Well the letter is published. I am waiting to see what kind of response we will get.
This afternoon I received an e-mail from the nicest lady asking after my daughter's health. I responded to her personally as we will try to do with all e-mails or comments. My daughter is doing well, as is my son. They both miss the friends they have made so far this year. They did not have time to go back and exchange phone numbers, as after the threat of expulsion from Mr. Brinson; I did not feel comfortable allowing them to return to the school. I feel at this point I had no choice but to remove them from this system until I can guarantee their safety on school property.
So we will be home schooling for now while we work toward a better and safer Jasper County school system. I am only thankful that we were able to make that choice, I know not everyone can. It won't be easy for us to do this as many of you can imagine, but needs must when the devil drives.
As you wander through our site today please keep in mind that while this time it was my child, it's not so big a leap to tomorrow when it may be a family member's child…or yours.
Any input you have will be welcome. And your input will become necessary as we come closer to finding a resolution. This is our county. We live here, we work here, and we do it to make sure that our children have what they need. We need to take the steps that make sure that what we provide will be protected. We need to ensure that our children and schools are safe. Not just for us but for those that come after us. Individually we have the ability to do what's right for our families; together we have the ability to make it happen for everyone.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Letter to the Editor published 10/30/08
When is enough enough?
As the mother of two Jasper County Middle School Students, I became aware of what I believe is a serious problem with the safety of all students in the Jasper County School system. Allow me to state first that I am not writing this without having spoken to Mr. Fore at the high school, Ms. McWhorter at the middle school, Mr. Jerry Williams, head of the transportation department and Mr. Jay Brinson, Superintendent of Jasper County schools. I have been told nothing will be done.
On October 8, 2008 on the bus ride home from school my 11 year old daughter was assaulted by a high school senior. My daughter was grabbed from behind by the hair which was pulled hard enough that muscles in her neck and right shoulder were sprained. That’s when I began making phone calls and attending meetings with the above officials. That is also when the harassment of my daughter by the high school senior and her gang of friends escalated. The only action I could take was to remove my children from school provided transportation to protect them from this bully and her gang.
The administration in this county has done nothing to discipline the senior that assaulted my daughter and I was informed October 24, 2008 by Mr. Williams that even though the senior confessed to him that she assaulted my daughter on the bus and despite my supplying a witness to the assault, that in his professional opinion there is not enough proof that an assault occurred. Mr. Williams stated to me that during his investigation he had reviewed tapes from the bus. On October 24, 2008, when I requested to be able to view the tapes myself, I was informed that the VCR on that bus does not in fact work. Mr. Williams also informed me that during his questioning of the bully, she claimed she was just playing so, again, in his professional opinion there is no reason to take this matter any further and no disciplinary action needs to be taken. Mr. Williams stated that the aggressor said “I was just playing” and “It was just good fun.”
At every turn, I have been told that “there is no problem with discipline or safety of the students”. Mr. Brinson actually told me that if my children commit any infraction of school rules they will be instantly expelled. Mr. Brinson also stated in a conversation with my Mother that the school property being unsafe is merely our “perception”, that the yearly statistics show that there is no disciplinary or safety problem at the schools. My question to all the parents in Jasper County is if your child had a sprained neck and shoulder and the bully got no discipline wouldn’t you perceive that to be a problem. If your perception is the same as my perception please e-mail me at cleanupjaspercounty@yahoo.com or visit the blog I have set up at www.cleanupjaspercounty.blogspot.com
From the beginning, my goal has always been to bring this matter to the attention of the officials who are responsible for the safety of our students and ask them to allow me to become a part of the solution to this problem. However, it seems that some of the officials refuse to acknowledge a problem exists and other’s hands are tied by bureaucracy. However, I still intend to do what I can to change it and would love your help or even just your input.
Thank you,
Cynthia King
Concerned Mother of Jasper County Students
Donna Telley, Grandmother of Jasper County Students
As the mother of two Jasper County Middle School Students, I became aware of what I believe is a serious problem with the safety of all students in the Jasper County School system. Allow me to state first that I am not writing this without having spoken to Mr. Fore at the high school, Ms. McWhorter at the middle school, Mr. Jerry Williams, head of the transportation department and Mr. Jay Brinson, Superintendent of Jasper County schools. I have been told nothing will be done.
On October 8, 2008 on the bus ride home from school my 11 year old daughter was assaulted by a high school senior. My daughter was grabbed from behind by the hair which was pulled hard enough that muscles in her neck and right shoulder were sprained. That’s when I began making phone calls and attending meetings with the above officials. That is also when the harassment of my daughter by the high school senior and her gang of friends escalated. The only action I could take was to remove my children from school provided transportation to protect them from this bully and her gang.
The administration in this county has done nothing to discipline the senior that assaulted my daughter and I was informed October 24, 2008 by Mr. Williams that even though the senior confessed to him that she assaulted my daughter on the bus and despite my supplying a witness to the assault, that in his professional opinion there is not enough proof that an assault occurred. Mr. Williams stated to me that during his investigation he had reviewed tapes from the bus. On October 24, 2008, when I requested to be able to view the tapes myself, I was informed that the VCR on that bus does not in fact work. Mr. Williams also informed me that during his questioning of the bully, she claimed she was just playing so, again, in his professional opinion there is no reason to take this matter any further and no disciplinary action needs to be taken. Mr. Williams stated that the aggressor said “I was just playing” and “It was just good fun.”
At every turn, I have been told that “there is no problem with discipline or safety of the students”. Mr. Brinson actually told me that if my children commit any infraction of school rules they will be instantly expelled. Mr. Brinson also stated in a conversation with my Mother that the school property being unsafe is merely our “perception”, that the yearly statistics show that there is no disciplinary or safety problem at the schools. My question to all the parents in Jasper County is if your child had a sprained neck and shoulder and the bully got no discipline wouldn’t you perceive that to be a problem. If your perception is the same as my perception please e-mail me at cleanupjaspercounty@yahoo.com or visit the blog I have set up at www.cleanupjaspercounty.blogspot.com
From the beginning, my goal has always been to bring this matter to the attention of the officials who are responsible for the safety of our students and ask them to allow me to become a part of the solution to this problem. However, it seems that some of the officials refuse to acknowledge a problem exists and other’s hands are tied by bureaucracy. However, I still intend to do what I can to change it and would love your help or even just your input.
Thank you,
Cynthia King
Concerned Mother of Jasper County Students
Donna Telley, Grandmother of Jasper County Students
Odd but true:
FROM THE MONTICELLO NEWS:
www.themonticellonews.com
Jay Brinson to Coach Superintendents
Ted Dunagan 23.OCT.08
Jasper County School Superintendent Jay L. Brinson has been selected by the Georgia Superintendent of Schools as a “Coach” for new superintendents of schools.
The purpose of the “Coaching Program” is to help new school superintendents develop skills and experience to become better at their job.
On the agenda of their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening the board approved the following personnel issues: the resignation of Early Johnson, Custodian, HS; the termination (due to contract abandonment) of Ashley Adams, Spanish Teacher, HS and Alona Smith, Graduation Coach, HS. Four overnight field trips were also approved by the board. Board Chair Phyllis Norwood, and Mr. Brinson accepted a check for $1,800 from Central Georgia EMC for community development.
Also, Mr. Brinson announced the new pre-school is complete and ready for occupation, and a dedication and official opening will take place on the afternoon of November 9.
Concerning financial information, Mr. Brinson reported the SPLOST which went into effect December, 2005, was projected to produce $80,000 per month to make payments on bonds used to build the new high school and pre-school.
However, since inception, the fund has averaged yielding more than $90,000 per month. The funds are deposited in a special account which to date has paid $93,034 in interest.
Also, monthly reports showed a total enrollment of all schools to be 2,060, well within the projection for staff.
The attendance report summary was within normal range, and the Monthly Student Health Services Report reported 521 students were treated and returned to class and 179 were screened for Scoliosis, among many other health care checks.
The superintendent indicated there was no need for the board to go into executive session and the meeting was adjourned.
www.themonticellonews.com
Jay Brinson to Coach Superintendents
Ted Dunagan 23.OCT.08
Jasper County School Superintendent Jay L. Brinson has been selected by the Georgia Superintendent of Schools as a “Coach” for new superintendents of schools.
The purpose of the “Coaching Program” is to help new school superintendents develop skills and experience to become better at their job.
On the agenda of their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening the board approved the following personnel issues: the resignation of Early Johnson, Custodian, HS; the termination (due to contract abandonment) of Ashley Adams, Spanish Teacher, HS and Alona Smith, Graduation Coach, HS. Four overnight field trips were also approved by the board. Board Chair Phyllis Norwood, and Mr. Brinson accepted a check for $1,800 from Central Georgia EMC for community development.
Also, Mr. Brinson announced the new pre-school is complete and ready for occupation, and a dedication and official opening will take place on the afternoon of November 9.
Concerning financial information, Mr. Brinson reported the SPLOST which went into effect December, 2005, was projected to produce $80,000 per month to make payments on bonds used to build the new high school and pre-school.
However, since inception, the fund has averaged yielding more than $90,000 per month. The funds are deposited in a special account which to date has paid $93,034 in interest.
Also, monthly reports showed a total enrollment of all schools to be 2,060, well within the projection for staff.
The attendance report summary was within normal range, and the Monthly Student Health Services Report reported 521 students were treated and returned to class and 179 were screened for Scoliosis, among many other health care checks.
The superintendent indicated there was no need for the board to go into executive session and the meeting was adjourned.
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