Well no “Year in Review” can begin without the electoral and popular vote win by President-elect Donald Trump. We will begin with the Trump political wave election and move to the local level from there.
Category: Education Policy and Opinion
What would Jesus do at a data conference?
I started thinking the other day if he would approve of these things that we call data conferences. I don’t think that he would. I don’t speak for God, and I don’t claim to know the mind of God. But in reading the bible, I do think we need to […]
Safety Protocol and Inclement Weather Decisions
Many years ago, I had the pleasure of speaking to a former superintendent. He was old, and he was wise. It was snowing outside. We started talking about whether schools should be open the next day. He shared this with me. He said, “Rob, I don’t send busses out in […]
Trump’s Roadmap for Removing Bureaucracy
At the local, state, and federal levels of education, we need to get rid of ineffective, un-elected government bureaucrats. I have seen newly elected governments fail to do this time and time again. Without exception, the incoming administration pays a heavy price when they fail to do this. I often […]
FOIA Requests, Community Driven Surveys, and More
Accountability. LEAs (local education agency) will be part of the focus of this blog moving forward. I think there is growing concern about the direction of our system here in Kingsport. It is time to talk. No more silence from me. 1. Something to think about as we proceed during […]
Educators: You Need to Always Have a Good Lawyer at Your Disposal
Getting and retaining a lawyer doesn’t mean you are guilty of a crime. It means you are wise. We often equate legal counsel with wrong doing. There are many times that educational professionals need legal counsel which have nothing to do with criminal activity nor wrong doing. In the Boy […]
Race to the Top: A Failure in Both Practicality and Priorities
In regards to Race to the Top, I remember writing to the Republican Lieutenant Governor at the time. I warned him that performance based salaries(for teachers) which were connected to student TCAP scores were a fool’s errand, or something to that effect. He responded which I appreciated. However, he never […]
Where to Build New Schools? A Growth Model Which Makes Sense
This is a needed topic of conversation In Kingsport. Bristol and Johnson City are running circles around us right now when it comes to city growth and development. Bristol has the Hard Rock nearing completion. Johnson City’s I-26 and 11-E corridors are growing rapidly. In Kingsport, our two newest elementary […]
School Choice and Opting Out of Public Education
Here is an issue that I have changed my mind about as the years have passed. I used to be a strong supporter of public education. In many ways I still am, but that is tempered now. If this past week in Kingsport has driven anything home it is this….woke […]
Kickbacks and Consultants
If we want to know the priorities of a school system, then follow the money. Sometimes that trail of dollars leads down rabbit holes which are sketchy. No public school employee should be working as a consultant for a company which is doing business in their local school system. No […]