Amelia McKie was absent from the April 9, 2019 meeting of the Richland 2 School Board, but her chair was there and unoccupied for the meeting.
The Executive Session was called to orderat 5:30PM by Lindsay Agostini, who is the Secretary of the School Board. McKie's chair was empty, and I was curious why Mrs. Agostini was calling the meeting to order, rather than Dr. Elkins-Johnson, who is the Vice Chair. The red light on the microphone in front of Mrs. Agostini was on, but her voice was not amplified, and I did not hear all of what she said.
All of Mrs. Agostini's words during the open session should have been captured for the Richland 2 video-recording that will be available on YouTube within a few days. Because the red light of her microphone was off for the end of her remarks, I have some early doubts about their having been recorded.
The Board adjourned, after a short delay, and entered the Executive Session.
At 6:30PM the Board reconvened in open session and the Board's Vice Chair, Dr. Elkins-Johnson, called the meeting to order. McKie's chair was still empty. Superintendent Baron Davis was recognized, and he read a lengthy (and unnecessary, in my opinion) message from McKie about her absence that evening. Supt. Davis leaned forward and spoke directly into his microphone, and his voice was amplified into the room.
He read McKie's assurance that the Board was in good hands and how she knew they'd have a good meeting and how she hadn't missed a meeting in five years on the Board, and her message finished up with "May God bless you all".
Like, give me a break. I looked around for a blowing American Flag and the official Seal of the United States of America and wondered if I was about to hear "Hail to the Chief". It would have completely sufficient for the Vice Chair to read a short statement like "Mrs. McKie is away this evening on personal business."
I was reminded of how the Agenda is set for a meeting. McKie and Supt. Davis create it.
I wondered why McKie's chair remained empty. Perhaps there should have been a spotlight over it. Why didn't someone flip down her nameplate? Why didn't the other board members close ranks and leave an empty chair on the end? Why didn't the Vice Chair sit in the center? I didn't notice on Dr. Elkins-Johnson's nameplate whether it displayed "Chair" for the evening. At the same time I was reminded of Clint Eastwood's speech to the empty chair at the RNC in 2012.
Dr. Elkins-Johnson did a nice job of chairing the meeting. The meeting flowed smoothly from item to item.
The Inspirational Moment lasted far too long - again. Whoever invites the person to give the Inspiration Moment should tell him or her, "Two minutes - max."
Last night's School Focus was on Langford Elementary School, and the students were fantastic! Each spoke to the Board and provided a model for the Board to follow. Each spoke in full voice and clearly. It helped that the staff sound man set up the cordless microphone at the podium, so that their voices were amplified and audible throughout the room.
But that microphone was removed before the Public Participation period, and the two young women who addressed the Board could hardly be heard. I was interested, because each seemed to be presenting information about something that's wrong. More on this, after the video shows up on YouTube in a couple of days.
On the way into the meeting I was asked, "What's new?" My answer was "Lots, but I'm not ready to talk about it yet."
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Monday, April 8, 2019
Integrity
Saw this on Facebook this morning.
"If you value your integrity, then be prepared to take a beating from those who have none." (Constable Wayne Thompson posted that.)
Years ago I heard someone say, "Integrity is what you do, when you know no one is watching."
Thoughts?
"If you value your integrity, then be prepared to take a beating from those who have none." (Constable Wayne Thompson posted that.)
Years ago I heard someone say, "Integrity is what you do, when you know no one is watching."
Thoughts?
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Correct School Board Action on April 9
Every action being taken by the Richland 2 School Board can be called into question - every action since November 13, 2018.
That's when two persons were seated - improperly - on the School Board.
There are five legal members and two "others".
What can the five legal members do?
When the Board convenes at 5:30PM on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, the first motion will be to enter Executive (closed) Session.
The five legal members should vote "No". It is improper to have visitors at the Executive Session. If at least four legal members vote "No", there will not be an Executive Session.
There they can sit and twiddle their thumbs until the public session is scheduled to start at 6:30PM. They cannot discuss official business. Or they might adjourn until 6:30PM, which is the scheduled starting time of the public session.
When the motion is made to convene the public session, if seven are seated (plus the Superintendent), then four of the five (or all five) should again vote No.
If Amelia McKie and Teresa Holmes stand up and leave the front of the room, then the five can vote "Yes" to re-convene and continue with the regular business of the meeting. The Vice Chair will run the meeting.
For McKie and Holmes to be legally on the Board, they must take the oath of office - legally; i.e., after December 4, 2018.
That's when two persons were seated - improperly - on the School Board.
There are five legal members and two "others".
What can the five legal members do?
When the Board convenes at 5:30PM on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, the first motion will be to enter Executive (closed) Session.
The five legal members should vote "No". It is improper to have visitors at the Executive Session. If at least four legal members vote "No", there will not be an Executive Session.
There they can sit and twiddle their thumbs until the public session is scheduled to start at 6:30PM. They cannot discuss official business. Or they might adjourn until 6:30PM, which is the scheduled starting time of the public session.
When the motion is made to convene the public session, if seven are seated (plus the Superintendent), then four of the five (or all five) should again vote No.
If Amelia McKie and Teresa Holmes stand up and leave the front of the room, then the five can vote "Yes" to re-convene and continue with the regular business of the meeting. The Vice Chair will run the meeting.
For McKie and Holmes to be legally on the Board, they must take the oath of office - legally; i.e., after December 4, 2018.
Friday, April 5, 2019
Who is for transparency and accountability?
I'm so glad I came across Brad Warthen's blog today. I got an education on the election race for the Richland 2 School Board in 2014. Remember that one? That's where race surfaced as an identity issue in the School Board race.
In case you forgot, check out Brad's blog right here.
In the linked article Brad leads off with "I really, really hated to see the first sentence of this story about the Richland School District 2 election: 'Race has become the defining issue in the Richland 2 school board election, as rumors circulate of a shift in power from a white-majority to a black-majority board.' "
Well down in the body of the article appears this "Because if Amelia McKie .. is elected, we’ll have a strong voice on R2’s school board who’ll fight for students, communicate with parents and demand real transparency and accountability."
Now that was back in 2014. Fast forward to 2018-2019.
Amelia McKie is the one who didn't file Campaign Disclosure Forms and Statements of Economic Interest Reports with the South Carolina Ethics Commission for several years. Amelia McKie now owes over $51,000 in fines and penalties to the Ethics Commission.
Amelia McKie is the one (well, one of them) who took the oath of office illegally on November 13, 2018 for her second term of office, 2018-2022.
How's that for transparency and accountability?
Who will demand "real transparency and accountability" from Amelia McKie? The Richland 2 Black Parents' Association has said that McKie's problem with the Ethics Commission is not about race; it's about ethics.
Will the BPA step up and put some pressure on McKie to obey S.C. Code of Laws 8-13-1110(A) and now legally take the oath of office?
In case you forgot, check out Brad's blog right here.
In the linked article Brad leads off with "I really, really hated to see the first sentence of this story about the Richland School District 2 election: 'Race has become the defining issue in the Richland 2 school board election, as rumors circulate of a shift in power from a white-majority to a black-majority board.' "
Well down in the body of the article appears this "Because if Amelia McKie .. is elected, we’ll have a strong voice on R2’s school board who’ll fight for students, communicate with parents and demand real transparency and accountability."
Now that was back in 2014. Fast forward to 2018-2019.
Amelia McKie is the one who didn't file Campaign Disclosure Forms and Statements of Economic Interest Reports with the South Carolina Ethics Commission for several years. Amelia McKie now owes over $51,000 in fines and penalties to the Ethics Commission.
Amelia McKie is the one (well, one of them) who took the oath of office illegally on November 13, 2018 for her second term of office, 2018-2022.
How's that for transparency and accountability?
Who will demand "real transparency and accountability" from Amelia McKie? The Richland 2 Black Parents' Association has said that McKie's problem with the Ethics Commission is not about race; it's about ethics.
Will the BPA step up and put some pressure on McKie to obey S.C. Code of Laws 8-13-1110(A) and now legally take the oath of office?
Remembering Spring Valley H.S.and the SRO
Almost every week I think about the incident at Spring Valley High School in October 2015 that involved two disruptive students, a teacher, a staff member (Asst. Principal?) and the School Resource Officer (SRO). That was on
Just today I happened across a blog by Brad Warthen at http://www.bradwarthen.com/2015/11/mia-mcleod-and-joel-lourie-on-spring-valley-protest/
I wish I had found it and him at the time.
In the article found through the above link are messages to S.C. Sen. John Scott from both S.C. Sen. Mia McLeod and former S.C. Sen. Joel Lourie.
You've got to read these messages, especially the view of Sen. McLeod who wrote about the "violently ejected student" (her 10/30/2015 message at 2:03PM to Sen. Scott). She clearly had her mind made about what had happened.
When the incident was first publicized, I began asking, "What happened before that?" - "that" being when Deputy Fields removed the student from her desk.
I heard about, but never saw, a video of what happened before "that"; apparently, that student slapped at Deputy Fields three times, resulting in her being removed from her desk. I wondered why The State didn't publish that video and also why it continued to use the "Glamour Shots" photo of the student who wasn't a minor, instead of her booking photo.
The Richland 2 policy regarding SRO involvement was not followed. When the assistant principal arrived, the teacher should have taken the rest of the class elsewhere, thus removing the audience of the non-compliant student. That procedure is in the National SRO manual and it's in the Richland 2 rules. And it didn't happen.
Be sure to read through comments posted after the above article.
Deputy Fields was fired too quickly, as then-Solicitor Dan Johnson said eleven months later, when he dismissed the Disruption of Schools charges against the two girls. I knew Fields had been fired too quickly at the time and I said so. In my opinion, it's too bad that Solicitor Johnson dropped those charges. Both girls deserved their day in court and to be found guilty of disrupting schools, which they clearly did.
I believe Deputy Fields' wrongful termination lawsuit is winding its way through court now.
Just today I happened across a blog by Brad Warthen at http://www.bradwarthen.com/2015/11/mia-mcleod-and-joel-lourie-on-spring-valley-protest/
I wish I had found it and him at the time.
In the article found through the above link are messages to S.C. Sen. John Scott from both S.C. Sen. Mia McLeod and former S.C. Sen. Joel Lourie.
You've got to read these messages, especially the view of Sen. McLeod who wrote about the "violently ejected student" (her 10/30/2015 message at 2:03PM to Sen. Scott). She clearly had her mind made about what had happened.
When the incident was first publicized, I began asking, "What happened before that?" - "that" being when Deputy Fields removed the student from her desk.
I heard about, but never saw, a video of what happened before "that"; apparently, that student slapped at Deputy Fields three times, resulting in her being removed from her desk. I wondered why The State didn't publish that video and also why it continued to use the "Glamour Shots" photo of the student who wasn't a minor, instead of her booking photo.
The Richland 2 policy regarding SRO involvement was not followed. When the assistant principal arrived, the teacher should have taken the rest of the class elsewhere, thus removing the audience of the non-compliant student. That procedure is in the National SRO manual and it's in the Richland 2 rules. And it didn't happen.
Be sure to read through comments posted after the above article.
Deputy Fields was fired too quickly, as then-Solicitor Dan Johnson said eleven months later, when he dismissed the Disruption of Schools charges against the two girls. I knew Fields had been fired too quickly at the time and I said so. In my opinion, it's too bad that Solicitor Johnson dropped those charges. Both girls deserved their day in court and to be found guilty of disrupting schools, which they clearly did.
I believe Deputy Fields' wrongful termination lawsuit is winding its way through court now.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Take the Oath or Go Home
Consider this scenario and comment below how you would view it.
What would be the proper name for a person who claims a public office but who is not entitled to hold it?
To hold a public office you must be qualified and eligible.
Being "qualified" means you are old enough, have the correct residency, are not disqualified because of criminal convictions, and are legally elected.
Being "eligible" means you meet all the requirements.
If you've been following this blog, you'll know where I'm going with this.
One of the requirements of being eligible is the filing of the Statement of Economic Interests Report with the South Carolina Ethics Commission. This reports reveals potential conflicts of interest and sources of income.
The law says you cannot take the oath of office or begin your duties unless you have filed that Statement.
How hard is that to understand? I'm thinking that a third-grader could understand it. It's kind of like, "Johnny, you don't get to go to fourth grade unless you have passed third grade. Understand?"
What does Johnny say? "I got it." If Johnny fails third grade but shows up for fourth grade, he can't get in.
If you take the oath of office before you file the Statement, the oath doesn't count (because the law says you cannot take it).
You can't begin your duties until you take the oath of office.
After you file the Statement, then you can take the oath and begin your duties.
So what do you call the person who doesn't follow the instructions and assumes the duties of the office?
1. An imposter?
2. A cheat?
3. A fraud?
4. A trespasser?
5. A usurper?
Do you think there is some risk, perhaps some breach of fiduciary duty, to the others on the Board for allowing unauthorized persons to carry on the duties of a Board member?
Is it time for the five legal Richland 2 School Board members to stand up and say, "Enough! Take the oath of office now or go home."
What would be the proper name for a person who claims a public office but who is not entitled to hold it?
To hold a public office you must be qualified and eligible.
Being "qualified" means you are old enough, have the correct residency, are not disqualified because of criminal convictions, and are legally elected.
Being "eligible" means you meet all the requirements.
If you've been following this blog, you'll know where I'm going with this.
One of the requirements of being eligible is the filing of the Statement of Economic Interests Report with the South Carolina Ethics Commission. This reports reveals potential conflicts of interest and sources of income.
The law says you cannot take the oath of office or begin your duties unless you have filed that Statement.
How hard is that to understand? I'm thinking that a third-grader could understand it. It's kind of like, "Johnny, you don't get to go to fourth grade unless you have passed third grade. Understand?"
What does Johnny say? "I got it." If Johnny fails third grade but shows up for fourth grade, he can't get in.
If you take the oath of office before you file the Statement, the oath doesn't count (because the law says you cannot take it).
You can't begin your duties until you take the oath of office.
After you file the Statement, then you can take the oath and begin your duties.
So what do you call the person who doesn't follow the instructions and assumes the duties of the office?
1. An imposter?
2. A cheat?
3. A fraud?
4. A trespasser?
5. A usurper?
Do you think there is some risk, perhaps some breach of fiduciary duty, to the others on the Board for allowing unauthorized persons to carry on the duties of a Board member?
Is it time for the five legal Richland 2 School Board members to stand up and say, "Enough! Take the oath of office now or go home."
Next School Board Meeting - Tues., April 9, 6:30PM
Parents, voters, taxpayers are requested at the next Richland 2 School Board meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Please plan to speak and remember to sign up on the two forms.
The public session starts at 6:30PM at R2i2.
The public session is preceded by an Executive Session at 5:30PM. A public session opens the 5:30PM meeting and the Board immediately votes to enter a closed Executive Session.
If Amelia McKie and Teresa Holmes have not taken the oath of office by then, it is hoped that the five legal members of the Board will vote "No" on the motion to go to Executive Session.
In the Executive Session there is discussion about confidential student matters, including suspension, expulsions, transfers, referral for mental health treatment at LRADAC, and other matters specified on a special Agenda. NO decisions can be made in Executive Session and NO action can be taken. Matters must be voted on in the public session, although the public will not know who Student 1 or Student 2 is.
The Executive Session is closed to the public. Only legal Board members should be allowed in it. Since November 13, 2018, the five legal members of the Board have allowed McKie and Holmes in the Executive Sessions.
This needs to stop. Now.
Do laws matter? Do ethics matter? Where are we headed, if they don't matter?
The public session starts at 6:30PM at R2i2.
The public session is preceded by an Executive Session at 5:30PM. A public session opens the 5:30PM meeting and the Board immediately votes to enter a closed Executive Session.
If Amelia McKie and Teresa Holmes have not taken the oath of office by then, it is hoped that the five legal members of the Board will vote "No" on the motion to go to Executive Session.
In the Executive Session there is discussion about confidential student matters, including suspension, expulsions, transfers, referral for mental health treatment at LRADAC, and other matters specified on a special Agenda. NO decisions can be made in Executive Session and NO action can be taken. Matters must be voted on in the public session, although the public will not know who Student 1 or Student 2 is.
The Executive Session is closed to the public. Only legal Board members should be allowed in it. Since November 13, 2018, the five legal members of the Board have allowed McKie and Holmes in the Executive Sessions.
This needs to stop. Now.
Do laws matter? Do ethics matter? Where are we headed, if they don't matter?
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