July 24
Super Super Phil Dobbins
Newbee Superintendent Phil Dobbins
just finished up his first full month in his new head honcho
position. We think getting his feet wet may have been more
than he ever thunk possible.
July 2023 brought change....
Over the years the Pentagon staff has grown. There was a time not that long ago, there was a Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent, office secretary, bookkeeper, Special Ed Manager, and that was about it in the main office. Today every office space has someone seated. Additionally, there are loads of secretary's around too. Over the last 8 years, the number of high dollar administration workers, it has grown and grown. That's OK if there is a need for each position.
From the outside looking in, some think, leadership has spent about as much time out horsing around as they have actually doing their job. Others know, many of the administration duties have been doled out thru extra duty contracts and such and thus lowering the work load even further. Bumps on a pickle comes to mind.
Saw something different during the July 24th Sch Bd meeting held at the Pentagon.
July 2023 brought change....
Over the years the Pentagon staff has grown. There was a time not that long ago, there was a Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent, office secretary, bookkeeper, Special Ed Manager, and that was about it in the main office. Today every office space has someone seated. Additionally, there are loads of secretary's around too. Over the last 8 years, the number of high dollar administration workers, it has grown and grown. That's OK if there is a need for each position.
From the outside looking in, some think, leadership has spent about as much time out horsing around as they have actually doing their job. Others know, many of the administration duties have been doled out thru extra duty contracts and such and thus lowering the work load even further. Bumps on a pickle comes to mind.
Saw something different during the July 24th Sch Bd meeting held at the Pentagon.
Michelle Samples Eric Legg
For the
first time ever (maybe ever), Pentagon administrators provided
updates on their work, needs, achievements to the Board.
First up was Dobbins which included: Last Dec's special needs investigation continues, meetings have been had, more are expected over the next couple months, expect part of the investigation team to return to Clayberry in Sept or October, mandated policy updates (compliments that investigation) are now going into place.
As for edumacation, Dr Michelle Samples spoke on data collection and applying results to the data. In response to seeing the many shortcomings, they want to see progress with teachers improving their lot based on the factual data, and, expect to see changes in the whole ball of wax based on the paperwork.
Eric Legg noted that having an investigation team on site last Dec., it was skeery but admitted what everybody knows for certain, they have to monitor everything from the paperwork to the educational progress. He told the Board that during the investigators last visit, they did find a few things that need worked.
We know those updates don't sound like ground breaking news but here in the land where everything has been kept hush hush, it was quite a change. We think the new guy at the helm is trying to restore public information to the public... to try and grow some taxpayer trust.
Here's something...
The days and locations of future school board meetings have been changed. From out of the blue, instead of hosting twice a month bd meetings on Mondays at the Pentagon, starting now, Board meetings will be moved to the second and fourth TUESDAY of each month. That first meeting of each month will be conducted at Clay High with the second meeting rotating around thru the various schools. all meetings begin at 6pm sharp.
Meetings at CCHS makes sense since there's more space for the public's participation. Holding meetings closer to parents, that may help restore some confidence to those paying the bills.
Regaining public confidence is needed before even considering a try at a Excess Levy vote expected in Nov 2024.
First up was Dobbins which included: Last Dec's special needs investigation continues, meetings have been had, more are expected over the next couple months, expect part of the investigation team to return to Clayberry in Sept or October, mandated policy updates (compliments that investigation) are now going into place.
As for edumacation, Dr Michelle Samples spoke on data collection and applying results to the data. In response to seeing the many shortcomings, they want to see progress with teachers improving their lot based on the factual data, and, expect to see changes in the whole ball of wax based on the paperwork.
Eric Legg noted that having an investigation team on site last Dec., it was skeery but admitted what everybody knows for certain, they have to monitor everything from the paperwork to the educational progress. He told the Board that during the investigators last visit, they did find a few things that need worked.
We know those updates don't sound like ground breaking news but here in the land where everything has been kept hush hush, it was quite a change. We think the new guy at the helm is trying to restore public information to the public... to try and grow some taxpayer trust.
Here's something...
The days and locations of future school board meetings have been changed. From out of the blue, instead of hosting twice a month bd meetings on Mondays at the Pentagon, starting now, Board meetings will be moved to the second and fourth TUESDAY of each month. That first meeting of each month will be conducted at Clay High with the second meeting rotating around thru the various schools. all meetings begin at 6pm sharp.
Meetings at CCHS makes sense since there's more space for the public's participation. Holding meetings closer to parents, that may help restore some confidence to those paying the bills.
Regaining public confidence is needed before even considering a try at a Excess Levy vote expected in Nov 2024.
Brooke Jones
With
schools set to reopen in a couple weeks, the Board voted in
new employees and accepted retirement notices. Retirements
included secretary Robin Litton and Shawn Krajeski as AD at
Clay Middle School. As far as changes, hires, etc: Jeff
Davis has left the Courtroom and will be a civics teacher at
CCHS; Alicia Johnson is the new Asst Girls CMS coach. Barry
Payton and Bobby Brown were given the green light to be
volunteer football coaches at CCHS. Aaron Williams, Gavin
Nichols, Tyler Dorsey, Trey Corwell and Michael Minger are
volunteer CCHS football coaches and trainers.
Over the last 30 years or so, Pentagon leadership and members of the Board have been less than forthcoming with media participation. Often open meetings law has not been adhered to. We noticed over on the school system web site there is a complete rundown on what the Board can and can't do.
Of interest to us are the sections on public meeting notice and media notice of such including emergency meeting announcements.
How refreshing!
AW
Over the last 30 years or so, Pentagon leadership and members of the Board have been less than forthcoming with media participation. Often open meetings law has not been adhered to. We noticed over on the school system web site there is a complete rundown on what the Board can and can't do.
Of interest to us are the sections on public meeting notice and media notice of such including emergency meeting announcements.
How refreshing!
AW