Dear Editor:
As of December 1, 2008, my daughters and I have not received a response to our request for an investigation by the Board of Education during the meeting on November 18, 2008. We have left messages with our BOE Commissioners checking on the response.
Let me clarify our position in response to Ms. Campbell’s letter to the Editor published in the November 26, 2008 paper. A statement from the kicker (bully) that it is “just child’s play” is all well and good on the kicker’s part, however, without receiving the same interpretation from the kickee, we again have a skewed statistic. All I know is that I personally would not have wanted to be the kickee – how about you? Unless you are the person being harassed and bullied, you can only imagine how this feels. (I wonder if Ms. Fox feels that her social skills were enhanced by this experience or if she just declines to get near Ms. Campbell.)
I am not concerned that my grandchildren’s abilities to learn how to give and take “during normal child’s play” are at jeopardy, however, that adults stand by watching while bullying escalates to 16 children ganging up on one child within a nine week period and DO NOTHING TO STOP IT, is unbelievable. It is unbelievable that adults interview the attacker and determine, on just the attacker’s testimony, that it was only “child’s play”. My granddaughter was not interviewed and witnesses were not interviewed. She was told that there was not enough “evidence” of the attack and so nothing would be done. I guess her sprained neck and shoulder were not considered evidence at all.
I can’t imagine a group of people standing by and allowing these situations to happen to an adult much less a child. It is inconceivable to me why a teacher would want this type of behavior to continue in the classroom. We are not asking that teachers become “parents”, but we are asking that parents be informed of their child’s behavior and told that if it does not improve, the child will be removed from the classroom so that the teachers can teach and the other children can learn. The end result of our experience is that one grandchild was moved to another set of students – nothing happened to the student bullies, ergo, the victim was punished and the 16 aggressors “got away with it.” If my child was one of the bullies in these situations, I would want to be immediately informed. My student would be severely punished by me for their unacceptable behavior. I wonder if any of the parents of these children were informed of their child’s misbehavior.
I worry about what kind of people we would become if it was generally accepted that ganging up on one person, no matter their age, is socially beneficial. This isn’t reality TV and this isn’t the movies. Real children are being endangered and real adults are looking the other way. It did not happen when I was a student, it did not happen when my children were students and I don’t believe it needs to be happening now.
No parent sends their child to school in order to have bullying and harassment “make them better able to interact as an adult in a social situation.” I don’t believe that bullying and harassment are a necessary evil in order to become a “fully developed social adult”. I have worked in different professions, for different entities and in different levels of responsibility. I never required having experienced bullying and harassment, either as the bully or the victim, to make me better equipped for social interaction and/or to be successful in the work force. To infer that a child in this type of situation is as equally equipped as an adult to protect themselves is ludicrous. If this were so, students wouldn’t need parents once they reached the age to attend school. We could just push them out of the nest and be assured that they will become healthy, successful adults. Further, to infer that a parent is overprotective or just needs to step back and let the child handle the situation is also ludicrous. As an adult if a situation becomes intolerable, I can choose to leave, I can find another job or group of friends (i.e., take my toys and go home). Does a child have that same opportunity? A child looks to its parents first, and then the adults in charge, for guidance and protection. We would be remiss as parents if we told our children to just “suck it up”.
No one is suggesting that there are “throw away” children, but without adults helping these children to understand that their behavior is totally unacceptable in any situation (school, social or work force) is, in fact, throwing them away. Not curbing the unacceptable behavior in our classrooms is throwing all of our children away. Please remember that the middle school has been on “needs improvement” for five years.
Those that attended the school board meeting and heard what my daughters and I told the officials, know that we met with the teachers, the administration, Mr. Williams, and spoke with Mr. Brinson on the telephone. Our decision to go to the school board was because no one would acknowledge that the situation was real. Our decision to continue in our efforts to assure the end of the bullying, harassment and physical attacks at all of our educational facilities will be because no changes are forthcoming. We are not asking for something new. School systems have always been charged with providing a safe learning environment for students while on school grounds. Jasper County taxpayers recognized and outlined this responsibility in the agendas which are handed out to each student and which each professional in the employ of the Jasper County school system is charged with carrying out. Even if you don’t have a student in the system, you should, at the very least, want to get what you are paying for.
Donna Telley
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Link to article in Monticello News:
Thank you to the Monticello News and Ted Dunagan!
I have posted the link to The Monticello News at the right. With the support of the citizens of Jasper County and the continued support of the parents who took time out of their busy schedules to come to the meeting Tuesday I think we finally have a chance to see some improvement in our schools and on our buses.
I have posted the link to The Monticello News at the right. With the support of the citizens of Jasper County and the continued support of the parents who took time out of their busy schedules to come to the meeting Tuesday I think we finally have a chance to see some improvement in our schools and on our buses.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Statements from tonights Board of Education Meeting
DIANA MANRIQUEZ
My family moved to Jasper County in April of 2007. My parents have lived in Turtle Cove for more than 15 years and I was excited to “come home” to a smaller, more personal community. I have always felt at home in JASCO. My brother attended school here and I was excited for my children to have the opportunity. In fact, my brother is well known to Mr. Joel Gaston, whose sons played football on the same team.
However, my son’s experience has been somewhat less idyllic than my brother’s. From the beginning of my son’s enrollment in JASCO Schools he has been physically and verbally attacked and harassed with the full knowledge of his teachers and the administration. The only adequate response I have ever received has come from Ms. McWhorter. And I had to bring my concerns directly to her, she was appalled and highly concerned that the first time she was hearing of my son’s problems was from his mother instead of her staff. What began as three students verbally and physically harassing my son turned into 16 students within the space of 9 weeks.
It is my perception that there is a vital breakdown in the enforcement of discipline beginning in the classroom. If the teachers had spoken up or enforced the basic rules for classroom discipline and safety immediately and consistently at the time of each incident, my son’s experience would not have turned so negative. What has happened to detention? Calling home to report certain problems or concerns? Not every infraction of the rules requires suspension or expulsion. However, it is my belief based on my son’s experiences and my personal interactions with school personnel and administration, that there IS a serious discipline problem at the school. Ms. McWhorter genuinely seems to be interested in the continuing improvement of the JCMS. I also believe that she has a substantial challenge ahead. As one of the 5% of active and interested parents in her school, I am invested in her success.
I also believe that the administrators and school staff have their hands tied by bureaucracy. It has been presented to me in conversation that, if you told any school principal in the State of Georgia they could remove 10 students who were known bullies or discipline problems, those principals would find an obvious and marked improvement to their schools. I submit to you that the administration CAN remove the students who are known bullies if they would utilize the tools they already have at hand.
If the JASCO teachers follow the discipline referral process which is already in place to document the incidents, within a few weeks, the disruptive students could be either removed from class or made to behave. Students would be better protected from those who would attack them because all the students would see that there ARE consequences for inappropriate behavior at JCMS.
My request to the Board this evening is that you initiate and/or oversee an investigation into the weaknesses in the discipline program and it’s lack of implementation as well as recommend reasonable changes to strengthen the ability of the administration and their staff to identify and remove their “10 students”.
CYNTHIA KING
I have not come here today hat in hand to make requests. I have not come here to ask that you look into the problems that have been cited or the issues that are raised. I am here to ascertain why the job the Jasper County citizens elected you to perform has not and is not being done.
I moved here from a county that won awards against seemingly insurmountable odds. I moved here from a county that believes that you work harder with the students that need extra help to excel. I moved here from a school system with a position of absolute dedication to the education and safety of the students in their schools. I have been involved with mentoring students. I have supervised field trips, and I have worked fundraisers, soliciting donations when needed. I have written checks when fundraisers fell short. I have invested in my children's future and the future of their friends and classmates with my time, my money and my attention. I have done what needed to be done and I will do no less here.
My children have suffered physical and verbal assault at the hands of Jasper County students aided by the lackadaisical attitude of the administrators. During a conversation on October 24, 2008, Mr. Brinson threatened, that because of my actions, my children would suffer immediate expulsion if they so much as put a toe out of line. He then went on to state that this would solve his problem with me. Obviously, his problem has not been solved.
My children have endured bullying and harassment unchecked by the adults paid to supervise them. They are fearful in the hallways that this board has been entrusted to keep safe. I have been forced to withdraw my children from this unsafe atmosphere and pay for my children's education in alternative facilities.
The disciplinary policies adopted by the school system are only enforced when it is to the administration’s benefit. They are implemented in a discretionary manner and because of that they are useless. I cannot request my children adhere to these policies when the administration chooses to only apply the policies suited to their convenience and then only to arbitrarily chosen students. I am appalled.
My goal is and always will be the safety of my children and that my children receive the education they deserve. I would wish the same for all Jasper County students. I want the education my taxes are paying for. I am the taxpayer that insists the administration do what they are being are paid to do or move aside for someone that will.
Do you really want to live in a county that will one day be run by children who have been raised to believe that their actions have no consequences and this just to make statistics look good. Do you want a generation of self serving bullies that have no respect and no remorse? I cannot believe you do. Now is the time to step up and stop enabling this administration to do just that.
Now that this situation has been brought to your attention I request that this board do the job you have been charged with. Make examples of today's bullies and the next thing you know tomorrow’s students will be safe and educated. I am asking you to make your stand for safe and reasonable education. Make your term here count as something more than a skewed statistic.
I am a mother, a taxpayer and a voter. I am a house wife that would love to help someone win a campaign. I request that this board investigate whether or not the students in the Jasper County School System are safe and also to ask this board to require the school administration to adhere to the disciplinary policies set out in the agendas without arbitrary discretionary input. I earnestly await your response.
DONNA TELLEY
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for allowing us to participate in your session tonight. I want to begin by assuring you that throughout our dealings with the Jasper County School System, my daughters and I have always been willing to work with the administration toward a solution to the problems we have encountered. To help with the work, not just to complain.
I am the grandmother of students in the Jasper County School system. My son attended Jasper County high school where he received an exemplary education. He attended North Georgia College and excelled. I attribute his academic achievements in part to the education he received in the Jasper County School system. However, what my family is currently experiencing with the school system has me worried that students are not receiving the same education and actually may be in physical jeopardy.
I have spoken with Mr. Brinson about these problems and he has assured me that his yearly statistics do not show any problem with the safety of students – that this is just my PERCEPTION. However, if acts of violence, bullying and harassment are not treated as problems when they are reported and no discipline is administered than I suggest to you that Mr. Brinson’s “statistics” are skewed.
Since the onset of our efforts, we have heard from other parents regarding safety issues involving their students and the discipline administered (or not) by the administration. Their perception is the same as ours. A few have removed some or all of their students for home schooling. If this continues, it can only hurt the school system. Even worse some of these parents stated that, because of economic issues, they have had to leave their students in an environment that makes them fearful for their safety. I hope that everyone in this room agrees with me that this is unconscionable.
Through our efforts, we have found a few administrators and professionals who have recognized that our students have had difficulties and who tried to help rectify our individual situations, yet we believe that these administrators and professionals are operating with their hands tied by bureaucracy.
At each turn, we have been told that the confidentiality of students is absolute. However, this confidentiality only exists for the transgressor. As you know, everyone who witnessed an incident knows what happened to the victim. If no one is allowed to know that punishment for unacceptable behavior was administered, it leaves the victim vulnerable and empowers the transgressor. Our experience is that those students who witness the transgressor “getting away with it” assume they can too, thus exacerbating the unsafe environment. We have been repeatedly assured that the proper discipline is always applied, yet the disciplinary policy stated in the school agendas has not been consistently applied in our cases. Our experience, and the experiences we have heard about from numerous other parents, clearly show that the stated disciplinary policies are not applied and that there is a real problem with the safety of students in the Jasper County School system.
Through an article in the Monticello News, we recently learned that Mr. Brinson has been appointed as “Coach” for new superintendents of Georgia schools by State Superintendent Kathy Cox. I am concerned that this appointment may have, in part, been derived from the “statistics” Mr. Brinson quotes which give an outward appearance that our schools operate in a safe learning environment for all students. As I have stated, our experience shows that this is not the case.
The safety of our students should be of paramount concern to all Jasper County citizens. As a taxpayer I want to get what I paid for. We paid for the policies to be stated, we paid for the agendas to be provided to each student and we pay for the adults in charge to implement these policies. I also believe that all Jasper County citizens should be concerned that without a consistently disciplined environment, teachers cannot teach and students cannot learn. A point in fact is that the middle school has been on “needs improvement” for 5 years. Through my family’s experience since April of 2007, I am not surprised.
In order to be fair to all students, the disciplinary policies stated in the school agendas need to be applied across the board without arbitrary administrative discretionary input. If a student violates a rule, the student will be punished according to the rules – end of story. This, of course, would apply to my family students as well. I believe that we all know that it takes less time and effort to consistently require children to adhere to the standards of behavior requested from any authority (parent or school system), then to have constant disruption day in and day out.
I am here tonight as a family member of students attending the Jasper County School system, and as a taxpayer, to request that this board investigate whether or not the students in the Jasper County School System are safe and to ask this board to require the school administration to adhere to the disciplinary policies set out in the agendas without arbitrary discretionary input. I earnestly await your response.
I am the grandmother of students in the Jasper County School system. My son attended Jasper County high school where he received an exemplary education. He attended North Georgia College and excelled. I attribute his academic achievements in part to the education he received in the Jasper County School system. However, what my family is currently experiencing with the school system has me worried that students are not receiving the same education and actually may be in physical jeopardy.
I have spoken with Mr. Brinson about these problems and he has assured me that his yearly statistics do not show any problem with the safety of students – that this is just my PERCEPTION. However, if acts of violence, bullying and harassment are not treated as problems when they are reported and no discipline is administered than I suggest to you that Mr. Brinson’s “statistics” are skewed.
Since the onset of our efforts, we have heard from other parents regarding safety issues involving their students and the discipline administered (or not) by the administration. Their perception is the same as ours. A few have removed some or all of their students for home schooling. If this continues, it can only hurt the school system. Even worse some of these parents stated that, because of economic issues, they have had to leave their students in an environment that makes them fearful for their safety. I hope that everyone in this room agrees with me that this is unconscionable.
Through our efforts, we have found a few administrators and professionals who have recognized that our students have had difficulties and who tried to help rectify our individual situations, yet we believe that these administrators and professionals are operating with their hands tied by bureaucracy.
At each turn, we have been told that the confidentiality of students is absolute. However, this confidentiality only exists for the transgressor. As you know, everyone who witnessed an incident knows what happened to the victim. If no one is allowed to know that punishment for unacceptable behavior was administered, it leaves the victim vulnerable and empowers the transgressor. Our experience is that those students who witness the transgressor “getting away with it” assume they can too, thus exacerbating the unsafe environment. We have been repeatedly assured that the proper discipline is always applied, yet the disciplinary policy stated in the school agendas has not been consistently applied in our cases. Our experience, and the experiences we have heard about from numerous other parents, clearly show that the stated disciplinary policies are not applied and that there is a real problem with the safety of students in the Jasper County School system.
Through an article in the Monticello News, we recently learned that Mr. Brinson has been appointed as “Coach” for new superintendents of Georgia schools by State Superintendent Kathy Cox. I am concerned that this appointment may have, in part, been derived from the “statistics” Mr. Brinson quotes which give an outward appearance that our schools operate in a safe learning environment for all students. As I have stated, our experience shows that this is not the case.
The safety of our students should be of paramount concern to all Jasper County citizens. As a taxpayer I want to get what I paid for. We paid for the policies to be stated, we paid for the agendas to be provided to each student and we pay for the adults in charge to implement these policies. I also believe that all Jasper County citizens should be concerned that without a consistently disciplined environment, teachers cannot teach and students cannot learn. A point in fact is that the middle school has been on “needs improvement” for 5 years. Through my family’s experience since April of 2007, I am not surprised.
In order to be fair to all students, the disciplinary policies stated in the school agendas need to be applied across the board without arbitrary administrative discretionary input. If a student violates a rule, the student will be punished according to the rules – end of story. This, of course, would apply to my family students as well. I believe that we all know that it takes less time and effort to consistently require children to adhere to the standards of behavior requested from any authority (parent or school system), then to have constant disruption day in and day out.
I am here tonight as a family member of students attending the Jasper County School system, and as a taxpayer, to request that this board investigate whether or not the students in the Jasper County School System are safe and to ask this board to require the school administration to adhere to the disciplinary policies set out in the agendas without arbitrary discretionary input. I earnestly await your response.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Letter to the Editor-Published 11/13/08
IS BULLYING OK?
My son began attending Jasper County schools in April of 2007. By April 23, 2007 he was making a trip to Jasper Memorial emergency room after being attacked from behind by a student in full view of a teacher. The result was a sprained knee which kept him from physical activity for more than 4 weeks. Again, this attack was witnessed by a teacher who was monitoring bus departure and who then helped my son to the office. After a lengthy investigation (remember a teacher witnessed this attack) I was told that my son had allegedly told the student attacker to “kiss his a__” a week before the attack (no witnesses) and this was the student’s retaliation for the comment.
The Assistant Principal who is in charge of discipline decided that my son’s alleged remark warranted 5 days of in-school suspension for him and the physical attack by the other student would be 4 days of in-school suspension. My perception of this is that you can kick someone’s a__ but don’t tell them to kiss it. Needless to say, I was appalled. There is no way to confirm that my son ever said anything to this student but the attack on my son was witnessed by an adult.
During the 2008-2009 school term my son had been consistently physically and verbally bullied and harassed by 16 students in his class. These students have just about every period as well as the lunch break with my son. Therefore, the harassment is relentless. The incidents have been witnessed by teachers who have taken no action whatsoever. Some of the verbal harassment is actually racial in content. He has been harassed while trying to use the restroom. He has had his lunch money taken from him by the harassers in full view of a teacher/hall monitor who only then said “Whoever has his money –give it back”. This teacher did not send the students who had taken my son’s lunch money for any sort of discipline.
After a few weeks of school, I was asked to come to a meeting with all of my son’s teachers. The teacher who called me told me that he was concerned for my son’s safety because the “bullying and harassment was escalating and he feared that it would become violent toward my son”.
If the adults in charge at the school know these activities are going on and that a child is being targeted and that the violence could escalate to the point of injury to the targeted child, why are the harassers and bullies not being disciplined. The answer arrived at by the school was to change my son to another “pod” of students. Therefore, the bullies have gotten away with their actions and can now turn them to another student, at will. Our experience is that no one will stop them.
We will be attending the November 18, 2008 Board of Education meeting to speak about our problems. This meeting is in the board room at the old Washington Park Elementary school at 7:00 pm. If you want to hear what our board members responses to these problems will be, please come. If you would like to contact me please do so through http://www.cleanupjaspercounty.blogspot.com/ or by email at cleanupjaspercounty@yahoo.com.
Diana Manriquez, Mother of JCMS Student
Donna Telley, Grandmother of JCMS Students
My son began attending Jasper County schools in April of 2007. By April 23, 2007 he was making a trip to Jasper Memorial emergency room after being attacked from behind by a student in full view of a teacher. The result was a sprained knee which kept him from physical activity for more than 4 weeks. Again, this attack was witnessed by a teacher who was monitoring bus departure and who then helped my son to the office. After a lengthy investigation (remember a teacher witnessed this attack) I was told that my son had allegedly told the student attacker to “kiss his a__” a week before the attack (no witnesses) and this was the student’s retaliation for the comment.
The Assistant Principal who is in charge of discipline decided that my son’s alleged remark warranted 5 days of in-school suspension for him and the physical attack by the other student would be 4 days of in-school suspension. My perception of this is that you can kick someone’s a__ but don’t tell them to kiss it. Needless to say, I was appalled. There is no way to confirm that my son ever said anything to this student but the attack on my son was witnessed by an adult.
During the 2008-2009 school term my son had been consistently physically and verbally bullied and harassed by 16 students in his class. These students have just about every period as well as the lunch break with my son. Therefore, the harassment is relentless. The incidents have been witnessed by teachers who have taken no action whatsoever. Some of the verbal harassment is actually racial in content. He has been harassed while trying to use the restroom. He has had his lunch money taken from him by the harassers in full view of a teacher/hall monitor who only then said “Whoever has his money –give it back”. This teacher did not send the students who had taken my son’s lunch money for any sort of discipline.
After a few weeks of school, I was asked to come to a meeting with all of my son’s teachers. The teacher who called me told me that he was concerned for my son’s safety because the “bullying and harassment was escalating and he feared that it would become violent toward my son”.
If the adults in charge at the school know these activities are going on and that a child is being targeted and that the violence could escalate to the point of injury to the targeted child, why are the harassers and bullies not being disciplined. The answer arrived at by the school was to change my son to another “pod” of students. Therefore, the bullies have gotten away with their actions and can now turn them to another student, at will. Our experience is that no one will stop them.
We will be attending the November 18, 2008 Board of Education meeting to speak about our problems. This meeting is in the board room at the old Washington Park Elementary school at 7:00 pm. If you want to hear what our board members responses to these problems will be, please come. If you would like to contact me please do so through http://www.cleanupjaspercounty.blogspot.com/ or by email at cleanupjaspercounty@yahoo.com.
Diana Manriquez, Mother of JCMS Student
Donna Telley, Grandmother of JCMS Students
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The first step has been made; Now we need you...
Well the letter is published. I am waiting to see what kind of response we will get.
This afternoon I received an e-mail from the nicest lady asking after my daughter's health. I responded to her personally as we will try to do with all e-mails or comments. My daughter is doing well, as is my son. They both miss the friends they have made so far this year. They did not have time to go back and exchange phone numbers, as after the threat of expulsion from Mr. Brinson; I did not feel comfortable allowing them to return to the school. I feel at this point I had no choice but to remove them from this system until I can guarantee their safety on school property.
So we will be home schooling for now while we work toward a better and safer Jasper County school system. I am only thankful that we were able to make that choice, I know not everyone can. It won't be easy for us to do this as many of you can imagine, but needs must when the devil drives.
As you wander through our site today please keep in mind that while this time it was my child, it's not so big a leap to tomorrow when it may be a family member's child…or yours.
Any input you have will be welcome. And your input will become necessary as we come closer to finding a resolution. This is our county. We live here, we work here, and we do it to make sure that our children have what they need. We need to take the steps that make sure that what we provide will be protected. We need to ensure that our children and schools are safe. Not just for us but for those that come after us. Individually we have the ability to do what's right for our families; together we have the ability to make it happen for everyone.
This afternoon I received an e-mail from the nicest lady asking after my daughter's health. I responded to her personally as we will try to do with all e-mails or comments. My daughter is doing well, as is my son. They both miss the friends they have made so far this year. They did not have time to go back and exchange phone numbers, as after the threat of expulsion from Mr. Brinson; I did not feel comfortable allowing them to return to the school. I feel at this point I had no choice but to remove them from this system until I can guarantee their safety on school property.
So we will be home schooling for now while we work toward a better and safer Jasper County school system. I am only thankful that we were able to make that choice, I know not everyone can. It won't be easy for us to do this as many of you can imagine, but needs must when the devil drives.
As you wander through our site today please keep in mind that while this time it was my child, it's not so big a leap to tomorrow when it may be a family member's child…or yours.
Any input you have will be welcome. And your input will become necessary as we come closer to finding a resolution. This is our county. We live here, we work here, and we do it to make sure that our children have what they need. We need to take the steps that make sure that what we provide will be protected. We need to ensure that our children and schools are safe. Not just for us but for those that come after us. Individually we have the ability to do what's right for our families; together we have the ability to make it happen for everyone.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Letter to the Editor published 10/30/08
When is enough enough?
As the mother of two Jasper County Middle School Students, I became aware of what I believe is a serious problem with the safety of all students in the Jasper County School system. Allow me to state first that I am not writing this without having spoken to Mr. Fore at the high school, Ms. McWhorter at the middle school, Mr. Jerry Williams, head of the transportation department and Mr. Jay Brinson, Superintendent of Jasper County schools. I have been told nothing will be done.
On October 8, 2008 on the bus ride home from school my 11 year old daughter was assaulted by a high school senior. My daughter was grabbed from behind by the hair which was pulled hard enough that muscles in her neck and right shoulder were sprained. That’s when I began making phone calls and attending meetings with the above officials. That is also when the harassment of my daughter by the high school senior and her gang of friends escalated. The only action I could take was to remove my children from school provided transportation to protect them from this bully and her gang.
The administration in this county has done nothing to discipline the senior that assaulted my daughter and I was informed October 24, 2008 by Mr. Williams that even though the senior confessed to him that she assaulted my daughter on the bus and despite my supplying a witness to the assault, that in his professional opinion there is not enough proof that an assault occurred. Mr. Williams stated to me that during his investigation he had reviewed tapes from the bus. On October 24, 2008, when I requested to be able to view the tapes myself, I was informed that the VCR on that bus does not in fact work. Mr. Williams also informed me that during his questioning of the bully, she claimed she was just playing so, again, in his professional opinion there is no reason to take this matter any further and no disciplinary action needs to be taken. Mr. Williams stated that the aggressor said “I was just playing” and “It was just good fun.”
At every turn, I have been told that “there is no problem with discipline or safety of the students”. Mr. Brinson actually told me that if my children commit any infraction of school rules they will be instantly expelled. Mr. Brinson also stated in a conversation with my Mother that the school property being unsafe is merely our “perception”, that the yearly statistics show that there is no disciplinary or safety problem at the schools. My question to all the parents in Jasper County is if your child had a sprained neck and shoulder and the bully got no discipline wouldn’t you perceive that to be a problem. If your perception is the same as my perception please e-mail me at cleanupjaspercounty@yahoo.com or visit the blog I have set up at www.cleanupjaspercounty.blogspot.com
From the beginning, my goal has always been to bring this matter to the attention of the officials who are responsible for the safety of our students and ask them to allow me to become a part of the solution to this problem. However, it seems that some of the officials refuse to acknowledge a problem exists and other’s hands are tied by bureaucracy. However, I still intend to do what I can to change it and would love your help or even just your input.
Thank you,
Cynthia King
Concerned Mother of Jasper County Students
Donna Telley, Grandmother of Jasper County Students
As the mother of two Jasper County Middle School Students, I became aware of what I believe is a serious problem with the safety of all students in the Jasper County School system. Allow me to state first that I am not writing this without having spoken to Mr. Fore at the high school, Ms. McWhorter at the middle school, Mr. Jerry Williams, head of the transportation department and Mr. Jay Brinson, Superintendent of Jasper County schools. I have been told nothing will be done.
On October 8, 2008 on the bus ride home from school my 11 year old daughter was assaulted by a high school senior. My daughter was grabbed from behind by the hair which was pulled hard enough that muscles in her neck and right shoulder were sprained. That’s when I began making phone calls and attending meetings with the above officials. That is also when the harassment of my daughter by the high school senior and her gang of friends escalated. The only action I could take was to remove my children from school provided transportation to protect them from this bully and her gang.
The administration in this county has done nothing to discipline the senior that assaulted my daughter and I was informed October 24, 2008 by Mr. Williams that even though the senior confessed to him that she assaulted my daughter on the bus and despite my supplying a witness to the assault, that in his professional opinion there is not enough proof that an assault occurred. Mr. Williams stated to me that during his investigation he had reviewed tapes from the bus. On October 24, 2008, when I requested to be able to view the tapes myself, I was informed that the VCR on that bus does not in fact work. Mr. Williams also informed me that during his questioning of the bully, she claimed she was just playing so, again, in his professional opinion there is no reason to take this matter any further and no disciplinary action needs to be taken. Mr. Williams stated that the aggressor said “I was just playing” and “It was just good fun.”
At every turn, I have been told that “there is no problem with discipline or safety of the students”. Mr. Brinson actually told me that if my children commit any infraction of school rules they will be instantly expelled. Mr. Brinson also stated in a conversation with my Mother that the school property being unsafe is merely our “perception”, that the yearly statistics show that there is no disciplinary or safety problem at the schools. My question to all the parents in Jasper County is if your child had a sprained neck and shoulder and the bully got no discipline wouldn’t you perceive that to be a problem. If your perception is the same as my perception please e-mail me at cleanupjaspercounty@yahoo.com or visit the blog I have set up at www.cleanupjaspercounty.blogspot.com
From the beginning, my goal has always been to bring this matter to the attention of the officials who are responsible for the safety of our students and ask them to allow me to become a part of the solution to this problem. However, it seems that some of the officials refuse to acknowledge a problem exists and other’s hands are tied by bureaucracy. However, I still intend to do what I can to change it and would love your help or even just your input.
Thank you,
Cynthia King
Concerned Mother of Jasper County Students
Donna Telley, Grandmother of Jasper County Students
Odd but true:
FROM THE MONTICELLO NEWS:
www.themonticellonews.com
Jay Brinson to Coach Superintendents
Ted Dunagan 23.OCT.08
Jasper County School Superintendent Jay L. Brinson has been selected by the Georgia Superintendent of Schools as a “Coach” for new superintendents of schools.
The purpose of the “Coaching Program” is to help new school superintendents develop skills and experience to become better at their job.
On the agenda of their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening the board approved the following personnel issues: the resignation of Early Johnson, Custodian, HS; the termination (due to contract abandonment) of Ashley Adams, Spanish Teacher, HS and Alona Smith, Graduation Coach, HS. Four overnight field trips were also approved by the board. Board Chair Phyllis Norwood, and Mr. Brinson accepted a check for $1,800 from Central Georgia EMC for community development.
Also, Mr. Brinson announced the new pre-school is complete and ready for occupation, and a dedication and official opening will take place on the afternoon of November 9.
Concerning financial information, Mr. Brinson reported the SPLOST which went into effect December, 2005, was projected to produce $80,000 per month to make payments on bonds used to build the new high school and pre-school.
However, since inception, the fund has averaged yielding more than $90,000 per month. The funds are deposited in a special account which to date has paid $93,034 in interest.
Also, monthly reports showed a total enrollment of all schools to be 2,060, well within the projection for staff.
The attendance report summary was within normal range, and the Monthly Student Health Services Report reported 521 students were treated and returned to class and 179 were screened for Scoliosis, among many other health care checks.
The superintendent indicated there was no need for the board to go into executive session and the meeting was adjourned.
www.themonticellonews.com
Jay Brinson to Coach Superintendents
Ted Dunagan 23.OCT.08
Jasper County School Superintendent Jay L. Brinson has been selected by the Georgia Superintendent of Schools as a “Coach” for new superintendents of schools.
The purpose of the “Coaching Program” is to help new school superintendents develop skills and experience to become better at their job.
On the agenda of their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening the board approved the following personnel issues: the resignation of Early Johnson, Custodian, HS; the termination (due to contract abandonment) of Ashley Adams, Spanish Teacher, HS and Alona Smith, Graduation Coach, HS. Four overnight field trips were also approved by the board. Board Chair Phyllis Norwood, and Mr. Brinson accepted a check for $1,800 from Central Georgia EMC for community development.
Also, Mr. Brinson announced the new pre-school is complete and ready for occupation, and a dedication and official opening will take place on the afternoon of November 9.
Concerning financial information, Mr. Brinson reported the SPLOST which went into effect December, 2005, was projected to produce $80,000 per month to make payments on bonds used to build the new high school and pre-school.
However, since inception, the fund has averaged yielding more than $90,000 per month. The funds are deposited in a special account which to date has paid $93,034 in interest.
Also, monthly reports showed a total enrollment of all schools to be 2,060, well within the projection for staff.
The attendance report summary was within normal range, and the Monthly Student Health Services Report reported 521 students were treated and returned to class and 179 were screened for Scoliosis, among many other health care checks.
The superintendent indicated there was no need for the board to go into executive session and the meeting was adjourned.
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