14 Responses to “West’s call for change stymied”

1. posted by bill at June 8, 2007 7:14 am :
   

   seems like west is the only voice of common sense at the school board

2. posted by Marty at June 8, 2007 8:44 am :
   

   Unless West is super dedicated, fighting against the school boards united front of idiocy will wear him down and might frustrate him out of politics. So, we need to voice our support and thanks to him when ever we get the chance.

   Low level politics is very frustrating in its nature. It is not a full time job, but constituents usually demand full time service. And are very vocal about problems but very silent when it comes to praises.

3. posted by ann at June 8, 2007 12:01 pm :
   

   Marty, some very good points…reminders to us all.

4. posted by Bob Stokes at June 10, 2007 12:09 pm :
   

   Whether you like him or not, it looks like West is being treated as a accidental, libertarian novelty on this board. And while this may be appealing to us in terms of its moral purity, doesn’t our rep. still need to get things done in the district? The fact that none of Mr. West’s colleagues were swayed to vote with him could mean four things: 1) he is a lone wolf (no pun intended) who sees how it has worked for Wilder (with the main stategic difference being that Mr. Wilder’s power absolves him from the need to build internal coalitions); 2) that he is truly an ideologue and thus will be marginalized by the rest of the board; 3) the rest of the board are afraid to stick their necks out (or perhaps encouraged West into this move as a trial balloon); 4) or, Wilder traded off support in the next Council election for this (or West just assumed the trade himself). All this proves is that West is either a political novice who offers principles rather than influence (we need both); or, he IS a local political player with power aspirations beyond the school board. Whatever it is, yes, we need to encourage him. So here is my encouragement: Keep your values, but figure out a more effective way to turn them into policy. My suggestion, lay out your policy agenda and goals and deliver them to your colleague’s constituents. While you are not at-large, act as if you are at large (your ideas, are in effect, at-large). Over and over. Get on the Richmond TV channel with a refined, simple speech.

5. posted by bill at June 11, 2007 5:19 pm :
   

   my best recollection is that the school board (check out va law) is to understand what is going on and to ensure the schools are academically effective and operated in an efficient manner. sounds like bob is looking for some pork. good schools is the bacon that the district and city need. common sense is the best way to get there. maybe bob could offer that advice to the other board members.

6. posted by OLD at June 17, 2007 10:06 am :
   

   The tragedy is, it’s the students who suffer. I suggest Reggie Malone is still lurking, bitterly, behind the scenes,preaching his diatribe against West. Also, when the schools stop hiring their friends, the principals, administrators, etc., and get qualified personnel, the schools might see some change for the good.

   Till then, I suggest Keith West not waste his time trying to change anything about the Richmond Public Schools.Unless he ask that the teacher’s be tested in their fields to see if they measure up.

   As ever,

   The Old One

7. posted by john_m at June 17, 2007 10:20 am :
   

   when the schools stop hiring their friends, the principals, administrators, etc., and get qualified personnel, the schools might see some change for the good.

   I’m a teacher at MLK Middle School, wrapping up my 2nd year. From what I’ve seen of the hiring process at the building-level, the intent is to hire the best possible candidate for the job.

   There is an aspect of No Child Left Behind that requires that teachers be “highly qualified” in their field. For the core academic areas, this involves having a certain number of hours of classes in the area, and the passing of a test (PRAXIS). School systems are mandated to have a specific percentage of highly qualified teachers.

   Hiring and retaining highly qualified teachers can be a challenge. Getting licensed teachers into all of the open positions is difficult enough. One of the ugly secrets around here is how many teaching positions are filled, ALL YEAR, by substitute teachers.

8. posted by bill at June 17, 2007 10:24 am :
   

   old one suggests schools are a tragedy but school board members not waste time trying to change anything. old one seems to be part of the problem. maybe change your stealth moniker to “old fart”

9. posted by OLD at June 17, 2007 8:18 pm :
   

   I see Bill is an example of one who was passed by the the reading/spelling program in the Richmond Schools. Hey Bill, you obviously can’t read or you would be able to interpret suggestions.

   Old

10. posted by will ferrell at June 17, 2007 11:25 pm :
    

    ya well your mom goes to school

11. posted by younger at June 17, 2007 11:40 pm :
    

    old sounds like what my grandma would call a ninny.

12. posted by tiny at June 18, 2007 9:36 am :
    

    Do any of you have children that actually go to a public school in Richmond right now? My children attend Belleview and it is an EXCELLENT school. I am so pleased with this school, not only for it academic excellence, but also for its social mission to teach respect, provide a safe place for children to learn, and the above and beyond dedication of its teachers.

    I cannot comment on any other schools, but I do know the principal at Chimborazo and I know she’s done a great job there. There seems to be an assumption the schools are “bad”, but I see so much positive.

    I used to send my children to private school because I believed the myth that the Richmond public schools were not up to par academically. I now believe that private school was a big waste of money. Also, there are no SOLs to measure one private school against another or against the public schools (although there is some testing that is done). My oldest child actually had to catch up once we started attending Belleview. But, the staff was dedicated to helping him get there. They put in all sorts of extra time and effort to help - something the private school REFUSED to do.

    And, having a school right here in the neighborhood allowed my kids to make friends with neighborhood children, rather having to set up play dates out in the west end so they could hang out with their school friends.

    If there is waste in the system, it should certainly be addressed. But do not assume the schools are no good.

13. posted by GRRRRRR! at June 18, 2007 1:45 pm :
    

    …if the Richmond schools were good, most of you would not have been able to afford to buy a house in this neighborhood.

14. posted by bill at June 18, 2007 4:08 pm :
    

    tiny, no i don’t have any children in rps now. the youngest graduated rps june 2006. i do not doubt your claim about belleview. The principal there taught my youngest in the third grade at another school. that (principal) teacher’s ability to identify learning styles and match with a teaching strategy was amazing. all of the students in the class were taught to read. she was offered a asst principal spot in chesterfield but was recruited back to rps a few years later for the principal at belleview. that small part is a real success story. too bad it is not typical at rps. you will bet a better view if you continue to stay in the system. your view of private schools mirrors my experience. the private schools seem to be set up for a social need. rps schools generally suck, but good news is that there is plenty of room for improvement.

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