MrMatt
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On the article Selig: Lawsuit Will Delay Walmart Construction
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On the article Gov. Deal Announces Replacements for Suspended DeKalb School Board
MrMatt
1:24 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
ironic that you start out talking about the community supporting the new group, but immediately launch into how south Dekalb is somehow treated unfairly implying some kind of racist slant. unless you have done your own financial audit of the system and tracked where every dollar goes and for what, you're simply adding to the problem.
i acknowledge my ignorance on what really happens with all the money and why it seems some schools have more than others, but i do know that it's not entirely because tax money is directly unfairly. there are numerous factors that legitimately impact school funding such as special needs, gifted students, etc.
On top of this, some north Dekalb schools have unbelievable parent involvement, in terms of time/effort (cleaning up school grounds, gardens, etc.) AND in terms of real money (several northside elementary schools raise $50,000+ through PTA campaigns to fund technology, materials, programs directly at their schools. This money comes out of parents pockets...not from the school district. that may seem unfair, but the unfairness is centered on the administrators being unable to manage a budget effectively to ensure this kind of 'outside support' isn't necessary. It is inherently unfair to the families in districts where raising that kind of money is not possible. But don't fault others for wanting the best for their kids...fault the school system for not managing resources well enough so we can all have access to quality materials.
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On the article Federal Judge Denies Motion by DeKalb School Board Members
MrMatt
6:16 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Ok - and i'm with you on being "hopeful". But unless you've been under a rock the last 10 years, you know that the parents of this district have been asked to "give the new guy/gal respect and time to accomplish their goals", only to be burned time and time again. Surely you can understand the degree of cynicism and doubtfulness...only concrete actions will matter at this point.
If Dr. Johnson is going to be admired, along with M.Thurmond, then they should be outlining a list of actions they deem necessary to get moving in the right direction, once a quorum/full board is in place. Things like a Full, Open Records Forensic Audit, shake-up of The Palace in a major meaningful way - no nepotism, smaller size, and ouster of long-term leaders who can only be considered as part of the problem (not the solution) after this long run. That's just a starter.
when i hear either or both of them talking like that...then i'll bring out my "hopefulness".
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On the article Federal Judge Denies Motion by DeKalb School Board Members
MrMatt
1:14 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Mary - not sure what your motives are in pushing the agenda for Dr. Johnson - hopefully not as a "friend and family" member looking to keep or secure a position in the Dekalb system. But I can say that anyone could probably write an equally glowing historical bio for Dr. Walker....I imagine there would be a similarly glowing review for our favorite person at the Palace, Ramona Tyson. Bio's don't tell the story...results tell the story. I certainly hope Dr. Johnson's "18-years in system-wide leadership positions" didn't contribute to Dekalb's decline...but that is a possibility unless you can point to some specific results he achieved.
I do hope for the best...but time will tell if Dr. Johnson can lead with a focus on students across the district (not just certain ones), and can keep the focus on the budget. And, since we don't know who will comprise the entire new board...I'm not sure there won't be a better qualified "leader" to take the chairmanship from Dr. Johnson.
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On the article Federal Judge Denies Motion by DeKalb School Board Members
MrMatt
10:13 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Reply@justathought
No winners for sure, but pretty clear who the incompetent ones are. And continuing to pillage and plunder the already ailing school budget. At what point do their lawsuits have to be carried on their own dime? -
On the article Oglethorpe Prez: Court Will Overturn Suspension of DeKalb School Board
MrMatt
6:20 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
ReplySadly there is a chicken and egg effect at work that makes the problems of solving "haves" and "have-nots" very difficult. I fully agree that our educational system is failing all of us. And yet a good educational foundation is key to future success. So everyone jumps on board with a gazillion programs to improve the effectiveness of our schools. And yet my sense is we are getting worse...not better.
I'd suggest that we stop with all the programs and get back to having smart teachers in small classrooms with real responsibility and passion. Dump the millions, or perhaps billions, wasted on one new program after another followed by one more round of standardized testing after another. This is a fleecing of the tax payer and simply lines the pockets of many so-called educrats. Let's get back to teachers teaching. We need more of them, and they have to be well trained.
Real learning at school is being pushed out the door. To make up, teachers push the learning onto 'homework' assignments that ensure that only stable 2-parent homes really master, since the teaching is really happening at home. The have-nots are not in stable homes, are working multiple jobs, and cannot nor should not be asked to be substitute teachers. Yes, they should be involved - they should encourage and help, but not do the heavy lifting I see being done now.
Which leads to the real issue...everyone focuses on the education system...but it all starts at home.
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On the article Federal Judge Denies Motion by DeKalb School Board Members
MrMatt
5:43 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
ReplyAnn - get a grip. Deal didn't make up the removal law overnight. There was a law on the books passed in 2011 that enabled Deal to do this. He is following the law as it stands, whether we all agree with it or not. I happen to think it is on shaky footing, but Deal is not crossing some line by exercising the power the law allows. I don't particularly like Deal either, but that's neither here nor there in this case.
Oh, for that matter, the Dekalb board didn't like Deals decision either...so they took the constitutionallity of the law to the Judge. Now the Judge has said it's okay by him. Deal didn't unilaterally act beyond his right...
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On the article Group Seeking Druid Hills Charter Cluster Meets Tuesday
MrMatt
1:45 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
ReplyI have a feeling the Dekalb school board is ultimately going to win their battle, but lose the war. This nonsense has been the straw that broke the camels back for most parents. Cityhood movements, charter clusters, cityhood school districts....all coming to a neighborhood near you.
The only saving grace, if any, will be if there is a landslide election-based reversal of course in 2014 for the Dekalb Board. The county residents and it's leaders must get together and understand there is nothing 'racist' about wanting excellence for your child's education. And there is nothing ethical or admirable about the job the current board has done. The loudest complaints may be coming from the northside, but involved parents on the south end of Dekalb are also mad about the current state of affairs. Sadly, their voices seem to get squashed by the louder race-baiting ones. It is only in the best interest of south Dekalb to demand a better board and better leadership...if not, the new cities, charter schools and city school districts are going to leave south Dekalb students with little tax income to support their schools. And they'll only have themselves to blame for not seeing beyond color.
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On the article DeKalb Schools: 'There Is No Plan'
MrMatt
11:11 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
ReplyMaybe Orson should check the DCSS website for the plan developed by the prior Superintendent. No telling how many consulting dollars were wasted on that, but to say that the county has never developed a plan is flat out lie. To say it was inadequate, poorly communicated, or developed in a closet...those may be truths. Just another sign of the political maneuvering and/or complete incompetence and lack of accountability in this whole bunch of clowns.
http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/superintendent/excellence-in-education-plan
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On the article Thurmond: Voters Partially Responsible for School Board Strife
MrMatt
2:35 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
MaxB - I too was at the meeting and agree with your sentiments. It is plainly clear (since he said it about 20 times) that he has only one agenda - SACS accreditation. He has set that as the measure of success for his 1-year tenure, and will march around touting his success if this goal is achieved. He may sympathize with parents for the poor quality of the school system, but I got zero sense he really wants to deal with any of those thornier issues.
I expect tomorrow and the next few months to be a parade of Thurmond demonstrating "apparent" progress against SACS requirements, then we'll come off probation. He'll go home with his $275,000 and perks, and we'll still have a broke (and financially broke) system.
As for his comments regarding the 'voters' being partially to blame - he may be factually correct but importantly, the voters don't pick an entire board - they vote for their one board member. Several areas voted in 'change' with new board members...while others voted to keep their existing members. Are those voters perfectly fine with the system as is, uninterested, or operating on some other motive? Who knows. I'd like to see a poll or a recall effort to find out which areas support the status quo now. And then ask why?
MrMatt
9:43 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Well said Don. In no way do I subscribe to the anti-WM view of GGD (which is really all they are...an anti-WM group, not a Good Growth group). But anything and everything that exposes the shady practices and/or complete incompetence of Dekalb County is fine by me...
I'm personally in support of redevelopment of the Plaza, and it will require a large anchor tenant to make it feasible. A thriving Plaza will inherently draw more visitors and more traffic, whether that anchor is WM or someone else. Should the development be required to meet all necessary codes, perhaps consider neighbor concerns....yes. But if lawful and reasonable conditions are met...there is no reason why WM should not be allowed to go there. If they aren't allowed on the merits, then we play favorites. If that's the world we are in, then i want to ban all Prius' running around Decatur, as they are ugly, dangerous (too quiet), and the mining or rare earth metals used in their battery packs is hurting the environment more than helping it (which by the way happens in China, the same place WM gets most, but not all, of it's stuff...oh the irony).