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I am a mother with children in the Sheffield system. I would just like to let you all know that I feel confident that Mr. Anderson and Dr. Gardner handled this situation very well. Rumors were wild and I didn't know what to believe prior to the meeting. I felt I had to go and find out for myself. After thinking about the meeting overnight I found that I still had a few questions so I contacted Dr. Gardner and inquired further. I am satisfied now.
I don't think anyone MEANT to change the details of what happened but apparently, little by little, details were added/changed that were not true.
All I can say is - Parents, if you have questions or concerns you should not hesitate to ask questions and attend board meetings. (WE OWE THIS TO OUR CHILDREN.) I know that I'm glad I did. Smiler
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Originally posted by Kindred:
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Originally posted by Kindred:
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Originally posted by sonny:
From reading I understand that soap IS available to students. They have it in their classrooms. Surely all they have to do is ask for it each time they go to the restoom. Seems to me they just don't have it IN the bathroom. Right? Anyone know differently?



And THAT doesn't concern you???

With MRSA rapidly becoming a Superbug the kids have to go back to their classroom with whatever they "collected" from the bathroom ON their hands, touching the walls, lockers, door knobs and other kids and THEN wash their hands??????

That is totally ludricous given the circumstances.


This reply is for more4u too!!!!!

How on earth can you holler to the world how much you LOVE your kids, but TOLERATE the fact that they can be helping in the spread of all these germs. And to YOU it is a non-issue!!!

Wow, I got to say, with people like that in Sheffield, NO WONDER the one's who are trying for a GOOD change can't get past them!!!

Something SO simple as washing hands is a non-issue to parents, WOW!!!!


That is soooo disgusting. If my kids go to the bathroom at home they use soap and water, but in public, I cant imagine not washing, that is so freakin nasty. Even if there were no superbug, I have taught my kids to wash their hands when they use the bathroom EVERYTIME!!. I like the use of hand sanitizer in classrooms because you dont know if the kids have just went into the bathroom and "wet the germs" or if they really washed. Good Lord we are back to the basics on this one huh???? Non issue??? Soap is a basic necessity like eating lunch or toilet paper
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Originally posted by CharlieFoxtrot:
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Originally posted by Kindred:
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Originally posted by CharlieFoxtrot:
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Originally posted by Kindred:
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Originally posted by SaltyDog:
I am concerned that my kid might get shot and Charlie and Sonny are making jokes about soap. Thanks, guys.



Salty, I am with ya on this!!! I don't think either of them have kids or else they would be more "SUGGESTIVE" in their replies helping kids have a safer environment instead of so insulting, right?


Here is my suggestion. If they do not provide soap at Sheffield schools then bring your own. Better yet take some of that stuff that kills germs.



LOL, I can see YOU have a lot of catching up to do!!! Big Grin


Catch me up.



I ain't your momma, do it yourself, it is all here in the forums. Big Grin
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Originally posted by SaltyDog:
casa states>>>
How did yall's board meeting go? From reading all this there was lots to talk about

Well, I was there, but only a handful of other people were. You know, they let the public make comments right almost at the beginning of the meeting, and some people came in after the comment portion was closed, but someone did ask the Board to clarify this information/rumor so people would have the facts. Dr. Gardner spoke for a while about what was/wasn't going on. He said there was never a threat that this young lady was going to bring a gun to school. He said she is a seventh grader who is well known to the system. One of the board members asked if she had been in trouble before and was told "yes". The punishment she is receiving fits the infraction, according to him, and she is in what he called "alternative" school. I guess that is ISS. In other words, they would have inflicted much more serious punishment if she deserved it, but evidently the hit list thing has been blown way out of proportion. He said he was getting calls from Tuscaloosa where they'd heard people had been shot. There was also another rumor about a stabbing at the football game. I am sorry I don't remember for sure what his answer was when asked if there was a hit list. She also asked the board to take the rumor of a possible drive by seriously and asked whether the kids could be allowed to enter the building earlier than 7:55. Dr. Gardner was going to check with Mr. Wicks about it.


Good job, Salty. We would do well to remember that what we are told on the forum is many times incorrect gossip. Thank you for clarifying and for caring enough to show up. Smiler

ISS is short for In School Suspension, which means you come to school but are in a room with ISS teacher doing meaningless work for punishment. So unless it is different at SHS, Alternative School is much worse than ISS, sent to a separate school for kids in serious trouble.

Colbert County Alternative School
1101 Highway 72 East
Tuscumbia, AL
But this girl was not sent to that alternative school. Mr. Jones at L.E. Willson told my husband that she is serving ISS at L.E. Willson.


My nephew who is also in ISS there confirmed to me yesterday that the girl is at L.E. Willson.

I do not fear for my kids safety,it just bothers that the BOE is lying to people and some of you believe them. Frowner
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Originally posted by dean0313:
But this girl was not sent to that alternative school. Mr. Jones at L.E. Willson told my husband that she is serving ISS at L.E. Willson.


My nephew who is also in ISS there confirmed to me yesterday that the girl is at L.E. Willson.

I do not fear for my kids safety,it just bothers that the BOE is lying to people and some of you believe them. Frowner


dean, regretfully, it seems to be common practice for SCS school board to not be truthful with the parents. Just make everything seem warm and fuzzy and all trouble will pass. The truth may be too inconvenient.
I subbed at the SHS alternative school last year, as well as at the ISS 'school' at LEW. This year, BOTH 'schools' (they are actually CLASSROOMS wherein 'problem students' are placed in an 'out of sight, out of mind' setting) have been COMBINED (due to budget cuts). Other than DURATION of assignment, there is NO DIFFERENCE.

Oh, yeah....look for 'theclick' to come aboard and 'correct' me. Roll Eyes
Hi Dog Soldier-

No correction coming from me (this time) Smiler.

Knock on wood, my children have not been sent to ISS or alternative school, so I am totally unfamiliar with the details of either program.

A suggestion, though... instead of lots of forum members turning discussion into gossip with inaccurate thoughts,ideas and opinions, why don't you lead the charge to discover the FACTS.

One SCS board member has already invited participation in any issue. The SCS website is also helpful - scs.k12.al.us with a list of all staff members, board members and contact information.
quote:
Originally posted by theclick:
Hi Dog Soldier-

No correction coming from me (this time) Smiler.

Knock on wood, my children have not been sent to ISS or alternative school, so I am totally unfamiliar with the details of either program.

A suggestion, though... instead of lots of forum members turning discussion into gossip with inaccurate thoughts,ideas and opinions, why don't you lead the charge to discover the FACTS.

One SCS board member has already invited participation in any issue. The SCS website is also helpful - scs.k12.al.us with a list of all staff members, board members and contact information.


Why is it gossip to say she is in ISS instead of Alternative school? She's been seen there, evidently. Alternative school is supposed to be away from the other childeren at a location away from the campus of the regular school. The whole object of Alterantive School is to SEPARATE the kids in serious trouble from the others. ISS is like a vacation to most of the trouble makers.
ISS is, as stated above, INTENDED for 'disruptive' students...students that, for whatever reason, cannot conform to general school rules. As a general rule, students placed in ISS are assigned for 5 days or less.

Alternative school, however, is INTENDED for students that 'have been deemed a THREAT TO OTHERS, as well as themselves'. As a general rule, students are assigned for 15-180 days, depending upon severity of offense.

UNLESS CHANGED, the ISS/Alternative 'school' located on the campus of LEW, places the two groups TOGETHER in the SAME room.
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Originally posted by theclick:
Gossip only because..... we don't know for sure where the student is, what the rationale was for placing her, what she actually did, or any of the details that are perhaps protected by confidentiality.

It is cold outside, today Dog - LOL - Smiler


Students have reported seeing her at LEW, are they lying? I would believe them before any of the BOE.
Yes, dean, but nobody here knows you. Any of us could relay any information we want to. It could be the truth, it could be lies, it could be given in good faith as the truth but be incorrect info, so on and so forth.

I obviously enjoy discussions on the forum or I wouldn't be here. However, when there is a serious issue about people I love involved, I am sure you'd agree that it would be wise to check into it myself to know for certain I have accurate info.

Also, spreading info that turns out to be incorrect is very harmful and can unnecessarily fuel animosity among students, teachers, staff, parents, the community, etc. Surely nobody wants that.
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Originally posted by Kindred:
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Originally posted by CharlieFoxtrot:
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Originally posted by Kindred:
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Originally posted by CharlieFoxtrot:
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Originally posted by Kindred:
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Originally posted by SaltyDog:
I am concerned that my kid might get shot and Charlie and Sonny are making jokes about soap. Thanks, guys.



Salty, I am with ya on this!!! I don't think either of them have kids or else they would be more "SUGGESTIVE" in their replies helping kids have a safer environment instead of so insulting, right?


Here is my suggestion. If they do not provide soap at Sheffield schools then bring your own. Better yet take some of that stuff that kills germs.



LOL, I can see YOU have a lot of catching up to do!!! Big Grin


Catch me up.



I ain't your momma, do it yourself, it is all here in the forums. Big Grin


Good Post. Maybe your best ever.
I called Dr. Gardner myself to hopefully clear this up. Colbert County hasn't had a separate Alternative School facility for about six years, according to Dr. Gardner. Each city system now has it's own. With the Sheffield City budget cuts to the SCS, the facility Sheffield used to have has been closed and now Alternative School is also at Willson, HOWEVER, the two are kept as separated as possible. Also from Dr. Gardner, there IS a difference between ISS and Alternative School. ISS is for very short term (think day-few days), while Alternative School is a more long term solution (from weeks to months)for more serious offenses or habitual problem students. This child is now in Alternative School, but yes, it is at Willson. Just because it's in the same building and general vicinity doesn't mean it's the same thing, so you all were sort of right and you all were sort of wrong! Smiler
quote:
Originally posted by luvmygolds:
I called Dr. Gardner myself to hopefully clear this up. Colbert County hasn't had a separate Alternative School facility for about six years, according to Dr. Gardner. Each city system now has it's own. With the Sheffield City budget cuts to the SCS, the facility Sheffield used to have has been closed and now Alternative School is also at Willson, HOWEVER, the two are kept as separated as possible. Also from Dr. Gardner, there IS a difference between ISS and Alternative School. ISS is for very short term (think day-few days), while Alternative School is a more long term solution (from weeks to months)for more serious offenses or habitual problem students. This child is now in Alternative School, but yes, it is at Willson. Just because it's in the same building and general vicinity doesn't mean it's the same thing, so you all were sort of right and you all were sort of wrong! Smiler


Whatever, it still means the ones in alternative school are still on the same campus with kids who have done nothing. It defeats the purpose. It is also wrong and very possibly dangerous. The kids in alternative school are usually there because they are very likely a risk to themselves AND others.
ISS, alternative school... it's all crap. Bring back paddling and expulsion. Any fool can see these other alternatives are rarely a deterent. Mostly, the same kids stay in these programs. A good country a**whooping and then if that didn't work expulsiuon would definitely work much better. That's the way it was when I was in school and none of us shot anyone at school or out of school.
Maybe it's just still on the "books", like hanging a horse thief in Texas is still on the "books", but they don't do it anymore. I am going to play the Devils Advocate here. Expulsion is a very final thing that you don't want to do if you can avoid it. All children have a right to an education. There are poor people who can't afford private school, aren't qualified to home school, and once a child is expelled, it's difficult to get them into another public school. Just because this girl is "known to the system" and has had problems before doesn't mean she doesn't deserve a right to her education. She probably also needs extensive therapy as well and maybe doen't have the financial resources to get it. You know, I felt upset when I thought she had threatened to shoot prople and had a hit list, too. I was upset that she was at the same school with my younger son. I even posted that. But evidently this was all blown way out of proportion.
quote:
Originally posted by LuvMyGolds:
I called Dr. Gardner myself to hopefully clear this up. Colbert County hasn't had a separate Alternative School facility for about six years, according to Dr. Gardner. Each city system now has it's own. With the Sheffield City budget cuts to the SCS, the facility Sheffield used to have has been closed and now Alternative School is also at Willson, HOWEVER, the two are kept as separated as possible. Also from Dr. Gardner, there IS a difference between ISS and Alternative School. ISS is for very short term (think day-few days), while Alternative School is a more long term solution (from weeks to months)for more serious offenses or habitual problem students. This child is now in Alternative School, but yes, it is at Willson. Just because it's in the same building and general vicinity doesn't mean it's the same thing, so you all were sort of right and you all were sort of wrong! Smiler


They're in the SAME ROOM.
quote:
Originally posted by dogsoldier0513:
ISS is, as stated above, INTENDED for 'disruptive' students...students that, for whatever reason, cannot conform to general school rules. As a general rule, students placed in ISS are assigned for 5 days or less.

Alternative school, however, is INTENDED for students that 'have been deemed a THREAT TO OTHERS, as well as themselves'. As a general rule, students are assigned for 15-180 days, depending upon severity of offense.

immolate99, That is one of the most sensible ideas I have heard for this. If the building does not have suitable classroom space available, the annex where board meeting are held should work fine. The space already has several room dividers in place that could be used to isolate real problem students. I do NOT think ISS students should be in the same classroom as students who need alternative schooling. Do you want to call Dr. Gardner with this idea or should I?
It WAS over at (or very near) the Central Office at one time, after the cities took over their own alternative schools. The issue is largely staffing, as well the expense of maintaining a separate facility. They simply don't have the money to have it elsewhere anymore. That's the reason it is at Willson now. I don't think they are even replacing teachers when they retire or leave. I know they are down at least a full time special ed teacher in Willson as of now. What we need to do is DEMAND the city stop taking money away from the school system. Did you know, that after taking away 360K from SCS and then talking us into a new 5 mil tax ("for the schools"), the city only gave the schools back less than HALF of what they took? They (the city) gave themselves (city employees) RAISES with part of rest of it. I wish there was a way we could raise a ton of money ourselves, as parents, for the schools ONLY and I don't mean with the PTA fundraisers. Does anybody know a philanthropist? Lol!
Last edited by SaltyDog
immolate99, It is hard to judge how receptive Dr. Gardner is to anything. By phone or in person. To me he always seems to say what he thinks the person talking to him wants to hear. Just my take, after a couple of phone conversations and several face to face encounters.

SaltyDog, The funds for city employee raises did not come out of the 5 mil tax. That goes directly to the school system without a stop at city hall. I was glad to see they found ANY monies for the schools in the regular budget. Usually, when any program's funding is cut out completely, (like last year) the funding is never found again. I like to believe that those of us who attended council meetings and kept the school system in the forefront helped get what funding they did budget. Of course that is just what I believe.
The recently approved 2008 budget is a better one than in years past because of sacrifices, said Mayor Billy Don Anderson.

Anderson said the $7,163,314 budget includes $1,000 a year raise for all city employees, a 4 percent raise for retired city employees and a $50,000 appropriation to the school board.

He said the city also was able to put back a little money in reserve.

"The city and our employees have made sacrifices over the last two years, and because of those sacrifices we were able to have a better budget this year than in years past," Anderson said.

In 2006, city employees got a 2 percent raise, and it's been four years since city retirees got a raise.

"This is my eighth year on the council and this is the best budget we've had," said Councilman Waylon Huguley.

He said revenue is up, which is attributed to some of the "cuts and tightening that we had to do last year."

Sheffield City Clerk Clayton Kelly said the city has 14 less employees this year than last year.

"We didn't cut anyone; we just didn't replace people when they left," Kelly said. "We had talked about having to cut positions, but we had employees in various departments either leave or retire."

Kelly said that last year the city was forced to cut $360,000 in general appropriations to the school system.

"What we did last year paid off," Huguley said.

"Last year was a nightmare during budget times," Anderson said.

He said by not replacing those employees who left or retired, the city was able to save a lot of money in salary and benefits which "helped us recover the budget."

"From the library to the street department to the fire department to the police department, they all took hits and made sacrifices," the mayor said. "In some cases, it meant some people had more work to do. The police department even changed their shifts, going to 12-hour shifts.

"The departments pulled together and the department heads worked within the budget, and that helped us have a good budget this year."

Anderson said getting something for the employees was a top priority during budget talks.

"Last year, we had to make some painful decisions and cuts, but because of those, everything seemed to fall into place this year," Huguley said.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.



Granny, you are right! The city didn't use the 5 Mil tax for thier raises, they used the money they pulled from the school system which shorted SCS and made them ask us for another 5 mil tax. Either way, wrong is wrong. The city's new budget only gives the schools 60K back when they took away 360K. And they are giving themselves raises in this new budget. So, apparently, they think they are more important than the education system and our kids???? However you look at it, they raised our taxes, we still can't afford adequate staffing in the schools, the city is a dump, and the city employees still got a raise while they cry about how broke the city is and whine about not being able to update and improve thngs here. And I do agree 100% with you about the activism helping. Because of the efforts of a handful of people who were slammed and called troublemakers because they asked for information and accountability from the BOE, there have been and hopefully will continue to be changes made for the better. For example, because some people were insistent on getting minutes, budget info, etc., from the BOE, they have updated their website to include those things! Kudos to those folks, and they know who they are! Big Grin
Last edited by SaltyDog

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