Sch Bd in Shambles
Feb 21 2022
From the beginning of time taxpayers have felt they were getting short changed and not told the truth on any and all school system actions and inaction.
Since Fall 2021 rumors have come our way on the ticking time bomb called Clay High School. Then, this year, solid info became public.
Before we get this mess out to the public, keep in mind, we were not at any of the meetings or present for the arm twisting, backdoor moves, none of it. This newspaper of choice waited til things solidified with some documents before running an article. As of Feb 21st, the following is what we think is absolutely correct in its entirety.
The letter just above is damning on face value alone. The first line shows the commitment for improving Clay High. It shows, the gallant teachers tried to get improvement by talking to the Clay High Principal, Crystal Gibson.
That second sentence explains explains why we used the "gallant" term. Teachers are fully aware of retribution and losing their jobs in retaliation for opening their mouths, for doing the right thing. Any veteran instructor knows first hand, teachers have been fired for less, others have been left behind without advancement all the while, company sucks and company rats have felt the benefits of their slimy actions.
Make special note readers, the above correspondence originally was made public by a School Boardster. Not a teacher, not from a trash can, but an elected Boardster. Someone on the Board wants to see corrections at Clay High.
It appears the brunt of the mutiny is pointed at long time Vocational School Director Bob Morris and CHS Principal Crystal Gibson. First Ms Gibson...
Another letter has come our way which refers to Gibson's uneven approach to discipline. Refers to some kids getting severe penalties while others don't even get a slap on the wrist. From reading between the lines, nepotism appears to be prominent with Crystal Gibson. Specifically, bullying and sexual harassment are targeted for lack of discipline .
Think about that, how about your kid? In this day and age, safety has to rise to the top. What if your kid is one that gets beat up or is forced out of school for being gay? What about if it's your student that makes the cross hairs of the current Administration whether the kid is guilty or not?
Teachers see the lack of discipline, they see the Top Administrator doing nothing or little to nothing to correct the endless number of problems. As the days went by in 2022, it came to a breaking point. To where, some teachers were ready to quit, to give up on education.
It all came to a head on Friday Feb 18th during a Faculty / Senate meeting where administrators do not attend. Instead of the normal BS time of 30 minutes with cookies, the meeting went until 4pm. Just a few left the meeting (maybe they felt the upcoming heat) before 4pm. Just a few!
During that meeting many complaints were written down and discussed. Of the 30 teachers present, 26 voted in solidarity of sending their complaints to the School Board. IF that ain't a real mutiny, a real vote of no confidence against current CHS Leadership, what is?
Now for Bob Morris.
This guy has been wayward for many years. Chief complaint used to be , he didn't answer his radio, didn't participate in school activities, didn't adhere to school discipline rules.
Most recently, this month for instance, while the buses were all lined up at 3pm, an older guy in his vehicle tried to worm his way between the line of buses while kids were ready to load. Know what we're talking about? As the brats were running between the buses, this old guy was trying to squeeze thru. That's a reaaal safety problem. A couple bus drivers tried to stop the guy Hermy Thorne who kept nudging forward, almost bumping a bus driver.
Someone rounded up Bob Morris and asked him to stop the dangerous situation. Instead , good ole boy Bob, walked beside the moving vehicle as the kids were darting about. In other words, he did nothing.
To get things under control, bus driver /Black Shirt Badge Robert Belt took control of the situation and no injuries were sustained.
That grievance list, complaints, is provided just below.
Read em carefully.
IF teachers see the problems, so do their wards, the students. Those teens see a kid walking down the hallway grinning ear to ear after getting zero days in detention. They see others getting special treatment. Still others getting dollar bills handed to em instead of discipline.
The above list indicates complete lack of control and how much the "in the trenches" teachers want the embarrassment to go away. Here's some problems to digest.
Pretty Boy "Mercedes" Paxton wants everything to look smooooth. With an insurrection in place, his tenure is cast in a very poor light. His job might also be in doubt. IF three new Boardsters are elected in May, his job is in serious jeopardy
With an election coming up where a majority of the current Boardsters are up for public approval, the tried and true Board run by Dave Mullins is out on a limb on May 10th, Primary Election Day.
It is our understanding the list of complaints has already been sent to the W Va Board of Election. If that is the case and if the State comes in to investigate, it may be too late for Paxton to act like nothing is seriously wrong.
But if you think about it, State Bd of Education reps are already in place doing an on site review. Gosh, if leadership wanted to save their on butts, maybe they should just read what the guy is already working on.
Finally, for once, teachers have grown a backbone and stepped up to the plate. Their reason is to restore education at Clay High School... to do what the Pentagon has refused to do.... to do what the elected Board of Education has not done.
And Yes there is a bunch more to the fluid story. That's coming later.
Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall in Mercedes Paxton's office? He's sitting there trying to come up with a believable game plan to get away from this quagmire.
Don't worry Pretty Boy, we have a game plan already prepared for you to use. Here goes:
"To all that BS in that pesky wittle newspaper, don't believe it
Oh, some of you do believe it?
Well, ... Let's start over, we have already got a team from the State Dept of Edumacation at the School and are ready to accept his report.
As soon as we get that report, we will work to correct all problems (if there are any problems) so your children can get an exemplary education and so you can support the next Levy Election" truly Pretty Boy Paxton.
AW