December15th meeting

We have a new chairman, or do we?

School Board Meeting Oct 6

Remember, this one is at Table Rock Middle School.

Board Meeting Sept 15th

Your place to discuss

Freedom Reduces Drop Out Rate

Freedom High School in Morganton leaped past nearly 100 other schools in the state's new report on graduation rates.
Ranked 274th among the 414 schools last year, Freedom High rose to 180th — solidly in the upper half — after 77 percent of the Class of 2008 graduated on time last spring.

Morganton.com Story

Letter to the editor

Stephen Rudicil
Published: August 25, 2008

Rutherford College, N.C. - In her recent letter (The News Herald, Aug. 19), Gayle Walden stated that she was surprised that Rob Hairfield would use such negative and, in her opinion, inappropriate language in his letter (The News Herald, Aug. 14). I am glad that someone else had the same opinion as I did concerning this, his most recent letter, as well as previous ones Mr Hairfield has written.
In his letter of July 13, Mr Hairfield said there was one school board member, as well as several administration members "of the highest echelon," who were trying to discredit the newly elected board members. He stated that the previous school board was a "second-class" organization. In his Aug 14 letter, Mr Hairfield states there were leadership problems at "one of our middle schools."
This is typical of Mr Hairfield. He casts out allegations and suspicions about individuals, without naming them or offering any proof of his charges.
He causes people to question the leadership of our schools without knowing even which schools he is talking about. Now every parent who has a child in "one of our middle schools" is going to wonder if that child is attending the school with the problems. After his letter, every parent will wonder if the principal who moved from one school to another is the bad principal. He has cast doubt on every school board member as well as every person in the school administration.
This reminds me of the McCarthy era of the 1950s. Anyone can be found guilty of something if you do not go along with those in authority. If you are not in agreement with Mr Hairfield, then you are opening yourself up to attack and innuendo.
Mr. Hairfield campaigned for six years for a school board seat using this same strategy. He attacked the school administration and the school board members with slurs, allegations and name-calling.
I, for one, am not the least bit surprised by this latest verbal attack by Mr. Hairfield.

The Parental Prerogative

How 'parent-friendtly are school districts in NC?
This report develops a system to evaluate school districts on how “parent-friendly” they are. In other words, to what extent do North Carolina’s school districts provide children a sound, basic education in a stable and safe school environment that is responsive to the needs of children and the concerns of parents?

http://www.johnlocke.org/spotlights/20080818207.html

Overall
District-Grade-Rank
Burke C+ Tied for 20th
Catawba B+ Tied for 13th
Pamlico D+ Tied for 96th
Hickory D+ 99th

School Districts with 14,101 to 35,000 students
District-Enrollement-Rank
Catawba - 17,332 - 1 out of 22

School Districts with 7,701 to 14,100 students
District-Enrollement-Rank
Burke - 14,055 - 6 out of 22

School Districts with 4,461 to 7,700 students
District-Enrollement-Rank
Hickory - 4465 - Rank 18 out of 22

School Districts with 500 to 2,600 students
District-Enrollement-Rank
Pamlico - 1510 - 19 of 22

Tim Buff's Bio

Let's create one

Tracy Norman Bio

i wonder how tracy and tim's board bio would read...
Tracy spends her extra time in court with her kids or with her married boyfriend. She is a manager at a salvage store, and serves as head bagger. She enoys getting in everyone business. She has been a member of every denomination in town. and is currently at the last church she hasnt attended in burke county.

This is a good start...

Jimmy C. Draugh High School Dedication

Set for Sunday at 2 pm.

morganton.com link

BCPS Convocation 2008-2009

I have heard a lot of stories about golf claps to Tim and Tracy, please share yours here.

Board Meeting Aug 18th

Your place to discuss.

Rob Hairfield's Letter

There is some feeling that the Burke County Schools Board of Education was responsible for the recent rash of principal re-assignments.
That is not the case.

In June, some board members confided to the superintendent that there were some problems at one of our middle schools that needed to be addressed as far as leadership positions there. This was the only time the board asked the superintendent to do something to correct the problem. This was back in June of this year.
The superintendent told the board he had some concerns with the principal at W.A. Young and originally wanted to swap that principal with the principal at Mountain View. That was the extent of what this board knew or was involved in.
Since then, the superintendent decided he would make several other changes as well. Since these are lateral moves and not promotions requiring board official action, it is within the right of the superintendent to do so. All the board does then is approve the changes so the proper funding is authorized.

I remember telling the superintendent I did not want to go through what we did a few years ago and move many principals at the same time. Well, that is exactly what happened. He has moved several principals and some assistant principals, but, to make matters worse, he waited until two weeks before school opened to make the moves.
If he was going to move all these people he should have done it earlier in the summer so the newly assigned people would have time to transfer and prepare for their new assignments.

This board had nothing to do with all these changes - nothing.

Principal Shake Up?

From the comments...

Has any one heard of a principal shake up still may happen for BCPS. Heard it might be this week!!!

Board Meeting From July 29th

Been busy down here in the Bahamas.

Dear Mr. Hairfield:
Please stop commenting with the "hee hee har har" laughter.

Thanks!

Board Retreat

Please Share

June 30th Meeting

Share

Joel Hastings

Someone forwarded me this email.

It is with a broken heart that I let you know that our dear friend, Joel Hastings, passed away just a few minutes ago. He fought a valient fight but the injuries to his brain were just too much to overcome.

Please pray for God's comfort and grace for Joel's family and for each other.

We have scheduled a time tommorow at 9:30 a.m. in the Patton High School auditorium for any of our school system family to just meet together and remember Joel.

The children of our community and state have lost a true advocate as we have lost a great friend. Only by God's amazing grace can we deal with such a tragedy.

Thank you for being the wonderful school system family you are.

David Burleson

What would you like to talk about?

Leave a comment and I will try to give you a place to talk about it.

Exodus

Please use this to discuss the rumors of people leaving BCPS.

Tracy and The Map

Please use this to discuss the map situtation

Did board gerrymander school lines?
Grady demands school board's May e-mails
By Arrick Gordon
news@morganton.com
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

MORGANTON - Controversy erupted at the Burke County Schools board meeting Monday night when Board Chairman Tim Buff presented a newly drafted map of school board district lines for approval.
Board member Buddy Armour challenged the action, because the board adopted a prior (and slightly different) map at its May 5 meeting. That map, Armour added, was not the same as one presented for the board's review on April 21.

At this week's meeting, Armour again questioned Vice Chairman Tracy Norman, asking why she went to the Burke GIS Department the day of the May 5 school board meeting, made changes to the map and did not disclose the changes that evening.

"Who authorized you to change the map?" Armour demanded. "It's not the map that I was voting for on May 5."

According to several board members, the change in district lines from April 21 to May 5 was not fully disclosed or discussed during open session.

"I received a phone call from a man, who would not tell me his name, several days after we voted on the map," says board member Sam Wilkinson. "He was wondering if I knew that a board member had gone to the GIS office and made changes to the map the day of the vote. I told him no I was unaware of such a thing. He wouldn't tell me which board member, but told me the line had been changed to include the residence of an individual who could run for school board in the central district."

Wilkinson said he subsequently went to the GIS department and learned Norman had changed the April 21 map on the day of the May 5 vote.

Other board members say they, too, were unaware the April 21 map had been changed.

"I had no idea the map was different," says board member Karen Sain. "I was glad to vote the map through and get on to more serious issues concerning the welfare of our teachers and students. No one told me or pointed out that the maps had been changed. I saw the map was dated May 5, but I assumed that was for purposes of the vote."

Armour asked at the May 5 meeting whether Bryan Grady was involved in redrawing the school district lines. The April 21 map placed Grady's residence in the Western Voting District. The modified map adopted May 5 includes Grady's residence in the Central Voting District (the adjusted voting line runs up Pearson Drive).

At Monday's meeting, Grady demanded that all e-mail communications between board members from May 5 to May 19 be handed over to him for review with his lawyer.

Board member Rob Hairfield, who spent months preparing the original district lines map, repeatedly has said the April 21 map met the state law's requirements that all districts have approximately equal population.

According to Buff and Norman, the map was modified to better distribute the population evenly between the three voting districts.

The third map, proposed by Buff at Monday's meeting, moves the Central District Line even farther west, to the Fleming Drive Bypass.

The Kite Runner

Please use this to talk about The Kite Runner.

Kite Runner no fly-by-night issue
School board continues censorship squabble
By Arrick Gordon
news@morganton.com
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

MORGANTON - East Burke High School Media Coordinator Peggy Poe addressed the Burke County school board Monday in defense of the controversial book “The Kite Runner,” throwing her support behind the literature, urging the board not to censor the award- winning work of fiction.
In February, Vicki Dobson addressed the school board and challenged the use of the book within the classroom. Dobson sought its removal primarily for author Khaled Husseini’s use of strong language, racially-motivated rape of a child and other mature content.
Following Dobson’s complaint, the book was sent to a specially-assigned review committee at Freedom High School. The committee, comprised of faculty, students, parents and community members, made its recommendation to the school board in late March to keep the book in the classroom.
As a result, Dobson appealed, in writing, to the school board to overturn the committee’s recommendations and take final action.
Superintendent David Burleson urged the board to follow the procedures outlined by school policy and the committee.
“We should keep the book in the advanced and honors literature classes,” Burleson said, “and send out a detailed letter to the parents describing the content and nature of any book with questionable language, sexual content or adult themes. It is up to the parent to decide if he or she wishes her son or daughter to read an alternate assignment.”
School board member Tracy Norman felt that the letter would not be adequate unless passages or descriptive quotes of the material in question were included in the letters to parents.
Board member David Barnard felt that censorship was not the solution and that the teachers should be given the authority to decide what is appropriate within the classroom environment.
The issue has been tabled until the next board meeting.
The board is considering the naming of the Jimmy C. Draughn High School baseball field in honor of former teacher and baseball coach Glen Yoder.
A petition with nearly 1,000 signatures was previously submitted to the school board by community members living within the Draughn High School district specifically seeking a naming recognition in honor of Yoder.
Draughn is slated to receive its Life Safety Inspection later this week, a crucial step toward the final completion of the building project. According to Randall Brackett, construction at the site will be completed in approximately three weeks.
Brackett also informed the board that the school’s sports practice fields and stadium have been suffering as a result of the ongoing drought and that the previously planted grass seed is not rooting or growing very well. As a result, a variance was received from the Town of Valdese which will allow the school to irrigate the fields three times a week.
Robert L. Patton High School has suffered from the same problem and very little grass is currently on its sports practice and stadium fields. A contractor is scheduled to evaluate and reseed the fields.
The official dedication and open house for Draughn High School may take place at 2 p.m. on Aug. 24. However, the date and time is tentative pending final board approval.
The school board will meet again at 11 a.m. on June 30 at at the board room on Parker Road.

June 9th Meeting

Discuss

May 23rd Meeting

Two Parts

BOE 

then

Personnel Sub-Committee

Let's HEAR it!

Starting to come around?

Reading the letter, Watch School Board Closely, it seems that it might be.  

How much lunch money will your kid need next year?

ASHEVILLE - School cafeterias statewide are struggling to cover the costs of lunch programs amid dramatic price increases for gas, food and labor.

Burke County Public Schools Superintendent David Burleson said county schools will try to keep prices for school lunches as low as possible.

Rest of the article

May 19th Board Meeting

Share

May 13th Board Meeting

Let's hear the details

Finance Meeting

How is the budget and what is their goal?

School board will try to cut budget again
By STEVE WELKER
swelker@morganton.com
Thursday, May 8, 2008
MORGANTON - Squeezed between rising costs and falling enrollment, the Burke County Schools Board of Education will wrestle with its proposed 2008-09 budget during a special Finance Committee meeting at noon today in the central office.
The school board, by law, must present next year's budget to the Burke County Board of Commissioners on or by May 15, just six days from now.
Urged to adopt the budget at Monday's regular meeting, the board balked.
"I'm not going to support this budget," declared Board Chairman Tim Buff. "Enrollment has dropped every year that I've been here. Every year we've added employees....
"We're dipping into the fund balance again. We just cannot continue this.
"We've got a responsibility to the people of Burke County. Let's roll up our sleeves. Let's get down to this" even if it takes more meetings.
Board member Tracy Norman also questioned drawing down the "fund balance" ? the schools' version of a citizen's savings account ? to cover expenses.
The proposed budget's introductory paragraphs supports their concerns: "It is important to note that using fund balances is treacherous, because we are using non-recurring revenue to fund recurring expenses."
Norman said repeatedly tapping the fund balance to make up for shortfalls in revenue is "kind of like putting a BandAid on a dam."
And she seemed neither satisfied or reassured when school officials said it's not unusual to tap the fund balance when other revenue sources don't meet the district's needs.
Associate Superintendent Randall Brackett explained, "I would say to you the problem we have is the large fund balance we've committed to opening two high schools. We created a large amount of fund balance" in anticipation of opening Patton High School last year and Draughn High School this summer. "We had $3.8 million. We need to keep $1.2 to $1.5 million. We're drawing down $750,000.
"This is a pretty good budget, despite cutting into the fund balance."
The "Local Current Expense Budget" ? so-called because it doesn't include state funds for certified personnel (pri-marily teachers) ? totals $16.45 million. That's about $350,000 (2.1 percent) lower than the 2007-08 budget.
"It has been a particularly difficult budget to balance," admitted Finance Director Keith Lawson.
He said school administrators started work on the budget in February. The Finance Committee had at least four full meetings leading up to this week's presentation, as well as many smaller or informal sessions. Superintendent David Burleson said dozens of people, including department heads, principals, teachers and outside advisers, contributed their input.
One problem in the budget-making process, Lawson noted, is the state legislature has yet to approve its education budget. The school system won't know until later this year how much it will need for non-certified personnel, whose salary increases tend to track along with those the state gives to teachers.
Another unknown is the cost for energy: transportation, heating and cooling.
Utility expenses in the proposed budget jump $300,000 (8.4 percent) to $3.86 million.
"My biggest concern has to be the loss of some positions," said board member Sam Wilkinson who, with Norman and Rob Hairfield, sits on the Finance Committee. "We're going to be roughly 27 positions lower."
The reduction in salaries, supplements and benefits amounts to $858,000 (8.7 percent) from 2007-08 to 2008-09.
Superintendent Burleson hastened to assure people that there will be no layoffs. Instead, the staff size will be re-duced through retirements and by not replacing people who leave voluntarily.
"What we have concentrated on is not affecting the classroom situation," he added. "There will be a little change in class size in the lower grades (through third grade)," but the district will still meet state requirements for allowable class size.
Like Buff, Burleson noted the district is losing students.
At the same time, of course, the district is opening another high school. In 2000, when planning for the new schools began, Freedom High was bursting at the seams, carrying a pupil load of roughly 1.5 times what it was designed to hold. Based on the district's experience opening Patton High School in 2007, the proposed budget for 2008-09 anticipates spending an additional $762,000 for Draughn High School.
"With the exception of the expenditures for Draughn, the proposed budget is a continuation budget with no expan-sion. It'd be nice to have an expansion budget," Burleson said, but he doesn't expect to see one any time soon.

May 5th Board Meeting

Sam Aycock Fired
Budget voted down
New financial auditor named

DHS won't have a varsity football team

An article appeared in today's News Herrald with a one inch headline.

History Repeats.

The article opens up with, "For the second straight year, a Burke County high school that indicated it would open with a varsity football team has dropped out of the games it lined up with other schools."

I personally don't feel that this is a surprise and don't appreciate the Chicken Little/the sky is falling article.  

Anyway, you football fans can discuss it here.

April 21st School Board Meeting

Feel free to discuss

Exodus

Steve Demiter is leaving to be an Asst. Superintendent for Catawba County Schools.

Jeff Link is leaving to be Athletic Director for Watauga HS and Watauga County Schools.

(Edit:  added where Link is going)

The good things BCPS has done and is doing!

I was reading through the last of the comments from the 3/17 school board post.  I really liked what I was reading.  Here is part of the comment.

"Burke County Schools has done many innovative things for students that have become the model for other systems across the state. Two that quickly come to mind are Senior Projects and Burke Alternative to Suspension. Burke County was the first system to assign Senior projects to ALL seniors - not just honor students as did Mecklenburg. The SBOE took our model and ran with it."

And that was followed up with "REALLY???"

Yes really, BCPS does some great things.  

Then I found this site http://www.burkecounty.org/education/

"The Burke County Public School system was recently awarded national first place honors for a pre-kindergarten program. Numerous state awards have been received for career and economic development, reading, leadership and excellence awards at the state level, and nationally published articles highlighting the school system’s achievements."

"There is a brand new educational opportunity in Burke County called Burke Middle College. It is funded by a federal grant."

"The Burke Middle College student is an academically capable individual who will be more successful in a non-traditional high school setting. The student must possess maturity, independence, and self-discipline in order to meet the challenges of this innovative program."

I have heard that Tim and Tracy read this blog.  Let's fill the comments with all of the awards, recognitions, and positive press our schools have received, our teachers have received, and our administrators have received.  Let's remind them who made this a great school system before they were elected.  And let's remind them we are still working hard to make this school system great regardless of the stunts they try to pull.

Scott Lambert is the DHS Football Coach

The article is here.

All you Draughn sports fans can talk about it here.

Jail the Teacher

My words in bold

In regard to John Zimmerman's letter about that unending book issue, John it is not necessary to read that stupid book to make an informed decision about whether or not to read it.

I don't think informed means what you think it means.

People get a grip.

Would it be necessary to try crack cocaine before you could make an informed decision on whether or not you should become a crack-head?

Are you serious? You are comparing a book to an illegal drug. Apples to oranges.

One could easily examine testimony from others and do a little research to determine if something as simple as a book would be to one's liking or not.

Or you could read the book and think for yourself. I prefer not to outsource my thinking and reasoning skills.

The best solution to the problem is this: If a teacher is caught with a book that depicts child sexual abuse, put them in jail. It is a crime you know.

It is illegal for a teacher to have a book that depicts child sexual abuse? I guess I can never become a teacher (in Burke County). I own To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Lovely Bones, and A Clockwork Orange.

Can I get a link to that Statue and some court cases where it has been upheld? You know, so I can make an informed decision.

Mike Higgins
Hildebran

http://2speakup2.blogspot.com/ has more on the subject.

School Board Meeting 3/17

Let's hear the details.

School Board Meeting 3/3

Please share your comments.

More Rape

"To me, this teacher raped their minds with no parental consent."

Vicki Dobson

Coalition Weighs In

That didn't take long.

Below is a letter posted on Morganton.com. It mentions banning more books, specifically Harry Potter. Hope it is not on Tracy Norman's radar. She has proven she is above following policy.

Tracy Norman doesn't have the children's best interest in mind. She is a politician and this was a political move. I think she (or Tim) underestimated the back lash they would receive.

And yes, I had heard of the book before this event. It was, and still is a New York Times best seller.

Check out this post at the Right to Say It, The Right to Read It.


From what I read 90 percent of the people in Burke County think they can do a better job and make "better" decisions than the people they elected on the school board.
I wouldn't want their job, and I can't see how they would because just about every move they make someone is complaining.

How would most people like to work under these circumstances if your boss was telling you, "you should have done this, you should have done that."

We have a group of people who are honestly trying to make the best decisions for the sake of all of our children. People need to remember you can't make everyone happy all of the time.

I have a daughter at one of the high schools. Would I want her to read "The Kite Runner"? Not particularly, nor do I have an opinion on whether to keep it or ban it but, I do however think this book needs to be "monitored."

I don't feel that most of the freshman, sophomores and a lot of the juniors have the maturity to get the deeper meaning of a book like this.

The parents need to sit down with their children, talk about it and make a decision together about whether or not they should read this book at this time. I am thankful that Ms. Norman has the best interest of our children at hand and isn't afraid to voice her opinion. Kudos to her.

I am particularly in favor of removing the "Harry Potter" books from the schools, but I don't hear anyone screaming about this group of books. I cannot figure out why in a community of so many Christians we are allowing our kids to read and watch movies about witchcraft, levitating and drinking blood to sustain life.

Because this book is considered a children's book we close our eyes and say it's OK. We take them to church and then let them read and watch these movies about witchcraft at home. Satan is having a party with our children. I don't get it myself.

My daughter attended Ray Childers Elementary School and my son still goes there. When a Harry Potter movie was going to be shown as a reward the school sent home a letter asking parents for permission to let them see it.

I was glad to see there were other parents who felt as I do about this series when our children were offered a different movie to watch.

I am thankful that our principal had given us a choice as to what we wanted our children to see.

I am happy with being able to make the decision about what my children read and don't read.

There is always going to be controversial books, but the school board should let the parents know what books are offered at the schools (kind of like the rating they give movies).

How hard would it be to put a certain color tag on it to let you know it may have some sexual content, rape or extreme violence.

If parents would do their job and talk with their kids about what they could get out of reading a certain book, I would hope that this should satisfy most people.

By the way, I didn't know anything about this book before Tracy Norman brought it up. Did you?

Theresa Whitson Moore

Connelly Springs

PTO at Oak Hill?

From the comments

Anybody hear about a PTO meeting a few nights back at Oak Hill? Word has it that a member of the current school board made quite an "impression".

NCAC

Link to the letter


The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini was challenged for sexual content and graphic language by a school board member and one community member. The school board member has proposed amending the district's current media policy to apply standards for audio and visual materials including books. In direct violation of district policy, the Superintendent told all schools to suspend use of the book pending a review. NCAC and five organizations sent the following letter to the Superintendent and School Board:



David Burleson, Superintendent
Members of the Burke County Board of Education
700 East Parker Road
PO Drawer 989
Morganton, NC 28680

February 26, 2008

Dear Mr. Burleson and Members of the Board of Education:

We write to oppose efforts to remove the book, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, from Burke County Schools. We understand that a community member has submitted a formal complaint objecting to the book, and one school board member wants to circumvent the normal procedure for challenging books to have The Kite Runner removed because of its vivid descriptions of sexual violence and graphic language. In the meantime, in direct violation of district policy, the Superintendent has told all schools in the district to suspend use of the book pending a review by a Media Advisory Committee.

We also understand that the same board member who objects to The Kite Runner has proposed an amendment to current media policy to ban audio and visual materials “containing sexually inappropriate content, profanity, and vulgar and obscene language or the insinuation thereof.” Books should be evaluated using educational criteria, and “objectionable” content must be viewed in the context of the work as a whole. The proposed amendment, however, which would apply to all materials including books, demands that educators evaluate literature based on inherently subjective criteria and places an overwhelming burden on schools, teachers, and librarians. Even deciding who will judge whether a book’s content is “inappropriate” raises problems. There is no way to ensure that different individuals will view the material the same way. We strongly oppose both the removal of the book and the proposed amendment and urge you to reinstate the book pending review and to adhere to standing district policies in your review of The Kite Runner.

A highly acclaimed bestseller, The Kite Runner is an American Library Association (ALA) Notable Book and has received, among other awards, the ALA Alex Award for books “written for adults that have special appeal to young adults.” The book is indeed concerned with mature, complex themes and historical events that are playing out in the world today. These elements recommend the book, rather than disqualify it, as a teaching tool.

Class discussion of literature that addresses violent, complicated and disturbing themes gives students a forum for grappling emotionally and intellectually with these events. Precluding students from reading literature with difficult themes and language, or even “the insinuation thereof,” would deprive them of exposure to vast amounts of important material, including Shakespeare, major religious texts such as the Bible, the works of Flaubert, Joyce, Faulkner, D.H. Lawrence, and Nabokov, contemporary books such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Beloved, and many of the texts regularly assigned in high schools throughout the State of North Carolina, including books currently on the 10th grade reading list such as Night, Les Misérables, and Things Fall Apart. The school district would potentially put its students at an educational disadvantage in college if it did not introduce them to challenging literature of this sort in high school.

The views of those who object to the book are not shared by all, and banning the book would violate the First Amendment rights of parents who want their children to read Kite Runner. As many courts have observed, public schools have the obligation to "administer school curricula responsive to the overall educational needs of the community and its children." Leebaert v. Harrington, 332 F.3d 134, 141 (2d Cir. 2003). No parent has the right "to tell a public school what his or her child will and will not be taught." Id. Any other rule would put schools in the untenable position of having "to cater a curriculum for each student whose parents had genuine moral disagreements with the school's choice of subject matter." Brown v. Hot, Sexy and Safer Productions, Inc., 68 F.3d 525, 534 (1st Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 1159 (1996). See also Swanson v. Guthrie Indep. School Dist., 135 F.3d 694, 699 (10th Cir. 1998); Littlefield v. Forney Indep. School, 268 F.3d 275, 291 (5th Cir. 2001).

Furthermore, the practical effect of acceding to any request to restrict access to materials will be to invite others to demand changes in the curriculum to reflect their beliefs and to leave school officials vulnerable to multiple, possibly conflicting, demands. The normal response to a parent or student who objects to a particular assignment is to offer a different book. This addresses the concerns of those who object to certain words and ideas without infringing the rights of the many others who are eager for a more inclusive and expansive education.

Circumventing the district’s normal review process for a board member would be both unfair and unreasonable. Review procedures should be applied on a uniform and non-discriminatory basis, to ensure that educational standards are not compromised. Challenges to instructional materials, no matter who files them, should be initiated only by a written complaint indicating that the complainant has read the entire work and specifically identifying the grounds for objection. As the district’s policy prescribes, the review should be based on a professional assessment of the book’s educational value and interest to students, “considering the whole item instead of isolated passages,” and not on whether some individuals may consider the content “objectionable.” Such a process is essential to guard against subjective judgments and to ensure that books are only removed for pedagogically sound and legally sufficient reasons. Books should never be removed unless complaint procedures are followed and never prior to the completion of the review process.

We strongly urge you to keep The Kite Runner available in Burke County Schools and to refrain from applying standards for audio-visual media to literature. Those who object to The Kite Runner are entitled to their view, but they may not impose it on others. They have no constitutional right to restrict students’ access to a book because it conflicts with their personal values. We urge you to stand by the principle that is so essential to individual freedom, democracy, and a good education: the right to read, inquire, question, and think for ourselves.

If we can be of assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Sincerely,

Joan Bertin Chris Finan
Executive Director President
National Coalition Against Censorship American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression

Kent Williamson Judith Platt
Executive Director Director, Freedom to Read
National Council of Teachers of English Association of American Publishers

Judith Krug Larry Siems
Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom Director, Freedom to Read and International Programs
American Library Association PEN American Center

Need More Bloggers

There is another concerned citizen who has created a blog. The Right to Say It! The Right to Read It! Please visit the site and encourage him or her to blog.

Exercise your freedom of speech and create your own blog. Just go to blogger.com and sign up. Post you address in the comments and I will add it to the side.

I am also looking for more bloggers on Skool Bored. I just have to figure out away to keep it anonymous. I want the conversation to be real. I don't want to know who you are.

WOW! Lots of Letters!

There are a ton of letters on Morganton.com speaking up against Tracy Norman. If I get around to it, I will write a little about each letter.

Molding Minds

Best Teachers

Personal Agenda

Don't Censor

Don't Hold Us Back

Excellent Book

What Books are Next?

Same Rules

Parent's Call

Also, I noticed an aritcle in the Charlotte Observer this weekend. Book to Raw For School. We are getting some exposure.

I know David Barnard doesn't like the book because San Fran newspaper likes it. I believe he called them wacko. It turns on Catwaba County is wacko too, and maybe Caldwell. "Catawba County Schools approved "The Kite Runner" last year, said spokeswoman Carleen Crawford, and it is being taught to at least one advanced English class. Caldwell County is considering adding the book to its curriculum next year, said spokeswoman Libby Brown. "

Students

Tracy Norman doesn't think to highly of you.  She doesn't feel you can handle hearing a "bad" word or reading about atrocities that happen every day.  Let us know what you feel in the comments.  I am hoping one of you students can make it in to a youtube video.  

I will get you started.

As a student, I can be trusted to hear foul language and not repeat it.  

Let me learn about the atrocities of the world, I maybe one person that can help.

Teachers and parents you can help too

When is the book burning?

I believe it was Buddy Armor who spoke up warning the school board that banning books can lead to a lot of exposure. His words are starting to ring true.

The article, Student, parents defend book, mentions the National Coalition against Censorship taking notice.

"The National Coalition against Censorship is forming a response to the school board with those sentiments.
Rebecca Zeidel, coalition coordinator, said it is the first amendment right of parents to choose what their children reads, but it is not their right to dictate what other children read."

Next, a letter to the editor is in the paper. Book broadens minds, speaks up in favor of "The Kite Runner". The letter was written by Dr. Ita Killbride, a professor of Education at Lees-McRae College.

We also have two students writing letters in favor of academic freedom. Dana Middleton wrote Can't Shield Students and Tori Thomas wrote Student Defends Book.

Finally we have Larry Smith telling everyone one it is just Sour Grapes He writes, "We have a few people complaining about so-called problems in the school system". We actually have someone from the National Coalition Against Censorship, a college professor, and two high school students.

He then writes, "I remember the past board doing things that people didn't like, but they didn't holler sour grapes like is being screamed now." Yes they did and they did it very well. So well that they got themselves elected to the school board. And I am pretty sure this is not your first letter to the editor (back me up in the comments).

He ends the letter with, "By the way, I didn't get a job I applied for the other day and my wife is still ticked off." It is funny how the letters by students were more professional and better written than Larry Smith's.

I hope to get more students involved, I will need your help on my next post.

Rev. sees book's value

Morganton News Herald
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

I read "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, the book that school board member Tracy Norman wishes to ban to protect our children's minds.

The fictional book depicts life in Afghanistan during the rise of the Taliban, the abuses faced by ethnic minorities and those who disagree with the Taliban's philosophical and religious views.

Although the characters are fictional, the atrocities are real and well documented.

The sex and vulgar language contained in the book are not gratuitous, but necessary in the telling of the actual events and torture that people in that region face.

These elements should not be cause for offense. Omitting them would be tantamount to discussing the holocaust without the gas chambers or teaching about slavery in early America without acknowledging its inhumane abuses.

It is the evil of intolerance that the common reader should find as the true enemy.

The redeeming value of the book, which Ms. Norman could not see, is in its glimpse into the lives of the persecuted, the outcast and those who choose to be a part of the solution.

It also is about those who keep silent with fear, or pretend the problem is not important through willful ignorance.

Surely this is worthy of discussion in today's society.

My wife and I have a daughter in 10th grade. I do not want to see her public education reduced to that which does not offend the lowest common denominator.

She is far more intelligent and mature that that and is capable of discerning what is vulgar verses questionable material for the sake of shock value.

Although I would like to take much of the credit for this, I must acknowledge the role of both her faith community and outstanding teachers, past and present.

Three vivid points or irony stand out in the proposed book banning.

Because of her gender, the Taliban would never permit Ms. Norman to hold a position of authority such as a school board member.

Next, we would not have to worry about our half of our school population being lead astray by bad books because there would be no girls permitted in our high schools.

Furthermore, another area banning this book as well as its movie is none other than Afghanistan.

If successful, what books should be next on the list to ban? The stories of Dinah and Tamar alone in the Old Testament book of Genesis might lead the quickly offended to conclude that more censorship is needed.

I send my daughter to school to learn from trained professionals and not from offended members of the school board.

Rev. Tony H. Matthews

Story Sends Wrong Message to 10th Graders

Story Sends Wrong Message to 10th Graders

Props to David Barnard for dropping this gem

"David Barnard said redeeming value is subjective, and that the book’s acclaims should not be taken into account, such as its Book of the Year award from the San Francisco Chronicle.
“That in itself tells you it must be a pretty wacko book because that’s a pretty wacko center of the universe,” Barnard said.

My apologies to San Francisco and Burke County, you make us look like idiots.

Board Meeting 2/18

Please share your comments

Community Open Forum?

Anyone know about this...

Community Open Forum

at the Old Rock School at 2:00PM 

2/17

Racing to Bring Art to Students

Let's highlight something positive about Burke County Public Schools.

Link

Education is Different

Below is taken from a comment. These are not my words, but I wish they were.

In business, there are certain leadership characteristics and smart business plans that drive whether or not such a business will be successful. In today’s time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you must hold a higher ed degree to be successful (look at some online businesses started by high school students). Instead, you can learn from other examples of profitable businesses to glean best practices.

Education is different.

I’ve never quite been convinced that school boards are in the best interest of educating our children. Yes, education is a business “on the books” and yes, there are certain business practices that must be implemented (handling budgets, especially), if a school system to be run efficiently. But, in no other business in the world is there such a need for MORE than just good business practices.

Teachers and administrators are required to become experts in the field of CHILDREN. They must hold degrees with coursework in child development, teaching methodology, pedagogy, curriculum, research and best practices. They are required to intern under a master teacher and then learn from a mentor upon becoming a beginning teacher. They are required to commit to ongoing professional development to renew their certifications. They are required to meet the needs of each child, no matter the disability, background, social/economical status, prior knowledge, or home life.

They are required to be held accountable for their performance in the classroom, and trust me- they are. Teachers today are worried about test scores (despite the fact that almost all of them believe that one test will never show what a child can do), the pressure of all those tests, how to prepare EVERY child for the future. They spend more time thinking about how to help their students than they do with their own family. They study research to make sure they are implementing best practices in the classroom. They write grants to get more funding for the things they know their students need.

Determining what is best for our students doesn’t take just some good business sense. It takes EDUCATION. That’s right. The same thing we demand of our teachers must be a requirement of those who choose our school leaders. It is so heart wrenching to hear members of the board say that they know who is best suited to run a school. You have no idea.

You don’t know what kind of principal it takes to lead a school to success. It isn’t the same as choosing employees in a business world. Deciding whom is the best leader for a school requires that you be educated in the many facets of children and learning. You must know the research in child development, school leadership, 21st century skills, how school environment affects learning, and pedagogy.

School boards have the legal rights and responsibilities to run a school system (whether I agree or not). But, most of the time, school boards recognize that the superintendent they hire has much more knowledge in the art and science of teaching, learning, and leadership of schools than they do, and so they leave the decision making that requires such knowledge to him/her. Things like choosing school leaders (and teachers, for that matter).

Our school board has decided to have a say in the hiring of every single employee of the school system, rather than trusting our principals and superintendent, who have advanced degrees in teaching and leading, to decide. What in the world could the members of this board have to say to defend such actions? Nothing, other than quoting from school board documentation that states basically that they “are the boss.”

That’s just not a good enough reason. Being the boss doesn’t mean you have to make all the decisions, or micromanage the system, or develop an arrogant nature. In fact, good leadership qualities are quite the opposite. They are part of a team, they rely on the strengths and knowledge of those around them, and they inspire and challenge.

Educators are good about making the best of bad situations. They search out support and resources when none is given, they fight from the trenches while the rest of the world fights from the political rings and state offices, and they empower their students to become learners. So, we’ll keep keeping on, despite what decisions are made in board meetings. We always have, for the sake of the children.

Lots of Letters Feb 7th

The Wrong Change
Appalled
Impeachment
Valdese Clique
Students Disappointed
Enough is Enough
Move On
Give Them a Chance

Burke County Drop Out Rate Drops

Article Here

Kelly Rhoney's Letter

The New England Patriots weren't the only ones who missed out on an opportunity to make history this past weekend.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to open a brand new high school in this county was once again pulled out from under one of Burke County's very own: Doug Rhoney.

Doug Rhoney is a life-long resident of Burke County. He's given all 18 years of his career in education to the people and children of this county.

He was a high school teacher for nine years, served as an assistant principal for two years at Table Rock Middle School, became the Principal at Ray Childers Elementary and served that community for five years before assuming the principalship at Heritage Middle School where he is currently in his third year of serving the Heritage community.

On Friday the special called meeting of the Burke County Board of Education turned out to be nothing more than an orchestrated puppet show starring Chairman Tim Buff as the puppet master, Vice-Chair Tracy Norman as his willing assistant and their supporting cast of puppets Karen Sain, Rob Hairfield and David Barnard.

In a 5-2 vote these demagogues voted not to accept the recommendation by the Superintendent for Doug Rhoney to be named Principal of Draughn High School.

This group of five, three of which have sat on the board all of two months, have the arrogance and audacity to claim to know who the best person for the principalship of Draughn High School should be more so than an interview committee comprised of parents, community representatives and central office staff; more so than the Superintendent who himself is a former North Carolina Principal of the Year and this year's Burke County Man of the Year; more so than the community that Draughn High School will serve and last but not least, more so than the two board members who reside in that community and were elected to represent the people of that community.

What an abuse of the power entrusted to them by the people of Burke County.

The mere thought that Doug Rhoney was passed over because he had no high school experience as an assistant principal or principal is absolutely ridiculous.

Any educator or individual with common sense will tell you there's no substitute for proven leadership.

Doug Rhoney is a proven leader. His track record speaks for itself. Perhaps Mr. Buff and Mrs. Norman have conveniently forgotten their vote of a little more than a year ago to approve Shanda McFarlin as the principal of Robert L. Patton High School who had absolutely no experience at the high school level whatsoever at the time of her appointment. (No offense intended to Mrs. McFarlin).

In the quest to remove David Burleson as superintendent these five have proven to the people they're willing to go to any lengths, ethical or not, to get their way.

Ultimately, they have sacrificed the best interests of the children in the Draughn community for their own selfish gain. What an injustice that's been dealt to the kids and to the community.

Speaking of community, according to Mrs. Norman, one person's voice does not represent the community. I would challenge her that neither do two disgruntled EBHS staff members, one of who's husband is a former EBHS assistant boys' basketball coach who is upset that her husband didn't get the head basketball position and the other her brother, along with their small na?ve band of conspirators. Won't it be interesting to see who's awarded the head boys' basketball position at Draughn now?

I hope the Fraudulent Five do not truly believe they've escaped accountability for their actions on this matter. They've denied two of Burke County's best the opportunity of a lifetime; they've sarcastically scoffed at the true Draughn community and its leadership; and they've placed personal agendas, vendettas and spitefulness ahead of student needs, excellent proven leadership and the future success of Draughn High School.

Whether they answer to the people or not, there's one to whom they will all answer and he knows the heart. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

I would like to thank the people of the Draughn community, the many students and the many BCPS teachers and staff for all of the phone calls, e-mails and apologies that Doug has received over the last few days. The outpouring of support for him as he walks through this valley has been overwhelming.

While we so appreciate and understand the frustration and dissatisfaction with the outcome of this situation, rest assured that we stand firm on the promise of Romans 8:28, "?all things work together for good to them that love God?" Peace comes with the faith of knowing that God has greater plans in store ahead for Doug.

Also, special thanks to Sam Wilkinson and Buddy Armour for standing up and speaking out against the improprieties that have occurred during this process.

For the Fraudulent Five I'll close with I Corinthians 10:12, "Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

Kelly Rhoney

Wife of Doug Rhoney

Former BCPS Principal

Icard

Part Two-My Apologies

The Bible teaches us to humble ourselves before the Lord. I've spent the last several days searching my heart through prayer in an effort to do just that.
Although I continue to stand in opposition to how the matter of naming a principal for Jimmy C. Draughn High School was handled, the manner in which I addressed this situation in my original letter was wrong.

I offer my apologies to Tim Buff, Tracy Norman, Rob Hairfield, David Barnard and Karen Sain for resorting to name-calling and insults as well as to the members of the East Burke High School staff and their families for insults implied.

I allowed hurt and anger, bitterness and the frustration of circumstance to get the best of me and must accept responsibility for that. I apologize.

To the young Miss Mecimore, who wrote in support of Mr. Rhoney, to the other young people in the Draughn High School community and to my church family, I ask that you also accept my apology.

As a role model I have failed you. Learn from my mistake for it has taught me one of life's toughest lessons.

I am so thankful that I serve a loving God who is faithful and just to forgive.

Kelly Rhoney

Icard

Comments from Mondays Meeting

Please share

Introducing...

DHS new principal Mike Kenney.

Best Wishes!

Failed 5 - 2

Another Burke County Principal goes up and gets voted down.   

God made the Idiot for practice, and then He made the School Board.

-Mark Twain