news
Glenda Scott
Scott has been the interim principal at THS since January, taking the place of Mac Curlee, who retired. She had been on sick leave for three weeks. When she returned, she requested the new position.
Tupelo Superintendent Randy Shaver announced the change Thursday night in a question-and-answer session at Milam Elementary.
I believe Dr. Shaver and the new administration is doing what they believe is best for the district. It may not make sense now to most of us, but give it time. Laptops are already making a major impact on those students who tend to sleep in class.
Plus he's the CEO of the only real newspaper in the region. And the founder of that newspaper, George McLean (Crews' mentor) (Crews also lives in McLean's former house), was responsible for the creation of CDF and CREATE (which is the majority owner of the paper).
So if you don't think that gives him significant power, especially in the area of education (particularly in the Tupelo School District); you need to rethink that one.
Crews doesn't have the spine to be out front in anything, so he undermines those he doesn't like by talking them down behind their backs to the more overt leaders in Tupelo. Then they wind up taking the actions.
In my opinion, the "good ole buddy system" was getting old. People wanted change. SO, TPSD brings in this innovative guy from NC who thinks he can make an excellent school district better. Tough job for anyone. First thing he does is warm students over with apple laptops. Secondly, he rewards students with a new principal after they revolt over a discipline episode that worked from what I hear. Seems as if DOC can not handle upper management or board members are running the district.
The newness has worn off even our PRESIDENT. The laptops won't save DOC in this district.
Billy Crews.
Yes, that's the same Billy Crews who runs this newspaper. Well, who actually occupies the position that should be running the newspaper.
But he really doesn't do anything but draw a $250K salary and run around with the rest of the "Tupelo power brokers".
For whatever reason, he developed a dislike for McCoy and before you know it, McCoy's gone!!
Coincidence? I don't think so!!
So, if you miss McCoy, you can blame Mr. Crews.
In short, it is hard to point fingers at humans. I point it at SOME aspects of modern education policy and law.
The focus of education needs to be returned to teaching students to become good independent citizen, not trying to be the best school in the state. Doing well on a standardized test does not make a good employee or citizen. Discipline makes a good citizen, employee, and student.
If discipline is restored in our schools, students will do better on standardized tests and in their subjects automatically. We are currently trying to make them proficient in subjects and standardized test without discipline. If that means you have to sit out of school for a period of time, so be it. That way we can focus on students who care about learning, not ones looking for a free pass.
Is it the teachers fault?
Is it the students fault?
Combination of ALL?
From what I'm hearing and reading, kids can actually fight now without going to alternative school. Fighting should be zero tolerance! Enough said.
IS TPSD a shell of its former self?
If a child fails a class, no big deal, just come for 4 weeks in the summer and pass the class. There does not need to be a safety net in education. There is not one in the private sector. If a child pushes a teacher out of the way, the child's word is taken over the teacher because the incident was not "caught on the security cameras".
Hands are tide in the school system. It is time that the school use major discipline for major problems. If they can't do that, then why try to even teach?
I used to like to blame teachers and principals for school problems. My tune was changed when I actually got a job as a teacher.