The following, copied email, was sent on Sunday, November 10, 2013:
Socastee Family, Dr. Elsberry, Members of the Horry County Board of Education, and Selected Media,
Did the Horry County Board of Education, like Nancy Pelosi on the Affordable Care Act, think that it had to approve our Race to the Top grant application to find out what was in it? (RTT-D 1500 pp. - ACA 2600 pp.)
I wonder if the members of the board even scanned its contents.
More than likely, the board was trusting our superintendent. After its unanimous support of the grant application, she received an "exceptional" rating and had her contract extended for another year.
The controversial contents of this application, including the district's belief that limiting class sizes interferes with digital learning, misleading and inaccurate narrative, and the lack of meaningful evidence of stakeholder engagement and support, should have been easily detected, if a committee of parent, teacher, community, and board members would have had to give its approval before the entire board of education voted to accept or reject it.
Unfortunately, our system of board governance does not allow standing committees. Too much power is placed in the hands of one individual - the superintendent. This is not the principle upon which our country was founded of checks and balances. Ronald Reagan once said, "Trust but verify." It is time we return to this fundamental principle of representative government and restore traditional governance in Horry County.
This grant application was developed and approved in a quick and sloppy manner. Time needs to be devoted to important endeavors that involve the people's beliefs and tax money.
By the way, a board member (unnamed, and will continue to be unnamed) recently told me that I needed numbers on my side, if I expected any change to occur. I told him that most teachers were afraid to speak and act but that I had to do what I must do.
With or without the public support of members of my profession, I still believe one person can make a difference. I teach my students that, and I will continue to do so. Truth is a more important ally than numbers, and I have the Constitution on my side. I will continue to exercise my freedom of speech and press in an attempt to engage a sleeping public.
Respectfully and professionally submitted, as a citizen, first, and a teacher, second,
Bobby Chandler
Socastee Family, Dr. Elsberry, Members of the Horry County Board of Education, and Selected Media,
Did the Horry County Board of Education, like Nancy Pelosi on the Affordable Care Act, think that it had to approve our Race to the Top grant application to find out what was in it? (RTT-D 1500 pp. - ACA 2600 pp.)
I wonder if the members of the board even scanned its contents.
More than likely, the board was trusting our superintendent. After its unanimous support of the grant application, she received an "exceptional" rating and had her contract extended for another year.
The controversial contents of this application, including the district's belief that limiting class sizes interferes with digital learning, misleading and inaccurate narrative, and the lack of meaningful evidence of stakeholder engagement and support, should have been easily detected, if a committee of parent, teacher, community, and board members would have had to give its approval before the entire board of education voted to accept or reject it.
Unfortunately, our system of board governance does not allow standing committees. Too much power is placed in the hands of one individual - the superintendent. This is not the principle upon which our country was founded of checks and balances. Ronald Reagan once said, "Trust but verify." It is time we return to this fundamental principle of representative government and restore traditional governance in Horry County.
This grant application was developed and approved in a quick and sloppy manner. Time needs to be devoted to important endeavors that involve the people's beliefs and tax money.
By the way, a board member (unnamed, and will continue to be unnamed) recently told me that I needed numbers on my side, if I expected any change to occur. I told him that most teachers were afraid to speak and act but that I had to do what I must do.
With or without the public support of members of my profession, I still believe one person can make a difference. I teach my students that, and I will continue to do so. Truth is a more important ally than numbers, and I have the Constitution on my side. I will continue to exercise my freedom of speech and press in an attempt to engage a sleeping public.
Respectfully and professionally submitted, as a citizen, first, and a teacher, second,
Bobby Chandler
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