so many meetings, so little clones
Trying to decide which meeting to attend on nights when they are scheduled simultaneously in different schools? Write your representative and see if they still have an open mind about alternative plans and compromises. If your rep is bringing Roy “they’ll get over it” Mullins, he’s already made up his mind.
A little story from the past. Many years ago, Tommy attended KAEC. KAEC is the trashcan of Knox County schools and it’s hard to describe what it was like without using language I try not use on this blog. When Tommy was there, he had zero textbooks. The school had no library, no nothing. It bore an uncanny resemblance to Taft. While I begged and fought to get Tommy out of there, I witnessed and overheard enough to know that no matter how much the teachers cared about their students, and they were some of the most dedicated teachers I have EVER seen, nobody else in Knox County schools cared at all. One day in the office I listened as a school administrator asked that the files be pulled on all the students who hadn’t used up their suspension days (a certain number of suspensions are allowed without requiring a manifestation of disability hearing) yet so that the school could find excuses to suspend them. After Knox County finally created a classroom for Asperger’s children at Bearden Middle, a good friend’s daughter was sent to KAEC and she was as stunned as I was at the school’s conditions. The school is still far, far less than what those children deserve and need, but because of that other mother’s loving determination, they are finally attempting to educate the students instead of just incarcerating them. The school board member who represents that school now was there when the school was at its’ worst. They have the same representative now as they did when Knox County leased most of the school’s outside land to a private sports club (who promptly fenced it to keep everyone from using it). I hope we have some new choices for the next school board elections.
Heh … yeah. Whatever good is at KAEC is 100% due to the dedication and caring of the teachers. They used to also have the resources of HRM Bridges, but that has been taken away too, in favor of school employees now acting as advocates for the kids and families … guess who’s idea that was?
Justin got out of there just in the nick of time. But I am quickly realizing that Oak Ridge is not much better. We may be coming back to Knoxville for Anni’s last year. *sigh*
If I had it to do over again, I would home school, no doubt.
Comment by LissaKay 04.16.07 @ 4:50 pmIt was a great loss to the students and their families when Knox County pulled the contract with Bridges in favor of school employees.
Comment by cathy 04.16.07 @ 6:01 pmWow! I discovered you recently and am astonished at how much we would have to talk about. I’m also at Rocky Hill. I pulled my 3rd grader from there last summer and have been homeschooling 4th grade this year. I have boy/girl twins still there in 1st grade. Their future there (especially given the recent zoning proposal) is pending.
Comment by Andrea 04.16.07 @ 11:31 pm[…] In my complete and utter frustration at the pointlessness of trying to be heard by local politicians, please remember this story from last week. The school board member who represented KAEC when the students had zero books, when it was physically impossible to earn a diploma there and who sold most of the outside play area to a private sports club is the school board member still in office now. He blatantly ignored every parent with concerns about the rezoning. At the Bearden High forum, he spent most of his time sitting with his back to the parents. During Monday night’s eloquent speeches by other school board members and parents, he chatted with another school board member and stared at the floor. We need REAL representation on the school board. He does not care about the best interest of all students. Cindy Buttry listened and fought hard to do what was right. She offered a bold and risky alternative. She even tried playing politics to get this rezoning sent back to the drawing board. In the end, five people on the school board just wanted the easy way out instead of the right way. I will not “get over this.” I will get the last word in at the polls. No Comments so far Leave a comment Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong> […]
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