Use comment tag to express your opinion.
houstonisdwatch.com wants to hear from you, especially from HISD insiders.


Fishy biz at Ryan:
Ryan is not closing. The current principal is retiring. Hmmmm? So Dance hires a principal he knows is
retiring in a year? Could it be that he had it pre-planned to close Ryan? Why would a principal that is retiring
put extra effort in a high-needs school? Ms. Andrews now working in the district? How was it that she was
fired and is now working in HISD in a higher paying position? Is Ryan still open because Pershing and
Lanier don't want Ryan's students? Hmmmm?
by Fisyh biz at Ryan
(Editor: Board Pres. Lunceford pulled the Ryan closing item off the agenda for tomorrow's meeting stating
that the administration had not studied the effects of Ryan's closing on other district schools)

Sometimes unflattering information about HISD goes missing..
The results of The New Teacher Project Survey of teachers asking for their views on the
new assessment process and the role of the teacher development specialist
were supposed to be released in April, at least that's what HISD told houstonisdwatch
in response to an Open Records Request. It is now early May and there's no report
to be found. (houstonisdwatch is resubmitting this Open Request. Someone at
Hattie Mae White has the results.)

Mike Cronin wrote the following in his ethics update highlighted below:
"...Both {Great City Schools and Null-Larison audits criticized HISD’s lack of transparency.

Null-Lairson auditors said questions arose in how district officials disseminated information about
bids for work with the district among the public, board members and its own staff. They also found
that “defined procedures” didn’t exist that outlined when and how board members and vendors may
contact one another.



Particularly disturbing was Null-Lairson’s finding that documents went missing during its audit of HISD.
Trustee Juliet Stipeche immediately called for an investigation. She told Texas Watchdog in March that a
document’s chain of custody is critical to ensuring no one is tampering with public information..."



The latest on proposed ethics policy changes in HISD
Mike Cronin, TexasWatchdog.org, has the report.
"...Precedent exists for the scale of change district officials currently contemplate. A 2010
audit of the HISD capital facilities program caused board members and administrators to
merge departments, hiring a pool of on-call custodians and the re-establishment of a preventive-
maintenance program.

The proposals come as district leaders consider whether to put a bond referendum to the voters
for new school construction and renovations. Superintendent Terry Grier floated that idea earlier t
his year..."

 You probably saw these TexasWatchdog.org reports when they were released in December of
2011, but they are worth another read:
Improper influence over contracts and no money for teachers
Former HISD procurement chief dismissed
HISD launches two audits but will they matter





Harris claims the HISD board hasn't done enough for Ryan
HISD Board President Lunceford blasts administration for hasty, sloppy
 handling of closure announcement
***********************************************************************************
Faced with the prospect of nasty protests against her, Harris retreats, even
though she voted for all the district's expenditures on Ryan
Some community activists also sent out a news release threatening to protest the
closure and a possible bond referendum this fall.

from this chron.com report:
“...The third ward community clearly sees the efforts to destroy our community through the
destruction of our schools and most recently with the projected closing of Ryan Middle School,”
the release said. “WE WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE THESE ACTIONS AND PROMISE TO PICKET
AND PROTEST THESE THINLY VEILED ATTEMPTS TO TAKE THIRD WARD, DESTROY OUR HISTORY,
AND EXPAND MIDTOWN...”
 
Mike Lunceford expressed his dissatisfaction with the way Grier's team handled matters:
“..The proposal to close Ryan MS has an affect on all surrounding schools,” Lunceford wrote. “The
Administration failed to discuss any of this plan with affected Trustees. I want to make sure that the
Administration does their job and looks at all affected schools and their current populations and
does not overload any school...”

Lunceford's comments are consistent with his view of the current HISD leadership. Harris has
voted to close schools in her district in favor of charter schools owned by associates.  So now
she doesn't want to close Ryan and claims, erroneously, that HISD hasn't spent enough
money on the school. Maybe she should go back and review her own votes.

US News & World Report High School Rankings
Dallas ISD lead the nation with schools ranked 1 & 3;
HISD's top school - Carnegie Vanguard - rated #33

Mike McDonough was a hard act to follow at Pin Oak:
Pin Oak is a great place to work because of the kids. It is a great place to work because 80% of
the staff were hired by a visionary principal, M. McDonough. Pin Oak is great DESPITE poor leadership,
rampant disorganization, and financial mismanagement. If it weren't such a showpiece for the district,
I'm sure more scrutiny would reveal many, many cracks in the facade.

I've worked under four different principals in this district and every one has their assets and drawbacks,
Monaghan is no exception. Like many HISD principals, however, she values and rewards unquestioning
compliance and keeps the counsel of a very few number of individuals in the school. Some of have been
calling it a** kissing. That is rather crude, but not way off the mark. Of course, McDonough was no
different in that respect, he had his own inner circle too.

The difference being that Monaghan, as a person, acts and reacts from a place of fear. What's changed
at Pin Oak, and the person who is posting in defense of Monaghan probably hasn't taught there for very long,
is the school climate. She has made it clear that if you disagree with anything, you are better off being quiet.
Faculty meetings used to be a discussion, a forum for teachers and staff to vent and resolve issues. Now,
communication is at a minimum and totally one sided.

Is Monaghan's leadership more efficient? Probably. When you don't ask for input, that tends to save time.

Is Pin Oak a great place to work? Compared to other HISD schools, yes. However, what made Pin Oak truly
unique is fading more and more each year.

Is every teacher valued, evaluated, and treated equally at Pin Oak? No, but we never are.
by not a syncophant (May 4, 2012)

More on McKenzie: from Why
Why is it so hard to believe that a erson can leave a princial job on their own will? What do you
want to know? He left Ryan. He could have stayed. If you want to believe that he was "put out"
then go right ahead. The problem with some of us teachers is that we actually sometimes don't
have the confidence to walk away from bad situations. He is a principal else where and is happy.
His job was secured well before he resigned.
by Why (May 7, 2012)

And Please do tell:
To all the Ryan teachers that have shown support for their former leaders, please do tell the rest of us
why he was "put out" then? It just doesn't add up, if ALL the staff thought he was doing a good job, why
wasn't there more of an out cry when they got rid of him? Instead all we heard was barely a whimper!
So what really happened because you guys were there through it all. So, we are waiting to hear it all from
BOTH sides of the aisle? Please do tell.......
by Please do tell (May 7, 2012)

Drawing parallels between Ryan and Bonham:
What ever happened at Ryan happened with our former principal Mr. Fernandez. Ms. Crowe told us that
Mr. Fernandez decided to leave, but we all know that he was forced out. Before he left we were able to
teach our students. He was asked to leave at the beginning of the month of January. When our new
principal arrived in Feb. we have been doing test prep and not been able to teach our students. We
understand that if our students do well on STAAR and Standford she would receive a large bonus
because our school this year is unacceptable and the students will show improvement. That equals
for the boss big bonus money. Some HISD administrators aren't here for the students, they are here 
to make money. Please check school profile. Where did we fail as teachers at Bonham Es?
by Bonham ES


Pearson -- already a monopoly -- wants to determine who gets teaching licenses
across the U.S.:  from NYTimes.com

HISD withdraws plan to close Ryan Middle School
On this one Manuel Rodriguez is right: HISD should have given more notice it
was planning to close Ryan despite Grier's claims the district had been talking
about it "over the last six weeks"
See chron.com report on Ryan
Paula Harris' solution: Throw more money at Ryan: One HISD insider wrote this:
How are they going to pay for a failed Apollo program and where is the money coming from????

Another deal to quiet upset people to pass a bond in November and rape taxpayers.

HISD bond HCC bond Metro Bond and City of Houston bond would mean everyone's property taxes
would increase by 30 cents per $100 valuation!!!!!!! Let's keep open failed schools at the hands of
Terry Grier.


Lauren Topek, former Shadowbriar principal,  emailed Brian Busby, a senior
officer in HISD's Operation Department, about moving boxes, repairing
AC, and cleaning tile floors that wouldn't shine, but never asked for help when
Antonia Rivas was required to work 16-hour days
From the Houston Press:
"...In the last days before the Christmas break, when things were already busy enough at the school,
the head custodian fell off a ladder while trying to change a lightbulb, breaking ribs and other bones.
As the custodial employee with the longest time on the job, Rivas became head of the crew..."

"...But no replacement was brought in. Instead, Rivas's son and daughter say, their mother was told she was
going to have to work a 16-hour day to cover for the missing man. Principal Lauren Topek gave her task
after task, and one fellow employee said when Rivas finished her work and tried to go home early one
day, Topek said no, she hadn't finished her shift..."

Antonia Rivas died on December 21, 2011.

Here are the emails Lauren Topek sent to Brian Busby from August 9, 2010, through Feb. 14, 2012.

No where does Lauren Topek ask for assistance from Busby, as she should have done when her
plant operator went out on medical leave.

In fact, the last comment Busby made about the Shadowbriar tile floors that just weren't
shiny enough. Busby suggested disciplinary action needed to be taken against the
Shadowbriar custodians.  No wonder Ms. Rivas felt so much pressure to keep on
working even when she knew she was pushing herself too hard.

Jorge Lopez, Jr., the custodial supervisor for Shadowbriar, either did not know about
the plant operator's injury or chose to do nothing about the stress on Ms. Rivas.

When individuals whose claim to fame is a degree from a prestigious college and a passing
score on the Haberman become principals, tragedies like the one at Shadowbriar are
bound to happen. Ms. Topek earned good grades at Harvard, but apparently was quite
deficient in the common sense  and humanism facets of her development.



Irony, anyone? Roland Fryer touted his "no excuses" model  and now
HISD's head honchos are finding excuses for Ryan's Apollo demise

Will the board hold Grier responsible for his Apollo failure at Ryan?
houstonisdwatch is fully supportive of the efforts of staff at Ryan to deliver
the best education possible to their students. One of the
predictions this website made about Grier's Apollo disaster, as well
as predictions made by a key parent group, that Grier would not
be able to sustain enrollment in middle and high schools stigmatized
by the Apollo label, has come true, providing us with clear evidence of
Grier's systemic failure in what he hoped would be his HISD legacy.

HISD is relying on Dedicated General Revenue of $4.4 million to sustain
Apollo. Both Terry Grier and Roland Fryer made promises that no
general revenue funding would be used for this program and that
borrowed funds would be paid back.

Ryan's McKenzie viewed positively by some staff members
Surprising support for Michael McKenzie raises question of Dance's support
as ill-will and accusations against McKenzie mounted
McKenzie disagreed with Grier and Dance's support for Ryan and supported the staff. The few
that did not like him were tose that missed work every other day and could not teach or lead
effectively. He also recruited and enlisted community support. McKenzie did not know the mess
that happened to Ms. Andrews. He inherited a bitter and angry staff. But he also kept his door
opened and listened to us and tried to warn of of what was going to happen once the new
appraisal system was in. Sure enough, every former staff member was put on a growth plan
after he left by the new principal from Clifton and many were fired. He warned us. He was a
good young principal and the kids wish he were back daily. What you wrote of his is false
and I have a different view of this site.
by Another Ryan teacher (May 6, 2012)

Mr. McKenzie didn't follow the master plan for Ryan
Mr. McKenzie was supposed to play the role, let the school close and get promoted. Instead, he
pushed back at them once he realized the sham. They then worked to create controversy in
hopes that the school would fail academically. It didn't fail. So they brought the principal from
Clifton to finish the job. She is never at work and she was the perfect yes-woman to do the job.
He was not a yes-man and they did not like that. The fact that Ruby Andrews now works in the
district is suspicious also. Maybe she knew. But again, Ryan's community is failing so it is
no surprise that HISD can do whatever it wants.
by Ryan teacher (May 6, 2012)



Another example of using fear to intimidate teachers....
The fact that this particular individual chose houstonisdwatch to post this drivel is further
proof that postings on this site do matter, they are read by the head hanchos at Hattie
Mae White, and the only way the Grier regime has of spreading the message is to use
fear and intimidation....

"There is a war on teachers and you all better start preparing." - LOL! I love it... Perhaps the war
is on people like most on here that post "news"... you people don't have clue one what you're talking
about half the time, and certainly never present all the facts of any situation any of the time. I guess
that's why universally this site is... and will remain a piece of comic fodder.

Do you REALLY want to make a difference? Get your stories straight (as in honest), get your facts in
line, and stop shouting that the sky is falling every chance you get...

But then.. it's easier to bitch and complain than to actually be a grown up and work on issues....

Thanks for the laughs!
by Battle Tested (May 1, 2012)
(Editor: Your comment embodies the Grier approach to school governance - deny the truth,
attack the speaker, put kids last. Bloggers here have been reminded
of the vacuous, self-serving agenda the Grier "TEAM HISD" follows.)


Does HISD follow this T.E.C. rule in the assignment of substitute teachers and permanent substitutes?
To parents: If your child has a permanent sub have you received notice of the certification standard
he or she has?
Can a school district hire a permanent substitute instead of a certified teacher who applied for the
same position?
Pursuant to Section 21.003 of the Texas Education Code, school districts must follow the state certification
rules when hiring teachers and other professional personnel. The rules governing certification requirements
can be found in the 19 TAC Chapters 227 through 245 of the Texas Administrative Code, and the rule governing
assignment of public school personnel is 19 TAC 231.1. A school district may employ a teacher under an
emergency permit if they have been unable to secure a certified and qualified person for the position. To
activate a permit, the district must follow the procedures set forth in 19 TAC Section 230.501 – 230.512 (subchapter Q).
However, if an uncertified individual is assigned for a certified teacher that will be absent for more than 30 consecutive
instructional days due to documented health related reasons and has expressed the intention to return to the
assignment, a permit is not required. 19 TAC 501(g). In any event, if a person who is uncertified or serving under
an emergency certificate is assigned to the same classroom for more than 30 days, the superintendent must
provide written notice of the assignment to parents of students in the classroom per Section 21.057, Texas
Education Code. For more information, contact the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). [Top]



Apollo replaced veteran black teachers with novice white and Asian teachers
From Jesse Alred's blog: Black faces in high places but fewer in the classrooms of Apollo 20
"...Whether Apollo 20 targeted African-American teachers for removal, of if HISD was simply operating
from a biased point of view related to class background, age or experience, is impossible to say. But
the pattern is not a subtle one. In regard to teacher displacements, Apollo 20 resembles the District of
Columbia reform movement, where Michelle Rhee replaced hundreds of African-American and Latino
teachers and teacher aides with younger whites and Asians with suburban pedigrees.
HFT should have made the unfairness of these teacher displacements a major issue.
Read Alred's blog.


Will Ann Best take responsibility for the apparent failure of the TDS program?
Why would she? Under Grier top level administrators are not even expected to be
at work everyday, let alone actually lead school improvement
@Are you kidding, Whoa! This TDS is treading in dangerous waters. Showing contempt for teachers
will never give you access to classrooms. Nor will bragging about the "TDS model". What is that model
by the way, waving goodbye as you blow through the front door and out the back 15 minutes later?
by Elementary Teacher (May 5, 2012)
I have news for the Teacher Development Specialists in this school district. I have spent the last year working
my but off trying to teach my below grade-level students how to read well and I'll be damned if I'm letting you or
your friends take credit for my work! How could you? I saw you ONCE this year! You did NOTHING for me other
than introduce yourself! And since I never saw you again, I don't even remember your name! Furthermore, if all
of you want to teach so desperately, if all of you are so passionate about saving 70,000 below grade-level readers,
go back to the classroom!!!! You can use your brilliance to make up for the damage the rest of us have done.
by Who Are These People? (May 5, 2012)

To Who Are These People?, I'd like to see the survey we all filled out, I'd like to see what HISD teachers have
said about our work with TDS this year. Isn't it odd that the survey results have not been published yet? HISD
has no trouble publicizing everything else under the sun. Why aren't they forthcoming with the TDS survey?
Could it be their grand experiment failed? Could it have failed because of the arrogant attitude so evident in
that comment posted on Erica Mellon's blog? When TDS treat teachers as inferiors, we close our doors and
say no way!
by Don't want your help (May 5, 2012)

@Who Are These People, Did you say you can't remember the name of your TDS? You know what's worse
than that? She can't remember your name either! But wait, isn't that her job? I wonder how your evaluation
would look if you didn't know the names of your students? Hmmmmmm........do TDS even get evaluated?
by Double Standard (May 5, 2012)



In deference to all of Larry Marshall's "Yes" votes for Grier, HISD administration trying
to move Winn around under the radar, or so it seems
@Watcher in HISD email addresses do not amount to much! They are trying to save WInn and
so they WOULD say she is at TH Rogers all the while placing her at Reynolds ES! Please remember
who we are talking about here, Winn, Uncle Larry, and BFF Paula because many people are calling
for her termination AND if she tried to pull her mess at TH Rogers like she did her others stops,
THOSE parents would DEMAND her termination AND get it becuase HISD has to keep them happy
or they would all leave for private schools. Also, it takes HISD quite a while to update their email
addresses especially when you are protecting and hiding someone from the public to save their
behind!
by Jackson Middle School Employee (May 4, 2012)

@Jackson MS, you are on spot here! They think if they move Winn under the "dark of night" they
can protect her,and place her under either Uncle Larry or Paula's board postion for protection!
NOT going to work, we will follow her and keep track until SHE gets what she deserves and that i
s termination from HISD like she did so many good teachers who had the misfortune of being
screwed by this woman! So come out, come out, where ever you are?
by Winn watcher (May 4, 2012)


Grier takes a corporate approach to school principalships, sees teaching experience as
unimportant and it's hurting HISD schools
from ROE insider:
We're finally getting to do the climate survey at River Oaks ES. This has been the worst year I can
remember at the school. Regularly, I see veteran teachers and staff members in tears, so upset
at the way they've been treated. And all by someone with very little time in the classroom and NO
EXPERIENCE in an elementary school. She may have IB experience, but she doesn't understand
children or curriculum.

The results of this survey should be interesting!
by ROE insider (May 4, 2012)
 


Caution advised on the apprach Lanier and Pershing should take when asked to accept even
more students:
Just checked - Lanier's Board trustee is Paula Harris and Pershing's Board trustee is Mike Lunceford.
We are zoned to Pershing in my area - I will send off letters to both of them right now requesting that they
not accept increases to their zoning.
by JT (May 4, 2012)

JT: I admire your wanting to protect the enrollment at Lanier and Pershing. No school's enrollment should
be pushed beyond its ability to provide a quality education for every student, zoned or otherwise. However,
we must insure that others don't perceive this concern as a desire to curtail the influx of minority students
to these schools. This is not a new issue.
by Flew the Coop (May 4, 2012)
 


The approved name is Lockhart-Turner ES  but Paula
Harris has another agenda in mind
Somnolent trustees will probably let Harris sneak through this school naming proposal:
Approval To Name A New School Facility Lucian L. Lockhart Elementary School thereby
insulting the proud community legacy of the Reverand George B.M. Turner
What's the problem with a little exaggeration when you want to get your way?
(Image used with permission of Davetta Daniels' campaign for District IV HISD Trustee)

Will enough community members come out Monday evening to support Ryan?
Even if they do, will it matter?
D-6 Approval To Consolidate James Ryan Middle School into Crispus Attucks Middle
School, Ezekiel Cullen Middle School, Richard Dowling Middle School, Sidney Lanier
Middle School, And John Pershing Middle School And To Adjust Attendance
Boundaries
BOTH TURNER-LOCKHART AND RYAN ARE PAULA HARRIS SCHOOLS.
Good question or cheap shot? How will Paula Harris' friends benefit from the passage
of the two board resolutions metioned above?

Will Ryan become another Paula Harris school sold off to her charter school friends?
Harris constantly brags about the Apollo program which clearly failed to attract
students to the Elgin/Live Oak campus
Will the Ryan campus be turned over to STEM?
Texas law permits the diversion of bond money in certain circumstances, but promising
one things to voters and doing another shows a lack of character by the HISD trustees
from 7 millions questions:
Ryan Middle School had millions left over in bond money that was to be used for 'Ryan Middle School'.
Ultimately, the district found that the bond money for imrovements to an already clean and well manicured
campus would be more valuable (as a bargening tool) for whatever they plan for the building as opposed
to using it for Ryan students. Is it leagal to continue to use that bond money left over and should the community
be aware that HISD didnt use all of the bond money from the previous election as a point of concious for their
decision on this upcoming bond election.

Other things to consider about Ryan: -They always wanted the building and to close the schools. Thus, to
drain feeder kids: the all boys and girls schools were open, Dobson turned into a k-6. That's about 300
students gone. -The district exposed their own lies. For example, if you knew the school needed resources,
why was Ryan's Title 1 money taken to pay for Apollo tutors and you lie to the world and say that the tutors
were paid for by Apollo fundraising. -Academically, which school ranks higher in state assessment and
Children At-Risk Ranking? Attucks, Cullen or Ryan. Ryan. -Statistically, nearly 90% of Ryan's students that
attend Lanier were commended performers. Lanier is just down the street from Ryan. What if the people in
3rd Ward were not just a bunch of talkers and actually did something in the community. What if TSU's resident
was not so full of shit and adopted Ryan. U of H and Rice did more for Ryan kids than TSU. Ryan had the potential
to be Recognized. -With tougher state standards, Ryan was not one of the schools that caused HISD to increase
its unacceptable list. -Does HISD not know that the worst elements of 3rd Ward and Sunnyside will cause mass
chaos at Attucks and Cullen when Ryan's 104 Gang set foot on their campus. -Why did the last principal really leave?
In two years he brough two campues in 3rd Ward from unacceptable to acceptable? Could it be that he was not a
Grier flunky or did HISD try to ruin him because he challenged their BS?
by 7 million Questions (May 5, 2012)





Several bloggers blame Fryer and Grier, not Dimmitt 
In defense of Julia Dimmitt; from KnowTheFacts:
Let's set the reord straight. When Ryan became Apollo, Ms . Dimmit and Ms Andrews were
pushed aside for Beard and McKenzie. The school was on the upswing. Dimmit was just
asked to come back in August to help and Andrews has been helping elsewhere in the district,
sadly not at Ryan. Don't blame the demise on these two.
by KnowTheFacts (May 5, 2012)

RyanTeacher: Point fingers at Grier and Fryer:
Knowthefacts. You are right. Fingers can only be pointed at Grier and Fryer. Once Harvard set foot
in Ryan, it was the beginning of the end. Ms Dimmitt helped several staff members relocate once
McKenzie came on board. I know she did not want to see Ms. Andrews removed from Ryan.
She was on our side and tried to do the right thing.
by RyanTeacher (May 5, 2012)


Hold Roland Fryer, Terry Grier, and Dallas Dance responsible for the gargantuan failure
of Ryan Middle School...and a school board who turned control of Ryan over to Grier
Ryan AEIS 2007-08  School Rating: Acceptable  Enrollment: 497
Ryan AEIS 2008-09 School Raiting: Unacceptable  Enrollment: 389
Ryan AEIS 2009-10 School Rating: Acceptable  Enrollment: 364
Ryan AEIS 2010-11 School Rating: Acceptable  Enrollment: 329

Once a shining star, Julia Dimmitt played yes-woman once too often
As SIO, Dimmitt failed to reengerize the school, failed to stop the harassment of faculty
by Michael McKenzie, and failed to get the Ryan community to buy-in Grier's Apollo illusions

Lots of wasted money and time spent on Ryan

From JT:
From the Chronicle School blog today 5/3: "Ryan Middle School, a historic Third Ward campus
whose enrollment has dropped to 265 students, would close at the end of this academic year
under a proposal up for school board approval next week. Students from Ryan would be sent to
Attucks, Cullen, Dowling, Lanier and Pershing middle schools. "

According to HISD Data from 3/6/2012:

Pop = # '11-12 students Cap = Capacity

Attucks pop: 451 Cap: 1144 Room for 693

Cullen pop: 498 Cap: 1106 Room for 608

Dowling pop: 1331 Cap 1800 Room for 469

Lanier pop: 1334 Cap: 1276 Over capacity by 58

Pershing pop: 1733 Cap: 1631 Over capacity by 102

When Lanier & Pershing are already over capacity and the 3 other schools are under by
460+ students EACH - Why should Lanier & Pershings zones be increased??? The Lanier
& Pershing parents should put up a good fight about this one... Meetings are scheduled for
next week - very short timeframe...
by JT (May 4, 2012)




Patsy Cavazos involved in cover-up of an Austin High financial scandle asserts
intheknow:
I'm surprised to just now see Patsy Cavazos named for something on this blog. Patsy was key in covering
up the first investigation in to the illegal use of funds by Linda Llorente at Austin in which an unreported snack
bar had raised thousands of dollars-off the books-over the years Llorente was at Austin. After a screaming
match between Linda and Patsy in Linda's office, the report from Patsy to her boss at the time, Sam Sarabia,
was that there was nothing to worry about at Austin. The business manager got a write up, but Linda came
out squeaky clean. Friends protect each other.
by intheknow (May 4, 2012)
 


From Ass Kissing (abbreviated comment):
HISD doesn't believe in college bound they believe in test prep and standarized testing.
by ASS KISSING (May 4, 2012)

From Bonham ES:
@ASS KISSING. It looks like that is happening althrough HISD. In our school that is what happens everyday.
TEST PREP and more TEST PREP and MORE TEST PREP AND MORE TEST PREP!!!!! NO MORE TEST PREP
THAT IS WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Bonham ES (May 4, 2012)


What to make of HISD's in-house awards to administrators? Who deserved
recognition for a job well done, who won primarily on compliance? Were
all these individuals the best at turning curriculum  into test prep?
(At least Pam Farnias, Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila, Mary F. Cisneros, Jane Crump,
Lauren Topek, James McSwain, and Christian Stevenson-Winn were not
in the running.
HISD Names Top School Leaders for 2012
Principal of the Year: Elena Martinez-Buley, Rodriguez ES
First Year Principal of the Year: Roshanda Griffin, Whidby ES
Assistant Principal of the Year: Terrence Sanders, Walnut Bend ES

Middle
Principal of the Year: Noelia Longoria, Ortiz MS
First Year Principal of the Year: Corey Seymour, McWilliams MS
Assistant Principal of the Year: Geovanny Ponce, Hartman MS

High
Principal of the Year: Connie Berger, Reagan HS
First Year Principal of the Year: Jason Catchings, Scarborough HS
Assistant Principal of the Year: Lori Lambropoulos, Westside HS




Just so Terry Grier is not confused: The exodus of students from HISD to private
schools may not rattle enrollment numbers, as HISD's enrollment is already in
decline, but it could impact test scores
@Education Grrrrl, You've said it beautifully. Tsunamis of parents ARE beating their heads against the
walls of Central Office. I am one of those parents. My two children attend one of the highest performing
elementary schools in HISD, but my husband and I are frustrated, AGAIN, by district policies and can't
make headway in expressing reasonable concerns. After a year of practice STAAR tests, reinforced by
practice STAAR worksheets, followed by the real STAAR tests, our children are now being prepped for
Stanford. They are exhausted, we are exhausted......and the bottom line is that we are looking into private
education. Please note the use of the word "education" in my last sentence. That is something we aren't
getting any longer in HISD. Test prep, yes. Education, no. So wake up HISD Board members. The erosion
has begun. You are in the process of losing some of your brightest students and most supportive parents,
parents who refuse to be supportive any longer because our children are being transformed into automatons
who fill in bubbles on answer sheets. I don't blame the teachers. They are simply doing what they've been told.
We all know who the real culprit is, but since some Board members don't care, and the ones who do are
powerless,
we are forced to move our children from public to private education. So be it.

by HISD Parent (May 4, 2012)




Is HISD just incapable of doing the right thing when relatives of board members
are involved?  Christian Winn's reputation precedes her, and HISD has a growing
public relations problem as a result. Why doesn't Winn resign and save HISD
from continuing to embarass its top leadership?

High profile cases of applicants lying on resumes and applications:  Most were fired

From March on:
If anyone from the Reynolds ES school area read visit this site please get together and march down
to your school and find out if Winn is on that campus! If she is you need to start a petition to get her out
before she can ruin your school! Chat with others out there in Sunnyside and find out why they placed
her at your school. Get her out BEFORE she can do any damage! AND ask members of this board why
after ruining Frost ES and Young ES out is the South side WHY they didn't leave her over at T.H.Rogers
where they placed the ignorant woman?? Why is she BACK out on the South side? If she isn't good
enough for the west/San Felipe area why is HISD dumping their garbage back on us out her? What did
we do to deserve this woman? When is enough damage to schools on the our side of town by this
unqualified person going to end? With only 2 years of teaching experience, how is she qualified to
judge teachers in our schools? Make her get up and teach a lesson, oh that's right she can't, but
can tell certified highly qualified teachers that they can't teach! SHE needs to go NOW you beter
get her out!!!!
by March on (May 3, 2012)

From Reynolds teacher:
Can anyone on this board or Dr. Grier give us a justified reason why Winn will be at our campus?
If this goes through, she will have been on 5 campuses within HISD in the last 5 years! She needs
to go home, NOT to another campus! You do not give teachers this many chances, you "boot" them
out the door behind from this one crazy woman! Can this board or anyone else please explain how
this one woman has taken the leading role in terminating over 25+ teachers and SHE gets to keep
HER job? Hello.........what is wrong with this picture? I hope she doesn't ruin all the hard work we
have done here at our school!
by Reynolds teacher (May 3, 2012)


From Jackson Middle School Employee:
@Education Grrrl, don't waste your time answer Battle Whatever because 9 times out of
10 him/her are upper level educrats that know their jobs are secures (I didn't say needed)
and that's why they spout off about things! If they truly work in the trenches with the rest of
us they would know how unhappy and frustrated the "true" employees(yes that's the teachers)
are with this destructive administration! They come on here to try and act like we are all whiners!
Again, if they treated us with respect, we wouldn't be blogging about them. We get more respect
from our students then many of the so-called leaders of this district. So when a few of "them"
from West 18th want to come on here and visit and leave their Grier propaganda, we all know
the truth and it doesn't match what they are saying!
by Jackson Middle School Employee (May 3, 2012)




War on teachers is obvious to parent groups in HISD...and to teachers; from specialed:
Thanks again for reminding us that there is a war on teachers in the country. Powerful people will
not give up their hatred for unions, the country, and public education. Control of public money is their
ultimate goal in the form of vouchers. If you read the Pearson article, you saw a list of Bush cabinet
members making millions from the law they passed. NCLB created positions for them (e.g., Condaleeza,
Colin Powell, Neil Bush, and others) are profiting greatly at the expense of our kids.
by specialed (May 3, 2012)
(Editor: Here is another writer's take on the profiteering from NCLB; and another from the Jackson
Free Press; how Pearson rakes in millions from NCLB

Two more Lee teachers bailing out; from Wow:
Two more Lee teachers sign contracts with other schools. More to come. Davila, even if your
scores are good, how are you going to explain a mass exodus? Principals, if you make everyone's
lives miserable, you are only shooting yourself in the foot.
by Wow (May 3, 2012)
(Editor: Do you know who they are?)



If teachers were valued and respected in HISD, there would be no need for this
website; from Education Grrrrl
Hey Battle-tested! What's up with you? Do you not know that this website would disappear in a flash
if there was a honest-to-goodness dialogue between Central Office and the teachers? Take some time.
Talk to teachers who have come from union friendly states. They are in shell shock here in Texas because
they're unions back home would not be allowing all the abusive treatment of them. The first profanity-laced
email from a parent would have had the union reps by their side. Here is HISD? You don't dare point something
like that out. Otherwise you become a "problem" and not part of the "solution". If there weren't huge tsunamis of
teachers and parents feeling like they are beating their heads against the walls of Central Office, there'd be no
need for Mr. Bingle.
by Education Grrrrl (May 3, 2012)





The naming of a school should be time to unite the community;
Harris uses a flame-thrower and her constituents are burning with anger
PAULA HARRIS' SELF-STARTED WAR WITH HER COMMUNITY
Harris pulls in a principal and an SIO to commandeer naming rights, ignoring community
"Once again HISD board trustee, Paula Harris is associated with a scandal this time in the naming or
renaming of a District IV school. We allege that Paula Harris has committed acts in violation of a public
trust for possible political gain in an attempt to circumvent board policy in regards to naming the new building
located at 3200 Rosedale in District IV and her actions are tantamount to malfeasance. We further allege that,
School Improvement Officer, Patsy Cavazos and Lockhart principal, Felicia Adams have been in collusion to
manipulate this same board policy and Adams has essentially been allowed to lie to the community, stuff the
ballot box and harass the teachers. Her actions are apparently supported by Paula Harris and District
administration..."

That is the opening paragraph of a press release slated for publication very soon.  Way past politely
knocking on Paula's door, the community is infuriated by Paula's arrogance. Is there money changing
hands somewhere behind the scenes in this affair, or is Paula just betraying her community's
trust? Hmmm, I wonder where the word trustee comes from?




 HOW WILL CALDERON'S EXIT AFFECT PUBLIC'S ACCESS TO TNTP SURVEY RESULTS?
Zoe Stemm-Calderon's exist shows frustration felt by TDS who have lacked a coherent
plan to follow all along

Making Ryan an Apollo school no doubt sealed its fate
It's official: HISD closing Ryan MS as reported by Say Goodbye to Ryan:
Say bye to Ryan Middle School. An official meeting was held to announce the plan to close the school.
After it has been pimped to raise Apollo money, produce double digit math gains, increased attendance,
increased it's position in the Children At-Risk Ranking (although the term at-risk is outdated in the world
or respected academia and literature). The people in 3rd Ward should be ashamed of themselves to let
this happen. All that shouting about community is really just talk. The Chronicle won't report that though.
by Say Bye to Ryan (Apr 29, 2012)



Link to Lamar, River Oaks transfer in numbers

Most Texas school districts delay counting STAAR results toward ninth graders
final grades: from DallasNews.com


Arnold Foundation founder John Arnold retires: Does that mean he will
have more time to influence HISD?

John and Laura Arnold match HISD's $100,000 contribution to Mayor Parker
and HDHHS (equivalent of 2 teacher positions)

houstonisdwatch really does bother some people
In the past month some Grier sycophants have blogged comments condemning
houstonisdwatch bloggers and praising the Grier administration. Others have
tried to scare (tactics of intimidation and fear outted them as Hattie Mae insiders)
bloggers that somehow Terry Grier can identify their identity.

I know have a microscopic view of the inanity HISD teachers experience everday.

What makes these statements so ludicrous is the fact I don't ever know who is
blogging. The system in place at houstonisdwatch.com completely protects
the privacy of the blogger.  There is no cyber control anywhere else.

I don't reveal my sources and never will.

What's interesting is the timing of these spam comments. They just happen
to coincide with a surge in daily readership of the site.

So keep blogging. Keep revealing what you have to deal with on a daily
basis. Your identity is always safe. As far as the spammers' comments
are concerned, I delete them just as soon as I see them.



So you don't believe there's a war on teachers? How does Pearson's profit influence
your job stability?
From Washingtonpost.com:
Attacks on teachers have occurred in the midst of a broad-based attack on the bargaining rights
and benefits of all public workers — but even by that standard, teachers have been singled out.

In New York State, where teacher evaluations were just released to the press, the state Legislature
just passed — and the governor signed — a bill that exempted police and firefighters from having their
evaluations released to the public. What better symbolizes the way teachers have become “fair game”
for public demonization?

There are huge profits to be made in the testing industry, in educational technologies that replace teachers,
and in constructing and managing charter schools, so it is not hard to see why some people in the corporate
world would benefit from attacking public education and teachers unions."
Read complete Washington Post report.

Just listen to Matt Damon: Stop the war on teachers!
from ThinkProgress.org:
Actor and activist Matt Damon spoke at the Save Our Schools rally today. Before he spoke, Damon granted
ThinkProgress an exclusive interview. We asked him about how teachers unions are being demonized in
much of the media and teachers are being blamed as the root of all problems in public education. Damon
told us that the attacks on teachers unions are part of a larger “war on unions over the last decade” and
condemned “punitive policies” that punish teachers without looking at the social factors that lead to student
achievement.
Watch Think Progress's interview with Matt Damon

Is the War on teachers just another front for the War on Women?


Aspire Delusions on Aspire:
ASPIRE?
How can it not be as obvious to everyone as it is to me that the whole “Aspire” program is a HUGE
drain on HISD resources which really accomplishes NOTHING in the overall scheme of things! Do
you honestly think the teachers who received the big bonuses would have given any less effort if
they were not getting it? No! They were giving their best because they are conscientious about their
job and care about the students! In a perfect world it would be great to pay out all those bonuses,
but with a financially ailing system that just is not logical! The one who benefitted most is the
Superintendent who is already being paid more than generously for his leadership. He supposedly 
was to accomplish 24 goals, of which only 1/3 have been brought to fruition, so why should he be 
given a bonus? A few years ago our principal was fired because our school which, at the time had
just inherited several traumatized Katrina transplants, did not make the desired grades on TAKS testing.
If the criteria is you reach the goal or you are removed, then why reward a man who did not reach the goals
he was given?? Technically, using that logic shouldn’t he be fired instead?!! And the new breed of principals
are ruthlessly RIFing really good teachers seeking to get bigger bonuses for cutting budgets without regard
to what’s good for the students or treating loyal teachers humanely! Bad Karma is building all around HISD!!!!
by Aspire Delusions (May 2, 2012)

Standing up for Monaghan & Pin Oak:
I am so sick and tired of the whiners at Pin Oak Middle School. You work at one of the best schools in HISD
and all you do is complain. Ms. Monaghan is one of the best principals I have known. She is very active and
involved in the school. She feels everyone should do what is expected of them and what is best for the students.
If you are having a problem with her, maybe you should ask yourself if you are doing your job to the best of your
ability. To the person that calls them self Notanasskisser, the teacher you are talking about was out on Military
Leave as I'm sure you know, but she is also an excellent teacher. She was rated on the time she was there,
just as you were. I'm sure she doesn't appreciate you inferring to her as an ass kisser. Also, Concerned
Citizen (really?), get your facts straight. PTO sold the food during lunch and PTO is paying the fine, not the
school nor Susan Monaghan.
by Sick and Tired (May 1, 2012)

from Battle-tested:
War on teachers? Ask the teachers in HISD who are losing their jobs or any of the thousands of teachers
across Texas whose positions are no longer being funded...
"There is a war on teachers and you all better start preparing." - LOL! I love it... Perhaps the war is
on people like most on here that post "news"... you people don't have clue one what you're talking about
half the time, and certainly never present all the facts of any situation any of the time. I guess that's why
universally this site is... and will remain a piece of comic fodder.

Do you REALLY want to make a difference? Get your stories straight (as in honest), get your facts in line,
and stop shouting that the sky is falling every chance you get...

But then.. it's easier to bitch and complain than to actually be a grown up and work on issues....

Thanks for the laughs!
by Battle--tested (May 1, 2012)


There's a fine line between "bitching and moaning" and identifying the problem
From Advice Wanted:
@Battle-test.... You got it right! Some of the comments posted on this site are sheer nonsense,
motivated by personal vendettas. These people need to take it somewhere else. But having said that,
I have to disagree with you as well. There are serious issues in this school district and smart, well-informed
people are raising them here. The testing issue is one that affects me deeply because I see how my own kids
are losing interest in school. All of this test practice is draining their energy and sucking the joy out of learning.
That should not be! Not for my kids or anyone else's!

So when you say that it's easier to "bitch and complain than to be a grown up and work on issues", I'd like to
know how I should "work on issues." I've emailed Board members. I've spoken to the principal. I've been a
"grown up" but it hasn't worked. I think that's the part you don't see. What you might not know is that many
parents hit a wall in HISD, and Ms. Pola's disingenuous comments only heighten our frustrations.

Do you have any suggestions for a more productive way for us to address our concerns?
by Advice Wanted (May 2, 2012)


Biology teacher eviscerates Arne Duncan


















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