School Board Update
Nov 30 2022
November
2022 , actually all of 2022, have been tough tough times for
the school administration in County Clay. November has been
especially historic for this Land of Little.
After a two hour secret time and using artfully worded motions, a unanimous Board voted Superintendent Joe Paxton off the island on Nov 2nd. It was emotion filled with many Paxton supporters in the jam packed meeting room (bus lounge). A couple of the tossed from office Boardsters, Dave Mullins and Cheryl White, spoke up in favor of keeping Paxton. Didn't help, didn't work. Paxton's contract was terminated immediately with him to be gone by midnight that same night.
On Friday Nov 4th an emergency meeting was called where they voted in long time on the job Joan Haynie to be the new interim School Superintendent. Instead of a Superintendent recommending the agenda, it was Board Prez Nichols doing the recommendation. We think, folks in Charleston called and provided: You doo doos, you have to have a sitting Superintendent on the job right now. The emergency meeting was held to accommodate those under the Gold Dome.
On Nov 8th, during the General Election, voters made it very clear, they were NOT supportive of what's been going on in the school system. They voted down a $2.5+ million Excess Levy.That was the second time in 2022 that they voted against continuing the wallet buster.
All settled? Think Pretty Boy Paxton is long gone and off to greener pastures? Nope is the correct answer.
Nov 15th Board agenda included action item 20 which read: Action to clarify certain terms of the Board's action on Nov 2 by which it accepted the mutually agreed upon termination of Mr Joe Paxton's Superintendent contract. Clarify? What's that mean? Somewhere in that secret time, Joan Haynie retrieved Paxton and his attorney from the peanut gallery and invited them into secret discussions saying something along the lines of: they have a motion, you want to see?
After the two hour secret time, Bd Prez Phoebe Nichols told those in the peanut gallery, they had no answer and made no decision. Two hours and they made no decision???? Is it over? Maybe this time with Boardster Dave Pierson telling, don't put it back on the agenda.
But wait, there's more!!!
Here comes the Nov 28th Sch Bd meeting where item 12 was: action to clarify certain terms of the Board's action on Nov 2nd by which it accepted the mutually agreed upon termination of Mr Joe Paxton's Superintendent contract. They went into closed session at 6:13 and we don't know what time they emerged. While we were there so was Paxton and his attorney. Around 8:03pm, Ms Haynie came in and got the dynamic duo once again and off to closed doors they did go.
We don't know what happened afterwards because after wasting another two hours, we left. Shirt on em! Heck, World Ward II's settlement was negotiated in less! time
So what's goin on? Did they pay Paxton til the end of his contract (June 30th 2023)? Maybe just 90 days? Maybe nothing, just get the H out? As of Nov 30th, there has been no official statement from the Pentagon nor the School Board.
Why was he there twice since getting the boot? We think he was being greedy and was asking for more $$$ and or benefits.
Truth is, two things...
One, he's gone and no matter what , if you think about it, it's cheaper without him. Here's how: before Nov 2nd taxpayers were paying for a Superintendent, Asst Superintendent, and Haynie's other job, Federal Programs Director. After Paxton's abrupt departure we are only paying for a Superintendent. Ms Haynie is handling all the other duties herself.
And two, voters have had their way. They overwhelmingly tossed out the old majority on the Board and shot down an Excess Levy not once but twice in 2022. It's truly a new start.
After a two hour secret time and using artfully worded motions, a unanimous Board voted Superintendent Joe Paxton off the island on Nov 2nd. It was emotion filled with many Paxton supporters in the jam packed meeting room (bus lounge). A couple of the tossed from office Boardsters, Dave Mullins and Cheryl White, spoke up in favor of keeping Paxton. Didn't help, didn't work. Paxton's contract was terminated immediately with him to be gone by midnight that same night.
On Friday Nov 4th an emergency meeting was called where they voted in long time on the job Joan Haynie to be the new interim School Superintendent. Instead of a Superintendent recommending the agenda, it was Board Prez Nichols doing the recommendation. We think, folks in Charleston called and provided: You doo doos, you have to have a sitting Superintendent on the job right now. The emergency meeting was held to accommodate those under the Gold Dome.
On Nov 8th, during the General Election, voters made it very clear, they were NOT supportive of what's been going on in the school system. They voted down a $2.5+ million Excess Levy.That was the second time in 2022 that they voted against continuing the wallet buster.
All settled? Think Pretty Boy Paxton is long gone and off to greener pastures? Nope is the correct answer.
Nov 15th Board agenda included action item 20 which read: Action to clarify certain terms of the Board's action on Nov 2 by which it accepted the mutually agreed upon termination of Mr Joe Paxton's Superintendent contract. Clarify? What's that mean? Somewhere in that secret time, Joan Haynie retrieved Paxton and his attorney from the peanut gallery and invited them into secret discussions saying something along the lines of: they have a motion, you want to see?
After the two hour secret time, Bd Prez Phoebe Nichols told those in the peanut gallery, they had no answer and made no decision. Two hours and they made no decision???? Is it over? Maybe this time with Boardster Dave Pierson telling, don't put it back on the agenda.
But wait, there's more!!!
Here comes the Nov 28th Sch Bd meeting where item 12 was: action to clarify certain terms of the Board's action on Nov 2nd by which it accepted the mutually agreed upon termination of Mr Joe Paxton's Superintendent contract. They went into closed session at 6:13 and we don't know what time they emerged. While we were there so was Paxton and his attorney. Around 8:03pm, Ms Haynie came in and got the dynamic duo once again and off to closed doors they did go.
We don't know what happened afterwards because after wasting another two hours, we left. Shirt on em! Heck, World Ward II's settlement was negotiated in less! time
So what's goin on? Did they pay Paxton til the end of his contract (June 30th 2023)? Maybe just 90 days? Maybe nothing, just get the H out? As of Nov 30th, there has been no official statement from the Pentagon nor the School Board.
Why was he there twice since getting the boot? We think he was being greedy and was asking for more $$$ and or benefits.
Truth is, two things...
One, he's gone and no matter what , if you think about it, it's cheaper without him. Here's how: before Nov 2nd taxpayers were paying for a Superintendent, Asst Superintendent, and Haynie's other job, Federal Programs Director. After Paxton's abrupt departure we are only paying for a Superintendent. Ms Haynie is handling all the other duties herself.
And two, voters have had their way. They overwhelmingly tossed out the old majority on the Board and shot down an Excess Levy not once but twice in 2022. It's truly a new start.
Superintendent Haynie
But then but then, the next chapter got underway Wed morning
Nov 30th
State Dept investigators showed up Wed morning for an onsite investigation. Gulp! We know that because on Tuesday the 29th, teachers were told of that and to get ready, to put on the best face for those that could easily take over the entire operation just like they did last month in Logan County.
Keep in mind, no one wants to see the big Suits come for a look see. Remember they decided to come during the holiday season and with only a 20 hour notice. Readers, this is serious. Makes us wonder, if some peed off employee went to the Gold Dome and provided a bunch of dealings that ain't so kosher.
As best we can muster, the three day inquiry is an educational investigation which will be followed with a formal report listing all the mandatory changes. Clayberry Schools went from being ranked in the top 20 in the State to 50th (of 55) during the Paxton years at the helm. That's a huge drop.
That investigation will likely include two touchy items. One, a major reduction of the work force and with so few students and rotten test scores, the closure of H E White Elem.
Keep something else on the front burner.
All those educational failures came during the last Board's time at the table. They knew how bad things really were and did nothing publicly to improve things. Also, that was Paxton's time in charge. If serious changes are forced on Clayberry after this educational investigation, don't blame it on the new Board nor the current Superintendent. This monkey has be placed squarely on Pretty Boy Paxton and his subservient School Board.
AW
State Dept investigators showed up Wed morning for an onsite investigation. Gulp! We know that because on Tuesday the 29th, teachers were told of that and to get ready, to put on the best face for those that could easily take over the entire operation just like they did last month in Logan County.
Keep in mind, no one wants to see the big Suits come for a look see. Remember they decided to come during the holiday season and with only a 20 hour notice. Readers, this is serious. Makes us wonder, if some peed off employee went to the Gold Dome and provided a bunch of dealings that ain't so kosher.
As best we can muster, the three day inquiry is an educational investigation which will be followed with a formal report listing all the mandatory changes. Clayberry Schools went from being ranked in the top 20 in the State to 50th (of 55) during the Paxton years at the helm. That's a huge drop.
That investigation will likely include two touchy items. One, a major reduction of the work force and with so few students and rotten test scores, the closure of H E White Elem.
Keep something else on the front burner.
All those educational failures came during the last Board's time at the table. They knew how bad things really were and did nothing publicly to improve things. Also, that was Paxton's time in charge. If serious changes are forced on Clayberry after this educational investigation, don't blame it on the new Board nor the current Superintendent. This monkey has be placed squarely on Pretty Boy Paxton and his subservient School Board.
AW
From a loyal and pleased reader we're sure!