Decision facing BCS board may not be so hard
Earlier this week, three individuals wanting to be the next superintendent of the Bogalusa City Schools were in town to interview for the position.
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| John H. Walker Editor/Publisher |
In observing the same portion of the process for each candidate, there were distinct differences in their mannerisms, their presentations and the way they responded to the questions presented them.
Reflecting on those items, in the order the candidates were interviewed, resulted in some interesting observations.
• Louise Smith, senior support staff for the Poplarville School District, came across as open and relaxed. She was comfortable in the forum setting and engaging with the participants and was quick and courteous in pointing out that “her” plan was the board’s plan, for it is the board that decides the course of action the district will follow.
A criticism of Smith outside the interview process (in the community) was that she looked like “a Granny.” Well, guess what? She is, and I can only think the experience she gained from raising what are now grown children in a time when education and authority was respected, mixed with observing her grandchildren grow up in a time when those attitudes are decidedly different, can only be a strength.
I think the similarities of the Poplarville and Bogalusa districts can only help, as should her familiarity with Bogalusa garnered over years of making the 26 mile drive.
And finally, I appreciated her frankness when asked if she would move to Bogalusa … responding, “If I take your money, I’m going to live in Bogalusa” and if her husband would come with her: “We’re a team. He’s my secret weapon.”
• Lionel Jackson, one of two assistant superintendents in the Tangipahoa School District, was suave and debonair … and eerily similar to former superintendent Jerry Payne. Jackson was polished in his presentation and had done his statistical homework on the district … but rather than “pony up” when one forum member pointed out the Tangi schools don’t have outstanding numbers, he simply offered, “I’m not the leader.”
Jackson talked about the psychology of getting close to school kids and used the analogy of him trying to bond with a dog. Jackson said that when he stood, the dog was fearful, but when he knelt down and no longer towered about the pooch, the reception was much better because the canine was no longer intimidated.
And Jackson used his knowledge of psychology well in the forum, walking about the room, sitting on a stool as he offered to stay into his lunch break, asking participants their names to create a bond … even to the extent of squatting, so that his head and the forum members heads were on the same level.
In the end, he knew all of the programs and buzz words and he talked a great game — just like Jerry Payne.
• Dr. Daniel Slack, superintendent of the East Carter R-II School District in Missouri seemed uneasy and nervous. While not knowing whether the mannerisms Slack displayed were normal or not, he repeated a gesture with his hands and arms that reminded me of hand wringing.
And luckily, he didn’t run out of water, as it seemed as if he must have had the worst case of “cotton mouth” ever.
I don’t know if Slack how many forum members Slack lost when questions had to be repeated time and again — and even rephrased without success by the moderator, but there was visible negative head shaking when he told that his first school district had 100 students, his second 200 and his third and current district 800 students.
When asked what he knew about Bogalusa, he recited student enrollment, tax base and millage … but he never mentioned the demographics, which are as different from his current and previous districts as night and day.
And his answer as to his history of three years and a move was sorely lacking, as he promised Bogalusa, if hired, would be his last stop as he is ready to settle down.
He seemed uncomfortable and out of place.
My observation is that Louise Smith would best do the job, because she now works within a similar demographic setting, is easily conversant with a diverse group and seems to have a straightforward approach planned out should she be given the opportunity. She knows and understands grants but, more importantly, she communicates on a people-to-people basis and, despite her status as a “Granny,” I can see this lady being one tough cookie when it is called for.
387 words about posting comments on wpnewsblog
It has been said that one of the shortcomings of the internet era is that people are quick to sit at the keyboard, slam someone, hit the send button and move on. Many — no, make that most — times, they hide behind the anonymity of some cute screen name.
Before I was transferred from the Daily News to LaPlace, we had a set of established standards for comments made on stories. They generally followed the “good taste” rule and the request that people stay on topic … in other words, don’t comment on gas prices in a story about educational issues.
That’s the same set of rules we established when we set up the first web page at the Thomasville (NC) Times in 2001 … and it’s the same set of guidelines I have followed in regards letters to the editor — the original reader comment — my entire career.
The two others rule I implement and follow are “no bashing” and “no unfounded claims and accusations.”
Period.
I established this newsblog to present the news. It was not create to allow anyone to go off on a personal vendetta against anyone else or to make unfounded claims along the lines of “a man on the corner of Third and Columbia told me he knew someone who heard that Mr. X had talked to someone about breaking the law.”
Don’t post it here, because it will be deleted.
This is a newsblog and for those who don’t understand what that it, it is a collection of news stories, obituaries, photos, calendar of events and the like. It is a source of news and information and its credibility and my credibility are one and the same.
There have been more than 6,000 hits in 38 days and more than 3,000 in the past seven and I believe it is because people know the report they get from me is fair, unbiased and complete — and that whenever required, both sides have had the opportunity to comment.
It is not a public forum where If you choose to comment, please stay on topic. Otherwise, please save your energy in writing and posting a comment that will be removed … or in wasting the time you could be finding that “Bash ‘em, beat ‘em and malign ‘em” site you are seeking.
This isn’t it,
Relish your time while you have your Dad
Today is Father's Day. My Dad has been gone almost 22 years now, and this is the 21st Father's Day without him.
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| John H. Walker Editor/Publisher |
As hard as it is to admit, there were a number of Father's Days we didn't have prior to that because of some stupid, ongoing argument. I'm embarrassed to admit that I couldn't even begin to tell you what we battled over — but the truth of the matter is that as much as I would have told you how much I hated Daddy at one time, I would also tell you today that I beam with pride when someone tells me that I remind them of him.
While our mother gave my sister and me our love of books and the written word, Daddy made sure there were newspapers to read every day — and he was my first Mississippi history and world history teacher, long before I ever entered one of those classrooms.
Daddy was a farmer and farmed as his family had before him, watching the signs in the sky ... and yet today, I'll call out the "mare's tail" clouds that mean the pressure will fall and rain is on the horizon ... "red sky at night" and the "pouring" moon and the "holding" moon that I learned from him.
He didn't hunt and had no use for a gun, but he loved his history and he loved the challenge of taking an engine apart and putting it back together.
He was a tough, old fart ... just ask W.E. "Bill" Breland. He knew Daddy and Mama more than 60 years ago and was around me when I wasn't yet a toddler. He knows Daddy was tough.
I remember the night I spent in Daddy's hospital room before a heart procedure. It was the night he and I made our peace with one another and it was in Laurel, Miss. My sister and brother-in-law had picked me up at the airport in New Orleans and when we got to the hospital, Daddy was standing up, looking out the window.
We hadn't been there long when, true to form, Daddy told my mother, "Ella Mae, it's time for you and Sarah and Robert to go home. Johnny's gonna stay with me."
They did and I did.
It was dark in his room as we lay awake and talked that night, him in his hospital bed and me on a rollaway. It was the first time as an adult that I remember his telling me he loved me. We both talked around our problems and apologized as best a couple of stubborn men, cut from the same piece of cloth, could manage.
That night, Daddy told me he had made peace with God and, if it was his time to go, was ready. That was after he and I had made peace with one another.
I'm 61 now and I hope I've learned from the stupid things I've done in life, but no matter how hard I wish and hope and pray, I can't get that one more day I so want to have with Daddy.
If you're having problems with your dad, don't be a jerk like I was. This Father's Day, swallow that stupid pride and call him. If you're lucky enough to be close to him, go see him and give him a hug and tell him how much he means to you.
After all, he's the only father you'll ever have.
(John H. Walker is editor/publisher of http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)
