Kurdell and Gorham Fiercely Debate Educational Issues While Defining Their Platform on Education

From The Tampa Tribune

Tone Getting Sharper In School Board Race

Well, I have a good title, even if was more image than substance. I have been well schooled.
Read the article anyway.

Hillsborough School Board race gets partisan too

Keeping up with local politics:

Hillsborough School Board race gets partisan too

$4000 of Motivation Is Difficult To Measure

From the Tampa Tribune, we surprisingly have another critique of the HCPS.

Looking For Inspiration, Local Schools Go Afar:

"It's not the first time the district used Title I funds to hire motivational speakers, but it is the most questionable. In 2007, records show, the district paid Tulane University professor Calvin Mackie $5,500 to motivate boys at five struggling schools - an expenditure that at least touched students directly. Sherman, by contrast, spoke only to administrators and teachers."

When I first saw the video of this little boy, my first thought was how long he must have practiced to get it right. I have heard many "motivational speakers" in my lifetime. Most of them were hawking a product of some kind, so the goal of their speech was to motivate the audience to spend money as a testament to how motivated the audience person had become. Success of the speaker could be measured by how much money the speaker made.

As far as $4000 goes, if you divide that by the however-many-billions-it-is dollars of the HCPS school board budget, we all know it is a small percent, which makes it an insignificant line item in the budget. However, if one were to apply that same $4000 to something like ESE evaluations or OT/PT services http://www.standadvocates.org/2005_OT-PT_State_Complaint_Response.doc then somehow the thought rises that $4000 could add up to real money.

ABC News: Media's Presidential Bias and Decline

ABC News: Media's Presidential Bias and Decline

This article by Michael Malone says it all. You should read all five pages of it.

I see a correlation between what has happened to the media and what is happening to public education. After you read it, especially the last two pages, think about how the public school systems are responding to the public.

Tell me what you think.

Selective Reporting or Fear of Retribution

Yesterday was a HCPS school board meeting that had it's share of how things can go wrong within one of the most powerful and influential organizations in our county.

Compare and contrast these two articles of the same meeting.

How can that be?

Rallies Inspire East Bay Students To Appeal Policy- Tampa Tribune

School Board talk on travel takes harsh turn - St. Petersburg Times

When "No" Has Different Connotations - And Motivations

I know a few lawyers who say "No means "no" only until it means "yes".

Yesterday's HCPS board meeting did not disappoint those who wanted to see some action at the dais. I was watching to see how the Alafia Elementary issue was going to be professionally smoothed over as a non-issue, fully expecting to hear the phrase "isolated incident" at least once.

The real action came after Ms. April Griffin attempted to ask for an "exception" for a rule she was just about to vote on. Admittedly, that was an awkward position to take. How does one get an exception from something that doesn't exist yet?

Perhaps the awkwardness of the order of events is what prompted Ms. Faliero, the Board Chair, to attempt to stop Ms. Griffin's request. For reasons I am sure we would all love to know, Ms. Faliero chose an interesting behavior when Ms. Griffin asserted her efforts to complete the request. From my perspective, when Ms. Griffin continued to speak, Ms. Faliero stated Ms. Griffin was "out of order". Ms. Griffin refuted that statement, and continued to speak. Ms. Faliero again stated Ms.Griffin was "out of order" and placed an emphasis on the fact that this was stated one more time. Ms. Griffin continued speaking.

What happened next is something that tells a lot about Ms. Faliero. I don't know what it tells, but it tells a lot. Ms. Faliero called for the removal of Ms. Griffin. Could this call have gone to the same person who was called to remove Ms. DeCeasare a few months ago?

Lee Drury De Cesare's Casting-Room Couch: Search results for freedom of speech: "Enter Lee Drury De Cesare, sharp-tongued critic, frequent speaker and perpetual thorn to certain public figures, Faliero included. Guess what? De Cesare said a name and kept talking as the buzzer sounded. Faliero told a security officer, 'Do your thing,' and De Cesare was escorted out."

After this command from the chair, there were several people speaking, Ms. Griffin being the most assertive. However, a female voice is heard to say "(please?) don't do that". I wonder who said it.

There is something to be said about the power and authority of a public school person. I write about it frequently on my other blogs, usually about how this authority is abused.

Hopefully there will be some learning from this event. Ms. Griffin later made an excellent point that what employees witnessed was not helpful in getting employees to come forward to express their concerns and that this type of action did not further the attempt at changing the culture of the system of fear of retaliation or words to that affect.

After all of that, what I haven't figured out is why would Ms. Faliero result to saying that Ms. Griffin just doesn't like to hear the word "no".

Response To A Comment About An "Assessment Team" Going To Alafia Elementary

Here is the link and the comment:

Blogger: Public Education - Politics, Business and Education - Post a Comment: "I have heard that an Assessment Team is being dispatched to the school. Time will tell whether this will be a true investigation or not. If the team truly looks into the matter, there can be only one conclusion. Otherwise, it will only have been a step taken in the course of cover-up and damage control.October 20, 2008 2:40 PM"

There is so much to say regarding this comment. My personal opinion is never, ever trust "the system". While there are a few, maybe many, trustworthy people who work for "the system", I repeat, I would never, ever trust "the system". This is based on years of experience from many different perspectives.

One would have to read every post and link that I have written to understand what I am talking about. The problem with that is that not every post is germane to why one should not trust "the system". You have to put the dots together.

My first response to an "assessment team" is you must understand the Delphi Technique:

Using the Delphi Technique to Achieve Consensus -- November 1998 Education Reporter

I have seen it in action and it is real. I have witnessed this in different arenas within the HCPS. Do not ignore it.


Here is my prediction. They will develop a team of district people and targeted parents. They will hold a set number of meetings. The District will be in control of all paperwork regarding the recording of all of the meetings. The first meeting will be to bring out all of the problems. Emotions will be kept in check as this is "just the information gathering phase, and emotions get in the way of positive outcomes". The District will take this information and synthesis it into 4 areas. The District will identify the problem areas "based on information gathered", and bring it back to the group. The group will then be subdivided so that the parents are divided. These sub-groups will hash out the emotional aspects of "the issues". The next meeting will be where the District "brings to the whole group" a breakdown of how the issues were decided upon. There will be a "discussion" and a "consensus" will be "agreed upon" by all. The final outcome will be that the problem was taken care of and "everyone" is in agreement. It won't be until later on that the parents figure out they were snookered, but the official paperwork and "official decision that the parents agreed to" will be on record.

Please remember that I am labeled a "malcontent". "Nothing the District does will ever please me". "(I) have a personal vendetta against the District". Ok. I accept it. Just prove me wrong.


If I am wrong, I will be very pleased. And surprised.

Unusual To Have Two Local Papers Talking About Alafia Elementary

Frequent readers of my blogs know I like to read between the lines of the public comments on the online newspaper articles.

As someone on the Tribune commented, the Tuesday board meeting may be interesting. My bet it that one of the board members will make some comment that they were glad to see this misunderstanding taken care of and that statement will be backed up by someone else, and that will be it.

Everyone looking for anything more will be disappointed.

To make changes admits there was a problem. To admit there was a problem gives up power.

I hope I am wrong once. Time will tell.

Here are links to the two articles.


Public Education - Politics, Business and Education: Parents Critical Of Alafia Elementary Principal - Part Two On This Blog

PRO on HCPS: Alafia Elementary and The Clinton Defense

Policies Are Only As Good As The Selection Of Enforcement

Read these two links and compare.


Tough new policies in Florida schools target bullies -- OrlandoSentinel.com

Tough new policies being rushed into schools across Florida call for swift, sharp punishment for students who pick on others. They may be spending time in detention or even be expelled.

"We want to make sure every student who comes to school feels safe and protected," said Keith Baber, a district counselor leading the counterattack on bullying for Orange schools.

Many school districts across the state, including Orange, have increased their anti-bullying efforts in recent years. But a new law passed by the Legislature last spring requires every school district to have a strict bullying and harassment policy in place by Dec. 1 that meets state guidelines.

MyFox Orlando | Girl called racist for wearing Palin t-shirt

"Girl called racist for wearing Palin t-shirt

By Melissa DiPane
FOX 35 NEWS

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) -- She's only 12 years old but Ashleigh Jones is feeling the heat of this election year.

That’s because the seventh grader at New Smyrna Beach Middle School was called a racist by classmates for wearing a pro-Sarah Palin t-shirt."

How much is protection available when there is the "see no evil, hear no evil" defense by the system?

"Officials with Volusia County Schools said there were no referrals or complaints to the office about this incident."

Does this mean if it isn't documented, it didn't happen?

Sounds familiar:

Motel Special Ed: Big Fat Money:

"If an elephant came into the IEP meeting, dropped a load right in the middle of the table, no one could ever prove it if it wasn't written in the IEP form or the conference notes. Even when there are teachers, ESE specialists, related service personnel, principals, directors and parents that see the elephant, moved their papers out of the way of the big dump, and smelled the aroma that stunk up the whole room. If it wasn't written, it didn't happen."

Different Schools Approach Sex Talk Differently

PRO on HCPS: Alafia Elementary and The Clinton Defense


The above is a link to my other blog and it is about a letter of concern that a parent had written. Apparently a little boy had been saying some not so nice things to her daughter. Part of the concern was how the principal dealt with the situation.


To make a long story short, the principal apparently defended the situation by admonishing the moral stance of the parent.

Interestingly, this next link takes us to a situation in another HCPS school where s student was suspended because she kept talking about her teacher who was doing a student. Note, the suspendable behavior was talking about something she was processing.

PRO on HCPS: We are Playing Those Mind Games Together

Almost A Year Ago - "Hillsborough: Board approves no-bid contract"

Hillsborough: Board approves no-bid contract:

"'What disappoints me the most is the lack of trust in the expertise sitting in this room,' said Carol Kurdell, the longest serving board member."

For those interested in Carol Kurdell, what about the above comment? How would those-in-the-know rate the "level of expertise"?

TAMPA - The Hillsborough School Board awarded a no-bid contract for $158,000 Tuesday to a company headed by a longtime employee.

School officials said the decision to hire as a consultant Tom Blackwell, the former general manager of construction, was justified by his unique expertise. His firm is charged with conducting a survey of school facilities, which the state requires every five years.

Several board members questioned the lack of bidding and the closeness of the relationship. Blackwell retired in late August after 21 years with the district.

Any comments about relationships in Education and Business? Just wondering.

School Board Election Politics - St. Pete Times

School Board election politics


For those who are interested, there are a few public comments about Ms. Kurdell that could have meaning - or not. I would assume that one could connect some dots - or not.

Relationships Are The Key To Education - or Business

In the Tribune we find:

Gorham Best Choice For School Board Change

As always, a public comment got my attention:

Posted by ( genewells ) on 10/14/2008 at 02:10 pm.

Your assesment of Kurdell is unfair. My personal experience has been a School Board Member that listens and acts for the community. When gunfire rung out at the old Rembrandt Housing Complex Kurdell was the first board member on the scene and taking action. She organized increased security at the school and ultimatley crafted the plan the created the land swap with housing authority that created better affordable housing and smartly acquired property right next door to Robinson High School for future expansion or new school site in South Tampa. We need Kurdell's experience, compassion and can-do actions today more than ever.

This comment jogged a memory of mine.

I don't know what all this information means.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4HPIA_en___US202&q=chet+luney

If one looks, one can find this:

Press Release

And then of course there is more public information:

HCPAFL.org SEARCH PROPERTY RECORDS [ LUNEY CHESTER M AND GWENDOLYN L ] FOLIO#018958-5092

And then on the HCPS website there is this:


"Assistant Superintendent for Student Services & Federal Programs Gwen Luney"

Superintendent's Office

Relationships seem to be a part of our public education system.

School Board election politics

School Board election politics


What has she done for us lately? No, not the Board. Her

Parents Critical Of Alafia Elementary Principal - Part Two On This Blog

Parents Critical Of Alafia Elementary Principal#comments#comments#comments#comments#comments#comments:

I think this has the most pages of public comments that I have ever seen. Gotta love it.


One must take note of the diatribe from both sides on this one. With the added notes from some another Tribune missive, the public comments are interesting. It is a true war of "parents and a few insiders" vs "district personnel and a few insiders".

I think we can agree that "monkey1" is an interesting contributor. As a ex-member of "Team Parents", I think "monkey1" fits the stereotype for "company person". On the opposite side of the octagon, we have " EWH", "pokethefire" and "lbw250" representin' the parents.

One has to read between the lines with intent when one reads these public comments. I always like to pay attention to what I don't read as well as what I do read. In other words, are accusations refuted or are they countered? I can see both sides. I have been there. I happen to know one of the key players in this arena. I am not divulging who it is nor which side they are on. I do respect this person, so I am interested in the outcome.

I wish I could hold a betting line on this one. I am betting that the Principal moves up. The parents will be left holding their angst. The next Principal can't lose.

Any takers?

Ellyn Smith, Ashley Smith, and a "Miffed Elia" - Relationships are Important

In today's Tribune, we see this statement:

" ..Smith could not be reached Tuesday night. Her husband, Ashley Smith, attended the board meeting but would not comment. He said his wife was at a PTA Board meeting."

An astute public commenter wondered "where did this statement come from?" How did the name of the husband of a principal just get thrown into this article as if he was pertinent to the issue? I know several principals, and I am quite sure that if their spouse turned up at a school board meeting, their name wouldn't be printed just because they were there alone. The public commenter (moi), asked:

"Posted by ( RLH ) on 10/08/2008 at 06:37 am.

The article doesn't say what position the husband, Ashley Smith, has with the school system."

And then there is this:

"Posted by ( Longball ) on 10/08/2008 at 10:42 am.

I know Mr. Smith use to be an administrator as well years ago, but I am not sure what he is doing now.
And he wasn't a strong administrator himself, so there could be some issues here with the Misses.

And finally, the lone comment that got my attention:

"Posted by ( pokethefire ) on 10/08/2008 at 02:52 pm. ...Now we'll see if things change! Superintendent Elia seemed miffed that she had to deal with this or that the issue was into the public view. .....

All can be read here:
Parents Critical Of Alafia Elementary Principal

This led to a little research, which now makes it all make sense of why there may be a lot more to this story than meets the untrained eye.

If we go to this link, the plot thickens:

Knowyourcandidates: STATE HOUSE 62

ASHLEY SMITH, 59, is a retired public school teacher and administrator living in Valrico. Smith began his teaching career as a social studies instructor at Plant City High. He has served as principal at Buchanan and Eisenhower middle schools and held assistant principal positions for almost 10 years at Armwood High. Before retiring in 2001, he also was president of the Florida Association of School Administrators from 2000 to 2001. A North Carolina native, Smith earned a bachelor's degree in education and a master's in administration from the University of South Florida. He served more than three years in the Air Force. He has lived east Hillsborough for 30 years. He and his wife, Ellyn, the principal at Seffner Elementary, have two grown children. ASSETS: house, investments. LIABILITIES: mortgage, car loan. INCOME: school retirement. WEB SITE: none.

Digging Up Bones

Click Here:
Latest News

This site covers a few of the exposed skeletons of the many-closeted HCPS.

I know, I know, they are just isolated incidents and broad brush attacks.

But just look at the message of power-by-any-means that these stories give when you put them all together.

Enjoy.

Complaint Alleges Hillsborough Withheld Services To Students

Complaint Alleges Hillsborough Withheld Services To Students: "The complaint alleges the students did not receive services such as counseling, social work or psychological help they were entitled to under federal law."

"The complaint alleges the students did not receive services such as counseling, social work or psychological help they were entitled to under federal law."

Could it be that few administrators recognize that "counseling, social work or psychological help" are related services?

(A) In general.--The term `related services' means transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services (including speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, social work services, school nurse services designed to enable a child with a disability to receive a free appropriate public education as described in the individualized education program of the child, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services, except that such medical services shall be for diagnostic and evaluation purposes only) as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes the early identification and assessment of disabling conditions in children.

IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA 2004

"Instead, the students were subjected to repeated disciplinary measures, including more than 10 days of in- and out-of-school suspensions, court referrals and undocumented, illegal removals from school."

I wonder if anyone in the HCPS knew about these concerns:

"Elia said she was surprised when she got notice Monday of the upcoming news conference because she was not aware of the concerns."

Motel Special Ed: Complaint Alleges Hillsborough Withheld Services To Students