Goodpasture Confidential

[Parent]

Can someone who knows tell me which teachers are leaving / retiring this year. I can see that Mr. Reed will not be back, but I had also heard at least two teachers were retiring, including Ms. Evans.

Thank you,

[Guest]

I think we are also loosing a kindergarten teacher because she is now attending a baptist church as well as the teacher, Mrs. Romaine, who has been helping Mr. Reed. We have heard as many as 12 are not coming back but almost none of them are the ones that need to be going.

[Guest]

Greg Brown has accepted a job with the University of Central Florida and will not be returning as girls' basketball coach. Michelle Harris will not be returning in 8th grade science. Amber Romaine, who taught chemistry and was the band assistant, will not be returning. I have heard that Mrs. Burkett in 7th grade science was also retiring, but that's unconfirmed.

[Done]

Well, Mrs. Amber Romaine, the so-called chemistry teacher was the worst teacher I had throughout my High School years. It's an absolute miracle that more people did not fail her class. She, being a Vanderbilt graduate expected us to learn on a college level, and was not prepared at all to deal with High School Jrs. I got not a thing out of the class. All I did was memorize for one test at a time, because that is all we had to do. I was also accused of cheating on more than one occasion, along with two of my good friends. Mrs. Romaine had a bad habit of favoring females over males in anything that happened. She has no control what so ever over her class room. She was a waste of time anyways.

[Guest]

I do not mean to start another thread but the comment about Mrs. Romaine could have easily have also been said of Ms. Smith in my opinion and a few others who have their heads in the clouds but certainly Ms. Smith. She is a wanna be college professor who lacks the opportunity to do so.

[JohnHarris]

My daughter indicates that Ms. Smith is not returning. I have not heard that from another source but it raises interesting issues.

[Proudpapa]

It is difficult to know which teacher is really returning since many contracts have not been signed yet. This is a little late in the game. I know that public schools are still scrambling, but they have a bigger pool of teachers from which to pull.

[Guest]

I heard from our child yesterday that Dana Finch is leaving. I hope that is not true because we felt like the middle school was doing good. Much better than the elementary where we are now, that principal and her little dog are both nuts.


Corrected by John Harris: I checked with Dana Finch by email and she advises me that as of this date, May 11, she intends to return to Goodpasture. We do attempt to confirm these types of statements when possible.

[Guest]

I would not be surprised if Dr. Finch left. The academic superintendent has been a thorn in her side all year.

[Guest]

Has Goodpasture ever lost this many teachers at one time? How is this going to impact the stability of the school and the ability to hire replacements this late in the year.

The prior post about Ms. Sturdivent as the academic superintendent. I have been real disappointed in her. I see in Dana Finch a professional with skills and experience. Ms. Sturdivent just does not seem to be a superintendent to me. Too unprofessional. Too ditzy. And apparently, from the band parents, a liar. Maybe that is what Mr. Drake needs - good liars.

[Guest]

Speaking of ditzy - go talk to the elementary principal. I think she came as a result on Sturdivant - neither are far from the ditzy crowd nor good for the overall teacher or student atmosphere.

[Guest]

I would bet more teachers will be leaving, but are going to stay quiet until other employment is secured. They are afraid of being retaliated against by the administration with a poor recommendation. The avalanche will start soon...

[Parent]

For those teachers that are leaving, do we know where they are going.

[leaving parent]

I know that Mrs. Johnson (3rd grade) is retiring this year. I had heard rumors of Kindergarten teacher, but not confirmed.

[Guest]

[DavidLewis]

[Parent]

I can just see it now. Gilbert Drake and Diane Sturdivant with Lindsey Judd in attendance all sitting in his office watching this web site unfold before their eyes. Gil picks up the voodoo doll of John and shoves more and more pins into it then, tired from the effort, passes it to Diane who throws it to the floor and spits on it then picks it up and lights a match. All the while, Lindsey Judd is busy making the voodoo doll in a likeness of David Lewis. Its easies to blame others for exposing problems rather than ferreting out the problems yourself and solving them before they become public knowledge.

[cosmic]

Are you saying that a dog is running loose in the elementary building? Is it the principals?
<snip>

The dog in school is really a non issue. Several of the principals/teachers at our school have brought dogs for various lengths of time without incident.

I would have an issue with a principal directing another employee to walk the dog. Again, at our school, frequently students asked to walk the dog during breaks.
_________________

[DavidLewis]

[laughing]

She's really rather cute.

Looks like the fith Tele-Tubby walking a pet rabbit.

[Guest]

I had heard a couple of times that Dana Finch was leaving. It is good for the school that she is not because she is the only administrator that knows what she is doing.

[Guest]

Da Fence $150,000.00

Doggy Clean up after Kit $150.00

Bag of Dog Food $20.00

Ditzy and Nutty Principal Worthless

"HOUND OF GILBERTVILLE" PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Hound of Gilbertville borrowed from David Lewis above. That was too funny. This reply should have been in the just for fun string but it has to follow the string above. We have got to laugh every once in a while.

[JohnHarris]

Harriet Johnson

[Guest]

Why would the Junior High Principal send out an invite instead of the Elementary Principal????? Mrs. Johnson is an Elementary teacher.

[Guest]

That sounds like a David Letterman top 10 question. Oh, me first, me first, I want to start the list.

10. The new policies that Gilbert and Diane have been pulling out of thin air have a typo?

9. The elementary principal was too busy walking her dog to be bothered with an announcement

8. The elementary principal can not use a computer to send emails.

7.

6.

5..

4.

3.

2.

1.

[justme]

[Proudpapa]

7. The elementary school principal was afraid of being caught using a school computer on school time.

6. The elementary school principal didn't know that Mrs. Johnson was retiring, just thought that her contract was not renewed!

5. The elementary school principal was too busy interviewing at Davidson Academy.

4. They voted that the most competent administrator do all the real work, while the others work on their public relations "spin" techniques.

3. The elementary school principal admitted that the email was given several months of prayful consideration, but was not given proper notice as to when exactly the eamil was going to be sent.

2. The elementary school principal was shopping for the new "uniform only" wardrobe.

1. The elementary school principal wa busy posting on goodpastureconfidential!

1.

[distressed parent]

The elementary principal was shopping for a school uniform for her dog !

[Band Parent]

I had heard or was it an email from the school that Ms. Smith and others are retiring. I do not think that is true - once again probably Sturdivant just spinning. What I have heard is Smith is leaving Goodpasture, do not know why, but that it is NOT retirement. She is going to work somewhere else.

Can anyone confirm that the board is starting to look at resumes for a new president. That is one positive change that I would welcome. Something was said about a former teacher who had been the president for many years at Ezell was being considered.

[Goodpasture Parent]

Here is what Dr. Sturdivent wrote to me:

[cosmic]

pam lovell nee franklin?

[Guest]

Anyone want to take bets on whether Harris starts a Smith Endowment?

[OZ]

The Chicken or the Egg. Which comes first?

[cosmic]

I would not expect a response to this one. it is typical in a private school environment that teachers that are not renewed simply disappear without fanfare. the only way to know is to see who does not show up next august.

[Guest]

Where does Goodpasture posts its employment application or list the current openings. Or does Goodpasture just go and look for a teacher as needed. I was on David Libscomp's site and it is online.

Are teachers in demand, or are there more teachers than jobs today?

[JohnHarris]

It would be my estimation that we have about 10 to 12 teachers either "retiring" (the school may be using that as a spin to say that they would not renew and are going elsewhere) or teachers whose contracts were not "allowed to be renewed" - e.g., fired. If so, that is around 15% of the total faculty leaving. I also believe, based upon conversations that are taking place, that there are as many as half a dozen more who are looking for other jobs even now and just have not lined anything up.

[Proudpapa]

John,

I think some teachers want to leave, but either cannot find another job to fit their needs or maybe have children at Goodpasture and want to get half off tuition so their child can at least finish there. They are somewhat in the same situation as some band parents; not happy but stuck with little options for their child.

I guess you could say, just leave then, but there are so many issues that a move for each child would make.

[Second Chance]

Exactly, the children are the most important part of the school. The band will have to regroup, the sports team if in violation will have to regroup, the teachers have to regroup and all because of what I have seen to be the administrative practices.

Does a parent who has invested time and money want to leave the school, generally no. Do the students who have friends and support want to leave the school, generally no. Do the teachers want to leave the school, generally no. Why? Because the teachers live for these children. These children become their own family.

I am one who has read this site for a while now, and with some concerns of why it started. The more I read, the more I agree. It seems to be getting worse before it gets better, and those who suffer the most are the children. The sad part is that the school will have a chance to fix itself. The children will only grow up once, and there will be no second chance at what they have now. I guess that is why some are leaving. I know that is why some are staying.

[Interested parent]

I just heard that high school guidance counselor, Ms. Thomas, is leaving and going to public school. Anyone know what's up with this? She has always been a tremendous help to me and my children.

[80's]

I can not say I am surprised to hear about Ms. Thomas leaving, especially after learning that Ms. Smith was leaving.

I will always remember Ms. Thomas for the motivational speeches that she made to the students in particular groups before a big game, contest etc. Usually it revolved around some general theory of a group who acted as one, but for a period of time each had to focus on his/her self in aid of the group. If at the end of the day everybody did their job, we would all reunite as one (as winners). Her example was to once take a roll of yarn, present it in its whole form as one piece, then take scissors to it and hand each student a piece of the yarn, only to return the individuals pieces at the end of the day. For what it is worth, we won.

She should be applauded for her years of service and her efforts to bind the students. I assume there must be some trying times at the school for her to decide to leave after 30 years.

Do we know where she is going?

[Guest]

I would like to hear from Thomas and Smith both on why they are leaving. It would not surprise me at all if part of the reason is the current problems at the school with the administration and the board.

[Interested parent]

Ms Thomas is leaving to go to the public school system but I can't report where that is.

[JohnHarris]

NOTE FROM ADMIN: There were posted a series of posts here concerning personal issues involving teachers at Goodpasture. Those posts were placed on review status and have now been deleted with the exception of this post. This comment has been retained because it addresses issues independent of although arising out of the posts to which an objection was raised.


Justme

First, thank you again for participating in the forum. As one of 4 site admins, I continue to abide by the standards set forth in the first two pages of this site as well as the Rules which are posted at the top of this forum. We attempt to censor out inappropriate language (cursing and swearing) and we also are deleting pornographic and other posts which clearly have nothing to do with Goodpasture. We are not attempting to impose our standards of relevance on posts which are from apparently legitimate posters as to content and hope that we never have to do so because censorship is not appropriate if we really want an open forum.

Now, with respect to the posts on which you comment, perhaps they are not the most constructive. However, that is an inference that one might draw from some of the discussion depending on how it is read. On the other hand, it could equally present a reflection of the circumstances at the campus and the selective enforcement of the "rules" by the administration which would be a valid objection.

Way to often it is said that the consequences of circumstances and reactions by the administration at Goodpasture depends more on who you are (or whose child you are) than what you did. I would have to find it but I think I can lay my hand on a statement by Gilbert Drake that an individual who was openly homosexual and performing services on campus would be let go solely for the individual's sexual orientation. Consequently, these statements may have relevance to some who are trying to make decisions about the school and its "Christian" environment as fostered by the administration. In that context, the analogy to the military "don't ask, don't tell" policy illustrates the management approach chosen by the current administration.

It may well be that the relationship is entirely appropriate. I do not know. Frankly, I do not know if the board or administration actually has a policy on employment issues such as homosexuality, drunkedness, pedophilia, divorce, or any number of other living issues on which the Church of Christ has established doctrine. To my knowledge, there was no such written policies when I was on the board less than a year ago and there is nothing in the Charter or Bylaws which address these issues. Perhaps policies were made up for the SACS review but it is a safe bet that they were never fully reviewed or ratified by a vote of the Board of Directors because, generally, the board is excluded from the school's management and policy by its own apathy.

Now, turn back to the rumors. Some at Goodpasture say its a rumor, others jest about it and others wonder but do not ask questions. Still others do not know there is a rumor or simply do not care. It is just my opinion but if the administration is aware that students and parents are spreading "rumors" about one or more teachers then the administration should deal with it IF that circumstance would not be tolerated by continued employment if it were clearly known to exist. Failing to deal with it is the Clinton policy.

Thus, let us assume there is a policy at the school which provides that "teachers who throw drumsticks at the SUV's of parents will be fired." If that policy exists, and if there is a rumor floating among many parents and students that a teacher has violated the policy, then the issue becomes one of what is the administrative response, if there is one; the school administration's accountability for enforcement of established policy and the unfortunate but recurrent "rumor" at Goodpasture, but one which I think is well established factually, of selective enforcement.

To me its not an issue of what is going on with a teacher, its an issue of what is going on with the administration's management of that potential or actual issue.

[justme]

Well, once again we'll agree to disagree. Posting implications of an inappropriate relationship in a public forum is simply damaging to that individual - regardless of how you couch it in terms of an administration's responsibility. That horse can only be ridden so far. IMHO, this type of implication becomes an issue of personal responsibility both for the poster and the site admins.

Although you know I disagree with your public posting of various pieces of documentation, it's one thing to do that in an effort to raise awareness of the school's (administration/board/whatever) responsibility and an entirely different thing to raise unsubstantiated doubt about a person's character. To me, it's a blow below the belt.

[JohnHarris]

To JUSTME:

There are five posts that you questioned concerning two instructors. I have flagged them for approval and thus they cannot be seen at this time. I will ask the other 3 site administrators to review the posts to see if they should be edited or censored.

[justme]

John - I greatly appreciate that. Many, many thanks for the consideration.

[JohnHarris]

Justme,

As I said, it was not my intent in establishing this site to just sit around and needlessly bash individuals. I want to provide a resource to encourage constructive and open discussion which, by necessity, sometimes must be tolerant of what may otherwise seem to be objectionable commentaries.

For example, one thing Gil accused me of early on was that he felt I would censor, delete or edit comments written negatively about me or disagreeing with my assertions and analysis. I have taken the position in writing that anyone can say anything that they want about me (within reason - I have deleted one or two physically impossible suggested courses of action) and that even barely relevant posts will not be edited or deleted. Likewise, I do not delete or edit comments, statements or arguments that I may disagree with but I try to encourage them as a constructive part of an open discourse. Often, as with some of your comments, I find them constructive because they cause me to reconsider my positions and refine my thoughts and, when necessary, change them.

Now, the comments that have been placed in pre-approval status that you raised a concern about are being reviewed and will be reviewed by all admins before a decision is made to allow them back or not. What I can say is that I was receptive to your concerns and have agreed to reconsider the appropriateness of those posts.

[Admin3]

This internet resource has been established and is being funded with a grant from individuals who have had a long relationship with Goodpasture Christian School. The purpose of this internet resource is to provide an open resources for students, parents, and even employees of the school to - confidentially if so desired - ask questions, makes comments, raise concerns and voice complaints.

There is no present intent to censor comments or statements of opinion expressed herein unless necessary to remove inappropriate language or SPAM.
People can feel free to post statements, comments or replies under their own name, under a nickname (retaliation is a concern to some), or just as a "guest."

If a statement is one of opinion, well, its a free country and people should be allowed to have opinions - even if they relate to a private school's management, programs or instructors.

So what are the rules on this discussion forum?
1. Users are not required to log in to read posts.
2. Users are not required to log in to post questions, comments or concerns.

3. Negative comments or concerns are not prohibited.

4. Foul language is prohibited.
5. The Board Members, Administrators and employees of the school are encouraged to participate even though it is unlikely that they will.
6. Opinion, if designated as such, as permitted.
7. Knowingly false statements of fact are prohibited.


A question has been raised already about whether the forum administrators will edit or delete comments which they do not agree with. The answer is that there will be no censorship on content unless the standards set forth above are violated. Negative comments toward the forum or even the school, so long as they are not factually defamatory, do not violate these standards.

You are not required to participate in this forum and you may feel free to ignore it if it makes you, as Phil Valentine says, "uncomfortable."

The matter is under review
_________________
Admin3

[Guest]

here is a job listing for 9th grade english

http://www.nationalchristian.org/joblistings_view.php?eid=156

[Good Pasture Alumni]

Goodpasture has been around for many years. There comes a time when those who have been there will retire. For some, that day comes too soon and for others they say around too long. The trick is finding the right time so that you leave on a high note rather than on the back side of the mountain with people thinking - would he/she ever go? Perhaps the job of the principal might be to monitor the situation to help make sure that instructors are retired before the performance declines.

As I read over the list of those who are retiring, it is sad in a way to see them go but I have not been there recently enough to know how they are doing compared to when I was in school. One thing that is troubling is the apparent number of teachers who are leaving, that seems like a lot for a school the size of Goodpasture. There is also a suggestion here that Smith in particular is not retiring. She was pretty young when I was there and I would guess is still pretty much one of the better skilled teachers. If I was thinking about whether to have or keep kids at Goodpasture, what I would want to know is whether she and some of the others are really retiring or are they bailing out because the school is declining under its current leadership.