Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Letter to the editor

Stephen Rudicil
Published: August 25, 2008

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

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Starting to come around?

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

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Jail the Teacher

My words in bold

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

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

People get a grip.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mike Higgins
Hildebran

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

Friday, February 29, 2008

That didn't take long.

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theresa Whitson Moore

Connelly Springs

Monday, February 25, 2008

WOW! Lots of Letters!

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

Molding Minds

Best Teachers

Personal Agenda

Don't Censor

Don't Hold Us Back

Excellent Book

What Books are Next?

Same Rules

Parent's Call

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

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

Saturday, February 23, 2008

When is the book burning?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Rev. sees book's value

Morganton News Herald
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rev. Tony H. Matthews

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Kelly Rhoney's Letter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kelly Rhoney

Wife of Doug Rhoney

Former BCPS Principal

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Part Two-My Apologies

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kelly Rhoney

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