Read this article from the September 7, 2019 Forbes magazine: "Why Schools Should End Active Shooter Drills Immediately".
Do you know what the risk is of a student's dying at school in a shooting? 1:614,000,000.
Can you even re-calculate that to a percentage? My computer's calculator tells me that it's the same as 1.628664495114007e-9. I've been out of school too long. That was never taught, when I was in school. Let me try: 1/614,000,000 = 0.00000000012866..... So, is that 0.00000012866%? Is there a math teacher in the house? What does "e-9" mean?
The number is so small I'm not going to worry about it. Are you?
Start asking questions at the next school board meeting. Do you know what the safety plan is? Does your child? Do your children know? If there is a real active-shooter event, does your family have a plan for reuniting?
How many families have fire drills at home? Or even have a fire extinguish? Or have any idea at all what to do if there is a grease fire in the kitchen? Or the microwave blows up? Who has a fire extinguisher in his car? Knows where it is? Knows how to use it? There are even families who don't buckle up before the car starts moving.
Too-frequent active-shooter drills create unnecessary trauma for students, teachers and staff.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Why Meadow Died - did you read it yet?
This is a book about Meadow Pollack, who was murdered at Margaret Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018. It's about a system that failed Meadow, 16 others who died, others who were injured and those who were traumatized by the shooting. It's also about how the system failed the shooter.
I began reading the e-book on the day it was released in September. I quickly ordered a hardcover edition, and today it was delivered.
This is a book that EVERY parent, teacher, administrator and school board member should own and read.
As I read it, I wondered, "Could this happen right here and right now in Richland 2 schools?"
Well, could it? Read about U.S. Department of Education's former Supt. Arne Duncan's Dear Colleague Letter. Read about the PROMISE program and how it was to reduce the school-to-prison pipeline. Read how MSD's superintendent was connected to Duncan.
Did Richland 2 receive one of Duncan's Dear Colleague Letters? Did Richland 2 implement a PROMISE program?
Then start digging into the policies in the Richland 2 School District (and your own home school district, if you live elsewhere). Read Richland 2's Board Policy AR-JICDA-R Code of Conduct.
To find this, go to the District's website; then
click on EXPLORE; then
click on School Board; then
click on BOARD POLICIES; then
click on J STUDENTS; then
scroll down to Policy JICDA Code of Conduct; click on it, then
click on AR-JICDA-R Code of Conduct
Print this. Read it carefully. Keep it near you, while you read Why Meadow Died.
Watch for another article here soon, when I'll dissect Board Policy AR-JICDA-R and explain why this could just result in the next "Parkland" shooting, but right here.
Are you reading Why Meadow Died? Please comment below.
Then start digging into the policies in the Richland 2 School District (and your own home school district, if you live elsewhere). Read Richland 2's Board Policy AR-JICDA-R Code of Conduct.
To find this, go to the District's website; then
click on EXPLORE; then
click on School Board; then
click on BOARD POLICIES; then
click on J STUDENTS; then
scroll down to Policy JICDA Code of Conduct; click on it, then
click on AR-JICDA-R Code of Conduct
Print this. Read it carefully. Keep it near you, while you read Why Meadow Died.
Watch for another article here soon, when I'll dissect Board Policy AR-JICDA-R and explain why this could just result in the next "Parkland" shooting, but right here.
Are you reading Why Meadow Died? Please comment below.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Special-Called Board Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019
Tuesday's special-called off-cycle board meeting (workshop) will be held on October 1, 2019, starting at 5:30PM. This is an official meeting of the board. The public can attended (but you will have to keep quiet.
Based on the Agenda, the board ought to be done by midnight. See the Agenda on the District's website.
Click on EXPLORE;
then on School Board;
then on AGENDA;
then on the icon (looks like a calendar);
then on View the Agenda.
No votes will be taken by the board. There will be no public participation.
Look on the left sidebar for the work for this workshop (meeting). Under "New Business - No Action Requested" are listed 28 (count them - TWENTY-EIGHT!) Policies to be reviewed, discussed and edited). If there isn't too much wrangling and horse-trading, the board will be asked to approve these at its next meeting, which is October 15, 2019.
To read the Policy and see the proposed revisions, click on it. Then click on the .pdf link that appears.
For example, Policy IHCF Childcare Programs. Did you even know that Richland 2 provides childcare for ages 5-14 before and after school hours? At no cost to parents?
Do you wonder why some employee is probably getting paid $50,000/year to change "5-14" to "five through fourteen"? And you're still wondering why your property taxes for schools are so high?
Some deal was made by the previous superintendent with the South Carolina School Boards association to update all the Board Policies? Since when does Richland School District Two have to engage in such widespread nonsense.
I think it was at the September 24 that one of the trustees chided the board about the District's feeling like it must do whatever the SCSBA says. It doesn't!!!
A community or parents' watchdog group should be examining every policy and communicating with board members before policies are reviewed. Give them your input. Your children will be affected by what the board decides.
Show up to hear the discussion. The board may or may not record and publish the October 1 meeting.
Spread the word about this blog. Tell your friends and neighbors to see RICHLAND2.INFO
Comments invited.
Based on the Agenda, the board ought to be done by midnight. See the Agenda on the District's website.
Click on EXPLORE;
then on School Board;
then on AGENDA;
then on the icon (looks like a calendar);
then on View the Agenda.
No votes will be taken by the board. There will be no public participation.
Look on the left sidebar for the work for this workshop (meeting). Under "New Business - No Action Requested" are listed 28 (count them - TWENTY-EIGHT!) Policies to be reviewed, discussed and edited). If there isn't too much wrangling and horse-trading, the board will be asked to approve these at its next meeting, which is October 15, 2019.
To read the Policy and see the proposed revisions, click on it. Then click on the .pdf link that appears.
For example, Policy IHCF Childcare Programs. Did you even know that Richland 2 provides childcare for ages 5-14 before and after school hours? At no cost to parents?
Do you wonder why some employee is probably getting paid $50,000/year to change "5-14" to "five through fourteen"? And you're still wondering why your property taxes for schools are so high?
Some deal was made by the previous superintendent with the South Carolina School Boards association to update all the Board Policies? Since when does Richland School District Two have to engage in such widespread nonsense.
I think it was at the September 24 that one of the trustees chided the board about the District's feeling like it must do whatever the SCSBA says. It doesn't!!!
A community or parents' watchdog group should be examining every policy and communicating with board members before policies are reviewed. Give them your input. Your children will be affected by what the board decides.
Show up to hear the discussion. The board may or may not record and publish the October 1 meeting.
Spread the word about this blog. Tell your friends and neighbors to see RICHLAND2.INFO
Comments invited.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Board Alters October Meetings
Community members, parents and others who are interested in the business of the Richland 2 School Board should be aware of changes in the Board's schedule for October 2019. A workshop has been added at the beginning of the month, and the dates of the two Regular Meetings have been changed from the second and fourth Tuesdays..
October 1, 2019 Board Workshop (open to the public*) (not on the Meeting Calendar)
October 15, 2019 First Regular Board Meeting of the Month
October 29, 2019 Second Regular Board Meeting of the Month
Check the District's website for the starting times. Workshops often start at 5:00PM or 5:30PM
The public portion of Regular Meetings usually starts at 6:30PM (after the Executive Session).
* There is no Public Participation segment at Special-Called workshops.
October 1, 2019 Board Workshop (open to the public*) (not on the Meeting Calendar)
October 15, 2019 First Regular Board Meeting of the Month
October 29, 2019 Second Regular Board Meeting of the Month
Check the District's website for the starting times. Workshops often start at 5:00PM or 5:30PM
The public portion of Regular Meetings usually starts at 6:30PM (after the Executive Session).
* There is no Public Participation segment at Special-Called workshops.
Board Needs Parliamentarian
The Richland 2 School Board could use a Parliamentarian and a decision to observe Robert's Rules of Order.
There were too many times during last night's board meeting that one member talked over another. "Kindness" was the word for the night, and kindness was not shown during the discussion of concealed carry on Richland 2 school grounds.
Early in the discussion Dr. Elkins-Johnson made a Motion to replace one word in Board Policy GBEB Staff Conduct. Rather than allowing a second to the motion, the Vice Chair invited a comment by the superintendent, and he passed. There followed extensive conversation and discussion, and then the Vice Chair cut off further discussion with her own motion and quickly insisted on a second, which was provided by Amelia McKie. The Vice Chair then insisted on a vote.
But there was already a motion on the floor, that by Dr. Elkins to replace the word "superintendent" with "Board" in the draft Board Policy. Dr. Elkin's motion was never seconded or discussed as part of her motion, and there was no vote on her motion.
After lengthy discussion the Vice Chair cut off questions and refused to allow Dr. Elkins to continue with comments and questions to staff, so that staff could re-work the Policy revision. The Vice Chair wanted to table further discussion, and she was corrected by James Shadd that the procedure is to postpone, not "table".
During other Board meetings a Parliamentarian would have observed and corrected board members who engaged in side conversations and who used electronic devices during a meeting.
In an official Open Session of a public body, which the Richland 2 Board is, everything said or written is public record. If two members engage in a side conversation, the public usually cannot hear what they say. If electronic devices are used for email, texting, instant messaging, etc., the public has no way of knowing what is being transmitted.
The Parliamentarian should probably not be one of the board members, because he or she will end up not being too popular among friends. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. Or should.
There were too many times during last night's board meeting that one member talked over another. "Kindness" was the word for the night, and kindness was not shown during the discussion of concealed carry on Richland 2 school grounds.
Early in the discussion Dr. Elkins-Johnson made a Motion to replace one word in Board Policy GBEB Staff Conduct. Rather than allowing a second to the motion, the Vice Chair invited a comment by the superintendent, and he passed. There followed extensive conversation and discussion, and then the Vice Chair cut off further discussion with her own motion and quickly insisted on a second, which was provided by Amelia McKie. The Vice Chair then insisted on a vote.
But there was already a motion on the floor, that by Dr. Elkins to replace the word "superintendent" with "Board" in the draft Board Policy. Dr. Elkin's motion was never seconded or discussed as part of her motion, and there was no vote on her motion.
After lengthy discussion the Vice Chair cut off questions and refused to allow Dr. Elkins to continue with comments and questions to staff, so that staff could re-work the Policy revision. The Vice Chair wanted to table further discussion, and she was corrected by James Shadd that the procedure is to postpone, not "table".
During other Board meetings a Parliamentarian would have observed and corrected board members who engaged in side conversations and who used electronic devices during a meeting.
In an official Open Session of a public body, which the Richland 2 Board is, everything said or written is public record. If two members engage in a side conversation, the public usually cannot hear what they say. If electronic devices are used for email, texting, instant messaging, etc., the public has no way of knowing what is being transmitted.
The Parliamentarian should probably not be one of the board members, because he or she will end up not being too popular among friends. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. Or should.
Concealed Carry and Richland 2
When I arrived for the Richland 2 board meeting, I had my remarks all prepared regarding the selection of a small, general-practice law firm that was selected as bond co-counsel for "purposes of achieving diversity in the legal team". After I arrived, though, a more-timely subject came up.
On the way into the meeting I stopped to inquire who the armed man was at a school board meeting last month. He had been walking around in the board room before the meeting and, as he walked away from me, the butt of his small semi-automatic pistol was visible, tucked in holster under his shirt. I learned that two Richland 2 employees are authorized to be armed on school grounds.
Board Policy GBEB Staff Conduct was on the agenda last night for its first reading. Because of the huge liability exposure to Richland 2 School District, I felt strongly that the authority to allow concealed carry on school grounds should rest with the Board, not with the superintendent. And I said so during the Public Participation portion of the meeting. My comments can be viewed on the YouTube recording for the September 24, 2019 meeting at 21:20 on the meeting timer.
The current Policy reads, in part,
"The following list, which is not exhaustive, includes actions that are considered misconduct while on duty or on or off district property, or at any time when the conduct would disrupt the educational environment or impair the employee’s ability to be effective: ...
● possessing weapons on district property (unless otherwise authorized by law)"
Administration was recommending approval of a change, so that this item would read:
"● possessing weapons on district property (unless otherwise authorized by law and the superintendent)" (emphasis in the original)
When the meeting arrived at Item 12.1 on the agenda, the Board came to life! Teresa Holmes was chairing the meeting in the absence of James Manning, and she voiced her opinion. Monica Elkins-Johnson added extensive comments and questions to the discussion and had many questions for the Richland 2 staff there. James Shadd had questions. Lindsay Agostini, Amelia McKie and Cheryl Caution-Parker stayed out of it.
Discussion was boisterous at times, with trustees talking over one another and interrupting. Incorrect information was stated, and then corrected. Be sure to watch the video. The starting point on the YouTube recording for the Board's discussion is at 56:147 on the meeting timer.
Do you feel it is the Board responsibility to control who carries a concealed firearm on Richland 2 school grounds? Please comment below.
On the way into the meeting I stopped to inquire who the armed man was at a school board meeting last month. He had been walking around in the board room before the meeting and, as he walked away from me, the butt of his small semi-automatic pistol was visible, tucked in holster under his shirt. I learned that two Richland 2 employees are authorized to be armed on school grounds.
Board Policy GBEB Staff Conduct was on the agenda last night for its first reading. Because of the huge liability exposure to Richland 2 School District, I felt strongly that the authority to allow concealed carry on school grounds should rest with the Board, not with the superintendent. And I said so during the Public Participation portion of the meeting. My comments can be viewed on the YouTube recording for the September 24, 2019 meeting at 21:20 on the meeting timer.
The current Policy reads, in part,
"The following list, which is not exhaustive, includes actions that are considered misconduct while on duty or on or off district property, or at any time when the conduct would disrupt the educational environment or impair the employee’s ability to be effective: ...
● possessing weapons on district property (unless otherwise authorized by law)"
Administration was recommending approval of a change, so that this item would read:
"● possessing weapons on district property (unless otherwise authorized by law and the superintendent)" (emphasis in the original)
When the meeting arrived at Item 12.1 on the agenda, the Board came to life! Teresa Holmes was chairing the meeting in the absence of James Manning, and she voiced her opinion. Monica Elkins-Johnson added extensive comments and questions to the discussion and had many questions for the Richland 2 staff there. James Shadd had questions. Lindsay Agostini, Amelia McKie and Cheryl Caution-Parker stayed out of it.
Discussion was boisterous at times, with trustees talking over one another and interrupting. Incorrect information was stated, and then corrected. Be sure to watch the video. The starting point on the YouTube recording for the Board's discussion is at 56:147 on the meeting timer.
Do you feel it is the Board responsibility to control who carries a concealed firearm on Richland 2 school grounds? Please comment below.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
May 1 and Red4Ed
Remember the May 1st teacher's "strike" and how it affected Richland 2 schools? Just last week I watched again the April 30 school board meeting on YouTube and heard the words of the school trustees. Pitiful...
Today I came across this article titled "The NEA’s radical agenda: coming to a school near you" You can read the article at https://www.nccivitas.org/2019/neas-radical-agenda-coming-school-near/
To whet your appetite, are you concerned about
1. a $15.00/hour minimum wage for all staff?
2. White Fragility?
3. Promoting Black Lives Matter?
4. Teaching Climate Change?
5. union-friendly teaching resources?
6. Ending Criminalization of Border Crossings
7. Lobbying for LGBTQ Curricula?
8. US Government Must Accept Responsibility for Creating Immigration Crisis?
There is considerable concern about the left-leaning nature of today's teachers and a suspicion that they are indoctrinating their students with their own beliefs, rather than teaching critical-thinking skills so that students learn to make up their own minds.
Read the platform of the National Education Association (NEA). If these point concern you, watch for them in your child's class, homework and comments.
It won't be enough to complain only to the teacher, because there is a department and an assistant principal and a principal and a superintendent and a school board.
If you look at the composition of the Richland 2 school board, you will easily detect the lean to the left. While there may be staff members who don't lean left, they know where the power is and whom they'd better keep happy.
Understand what is happening in schools. Decide what you want for your child.
Show up at school board meetings. Bring your friends and neighbors.
Register to speak during Public Participation segments. And speak! Get involved!
Today I came across this article titled "The NEA’s radical agenda: coming to a school near you" You can read the article at https://www.nccivitas.org/2019/neas-radical-agenda-coming-school-near/
To whet your appetite, are you concerned about
1. a $15.00/hour minimum wage for all staff?
2. White Fragility?
3. Promoting Black Lives Matter?
4. Teaching Climate Change?
5. union-friendly teaching resources?
6. Ending Criminalization of Border Crossings
7. Lobbying for LGBTQ Curricula?
8. US Government Must Accept Responsibility for Creating Immigration Crisis?
There is considerable concern about the left-leaning nature of today's teachers and a suspicion that they are indoctrinating their students with their own beliefs, rather than teaching critical-thinking skills so that students learn to make up their own minds.
Read the platform of the National Education Association (NEA). If these point concern you, watch for them in your child's class, homework and comments.
It won't be enough to complain only to the teacher, because there is a department and an assistant principal and a principal and a superintendent and a school board.
If you look at the composition of the Richland 2 school board, you will easily detect the lean to the left. While there may be staff members who don't lean left, they know where the power is and whom they'd better keep happy.
Understand what is happening in schools. Decide what you want for your child.
Show up at school board meetings. Bring your friends and neighbors.
Register to speak during Public Participation segments. And speak! Get involved!
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