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Updated: 10:06 AM Jun 16, 2009
Dozens Voice Concerns at MPSD Board Meeting
It was a tense Meridian Public School board meeting Tuesday night as about a hundred concerned citizens were attendance expressing their views on a number of issues. Posted: 9:55 AM Jun 16, 2009Reporter: Tametria Conner Email Address: tametria.conner@wtok.com |
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The situation here in Meridian concerning the lack of leadership in the public schools is just outrageous!! There has been no real leadership displayed in the last couple of months. True leaders lead out of earned respect not positional intimidation. The situation is over Mr. Kent's head. He doesn't have the educational background (he does not have the degree) nor the experience (he has never lead an entire school district) to be attempting to lead the MPSD. It is hard to believe that he would be hired period. The pool of candidates must of been quite small. The word on the street is that the consultant group was told that they had to hire a black man or face lots of backlash from the black leaders in the community. Qualifications didn't matter, black and male. The truth of the matter is the fact that this is getting to be a race thing. It will be interesting to see how the new mayor handles this. Especially the appointment of new board members that will be coming up real soon.
High-integrity workplaces don't get that way by accident, coincidence, or luck. They're molded, shaped, and built by leaders at all levels. QUOTE BY: ~Eric Harvey
Uniform policy enforcement is definitely an issue, but it's not the only one. Recently, I was told by an administrator that schools are penalized in their grade level scores (ex. level 5, level 4, etc) if they fall below a certain attendance percentage. These scores play a role in the Federal Funds our schools receive. For this reason, in school suspension was created in an air conditioned classroom for discipline problems, dress code violation, etc. Kids are now intentionally acting out so they can go to I.N.S & get out of class. My question is whatever happened to corporal punishment, after school detention, picking up trash, or washing dishes in the cafeteria? I urge MPSD to start enforcing discipline for the sake of our schools. I also urge you, as parents, to write your congressmen today about testing & school scores. These test & other requirements were designed for good reasons, but have some serious flaws that are having a negative impact on our school system in general.
I am glad that the parents have unified and have become one voice. For the future, I would like to see them gathering in groups, perhaps by school, and participate in some decision making throughout the school year. Some examples are as follows: 1. the behavior problems the disrupt learning in the classroom. 2. Easier access and better response time from parents when they are needed to respond to phone calls that the teachers and administrators make concerning those behavior problems. 3. Parents, to visit the school more often unannounced to see what is going on in the classroom. 4. To behave responsibly when addressing the teachers and staff concerning your child. The list can go on and on. Parents, the bottom line is the school is only as great as the leaders, teachers, students and parents make it. By working together and supporting the educational structure, this can make a major impact on your child learning. I am not against the parents, THE SCHOOL NEEDS YOUR HELP TO SUCCEED!
The biggest problem with uniforms isn't the colors of the shirts. Some of the kids still wear their khaki pants halfway down their bottom. How about making a rule that you have to wear a belt and your pants above your crack?? I've been in the buildings during the day and I see this. DISGUSTING!
My daughter attended Poplar Springs from kindergarten thru third grade. I worked in the district but lived in the county. How would that transfer now be handled? I was in a secondary school anyway. Would I now be restricted from bringing my child altogether? Additionally, I wanted her to go to Poplar Springs because of the high expectations and culture of excellence. Brashier was there then. I don't know what the culture and climate are there since we've been gone for five years, but any school is only what the staff and community make it. Poplar Springs' community will not allow for anything other than the best for their children. Can the same be said for all of the other communities associated with the other elementary schools? Ah, no!
Forum is a unique feature not offered to the parents, teachers, and community in their districts. Many teachers in other places have told me flat-out that they nor the public are welcome at their Board Meetings. This board has always welcomed public commentary--that's been the whole purpose in moving the meetings into the schools and why they created the Public Forum section in the first place.
For several years, MPSD Board Meetings have been held in the schools where libraries and auditoriums can seat larger crowds. This board moved the meetings from CO to the schools in hopes that parents and community would become more involved. They've even move the starting time at least once or twice to try and accommodate the public. Besides CO personnel, a few principals, and a handful of regular citizenry, the only time folks come is when their child leads the Pledge, when their child is honored for an award, or when someone wants to address the board for whatever reason. Only summer meetings and work sessions are held at CO. It was Mr. Wile and Mr. Lynch who initiated the Public Forum so that the Board can hear from parents, teachers, and community. As indicated last night, the Public Forum is not a question-and-answer session--it is for the Board to listen and take notes and discuss at work sessions. My colleagues in other districts and other states tell me that the (continue)
Poplar Springs isn't the school most people perceive. As far as Kent. he is the one that needs to be removed. He stated that the colors for uniforms where going be kahki pants and wild cat blue shirts. Now he is stating no change. Seems to me that he is back tracking in his statements. There needs to be resolve and work out effective solutions for the children, so many are falling through the cracks. And stop making certain kids follow policy and procedure while others or not.
in addition to my previous post re: Parents at MPSD school board meeting on Monday, June 15, 2009: You also sent the School Board the message that you believe it is a new day ~ a day that can make a difference in the success or failure of Meridian Public Schools. I truly believe that our district can be as bad as we let it get or as good and strong as we make it. Thank you for caring, and thank you for respectfully sharing your passion with each other and with YOUR school board.
I just wanted to let people know how proud I am of the parents who attended last night's MPSD School Board meeting. Parents have organized themselves to unify and strengthen their voice as rightful co-owners and consumers of public education in Meridian. Your messages to the school board were simultaneously varied and cohesive. You brought out many concerns reflecting two obvious themes: we care about education and our input is not just valuable, but essential to the success of this district. I want to commend you for: your passion for MPSD and your willingness and courage to speak respectfully and effectively regarding your concerns. Without parents who choose to send their children to public schools - MPSD would not exist. Without the passion and input of these concerned parents ~ MPSD cannot reach its full potential to succeed. Despite your frustration(s) and MPSD's Advised Status, you stood before the school board last night to say, in many ways that you believe in MPSD.
I was so glad to see so many people at the board meeting last night. When concerned parents, teachers & citizens of Meridian come together to show their concern, then major changes in this district can hopefully become a reality. This needs to be on going. If people do not continue to show this type of interest nothing will get done. We want Meridian to grow into a place we all can be proud to call home!
NO CHANGES ARE BEING MADE TO THE UNIFORMS THIS YEAR PER CHARLIE KENT IN TODAY'S MERIDIAN STAR. NO CHANGE WAS EVER ADOPTED BY THE BOARD, ONLY DISCUSSED.
I am hopeful that the meeting last night marks the turn-around in MPSD. Many concerns were expressed to the Board and to Mr. Kent. I hope that tonight's forum at Wesley House at 6:00 will offer additional opportunity for parents, teachers, and the community to come together and discuss ways to help move the district forward.
This meeting was a great example of why School Board members should be voted in and not appointed. The the members would be beholding to the voters and not their own agenda. Edward Lynch should step down and stop trying to be in the lime light every week. Most of the time the board members look like they don't even know what day of the week it is. Changing the uniforms every year is costly to the parents not to the board. We should stick to one color or do away with the program.