Another year at NMS

As we begin another school year at NMS, we need to remember what we are fighting for! WE need Mrs. Hackett back now more than ever. Our school is not the same and we have very unhappy students, parents, faculty, and staff. Lets rebuild our team and fight for what is right! We need NMS to return to the wonderful school it used to be!

Check out gordonsvillehighschool.blogspot.com

Board Meeting,

Thursday, September 18, 2008 

5:00 at SCBOE!  

Be There!

Finally some recognition!

Mrs. Hackett has been named News 2 Educator of the week.  They will be at school September 11, at 10:00 to video.  We are so proud of her.  She deserves it!!!!  

Way to go, Mrs. Hackett!!!!!!!!

Concerned Citizens of Smith County Education

Meeting - Sunday, August 17, 3:00 

at Brush Creek Community Center 

Our group's goals:

We need to turn a new page and begin to move forward with a spirit of caring and responsibility. It is essential that the school board, teachers and community of Smith County work together to work out problems that have been collecting for the past few months. 

 

v    First, we need to get rid of the lawsuits as quickly as possible.  They should not be allowed to take up our time and finances. 

v    We need to wipe out one lawsuit by re-instating Becky Hackett as the principal at New Middleton School with a reprimand in her personnel folder that will remain there for three years.  This should be done as soon as possible, at the latest by January 1, 2009. 

v    Ms Woodard can be reassigned to 4^th grade with the provision that the next open elementary principal position will be available to her.

v    Next, we need to appoint a new negotiating team from the board, or have the board as a whole participate in negotiations with SCEA.  Teachers won’t hold out for the impossible.  Teachers are notorious for being happy with any kind of compromising.  This should take away another lawsuit.

v    Any other lawsuits can be talked through with the people involved with the board.  Hopefully they can be resolved out of court.

v    We need to have a standing policy, as do other counties, that the Director of Schools is evaluated every year by June 1 using the instrument recommended by the School Board Association.  At that point, the community should be given 15 days notice that the contract will be voted on, it will be the first item on the agenda, and then and only then would the Directors contract be extended. (Annually)

v    Teachers and Parents should be encouraged not only to attend board meetings but should have the opportunity to voice their opinions when asked.

v    We should begin to follow all state guidelines concerning board meetings.

v    Children should always be the first priority, not the director, supervisor, principals, or teachers.  The board should always think about and make decisions for what is best for our Children.

v    Teacher morale should be the next priority.  The board needs to make sure the outstanding teachers that are in Smith County want to stay in Smith County instead of pursuing jobs in surrounding counties.

v    The Supervisor of Instruction should consult with teachers and determine a need before spending money to purchase unnecessary programs, since money is so tight and there are so many real needs in our schools system.  

Enough is Enough!

We now know why the Director of Schools refused to publicly discuss the reasons for not renewing Mrs. Hackett’s contract. Clearly he wanted to wait to see what additional minor items could be created to justify his decision. And, he knew that if he explained his reasons in public, Mrs. Hackett could respond. By filing his reasons in Court he knew that Mrs. Hackett would have to wait until the trial to respond. Since she can’t respond, we need to get the truth out.

Where did this negative information come from?

• Why was none of this information in her personal or evaluation files?  WE LOOKED!!!!!  Her files are public records and nothing was in there. 
• Was this information in a hidden file that was kept from the public?
• Will certain individuals be rewarded with new job opportunities due to half truths and untruths?
• We all knew about the signature. Mrs. Gregory’s statement is misleading!  Her signature was copied on the copying machine not forged. And the copying is obvious.   These were all positive evaluations and nothing negative was on there.  Mrs. Hackett didn’t intend or cause any harm to Mrs. Gregory. Mrs. Gregory also stated she had never been reprimanded from Mrs. Hackett.  NOT TRUE!! On numerous occasions Mrs. Hackett had to talk to her about her language.  Mrs. Hackett has witnesses to that! Parents and students are aware of the facts.
• Purchasing gifts and meals for staff, faculty, and volunteers.  Since when is it inappropriate to reward students, teachers, staff, and volunteers for a job well done? Where is the policy on this and are other schools/principals held to the same standards.
• Not cooperating with supervisors?????  All supervisors were greeted with smiles and respect when they walked through our doors at NMS. (As is every person that walks through our doors!)  NMS even sent Mrs. Fox (supervisor) flowers congratulating her for her big “award”. How can this be uncooperative?  Mrs. Fox never even sent a Thank You.
• Flowers- Is it inappropriate to send flowers to funerals or illnesses who are connected to our school? (or congratulating our supervisor of instruction)
• Vending account- It is hard to figure a profit/loss analysis on vending accounts that only made $20-$40 a month! Compare this with the $100 a month payment to the Director (for begin secretary to the board) which appears to violate State law. Have all of the audits of the Central Office been completely clean?
• Why are NMS and 2 other schools the only schools without a bookkeeper? 

Stop by our booth at the Smith County Fair and talk to us.  We need voices!!!!!!!

Board Meeting Tonight!!!!

5:00 at the SCBOE

Show Support!!!!!!!!