Mike Sanz asks questions of school board and superintendent
Mike Sanz asks questions of school board and superintendent
Mike Sanz, the dissident Beaufort County public school teacher who is leading an effort to improve student behavior and academic performance, recently submitted a long list of questions to our local school board (headed by Fred Washington) and to our local superintendent of education (Valerie Truesdale). He has asked The Beaufort Tribune to print his questions, which follow:
I noticed that Dr. Washington and the School Board have added a new section to the district website called “Fact of Fiction”. I think this a wonderful venue for asking several questions so that the district administrators can give us clear answers. I’m sure that the addition of this section in the web site validates that the Board, Superintendent and her staff want to get the truthful answers out to the public. I thought this would be a legitimate time to ask many questions that are in several teachers, parents and community members’ minds. So, here we go.
1. Dr. Truesdale, has any teacher, administrator or staff member been treated inappropriately because they questioned your actions, directives or motives?
a. Have any been demoted, blackballed, or transferred at the last moment without any evidence or documents demonstrating incompetence, poor performance or insubordination?
2. Dr. Truesdale, are you comfortable being supported with strong-minded courageous leaders?
3. Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Jackie Rosswurm, have you ever addressed an employee with this statement, “ I will always be honest with you”?
a. Dr. Rosswurm, have you ever lied to that employee after making the above statement to an employee?
4. Dr. Truesdale, did you address the staff of Bluffton High School in the fall of 2009 and tell them that you and your staff had searched all potential candidates and could not find a qualified assistant principal to step in at Bluffton High?
a. She made this statement with several certified, highly qualified assistant principal candidates available in the district. Some were available in that auditorium that day.
b. Instead she brought in a retired administrator for three months as an interim. He did none of the duties of an assistant principal except observe classes and write comments about teachers he observed.
c. Meanwhile, discipline continued to fall apart in the school and this interim assistant principal never did anything to alleviate this situation.
d. After 3 months he announced he would be leaving to take a long cruise through parts of Europe.
e. Is it not true that this interim’s wife is hired by the district as a consultant making as much as $1000/day?
5. Is it not true that Jim Shirley, principal at Hilton Head Island Middle School was a friend and associate of Dr. Truesdale in her former district?
a. Isn’t it true that he was hired to be a middle school principal with no middle school administrative experience…while other candidates were certified and had experience as a middle school principal?
b. Is it not true that a large percentage of the staff at HHIMS are very dissatisfied with Shirley’s leadership with the major concern that they leave meetings with him more confused than when they went into the meeting?
c. Is it not true that many parents are upset with Mr. Shirley because he will not give straight answers during meetings with these parents?
d. Is it not true that in late spring of 2010, a young sixth grader asked Mr. Shirley to sign her yearbook and he refused saying, “ I don’t sign yearbooks”?
e. Is it true that Mr. Shirley’s wife was moved through the employment process and hired as Port Royal Elementary principal under her maiden name? She was also announced as an approved hire as a principal at a School Board meeting under her maiden name. Only after everything was in place, was it made public…a package deal keeping two more qualified local administrators from filling two principal positions.
f. Do the kids know Shirley or does he spend most of his time in his office with the door closed?
6. Is the school board member that called me a few days after my “Three Pillars” e-mails was published by the newspapers, willing to come forward and share with the public what he shared with me?
a. He called me and said, Mr. Sanz, I agree with you and support you on many of your points in the article. I hope that you understand that I can’t publicly support you because of the political liability.
7. Dr. Truesdale, if any BCSD employee publicly announced that they supported my views on respect, discipline and courage, would they face any repercussions by you or any other member of the district or local administrative teams?
8. Dr. Truesdale, would any employee of the BCSD face any repercussions for respectfully and publically criticizing your philosophy, directives or initiatives?
9. Dr. Truesdale, Dr. Rosswurm and the School Board, are you publically denying that there are teachers, administrators or staff that are fearful of retaliation by you if they publicly question the initiatives and directives of this district?
I think this should really energize the “Fact or Fiction” feature of the web site and many in the community look forward to the straight forward answers. Many more questions to come….
Thanks,
Mike Sanz
Related posts:
- Teacher Mike Sanz throws down gauntlet to Valerie Truesdale & school board: “Put me in charge of worst school and I will fix it”
- Mike Sanz announces public meeting aimed at Beaufort County School District reform
- Special school board meeting Tuesday to evaluate Superintendent Truesdale, agenda here
- Beaufort County school administrators seize physics teacher Mike Sanz’s laptop computer, claim violation of “policy”
- School Board’s two-day retreat Friday & Saturday, superintendent under review
Comments
27 Responses to “Mike Sanz asks questions of school board and superintendent”
Perhaps you would have better success with your questions if you gave each of them careful thought. Improved writing skills and a better choice of words may also help you in your effort.
Many of your questions have to do with hiring/firing, something which is held sacred here in South Carolina. I don’t see the benefit of asking such questions without supporting evidence. It is akin to the old question, “do you still beat your wife”?
Some of your questions and accusations seem trivial and detract from the serious nature of this situation, as you have portrayed.
Step your game up. State your case, present your evidence, and should it be convincing, then the court of public opinion will demand answers. Otherwise it simply seems like you want a promotion and none is forthcoming.
To respond and reply – yes, the questions may deal with hiring and firing. THINK, MAN! Each question Mr. Sanz has asked is abolutely valid – and the answers are true. These women will NEVER admit it. But they know deep down they have “done wrong” South Carolina is an “at will” state. How would you feel if you have done a great job, promoted excellence, brought a school and a district forward, BUT then told, “we don’t want you” simply because “the women” don’t like you(or maybe feel threatened?) The SUPT is absolutely “demoting” curriculum heads, various leaders in the district level – because she does not like them. How can one fight that? The people have no bad evaluations, no paperwork trail that justifies removal, on the contrary, they work, they do, they give their best – only to be shifted around to the point where they get cut. This district is LIVING in FEAR – AND SHOULD NOT BE – this IS NOT the way someone leads.
To paraphrase Tony Dungy – a great leader is a mentor in teaching those below him/her to be a leader too. A good leader is someone who challenges and gives others the opportunities to try and succeed –
Is this SUPT doing that? I think not.
It is all about HER FACE. She only wants HERSELF to look good. She uses Rosswurm as her executioner to rid herself of anyone she does not like.
All you have to do is ASK QUESTIONS? Who has been changed up? Who has been moved? Are the teachers and admin happy with her? Overall – people through out are ready to be RID IF HER! Pray for a change up with the school board – !
Teachers are doing great things every day with our kids. It’s not the teachers. IT IS THE DISTRICT LEADER that IS THE PROBLEM!
Mike, Please keep us all informed as to any intimidating tactics that any supervisory personnel may be directing toward you. While you should not be paranoid you should identify publicly any treatment that appears to be unique to you.
Is there some thought on your part to enter your questions into the legal arena?
As a taxpayer I am very concerned about how the county educational dollar is spent and by whom.
Why do students in only one school receive personal laptops?
When will personnel issues be ironed out?
Why are district administrators not forthcoming with answers to direct questions?
I am also very interested in how each school is doing
County council said no to the school district about funding. Sounds like they know alot about what is going on. County council do you care to weigh in?
After returning to the area I read all of these comments and kept them in the back of my mind as I looked to become a teacher in the system. I finally got through personnel and interviewed. The experience was not pleasant. I was then kept on hold dangling about a job offer to teach. I was told I would have a position it just was not decided where. Calls were answered politely but I always felt someone was not telling me the whole story. After waiting around I called Human Resources to speak with Dr Rosswurm. Those calls went unanswered and now I have taken a position out of education. As I look back it is obvious my experience was not uncommon. If my treatment went this way I can only imagine what it is like to teach in that system.
I have not received any response on these questions. I’m preparing another letter to push for some answers. I think that the community supports the belief that Dr. Truesdale, Dr. Rosswurm, and Mr. Washington owe us a response to these questions. They should have the courage to step forth and answer any question relative to the educational process that all of us support.
One interesting note is that I was informed that someone or some organization is investigating the circumstances around the hiring of Jim Shirley as principal at Hilton Head Island Middle School in May of 2009. I know this because I was informed that through the Freedom of Information Act my professional credentials and information has been requested. So we may have some questions answered concerning the tactics involved in bring Jim Shirley to HHIMS.
Mr Sanz have you gotten answers to any of your questions from superintendent Truesdale or from human resources head Rosswurm?
How long will you wait before moving forward at a public board meeting to ask these questions?
I have deep concerns about this superintendent, human resources head, and now I need to include Board Members. You know there are questions in the community about what is happening so have you received answers to Mr Sanz questions? If yes please share those responses!
I too am a parent at Port Royal Elementary, and the decision to discontinue International Baccalaureate accreditation at Port Royal Elementary was made by the school improvement council under the leadership prior to Mrs. Shirley. The decision was made to focus instruction on South Carolina’s academic standards, and considering PRES made significant academic gains last year (2009-2010 school year), I believe the right decision was made!
Yes, there are many ways to learn, however many students are aided by being in possession of a textbook. As of today many students at Beaufort High do not have textbooks. If you have a student at BHS, check to see what texts have been issued. Freshmen parents especially be attentive to when your kids get their texts and also ask them about their class sizes. {How many seats are available at Battery Creek?}
Did you know that 25 6th graders have been given out of zone placements at Beaufort Middle? The details of this would be of interest to the Office of Civil Rights. Mr. Washington and Mr.Campbell, are you interested?
P.S.
Can anyone tell me what happened to the Port Royal Elementary School (PRES) International Baccalaureate accreditation? Is it coincidence or incompetence that it has gone away since you know who came to town?
And I apologize for the misspelled word, yes let’s pray for the children.
Thank you…
I am watching the BSCD board meeting on TV – OMG – Truesdale smiles and schmoozes and ya’ll just eat it up without any questions. How lame are you? Also – don’t board members get PAID a DECENT STIPEND? Are you giving yourselves raises and district officers raises in this down economy? Especially since the COUNTY COUNCIL DUTIFULLY ACTED IN TURNING DOWN YOUR BUDGET? There is ONLY ONE BOARD MEMBER WHO HAS THE KAHUNAS AND SEES THRU THIS CRAP! HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO BE ASKED AND TOLD?
Dr Truesdale and Dr Rosswurm where are the answers to Mike Sanz? He has called out to you and you have not responded. Can I assume from your no comment that you are guilty of the things he is asking about?
I am very disappointed in this school board and their approval of these actions. Her judgement and actions have been called into question and yet she continues on her merry way unchecked and not answering for the behaviors that Mr Sanz has asked about. Board elctions are coming ask your superintendent to respond. Take off your rose colored glasses.
JON – I AGREE – where are the answers. But you are right – these questions/FACTS are correct. Lawsuits aimed at the SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS as well as SUPT and HR officerscan come quickly if these actions are not investigated! SCHOOL BOARD – what are you hearing & listening to? Who are you believing? District employees have tried to approach you and speak with you, but you shun them and turn a deaf ear. FOR SHAME!
Take a look at Tim Wood’s piece in Bluffton Today. on 8/15.
It provides some significant insights into the Dr. Lessthantruesdale regime.
My child attends PRES (Port Royal Elementary School) and I’m afraid to make comments for fear of retaliation from Ms. Shirley. In the course of a year she has run PRES into the ground; running off great teachers in droves. What a shame she and her husband were hired in a “back room deal”! I prey for the children…
Please “pray” for the children instead.
Lifelover wrote:
Right now in Beaufort schools when a child is disruptive or combative, the teachers cannot do anything. An administrator must be located and stop the situation.
* * * * *
My response:
Yes, this is true. At BHS, when a child is disruptive, he is sent to the head of school. The head of school has many options available, such as a one day suspension, a week’s suspension, or they can recommend that the child be placed in Beaufort County’s alternative learning school. The parent can appeal the matter to the school board.
The reason the child is sent to the head of school is so that the classroom is not disrupted further. I agree with this position. I do not want my child’s precious class time being taken up by a kid who is disrupting the class.
Comments by posters like Lifelover are irresponsible; if allowed to continue unchallenged, they will lead to all of the children being treated like criminals. And I disagree with this approach. If you wish to discourage learning, alienate the children, and foster an us v. them mentalitiy in the very people you are trying to help, then keep just do what you are doing now: talk and talk and talk without any factual basis or any good reasoning for your backward position illustrated in your ranting.
Actually BHS mom, in many cases the disruptive student is back into the student population or same class before the day is out. And why would anyone treat all kids as criminals? If a child is doing and behaving as they should then they would not be subject to any attempt to discipline or get under control. What does happen is certain students disrupt school. As Mike Sanz said, teachers and other school adults do not have the proper support from their superiors in disciplining these students. Knowing that, the students take advantage and show no respect. That is not acceptable.Teachers are frustrated because of the responses they receive. Yes in the more serious instances the students may very well be suspended or dealt with accordingly. In the mean time our focused children are losing out on a proper education. Boundaries must be laid out and more importantly adhered to.
Laptops are given to all students at Whale Branch high school? Will all high school students get laptops? If not why not?
Revolt my friends revolt!! You as teachers and school workers know how bad it is in our schools. You know how you are required to meet quotas and benchmarks that may not be in the best interest of our children. If they cannot read and write properly then what have we done?
First and foremost, without discipline their cannot be an atmosphere conducive to learning. When you do not become proactive in controlling your class and students, their will be problems. Right now in Beaufort schools when a child is disruptive or combative, the teachers cannot do anything. An administrator must be located and stop the situation. The students causing problems continue to disrupt throughout the year as proper consequences are virtually nonexistent. No boundaries…no control….no respect. Parents are more interested in raising h&%% with the teachers and principals than in teaching their children to behave and be respectful. What do you think a child learns when they see their own parent acting disrespectful towards those in authority at school. All because their child was wrong and they don’t care. In many cases it is like the parent is pissed off because the school had the audacity to interrupt them in whatever seemed so important to them that day. Maybe they were watching Jerry Springer reruns or the View or Oprah. Who knows. That said, teachers are hired to teach not babysit.
When a child is not following rules and regulations, then they should unequivocally be dealt with. Suspension is too good for them. Also, three strikes and your out sounds good to me. When a child reaches that point then expelling them should be mandatory. Now here is where it gets wonderful.Expulsion from Beaufort County schools does not negate the state law requirement of attendance. The parents should be held responsible for finding a school for their child to attend. What would that be? Who knows…possibly having to pay for a private school or tutoring. Talking about inconveniencing the parents! Ouch!! The schools must be allowed to weed out without prejudice those disrupting everyone else. You cannot challenge the intelligent students enough for them to progress academically if 2/3 of the class time is spent on trying to control the students. If those wanting to learn can’t be challenged then they lose interest. Without interest in learning then good minds go to waste. This happens every year at every school in Beaufort county. All because of no or low discipline.
As for the school board and Truesdale and her cohorts….like I said….REVOLT!! You as teachers and parents have the power and the RIGHT to demand more. Why not just call in sick Monday and parents hold your kids out of school!!!
MY GOODNESS! It is time to make a move! If, and I know that IF is MORE…these things DID HAPPEN! The people need to go! I cannot believe these statements and lies that Truesdale has made. I know some of them to be true and many out there know it too and can name names. BUT morally, ethically, professionally – she and human resources have opened BCSD to major lawsuits. They have become a liability! Time to leave ladies, before you get personally and professionally sued.
School board members, your superintendent and human resouces head are under attack from people who are fed up with their poor decision making. It is time either you be accountable and get rid of these two women who are not student nor staff friendly or you need to go.
The money we are spending on these rallies and institutes and new initiatives that we do not carry through is absolutely criminal. Human resources is obviously not functioning correctly under this current leadership, and if Sanz is right you bring in “friends” to fill slots. WOW, where is the ethical high ground?Sounds like BCSD slipped into the slim.
Mike Sanz sites multiple examples of issues. How many are there besides these? I too will wait to see the responses.
Teachers wasted 7 hours of time, especially about 2 hours, at the “exciting” Back to School Rally NOB on 11th and SOB on 12th.HOW WAS THE NOB? The “rally” itself at SOB(HHI HS) was awful and boring and nothing really interesting. Bragging rights were claimed by Truesdale “in her spotlight” for work that the teachers really got down, dug in, and worked hard to achieve. She brags,gets her kudos, gets the salary, and teachers get an insincere “political” thank you. Jim Rex spoke politics, but had a great joke.President of the School Board Fred Washington tried to claim that the board “really cares” but also preached and fussed.Not really kind at all. There was nothing there that wasn’t already in the papers. VERY UNINSPIRING!
The whole thing was very disappointing and discouraging. Boring. Teachers would rather be in their rooms working, planning, preparing for the kids they love and are looking forward to. NOT this Sturm and Drang!
Is this how we want our $$ spent?Teacher sitting there wasting time, when they could be getting something done for our kids?
We need to stop this superficiality by our superintendent and GET REAL!
I would like more accountability from the BCSB. The article in the paper regarding the school board’s suggestion for spending $350,000-$450,000 for a place for them to meet is beyond reason. How can they even think of such a thing in this economy—-and with all the wasted space they already have. I hope this idea has been trashed and they will be more responsible with taxpayer money.
Mike,
I am afraid to say that not only staffs who stand for experienced what you questioned, but also parents who stand for their children experience the same thing. Too many parents are scared to advocate for their children because they get retaliated against, discriminated, portrayed as problematic parents and children would protrayed as instigators. Kudos to your brave action! Let’s get more staffs and parents to get answers to these questions! I realize that the Beaufort County School District is like a mafia. They control so many people to bury people if people challenge them. Taxpayers have a right to know the truth.
Did not see the letter in the Beaufort Gazette? One wonders why? These are tough questions that should have been answered before now.
David
Mr. Sanz has done the community a favor by publicly asking cogent, and certainly embarressing questions , even at the risk of bringing down serious retribution from the addressees. Not only is he more honest than the school board and senior administration, he has a lot more guts, and I strongly respect him for it.