Stephen Rudicil
Published: August 25, 2008
Rutherford College, N.C. - In her recent letter (The News Herald, Aug. 19), Gayle Walden stated that she was surprised that Rob Hairfield would use such negative and, in her opinion, inappropriate language in his letter (The News Herald, Aug. 14). I am glad that someone else had the same opinion as I did concerning this, his most recent letter, as well as previous ones Mr Hairfield has written.
In his letter of July 13, Mr Hairfield said there was one school board member, as well as several administration members "of the highest echelon," who were trying to discredit the newly elected board members. He stated that the previous school board was a "second-class" organization. In his Aug 14 letter, Mr Hairfield states there were leadership problems at "one of our middle schools."
This is typical of Mr Hairfield. He casts out allegations and suspicions about individuals, without naming them or offering any proof of his charges.
He causes people to question the leadership of our schools without knowing even which schools he is talking about. Now every parent who has a child in "one of our middle schools" is going to wonder if that child is attending the school with the problems. After his letter, every parent will wonder if the principal who moved from one school to another is the bad principal. He has cast doubt on every school board member as well as every person in the school administration.
This reminds me of the McCarthy era of the 1950s. Anyone can be found guilty of something if you do not go along with those in authority. If you are not in agreement with Mr Hairfield, then you are opening yourself up to attack and innuendo.
Mr. Hairfield campaigned for six years for a school board seat using this same strategy. He attacked the school administration and the school board members with slurs, allegations and name-calling.
I, for one, am not the least bit surprised by this latest verbal attack by Mr. Hairfield.
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94 comments:
This woman is way to up Burleson's rear.People are ready to move on and get a new superintendent.He has lasted longer than most.As to Hairfield's comments he told the truth.Is that bothersome? Burleson does not get a free pass when he lies just because some elite love him.
REF: "Mr. Hairfield campaigned for six years for a school board seat using this same strategy."
IT APPEARS THAT IS JUST WHAT THE 'PEOPLE' WANTED, SINCE HE WAS ELECTED...
Clayton County Schools in Georgia lost its SACS accreditation. Read summary "Findings and Recommendations" on page 9
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/ajc/pdf/sacsreport.pdf
The only issue here is the fact that Hairfield spoke publicly of what should have been confidential personnel matters. While he has every right to his opinions, he has no right to bring public humiliation on any BCPS employee, either by direct or indirect comment.
This man has used the editorial page to vent his poison for over 10 years. What a frigging hypocrite, now that he is office doing the same things he whined about for all those years. He is, in my opinion, a crackpot, and anyone who has more than an ounce of common sense and checks back through all those countless letters to the editor would see it. The only problem is, this particular crackpot is now in a position to do some serious, and possibly irreparable damage to this school system and the county. With his "loose cannon" approach to handling financial and personnel issues, I would be absolutely shocked if the county isn't up to its ears in lawsuits by the time this man leaves office. That's just my opinion.
Isnt it funny how Fab Five supports spout off, and the Burleson supporters are objective in their comment posting?
HEE HEE HAR HAR
Not quite as funny as comparing an elected official writing a letter to the editor to an anonymous comment on a blog.
Hee Hee Har... STFU
Again, FAB Five Supporter using the foul mouth again. SOOO respectable. Show more of your maturity and leadership. You're great. I wish you were the super.
how is that law suit coming, suing the outcome of the last election?
Remember - he's not bitter and his yard looks great. He just wants to overturn the results of the last election - the election that he lost. Bring on the lawsuit. Since you've made the threat, it will be hard to back out now.
A former board member threatining to sue over something he himself failed to do as a board member is embarassing!
That board member was and is a tragic joke.To say the least Mr.Hairfield used the figures he heard at board meetings and asked the system for.Is it not funny that we still hear questionable figure's from good ole Randall himself.One does not have to have a college education to see that Randall does not know what he is doing. Many of us do hope Mr.Brandon will bring on his threat and we can start to see what he should have been doing on the board instaed of raising his hand in honor of Burleson and Brackett every time.Objective you say?How can one be objective when they have no sense to ask questions? The days of calling up Burleson and getting his stamp of approval are over.He needs to sweat til the day his contract is up,and the majority which will for sure be Buff,Hairfield,Sain,and Barnard should tell him a month ahead of time to start packing his bags.He is not in Kansas,and he aint going to Disneyland!
Thank you blogger 3:21 for the link about Clayton County Schools - very interesting - all should read. Maybe there is hope that this board can be booted out before they completely ruin our school system!!!
Wow 5:35
Talk about hittin' the nail on the head.
You got 'em talking again...:)
People were just mad and wanted change last election, even if it was bad change. Granted, the last board wasn't perfect, but this bunch has way too much baggage and absolutely thrives on drama.
This board has accomplished nothing positive, and much of that rests with Mr. Hairfield.
Sound to me the old saying be careful what u wish for is true.
To blogger 8:10.What did the board have to do with a drop in sat scores?Half the year was gone when they took over.It rests on Rexanna Lowman to answer that question.Why has she lost so many staff members over her tenure at EB? Granted some went to the new school but if you look at the track record it is not good.She also is not well recieved by the parents as she once was.I hear she went to Heritage to tell Doug Rhoney what he was to do regarding one of her sons.Mr.Rhoney told her he would not treat her son any different from others.I do feel bad that rexanna can never be looked upon as what she had done at other schools positively because of the Billy Anderson matter.Mr. Burleson and 5 of the old regime are to thank for sending her career down the tubes.I believe she will never emontionally recover from it and she should retire and let the people know what really went on.No one would ever look at David Burleson the same, and he would resign and leave.
The truth is that the old board thought the public was going to continue to buy their brand.I still think Andy Brandon thought he would win,or was told by administration not to worry.Well their worst fears came true.This current board has its problems but must goe a long way before they look like ray's team.I do not believe most of public has a clue what really corrupt things Burleson and Brackett have been involved in.Rick will be back this week and you will see central office start to change course because this man will tell you like it is. As for the people who say he and betty terrell are having an affair,prove it.Many think Burleson and Lowman are as many time's as they have been seen together but no one has proof.
I think Buddy, and Andy Brandon are having an affair.
Wow 7:05
Talk about hittin' the nail on the head.
You got 'em talking again...:)
People were just mad and wanted change last election, and it was a good change. Granted, the last board wasn't perfect, & they had way too much baggage and absolutely thrived on drama.
This board has accomplished several positive things, and much of that rests with Mr. Hairfield, Mr. Buff, Mr. Barnard & Ms. Norman.
Please name the positive things.
Here are some positive changes.
1- New Attorney Jon Jones
2-New Technology Director Dr.Angie Blaylock
3-New Associate Superintendent Rick Sherrill
4-New Exceptional Children's Director Susan Griffin sad in this situation,no one wanted joel to leave!
5-New Human Resource Director Winston Bageley
6-New Audit Firm Smith Jones and Buff no relation to Tim!
There are more things coming and I bet you will see technology pick up in Burke County. Burke County can be proud of the picks this board has made. If you can bring up negative comments about each person we would love to hear them.
Why has the News Less Herald put all of these in the paper.They are stalling for some odd reason.
I think the board needs to have a celebration for the new employee's and let everyone meet these people. I heard the old board gave Burleson a special fund for party's no questions asked.Lets use those funds to show these people we welcome them to our system.
A former board member threatining to sue over something he himself failed to do as a board member is embarassing! Bring on the lawsuit. Since you've made the threat, it will be hard to back out now.
WHAT ARE YA TALKING ABOUT 6:51 ??
Andy Brandon making a fool of himself at the last board meeting making threats of suing over the district lines saying the election was invalid.He truly is a dumbass! He got his ass kicked and can not deal with it.See nobody go's to him to get things anymore and he is a nobody.
OH.
THAT EXPLAINS IT.
THANK YOU.
6:38
You couldn't even find your own words to use? Typical fab 5 response...
As for the recent personnel changes, let's wait and see before we count this as "good change".
I know you can not stand the fact that this board hired these folks.I do not think if one or all of these people do not cut the mustard that the board will release them from their employment.Unlike the old board,if you are incompetent you will not be patted on the back to stay around.I am most excited about the fact,Aycock was let go,and Smith and Demiter hit the road.There is a chance we could move forward in the positions and not be stale like these three had become for the sake of the children,and taxpayers.
To 8/30 3:21 PM
REF: http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/ajc/pdf/sacsreport.pdf
Page 9 clearly shows the results of having a "fatally flawed" Board of Education, one that does not comply with the "Governance and Leadership" standards set forth by SACS for accrediation. Pages 10 - 11 outline exactly what must be done to prove that these standards are being met. Will the BCPS Board of Education begin to comply with these accrediation standards before it's too late? Will SACS look at our county and is our SACS accrediation in jeopardy? The Clayton County Public School Board of Education must be very similar to our own BCPS Board of Education.
Tracy has failed at home education. She also failed at being an assistant teacher, helper at Nathan's, helper at Curve's.
Things have not went her way at all the different churches she has attended.
Tracy has failed as a wife, daughter, mother, sister, the list goes on and on.
Tracy received no attention as a child, this has caused her to crave it at unhealthy levels as an adult.
Tracy must be the center of the attention or she get bored and moves on to her next thing.
Tracy is bi-polar. This is why she acts the way she does.
Tracy left her family and moved into the doublewide with her mama. When she did this she was living out of her district. She knew this fact but looked for ways to cover it up.
Her long time husband and 3 sons have moved on and have adjusted well in her absense.
Soon her run on the school board will be over. This is when she will reach a point that will force her to address some personal issues.
Tim will not leave Charlotte for Tracy.
Tracy has no formal education.
Do you think Tim will still want Tracy to be his bag girl after her board days are over?
What will Tracy do for money to support herself?
I guess she can start a realty show?
Tracy sports a camel toe.
What employer needs a loud mouth know it all?
Yes they will fire David if compliance is not met.He is the ring leader and is accountable for day to day operations.
"There are more things coming and I bet you will see technology pick up in Burke County. Burke County can be proud of the picks this board has made. If you can bring up negative comments about each person we would love to hear them."
Our technology is down as a direct result from the board. They cut the technology positions.
How much are the paying the new CTO. Rumor is $100,000. So much for Rob making cuts.
REF: September 2, 2008 8:07 AM
WOW! I just read what you referenced regarding the school system that lost its accrediation through SACS and it sounds just like what Burke County is suffering through. When will it stop? Will we have to lose our accrediation for folks to WAKE UP?!
Thank you for sharing this.
We may be paying 100,000 dollars but, we are not having to pay for a bastard like scott to travel anywhere he wanted free. He milked a trip to Dallas as a going away present.Give our new technology director a chance.You do not know the sacs is down and trying to scare everyone. David better jerk up on it.The ball rests in his court.
Based on the sacs we may need to get a superintendent who can help improve the schools overall educational performance and not how people feel about themselves.I think maybe we need to look at getting people to Burke County who do not want to be complacent but challenge the minds of children, and help raise the bar of our local public school system.The board needs to take serious strides to make sure reports and assesments are filled out in a timely manner. Our children's future rests not in the fate of the board,but on what parents and teachers are willing to do to move through the political muck and mire to see that no child is truly left behind. We may find replacing board members is not the only solution!
Board members are responsible for hiring and firing.We are told that they should not micromanage.Now these people tell us the board is dragging down education.So we should all go out and re-elect Ray,Andy and Bill?
Hogwash! Lets cut the politics, fire the man responsible for failure.It is time for David to let the elite keep him up.Start a private school system.You can have your board, and super and pay them what they want.
To 6:44,
Dr. Smith's trip, including expenses, was paid for by a national technology consortium he belongs to. It cost the Burke taxpayers nothing. He used his own vacation days.
Lt. Governor Perdue appointed Dr. Smith to her statewide technology advisory committee. He is not good enough for your podunk county, but is revered by state authorities and national consortiums.
Actually Dr. Blaylock received a $25,000 raise by going to Burke County. She has nowhere near the technology application experience of Dr. Smith. She just happens to know NC WISE - to a degree. She is capable, but hardly as qualified or knowledgeable.
Hairfield and Buff sold your county a bill of goods saying they would save money in your central office. You are paying Sherrill the same as you were paying Anderson, and you are paying Blaylock the same as you were paying Smith.
Our county thanks you for your new board. They have sent us many good personnel - without our even having to recruit them!
5:40 - BLESS YOU! Finally, some truth - to the point and understandable. It still amazes me that the current board supporters throw out accusation after accusation with NO back up, repeatedly trash David Burleson, and blindly support Hairfield.
All this whining going on about change and getting rid of David is ridiculous. So far the board has removed experience and replaced it AT THE SAME COST with inexperience or muddy reputation in this county.
I do appreciate you posting and enjoy the Burke transplants.
We will see! Its funny you say you are for the children but want every hire the board makes to fail.Sounds like you people are just so happy to see burke fail you would sacrifice four years to get your way when you call central office.Well I think since you do not really care and I do not care then lets fire David.What do we have to lose four years.
If you want to see a group of people who show their ignorance each time they open their mouth, you should visit the next meeting on Monday September 15th @6:00 pm in the board room at social services.
It will be the best free entertainment you have ever seen.
David and Buddy are the ring leaders.But Andy Brandon's rant takes the cake.
Yeah dumbasses. Fire David - we will take him at our county like your other highly qualified leaders we are enjoying. You are paying others the same price to do the job. Read the previous post - there is truth. WASTED MONEY on those with less experience. So pay $300,000 and buy out david's contract so he can come here and make $120,000 a year. You will be making him rich and we will gain an excellent leader. and FYI the camel toe comments ... can you find another camel toe to replace that lady. Pathetic.
"This board has accomplished several positive things, and much of that rests with Mr. Hairfield, Mr. Buff, Mr. Barnard & Ms. Norman"
This is the best example of an oxymoron anyone could have ever created. Too bad its creation was purely an accident!
to September 3, 2008 9:02 PM
thank goodness you know how to spell 'waste' instead of 'waist' like so many of the old guard fan club...
ha, ha, hee, hee, hee, har, har
HA HA, HEE HEE HEE, HAR HAR
So Robert,
How come your new hires weren't able to save the schools any money? I remember you saying on-camera that you could get people to do these school system jobs for less money.
Even your friend, the lawyer, is costing the school board more. Isn't this how you intended to pay the rank and file more money - by taking those high salaries out of the Central Office and distributing them to the working people? By cutting back on all those wasted legal fees?
You had your chance to pay them more from extra county money. You sure didn't mind doubling your school board salary! I guess the rank and file will have to settle for your crumbs.
To Rob of Sherwood:
Looks like you're not living up to your reputation: Robbing from the rich and giving to the poor.
You just rob (what a great pun!). Period.
Hey Rob,
How much is your finance committee prepared to pay your NEXT superintendent? Think you can get your Associate to do it for NO increase? Hee hee, har har har.
Then how are you going to raise the pay of us non-teachers? That money has got to come from someplace. What about firing all those "dead-beats" you keep referring to? You promised us. You did. Show us the money!!!
I know where you can get it! How much can you get for the Ninety-Eight?
GO TO BED ANDY AND LEAVE ROB ALONE.
you know rob cant get rid of the olds it is big and gives him security when he is drinking
yeah, he learned that from buddy.
John Jones took the contract for the same exact amount Aycock got paid.Maybe he will not give free legal advice to Burleson and Brackett on private matters and bill the schools for it.He will be ethical.He will not interpret law to be what Burleson thinks.
Why has David Burleson written a letter apologizing for what the News Herald misquoting him saying,and not had it printed a an open forum letter? Is he afraid he will be found out for the liar he is? David this is to you! Stop spinning circles and running from the truth! People will not like honesty but they will respect it.You have just about spun all the webs an old spider can.Its time to either face the music or jump ship.In many ways you are doing both.
Richard Avery's bambling rhetoric was an outstanding display of mundane,overeducated stupidity.I applaud education, but not, and I will be precise, ass licking or self indulgence of one's own thesis of himself.To further elaborate on the accomplishment's of those whom you wish others like yourself,would daily practice to take solice in running the school's . Every time you write richard or speak we understand why you no longer attempt to have a law practice.The general public does not take you seriously and I bet you feel the same way. You can praise David and Brian Oliver all you wish.It falls deaf on the ears of those who have studied the daily routine of people who have no clue of what is really happening.
Richard Avery,Buddy Armour and Andy Brandon together.What do you have? We cant figure it out and they cant either!
9:06,
"...bambling"
"...self indulgence of one's own thesis of himself"
"To further elaborate on the accomplishment's... of those whom you wish others like yourself,would daily practice to take solice in running the school's?"
"Every time you write richard..."
"...falls deaf on the ears of those who have studied the daily routine of people who have no clue of what is really happening."
You applaud education? Give us a break!!
Before you "applaud" education, maybe you should get some first. Simply put, just because you can spell (and that's stretching things a bit) a few "big" words doesn't mean you can string them together and pass yourself off as educated. The next time you decide to accuse someone of over-educated stupidity, try cleaning up "your own back yard" first.
The quickest way to show your own stupidity is to attempt to communicate beyond your means to do so. At least try to understand the meaning of your words and their use before you so randomly type them out for the rest of the world to see.
As I'm sure this will draw the usual two-word response, let's just suffice it to say that it won't be totally unexpected.
Have a nice day!
"dave said...
GO TO BED ANDY AND LEAVE ROB ALONE.
September 4, 2008 7:36 PM"
Gee, Dave, fighting Rob's battles for him now? He said he could take it.
BTW Rob, your glowing appraisal of your lawyer bud doesn't fly. "He will not interpret law to be what Burleson thinks." So he will fashion the law to fit what YOU think?
And how could you know what Burleson has written (and apparently not published) is NOT truth? Enlighten us as to what truth you are talking about. The people want to know!
Was Karen Brit Sain at the last meeting? I have listened to the first 2 parts and she has not made a peep again.
Why did she even run for the board? She looks like she is stoned at the meetings.
Does she even live in Burke County the school board site says she lives in Hickory.
Maybe she is living out of district as well.
Mr. Burleson please write in the paper to clear up any wrong you believe the News Herald has done to you.You are a powerful figure and could have the paper apologize to you publicly.
It seems some of the upper brass elected officials are trying to stick their nose in helping David keep his job.If all these people are having to defend or write in the paper about how wonderful the school's are except for the board,does it mean some people are getting scared David's ship is sinking?
I wish you bloggers could tell me what is wrong with John Jones being the attorney? He was a judge at one time. He went to Virginia Tech and got his bachelor's degree and went to Wake Forest Law school. I think he is more than qualified.He works in a top notch law firm. In fact years agp this firm or Senator Dan Simpson was the school board attorney.Louis Vinay is the town of Rutherford College's attorney,Dan Kuehnert is the county attorney,JR Simpson was a Commisioner,and his wife works for BCPS.The only thing I see as a problem is they will not cave in to the board, but more importantly David Burleson and the suckbutts club. You are going to start seeing board members tow the line ethically,and hopefully David.Randall is a dog that can not change his spots so he will not be here much longer.Besides telling me that the county and school's should not be represented by the same firms,which the state bar approves unless a suit comes up,what is wrong with John Jones? If suit comes up between the two they most both hire other attorneys.I think in November there will be new commisioners and a new attorney so what is there to bitch about? Many of you hypocrites do nothing when the commisioners change and change attorneys the night they are sworn in,but raise hell when poor old Aycock gets the axe.It shows how political the schools are.
Does the new attorney get paid by the hour during the meetings.
I sure hope not.
Listen to the last segment of the audio from the last meeting. You will hear Tracy joke about making a motion to go home. One member wants to have cots installed. Another wants to see a breakfast menu.
Why do the meetings have to last so long. It seems like they are becoming Congress with all the late night votes.
Wrong! Most meetings last til 9:30 or 10 with this board.The old board would wait til 12 or 1.A lot of times the old board would wait to see if everyone would leave where they could come out and vote without the media present.Mr.Troy Houser waits as long as it takes.The old board would send Randall out or Andy Anderson to tell Troy the board was still in closed session.Troy would respond I will be here! They hoped he would leave.He reports the news verbatim what administration or board members say.They do not like the truth to be told.Geraldine Rector told many times of how the board she was on would stall to see everyone leave before coming out to do dirty work.
John Jones will be paid $250 per meeting, as long as it lasts.The interim attorney charged $175 per hour no matter what.Good thing they did not keep him long. $250 is what Aycock charged per meeting and $125 per hour on legal work.John Jones to my knowledge accepted the same exact contract as Aycock had.There may have been some tweaking as to who could use the attorney at what capacity.The chairman should be made aware of all legal issues through the weeks and then make the full board aware with the advice of counsel.Mr.Burleson and Mr.Brackett should not be able to meet with the attorney without the chairman's knowledge.This should be with any governmental board.The people are paying for this so I believe all members and administration should make sure to make things if possible breif in nature so a lot of cost is not billed to the taxpayers.
Burleson and Lowman have spun circles around the issue of drops in sat scores.To imply it really does not matter what students make on them is dumb.Just ask any major college like a Vanderbilt or Duke or Carolina and see what the response will be.Also when a student takes a couple hopefully there last one is where growth has occured and failure is not evident.It is a reflection of the student to comprehend but what has our schools done to prepare them for this?Rexanna spends to much time on the phone with David and friends and making herself seem she is miss education of Bloody Burke and not the politicking Dragonlady she has become.Many staff members have left her playhouse and before Draughn split them,to get away from a truly bad enviroment.She thought she was going to Draughn and like the reality of a new school board she hasnt quite grasped that she is not the principal of her promised valdese clique.Life will go on Mrs.Lowman and the board does not bow to you,nor did Doug Rhoney so you had better realize that soon David will start distancing himself from you.He can not cut you off because you would have him hung and he knows it.
News Flash!
A point of clarification! Miss Education is not Rexanna Lowman!It is Susan Wilson Polpeter! Thanks for your time!
Ray, please delete the "tracy camel toe" comments from all of the subject blogs. They ruin the blog for all of us. Thank you.
Please delete all Burleson Bashing - because it ruins the purpose of this site
Superintendent David C. Burleson welcomes you to the Burke County Public School System and the system’s website. Mr. Burleson leads the 2,500 plus school system employees as a strong proponent of each student’s worth and as an innovator in exploring a variety of opportunities to reach each student’s potential. Working diligently with all staff, he sustains attention to the components of successful schools – curriculum, school organization, educational philosophies, instructional practices, family and community involvement. He recognizes all of the above as powerful tools in unleashing the power for student success.
A graduate of Appalachian State University with an EDS. in Administration, Mr. Burleson, an Avery County native, high school valedictorian and Magna Cum Laude honoree, came to Burke County in l982 where he began his career at Freedom High School as a math teacher and coach. He served as assistant principal of that school from l989 through 1991 until becoming the principal of what was then Oak Hill Junior High School. He returned to Freedom as principal in l992 and remained in this capacity until moving into the associate superintendent’s position in l996. Mr. Burleson became superintendent in 2000 and has been a pioneer in education from pre-k to grade twelve and beyond. Under his leadership, the school system recently was awarded the prestigious National Magna Award of Excellence for its pre-k mobile education on wheels. His unparalleled list of accomplishments include the following: helped develop the Burke County Public Schools Drug Policy, developed the first PTO at Freedom High School, created summer camps for students, procured millions of dollars in grant monies to address student need/creative programming, and realized alternative educational programs for those who need a different approach to education. Also, during Mr. Burleson’s tenure as superintendent, the county has experienced the lowest drop-out rate in the public school system’s history.
Professionally, he has received local, regional and state Principal of the Year Awards, Burke County Educational Office Personnel Administrator of the Year Awards for four years, 2001 North Carolina Middle School Association Superintendent of the Year Award as well as acknowledgement for several published articles and innovative presentations.
Very active in church and in community affairs, David has a litany of volunteer and leadership accolades including church member, deacon, Sunday school teacher, and active participant in the Morganton Rotary Club, Tar Heel Association of Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Burke County Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the North Carolina Standards Board as well as serving on several local community boards and committees for a better Burke County. He has a broad spectrum of other interests which mainly involve being a Civil War enthusiast and spending time with his wife, Beth and two children, Heather and Shannon.
Does the truth hurt? I rarely call people nasty names,but tell of factual events or information for all bloggers to consider.
Mr. Burleson is a man and he has faults just as our board.I do not care who has affairs or hangs out with who.We need a professional organization from the board down.Our Board needs work,and the board got overhauled,now its the same time for administration.If we believe that David Burleson can not improve our system in many areas we are holding him back and need to cut him loose.Randall must go in order to get our financial crisis back in to the positive.
Superintendent David C. Burleson welcomes you to the Burke County Public School System and the system’s website. Mr. Burleson leads the 2,500 plus school system employees as a strong proponent of each student’s worth and as an innovator in exploring a variety of opportunities to reach each student’s potential. Working diligently with all staff, he sustains attention to the components of successful schools – curriculum, school organization, educational philosophies, instructional practices, family and community involvement. He recognizes all of the above as powerful tools in unleashing the power for student success.
A graduate of Appalachian State University with an EDS. in Administration, Mr. Burleson, an Avery County native, high school valedictorian and Magna Cum Laude honoree, came to Burke County in l982 where he began his career at Freedom High School as a math teacher and coach. He served as assistant principal of that school from l989 through 1991 until becoming the principal of what was then Oak Hill Junior High School. He returned to Freedom as principal in l992 and remained in this capacity until moving into the associate superintendent’s position in l996. Mr. Burleson became superintendent in 2000 and has been a pioneer in education from pre-k to grade twelve and beyond. Under his leadership, the school system recently was awarded the prestigious National Magna Award of Excellence for its pre-k mobile education on wheels. His unparalleled list of accomplishments include the following: helped develop the Burke County Public Schools Drug Policy, developed the first PTO at Freedom High School, created summer camps for students, procured millions of dollars in grant monies to address student need/creative programming, and realized alternative educational programs for those who need a different approach to education. Also, during Mr. Burleson’s tenure as superintendent, the county has experienced the lowest drop-out rate in the public school system’s history.
Professionally, he has received local, regional and state Principal of the Year Awards, Burke County Educational Office Personnel Administrator of the Year Awards for four years, 2001 North Carolina Middle School Association Superintendent of the Year Award as well as acknowledgement for several published articles and innovative presentations.
Very active in church and in community affairs, David has a litany of volunteer and leadership accolades including church member, deacon, Sunday school teacher, and active participant in the Morganton Rotary Club, Tar Heel Association of Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Burke County Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the North Carolina Standards Board as well as serving on several local community boards and committees for a better Burke County. He has a broad spectrum of other interests which mainly involve being a Civil War enthusiast and spending time with his wife, Beth and two children, Heather and Shannon.
We know his credentials and they do not impress us anymore.
Mr. Aycock is a good Presbyterian and very active in his church. Tell us about Jonathan Jones' religious affiliation.
Mr. Buff and Ms. Norman tout their high moral character and their faithful affiliation with their church. Mr. Hairfield and Mr. Barnard are good Catholics. Sam Wilkinson and Armour are active in the Methodist Church. We just want to be assured that church attendance was a consideration when they selected the new attorney.
I did not know that was a requirement to be a certain denomination to be attorney.Buddy is active in church,but he can still be lost as any body may be.We are not the judge's of a man's soul. I mean when Buddy thinks something up on this blog he just puts it down. I thought Aycock went to Buddy's church, but do not care. Jones is still a better Attorney in a lot better firm.
Who asked you to judge one's soul? You seem to be the expert on Mr. Jones. We just wanted to know if those of you who recruited him (long before the interview sessions) asked that question.
We were told two months ago who the next attorney would be. No surprises here. Figured he would reflect the ethics and values of the new majority. Does he?
"We are not the judge's of a man's soul."
The word "judge's" is NOT possessive here. And I do not think the previous blogger was trying to pigeon-hole Mr. Jones into a denomination. The question was simple: Was church attendance a consideration of his being hired given the emphasis the new majority places on morality? You seem to be the expert here - except when it comes to grammar and spelling.
Ask one of the board members.I do not think people care whether or not he goes to church. I assume he does.I have heard some idiots say that he belongs to a very conservative law firm.If he represents the law it does not matter.All attorneys interpret law differently.Maybe it is Buddy Armour or his followers who are worried about Mr.Jones.Maybe he will go by the law and not the boards or David's and Randall's.That would be a new day in Burke County. One good thing about their firm is they handle complex litigation.Sam Aycock seemed to rely to much on Chris Campbell in Asheville. Maybe they will not have to use him much or at all.
Complex litigation? Like the ripped-off EMS workers? Like the 163 people who had their identities published on the internet?
We'll see how well they handle complex litigation.
In the words of General Patton, "They don't look like they can fight their way out of a piss-soaked paper bag!"
Well my stupis freind how many people did Aycock screw? The identity crisis is a major issue and Rick Sherrill was not principal when this took place.David is superintendent did he not explain his way out of the piss soaked paper bag you talk of? Although this would be John Jones mess to clean up legally,why did the world renown Dr.Scott Smith not find this? I thought he was better than Bill Gates at technology to hear people on this blog.Did he know this was coming out and decide to jump ship before it burst out? Some of you people are so consumed with the board that you fail to look at the jack ass people who pretend to do their job.
Burleson can explain his bullshit to Raleigh as far as the staff members are concerned.He better get ready to feel some pressure.The staff at East Burke is livid and David says you can pay 13 dollars to be protected? Well it should come from his bonus pay and any other pay to fix this problem.He lost his mind yesterday with his bullshit. Nobody was hearing it.
Rick should have done his job while he was there to make sure this didn't happen. I guess this is why he left in such a hurry.
I hope this doesn't happen to his teachers from the county he just left.
Is this what we get for $100,000.00 per year?
Nice job school board. Let's hope this new lawyer is ready.
You are stupid as hell.Rick left two months before this took place.He was crapped on by Jerry Yoder and the old board.He told Jerry's son he could not participate in athletics because he was suspended.He told Mr.Yoder the school had a no smoking rule on campus.He was administrator of the year and got a two year contract extension, while Dehart got a four year at Freedom.Wayne Whaley had something to do with this, and so does Scott Smith.Rick told the media at EB yesterday he was not there when this took place and wanted an apology.He is no one's puppet and that scares David and Buddy.
.Even though David wanted him to look bad it did not work. I will challenge you to bring the proof he was there.He was not no matter what Buddy Armour tells you.You people are morons. Scott Smith left town in a hurry and he did not get the salary he got here.He probably knew this was coming and bailed out like a rat jumping ship.If you feel so strong that Rick did it write a letter to the editor.See the response you get.It was on there for five years.
Buddy Armour, I know you blog on here,and you sir are a imbicile.
So Armour is an imbicile because you say he blogs? That would make YOU an imbicile, too. Wouldn't it? Mr. Imbicile?
The "elite" have been waiting for Hairfield to blame Dr. Smith for the East Burke Identity-gate. Problem is the IT department does not have and has never had access to the HRMS. Hairfield has no idea what that is. Only someone in HR could have provided the info to the school, amd I'm afraid Mr. Demiter is just too smart to knowingly have that information released. Thankfully he would not even let Ms. Norman or Mr. Buff rifle through sensitive personnel records without having a Central Office employee present.
Let's see. The personnel Sub-Committee met yesterday. Why don't you Buff-kissers demand to know what transpired? They cannot give you specific names, but they can tell you what they did in general terms. In fact, they are required by law to tell you. But you've gotta ask.
Thanks Buddy, I am glad you already know what transpired.Why was you not present yesterday? Barnard is out of town,we do not know where sam was,but why were you not there.You knew of the meeting ahead of time and could have gone.You think the people will believe it when you say they met secretly without you. Bullshit! Why does your old attorney think the records he has is his? Buddy you tell us what took place yesterday.We know David told you.You need to be put in broughton. Scott Smith does have some blame and you know it fool.
Sub commitee meetings are open to all the board members not just the commitee.As long as they notify the press they can meet and if a majority is present, vote on matters.Buddy is an elected official and should have been there.He can not therefore,claim fowl play.Buddy we believe you are in a sad state of denial.Just wait, you and the elite are about to have a coronary.Keep blogging it is the only place you feel like people listen to you.It helps to smile once in a while Buddy.
Our board should have fired some worthless people yesterday.I hope a motion will be made to eliminate positions,and commit Buddy.I hope the board will put a foot down on this lackluster administration.Rick needs to weather the storms.He will be in charge before this board goes out.I will bet on it. Why did Scott Smith let this breach happen?
"Buddy is an elected official and should have been there.He can not therefore,claim fowl play.Buddy we believe you are in a sad state of denial."
You can claim Armour is a sorry-ass board member, but I am willing to bet he knows the difference between "foul play" (treachery and deceit) and "fowl play" (feathered creatures in cleats).
You people... You people who do things in secret with your little Personnel Sub-Committee, who plot to reduce our school system to a cesspool of ignorance that only you can understand and govern, who expect to be served rather than TO serve - you are the lowest of all the bottom-feeders.
8:11, you are a moron.
Most boards have sub-commitee's.Im sorry this is the first time in Burke county.You will get over it.It is interesting,I called five different school systems today about the transfer of money from a old high school to a new one.Many had different accounts of how this should be done and they did it.Why did Burleson as Superintendent not follow through with this? Buddy you can rot in the fowl mess you have helped create. Larry Thurstons article was superb and on the money. I wish he had brought out more about rexanna's failed leadership at EB. As for what happened in the sub-commitee meetings,Buddy not showing up shows us how much you care. I bet what took place is what has needed to be done for years.We will find out monday want we.I bet the electorate will be proud. Buddy you cant save your pals anymore,maybe you should resign.Any time buddy you can point out my name on here I will be glad to sign my name and go toe to toe with you at meetings,in the paper,and on this blog.I know I will win because I study many school systems,not what you Randall and David thinks the law is. Im waiting Mr.Armour!
PS
DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
I know you are not Buddy.He is being medicated for Monday's meeting.
He isn't the only one. Karen seems to be sleep at all meetings.
Better to be silent than show ignorance like Buddy.Oh,speaking of sleeping at board meetings L.C. Corpening had that down to a science.He just raised his hand yes all the time.Funny thing,one night he woke up and made a motion but there was nothing to make a motion on. Karen may be waiting to erupt one of these days.Im sure she is tired of the bullshit.You may hate her but,she sure kicked Ray's ass.Not bad for some one who came out of nowhere and won in a landslide.I have always been told you better watch people whp stay silent.Karen represents our schools well.Im surprised she hasnt kicked Buddy in the nuts by now.
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