Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 7, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Mayor Phillip West did request more information on this matter and that a meeting take place with the superintendent in executive session."

I can think of several good reasons why I would want the meeting held in executive session if I were the mayor or an alderman.

However, the meeting should be public.

Posted by ratherbefishin (anonymous) on March 7, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Name for me just one thing the government runs that works.

Posted by justdatruth (anonymous) on March 7, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the majority of the school board members loyalty is to one individual who they are best buddies with and not to the children or parents in the school system an alternative measure has to be found. Ask the board members how many times a year they visit these schools ( not even at NHS graduation for most ) and their answer will have to be between 0 and 3 times a year. This says a lot in a nut shell. Bucket is no better though because he never visits schools , probably too busy playing golf and tearing down Pecan factories, and he is the one who set off the bomb about twenty years ago that ultimately destroyed the schools. I bet if North Natchez was still open it would not be a level 2 school. Taylor, Edney, Steckler do not give a hoot about the schools they just love Morris because he hates kids too and is a recluse like them. He has gotten over a $55,000 pay raise in four years of failed performance. Why, its not like other school districts are beating at his door trying to steal Morris ( an inexperienced superintendent , lacks people skills, not a leader, not very bright, has no idea how to improve test scores, not active/visible in community) from Natchez, if this was the case do you think he would still be here ?????????

Posted by maple (anonymous) on March 7, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with Ben on this matter. You cant always blame the school principal Morris for these problems. A parent has to take some responsibility of there childs behavior and willingness to learn. I realize that a lot of these children come from single parent families. If you choose to have a child knowing that you are going to raise that child as a single parent then think of the resposibilities that go with it. You are the only one that will be encouraging that child to get an education and continue that education after high school. That is a big responsibility. It doesnt mean that you shouldnt have a child if you want . Just remember that that child deserves to be given the best education and a chance to succeed in life. THAT STARTS AT HOME.

Posted by Lilsister (anonymous) on March 7, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ATTENTION NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT!!!!
Once again I will re-emphasize that the Committee for Better Schools was formed only after the school board and DR. Anthony Morris turned a deaf ear to the concerns of many people in the community. The so CALLED Public Meetings were not public at all because the public had no input, nor could the public question many of the statements made by the board members, administrators or Dr. Morris. The meetings were more like a meeting that was conducted by dictators. Even the questions to them had to be censored. People deserve answers and one should not leave a public meeting feeling angry or disappointed because their problems were not addressed. Had the school board been more parent and community friendly, we would not have needed this committee. Additionally, Mr. Cooper and others at the ND there is a difference between ANGRY and CONCERNED!

Posted by John (anonymous) on March 7, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One of the main issues is a lack of discipline.
Did you know there were numerous fights at Natchez High yesterday. Were the students strictly disciplined?
Unfortunately, when a student does something wrong, they are rarely disciplined to a level that makes a difference. Being disrespectful of a teacher or other student gets only in school detention, which is really like a party. Such students roam the campus, get to eat lunch early, and generally do not really experience any negative consequences for their unhelpful behavior.

If things are to change, the School Board must back a most energetic discipline process, not just let the principle bow to a threat of a law suit or calling in the NAACP, both of which have happened recently to Natchez HIgh teachers by unruly students. The students even admit they are running the school, much like prisoners running a prison.
It has worked at the middle school, things are much better there this school year. It can work at the high school, too.

Posted by justdatruth (anonymous) on March 7, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John when was the last time you visited the middle school and id you ever visit it last year. You can't be serious ask those that work there. It is even worse than NHS. See with your eyes and not your ears.

Posted by John (anonymous) on March 7, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have been out there to the middle school, and it is better. I also know people who help monitor things out there. In any case, it IS better than the high school.

Posted by Lilsister (anonymous) on March 7, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John, I have friends who work at the middle school and they say it is worst this year with 3 principals than it was last year with 1. The only difference is that someone is not reporting incidents to the ND or police station. Did you know that 2 teachers have been injured this year and an asst. principal has been hurt because of a few students ,who chose to make bad choices?
Everyone must be accountable for these children and their behaviors including the children themselves.

Posted by John (anonymous) on March 7, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am sorry the middle school is so dangerous. Again my comments had more to do with the high school. It is a war zone out there. And the administration seems unable or unwilling to enforce the rules they have with appropriate consequences to the guilty parties. I don't know if that is strictly an adminiistrative issue or if the school board needs to offer them real back up to get the administration to enforce the rules.....just three examples: there is a dress code but enforcement of it is hap hazard at best......Verbal abuse of teachers is rampant with marginal disciplinary consequences to the guilty....It would seem physical violence (fights) ought to be grounds for expulsion.
Responsibility does belong with the individual first, second parents or guardians, third administration. Blaming any one of the three for all problems is simply not going to solve the problems. But allowing out of bounds behavior to continue is also not going to solve any problems.

Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 3:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rather be fishing, 33 percent of our nations employees work or are paid indirectly by taxpayers. Their job is to SPEND OUR MONEY. They do that job better than anything they do. It,s their primary goal, give away as much of the taxpayers money as they can...Not one single goverment employee contributes anything, His and her jobs are to give our money away and we pay them to give it away. That is the thing that they do very well at.

Posted by MOM39120 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:56 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

freedom42 and teach4peace:

I respect both of your opinions. I have two questions.

1. What will it take to get the schools back to a Level 3 or perhaps a Level 4 or 5?

2. What can be done about the discipline problems at the schools?

I ask these questions in all sincerity. Something has got to be done about the schools and it appears the discipline issue is a major contributor to the deplorable performance.

Thank you in advance.

Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I interact with public school kids a lot.

The Middle School is dangerous, and kids are really scared of bullying and violence. Many of the kids that I meet cannot even talk coherently, much less read.

But the Democrat is WRONG in saying that only a few people are concerned about the lack of performance of the school system. There are a lot of us that are NOT SATISFIED.

I've visited the high school several times when my daughter was there. I came very close to having to fight with a gang of thugs. Kids were up in the principals office trying to sign themselves out. Kids were walking back and forth from Walmart. I had to tell the kids in the principals office to be quiet and get out of the way. Of course they wanted to backtalk me and I told them again to get out of my way and have respect for adults. That seemed like a totally new concept for them. After I finished with my business of talking with some of the school administrators and was walking back out to my vehicle, the little gang of kids actually tried to walk up behind me and suckerpunch me, I saw them coming and turned around, and of course they backed down muttering some obscenities which I did return. How is that for a pleasant school environment??

We need to clean house on the school board -- It's obvious from Dr. Edney's remarks, Phillip West's remarks (as reported by the ND) they certainly need to be replaced from the positions they hold.

I support the Committee for Better Public Schools and have discussed this with my alderman and county supervisor, I am expecting results. I encourage you to do the same. This is a movement that is gathering momentum and will wash away the current administrators that are standing in the way of BETTER PERFORMANCE of our students.

Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Unbelievable!

Start at the top and work your way down.... get rid of them all.

Krogers: that story says it all.... how on earth can you possibly learn in that environment!

What school does P. West son attend?

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In my opinion smaller, neighborhood schools may be an answer. Notice I did not say THE answer, because this problem has been coming for a long time and I don't think it will ever completely go away. A lot of people would say that integration is the cause, and I'm sure that the forced integration of the 80's did have an effect. There was a lot of resentment on all sides over that. We have enough school buildings in Adams Co. to do this. Make the parents accountable. So many people say that both parents have to work, and so no one is at home to know what the kids are doing. Give the parent who stays home a paycheck! Usually this is the Mom, and believe me she deserves one!! BUT they have to be involved with the school, with some group activity (scouts, 4-H, sports, church, etc.) and attend PTA or whatever it is called now. The saying "it takes a village to raise a child" is true in a sense, but make it a small village of friends and neighbors - not the government. I do volunteer work at Cathedral, but to be honest I am afraid to go to the public middle school or high school.
Thanks for asking!

Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for your response. I love that Green Wave!

Posted by Searcher (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Please correct the following statement made by Dr. Edney:
"If you're identifying the write problem, you're seeking the wrong answer."; to read as follows: "If you're identifying the right problem, you're seeking the wrong answer." (write/right)

Posted by squeetlebomb (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I beg to differ Mr. Democrat. The schools in question are public schools. The superintendent of the public school system is answerable to the public. That is part of the problem. He is not answerable to the people who really care. Only to a few who either don't care or are afraid to do their job properly. Thank you Dr. Wright and your committee for caring enough to try and make a difference. Our public school system is a disgrace to our whole county. It is sad that an adult is afraid to go to the school. You can imagine how about 80% of the children feel. My niece and nephew went to school and kept their mouths shut, their eyes straight ahead and tried to learn from the teachers. They didn't dare go to the bathroom. They waited till after school. They said you would get a completely different education if you went into one of the bathrooms. They said there was no way their children would go to the public school. If they can't afford private school they will have to move somewhere else. That is really sad when your children are not safe when at school. Even sadder that they are not even learning at a level 3 or 4. Mr. Morris has had 4 very long years in these childrens lives to make a difference. I have not seen a positive difference yet, only negatives. Like the loss of a lot of our good teachers. So Mr. Democrat you go ahead and defend Mr. Morris and question the authority of a group of concerned citizens in the community to try and better our PUBLIC school system. Sorry but a lot of the people to post a comment have a lot more sense than our so called paper.

Posted by taledatruth (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dr Edney ,is no more a scientist than any of us. He is a sorry fake. Yes, Dr. Edney once upon a time you were a respected educator, but today you are in such of someone wanting to fit the title of a scientist. If you are such a damn good scientist, than why are the schools in such a bad shape? What is the matter? cant you use your scientific thoughts and come up with a way to cure the district? You sit your big bumbling ass on that board and let Morris, Sullivan and others hire incompetent principals and supervisors to position they do not know about. Check the records of the administrators you approved by Moirris the last two years.Did your scientific mind tell you to request all appliciant that applied for administrative and teaching positions to pay close attention to the true qualification of each applicant?. Did you consider Dr. Murphy,Hooper and so many others that left the district?Did your scientific mind tell you that there are competent administrators right there in the system.? Did your scientific mind tell you to never hire a person in a top position that do not have a clue of how to run a program? Shame on you old man.No, you let Morris hire people to positions that do not have a background in the areas they are supervising. We are waiting for Mrs. Newsome,and Mrs. Stepen to review the records of people Morris has recommended to you and the board lately.Would it be different if you had children in the sysem.

Posted by freetospeak (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Again, I state that I have proof that he had two administrators hired in positions at Frazier and Morgantown that did not have their license or had even gotten their results on the state required administrative test. I had every thing in order and was licensed to be an administrator and he completely over looked my qualifications. I gained this proof from EEOC when seeking a discrimination suit against Morris and the district. I called a board member at the time that they were preparing to hire these administrators, but he said that he didn’t believe that Morris or the school’s attorney would have allowed this to happen. He said that they must have a license or they would not be hired. This is a very small example of the well deceptive nature of hiring in which he hires on a personal interest instead of professional requirement.

Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on March 11, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Get rid of him.

Level 2 speaks volumes.

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

freetospeak, what happened in your EEOC suit?