Opinion poll results: 89% of Beaufort High critics point finger at administrators
Opinion Poll Results:
89% of Beaufort High critics point finger at administrators
Eighty-nine percent of the 572 members of the public who answered The Beaufort Tribune’s online poll over this past weekend say Beaufort High School’s principal and administrative staff, together with Superintendent Valerie Truesdale, her staff and the school board, are responsible for the situation at the school.
The poll follows an article on May 15 in the Tribune, written by Victor Granquist, a parent with a student at the school, asserting that the school is “in crisis”. The article has garnered more readers than any other article in the history of the Tribune, as well as more written comments from our readers.
The poll eliminated the possibility of someone voting twice from the same computer by placing a “cookie” on the computer, thus preventing duplicate voters and ensuring a high degree of accuracy in the poll results. The high number of voters, 572, also reduced the possibility that the results were unfairly skewed one way or another.
Only four respondents (less than 1%) blamed teachers at the school, and only 10.31 % blamed parents, leaving 89% of the responsibility for the situation at Beaufort High School on school administrators.
Parent says: Beaufort High School in crisis
Related posts:
- The Beaufort Tribune Opinion Poll: Who is most responsible for the situation at Beaufort High School?
- Beaufort County Board Of Elections seeks new poll workers, April 20, 21 & 22
- Beaufort County school administrators seize physics teacher Mike Sanz’s laptop computer, claim violation of “policy”
- News brief: Beaufort High School’s 45th reunion class of 1964
- Board of Education issues statement about superintendent’s job performance, delays evaluation of her academic results
Comments
24 Responses to “Opinion poll results: 89% of Beaufort High critics point finger at administrators”
Vote No Confidence for Truesdale. Vote No Confidence for the School Board.
They could take the easy way out and put the principal back at Bluffton, let Evans and Durbin keep their jobs, put the right people in place and let them shine.
WHEN THE DISTRICT SHINES, TRUESDALE AND THE BOARD SHINE! What are they thinking?
Do the right thing for our KIDS!
This doesn’t surprise me at all. Beaufort County’s motto has long been “we work for us”
The main point of all this? It isn’t race. It is competence, energy, doing what is right and doing it right. It is about passion for students, passion for education, devotion to the school and community, and working to make our schools better. Are our schools successful? Do we have the right leaders in place?
Bluffton High School is successful and has -oops, had- the right leader in place. Mr. Anderson needs to be at that high school – all those words above describe his efforts.
Ask yourselves – is your principal one of these types of people? Why take away and remove such principals to replace them with one of less quality and competence. It does not make any sense.
Something seems fishy in the central office. Decision-making smells rotten over there.
Those comments were not made by Mr. Sanz; they were made by Dr. Truesdale TO Mr. Sanz about why he was transferred.
Why wouldn’t you want an employee in a position because they wanted it, not because of the color of their skin? That is probably the reason Cindy Rini can’t go to Bluffton Middle School, despite all her hard work. She’s white, and she’s a woman. Can’t have too many of either.
So sad for the students not to have people who have invested energy and excitement into a school rather than an upset transfer.
It was said that the new principal at Lady’s Island Elementary was chosen because she is an African American. I wonder if the same statement can be made when a European-American/white man or woman is chosen as a principal?
As far as Mr. Sanz’s alleged comments:three white people can’t run a building. Well, the same goes for Blacks in this county.
I see some racism be expressed. This county is a messed. For years, people have been in position not because of their abilities but because of their race. The same old slave master mindset exist today. We have got to get beyond this race thing. However, this will not happen until those who have been in positions of authority stop being racist. Be fair and just.
If those were white people who were the new hires, I am willing to bet that there would be no outcry.
Stop the foolishness. Let us work together to make life better for all people in this county.
I feel your pain! Truesdale is running wild and the school board needs to reel her in!
Come on board members, where are you? You are NOT listening to your public – remember YOU SERVE THE PEOPLE, parents, schoolchildren, the community – SHE IS NOT SERVING NOR LISTENING! LET’S SEE ACTION.
Truesdale is doing this all over the county – look at Bluffton High, Hilton Head Middle, and your school north of Broad – Lady’s Isle, Whale Branch, etc.
Last night, Dr. Truesdale named a new principal for Lady’s Island Elementary School, a person with two years’ experience in administration who was chosen over the Interim Principal, who is vastly more experienced.
This in SPITE OF the support of the faculty and PTO for the Interim Principal to continue as head of the school. WHY?
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Everyone is so sick of the leadership under Truesdale.
The new principal was chosen because she is African American. Remember Mr. Sanz’s words: three white people can’t run a building. Well, he was correct in his statement. Look at the last few hires; notice a trend.
In 2010 it is a shame that the Slave Master mentality still exists in this world today ( White is Right and Black is dirty and wrong).
Mrs. Ulmer is the BEST CHOICE for the job at Ladys Island Elementary. Her experience and her leadership ability speaks for itself. She has the DESIRE, DEDICATION, and the DETERMINATION to lead this school and to make it an even better educational institution.
The person who made that comment doesn’t know Mrs. Ulmer at all, because if they did they would know how hard she works, how much she gives of herself to make sure that her students have the best and get the best possible education.
This awesome WOMAN of GREATNESS sacrifices time with her precious children and wonderful husband to give 100% of her all for others’ children and families. If you have issues with Mrs. Ulmer being the Head and not the tail of LIES then I strongly suggest you remove your child from the school and place them in a place that would make you happy.
For the staff that is unhappy about the new leadership, I suggest you get a new JOB because your new LEADERSHIP is on her way as of JULY 1st, 2010.
When you have FAVOR over your life nothing or no one can ever take it away.
News Flash: The days of the uneducated African American are long gone. We are educated and have very educated children. I know it’s scary but get USED to it because we are not going anywhere.
Mrs. Ulmer, let your HATERS be your MOTIVATORS. And just remember that “You can do all things through Christ that strengthens me”. I am very proud of you.
My intentions were not to provide a slave mentality but when district extends the position that a principal can ONLY hire someone that isn’t white, then there is a deep rooted problem in the system.
As a district, why can’t the hiring be the strongest candidate, the best qualified candidate, etc.? Instead, it is all white applicants are pulled and the principals can only be picked from the remaining applications.
That is reverse discrimination.
Ashamed of this Mentality, my original post was not racially motivatated.
I don’t believe any of the parents and teachers at LIES are “HATERS” of Mrs. Ulmer. I am sure they will all give her a fair chance. My post was NOT anti-Ulmer, and there was really no need for your overly defensive diatribe.
I personally have nothing against the woman. My point was that the District, led by Truesdale, again paid lip service to what the parents and teachers wanted, while doing exactly what they had planned to do all along.
Best of luck to Mrs. UImer, and the sooner we are rid of Valerie Truesdale, the better.
As a parent of a forth grader, a ninth grader and a senior, I for one do not feel that the district has the best interest of my children in mind with the recent changes.
My child started Bluffton High the year Mr. Anderson began as principal. My nephew attended during the previous administration and there were many problems. Although there were still problems during Mr. Anderson’s tenure he made great strides in correcting many that existed and those the district would allow him to correct.
It is a shame that we get a energetic, personable and intelligent individual who is very active in the community and extremely concerned with the atmosphere and environment my children are being taught in, and then he/she is removed from the place where they are making positive and encouraging changes.
I am fully behind any and all attempts to have the district hear our demands. RETURN MR. ANDERSON TO BLUFFTON HIGH!
TRUESDALE, YOUR TIME WOULD BE BETTER SPENT TRYING TO FIX OTHER SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT IMPROVING, NOT STOPPING THE PROGRESS OF OURS.
Dr. Truesdale,
Are you crazy? You took the best principal at the high school and middle school levels in the district and moved him to central office?
The Bluffton High principal has made Bluffton High the best school in the district, people moving into the area want that school. Parents and kids refused to be sent to Battery Creek and HIlton Head because they wanted to STAY at Bluffton.
NOW YOU UPROOT the principal? Why? Because a few people whined and complained when they didn’t get their way? Because Mother Nature beat the crowd at graduation?
Big whoop! Put this principal back where he belongs. Tell the whiners to grow up!
I think the central office women are scared of anyone brighter or smarter than they are. Poor Dr. Alford, a good man too, smart, decisive, and he gets overturned by HER all the time. No wonder he wants out
And look at what happened to the Bluffton principal – we have heard nothing but great things about that school. Better scores, more AP, people wanting their kids to go there and happy with the positive growth. And when he set high expectations and made all these improvements, he was moved to central office.
Stupid move.
T&R.
Look at what happened to Mike Sanz when he spoke up. He was a principal demoted to teacher for speaking up.
Long before his email to the BCSD employees, he was a candidate for principal of Hilton Head Island Middle School, a job filled by one of Dr. Truesdale’s friends.
Working for Jim Shirley has been a joke. He runs the school like a kindergarten.
LOL, only 10% believe parents are ultimately responsible for the education their child receives. Is this a great place to live or what?
There is a poem from the Holocaust (to shorten it some): First they came for the Communists, but I was not a communist. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew. And then they came for me and there was no one left to speak up.
Teachers who whine and moan need to be shut up. If the majority does not step up and set the example, bullying and harassment by certain adults will continue. And when “they” come for you?
Truesdale is not endearing herself to staff and administration to point where the board should go after her. We are losing good people because of her. I bet there will be no one left to speak up for her either.
From what I understand, most teachers/staff already are voicing “no support and trust” of this superintendent – a vote of ” no confidence”.
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, LEND AN EAR! We need a change yes, at the top!
BHS Mom, what if we switched Dan Durbin with Mr Anderson from Bluffton? I have heard great things about Bluffton High School. Maybe by switching up, we can see here how the other half lives on the south side, that would be a change. And Bluffton can experience Mr Dan over there. Maybe it would be a good thing for both schools. And maybe other principals could mix it up from time to time. A possibility!
I just read Teacher and Parent All in One along with Alan. Wow! You both hit the nail on the head big time!
Truesdale is the crux of the low morale and weariness of our teachers and administrators. Bandwagons in this district are abandoned in 2 years. She grabs the spotlight however she can, and uses the schools to her own end.
Would she ever move to a state dept of ed job? She’d never make what we pay her up in Columbia. And what exactly does she do to earn the big bucks? Teachers and administrators have it so much harder day to day.
She is Teflon!
Alan is correct. MORE THAN CORRECT – BOARD MEMBERS WAKE UP! SHE TELLS YOU WHAT SHE WANTS YOU TO HEAR!
In reality, Truesdale is cold, uncaring, and brutal with her employees. Look around at how many have left the district or been moved into different spots. She then brings in mediocrity when she hires her friends from upstate.
The one decent hire was Alford, but now he is even looking to get out because he isn’t her “yes man”.
Truesdale is only out for herself. Look what she’s done to the administrators who have the balls to make the tough decisions. They are either gone or moved into different positions.
She is NOT interested in education. She grabs all these initiatives and spends millions on her “institutes” and rallies to tout herself, but in reality, does she REALLY CARE about the kids, the teachers, and the day to day management of our schools, the real people in the schools who are making the tough decisions every day? NO!
She has no clue. And she uses Rosswurm as her Nazi to back her up.
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS – YOUR SUPERINTENDENT is the ONE you need to
focus on. She is using good people as her scapegoats in order to escape her responsibilities.
Unethical, you bet she is!
The school board has allowed the superintendent to pull the wool over their eyes.
She is a politician who craves the spotlight. What has she done but create a level of distrust amongst the public, fear amongst teachers, coaches, principals and central office administrators?
She has surrounded herself with upper staff she knew previously and they do her bidding.
Why do we have so many females running the district?
Is her job to create a great district for her or for our children?
Our kids and district deserve better than a $205,000 queen bee of Teflon.
The principals are not much different than the teachers. They also want to keep their jobs and they just become Truesdale puppets. Take their pulses and see how happy they are with their jobs! I know it frustrates them too. They are out of the buildings constantly for meetings and training. They cannot choose their own staff – they are assigned to them – even assistant principals. I don’t even think our kids know our principal – he is never at school.
This is the most impressive reader-response polling that I have seen in a long time, if ever. Thanks, Beaufort Tribune, for presenting such a factual, visually appealing, reader-friendly piece. I believe that our other local news providers must take note!
My question to other posters is this: what are some ways that you feel administrators can turn things around? Some ideas have already been presented in the previous article; do you think that some of those ideas are workable or not?
Thank you Beaufort Tribune for printing the original article about our local public schools and allowing a place for concerned parents and teachers to voice themselves.
There needs to be some major changes made and hopefully this will get the ball rolling. Someone with fresh realistic ideas and the ability and drive put them into action would move things in a positive direction.
A teacher should not be penalized for voicing his opinion as well as offering potential solutions to the problems, yet the Bluffton teacher has been treated as if he committed treason. This tells us that currently teachers are not welcomed to speak up and the administrators are the dictators.
Let’s continue to rally until the proper changes are made. Support the teachers that still fight for education, correct the teachers that have fallen off the wagon and dismiss the teachers that don’t care to make a difference.