Susie Woodard

Susie Woodard has been placed as principal. She and her husband(a commissioner) have been at our meetings. I am not sure what is going on and why? We CANNOT stop. I have heard good things about her although she was passed over for the principal position at other schools including the school where she has taught for years. NMS is Becky's school! I will keep you up to date with any new information. Please DO NOT stop fighting for Mrs. Hackett!!!!!!!!!

Elected vs Appointed Superintendent

In my effort to better understand the history of elected vs appointed superintendents in TN, I came across the article in TSBA's BoardTalk, May 2008, pg 2 "Breaking News:
Elected superintendent amendments proposed". (http://www.tsba.net/publications/boardtalk/BoardTalk-0508.pdf). From that article, I began to read other blogs about this issue. The following websites are interesting, especially schoolmatters. While it applies to larger a school system the 4 pages of comments provided an array of opinions/thoughts.
http://schoolmatters.knoxnews.com/forum/topic/show?id=879777%3ATopic%3A21004
http://lastcar.blogspot.com/2008/05/elected-school-superintendent.html

I am sure there are other sites. If you find any, please share. As we go forward, it is important to understand the issues from both sides.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Continue sending letters to the editor at the Carthage Courier and The Tennessean. We do not want this support to diminish in any way. It is going to take all of us to stay on top of this and continue helping Mrs. Hackett fight. We cannot let our efforts fade away through the summer. We want this to become bigger and bigger each week. Kellie

NMS Principal Job

I thought I would inform everyone that a certified letter was sent to Mr. Lewis this afternoon which included an application and a request for an interview for the principal's job at New Middleton. The person applying is MRS. HACKETT!!!!!!!!!! She consulted with her lawyers today and is feeling much better. She was actually laughing! The next 2 weeks are going to be very interesting. As Mr. Lewis stated in this weeks paper, "The position of principal at New Middleton School will be filled by a qualified and certified individual as soon as possible." I think Mrs. Hackett is the most qualified, don't you?

Make the case for state-wide issue

Please start thinking about how our situation is a state-wide issue. You may want to consider writing a letter to the editor for the Tennessean!


http://tennessean.com/SITES/OPINION/submit-editor.shtml
Letters will be edited. Preference will be given to letters of less than 250 words. To be considered for publication, letters must include the writer's name, street address and daytime telephone number. Only the name, hometown and ZIP code will be published. Letter writers who would like their e-mail addresses published should include that address with the letter.Letters may be submitted via this form. They also may be mailed to Letters to the Editor, The Tennessean, 1100 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. They may be e-mailed to letters@tennessean.com or faxed to 615-259-8093.

On Line Petition

I created an online petition for NMS parents in hopes of increasing our parent/guardian signatures. The website is http://www.gopetition.com/online/19597.html

Job Posting

The principal's job has been posted.  Becky had a very hard time Friday afternoon.  Seeing it on a piece of paper made it become real again.  Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.  Let's keep fighting!

Meeting Update - May 18, 2008

IMPORTANT DATES



Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 6:00 PM

SC BOE Budget Meeting, Smith County Board of Education Building

This will be a "seen not heard meeting"! Bring signs, wear T-Shirts, etc...

Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 5:00 PM

SC BOE Meeting, Smith County Board of Education Building

Beginning Sundays, June 1, 2008, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Smith County Concerned Citizens of Education

Brush Creek Community Center

Notes: Agenda will be prepared. Please let know any items that need to be added!

WATCH NEWSPAPER ANNOUNCEMENT COLUMN FOR OTHER MEETINGS OF INTEREST!