doesn't have enough to do besides worry about what we dress our children in. Besides, why sue the school because the board clearly stated that the uniforms can still be worn, so why waste money over the issue?? It's not like the board said the uniforms can't be worn. I hope the board stands by the decision.

[Kim_Day]

I know a few of them...Jim and Mary Jane Manning...your not fooling with any idiots there and one is Harriet Kleinhofs....smart cookie also. Mrs. Manning is not only a former teacher, but a former administrator. She knows the law and they would not procede if they didn't think that they had sufficient grounds. It has nothing to do with the school saying they can't wear the uniforms after Christmas. It is the manner and context in which the decision was made. As mentioned earlier, you don't have to have a "dog in the fight" to be a concerned citizen and tax payer.

[heathwaldrop]

chsteacher said:

She knows the law and they would not procede if they didn't think that they had sufficient grounds. It has nothing to do with the school saying they can't wear the uniforms after Christmas. It is the manner and context in which the decision was made.

There are two different arguments at play:

1) That the board members met at some point in private over this issue, and actually took a "pre-vote" before the vote taken at the meeting. That would be a violation of the Freedom of Information Act.
2) That the original school uniform state law, passed in 1999, somehow has been violated.

I'm no attorney of course, but I pulled the uniform law out and first began studying it in 2003 when the uniform policy first was being considered. Based on my reading on it and how it is has been explained to me by some others (including a lawmaker who helped write it), the organization doesn't have a case on point No. 2. Point No. 1 is going to be impossible to prove unless board members come forward and say that they did it.

Legislation was passed down in 1999 recommending that every district in the state consider school uniforms. Ad hoc committees were formed, including one in Crossett. After several months of looking at it, the Crossett committee (made up of students, parents, teachers and administrators, as required by the law) decided that uniforms would NOT be a good idea here. Some members of the committee were personally in favor of adding uniforms, while others weren't sold on them. In the end the committee members decided that there wasn't enough support for them in the district and that they simply were not a good fit for the public school district here.

The law concerning uniforms is incredibly vague and ill-written. I urge each of you to go to the State of Arkansas' Web site and download a copy to read. But I see absolutely nothing in it that leads me to believe that the board took any illegal action in either implementing or repealing the code. For starters, the law (at least in appearances) was applicable as written ONLY in 1999-2000. If it can be taken as a hermeneutical text, then the board did not abide by the law when in passed the uniform policy in the first place--no exploratory committee was formed when the policy was implemented in 2003.

One thing that I have seen stated that I feel is certainly incorrect is that repealing a uniform dress code REQUIRES a public vote. I absolutely do not read this within the text of the law. What the law does read, however, is that a vote of the people MAY repeal a uniform dress code. I had several discussions about this matter two years ago when the district was sued over the policy. The law says that the voting members of the public may, by petition, force an existing uniform policy to come to a ballot measure. That requires only 5 percent of the registered voters in a particular district.

Again, that is a way that a uniform policy MAY be repealed. It is not the way that a uniform policy MUST be repealed.

My opinion is that this issue should be dropped and the district finally have a chance to move forward with its much more important business. The fact that we have wasted as much time and energy on this ridiculous issue as we have over the last three and a half years only reinforces a lot of negative notions that people have about the Crossett School District.

[Eddie Goodson]

I ticked off all of Warren on fearless, I might as well tick off a few folks in Crossett. I guess I'm in a pot stirring mood so here goes.

This whole mess continuing to be an issue is a waste of time and energy. I was for uniforms being system wide. The board has decided to change that. Guess what, that's what I voted for them to do. They're there to take care of the school system business. This whole deal is a one hundred thousand ton NON-ISSUE.

I got a revelation that many parents have forgotten. Kids are going to make fun of and taunt other kids no matter what you do. You make them wear the uni's, they'll get taunted. You go buy them new clothes, they'll get taunted. Guess what though, kids can deal with it.

Of all the battles to fight, this is a poor choice. It may not have been done exactly right, but it's not worth the time and expense to the school system to have to go to court over white shirts and khaki pants. It is not worth it.

[cdgn]

[glow=red,2,300]My opinion is that this issue should be dropped and the district finally have a chance to move forward with its much more important business. The fact that we have wasted as much time and energy on this ridiculous issue as we have over the last three and a half years only reinforces a lot of negative notions that people have about the Crossett School District.[/glow]

THANK YOU! I agree completely that the Crossett School District as a whole should move FORWARD. I have seen more "whining" in this district over STUPID issues like the uniform or name tags etc. What about our test scores, the fact that children are being "left behind"? These are issues we need to be whining about.

Heath, keep up the good work researching and informing the public. However, as editor keep your reporters from reporting the news erroneously. (referring to the article about the special called board meeting a few weeks ago when the reporter tried to make the issue of uniforms sound like it was a black and white issue).

[sportsfan]

Okay, these people seriously need more to do! Our school board, with the exception of one, is trying to turn things around. I think these people need to let them know they stand behind them and stop fighting them on something so trivial. It was stated by Mr. Manning, as he read his well worded script, that children don't want to get clothes for Christmas. I don't know where he grew up, but I grew up getting clothes for Christmas and had no problem with that. My kids get clothes for Christmas as well and no they aren't designer clothes! This board was voted in and should be supported. I'm not saying you have to agree with everything, but at least be willing to accept their decisions. I didn't like uniforms when they were put into effect, but my kids were made to wear them as they are taught to abide by the rules. If this bickering over silly stuff doesn't stop and we don't allow the board to get on with REAL issues, we will lose more students to other schools than we already have! As for the one board member I spoke of earlier, his outburst at the special called meeting regarding uniforms a couple of weeks ago was absolutely absurd and uncalled for. That man has serious issues!!!!!! He is not someone I want making decisions for our kids and I hope he is not re-elected when the time comes!

[bazeballmom3]

How do you get people off the board early... Just wonderin

[Kim_Day]

I think we tend to forget that RC has been on the board for a long time...through good times and bad. He has good intentions, but unfortunatly they aren't always expressed in the appropriate fashion. Everyone wants to point the finger when someone doesn't agree with them, but when everything is good we are singing their praises. As mentioned before, these members were "elected" and we need to work with them, not against them.

[hogdog]

chsteacher said:

I think we tend to forget that RC has been on the board for a long time...through good times and bad. He has good intentions, but unfortunatly they aren't always expressed in the appropriate fashion. Everyone wants to point the finger when someone doesn't agree with them, but when everything is good we are singing their praises. As mentioned before, these members were "elected" and we need to work with them, not against them.

I happen to think RC has been on the board way too long and it is time to replace him..............I mean just stop and listen what he said in the meeting last month and I Quote...............VOTE me off this baord..........Need I say more??

[Kim_Day]

There was no excuse for his outburst, but don't you think he was provoked just a little bit? Let's face it.....some of those parents need a lesson in professionalism as well. It is not as simple as just "voting" a board member out. Things are never that easy and should be used as a last resort. He has been on there a long time, but that is because he keeps getting voted in. The problem then becomes a lot of talk, but no action when it comes to running for school board. That leaves us with not much choice. Just look at the low voter turn outs for school board elections. I would be willing to bet that there are more people that come to this board everyday than people that go vote. I would be even willing to bet that there are people that have posted on these and similar threads that have NEVER voted in a school board election. That is sad, considering that a majority of this "new organization" are retired folks who don't have students in our school system. How can we be disgruntled over citizens who are showing interest in our students, when we can't even get parents to come to conferences twice a year?? As mentioned on this board, let's quit trying to pick apart the negative and start working together. If you really want to know what is going on in the schools, why don't you start by visiting them? Room 310 at CHS is always open!

Ok, there is my 4am rant!

[cdgn]

Ok....I can see that many people are discussing this "new organization". I have a few things to post now.
1) The school board member (RC) can be dismissed-voted off- whatever you want to call it, by the board itself if he misses three meetings in a years time. He has been on the board way to long and I do agree that his outburst at the last meeting was uncalled for. As for the him being provoked.....no one provoked him into lashing out his words. He WAS NOT within his rights to speak because he was NOT on the docket to speak and when he was given the "ok" to do so he needed to stay within the five minute time. He didn't think he should be and this clearly shows to me, and others, that he has a lack of professionalism.
2) I agree COMPLETELY that this district has more important issues to deal with than the uniform issue. Test scores, lack of respect from students to teachers AND vice versa. If those wanting to complain would focus their negative voice and "anger/frustration" toward helping in just these two areas I can only imagine that the district would turn around.
3) The "new organization" of people need to be given a push in the direction they need to go. Assisting in the classroom and that means on a volunteer basis. Get into the district class rooms and see where the real problems are.

As for the parent(s) needing a lesson in professionalism...... watch the comments about them. It may come back to bite each of us in the rear.

Mrs. Day...what subject do you teach? Just curious.

[stevesanders]

"The school board member (RC) can be dismissed-voted off- whatever you want to call it, by the board itself if he misses three meetings in a years time."

Where does that come from? I'm not familiar enough to know about that one. I don't think the board can remove one of its members; that's up to the people. Is there something you can show, or maybe a link to the law?

[heathwaldrop]

He has missed far more than three meetings in the last year, by the way...although many were due to a very serious illness, many were not. Has a tendency to come late and leave early. In fact since the uniforms are his baby, discussion of them was tabled in more than one meeting in the last 12 months because he had requested them to be placed on the agenda, yet failed to show for the meeting.

[Kim_Day]

cdgn said:

As for the parent(s) needing a lesson in professionalism...... watch the comments about them. It may come back to bite each of us in the rear.

Mrs. Day...what subject do you teach? Just curious.

Now, I will probably make a few people mad, but oh well.

I didn't think that I named any names. I have a lot more input than most, since I deal with parents daily. In fact, it is not hard to see why students are so disrespectful when you actually meet their parents. Now, that does not go for all. I have wonderful relationships with many of my students parents. However, most of those students are well behaved and have academics as a priority. Children model what they have been taught or what they are exposed too. Again, RC has been there for so long because he has continually been voted there. I think we have some great board members, but they are going to have to work as a team. I agree that his behavior and attendance have been deplorable, but no one person caused this mess.

BTW...I am the best dang Business teacher this side of the Mississippi!

[cdgn]

stevesanders said:

"The school board member (RC) can be dismissed-voted off- whatever you want to call it, by the board itself if he misses three meetings in a years time."

Where does that come from? I'm not familiar enough to know about that one. I don't think the board can remove one of its members; that's up to the people. Is there something you can show, or maybe a link to the law?

I had been told from someone about the information about a dismissal of a board member possibility. I could be wrong but .....well I just think if you're going to be a part of any board you need to be committed to it and not just attend meetings ever so often. If you are facing difficulty with life in general maybe it's God's way of telling you that you don't need to be involved.

Ok...I'm shutting up now.

[bazeballmom3]

My problem with Mr RC is that apparentaly he was not listening to anything anyone said at this meeting.. and he showed his butt... in my opinion everyone else at the meeting were professional

[Kim_Day]

The special meeting was called by a group of parents who had a petition (which I signed) to reinstate uniforms for the remainder of the year. The problem started when rumors began circulating that the petition was to reinstate uniforms period. Things got blown out of proportion and are still being blown out of proportion. Let's get OVER IT!

The district has its annual review Thursday and that is what we need to be focusing on.

[hogdog]

I thought we were over it. There will be NO uniforms like it should have been all along. Seems like the only people that are still bringing it up are the ones that wanted the uniforms.