There have been certain accusations and negative comments made about Mrs. Tippets during the past few weeks. Realizing that we live in America and everyone has the freedom of speech, we, as faculty and staff of Jacksonville City Schools, would like to express our support for Mrs. Tippets. We believe that the accusations directed toward Mrs. Tippets are unwarranted. Mrs. Tippets has supported our school system and the community for many years as a parent, coach, and board member. She is a kind and compassionate person, who as a parent spoke to the board about helping teachers to get Instructional Assistants for their grade level. She has proven that she is a hard-worker, by supporting her own children and other students as a parent, and coach of many PARD teams. She is enthusiastic and encouraging whenever you speak with her.
Mrs. Tippets has volunteered countless hours to the school from actually performing the duties of an instructional assistant, substitute teacher, and loading students in cars at the end of the day. She is very supportive of our system and places much thought and care when making decisions to make our system one of the best in the state.
There has never been a “neglect of duty” on the part of Mrs. Tippets. In fact, she goes far and beyond the responsibilities of her position as President of the board. Anyone who truly knows Mrs. Tippets knows what an asset she is to Jacksonville. We believe that we are all the better because she is a part of our community and school system.
We believe Mrs. Tippets is well-qualified for the position of Board President and deserving of the support of our faculty and community. It has been said, “A man’s reputation is what other people think of him; his character is what he really is.” Mrs. Tippets IS truly an outstanding leader and individual.
Jean Starr, Ann Palmer, Shirlene Herb, Christy Tye, Judy Loggins, Becky Fearon, Lindsey Bagley, Ryan Chambless, Stephanie Gossett, Linda Andrews, Sandra Ginn, Candy Seeger, Jeremy Harper, Brenda Leahey, Dana Bonds, Renae Bragg, Kay Smith, Amanda Bivins, Century Knight, Shawna Beadles, Jackie Howell, Bill Cobb, Frieda Whatley, Kathy Weiser, Nancy Martin, John VanCleave, Hilarie Howard, Sandra D. Hendley, Sue Pearson, Sheay Hodge, Nila Nabors, Peggy Perkins, Phillip Noah, Anthony Kingston, Donna Lloyd, M.D. Sims, Christy Vice, Gene Rhodes, Mary Oliver, Annette Cruise, Kellilyn Sechrest, Phyllis Boudousquie, Joan Kirk, Lesley Bean, Kelli Real, Bruce Boozer, Amy Powell, Marcia Stallings, Patsy Boozer, Shane Harper, Susanne Mullinax, Texann Dixon, Caroline Arthur, Dinah McGowan, Sara Blount, Jennifer Loos
JACKSONVILLE CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION
JACKSONVILLE, ALABAMA
Date: Monday, May 10, 2010
Place: Central Office
Time: Business Meeting 5:00 PM
UNAPPROVED AGENDA (05/3/10)
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approve Agenda
IV. Approve Minutes of
a. April 19, 2010
V. Financial Reports
a. Disbursements
b. Payroll
c. Financial Statement
d. Bank Reconciliation
VI. Superintendent’s Report and New Business
a. 2010-11 Year-in-Review Presentation
b. Consider Recommendation to Approve Bid: 2010 KSES Kitchen/Dishroom Improvements (Child Nutrition)
c. Consider Recommendation to Approve Bid: 2010 Jacksonville City Schools Improvements (Quality School Construction Bonds, ARRA)
d. Consider Recommendation to Approve Specialized Preschool Agreement
e. Consider Recommendation to Approve Policy Revisions
i. 2.11 Qualifications of Board Members
ii. 2.13 Terms of Board Members
iii. 5.28 Student Harassment Prevention
iv. 5.68 Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Use
f. Consider 2010-11 Code of Student Conduct and Notice of Information
i. Cell Phone Committee Recommendations for Changes
ii. Due Process Clarification
VII. Election of Board Officers for 2010-11
a. President
b. Vice President
VIII. Designation of Board Compensation for 2010-11
IX. Personnel
X. Legislative Update
a. Budget Information
b. PE Bill
c. Safe Rooms
d. Probable Cause
XI. Announcements and Guests
XII. Confirm Date of Next Board Meeting
XIII. Adjourn
XIV. Recognitions
Here's what I think is going to happen: Our BOE will appoint Ray Hammett as interim superintendent. It then has 120 days to appoint a permanent superintendent but will drag its feet in doing the search. The longer it waits, the fewer candidates anyway because most BOEs want new superintendents to start before school opens. After 120 days have passed, we will see another love feast to announce that Mr. Hammett has done such a good job as interim that we need to have him permanently.
Actually, the BOE has met the requirements of tne new law on superintendent searches by already having posted the vacancy for 30 days, but it may make a feeble attempt to post it again with legally defensive qualifications.
So, while all the school systems around us have good superintendents in place or are trying to find the best person they can to lead their schools, our BOE members are trying to put in place a person with minimal qualifications. Why? Ask them.
The person from Alabama School Boards Association gave BOE members some good advice at a working session, but it was pretty obvious that they have no clue about conducting a good search and only want to defend what they've already done.
Other systems are looking for people with academic preparation and depth of administrative and teaching experience. (Baldwin County Schools)....or who have both the instructional and personal leadership skills to ensure district effectiveness (small system in SC).
Most districts want problem solvers, collaborative leadership styles, and budget management expertise. They also do not allow their current superintendents to influence the search and be its spokesperson.
What to do? Keep the pressure on the BOE to find
the best person for Jacksonville. Don't let up because you can be sure that they won't!
No Hispanics, Blacks, or Females at all met the new requirements that the Board added to the old qualifications. None of them would even rate an interview with the Board. Only the Board member met the qualification. Is this an accident or intentional? Do you think this is legal in 2010 in America ?
Is this what you are defending? Do the people that signed this letter want their children to to be treated this way when they get ready to join the work force ?
Do the Teachers want to be treated fairly when they have aspirations to go into management ?
Yours,
Jacksonville Voice of Students