---

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

Apollo TAKS scores
houstonisdwatch has made an Open Records Request to obtain TAKS scores for the nine original
Apollo campuses. It is safe to assume by now that these scores are not what the central office
administration had hoped for, or we would have seen them in the pages of the Houston Chronicle.

2012-13 is a major fundraising year for private donations to Apollo. Grier's team is aware of their
stated fundraising goals, and they have just announced a $1.7 billion bond initiative, the largest such
undertaking in HISD's history.

Demanding accountability from all in HISD is a stated district goal. It's imperative that the
administration provide taxpayers with the kind of illumination Apollo scores will provide for
Grier's signature initiative.

It simply looks like amateur political gamemanship on the part of Grier and his team.  Unlike
business interests waiting to benefit from a huge bond endeavor, taxpayers ultimately
foot the bill. We deserve to know.

---

Where does the magnet money go?
Also as a parent I have a right to know where that magnet money is going. Many teachers seem to think it
does not go to support the magnet but to pay for salaries of teachers that do not have any responsibilities
other than reporting on teachers. Someone please let me know how the magnet money is being spent. Elrod
is suppose to be a medical magnet. Nothing medical going on-having students doing a coloring sheet with
parts of the body-not really medical to me.
by Wousers (Jun 22, 2012)

---

Low morale is evident to students:
I get the feeling that no one cares. If HISD feels bad about getting rid of a principal, I get it. Put ineffective principals
in another capacity like inventory but give it a distinctive title so they can feel good but get they out of the direct path of
students and teachers because it is a disservice. Also what is going on in the district level to constantly hear from the
administrator-it's just the climate of HISD. So HISD requires administrators to not support parents and teachers. The
climate of HISD is the blame for good teachers to "chunk deuce" and roll out as my son would say. Anytime a child
knows that when the administrator comes in his class the teacher gets nervous and acts scared something is wrong.
I was doing some work in a classroom when one of the administrators walked in a teachers class. The students said
do your best so the teacher won't get fired-sad. Once the principal saw that parents were taking notes about what was
going on-parents were no longer welcomed on campus.
by Wousers (Jun 22, 2012)

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Elrod is a major problem
Elrod has a major problem. Many vacancies but no one wants to work at that school. People would prefer to
be unemployed rather than work in this environment. No one wants to put their name under that place to have
their career destroyed by slander. Elrod will never be able to attract quality until they get a strong leader. To anyone
that will listen high quality teachers will know high quality leadership. Highly effective teachers will not take the risk
of working under an ineffective principal. Highly effective teachers know the ramifications of working under an inept
leadership. So when you all ask this one question-why can't low performing school attract extremely talent teachers
that will help turn the school around-the answer is poor leadership. Highly effective teachers will not take the risk of
going to a low performing school under a low performing principal. Highly effective teachers are smart-they know the
odds are against them and go elsewhere. If you want quality teachers get the quality leadership. Low performing
schools are sometimes cursed with getting reject principals without any vision. The achievement gap will never be
closed without high quality leadership and teachers.
by Wousers (Jun 22, 2012)
(Editor: houstonisdwatch has made an Open Records Request for information about Linda Bellard. Information
should be available next week).

---

from specialed:
I just read in my neighborhood newspaper that 9th grade graduates of Long will now have an opportunity to
leave HS with the ability and skills to be pharmacy techs. Congratulations to them! This could be a great opportunity
for them to break the cycle of poverty.
by specialed (Jun 22, 2012)

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Curriculum rewrite, realignment, reinvention, or a constant state of reorganization?
from Observant Parent with a PhD in Education
Seems like every year HISD’s curriculum has to be revised or improved; Grier needs to reorganize his ineffective
Curriculum Department and administrators instead of bashing his teacher who are the foundation of their existence.
Why not just follow the Texas Essential and Knowledge Skills like every other district? My children go to an HISD
Exemplary School and am glad, we parents, support our teachers who seem to become our children's advocates.
Now, the principal is another thing.
by Observant Parent with a PhD in Education (Jun 21, 2012)
(Editor: And yet the taxpayers are being asked to support the superintendent's $1.7 billion bond request. He seems
to have some basic organizational issues).

From Be Enlightened:
Mike Cronin's story "$2.6 Million in Surplus Food" made the list of stories on the email blast from American's for
Prosperity. There is something dramatically wrong when there is so much financial waste in the district, yet the
public is asked to support a $1.9 BILLION bond. By the way, Austin gave their employees a 3% increase across
the board.
by Be Enlightened (Jun 22, 2012)

---

More on Alicia Thomas' departure from HISD:
from JT:
About Alicia Thomas leaving - while I understand it may be for personal reasons I am just frustrated with
HISD's revolving door for key employees like her (even at her salary of close to 200K). There can't be much
continuity if people are only in a job like that for 15 months like she will be. Just think how long it takes for
someone to get up to speed on what is going on before they actually get anything of value accomplished.
How can you lead an organization as big as HISD if the key employees are in a constant state of flux? How
many high level people have changed since Grier started?
by JT (Jun 21, 2012)

Assumptions can be deadly:
A reader is correct and due to privacy laws cannot state the real reason. Things happen to people when they least
expect it nor plan on occurring. We are all human and our bodies have limits.
by Assumptions can be deadly (Jun 21, 2012)

CVPE Mission Statement: Reaffirm status quo
From Jesse Alfred's blog:
Community Voices for Public Education (CVPE) presents itself as agent of change and school improvement,
but its mission statement and goals reveal its real intentions. It's an advocacy group for the public-school
status quo and the reigning ideas in our university teacher-training programs.

The main goal of this group is "to reduce high-stakes testing and restore real teaching and learning." The pivotal
word there is "restore," which gives the false impression that our urban students were doing fine before testing
came along and undermined our success.
Continue reading blog post.

---

Freewheeling cell phone use permitted by Lamar administration contributed
to ripe climate for Twitter outbreak

Jason Spencer asks the right questions of James McSwain, Lamar HIgh School principal:
"Hi again. Would you please let me know what the policy on cell phone use during school
hours? What is the district's stand on students using cell phones in between classes."

McSwain answered a curt "Yes."

Erin Mulvaney from the Houston Chronicle inquires about cell phone use at Lamar.

From McSwain: "We are in the process of disciplining students who organized the event
using Twitter...We are not disciplining for the use of the cell phone, unless...

---

HISD's not so subtle way to control the message: Notice that this a.m. chron.com's article on
HISD's bond election allowed for unfettered commenting, except by those chron.com
bloggers who have been banned. Now the same article has moved into "comments withheld
pending approval."  The comments this morning were pointedly critical of Grier.
Just a coincidence?

---

Volunteers go door to door to promote bond; from KTRK.com
Volunteers are members of Stand for Children
Diane Ravitch writes that Stand for Children does not stand for public schools
Stand for Children is alleged to be an anti-union, anti-teacher group that
  supports the corporate take over of public education

---

How safe are teachers and students in HISD's schools? 17 cases of illegal weapons
found in 279 schools; from khou.com's report.

---

From KTRK: Tax increase proposal for HISD?

---

Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center
2010-11 AEIS report; Rating Acceptable
2009-10 AEIS report; Rating Acceptable 
2008-09 AEIS report, Rating Recognized

chron.com: Jane Crump, current principal, "turned Sam Houston around"

 Sam Houston: When is enough, ENOUGH?
Many of us elected to leave Sam Houston after 4 years of extreme frustration! Apparently, "the powers that be"
don't feel that the kids on the north side are as important as those at Bellaire or Lamar. If they did, then perhaps
they would have done something about replacing Crump. It is probably VERY safe to say that 40+ teachers have
left by now. And if that is the case, does that not send a strong message or raise some major red flags? She is
so easily intimidated by the tough kids and parents that she thinks she can sweet-talk her way through every
conversation. Meanwhile, people are laughing at her inability to "stand her ground".

And instruction, well she hasn't a clue. The scores have been all over the place in these last couple of years,
there is absolutely no clear direction and quite frankly, they are mediocre at best. Sam has been part of the HS
collaborative, but as the campus leader she should be able to share with the staff what the goals are and be
able to celebrate accomplishments with the staff, she has done neither!

So since Alaniz couldn't do anything, let's see if Mr. Arkansas is finally ready to put kids first. After all, what's the
famous line? Would you want her to be Principal at your child's school? We all know this would not be tolerated
at Lamar or Bellaire!
by When is enough, ENOUGH? (Jun 18, 2012)

SOS-Sam:
@ When is enough at Sam Houston - you forgot to mention the safety issue on campus. Discipline is out of control
and the kids know there are no consequences, so it's only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured. Many
of our friends and colleagues left because Crump and her administrators did not support them when the kids were
clearly in the wrong. Many of them should have been referred to Alt. Ed., but did not go.

A few of us are still remaining, but looking elsewhere. We chose this profession because we love kids and teaching,
but it is tiring when it is an uphill battle day after day. NOT with the kids, but with the campus administration! SOS!!
by SOS -Sam (Jun 20, 2012)

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Not getting a service pin? Lack of pins this year still rankles....
from Experienced:
Another example of the disrespect this superintendent has for the district's veteran teachers and teachers
In general. We used to get a pin every 5 years which cost a whopping $3.10 each and this year the district
decided to cut the pins as a money saver. We aren't even worth a measly $3.10. Instead, the district sent,
after we left mind you, a paper certificate that wasn't even signed by anyone one or even an auto written
signature. Plus, mine just had a piece of paper behind it meanwhile central office people who got one
got a folder for theirs. This is a total slap in the face and utter disrespect. The pin may have been cheap,
but it meant something. It showed a modicum of respect for us and our loyalty. That cheap piece of paper
meant nothing which is why it ended up in the trash can.
by Experienced (Jun 20, 2012)

---

Politicians leave for "family reasons." Grier's lieutenants & principals have no problem
  finding an excuse to leave Grier's TEAM HISD.
David Simmons, evanescent high school chief, left for personal reasons.
Samuel Coleman, former Yates principal, left "without comment" (maybe personal??)
Chuck Morris, HISD's former chief academic officer, never planned to stay in Houston
  "long term"

houstonisdwatch bloggers comment on Alicia Thomas' leaving:
Thomas resigned for personal reasons. She had every intention to continue to work for HISD. It has
nothing to do with the job or the climate of HISD therefore, it is unfair to her to insinuate she is leaving
under duress.
by A reader (Jun 20, 2012)
To A reader, okay...wink...wink! We will give her a pass on this because in the end it is her choice
and that's that!
by Wink Wink (Jun 20, 2012)

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Privatization: not such a good idea

---

All of HISD's fiscal responsibility is sweet, but Grier proposes adding two elementary
school officials slated to make $165,000 per year
*Bond proposal of $1.8 billion will represent a tax increase of $6.25 
*20 central office jobs to be cut or eliminated
*How many teachers are being displaced? Unknown
*Harris, Lunceford squabble on whose responsible for setting Ryan budget
*Zero mention of Apollo, and its ongoing cost to taxpayers
Read Ericka Mellon's report.

---

HISD has $2.6 million in surplus food; Grier administration spokesman Jason Spencer
gives smart ass answer when questioned by Texas Watchdog's Mike Cronin
Board President Mike Lunceford promises to investigate

---

One year working for Grier was quite enough, thank you
Alicia Thomas, praised by many, has had enough
Like several other Grier top administrators, Dr. Thomas used significant leave
from JT:
Just posted on chron.com "HISD’s academic chief to retire Houston ISD’s chief academic officer Alicia Thomas
is leaving the district after a little more than a year on the job. Grier hired Thomas from North East ISD in San Antonio
in May 2011 after the position had been vacant for five months. Thomas’ departure comes as HISD faces serious
academic challenges. Results from the state’s new, tougher standardized exams show thousands of HISD high
students are struggling, particularly in reading in writing. The district is planning to roll out a new curriculum,
which Thomas helped develop, next school year."
by JT (Jun 20, 2012)

---

Louisiana sends tax dollars to private schools, and the result rips apart
science education

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QUESTIONING GRIER'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITY
From Food for Thought:
Has anyone noticed that over 90% of the schools that are Academically Unacceptable in the district
are predominately African American? Just saying that maybe Grier isn't about equity in schools either.
by Food for Thought (Jun 18, 2012)

Grier targeted communities where he believed no one would resist and created his experimental
schools

Sheila Jackson Lee exposes the unspoken message Grier sends to minority communities: YOU ARE TOO
IGNORANT TO SELECT A PRINCIPAL. He feels he knows what's best for them. Only affluent parents have the
education and the clout to select their principals. But history has proven that his selections are horrific! They
either leave soon after arrival or Grier and Jason Spencer spend all of their time covering up their scandals
(Worthing, Sterling, Madison etc.)so that he won't look bad. He wouldn't dare try that same trick at River Oaks
(and others like it) as he did at Yates and now Kashmere.
by Go Figure (Jun 19, 2012)

@Go Figure:
Just my opinion, but I think we're barking up the wrong tree by trying to make this a race/class issue. I taught
at Attucks for 29 years; I was one of the initial casualities of the Apollo reform (in spite of high TAKS and EVAAS
scores). From my vantage point, it appears as though Dr. Grier targeted communities that were largely apathetic
about their neighborhood schools, and, therefore, likely to offer little resistance to his changes. Look at the nine
original Apollo schools. I would bet all nine suffered from poor community involvement. I know Attucks did. We
were fortunate if we had more than ten parents attend our monthly PTO meetings. I loved my kids and the parents
I did get to know, but, truth be told, parental support and involvement were woefully lacking.

Taking shots at Lamar, Bellaire, River Oaks, and magnet schools doesn't solve problems at our schools. In fact,
it seems petty. Why should parents at these schools apologize for being invested in their children's education?
Perhaps if our schools had a similar degree of parental involvement we wouldn't be experiencing the troubles
we're facing now.

As for Sheila Jackson-Lee's involvement, it appears to be too little, too late. She comes out in support of Paula Harris
and Larry Marshall when she should be chastising them for allowing Dr. Grier to have damaged so many schools
in their districts. Attucks, Ryan, and Jones are all in Paula Harris's district. They have all regressed under Apollo.
All have lost enrollment. All are in danger of closing. Others on this blog have commented about Mr. Marshall
and his niece; no need to say more. I would be more impressed with Congresswoman Jackson-Lee if she
were proactive rather than reactive. She isn't. The damage has been done and it appears to be irreparable.

In the last two years, I have read commentary after commentary about principals conducting witch hunts and
engaging in "documentation wars" in order to remove successful, veteran teachers. I have read how teachers,
in an effort to protect their careers and livelihoods, have resorted to keeping journals highlighting their principals'
needlessly vindictive and antagonistic behavior. Many of HISD's schools have become utterly miserable places
in which to work, places where teachers and administrators have become adversaries rather than allies. And
we wonder why our children don't succeed. An earlier post lamented how we have all lost focus. How can a principal
run a school when he/she spends the majority of his/her time trying to "get" teachers? How can a teacher teach
effectively when he/she is distracted by an administrator out to get him/her? This is what Dr. Grier's reform has
otten us. This is what our school board has allowed to happen.
by Thomas Iocca (Jun 19, 2012)
(Editor: Sheila Jackson-Lee mentions Larry Marshall and Paula Harri,s but she heaps praise upon Rhonda
Skillern-Jones, who apparently was also appalled by Grier's heavy-handed tactics in forcing an unknown
principal on Kashmere.  Unfortunately, Grier values firing teachers, and he has sent that message to his
principals.)

---

It's easy to pat yourself on the back when you haven't released test score data to the public
HISD administrators are "helping teachers organize their thoughts"  Hmmm
Kati Haycock of the Education Trust addressed administrators at their end-of-year workshop
Education Trust not lacking for opinions
Closing the gaps: K-12 Education Trust guide

Parsons presenting facilities assessment to board Thursday, June 21, at 2 p.m.

Effective teacher update
TFAer critical of Ann Best and her department
Not only are the TFAers getting sick and tired of the crap HISD is doing I am sure that anyone even considering
working for HISD is sick of all the mess you have to do just to get your foot in the door and many have found Annie
Best slamming their foot and face in it! As long as this woman who hasn't a clue about teaching, what a teacher
really does, and stops acting like she really has the experience needed to run the HR Dept. HISD will continue to
lose out on some fantastic teacher cnadidates becuase of her stupidity and lack of knowing how to identify great
talent when it is right in front of her! Sad, so, so sad that HISD has sunken to the level they are currently at and
falling even faster!?!? HISD is slipping back into years past when all you needed was a pulse to teach because
nobody wanted to work for them and I see it in the near future happening again! Remember....we must look to the
past so as to never forget, but when you hire someone so young who hasn't a clue about HISD's past, then this
is why we are headed for destruction until she wakes up or is sent packing!
by going down fast (Jun 19, 2012)
Editor:  I was advised by a central office administrator that Ann Best is brilliant, works very hard, and is
responsible for keeping HISD human resources together. Interesting comment, since human resources
is her department. We have to remember how Grier speaks out of both sides of his mouth in the teacher
recruitment process, both wanting early hires and an off-putting interview process.)

---

AFT renounces Romney's education policies
CNN'S REPORT ON SHARE MY LESSON
SHARE MY LESSON
Weingarten, AFT team up with the Brits to produce the largest online site for U.S. teachers
resources
ALO ALTO, Calif., June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Teachers, with
Britain's TES Connect, today unveiled "Share My Lesson," which will become the largest online community
for U.S. teachers to collaborate and share teaching resources and innovative ideas, with a significant emphasis
on resources to guide teachers on implementing the new Common Core State Standards. The announcement
about Share My Lesson was made today at the Global Education Conference at Stanford University.

"Teachers are expected to do so much, often with very little support, and they are thirsty for the tools they need to
improve instruction. The AFT decided to accept the challenge and make its biggest investment ever in a tool to
improve the teaching profession," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. The AFT and TES Connect have
committed $10 million to develop and maintain the site.
Continue reading prnewsire.com post.


Grier knows how to play the game, he just hasn't had to in Houston very much...
from Go Figure:
Sheila Jackson Lee exposes the unspoken message Grier sends to minority communities: YOU ARE TOO
IGNORANT TO SELECT A PRINCIPAL. He feels he knows what's best for them. Only affluent parents have the
education and the clout to select their principals. But history has proven that his selections are horrific! They
either leave soon after arrival or Grier and Jason Spencer spend all of their time covering up their scandals
(Worthing, Sterling, Madison etc.)so that he won't look bad. He wouldn't dare try that same trick at River Oaks
(and others like it) as he did at Yates and now Kashmere.
by Go Figure (Jun 19, 2012)

---

Has HISD becoming such a negative, demoralizing place to teach that even TFA recruits will
reject HISD if they can?

From Texan to the core:
Another Lee teacher leaves for Yes Prep. How many more? Many if not most would have stayed except for the
cruel treatment of veteran teachers. Davila is an insanity that is now promoted to SIO? God help us all! The TFA's
are too inexperienced to realize they are being promoted only because that is Grier's belief...young....that's it.
Someone please count all the Lee teachers leaving.
by Texan to the core (Jun 18, 2012)


@Texan to the core. Many of us that are TFA want to leave. We just can't because of our contract. (Sorry!)
by TFA (Jun 18, 2012)

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Another capricious promotion by Grier, another slap in the face to experienced teachers...
From LLAKM:
Grier's newest SIO is Drew Houlihan, 31. Promoted before completing his second year in the principalship.
Parker Elementary, his school, is a sweet place. What experience will he have to help veteran principals turn
around struggling campuses without Grammy award winning music programs? Has he ever even seen a
struggling school?
by LLAKM (Jun 3, 2012)

---

And the wait continues...scores, anyone seen the scores??

Apollo test results......even after the delays to spin the results in Grier and Fryor's favor....Houston...
come in Houston....Houston are you there?....HOUSTON....WE definitely have a PROBLEM!!!!!
by Marc (Jun 18, 2012)

---

TO ANTI UNION BLOGGERS: The members are the union. When people do not report and do not file
grievances, everyone thinks things are going GREAT when they are not. Some principals will not accept
accountability for their behavior. Some deny and misinterpret information. Ethics where did you go? Go to
HISDPOLICY ONLINE you will find so many policies schools have gone against.
by unless (Jun 18, 2012)

---

The Union, HFT or AFT are of no help due to the new assessment insturement which has no due process
standards. It is "anyone can say anthing about you, student, parent, fellow teacher or administrator and
it is treated as truth and you get no chance to confront your accusers and often are not even told who
they are.

At my school we lost 75% of our Union (HFT) members last year and this year combined. Our Unio
in
(HFT) steward was targeted last year and laid off and our new one was set up and fired this year. The
first to go are the Union members. HFT has done zero about this situation. I was an HFT member for 25
years but after last years fiasco and this years debacle, I dropped my membership.

There is a whole lot about this new assessment that no one is bothering to explain to teachers including
the union.
by @NYNS (Jun 17, 2012)

---

TO ELROD INSIDER:
IF STEWARD WAS BEING HARRASSED, THAT PERSON COULD HAVE FILED A GRIEVANCE. SHOULD HAVE.
by UNLESS (Jun 18, 2012)

---

LIKE SHEILA JACKSON-LEE DID, SCHOOL COMMUNITIES NEED TO REJECT THE "NEW BREED" GRIER APPOINTED
PRINCIPALS TO THEIR CAMPUSES ESPECIALLY WHEN NO TEACHER OR COMMUNITY INPUT WAS SOUGHT
OR HEEDED
From Been there:
You are correct when you stated that the "new" breed (and they must be breeding amongst themselves and that
would explain level of stupidity)of administrators IS going after Union stewards and members! That is exactly what
Christian Winn did at Frost Elementary her first year and GOT away with it with the support of the dumbass board
members and it continues to this day! That witch stated in public that she would get the HFT steward fired no matter
what it took even making up shit and she did! After that, she took out other members one by one because they all
would NOT write her up or band together! Go back and check the open records where she lied about targeting union
members when SHE was dumb enough to write it in an email to her secretary! Well, I am sure she STILL thinks she
won against our steward that left and retired behind her attacks, lies, and harrassment BUT truth be known...he left
instead of whooping her ass! And that is exactly why they forced her out of Young ES becasue that community was
about to open a big old can of "Ass Whooping" too! So at this point, being a member of a union is a good choice for
the insurance against lawsuits, but that is about it because HISD could give a crap less about what Gayle or others
have to say at this time! They are doing whatever they want to whomever they want and screw the teachers, staff,
parents, community and most of all the students they claim to value the most! Hypocrites! May they be judged by a
higher power one day for the hell they have created within HISD!!!!
by Been there... (Jun 18, 2012)

---

@ Unless....when I had to deal with my ignoratn Principal I found that the "some" reps at the HFT office were
"real" fighters and others well let's just move on!?!? AND when it came time to go above the HFT reps and use
the lawyers they have...forget it! The reps fought harder and knew more than the overpaid lawyers they
continue to use! One word comes to mind....worthless!! HISD will continue to win and these lawyers will
continue to claim victories because they helped the teachers get a deal in "resigning" instead of getting
their jobs back! Been there, happened to me and others!!! So in some instances the reps are fantastic.....
until they pass you off to the lawyers who have NO skin in the game and want to get your case resolved
as quickly as possible and go on to the next one! To them you are just a number and a dollar sign!
by Union????? (Jun 18, 2012)

---

Terry Grier and the institutional inertia in urban schools
From Jesse Alred's blog
American urban schools have a similar problem rooted in tradition: the absence of academic standards
and reasonable discipline in our urban schools.

The excess of permissiveness is rooted in the era of integration and one of the strongest defenders of that
tradition has been Terry Grier.

One sign of Grier's guiding philosophy is his connection to Martin Haberman and the Haberman Foundation,
which advocates an education philosophy emphasizing withholding of teacher authority.

Haberman's main contribution was the idea that teachers should not respond when students act out.

While that might have been a smart tactic in the period when integration was taking place, you cannot have
good schools without returning authority to teachers and increasing academic and discipline standards.
Continue reading Alred's blog.



SHEILA JACKSON-LEE PRAISES RHONDA SKILLERN-JONES; BLASTS
GRIER'S MANAGEMENT OF KASHMERE; REITERATES NAACP'S REQUEST
TO KEEP TURNER IN THE NAME, TURNER-LOCKHART, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Sheila Jackson-Lee to Grier: "I heard nothing back from the administration."
In a diplomatic fashion, Jackson-Lee blasts Grier's tack of forcing his pick
as Kashmere principal on the Kashmere community

HISD trustees should move to amend Grier's contract to mandate principal
selection committees with strong teacher and community input for every
principal hire; Grier obviously is inept at appointing principals

---

We are at the breaking point when a congresswoman has to intervene because no one in the
neighborhood is being listened to. Very unexpected but necessary!
by Be Enlightened (Jun 14, 2012)

---

Why is leadership at Jackson Middle School unsettled?
Kregg Cuellar, Jackson principal, has impressive credentials
(warning: AVG has identified HISD's Jackson page as an attack
site; it will attempt to disable your firewall) Hopefully, HISD's
tech team will remove the virus.

---

SO what is going on at Jackson MS lately? It seems that during the recent remodeling they must have installed a
revolving door because the principal position the past few years just seems to be a huge problem! These leaders
seem to be coming and going faster then Davila can fire a veteran teacher at Lee HS! So, who's next on line? Any
hints and are they just stopping in for a quick "hit" on padding their resume before moving on? Just asking!?!??!?
by Former Jackson Middle School Employee (Jun 9, 2012)

---

Keep up the good work houstonisdwatch bloggers. Some SIOs are reading and are beginning
to ask their administrative staffs some overdue questions....


Has Elrod Principal Linda Bellard singled out HFT members for harassment?
So true. Linda Bellard sought out union members and harassed them. She had one of her admin team
members join to just get inside info. Union Stewart harassed all the time. No one will step up to be union
stewart because that means automatic harassment.
by Elrod Insider (Jun 17, 2012)

---

Without a change of leadership at Elrod, all the "HISD wonderful" stories to win bond
support won't matter to that elementary school's community
Elrod is just one big mess. HISD needed a warm body to sit in the office and they selected Bellard. She
is the epitome of ineffectiveness. This woman should not be put in charge of an ant farm. She would find
a way to mess that up. I could understand being arrogant because your scores are high but the scores
are extremely low and yet you still have the audacity to be critical of your teachers. How can anyone
respect someone that has a track record of failure. We always talk about data well we have plenty of
data for her growth plan two schools failing but let this have been a teacher with two years of terrible
scores wow termination.
by Wousers (Jun 16, 2012)

---

Elrod Elementary has lost two talented teachers. I mean these teachers had the it factor. If it was about the
kids they were for it. As an employee I am sadden because these are teachers that any school would cherish.
They cracked the code with minority students. Kids from one of the teachers classes could outperform any
middle class or rich kid hands down. Teachers like these are rare because they actually cared about students
and parents. These girls really believed in the system and cared. They motivated me and others around them.
One of the teachers came from another state the other from another school, they invigorated so many. They
tore down barriers among teachers and taught us about the power of being a whole and advocating for students.
I would have never thought that these teachers would give up. No matter how stupid the administration is. They
would say just keep pushing on. It is teachers like this that actually support other teachers that HISD hates. These
teachers were a threat to Bellard because they were well loved energetic smart and dedicated. They were
everything that she is not and she hated that. I am so upset. How will we make it? Now she is bringing in teachers
from Blackshear. These are the same teachers she called lazy at the beginning of the year. The parents are calling
trying to track down the teachers that left. One of the teachers smiled no matter what. She believed in this system.
She believed in children. At the end her smile was not as bright. Elrod lost some great teachers this week because
the leaders were lunatics. We won't our teachers back. They had ideas and plans. All of the teachers are at a loss.
What will we do? I see a padlock being placed on the gates after this woman is done. I mean who looses a teacher
that is a professor at a university teaching others how to teach reading to at risk students. This was a mess. These
were teachers that can motivate students that basically said f you f this school and f the world. I mean they dealt
with students that no one wanted and made them productive honor students. WOW. It's like they want Elrod to fail.
Someone please help us locate these teachers. What will we do? When no one had an answer one of them did.
by Mi Amigos (Jun 15, 2012)

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I am a Hispanic parent. My child was in regular education and not bilingual. My son learned under the teacher that
left she did not care about anything but what was best for my son. My son told me that he wanted to be a doctor
and help people. This teacher had state representatives come out and talk to the kids the teacher also had her
friends from college come talk to my son about being a doctor as her friend was a doctor. My son comes home
everyday talking about his teacher. I wish other parent would have had their kids in her class. She cared about
all student regardless I even seen kid curse her out and she just said everyone has a bad day. She is truly an
angel. She was one of those people that did not see race she just wanted to help That principal is too blinded
to see good people she wants a school with terrible people to work she has these Hispanic teachers by her
side and they are just there to translate they are no good. This woman who is black-I think did more for my
child cared more than the two women that called themselves administration they are just highly paid translators
for principal and try to make Hispanics feel dumb and small just because you speak and look like me doesn't
mean you are for me do not want to make anyone upset but that teacher changed my family for better
by Elrod parent (Jun 15, 2012)

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Yep we heard that the teachers left. This is an insult.they left because they were ethical and did right. Top
notch teachers that still did good things even when the administration tore them down in front of everybody.
These teachers put the Kids above themselves had high test scores worked hard gone because a principal
and others were intimidated by new ideas this has got to be the worse principal in the country. The new SIO
thinks she is great probably because she has given her famous speech of being hand picked by hisd leadershiP
by Elrod Fiasco (Jun 15, 2012

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We are conducting meetings at the apartments right now to get this principal gone and anyone that feels she is
effective We are drafting petitions now since we got word today about these teachers leaving. Trying to get
signatures these teachers are our family Harvard Grads master teachers gone no way
by Elrod Unite (Jun 15, 2012)

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The Union, HFT or AFT are of no help due to the new assessment insturement which has no due process
standards. It is "anyone can say anthing about you, student, parent, fellow teacher or administrator and it
is treated as truth and you get no chance to confront your accusers and often are not even told who they
are.

At my school we lost 75% of our Union (HFT) members last year and this year combined. Our Unioin (HFT) steward
was targeted last year and laid off and our new one was set up and fired this year. The first to go are the Union
members. HFT has done zero about this situation. I was an HFT member for 25 years but after last years fiasco
and this years debacle, I dropped my membership.

There is a whole lot about this new assessment that no one is bothering to explain to teachers including the
union.
by @NYNS (Jun 17, 2012)

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@NYNS so true. check out Lee in the last 3 years.
by Abascus (Jun 17, 2012)

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Praising Mary Cisneros at Golfcrest
About Golfcrest: I have read so many negative comments about my school and it is a shame. Those people seem
to have forgotten the way things were before Ms Cisneros got there. We had no leadership at all! That guy didn't
care about the school or teachers. Now because she is doing her job (which yes, part of it is to monitor to make
sure everybody is on board), those who were sooo comfortable working without being accountable are having a
panic attack!! You had your chance to leave, why haven't you? or maybe you are such a lousy teacher that nobody
else will take you? Whatever it is, leave us alone, please, you are just polluting the air with your negative spirit.
by Leave us alone (Jun 17, 2012)



Hmmm...why is HISD promoting bond election coverage instead of releasing test scores....

Expect plenty of HISD feel good stories in the coming weeks
GRIER PLANS $1.8 BILLION DOLLAR BOND
Remember, Grier also said Apollo would be fully funded from private sources - it isn't
from chron.com:
"...Of 180 projects stemming from the bond election five years ago, 71 were in the planning, design or
bid stage as of late March; all should be finished by 2014, according to the district's latest report.

The other 109 projects are finished or under construction, with 16 new elementary schools open.

HISD board president Mike Lunceford said he's withholding judgment on another bond until Grier unveils
his proposal.

Lunceford, who served on HISD's bond oversight committee in 2007, said all the work was supposed to
have been completed by this year, but projects have been delayed for several unexpected reasons..."
Read Ericka Mellon's report.



Accountability goes both ways
I keep reading these comments and would like to present a bigger picture:

-HISD parents seem very stressed about middle school (as witnessed by the comments about changes at
Pin Oak and Pershing MS)--Dallas Dance managed to leave town before he was held accountable, but could
some of this energy worrying about middle schools and the lack of choice and the turnover and chaos be
focused on Dr. Dance's successor?

Accountability should go both ways.
by Longtime Associate Teacher NO MORE (Jun 17, 2012)





TAKS scores to be released by HISD any minute now...keep waiting a little longer..
houstonisdwatch has been informed scores might be released this weekend.


Teachers should highlight deadline dates included in the Proposed Traditional Calendar
 for the Teacher Appraisal and Development System (from Board agenda June 14, 2012)



FROST ES AND JONES HS: VICTIMS OF HISD MISMANAGEMENT SPANNING THE
SAAVEDRA AND GRIER ADMINISTRATIONS
There is no press coverage for mandated re-reconstitution of Jones High School, another
example of Grier's fiasco called Apollo. While money from the general HISD budget continues
to flow to the Apollo schools, and no one is covering the fact that the project HAS NOT been
fully funded by private donations, Jones High School fell to its second year ranking as an
"Unacceptable" campus.

Where's the outcry from the citizenry whose tax dollars have gone towards essentially
turning Jones into a special ed. campus under Apollo (21.6% of student enrolled in 2010-11),
and, now, because Grier and Roland Fryer have failed to deliver on their big promises, a campus
that must be reconstituted again?

An even greater demonstration of administrative incompetence in HISD, the hallmark of the Terry
Grier era, is the plight of Frost Elementary School.

Before Abe Saavedra succumed to pressure from Larry Marshall to place Larry's relative
Christian Winn at Frost as principal, Frost ES was a Recognized TEA school.

Now, after two years of Unacceptable ratings, Frost will be reconstituted. Pershaps if Paula Harris
weren't so busy interfering in principal selections and infuriating the Turner-Lockhart communities,
she would have paid more attention to the Marshall-engineered debacle unfolding at Frost.

houstonisdwatch has always maintained that the Grier administration is a political animal,
a feudal power-grabbing fiefdom, where kids always come in last.  No better evidence is
available that the rot the Saavedra/Grier administrations have infliced on Frost and the
Grier/Fryer nightmare at Jones.

Always quick to pin the blame on teachers and reticent to blame his yes-men henchmen,
Grier is depending on his Houston Chronicle connections to keep the story
about his second Apollo failure out of the news. Unfortunately for the parents and students
at Frost and Jones, he is being all too successful.


HISD to hold public meeting on budget
from houstonisd.org: Public Meeting June 21 on Budget and Proposed Tax Rate
Meeting scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at HMWESC

June 11, 2012

The Houston Independent School District will be holding a public meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2012,
in the board auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street, 77092).

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district's budget, which will determine the tax rate that will
be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited.

The tax rate that is ultimately adopted—whether at this meeting or at a separate meeting at a later date—may not
exceed the proposed rate shown in this chart unless the district publishes a revised notice containing the
same information and comparisons set out and holds another public meeting to discuss the revised notice.

A description of proposed tax rates and comparisons is here.  A chart of proposed expenditures is here.

Word from the Wise...
We as teachers need to do our job to the best of our ability, document EVERYTHING, and PRAY constantly.
Stop letting all the drama drive us crazy, beacuse it will only cause health issues in the long run......
by Word from the Wise (Jun 16, 2012)

New Year, No Stress
To all teachers, let go of all the negativity you have against your principal. Start the new year with a clean slat.
If you don't have to be in the principal's face, don't go around her/him. Only see her/him when it is necessary.
Start firm but fair with all your students, set realistic goals and expectations for the group of students you will
have this new school year. Document all incidents with students and administration (it's like keeping a journal).
Copy all office referrals and detention slips on students, so if you are called in for a conference you will have proof.
Next, if you need to get a small recording device invest in it, it will only help you if you work for the seed of Chucky.
Also, if you are not in the union, I would suggest that you join. The payment that is taken out of your check is not
missed. And take it from experience, principals don't bother teachers in the union.
by New Year No Stress (Jun 16, 2012)

Do principals shy away from union members? B.E. says no
@NYNS sorry, please do not advise teachers if they belong to the "Union" their principals will leave them alone.
That is not a fact. Teachers should decide which organization they would like to join, just as long as they have
some support. Dues in other organizations are much less and one has tremendous legal support. Teachers
should do their own homework and decide which best suits their needs.
by B.E. (Jun 16, 2012)

Rebuttal from New Year No Stress
I don't know about you, but in my situation it was a fact. My principal left me alone once the union got invovled.
From the way things sound on this site...teachers are just running scared. Teachers have every right to work in a
safe, healthy and stress free environment. It sounds as if you didn't have a good experience with the union. I was
only giving a suggestion. If we as teachers would stand up for our own rights as educators and professional a lot
of these situations could be avoided. Just like the principal can write things on a teacher, the teacher can write things
on the principal and have there union support behind them. These administrators are doing only what teachers are
allowing them to do. We have too many scared, timid teachers in the district. If you confront a bully they will stop.
by New Year No Stress (Jun 16, 2012)

by Union, what Union?
I keep hearing of this so called "Union" - Is that HFT? If so, they're not considered a union. Look up the true definition
and you'll find that teachers in Texas have no real protection via these organizations. Districts are not bound to follow
their suggestions, and mainly do so to avoid the annoyance of being harassed by these folks. Keep your money.
by Union? What Union (Jun 16, 2012)

@NYNS- I know of several folks who left "The Union" (I am not speaking of myself). It is my opinion all teachers
should have legal protection. Another organization is ATPE where dues are much less (I believe $125 for the year)
and has as much if not more legal representation. No educator should leave themselves open for legal expenses
out of their own pocket and considering the atmosphere in this district that is a wise investment. After meeting
educators who have had to use counsel to save their jobs a few dollars out of a check is a wise investment. You
do not waste your money protecting yourself.
by B.E. (Jun 17, 2012)































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