I really didn’t like the way the board made this decision to get rid of him. But now that Dr. Williams is gone, why the big hullabaloo to get him back? Perry schools are failing.

I really don’t like what the school board did - find a copy of my letter to the editor about the matter in a recent issue of the Perry Meridian FOCUS and you’ll see exactly where I stand. Yes, the board executed a poorly timed, ill-communuicated decision. However, save for spiting the board, the stalwart rampage supports a man who leads a failing school district. Are there solid reasons for the impetus of such degree?

I agree wholeheartedly that the parents are the first to blame. Teachers less so. Administrators have a minuscule role in a child’s education. Yet to play the parent card assumes ignorance; every school district in the nation could say likewise. That argument washes against every student in the world.

Thus, there must be other reasons that Perry scores lower on the ISTEP and post-secondary entrance exams. The face of Perry, as with every school district, is the superintendent. Just as in sports, when the team begins to lose, the first person to blame is the coach. Is he entirely at fault? No. Could he be innocent of the team’s losing ways? Certainly. But he must take the shellacking for the team; usually, this results in his dismissal. In the same manner, Dr. Williams might be at no fault for the poor educational scores, yet he is still responsible.

Most concerned citizens tend to assume this board’s decision at face value. These unmentionable, watery excuses for his dismissal should sound alarms in the mind. There just might be an aggregation of faults just underneath this veiled guise.

Always remember - protest long enough that you are right, and you will most certainly be wrong.

I would suggest that the issue is larger than simply saying the parents are the singular cause. I would suggest that it is a combination of personal, legislative and philosophical causes.

My child dropped out of high school (Southport) at the first moment our legal and educational system allowed. He did not have my support or blessing. Maybe the laws should be changed to prevent this.

Personally, as his father, I accept my share of the responsibility. I failed to impart to him the importance of a general education for competition in the workplace and for his own self esteem.

At the same time, however, the school system should also accept their portion of the responsibility.

Although I do not applaud the manner in which the board removed Dr. Williams as I believe he did have the best interest of the students at heart, I do applaud their concern about how the school system is operating and how our tax dollars are spent when there is such a high drop out rate and stagnant test scores.

I entrusted Perry Township to educate my child. After all, I’m forced to work 8-10 hours a day to make a living so I can pay my property taxes to help keep the school system open, in addition to providing my child and family with food, shelter, clothing, medical coverage, entertainment and other stuff that sucks my discretionary dollars out of my wallet. I apologize but I am unable devote the necessary hours to properly educate my child myself. I do want I can.

I ask, are not the people working as teachers and administrators the professionals? Don’t they have the credentials, the education, the passion, the knowledge to make certain that all our children are properly educated? Is not the excessive drop out rate and stagnant test scores an indication of their collective job performance?

Why did they not engage my child in the manner that he needed? Why did they not adjust their teaching styles, the curriculum, the extra-circular activities to accommodate his personality or his desires?

Aside from the personal and at-home issues regarding the drop out rate and test scores, I do support the teachers and administrators as they have a difficult job with too many limiting legal and philosophical restraints. Yet, I believe that they could, within those restraints, engage and motivate the students that are at risk and thus reduce the drop out rate. Maybe there should be a philosophical shift in the way our children are taught in the public school systems, including Perry Township.

I can not present a sure-fire solution to this issue as I’m not an expert on child education. I trust the school system to do this as they are the experts. I don’t believe that the solution is as simple as placing the blame solely on the parents.

Furthermore, if the school board is to blame, as SFC Brett Naum suggests, then the start of a solution would be to take the township in a new direction, as the current way things are done is not producing the desired results. Certainly disagree with their methods, but at least they recognize the issue and are doing something about it.

In addition, I’d like to add that Susan Adams spoke very negatively about Rosa Parks Edison Elementary and their prior I-Step scores. Of course since the school is new, the first couple of years do not reflect RPE, but the education that the children received at their previous elementary. I do hope that Susan is aware how well Rosa Parks did this year!! The fifth grade class scored higher than any other MSDPT elementary!! Mrs. Tatum’s class had 100% passing rate!! The third grade class, which began their education with Edison schooling, did fantastic!!

Way to go Rosa Parks Edison students!!

These results are confirmed by previous years’ testing. Much to the chagrin of the Southport Journal, it seems this stat is more and more a proven fact rather than fiction. What happens in the early high school years at Southport?

I know this has nothing to do with Dr. Williams, but it contributes to the alarming ISTEP scores from Perry Township…

I understand your frustration but I want to answer some of your questions.

“I ask, are not the people working as teachers and administrators the professionals? Don’t they have the credentials, the education, the passion, the knowledge to make certain that all our children are properly educated? Is not the excessive drop out rate and stagnant test scores an indication of their collective job performance?”

first of all how many children do you have? Ever try to teach more than 20 at once? Ever try to deal with 20 different backgrounds and personalities? Ever try to teach?

No, I’m not a teacher. Yes, they should have the training. No, they can not do it all for you. I believe that an person that wants to be a teacher must be passionate about their profession. I know I couldn’t do it. How to make an impact on kids that don’t want to learn? Don’t blame the teacher. Most of them are doing more for our kids than anyone else. I applaud them. Theya re underpaid and overworked. Ever see how many are there on weekends and late nights They are underappreciated and they continue to do a great job anyway.

As for parent involvement, it is not the only answer. But, you say you don’t have time. I work 8 hours a day myself and I know what my child is doing in school. I still know his teachers on a first name basis. I make time. Everyone, me included, needs to shoulder some of the responsibility for the education of the children.

“A comment posted by a SFC Brett Naum stated that the parents are the sole reason for the child’s success or failure in school. He stated this in the context that the school board, the teachers or the administrator (Williams) are not responsible for the failure.”

This is a distortion of what I actually said. Carefully reread both of my posts regarding this. What you will find is that I have placed the MAJORITY of blame on the parents as they (quote) “IMPACT” their children’s education more than anyone else. You can make excuses about having to work long hours all day long as a reason for not getting more involved. MOST people work those hours. I am an Active Duty soldier that works long hours and many times is away. I still place priority in my children and their education by being involved. A phone call or email to the teacher is usually sufficient for communication. IF the teacher fails to communicate then it’s time for the face-to-face to discuss MY expectations. I don’t except excuses. They accomplish nothing.

The two schools, IMO, are and have been treated differently for a very long time.

Wait until we have to re-district and see where the lines are drawn.