New Boardster Aaron Williams takes Oath of Office July 16th
Superintendent Dobbins and Bd Prez Phoebe Nichols (R)
CCHS has some of the worst educational achievement levels in the state. We're ranked down at the bottom, about 3rd up from the bottom. There are all kinds of shortcomings. High among em is school leadership and untrained teachers unable to control their classrooms. It's not uncommon to see students lingering in the hallways or using their cell phones instead of class work. At Clay High and for that matter, Clay Middle, education does not exist for the average kid. Oh they've got the finest equipment and wham doodles but as far as learning on grade level, they ain't getting it.
For this Bd meeting, taking the bull by the horns....in a unanimous vote, the Bd agreed to the first reading of a new cell phone policy that mandates turning the devices off during class time. Get this. The policy applies to teachers, service personnel and administrators too. With teachers glued to their devices as bad as kids, the Pentagon is going to have their hands full enforcing this much needed law of the land.
For those wondering, Yes, discipline is included for those outside the law. Here's the complete policy. Don't like it? Good! Come to a Board meeting and express your views. Oh, turn off your phones during the meeting.
For decades student attendance has been commendable. Last time we heard, rug rats attended around 92% of the time. All of em get nice ribbons, awards, trinkets.
That ain't the case for teachers, service personnel, and administrators. Before the last few months, those out of control wayward teachers have NEVER been mentioned during board meetings.
They just stay home, go on vacation, have a hang nail, or something else with or without pay. They don't care! That's what happens when the Board hires unqualified, uncaring, people as professional teachers. That hiring of people without a teaching degree, it has been going on for decades. Our kids are suffering due to under skilled educators. B***** all you want, it's true.
Back in the Spring investigative reporter Kennie Bass did an in-depth study on how pee poor employee attendance is through out the state. For County Clay, we were at the bottom in attendance with the folks showing up about half the time.
Having had enough of that crap and with gonads of iron, Superintendent Dobbins presented a new "Dock Days" policy for Board approval last night. When implemented, employees have to provide advance notice before taking a day off without pay or they get disciplined. They will be allowed 3 no pay, dock days, during the school year at the most. If they go over the policy limit, they can be fired.
Sounds nice doesn't it? Kids and teachers all having to do education tasks during school time and teachers being forced to actual show up for duty... what a nice change and long over due.
Our old Sch Bd consigned into a state "AWARE" program where trained therapy dogs were brought into schools to sooth and comfort nose pickers in distress. Past Boardster Cheryl White made the motion with David Pierson seconding the motion to OK the purchase of "Noodles". That trained doggie came in at over $16,000.00. If the full truth was to be known, our guess, that $16,000 was just the beginning for expenses. There's food, vet visits, additional training, grooming, paid mileage, and don't forget, stops for meals and gasoline for the dog trainer. The assigned trainer for Noodles was Michelle Paxton at Clay Elementary who resigned her local principal position and headed over to Calhoun County for year round high school duty a few weeks ago.
After questions from Boardsters, it came to light, when Ms Paxton left her local job, she took Noodles with her. According to Phil Dobbins, she doesn't want to give it up. To H! with the Clay Elem kids and their needs. During one of his replies, it sounded like, Phil is currently in conversation with W Va AWARE program officials seeking a resolution.
After hearing all that, some thoughts.
$16,000 for a dog? Paid for with tax dollars?
When voters tossed out the entire old school board during the last two election cycles, maybe they knew how out of control the Pentagon's action really were.
19 months ago when Superintendent Joe Paxton was tossed from the island, we're hearing more of what was going on up to then. During that Nov meeting of the Board where Joe was tossed out, Dave Mullins and Cheryl White stood and spoke up for keeping Mr Paxton and what a wonderful leader he was.
After that Nov meeting, as she was leaving the meeting site, Cheryl White was the one that yelled out to the Ace Cub Reporter, "You go ahead and keep peddling your lies!!!"
We stand by our reporting and only wish we had uncovered more of the crap that was going on and in a more timely fashion.
