Now we see how are elected officials, some, feel about the entire process of hiring a new superintendent and how our district is dysfunctional.
Hence this comment that provides clarity from one of the board members supporting Dr. Boyd:
Interesting that when we first reported how everything seemed a bit strange many began to question how people come on here to complain. That our bits and pieces of information did not paint a real picture of what was actually happening. We provided sources of information that everyone was free to view and now here it is. The vetting process was a sham all along and no one will say the reason why everything was being pushed just to save face. It's true that this is all about politics and that's what we called them out on.. stop the BS and be up front about everything. All but one board member stands up and let's us know what is going on while the rest hide under executive session privilege which amounts to nothing because in the end they tell their contacts what's going on to benefit them one way or another. Hence TCU gigs, school choice privilege and so on.
Can we just do our homework right and for a moment in time do truly do it for the betterment of our district.
Source: http://www.abqjournal.com/547574/news/nm-news/santa-fe-board-takes-no-action-on-boyd-contract-pay-raise-apparently-not-on-the-table.html
I was stunned when I read David's direct quotes from the FACEBOOK page of Board Member Ashley Paz characterizing Boyd as having; "...strong support in Santa Fe..." and that "...he (Boyd) was not going to leave a place where he was loved..." , Add to that her previous; "There's no doubt in my mind they are bringing us the best Superintendent in the U.S.". Anyone following this comedy was left scratching their head in amazement. Was she REALLY talking about the same person? For me there are three questions: 1.How qualified is Ms. Paz to be sitting on the Board of a major urban school district? 2. How much vetting of Boyd could she accomplish while she and fellow Board Member Jacinto Ramos were in Washington D.C.? 3. Is she truly objective and acting in the best interests of her constituents? What is clear is that she was completely out of touch with REALITY. The facts demonstrate that this ENTIRE selection process was flawed from the beginning. Our School Board, led by Norm Robbins, and Ashley Paz, attempted (unsuccessfully) to paint a picture of an alternate reality. The sentiment in Santa Fe is anything but what Ms. Paz would have her followers believe, The facts and track record of Boyd are loud and clear. Where were Paz, Ramos and Robbins in particular when this vetting occurred? They reportedly received the same letters the other Board members did WARNING about the lackluster performance of Boyd and his poisoned relationship with teachers and parents in EVERY district he had worked in, There was also the FACT that he has little or no classroom experience and that his "life" experience was also lacking. So what would account for Ms. Paz's obviously problematic conclusions in defiance of reality? Well look who is supporting her: none other than failed former FWISD Super Melody Johnson for one, and failed former FWISD Board President Ray Dickerson - I believe her largest campaign contributor. Finally there is the recent TCU gratuities extended to both Ms. Paz and Mr. Ramos. These two are obviously more concerned with self than with the future of this district. Ann Sutherland stood alone in exposing this travesty. Paz and Ramos participated with the others in trying to illegally expel Sutherland from an official School Board meeting in retaliation for her candor. For her actions, the parents and taxpayers of Fort Worth owe Ann Sutherland a debt of gratitude. Ms. Paz please step down before you embarrass yourself further or follow the example of an experienced and committed educator: Ann Sutherland.
ReplyDeleteThe Star-Telegram reported that Boyd never called after Feb. 7th despite repeated requests.
ReplyDeletePlease continue posting on your Blog Ann. Many have tried to post without success. Why would they again try to remove you from the Board Meeting and not ask Needham, Robbins or Jackson (all of whom testified) from the same deliberation? Obviously to ensure a "vote" was one-sided.
ReplyDeleteWhen speaking about more pay for Boyd "AN INSULT TO OTHER DISTRICT EMPLOYEES" Santa Fe board members actually care about their employees!!!
ReplyDeleteOur board members are too busy taking photo ops, building their own business, getting their own education, finding jobs for their buddies, promoting their relatives, lying about the good they are doing in their districts, spending money taking trips that are useless- just the newest idea like all of the other new ideas brought to this district that fail: PEAK, RISE, NETWORKS...BOARD MEMBERS that have NO CLUE of the classroom much less public education.
Let's tackle the corrupt on this Board we can do something about: Needham and her puppy Jackson. Moss (unfortunately for the children in her district) is now running unopposed. At lease citizens were able to get rid of her husband. We all know Needham is the puppet master. Jackson though is highly vulnerable. She has openly championed the virtues of 2 hour bus rides as study halls for students to practice "time management", Her children do not attend the schools in her district - and "no" she did not wait in line. In truth, it is rumored that Sultan Cole's son is also at Paschal. We know that Tobi wanted her daughter out of her district for the sake of her campaign. What does that mean? What is she hiding? Why is her buddy Wanda Conlin, owner of the Greater Meadowbrook (so-called) News so viciously attacking Joel Aguilar? All smoke and mirrors to hide Jackson's record of self-promotion and phony accomplishments. Minority voters need to rally behind an educator. We don't need any more politicians whose children are too good to go to the schools they represent. That is the problem with this Board. Look at Jackson's HORRIBLE voting record.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Mrs.Paz will take a public speaking class at TCU.. Or maybe she will at least learn to stop saying "um"... It is very irritating hear her speak during board meetings.
ReplyDeleteOMG am I the ONLY one that recalls her campaigning with, "I had to decide if I would eat or go to college?" I'm sorry, how the hell the public got behind that?!?!? It's very scary! Umm, it was for a seat on the BOE so doesn't ANYONE think that maybe she wasn't the best choice? Okay teachers, how many of us think that being a parent qualifies a person for the BOE? I'm surprised anyone ever voted for her! Maybe she's a great parent, oh hell she could be "mother of the freaking year" and still just as clueless about education! I remember several people saying, "she will identify with our parents" haha! How's that working for ya?!?!?
ReplyDeleteI think many of us were disgusted with the weak performance of Rangel. Even after Needham screwed him out of Board President he was too lame to fight back - too anxious to please Needham and foolish enough to believe she would accept him as an equal. Then there is the advocate turned PARTY ANIMAL Vasquez, who allowed himself to be lulled into thinking he was so great by Needham and could beat Burnham. We were desperate for responsible leadership and would up with two unethical sell-outs.
ReplyDeleteWow! I guess that's why it's important to get all the information before "leaping" into important decisions. Look, there's very few Fwisd administrators that I can say were true advocates for students AND teachers because it's so RARE but, I can say that of Carlos. For the record, he's always PARTIED on his own time. At least I never saw anything wrong with his behavior but, who are we to judge other people's behavior. I've followed this site for a long time and I respect the opportunity to voice my opinion about our district but, think it diminishes the effectiveness when people say crap that's just not true. If "voter" really wanted to know the facts about Dr. Vasquez, perhaps he or she should consider the source from which the information was obtained. We lost one of the GREAT ones when he left our district and if that's still unknown to you then you don't know a great deal. I also think it's important to point out that I'm just a teacher that he hired a long time ago and I have no benefit by lying or misleading anyone by saying so! I even helped him campaign and would gladly do so again if asked even as others turned their backs on him. Sadly that's what we do in FWISD, we vilify the really good ones because we are complacent with our true motto: "Let's not and say we did or let's do and deny!"
ReplyDeleteI am sorry it's so hard to get things posted on my blog. I post often enough that I can read the characters pretty well now.
ReplyDeleteRE the discussion on Palazzolo, Mr. Brand, our attorney, was the one who wants me removed. I don't know what the others feel and I'm not sure what the rules are. But I do know that FWISD residents want all sides at the table. How to do they expect to settle the case otherwise?
What courage you have to stand against all of this corruption that is FWISD! God bless you for you integrity and honesty. You stand ALONE on the board, but not on the ground where it counts! These blogs are reaching over 100,000 hits around the world. Keep telling the truth! The children and employees of this district deserve better!
ReplyDeleteStand tall and know you are supporter Dr. Sutherland. You are an elected official and the only ones that can let you go are the voters. You are their representative.. funny how they seem to say that they are for the rule of law and can't even follow simple things. I would contact the Attorney General or the Ethics Commission to ask how they can keep you away from meetings or remove you. Board members can't be recalled. The attorney does not run the district and he doesn't run you, he is not the people of District 6. They are trying to scare you and make you leave but don't.. they would have to physically remove you and then you can file. Also I would contact TEA, just like the board member in Dallas did when the Superintendent had her removed from a school. The TEA found nothing that the board member did wrong... and she filed with the DA for investigation. Use every outlet.
ReplyDeleteThey came from watching him myself. I know you liked Carlos, I did too at first, but he betrayed us all when he allowed Needham to fund his campaign against Burnham.
ReplyDeleteSo Insider, the problem you have is with Needham funding his campaign for State Rep.?? I think in that case, I might have just added up all the good Carlos had done and compared it to the bad! That's not to say that I'm giving any merit to your claim but, I wouldn't fault him for taking $$ from her if it were true. First of all, it took me a good while to like Carlos! Maybe it didn't seem relevant before to mention but, I will just to make my point. He was difficult to work for because he was a "hard ass" but, he made be a better teacher for it. I never attended any social gatherings until after he was no longer my principal. He never wavered in what he wanted for our districts students and teachers and having leadership like his and then getting the disappointment of his replacement. It made me wake up to the politics that plaugue our district and there are times that I wish I could go back to that comfy "denial" bubble but, I guess I can thank Carlos for that! I witnessed how it should be done and I can't undo that! Hell, I think I'd take $$ from her too if it meant that he'd be in position to do more good! I'm sorry but, I still think you're a complete fool if you don't see what a loss it was to loose Carlos in any capacity!
ReplyDelete