SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Superintendent of Education Robert E. Schiller today voiced his support for the Venice Financial Oversight Panel’s action to remove incumbent members of the Venice CUSD #3 (Madison County) school board effective immediately. During a special meeting today, the FOP rejected the school board’s proposed district budget because it was not in balance and under authority granted by statute took the unprecedented step of removing the school board members. The district board had previously received two deadline extensions to produce a balanced budget for submission to the FOP.
In a statement released today, Schiller stated his support for the FOP decision.
“The Venice Financial Oversight Panel has taken a hard but necessary step today under law with the removal of the Venice School District Board of Education. The challenge of restoring academic and financial order to the Venice schools is a huge one, and the State Board of Education will continue to work with the FOP, the Regional Office of Education and the community in trying to see what long-term solution can de developed for the Venice district. We want to assure parents and others that throughout this process the FOP members and ISBE will keep the welfare of the students as their first priority.”
School Board Member Faces Removal After Lying About Education By Stephen Dean
POSTED: 2:32 pm CDT May 14, 2008 UPDATED: 3:02 pm CDT May 14, 2008
HOUSTON -- An Alief Independent School District trustee faces removal from his elected office after pleading guilty to a crime that was caught on videotape.
Local 2 Investigates first aired video showing the board member committing the crime on Dec. 21, 2007. The video from an Alief ISD graduation ceremony shows board member Edgar Dansby III, 51, wearing a special robe that signified that he had a degree from Southern Methodist University.
Harris County prosecutors, however, said he only had a high school education. He was charged with abuse of office because he filled out paperwork to have the school district spend tax money to rent that prestigious robe for graduation ceremonies each year.
CHECK THIS OUT!!! Specifically, AB 1381: Removes power from the Board of Education and gives it to the superintendent. The superintendent is permitted to request state waivers, hire and fire principals, negotiate and execute contracts, locate and close schools, and manage all personnel. The school board still retains the sole authority to use eminent domain, place taxes and bonds on the ballot, and negotiate with the unions.
BURKE COUNTY LETS HEAD THIS WAY. PETITION ARE STARTING IN MOST CONVIENCE STORES - EXCLUDING BUFF's GROCERY & ADULTRY STORE
"Deception...fraud." Mr. Wilkinson hit the nail on the head. Not sure petitions will do much good. But our school system continues to be embarrassed by the antics of those who want power and attention instead of student prosperity. One scandal after another - that's all this new board has brought our students.
It should all be fine in a couple more weeks. With all the new NBCT's the EOG scores should be a huge improvement this year! Where are the party balloons?
Nancy Taylor is Susan Wilson's bestfriend she needs to take a hike. She is pro administration.Never anything but what David Burleson wants be it good or bad.
Did I hear that right? $19k of the previous Associate Superintendent's salary came from the Local Expense Budget, so the vast majority of the funds for an Assoc Super comes from State funds. So, it would be incorrect or misinformed at best, or deceptive or fraudulent at worst, to say that 5 board members have voted to use funds which could be used for 2nd grade teachers. It's a nice try for the Social Elite Pro-Administration Team to say that these awful, child-hating 5 board members prefer to use money for an Assoc Superintendent (against Mr. Burleson's wishes) instead of spending that money for teachers and coaches, but those pesky little facts get in the way. Let's see if the new editor of the News Herald will help to sort out the truth of the budget so Pro-Administration group won't be successful in their smear campaign based in incorrect information or their assumptions.
Speaking of the social elite pro-administration team, Caroline Avery (who was a Martinat-Brandon-Simmons-Huffman supporter)stated in her recent letter to the editor that...
"The new board approved (5-2) a budget that includes a new associate superintendent, despite Superintendent David Burleson's declaration that he can do without an associate superintendent during a lean budget year and his preference for maintaining funding for classroom instruction."
and
"They made these painful cuts to our students, yet they found a way to include a new, high-salaried position for associate superintendent."
Oops. The Central Office staff members are paid for with STATE FUNDS, so hiring an Associate Superintendent has no affect on replacing teachers, technical support, coaches and the like which are positions funded by our local expense budget.
Oops. The ADMINISTRATION recommended cutting 27 teaching positions through attrition by adding one additional child to some classrooms.
Oops. The Administration's recommended budget came in at 2.8 million dollars in the red, so the Board's finance committee had to roll up their sleeves and make the necessary budget cuts so we'll stop continue using so much of the fund balance year after year. Mr. Wilkinson is on that sub-committee, and he voted in favor of those recommendations.
After listening to the board meeting online, I think whoever changed the district lines on the map had better be careful. Also, I think Buddy Armour nor Rob Hairfield's comments about who they think the line was re-done for were appropriate. You should never call someone's names if you do not have the facts. Shame on Mr.Armour and Mr.Hairfield. You could lead yourself to a lawsuit if you are not careful. Mr Armour saying everyone knows why the line was redone for Bryan Grady was way out of line. Everyone knows how he lied against Grady to get re-elected now he is making more allegations against him. Is he afraid of Mr.Grady?
I think Buddy is out of control and will continue towards his own demise in lieu of the next election. We know the administration will work hard for Armour, or other mentioned candidates such as Caroline Avery,Robert Patton the 3rd,Trossie Wall or who knows who else and this is just for the central district.I do not see the citizens of Burke county going for any of these and holes will be poked in them if they file.
Administration made the recommendation that those positions be done away with? Wow. Nancy Taylor were you blindsided or did Susan Wilson put you up to making a fool out of yourself? I support your right to speak at board meetings and to be foolish in your undying love for the administration.You and Mrs.Avery had better become close friends where you can comfort one another when Burleson's contract is not renewed in 2010.
Mrs.Avery's letter to the editor is questionable.She has sent her children to private school most of their lives and her oldest was kicked out that is why he is at Freedom now. It is funny that she has to go monitor his whereabouts as he seems not to make it to the workouts sometimes.What does she owe David Burleson? She needs to straighten her own children out before concerning herself with BCPS children.
"Oops. The Central Office staff members are paid for with STATE FUNDS, so hiring an Associate Superintendent has no affect on replacing teachers, technical support, coaches and the like which are positions funded by our local expense budget"
Oops. Why do we keep hearing how Steve Demiter, David Bureslon, Randal Bracket, and Scott Smith are over paid if it comes from State Funds with no affect of replacing teacher, technical support...
Why are you dancing around the fact the Tracy went behind the back of all board members and got herself another map to use instead of the one voted on by the board. Is this a case of the "elite" Tracy working hard for the people. Sounds more like fraud to me. Oops!
Im not dancing around it she shouldnt have. But, lets see Buddy lied about Grady to get elected and now he is afraid of him one year before the election. And, fraud you say? David Burleson can be hit with obstruction of justice in the Anderson matter. To keep you from having to type it the students may get hit with filming in a locker room.I still want Burleson to pay he lied on law enforcement.If a man will lie he will steal.
To the above about salaries.I have never had a problem with what the state says we must pay these people whether I like them or not.It is the above and beyond I disagree with.
All these talks of possible lawsuits ! I am ready to see some one grow some balls and make one instead of threats threats threats. Do it or shut the crap up!
It is my understanding that the State pays the recommended salaries based on education and experience for these positions, and if the administration recommends that we pay these employees more than the State recommended wage, then the Local Current Expense budget is what funds the extra wages (i.e. their supplement). So, if the State says Dr. Scott Smith should make $110k, for example, but Burleson recommends that he make $130k, and Buddy, Ray, Sam, Andy and Bill all go along with that, then the extra $20k comes from our local expense budget funded by the Burke County taxpayers.
It is also my understanding that the travel allowances come from the local expense budget.
Hence, the previous whining about the salary SUPPLEMENTS and travel allowances of BCPS administrators.
Yes and I do not think this board will use local funds to pad administrators salaries. Scott Smith is listed as a principal 9 if I am correct, how can this be?
Central Office funds are the most flexible of all State allocations. You can only pay administration-type people out of those funds, but you could pay say an instructional coach out of those funds - thus freeing up teacher salary money to keep teachers in the classroom. You could pay certain EC positions out of that fund to free up EC money to pay another resource teacher.
So Nancy Taylor and David Burleson were speaking the truth. NOT filling the Associate Superintendent position (paid out of Central Office funds) could keep more teachers in the classroom. It's called "maximizing the use of state funds to keep our teachers teaching".
Whether or not any lawsuits are filed, explain to me how/why people should be proud they voted for the Fraud 5? Since being in office, they have voted against two respected administrators for Draughn, appointed someone who had NEVER been a head principal at the new high school, got one of the new board member's husband a higher paying job at EBMS (though they campaigned they were going to get rid of the "good ole boy system"), insulted citizens who dared speak before them at Board meetings, and now blame the administrators for the budget cuts.For those of you who are NOT savvy to the daily occurrences at BCPS, please just be aware of a few facts. When you ask David B. if he considers his relationship with the Board adversarial, he has little choice but to smile and change the subject. THEY SIGN HIS CONTRACT. If he said yes, they could fire him. Whether or not you support Burleson, at least recognize the stupidity of the situation. Rexanna Lowman and Doug Rhoney are obvious examples of what happens when you don't vote for them or support other candidates.
When you tell administrators that budget cuts have to come from somewhere and give them limited options, they do in fact have to agree to something. Board members, you ran for the office, you have to put up with the good, bad, and ugly, especially when you create the situation yourselves. Stop trying to blame others.
Whose fault was it when Tracy approached Scott Black after the Board had already approved a map?
Be honest with yourself and ask yourself if it was okay for her to privately approach him, receive the changes, not overtly discuss the changes, and then plan to have it signed! I'm not saying the old Board was perfect, but please don't be so naive to think that this Board is perfect.
I dont think they are perfect. For one I do not think they should respond when citizens speak.Tim Buff does it Ray Martinat done it.They do not need to speak especially when they may be angry.I think they should thank the speakers for there comments and go on.Nancy Taylor has a right to be friends and support whom she wants and so does everyone.I for one think Burleson stirs the pot from behind the counter.He seems to be afraid of Rick Sherrill for a lot of reasons. First, He ran East Burke great and most of the east would like to have somone in that central office who would support them.Second, Burleson was groomed by the Morganton Rotary Club to undercut Tony Stewart. Burleson is afraid Sherrill will do to him what he did to stewart. Was Stewart forced to hire Burleson? My answer is yes. The Superintendent learned at a recent law conference for schools that if the board will not support a recommendation he should not make that recommendation. Nancy Taylor and Caroline Avery could do to not always take everything they here from Burleson as gospel.And I do not believe anyone should take everything Buff says as gospel.
This Board is whom I supported but they must be careful.I do believe Burleson and Brackett are doing everything they can to test the current board. Burleson has Nancy Taylor and Caroline Avery speak for him and it does not seem to get anywhere. I hope this board will tighten the ropes on the administration and work with them but not for them.
PRO-ADMINISTRATION-To the people that keep making the pro-administration comments, you make it appear wrong to be pro-administration. Why? Why is is wrong to be supportive of the people who are responsible for making decisions that affect children? It would probably be wrong to actually support teachers, too, right? I would be curious to see a demographic breakdown of the people that voted in the last election. I would take a guess that lots of people with less education voted for Norman/Buff, not because they can identify with them (though they could), but because they are out to put educators and administrators in "their place". They should either get rid of these administrators (as they promised to do during campaign time) or work with them and listen to their input (that is what we're paying them for anyway).
A audit is coming. Watch and hide and see who runs. Its all coming to a head. Charlotte Observer is already speaking with the state on some issues because the News Herald would not dig into the problems.
Its not wrong to support the administration.It si questionable why no one believes they should be questioned.This board needs to focus on the teacher's,custodians,bus drivers,lunch lady's, support personel.These are the people who matter not the adminstration.One teacher who retired last year after 30 some years told me she has seen board's come and go and superintendents.It is the people who work in the trenches who usually stay the course no matter what.
I agree that teachers are the ones that are in the trenches on a daily basis. All I'm saying is that administrators can either make it harder or easier to be in the classroom. I want the Board to recognize good administrators and reward them for jobs well done, instead of placing people in positions because they will be the puppets of the board.
Tim and Tracy are big on "Buy in Burke", right? She even dressed up as the pink pig and marched in a parade or two.
So if they are so big on keeping the money here in the county, why are we paying attorney's fees (I believe the audio said $175 per hour!) to a Caldwell County lawyer?
One board member asked what Aycock was charging. I heard $250 per board meeting. I doubt the new guy will give BCPS a fee break. Let's see, a typical Buff-led meeting is 4 to 5 hours. The new guy will cost us over $700 per meeting! Now THAT'S what I call looking after the taxpayers!
Two Questions. 1. Is it true that our staff has not decreased in proportion to our enrollment? As the number of students decreases, why do we always need to keep the same number of staff members?
2. How many front-line staff members does $150k (approx cost of an Assoc Super's salary) fund? About three? So assuming what May 20 3:08pm says is true, we are not funding those three teacher/coach/tech support positions in lieu of paying an AS, so therefore the education of the students of Burke County falls apart? We fall apart over three positions? That's a stretch.
It makes me wonder why some are fighting so hard to keep an "outsider" from occupying the Assoc Super position. Do they not want the accountability?
"Maybe some people believe that this community is prone to gifts of telepathy, but here is my next prediction: Andy Hodges will be named basketball coach at Draughn, if not AD. Folks, it's not magic or supernatural powers. Everybody in "the community" knows it will happen as sure as we knew Mike Kenney was going to be named."
Where is this announcement? What about that ironclad political deal? Could it just be possible that all those predictions were just plain wrong?
Had Ms. Norman lived where she was suppose to live, and had she kept her nose out of the home of a potential litigant, the money would not have been spent.
Ms. Norman's entire term has been nothing short of tumultuous. She cannot keep herself out of trouble. That has been her 38-year history. Talk to members of her former churches. Talk to her ex-inlaws. Talk to anyone who knows her - really knows her.
So don't tell me the money was wasted. You haven't begun to see the drain on the line item for legal fees with this new board.
About the temporary attorney.Idiots he is temporary.It may be a good idea to go as far east down I-40 to find a decent by the book attorney.Not one the board can control and not one who becomes pals with ole dave burleson.AN attorney worth his salt would have cleared up the District Line issue in about a month.A good attorney would have advised Burleson not to investigate the theft incident and let an outside investigation took place. Hopefully the New board attorney will not be in the rotary club and will distance himself with being friends with board and administration.I do not believe burleson or brackett should have contact with the attorney unless the board or chairman authorizes such discussions. Maybe they should be audio recorded to keep intergrity of whom all may have concern with the legal powers that go with being on the board.
Aycock was Burleson and Brackett's attorney.Now they will have to pay him from their pockets not the citizens for their own personal legal advice. I do not think the next attorney should have a spouse working for BCPS.This can and does interfere with decision making. The next attorney should be a loner and not be involved with the politics of the system.
Oh me, I was coming back from chesterfield and saw David Burleson's picture on a billboard add for App State.Maybe he is working on his doctorate where he can leave dodge.
"So don't tell me the money was wasted. You haven't begun to see the drain on the line item for legal fees with this new board.
May 21, 2008 7:37 AM"
There you have it, folks. An Amour Team Member (or Armour himself) who will not lay down his pride long enough to admit that legal fees were wasted trying to oust Norman from the board.
This blogger skillfully neglected to mention the board's attempt to have her removed on hearsay evidence. Lowman and Burleson sent the teacher back in to question the student after school (alone - no parent present) - I hear on the advice of Aycock; they hired an Asheville attorney, sent a partial letter to the SBE for their review, etc. etc.
We could have funded at least one teaching job for a year for the money spent on that fiasco.
I don't recall reading a Caroline Avery letter to the editor about that. Oh, yeah, should wouldn't be outraged by that expense because she's an honorary member of the Armour-Wilkinson-Martinat-Brandon-Simmons-Burleson-Brackett-Demiter-Club.
I guess we all gripe about the things our political rivals do, not what our own team does. That seems a bit disingenuous (insincere, politically motivated, deceitful and hypocritical), doesn't it?
"Had Ms. Norman lived where she was suppose to live, and had she kept her nose out of the home of a potential litigant, the money would not have been spent. May 21, 2008 7:37 AM"
First, her temporary living arrangement was, in fact, in the Western district. And even if it wasn't, how about this really inexpensive approach to solving the issue.
Martinat to Norman, "Um, Tracy, someone asked me about the possibility of you living out of district. We need to check on that with the mapping department, and if you are indeed living out of district, any chance you can make arrangements to move back into the Western district within the next 30 days or so?"
But, no, the board chairman goes to the News Herald with the allegation, not to Norman, and the legal team gets involved. Cha Ching! You're so right, Buddy, no wasted money there.
Maybe Tracy could have said to Hairfield, "Hey, I have a great idea about the district lines". But no, she decided to take it upon herself to go by the mapping office and get a secret map. Harifield should be happy that his fellow members have so much faith in him.
Some one need to tell tracy what a christian leader is. maybe even the word integrity or accountability. But then again, she is a fradulent christian as well. just another nice name to carry in your lie of a life.
It is amazing ...the things that adults will post here under the veil of anonymity. This, of course, would include my own post. There really is a bit of irony that the players on both sides of the issues do so publicly, while us cowards make accusations and question motives and character anonymously. Nearly 100% (including Ray) stir the pot without revealing who we are. Ray...reveal yourself and require the rest of us to do the same. We all claim integrity and accountability as things that are sooooo important to us. So let's prove it. Just think of the difference that being accountable for what is posted here will make. Then we can have an honest and open debate. C'mon let's have some character here....enough with cowardice. Ray...it's your blog. You go first, and make the changes necessary for posting. Character is what we are when no one is looking.
To tell you the truth, the "Buff-oons" would like an explanation of the apparent switcheroo with the new district map/lines. Ms. Norman's silence during the meeting about the issue was puzzling. Hopefully there's a forthcoming reasonable explanation that will clear it up for all of us - Buff-oons and Buddy Clubbers alike.
To: May 19,2008, 6:32 PM ab 1381(LAUSD) was ruled unconstitutioal by a second California appelate court in April of 2007.
In North Carolina, school boards are elected and cannot be appointed, nor can their powers be transferred to entities like The Council of Mayors as the bill tried to do in LA County.
To 4:44 am How dare you preach to the rest of us and challage Ray to come forth first. Why don't YOU come forth first and I promise the rest of us will follow.
Anonymous said... Tonight was the big one for personnel. Whose contract was renewed and whose was not? Or was all of the time spent on the district lines?
May 19, 2008 5:52 PM
Anonymous said... SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Superintendent of Education Robert E. Schiller today voiced his support for the Venice Financial Oversight Panel’s action to remove incumbent members of the Venice CUSD #3 (Madison County) school board effective immediately. During a special meeting today, the FOP rejected the school board’s proposed district budget because it was not in balance and under authority granted by statute took the unprecedented step of removing the school board members. The district board had previously received two deadline extensions to produce a balanced budget for submission to the FOP.
In a statement released today, Schiller stated his support for the FOP decision.
“The Venice Financial Oversight Panel has taken a hard but necessary step today under law with the removal of the Venice School District Board of Education. The challenge of restoring academic and financial order to the Venice schools is a huge one, and the State Board of Education will continue to work with the FOP, the Regional Office of Education and the community in trying to see what long-term solution can de developed for the Venice district. We want to assure parents and others that throughout this process the FOP members and ISBE will keep the welfare of the students as their first priority.”
May 19, 2008 6:29 PM
Anonymous said... School Board Member Faces Removal After Lying About Education By Stephen Dean
POSTED: 2:32 pm CDT May 14, 2008 UPDATED: 3:02 pm CDT May 14, 2008
HOUSTON -- An Alief Independent School District trustee faces removal from his elected office after pleading guilty to a crime that was caught on videotape.
Local 2 Investigates first aired video showing the board member committing the crime on Dec. 21, 2007. The video from an Alief ISD graduation ceremony shows board member Edgar Dansby III, 51, wearing a special robe that signified that he had a degree from Southern Methodist University.
Harris County prosecutors, however, said he only had a high school education. He was charged with abuse of office because he filled out paperwork to have the school district spend tax money to rent that prestigious robe for graduation ceremonies each year.
May 19, 2008 6:31 PM
Anonymous said... CHECK THIS OUT!!! Specifically, AB 1381: Removes power from the Board of Education and gives it to the superintendent. The superintendent is permitted to request state waivers, hire and fire principals, negotiate and execute contracts, locate and close schools, and manage all personnel. The school board still retains the sole authority to use eminent domain, place taxes and bonds on the ballot, and negotiate with the unions.
BURKE COUNTY LETS HEAD THIS WAY. PETITION ARE STARTING IN MOST CONVIENCE STORES - EXCLUDING BUFF's GROCERY & ADULTRY STORE
May 19, 2008 6:32 PM
Anonymous said... I seriously doubt it would happen or people would not have waited until nov to change the board. All pipe dreams.
May 19, 2008 7:11 PM
Anonymous said... I didnt think personel was handled til june, mainly contracts. What is Burleson trying to do now?
May 19, 2008 7:13 PM
Anonymous said... Uh, check the minutes. They do personnel every meeting.
May 19, 2008 9:27 PM
Mark III said... Mr. Burleson submitted the names for renewal last week for board approval on May 19th.
By law, if a contract is not going to be renewed, the individual MUST be notified by June 1. Obviously, the board did not act.
May 20, 2008 5:26 AM
Model 10 said... "Deception...fraud." Mr. Wilkinson hit the nail on the head. Not sure petitions will do much good. But our school system continues to be embarrassed by the antics of those who want power and attention instead of student prosperity. One scandal after another - that's all this new board has brought our students.
May 20, 2008 5:34 AM
Anonymous said... It should all be fine in a couple more weeks. With all the new NBCT's the EOG scores should be a huge improvement this year! Where are the party balloons?
May 20, 2008 6:05 AM
Anonymous said... Nancy Taylor is Susan Wilson's bestfriend she needs to take a hike. She is pro administration.Never anything but what David Burleson wants be it good or bad.
May 20, 2008 10:57 AM
Anonymous said... Did I hear that right? $19k of the previous Associate Superintendent's salary came from the Local Expense Budget, so the vast majority of the funds for an Assoc Super comes from State funds. So, it would be incorrect or misinformed at best, or deceptive or fraudulent at worst, to say that 5 board members have voted to use funds which could be used for 2nd grade teachers. It's a nice try for the Social Elite Pro-Administration Team to say that these awful, child-hating 5 board members prefer to use money for an Assoc Superintendent (against Mr. Burleson's wishes) instead of spending that money for teachers and coaches, but those pesky little facts get in the way. Let's see if the new editor of the News Herald will help to sort out the truth of the budget so Pro-Administration group won't be successful in their smear campaign based in incorrect information or their assumptions.
May 20, 2008 11:30 AM
Anonymous said... Speaking of the social elite pro-administration team, Caroline Avery (who was a Martinat-Brandon-Simmons-Huffman supporter)stated in her recent letter to the editor that...
"The new board approved (5-2) a budget that includes a new associate superintendent, despite Superintendent David Burleson's declaration that he can do without an associate superintendent during a lean budget year and his preference for maintaining funding for classroom instruction."
and
"They made these painful cuts to our students, yet they found a way to include a new, high-salaried position for associate superintendent."
Oops. The Central Office staff members are paid for with STATE FUNDS, so hiring an Associate Superintendent has no affect on replacing teachers, technical support, coaches and the like which are positions funded by our local expense budget.
Oops. The ADMINISTRATION recommended cutting 27 teaching positions through attrition by adding one additional child to some classrooms.
Oops. The Administration's recommended budget came in at 2.8 million dollars in the red, so the Board's finance committee had to roll up their sleeves and make the necessary budget cuts so we'll stop continue using so much of the fund balance year after year. Mr. Wilkinson is on that sub-committee, and he voted in favor of those recommendations.
May 20, 2008 11:54 AM
Anonymous said... After listening to the board meeting online, I think whoever changed the district lines on the map had better be careful. Also, I think Buddy Armour nor Rob Hairfield's comments about who they think the line was re-done for were appropriate. You should never call someone's names if you do not have the facts. Shame on Mr.Armour and Mr.Hairfield. You could lead yourself to a lawsuit if you are not careful. Mr Armour saying everyone knows why the line was redone for Bryan Grady was way out of line. Everyone knows how he lied against Grady to get re-elected now he is making more allegations against him. Is he afraid of Mr.Grady?
May 20, 2008 12:13 PM
Anonymous said... I think Buddy is out of control and will continue towards his own demise in lieu of the next election. We know the administration will work hard for Armour, or other mentioned candidates such as Caroline Avery,Robert Patton the 3rd,Trossie Wall or who knows who else and this is just for the central district.I do not see the citizens of Burke county going for any of these and holes will be poked in them if they file.
May 20, 2008 12:18 PM
Anonymous said... Administration made the recommendation that those positions be done away with? Wow. Nancy Taylor were you blindsided or did Susan Wilson put you up to making a fool out of yourself? I support your right to speak at board meetings and to be foolish in your undying love for the administration.You and Mrs.Avery had better become close friends where you can comfort one another when Burleson's contract is not renewed in 2010.
May 20, 2008 12:22 PM
Anonymous said... Mrs.Avery's letter to the editor is questionable.She has sent her children to private school most of their lives and her oldest was kicked out that is why he is at Freedom now. It is funny that she has to go monitor his whereabouts as he seems not to make it to the workouts sometimes.What does she owe David Burleson? She needs to straighten her own children out before concerning herself with BCPS children.
May 20, 2008 12:26 PM
Anonymous said... According to your description, Mrs. Avery sounds like she could be a board member, just like Tracy
May 20, 2008 1:54 PM
Anonymous said... "Oops. The Central Office staff members are paid for with STATE FUNDS, so hiring an Associate Superintendent has no affect on replacing teachers, technical support, coaches and the like which are positions funded by our local expense budget"
Oops. Why do we keep hearing how Steve Demiter, David Bureslon, Randal Bracket, and Scott Smith are over paid if it comes from State Funds with no affect of replacing teacher, technical support...
May 20, 2008 1:57 PM
Anonymous said... Why are you dancing around the fact the Tracy went behind the back of all board members and got herself another map to use instead of the one voted on by the board. Is this a case of the "elite" Tracy working hard for the people. Sounds more like fraud to me. Oops!
May 20, 2008 1:59 PM
Anonymous said... Im not dancing around it she shouldnt have. But, lets see Buddy lied about Grady to get elected and now he is afraid of him one year before the election. And, fraud you say? David Burleson can be hit with obstruction of justice in the Anderson matter. To keep you from having to type it the students may get hit with filming in a locker room.I still want Burleson to pay he lied on law enforcement.If a man will lie he will steal.
May 20, 2008 2:26 PM
Anonymous said... To the above about salaries.I have never had a problem with what the state says we must pay these people whether I like them or not.It is the above and beyond I disagree with.
May 20, 2008 2:29 PM
Anonymous said... All these talks of possible lawsuits ! I am ready to see some one grow some balls and make one instead of threats threats threats. Do it or shut the crap up!
May 20, 2008 2:46 PM
Anonymous said... Dear May 20, 1:57pm,
It is my understanding that the State pays the recommended salaries based on education and experience for these positions, and if the administration recommends that we pay these employees more than the State recommended wage, then the Local Current Expense budget is what funds the extra wages (i.e. their supplement). So, if the State says Dr. Scott Smith should make $110k, for example, but Burleson recommends that he make $130k, and Buddy, Ray, Sam, Andy and Bill all go along with that, then the extra $20k comes from our local expense budget funded by the Burke County taxpayers.
It is also my understanding that the travel allowances come from the local expense budget.
Hence, the previous whining about the salary SUPPLEMENTS and travel allowances of BCPS administrators.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
May 20, 2008 2:52 PM
Anonymous said... Yes and I do not think this board will use local funds to pad administrators salaries. Scott Smith is listed as a principal 9 if I am correct, how can this be?
May 20, 2008 3:04 PM
Model 10 said... Central Office funds are the most flexible of all State allocations. You can only pay administration-type people out of those funds, but you could pay say an instructional coach out of those funds - thus freeing up teacher salary money to keep teachers in the classroom. You could pay certain EC positions out of that fund to free up EC money to pay another resource teacher.
So Nancy Taylor and David Burleson were speaking the truth. NOT filling the Associate Superintendent position (paid out of Central Office funds) could keep more teachers in the classroom. It's called "maximizing the use of state funds to keep our teachers teaching".
I appreciate Ms. Taylor for speaking out.
You Buff-oons need to do more homework.
May 20, 2008 3:08 PM
Anonymous said... Whether or not any lawsuits are filed, explain to me how/why people should be proud they voted for the Fraud 5? Since being in office, they have voted against two respected administrators for Draughn, appointed someone who had NEVER been a head principal at the new high school, got one of the new board member's husband a higher paying job at EBMS (though they campaigned they were going to get rid of the "good ole boy system"), insulted citizens who dared speak before them at Board meetings, and now blame the administrators for the budget cuts.For those of you who are NOT savvy to the daily occurrences at BCPS, please just be aware of a few facts. When you ask David B. if he considers his relationship with the Board adversarial, he has little choice but to smile and change the subject. THEY SIGN HIS CONTRACT. If he said yes, they could fire him. Whether or not you support Burleson, at least recognize the stupidity of the situation. Rexanna Lowman and Doug Rhoney are obvious examples of what happens when you don't vote for them or support other candidates.
When you tell administrators that budget cuts have to come from somewhere and give them limited options, they do in fact have to agree to something. Board members, you ran for the office, you have to put up with the good, bad, and ugly, especially when you create the situation yourselves. Stop trying to blame others.
Whose fault was it when Tracy approached Scott Black after the Board had already approved a map?
Be honest with yourself and ask yourself if it was okay for her to privately approach him, receive the changes, not overtly discuss the changes, and then plan to have it signed! I'm not saying the old Board was perfect, but please don't be so naive to think that this Board is perfect.
May 20, 2008 3:09 PM
Anonymous said... I dont think they are perfect. For one I do not think they should respond when citizens speak.Tim Buff does it Ray Martinat done it.They do not need to speak especially when they may be angry.I think they should thank the speakers for there comments and go on.Nancy Taylor has a right to be friends and support whom she wants and so does everyone.I for one think Burleson stirs the pot from behind the counter.He seems to be afraid of Rick Sherrill for a lot of reasons. First, He ran East Burke great and most of the east would like to have somone in that central office who would support them.Second, Burleson was groomed by the Morganton Rotary Club to undercut Tony Stewart. Burleson is afraid Sherrill will do to him what he did to stewart. Was Stewart forced to hire Burleson? My answer is yes. The Superintendent learned at a recent law conference for schools that if the board will not support a recommendation he should not make that recommendation. Nancy Taylor and Caroline Avery could do to not always take everything they here from Burleson as gospel.And I do not believe anyone should take everything Buff says as gospel.
May 20, 2008 3:20 PM
Anonymous said... This Board is whom I supported but they must be careful.I do believe Burleson and Brackett are doing everything they can to test the current board. Burleson has Nancy Taylor and Caroline Avery speak for him and it does not seem to get anywhere. I hope this board will tighten the ropes on the administration and work with them but not for them.
May 20, 2008 3:24 PM
Anonymous said... Burleson and Brackett must go pronto!
May 20, 2008 3:25 PM
Anonymous said... PRO-ADMINISTRATION-To the people that keep making the pro-administration comments, you make it appear wrong to be pro-administration. Why? Why is is wrong to be supportive of the people who are responsible for making decisions that affect children? It would probably be wrong to actually support teachers, too, right? I would be curious to see a demographic breakdown of the people that voted in the last election. I would take a guess that lots of people with less education voted for Norman/Buff, not because they can identify with them (though they could), but because they are out to put educators and administrators in "their place". They should either get rid of these administrators (as they promised to do during campaign time) or work with them and listen to their input (that is what we're paying them for anyway).
May 20, 2008 4:04 PM
Anonymous said... A audit is coming. Watch and hide and see who runs. Its all coming to a head. Charlotte Observer is already speaking with the state on some issues because the News Herald would not dig into the problems.
May 20, 2008 4:09 PM
Anonymous said... Its not wrong to support the administration.It si questionable why no one believes they should be questioned.This board needs to focus on the teacher's,custodians,bus drivers,lunch lady's, support personel.These are the people who matter not the adminstration.One teacher who retired last year after 30 some years told me she has seen board's come and go and superintendents.It is the people who work in the trenches who usually stay the course no matter what.
May 20, 2008 4:34 PM
Anonymous said... I agree that teachers are the ones that are in the trenches on a daily basis. All I'm saying is that administrators can either make it harder or easier to be in the classroom. I want the Board to recognize good administrators and reward them for jobs well done, instead of placing people in positions because they will be the puppets of the board.
May 20, 2008 6:06 PM
Anonymous said... You dont think this has happened in the past?
May 20, 2008 6:16 PM
Wadcutter said... Tim and Tracy are big on "Buy in Burke", right? She even dressed up as the pink pig and marched in a parade or two.
So if they are so big on keeping the money here in the county, why are we paying attorney's fees (I believe the audio said $175 per hour!) to a Caldwell County lawyer?
One board member asked what Aycock was charging. I heard $250 per board meeting. I doubt the new guy will give BCPS a fee break. Let's see, a typical Buff-led meeting is 4 to 5 hours. The new guy will cost us over $700 per meeting! Now THAT'S what I call looking after the taxpayers!
May 20, 2008 8:29 PM
Anonymous said... Yes....you're right. A better use of tax money was the thousands spent last year to try and remove Ms Norman from the board. Frugal.....and Brilliant!
May 21, 2008 4:29 AM
Anonymous said... Two Questions. 1. Is it true that our staff has not decreased in proportion to our enrollment? As the number of students decreases, why do we always need to keep the same number of staff members?
2. How many front-line staff members does $150k (approx cost of an Assoc Super's salary) fund? About three? So assuming what May 20 3:08pm says is true, we are not funding those three teacher/coach/tech support positions in lieu of paying an AS, so therefore the education of the students of Burke County falls apart? We fall apart over three positions? That's a stretch.
It makes me wonder why some are fighting so hard to keep an "outsider" from occupying the Assoc Super position. Do they not want the accountability?
May 21, 2008 5:38 AM
Anonymous said... My guess for #1 is that bcps is openning new schools. More schools more = more people to run the schools.
As for #2, this is one of many decisions people are upset with.
May 21, 2008 6:07 AM
Anonymous said... "Maybe some people believe that this community is prone to gifts of telepathy, but here is my next prediction: Andy Hodges will be named basketball coach at Draughn, if not AD. Folks, it's not magic or supernatural powers. Everybody in "the community" knows it will happen as sure as we knew Mike Kenney was going to be named."
Where is this announcement? What about that ironclad political deal? Could it just be possible that all those predictions were just plain wrong?
May 21, 2008 7:37 AM
Wadcutter said... To May 21, 4:29:
Had Ms. Norman lived where she was suppose to live, and had she kept her nose out of the home of a potential litigant, the money would not have been spent.
Ms. Norman's entire term has been nothing short of tumultuous. She cannot keep herself out of trouble. That has been her 38-year history. Talk to members of her former churches. Talk to her ex-inlaws. Talk to anyone who knows her - really knows her.
So don't tell me the money was wasted. You haven't begun to see the drain on the line item for legal fees with this new board.
May 21, 2008 7:37 AM
Anonymous said... About the temporary attorney.Idiots he is temporary.It may be a good idea to go as far east down I-40 to find a decent by the book attorney.Not one the board can control and not one who becomes pals with ole dave burleson.AN attorney worth his salt would have cleared up the District Line issue in about a month.A good attorney would have advised Burleson not to investigate the theft incident and let an outside investigation took place. Hopefully the New board attorney will not be in the rotary club and will distance himself with being friends with board and administration.I do not believe burleson or brackett should have contact with the attorney unless the board or chairman authorizes such discussions. Maybe they should be audio recorded to keep intergrity of whom all may have concern with the legal powers that go with being on the board.
May 21, 2008 8:56 AM
Anonymous said... Aycock was Burleson and Brackett's attorney.Now they will have to pay him from their pockets not the citizens for their own personal legal advice. I do not think the next attorney should have a spouse working for BCPS.This can and does interfere with decision making. The next attorney should be a loner and not be involved with the politics of the system.
May 21, 2008 9:01 AM
Anonymous said... Oh me, I was coming back from chesterfield and saw David Burleson's picture on a billboard add for App State.Maybe he is working on his doctorate where he can leave dodge.
May 21, 2008 9:03 AM
Anonymous said... "So don't tell me the money was wasted. You haven't begun to see the drain on the line item for legal fees with this new board.
May 21, 2008 7:37 AM"
There you have it, folks. An Amour Team Member (or Armour himself) who will not lay down his pride long enough to admit that legal fees were wasted trying to oust Norman from the board.
This blogger skillfully neglected to mention the board's attempt to have her removed on hearsay evidence. Lowman and Burleson sent the teacher back in to question the student after school (alone - no parent present) - I hear on the advice of Aycock; they hired an Asheville attorney, sent a partial letter to the SBE for their review, etc. etc.
We could have funded at least one teaching job for a year for the money spent on that fiasco.
I don't recall reading a Caroline Avery letter to the editor about that. Oh, yeah, should wouldn't be outraged by that expense because she's an honorary member of the Armour-Wilkinson-Martinat-Brandon-Simmons-Burleson-Brackett-Demiter-Club.
I guess we all gripe about the things our political rivals do, not what our own team does. That seems a bit disingenuous (insincere, politically motivated, deceitful and hypocritical), doesn't it?
May 21, 2008 9:31 AM
Anonymous said... "Had Ms. Norman lived where she was suppose to live, and had she kept her nose out of the home of a potential litigant, the money would not have been spent. May 21, 2008 7:37 AM"
First, her temporary living arrangement was, in fact, in the Western district. And even if it wasn't, how about this really inexpensive approach to solving the issue.
Martinat to Norman, "Um, Tracy, someone asked me about the possibility of you living out of district. We need to check on that with the mapping department, and if you are indeed living out of district, any chance you can make arrangements to move back into the Western district within the next 30 days or so?"
But, no, the board chairman goes to the News Herald with the allegation, not to Norman, and the legal team gets involved. Cha Ching! You're so right, Buddy, no wasted money there.
May 21, 2008 9:40 AM
Anonymous said... Maybe Tracy could have said to Hairfield, "Hey, I have a great idea about the district lines". But no, she decided to take it upon herself to go by the mapping office and get a secret map. Harifield should be happy that his fellow members have so much faith in him.
May 21, 2008 1:52 PM
Anonymous said... Some one need to tell tracy what a christian leader is. maybe even the word integrity or accountability. But then again, she is a fradulent christian as well. just another nice name to carry in your lie of a life.
May 22, 2008 12:44 AM
Anonymous said... It is amazing ...the things that adults will post here under the veil of anonymity. This, of course, would include my own post. There really is a bit of irony that the players on both sides of the issues do so publicly, while us cowards make accusations and question motives and character anonymously. Nearly 100% (including Ray) stir the pot without revealing who we are. Ray...reveal yourself and require the rest of us to do the same. We all claim integrity and accountability as things that are sooooo important to us. So let's prove it. Just think of the difference that being accountable for what is posted here will make. Then we can have an honest and open debate. C'mon let's have some character here....enough with cowardice. Ray...it's your blog. You go first, and make the changes necessary for posting. Character is what we are when no one is looking.
May 22, 2008 4:44 AM
Anonymous said... REF: "But then again, she is a fradulent christian as well"
AND YOU ARE A - WHAT ?
It is indeed amazing what people will post here under the veil of anonymity...
May 22, 2008 6:03 AM
Anonymous said... To tell you the truth, the "Buff-oons" would like an explanation of the apparent switcheroo with the new district map/lines. Ms. Norman's silence during the meeting about the issue was puzzling. Hopefully there's a forthcoming reasonable explanation that will clear it up for all of us - Buff-oons and Buddy Clubbers alike.
May 22, 2008 10:05 AM
Anonymous said... forthcoming...possible.
reasonable....forget it !
May 22, 2008 10:36 AM
Anonymous said... To: May 19,2008, 6:32 PM ab 1381(LAUSD) was ruled unconstitutioal by a second California appelate court in April of 2007.
In North Carolina, school boards are elected and cannot be appointed, nor can their powers be transferred to entities like The Council of Mayors as the bill tried to do in LA County.
May 22, 2008 2:00 PM
Anonymous said... To 4:44 am How dare you preach to the rest of us and challage Ray to come forth first. Why don't YOU come forth first and I promise the rest of us will follow.
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.
to blogger 4:44.......Have you read the book??? From the sound of your comments you are doing another "Tracy Norman Act" - making comments when you don't know what you are talking about. I for one do not want Tracy Norman making decisions about my children's best interest.....she needs to look at her own messed up family life before trying to be a role model for my children.....I want my children to have NO contact with Tracy Norman!!! I don't want Tracy Norman leading my children down the same path she has led her son that has had MANY criminal charges as a teenager.....Yea..Tracy Norman is wonderful........gag!!!
Contracts are up on Friday for many employee's in Bcps. Here are some to name a few. Pat Draughn assitant principal-east burke rumor is Burleson wants to move him to Draughn high as assistant principal and athletic director. Brian Oliver Principal Freedom Bob Accord Principal Valdese Elem. Robert Murray Principal East Alter. Shane Mace Ray Childers Larry Putnamn Chesterfield
these are rumored to be a few. What is your thoughts?
I heard the board did not deal with conracts at the board meeting because they were waiting to hire a lawyer. Rumor is they will deal with contracts today with the lawyer present. It doesn't sound very good.
Well, whether or not they renew certain ones or all it is good buisness sense to have an attorney present.With the view of an outsider who has no ties to Burke Schools, it may be interesting to hear some of his legal expertiece.This attorney is temporary.
Would you do any contract without an attorney present? If certain people do not get renewed it will send a strong message that this is not the good ole boys system. This board is off its rocker if it renews Robert Murray. The childern at his school walk the streets and smoke and do practically what they want.Many citizens and the mayor of hilderbran have talked to Burleson till they are blue in the face.This man can not run a school.
hey lets get real the burke county board of education is all about capital gain for them selves,heck you call out there to talk to anyone at the board of education and they are allways gone to lunch,out of town,or cant be reached,and these are the ones who want to play boss over our children,and as far as renewing a contract i would throw them all out exspecially burleson and start over.
76 comments:
Tonight was the big one for personnel. Whose contract was renewed and whose was not? Or was all of the time spent on the district lines?
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Superintendent of Education Robert E. Schiller today voiced his support for the Venice Financial Oversight Panel’s action to remove incumbent members of the Venice CUSD #3 (Madison County) school board effective immediately. During a special meeting today, the FOP rejected the school board’s proposed district budget because it was not in balance and under authority granted by statute took the unprecedented step of removing the school board members. The district board had previously received two deadline extensions to produce a balanced budget for submission to the FOP.
In a statement released today, Schiller stated his support for the FOP decision.
“The Venice Financial Oversight Panel has taken a hard but necessary step today under law with the removal of the Venice School District Board of Education. The challenge of restoring academic and financial order to the Venice schools is a huge one, and the State Board of Education will continue to work with the FOP, the Regional Office of Education and the community in trying to see what long-term solution can de developed for the Venice district. We want to assure parents and others that throughout this process the FOP members and ISBE will keep the welfare of the students as their first priority.”
School Board Member Faces Removal After Lying About Education
By Stephen Dean
POSTED: 2:32 pm CDT May 14, 2008
UPDATED: 3:02 pm CDT May 14, 2008
HOUSTON -- An Alief Independent School District trustee faces removal from his elected office after pleading guilty to a crime that was caught on videotape.
Local 2 Investigates first aired video showing the board member committing the crime on Dec. 21, 2007. The video from an Alief ISD graduation ceremony shows board member Edgar Dansby III, 51, wearing a special robe that signified that he had a degree from Southern Methodist University.
Harris County prosecutors, however, said he only had a high school education. He was charged with abuse of office because he filled out paperwork to have the school district spend tax money to rent that prestigious robe for graduation ceremonies each year.
CHECK THIS OUT!!!
Specifically, AB 1381:
Removes power from the Board of Education and gives it to the superintendent. The superintendent is permitted to request state waivers, hire and fire principals, negotiate and execute contracts, locate and close schools, and manage all personnel. The school board still retains the sole authority to use eminent domain, place taxes and bonds on the ballot, and negotiate with the unions.
BURKE COUNTY LETS HEAD THIS WAY. PETITION ARE STARTING IN MOST CONVIENCE STORES - EXCLUDING BUFF's GROCERY & ADULTRY STORE
I seriously doubt it would happen or people would not have waited until nov to change the board. All pipe dreams.
I didnt think personel was handled til june, mainly contracts. What is Burleson trying to do now?
Uh, check the minutes. They do personnel every meeting.
Mr. Burleson submitted the names for renewal last week for board approval on May 19th.
By law, if a contract is not going to be renewed, the individual MUST be notified by June 1. Obviously, the board did not act.
"Deception...fraud." Mr. Wilkinson hit the nail on the head.
Not sure petitions will do much good. But our school system continues to be embarrassed by the antics of those who want power and attention instead of student prosperity. One scandal after another - that's all this new board has brought our students.
It should all be fine in a couple more weeks. With all the new NBCT's the EOG scores should be a huge improvement this year! Where are the party balloons?
Nancy Taylor is Susan Wilson's bestfriend she needs to take a hike. She is pro administration.Never anything but what David Burleson wants be it good or bad.
Did I hear that right? $19k of the previous Associate Superintendent's salary came from the Local Expense Budget, so the vast majority of the funds for an Assoc Super comes from State funds.
So, it would be incorrect or misinformed at best, or deceptive or fraudulent at worst, to say that 5 board members have voted to use funds which could be used for 2nd grade teachers.
It's a nice try for the Social Elite Pro-Administration Team to say that these awful, child-hating 5 board members prefer to use money for an Assoc Superintendent (against Mr. Burleson's wishes) instead of spending that money for teachers and coaches, but those pesky little facts get in the way.
Let's see if the new editor of the News Herald will help to sort out the truth of the budget so Pro-Administration group won't be successful in their smear campaign based in incorrect information or their assumptions.
Speaking of the social elite pro-administration team, Caroline Avery (who was a Martinat-Brandon-Simmons-Huffman supporter)stated in her recent letter to the editor that...
"The new board approved (5-2) a budget that includes a new associate superintendent, despite Superintendent David Burleson's declaration that he can do without an associate superintendent during a lean budget year and his preference for maintaining funding for classroom instruction."
and
"They made these painful cuts to our students, yet they found a way to include a new, high-salaried position for associate superintendent."
Oops. The Central Office staff members are paid for with STATE FUNDS, so hiring an Associate Superintendent has no affect on replacing teachers, technical support, coaches and the like which are positions funded by our local expense budget.
Oops. The ADMINISTRATION recommended cutting 27 teaching positions through attrition by adding one additional child to some classrooms.
Oops. The Administration's recommended budget came in at 2.8 million dollars in the red, so the Board's finance committee had to roll up their sleeves and make the necessary budget cuts so we'll stop continue using so much of the fund balance year after year. Mr. Wilkinson is on that sub-committee, and he voted in favor of those recommendations.
After listening to the board meeting online, I think whoever changed the district lines on the map had better be careful. Also, I think Buddy Armour nor Rob Hairfield's comments about who they think the line was re-done for were appropriate. You should never call someone's names if you do not have the facts. Shame on Mr.Armour and Mr.Hairfield. You could lead yourself to a lawsuit if you are not careful. Mr Armour saying everyone knows why the line was redone for Bryan Grady was way out of line. Everyone knows how he lied against Grady to get re-elected now he is making more allegations against him. Is he afraid of Mr.Grady?
I think Buddy is out of control and will continue towards his own demise in lieu of the next election. We know the administration will work hard for Armour, or other mentioned candidates such as Caroline Avery,Robert Patton the 3rd,Trossie Wall or who knows who else and this is just for the central district.I do not see the citizens of Burke county going for any of these and holes will be poked in them if they file.
Administration made the recommendation that those positions be done away with? Wow. Nancy Taylor were you blindsided or did Susan Wilson put you up to making a fool out of yourself? I support your right to speak at board meetings and to be foolish in your undying love for the administration.You and Mrs.Avery had better become close friends where you can comfort one another when Burleson's contract is not renewed in 2010.
Mrs.Avery's letter to the editor is questionable.She has sent her children to private school most of their lives and her oldest was kicked out that is why he is at Freedom now. It is funny that she has to go monitor his whereabouts as he seems not to make it to the workouts sometimes.What does she owe David Burleson? She needs to straighten her own children out before concerning herself with BCPS children.
According to your description, Mrs. Avery sounds like she could be a board member, just like Tracy
"Oops. The Central Office staff members are paid for with STATE FUNDS, so hiring an Associate Superintendent has no affect on replacing teachers, technical support, coaches and the like which are positions funded by our local expense budget"
Oops. Why do we keep hearing how Steve Demiter, David Bureslon, Randal Bracket, and Scott Smith are over paid if it comes from State Funds with no affect of replacing teacher, technical support...
Why are you dancing around the fact the Tracy went behind the back of all board members and got herself another map to use instead of the one voted on by the board. Is this a case of the "elite" Tracy working hard for the people. Sounds more like fraud to me. Oops!
Im not dancing around it she shouldnt have. But, lets see Buddy lied about Grady to get elected and now he is afraid of him one year before the election. And, fraud you say? David Burleson can be hit with obstruction of justice in the Anderson matter. To keep you from having to type it the students may get hit with filming in a locker room.I still want Burleson to pay he lied on law enforcement.If a man will lie he will steal.
To the above about salaries.I have never had a problem with what the state says we must pay these people whether I like them or not.It is the above and beyond I disagree with.
All these talks of possible lawsuits ! I am ready to see some one grow some balls and make one instead of threats threats threats. Do it or shut the crap up!
Dear May 20, 1:57pm,
It is my understanding that the State pays the recommended salaries based on education and experience for these positions, and if the administration recommends that we pay these employees more than the State recommended wage, then the Local Current Expense budget is what funds the extra wages (i.e. their supplement). So, if the State says Dr. Scott Smith should make $110k, for example, but Burleson recommends that he make $130k, and Buddy, Ray, Sam, Andy and Bill all go along with that, then the extra $20k comes from our local expense budget funded by the Burke County taxpayers.
It is also my understanding that the travel allowances come from the local expense budget.
Hence, the previous whining about the salary SUPPLEMENTS and travel allowances of BCPS administrators.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Yes and I do not think this board will use local funds to pad administrators salaries. Scott Smith is listed as a principal 9 if I am correct, how can this be?
Central Office funds are the most flexible of all State allocations. You can only pay administration-type people out of those funds, but you could pay say an instructional coach out of those funds - thus freeing up teacher salary money to keep teachers in the classroom. You could pay certain EC positions out of that fund to free up EC money to pay another resource teacher.
So Nancy Taylor and David Burleson were speaking the truth. NOT filling the Associate Superintendent position (paid out of Central Office funds) could keep more teachers in the classroom. It's called "maximizing the use of state funds to keep our teachers teaching".
I appreciate Ms. Taylor for speaking out.
You Buff-oons need to do more homework.
Whether or not any lawsuits are filed, explain to me how/why people should be proud they voted for the Fraud 5? Since being in office, they have voted against two respected administrators for Draughn, appointed someone who had NEVER been a head principal at the new high school, got one of the new board member's husband a higher paying job at EBMS (though they campaigned they were going to get rid of the "good ole boy system"), insulted citizens who dared speak before them at Board meetings, and now blame the administrators for the budget cuts.For those of you who are NOT savvy to the daily occurrences at BCPS, please just be aware of a few facts. When you ask David B. if he considers his relationship with the Board adversarial, he has little choice but to smile and change the subject. THEY SIGN HIS CONTRACT. If he said yes, they could fire him. Whether or not you support Burleson, at least recognize the stupidity of the situation. Rexanna Lowman and Doug Rhoney are obvious examples of what happens when you don't vote for them or support other candidates.
When you tell administrators that budget cuts have to come from somewhere and give them limited options, they do in fact have to agree to something. Board members, you ran for the office, you have to put up with the good, bad, and ugly, especially when you create the situation yourselves. Stop trying to blame others.
Whose fault was it when Tracy approached Scott Black after the Board had already approved a map?
Be honest with yourself and ask yourself if it was okay for her to privately approach him, receive the changes, not overtly discuss the changes, and then plan to have it signed! I'm not saying the old Board was perfect, but please don't be so naive to think that this Board is perfect.
I dont think they are perfect. For one I do not think they should respond when citizens speak.Tim Buff does it Ray Martinat done it.They do not need to speak especially when they may be angry.I think they should thank the speakers for there comments and go on.Nancy Taylor has a right to be friends and support whom she wants and so does everyone.I for one think Burleson stirs the pot from behind the counter.He seems to be afraid of Rick Sherrill for a lot of reasons. First, He ran East Burke great and most of the east would like to have somone in that central office who would support them.Second, Burleson was groomed by the Morganton Rotary Club to undercut Tony Stewart. Burleson is afraid Sherrill will do to him what he did to stewart. Was Stewart forced to hire Burleson? My answer is yes. The Superintendent learned at a recent law conference for schools that if the board will not support a recommendation he should not make that recommendation. Nancy Taylor and Caroline Avery could do to not always take everything they here from Burleson as gospel.And I do not believe anyone should take everything Buff says as gospel.
This Board is whom I supported but they must be careful.I do believe Burleson and Brackett are doing everything they can to test the current board. Burleson has Nancy Taylor and Caroline Avery speak for him and it does not seem to get anywhere. I hope this board will tighten the ropes on the administration and work with them but not for them.
Burleson and Brackett must go pronto!
PRO-ADMINISTRATION-To the people that keep making the pro-administration comments, you make it appear wrong to be pro-administration. Why? Why is is wrong to be supportive of the people who are responsible for making decisions that affect children? It would probably be wrong to actually support teachers, too, right? I would be curious to see a demographic breakdown of the people that voted in the last election. I would take a guess that lots of people with less education voted for Norman/Buff, not because they can identify with them (though they could), but because they are out to put educators and administrators in "their place". They should either get rid of these administrators (as they promised to do during campaign time) or work with them and listen to their input (that is what we're paying them for anyway).
A audit is coming. Watch and hide and see who runs. Its all coming to a head. Charlotte Observer is already speaking with the state on some issues because the News Herald would not dig into the problems.
Its not wrong to support the administration.It si questionable why no one believes they should be questioned.This board needs to focus on the teacher's,custodians,bus drivers,lunch lady's, support personel.These are the people who matter not the adminstration.One teacher who retired last year after 30 some years told me she has seen board's come and go and superintendents.It is the people who work in the trenches who usually stay the course no matter what.
I agree that teachers are the ones that are in the trenches on a daily basis. All I'm saying is that administrators can either make it harder or easier to be in the classroom. I want the Board to recognize good administrators and reward them for jobs well done, instead of placing people in positions because they will be the puppets of the board.
You dont think this has happened in the past?
Tim and Tracy are big on "Buy in Burke", right? She even dressed up as the pink pig and marched in a parade or two.
So if they are so big on keeping the money here in the county, why are we paying attorney's fees (I believe the audio said $175 per hour!) to a Caldwell County lawyer?
One board member asked what Aycock was charging. I heard $250 per board meeting. I doubt the new guy will give BCPS a fee break. Let's see, a typical Buff-led meeting is 4 to 5 hours. The new guy will cost us over $700 per meeting! Now THAT'S what I call looking after the taxpayers!
Yes....you're right. A better use of tax money was the thousands spent last year to try and remove Ms Norman from the board. Frugal.....and Brilliant!
Two Questions.
1. Is it true that our staff has not decreased in proportion to our enrollment? As the number of students decreases, why do we always need to keep the same number of staff members?
2. How many front-line staff members does $150k (approx cost of an Assoc Super's salary) fund? About three? So assuming what May 20 3:08pm says is true, we are not funding those three teacher/coach/tech support positions in lieu of paying an AS, so therefore the education of the students of Burke County falls apart? We fall apart over three positions? That's a stretch.
It makes me wonder why some are fighting so hard to keep an "outsider" from occupying the Assoc Super position. Do they not want the accountability?
My guess for #1 is that bcps is openning new schools. More schools more = more people to run the schools.
As for #2, this is one of many decisions people are upset with.
"Maybe some people believe that this community is prone to gifts of telepathy, but here is my next prediction: Andy Hodges will be named basketball coach at Draughn, if not AD. Folks, it's not magic or supernatural powers. Everybody in "the community" knows it will happen as sure as we knew Mike Kenney was going to be named."
Where is this announcement? What about that ironclad political deal? Could it just be possible that all those predictions were just plain wrong?
To May 21, 4:29:
Had Ms. Norman lived where she was suppose to live, and had she kept her nose out of the home of a potential litigant, the money would not have been spent.
Ms. Norman's entire term has been nothing short of tumultuous. She cannot keep herself out of trouble. That has been her 38-year history. Talk to members of her former churches. Talk to her ex-inlaws. Talk to anyone who knows her - really knows her.
So don't tell me the money was wasted. You haven't begun to see the drain on the line item for legal fees with this new board.
About the temporary attorney.Idiots he is temporary.It may be a good idea to go as far east down I-40 to find a decent by the book attorney.Not one the board can control and not one who becomes pals with ole dave burleson.AN attorney worth his salt would have cleared up the District Line issue in about a month.A good attorney would have advised Burleson not to investigate the theft incident and let an outside investigation took place. Hopefully the New board attorney will not be in the rotary club and will distance himself with being friends with board and administration.I do not believe burleson or brackett should have contact with the attorney unless the board or chairman authorizes such discussions. Maybe they should be audio recorded to keep intergrity of whom all may have concern with the legal powers that go with being on the board.
Aycock was Burleson and Brackett's attorney.Now they will have to pay him from their pockets not the citizens for their own personal legal advice. I do not think the next attorney should have a spouse working for BCPS.This can and does interfere with decision making. The next attorney should be a loner and not be involved with the politics of the system.
Oh me, I was coming back from chesterfield and saw David Burleson's picture on a billboard add for App State.Maybe he is working on his doctorate where he can leave dodge.
"So don't tell me the money was wasted. You haven't begun to see the drain on the line item for legal fees with this new board.
May 21, 2008 7:37 AM"
There you have it, folks. An Amour Team Member (or Armour himself) who will not lay down his pride long enough to admit that legal fees were wasted trying to oust Norman from the board.
This blogger skillfully neglected to mention the board's attempt to have her removed on hearsay evidence. Lowman and Burleson sent the teacher back in to question the student after school (alone - no parent present) - I hear on the advice of Aycock; they hired an Asheville attorney, sent a partial letter to the SBE for their review, etc. etc.
We could have funded at least one teaching job for a year for the money spent on that fiasco.
I don't recall reading a Caroline Avery letter to the editor about that. Oh, yeah, should wouldn't be outraged by that expense because she's an honorary member of the Armour-Wilkinson-Martinat-Brandon-Simmons-Burleson-Brackett-Demiter-Club.
I guess we all gripe about the things our political rivals do, not what our own team does. That seems a bit disingenuous (insincere, politically motivated, deceitful and hypocritical), doesn't it?
"Had Ms. Norman lived where she was suppose to live, and had she kept her nose out of the home of a potential litigant, the money would not have been spent.
May 21, 2008 7:37 AM"
First, her temporary living arrangement was, in fact, in the Western district. And even if it wasn't, how about this really inexpensive approach to solving the issue.
Martinat to Norman, "Um, Tracy, someone asked me about the possibility of you living out of district. We need to check on that with the mapping department, and if you are indeed living out of district, any chance you can make arrangements to move back into the Western district within the next 30 days or so?"
But, no, the board chairman goes to the News Herald with the allegation, not to Norman, and the legal team gets involved. Cha Ching! You're so right, Buddy, no wasted money there.
Maybe Tracy could have said to Hairfield, "Hey, I have a great idea about the district lines". But no, she decided to take it upon herself to go by the mapping office and get a secret map. Harifield should be happy that his fellow members have so much faith in him.
Some one need to tell tracy what a christian leader is. maybe even the word integrity or accountability. But then again, she is a fradulent christian as well. just another nice name to carry in your lie of a life.
It is amazing ...the things that adults will post here under the veil of anonymity. This, of course, would include my own post. There really is a bit of irony that the players on both sides of the issues do so publicly, while us cowards make accusations and question motives and character anonymously. Nearly 100% (including Ray) stir the pot without revealing who we are. Ray...reveal yourself and require the rest of us to do the same. We all claim integrity and accountability as things that are sooooo important to us. So let's prove it. Just think of the difference that being accountable for what is posted here will make. Then we can have an honest and open debate. C'mon let's have some character here....enough with cowardice. Ray...it's your blog. You go first, and make the changes necessary for posting. Character is what we are when no one is looking.
REF: "But then again, she is a fradulent christian as well"
AND YOU ARE A - WHAT ?
It is indeed amazing what people will post here under the veil of anonymity...
To tell you the truth, the "Buff-oons" would like an explanation of the apparent switcheroo with the new district map/lines. Ms. Norman's silence during the meeting about the issue was puzzling. Hopefully there's a forthcoming reasonable explanation that will clear it up for all of us - Buff-oons and Buddy Clubbers alike.
forthcoming...possible.
reasonable....forget it !
To: May 19,2008, 6:32 PM
ab 1381(LAUSD) was ruled unconstitutioal by a second California appelate court in April of 2007.
In North Carolina, school boards are elected and cannot be appointed, nor can their powers be transferred to entities like The Council of Mayors as the bill tried to do in LA County.
To 4:44 am
How dare you preach to the rest of us and challage Ray to come forth first. Why don't YOU come forth first and I promise the rest of us will follow.
Anonymous said...
Tonight was the big one for personnel. Whose contract was renewed and whose was not? Or was all of the time spent on the district lines?
May 19, 2008 5:52 PM
Anonymous said...
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Superintendent of Education Robert E. Schiller today voiced his support for the Venice Financial Oversight Panel’s action to remove incumbent members of the Venice CUSD #3 (Madison County) school board effective immediately. During a special meeting today, the FOP rejected the school board’s proposed district budget because it was not in balance and under authority granted by statute took the unprecedented step of removing the school board members. The district board had previously received two deadline extensions to produce a balanced budget for submission to the FOP.
In a statement released today, Schiller stated his support for the FOP decision.
“The Venice Financial Oversight Panel has taken a hard but necessary step today under law with the removal of the Venice School District Board of Education. The challenge of restoring academic and financial order to the Venice schools is a huge one, and the State Board of Education will continue to work with the FOP, the Regional Office of Education and the community in trying to see what long-term solution can de developed for the Venice district. We want to assure parents and others that throughout this process the FOP members and ISBE will keep the welfare of the students as their first priority.”
May 19, 2008 6:29 PM
Anonymous said...
School Board Member Faces Removal After Lying About Education
By Stephen Dean
POSTED: 2:32 pm CDT May 14, 2008
UPDATED: 3:02 pm CDT May 14, 2008
HOUSTON -- An Alief Independent School District trustee faces removal from his elected office after pleading guilty to a crime that was caught on videotape.
Local 2 Investigates first aired video showing the board member committing the crime on Dec. 21, 2007. The video from an Alief ISD graduation ceremony shows board member Edgar Dansby III, 51, wearing a special robe that signified that he had a degree from Southern Methodist University.
Harris County prosecutors, however, said he only had a high school education. He was charged with abuse of office because he filled out paperwork to have the school district spend tax money to rent that prestigious robe for graduation ceremonies each year.
May 19, 2008 6:31 PM
Anonymous said...
CHECK THIS OUT!!!
Specifically, AB 1381:
Removes power from the Board of Education and gives it to the superintendent. The superintendent is permitted to request state waivers, hire and fire principals, negotiate and execute contracts, locate and close schools, and manage all personnel. The school board still retains the sole authority to use eminent domain, place taxes and bonds on the ballot, and negotiate with the unions.
BURKE COUNTY LETS HEAD THIS WAY. PETITION ARE STARTING IN MOST CONVIENCE STORES - EXCLUDING BUFF's GROCERY & ADULTRY STORE
May 19, 2008 6:32 PM
Anonymous said...
I seriously doubt it would happen or people would not have waited until nov to change the board. All pipe dreams.
May 19, 2008 7:11 PM
Anonymous said...
I didnt think personel was handled til june, mainly contracts. What is Burleson trying to do now?
May 19, 2008 7:13 PM
Anonymous said...
Uh, check the minutes. They do personnel every meeting.
May 19, 2008 9:27 PM
Mark III said...
Mr. Burleson submitted the names for renewal last week for board approval on May 19th.
By law, if a contract is not going to be renewed, the individual MUST be notified by June 1. Obviously, the board did not act.
May 20, 2008 5:26 AM
Model 10 said...
"Deception...fraud." Mr. Wilkinson hit the nail on the head.
Not sure petitions will do much good. But our school system continues to be embarrassed by the antics of those who want power and attention instead of student prosperity. One scandal after another - that's all this new board has brought our students.
May 20, 2008 5:34 AM
Anonymous said...
It should all be fine in a couple more weeks. With all the new NBCT's the EOG scores should be a huge improvement this year! Where are the party balloons?
May 20, 2008 6:05 AM
Anonymous said...
Nancy Taylor is Susan Wilson's bestfriend she needs to take a hike. She is pro administration.Never anything but what David Burleson wants be it good or bad.
May 20, 2008 10:57 AM
Anonymous said...
Did I hear that right? $19k of the previous Associate Superintendent's salary came from the Local Expense Budget, so the vast majority of the funds for an Assoc Super comes from State funds.
So, it would be incorrect or misinformed at best, or deceptive or fraudulent at worst, to say that 5 board members have voted to use funds which could be used for 2nd grade teachers.
It's a nice try for the Social Elite Pro-Administration Team to say that these awful, child-hating 5 board members prefer to use money for an Assoc Superintendent (against Mr. Burleson's wishes) instead of spending that money for teachers and coaches, but those pesky little facts get in the way.
Let's see if the new editor of the News Herald will help to sort out the truth of the budget so Pro-Administration group won't be successful in their smear campaign based in incorrect information or their assumptions.
May 20, 2008 11:30 AM
Anonymous said...
Speaking of the social elite pro-administration team, Caroline Avery (who was a Martinat-Brandon-Simmons-Huffman supporter)stated in her recent letter to the editor that...
"The new board approved (5-2) a budget that includes a new associate superintendent, despite Superintendent David Burleson's declaration that he can do without an associate superintendent during a lean budget year and his preference for maintaining funding for classroom instruction."
and
"They made these painful cuts to our students, yet they found a way to include a new, high-salaried position for associate superintendent."
Oops. The Central Office staff members are paid for with STATE FUNDS, so hiring an Associate Superintendent has no affect on replacing teachers, technical support, coaches and the like which are positions funded by our local expense budget.
Oops. The ADMINISTRATION recommended cutting 27 teaching positions through attrition by adding one additional child to some classrooms.
Oops. The Administration's recommended budget came in at 2.8 million dollars in the red, so the Board's finance committee had to roll up their sleeves and make the necessary budget cuts so we'll stop continue using so much of the fund balance year after year. Mr. Wilkinson is on that sub-committee, and he voted in favor of those recommendations.
May 20, 2008 11:54 AM
Anonymous said...
After listening to the board meeting online, I think whoever changed the district lines on the map had better be careful. Also, I think Buddy Armour nor Rob Hairfield's comments about who they think the line was re-done for were appropriate. You should never call someone's names if you do not have the facts. Shame on Mr.Armour and Mr.Hairfield. You could lead yourself to a lawsuit if you are not careful. Mr Armour saying everyone knows why the line was redone for Bryan Grady was way out of line. Everyone knows how he lied against Grady to get re-elected now he is making more allegations against him. Is he afraid of Mr.Grady?
May 20, 2008 12:13 PM
Anonymous said...
I think Buddy is out of control and will continue towards his own demise in lieu of the next election. We know the administration will work hard for Armour, or other mentioned candidates such as Caroline Avery,Robert Patton the 3rd,Trossie Wall or who knows who else and this is just for the central district.I do not see the citizens of Burke county going for any of these and holes will be poked in them if they file.
May 20, 2008 12:18 PM
Anonymous said...
Administration made the recommendation that those positions be done away with? Wow. Nancy Taylor were you blindsided or did Susan Wilson put you up to making a fool out of yourself? I support your right to speak at board meetings and to be foolish in your undying love for the administration.You and Mrs.Avery had better become close friends where you can comfort one another when Burleson's contract is not renewed in 2010.
May 20, 2008 12:22 PM
Anonymous said...
Mrs.Avery's letter to the editor is questionable.She has sent her children to private school most of their lives and her oldest was kicked out that is why he is at Freedom now. It is funny that she has to go monitor his whereabouts as he seems not to make it to the workouts sometimes.What does she owe David Burleson? She needs to straighten her own children out before concerning herself with BCPS children.
May 20, 2008 12:26 PM
Anonymous said...
According to your description, Mrs. Avery sounds like she could be a board member, just like Tracy
May 20, 2008 1:54 PM
Anonymous said...
"Oops. The Central Office staff members are paid for with STATE FUNDS, so hiring an Associate Superintendent has no affect on replacing teachers, technical support, coaches and the like which are positions funded by our local expense budget"
Oops. Why do we keep hearing how Steve Demiter, David Bureslon, Randal Bracket, and Scott Smith are over paid if it comes from State Funds with no affect of replacing teacher, technical support...
May 20, 2008 1:57 PM
Anonymous said...
Why are you dancing around the fact the Tracy went behind the back of all board members and got herself another map to use instead of the one voted on by the board. Is this a case of the "elite" Tracy working hard for the people. Sounds more like fraud to me. Oops!
May 20, 2008 1:59 PM
Anonymous said...
Im not dancing around it she shouldnt have. But, lets see Buddy lied about Grady to get elected and now he is afraid of him one year before the election. And, fraud you say? David Burleson can be hit with obstruction of justice in the Anderson matter. To keep you from having to type it the students may get hit with filming in a locker room.I still want Burleson to pay he lied on law enforcement.If a man will lie he will steal.
May 20, 2008 2:26 PM
Anonymous said...
To the above about salaries.I have never had a problem with what the state says we must pay these people whether I like them or not.It is the above and beyond I disagree with.
May 20, 2008 2:29 PM
Anonymous said...
All these talks of possible lawsuits ! I am ready to see some one grow some balls and make one instead of threats threats threats. Do it or shut the crap up!
May 20, 2008 2:46 PM
Anonymous said...
Dear May 20, 1:57pm,
It is my understanding that the State pays the recommended salaries based on education and experience for these positions, and if the administration recommends that we pay these employees more than the State recommended wage, then the Local Current Expense budget is what funds the extra wages (i.e. their supplement). So, if the State says Dr. Scott Smith should make $110k, for example, but Burleson recommends that he make $130k, and Buddy, Ray, Sam, Andy and Bill all go along with that, then the extra $20k comes from our local expense budget funded by the Burke County taxpayers.
It is also my understanding that the travel allowances come from the local expense budget.
Hence, the previous whining about the salary SUPPLEMENTS and travel allowances of BCPS administrators.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
May 20, 2008 2:52 PM
Anonymous said...
Yes and I do not think this board will use local funds to pad administrators salaries. Scott Smith is listed as a principal 9 if I am correct, how can this be?
May 20, 2008 3:04 PM
Model 10 said...
Central Office funds are the most flexible of all State allocations. You can only pay administration-type people out of those funds, but you could pay say an instructional coach out of those funds - thus freeing up teacher salary money to keep teachers in the classroom. You could pay certain EC positions out of that fund to free up EC money to pay another resource teacher.
So Nancy Taylor and David Burleson were speaking the truth. NOT filling the Associate Superintendent position (paid out of Central Office funds) could keep more teachers in the classroom. It's called "maximizing the use of state funds to keep our teachers teaching".
I appreciate Ms. Taylor for speaking out.
You Buff-oons need to do more homework.
May 20, 2008 3:08 PM
Anonymous said...
Whether or not any lawsuits are filed, explain to me how/why people should be proud they voted for the Fraud 5? Since being in office, they have voted against two respected administrators for Draughn, appointed someone who had NEVER been a head principal at the new high school, got one of the new board member's husband a higher paying job at EBMS (though they campaigned they were going to get rid of the "good ole boy system"), insulted citizens who dared speak before them at Board meetings, and now blame the administrators for the budget cuts.For those of you who are NOT savvy to the daily occurrences at BCPS, please just be aware of a few facts. When you ask David B. if he considers his relationship with the Board adversarial, he has little choice but to smile and change the subject. THEY SIGN HIS CONTRACT. If he said yes, they could fire him. Whether or not you support Burleson, at least recognize the stupidity of the situation. Rexanna Lowman and Doug Rhoney are obvious examples of what happens when you don't vote for them or support other candidates.
When you tell administrators that budget cuts have to come from somewhere and give them limited options, they do in fact have to agree to something. Board members, you ran for the office, you have to put up with the good, bad, and ugly, especially when you create the situation yourselves. Stop trying to blame others.
Whose fault was it when Tracy approached Scott Black after the Board had already approved a map?
Be honest with yourself and ask yourself if it was okay for her to privately approach him, receive the changes, not overtly discuss the changes, and then plan to have it signed! I'm not saying the old Board was perfect, but please don't be so naive to think that this Board is perfect.
May 20, 2008 3:09 PM
Anonymous said...
I dont think they are perfect. For one I do not think they should respond when citizens speak.Tim Buff does it Ray Martinat done it.They do not need to speak especially when they may be angry.I think they should thank the speakers for there comments and go on.Nancy Taylor has a right to be friends and support whom she wants and so does everyone.I for one think Burleson stirs the pot from behind the counter.He seems to be afraid of Rick Sherrill for a lot of reasons. First, He ran East Burke great and most of the east would like to have somone in that central office who would support them.Second, Burleson was groomed by the Morganton Rotary Club to undercut Tony Stewart. Burleson is afraid Sherrill will do to him what he did to stewart. Was Stewart forced to hire Burleson? My answer is yes. The Superintendent learned at a recent law conference for schools that if the board will not support a recommendation he should not make that recommendation. Nancy Taylor and Caroline Avery could do to not always take everything they here from Burleson as gospel.And I do not believe anyone should take everything Buff says as gospel.
May 20, 2008 3:20 PM
Anonymous said...
This Board is whom I supported but they must be careful.I do believe Burleson and Brackett are doing everything they can to test the current board. Burleson has Nancy Taylor and Caroline Avery speak for him and it does not seem to get anywhere. I hope this board will tighten the ropes on the administration and work with them but not for them.
May 20, 2008 3:24 PM
Anonymous said...
Burleson and Brackett must go pronto!
May 20, 2008 3:25 PM
Anonymous said...
PRO-ADMINISTRATION-To the people that keep making the pro-administration comments, you make it appear wrong to be pro-administration. Why? Why is is wrong to be supportive of the people who are responsible for making decisions that affect children? It would probably be wrong to actually support teachers, too, right? I would be curious to see a demographic breakdown of the people that voted in the last election. I would take a guess that lots of people with less education voted for Norman/Buff, not because they can identify with them (though they could), but because they are out to put educators and administrators in "their place". They should either get rid of these administrators (as they promised to do during campaign time) or work with them and listen to their input (that is what we're paying them for anyway).
May 20, 2008 4:04 PM
Anonymous said...
A audit is coming. Watch and hide and see who runs. Its all coming to a head. Charlotte Observer is already speaking with the state on some issues because the News Herald would not dig into the problems.
May 20, 2008 4:09 PM
Anonymous said...
Its not wrong to support the administration.It si questionable why no one believes they should be questioned.This board needs to focus on the teacher's,custodians,bus drivers,lunch lady's, support personel.These are the people who matter not the adminstration.One teacher who retired last year after 30 some years told me she has seen board's come and go and superintendents.It is the people who work in the trenches who usually stay the course no matter what.
May 20, 2008 4:34 PM
Anonymous said...
I agree that teachers are the ones that are in the trenches on a daily basis. All I'm saying is that administrators can either make it harder or easier to be in the classroom. I want the Board to recognize good administrators and reward them for jobs well done, instead of placing people in positions because they will be the puppets of the board.
May 20, 2008 6:06 PM
Anonymous said...
You dont think this has happened in the past?
May 20, 2008 6:16 PM
Wadcutter said...
Tim and Tracy are big on "Buy in Burke", right? She even dressed up as the pink pig and marched in a parade or two.
So if they are so big on keeping the money here in the county, why are we paying attorney's fees (I believe the audio said $175 per hour!) to a Caldwell County lawyer?
One board member asked what Aycock was charging. I heard $250 per board meeting. I doubt the new guy will give BCPS a fee break. Let's see, a typical Buff-led meeting is 4 to 5 hours. The new guy will cost us over $700 per meeting! Now THAT'S what I call looking after the taxpayers!
May 20, 2008 8:29 PM
Anonymous said...
Yes....you're right. A better use of tax money was the thousands spent last year to try and remove Ms Norman from the board. Frugal.....and Brilliant!
May 21, 2008 4:29 AM
Anonymous said...
Two Questions.
1. Is it true that our staff has not decreased in proportion to our enrollment? As the number of students decreases, why do we always need to keep the same number of staff members?
2. How many front-line staff members does $150k (approx cost of an Assoc Super's salary) fund? About three? So assuming what May 20 3:08pm says is true, we are not funding those three teacher/coach/tech support positions in lieu of paying an AS, so therefore the education of the students of Burke County falls apart? We fall apart over three positions? That's a stretch.
It makes me wonder why some are fighting so hard to keep an "outsider" from occupying the Assoc Super position. Do they not want the accountability?
May 21, 2008 5:38 AM
Anonymous said...
My guess for #1 is that bcps is openning new schools. More schools more = more people to run the schools.
As for #2, this is one of many decisions people are upset with.
May 21, 2008 6:07 AM
Anonymous said...
"Maybe some people believe that this community is prone to gifts of telepathy, but here is my next prediction: Andy Hodges will be named basketball coach at Draughn, if not AD. Folks, it's not magic or supernatural powers. Everybody in "the community" knows it will happen as sure as we knew Mike Kenney was going to be named."
Where is this announcement? What about that ironclad political deal? Could it just be possible that all those predictions were just plain wrong?
May 21, 2008 7:37 AM
Wadcutter said...
To May 21, 4:29:
Had Ms. Norman lived where she was suppose to live, and had she kept her nose out of the home of a potential litigant, the money would not have been spent.
Ms. Norman's entire term has been nothing short of tumultuous. She cannot keep herself out of trouble. That has been her 38-year history. Talk to members of her former churches. Talk to her ex-inlaws. Talk to anyone who knows her - really knows her.
So don't tell me the money was wasted. You haven't begun to see the drain on the line item for legal fees with this new board.
May 21, 2008 7:37 AM
Anonymous said...
About the temporary attorney.Idiots he is temporary.It may be a good idea to go as far east down I-40 to find a decent by the book attorney.Not one the board can control and not one who becomes pals with ole dave burleson.AN attorney worth his salt would have cleared up the District Line issue in about a month.A good attorney would have advised Burleson not to investigate the theft incident and let an outside investigation took place. Hopefully the New board attorney will not be in the rotary club and will distance himself with being friends with board and administration.I do not believe burleson or brackett should have contact with the attorney unless the board or chairman authorizes such discussions. Maybe they should be audio recorded to keep intergrity of whom all may have concern with the legal powers that go with being on the board.
May 21, 2008 8:56 AM
Anonymous said...
Aycock was Burleson and Brackett's attorney.Now they will have to pay him from their pockets not the citizens for their own personal legal advice. I do not think the next attorney should have a spouse working for BCPS.This can and does interfere with decision making. The next attorney should be a loner and not be involved with the politics of the system.
May 21, 2008 9:01 AM
Anonymous said...
Oh me, I was coming back from chesterfield and saw David Burleson's picture on a billboard add for App State.Maybe he is working on his doctorate where he can leave dodge.
May 21, 2008 9:03 AM
Anonymous said...
"So don't tell me the money was wasted. You haven't begun to see the drain on the line item for legal fees with this new board.
May 21, 2008 7:37 AM"
There you have it, folks. An Amour Team Member (or Armour himself) who will not lay down his pride long enough to admit that legal fees were wasted trying to oust Norman from the board.
This blogger skillfully neglected to mention the board's attempt to have her removed on hearsay evidence. Lowman and Burleson sent the teacher back in to question the student after school (alone - no parent present) - I hear on the advice of Aycock; they hired an Asheville attorney, sent a partial letter to the SBE for their review, etc. etc.
We could have funded at least one teaching job for a year for the money spent on that fiasco.
I don't recall reading a Caroline Avery letter to the editor about that. Oh, yeah, should wouldn't be outraged by that expense because she's an honorary member of the Armour-Wilkinson-Martinat-Brandon-Simmons-Burleson-Brackett-Demiter-Club.
I guess we all gripe about the things our political rivals do, not what our own team does. That seems a bit disingenuous (insincere, politically motivated, deceitful and hypocritical), doesn't it?
May 21, 2008 9:31 AM
Anonymous said...
"Had Ms. Norman lived where she was suppose to live, and had she kept her nose out of the home of a potential litigant, the money would not have been spent.
May 21, 2008 7:37 AM"
First, her temporary living arrangement was, in fact, in the Western district. And even if it wasn't, how about this really inexpensive approach to solving the issue.
Martinat to Norman, "Um, Tracy, someone asked me about the possibility of you living out of district. We need to check on that with the mapping department, and if you are indeed living out of district, any chance you can make arrangements to move back into the Western district within the next 30 days or so?"
But, no, the board chairman goes to the News Herald with the allegation, not to Norman, and the legal team gets involved. Cha Ching! You're so right, Buddy, no wasted money there.
May 21, 2008 9:40 AM
Anonymous said...
Maybe Tracy could have said to Hairfield, "Hey, I have a great idea about the district lines". But no, she decided to take it upon herself to go by the mapping office and get a secret map. Harifield should be happy that his fellow members have so much faith in him.
May 21, 2008 1:52 PM
Anonymous said...
Some one need to tell tracy what a christian leader is. maybe even the word integrity or accountability. But then again, she is a fradulent christian as well. just another nice name to carry in your lie of a life.
May 22, 2008 12:44 AM
Anonymous said...
It is amazing ...the things that adults will post here under the veil of anonymity. This, of course, would include my own post. There really is a bit of irony that the players on both sides of the issues do so publicly, while us cowards make accusations and question motives and character anonymously. Nearly 100% (including Ray) stir the pot without revealing who we are. Ray...reveal yourself and require the rest of us to do the same. We all claim integrity and accountability as things that are sooooo important to us. So let's prove it. Just think of the difference that being accountable for what is posted here will make. Then we can have an honest and open debate. C'mon let's have some character here....enough with cowardice. Ray...it's your blog. You go first, and make the changes necessary for posting. Character is what we are when no one is looking.
May 22, 2008 4:44 AM
Anonymous said...
REF: "But then again, she is a fradulent christian as well"
AND YOU ARE A - WHAT ?
It is indeed amazing what people will post here under the veil of anonymity...
May 22, 2008 6:03 AM
Anonymous said...
To tell you the truth, the "Buff-oons" would like an explanation of the apparent switcheroo with the new district map/lines. Ms. Norman's silence during the meeting about the issue was puzzling. Hopefully there's a forthcoming reasonable explanation that will clear it up for all of us - Buff-oons and Buddy Clubbers alike.
May 22, 2008 10:05 AM
Anonymous said...
forthcoming...possible.
reasonable....forget it !
May 22, 2008 10:36 AM
Anonymous said...
To: May 19,2008, 6:32 PM
ab 1381(LAUSD) was ruled unconstitutioal by a second California appelate court in April of 2007.
In North Carolina, school boards are elected and cannot be appointed, nor can their powers be transferred to entities like The Council of Mayors as the bill tried to do in LA County.
May 22, 2008 2:00 PM
Anonymous said...
To 4:44 am
How dare you preach to the rest of us and challage Ray to come forth first. Why don't YOU come forth first and I promise the rest of us will follow.
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.
Posted by Ray at 9:00 AM 21 comments
to blogger 4:44.......Have you read the book??? From the sound of your comments you are doing another "Tracy Norman Act" - making comments when you don't know what you are talking about. I for one do not want Tracy Norman making decisions about my children's best interest.....she needs to look at her own messed up family life before trying to be a role model for my children.....I want my children to have NO contact with Tracy Norman!!! I don't want Tracy Norman leading my children down the same path she has led her son that has had MANY criminal charges as a teenager.....Yea..Tracy Norman is wonderful........gag!!!
Nor, Someone like Caroline Avery who has similar problems with her children and sent them to private school.
Contracts are up on Friday for many employee's in Bcps. Here are some to name a few. Pat Draughn assitant principal-east burke rumor is Burleson wants to move him to Draughn high as assistant principal and athletic director.
Brian Oliver Principal Freedom
Bob Accord Principal Valdese Elem.
Robert Murray Principal East Alter.
Shane Mace Ray Childers
Larry Putnamn Chesterfield
these are rumored to be a few. What is your thoughts?
I heard the board did not deal with conracts at the board meeting because they were waiting to hire a lawyer. Rumor is they will deal with contracts today with the lawyer present. It doesn't sound very good.
Well, whether or not they renew certain ones or all it is good buisness sense to have an attorney present.With the view of an outsider who has no ties to Burke Schools, it may be interesting to hear some of his legal expertiece.This attorney is temporary.
Would you do any contract without an attorney present? If certain people do not get renewed it will send a strong message that this is not the good ole boys system. This board is off its rocker if it renews Robert Murray. The childern at his school walk the streets and smoke and do practically what they want.Many citizens and the mayor of hilderbran have talked to Burleson till they are blue in the face.This man can not run a school.
Hey Ray,
Cut and paste is back.
Scott, you are a class act!
I agree, I've met him and think he is pretty classy.
To bad he can not stay after 2010.
Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
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hey lets get real the burke county board of education is all about capital gain for them selves,heck you call out there to talk to anyone at the board of education and they are allways gone to lunch,out of town,or cant be reached,and these are the ones who want to play boss over our children,and as far as renewing a contract i would throw them all out exspecially burleson and start over.
i would like to say a blind and deaf man could run our schools better than burleson.do burke county a favor replace him as soon as possible.
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