Proficient & Ready To Work

It has been an extremely difficult two years for our school administration. The redistricting alone would have put an extraordinary strain on average school systems. Add to that the mess created by having Elaine Farris as our superintendent and it’s a recipe for disaster. Yet, that’s not what happened at all.

By now, you’ve seen the numbers and know that Clark County Schools are proficient. George Rogers Clark is no longer a focus school. Superintendent Paul Christy accomplished in only two years what Elaine Farris never could in nearly four years. AND….he did it while redistricting, rebuilding and revitalizing. He managed to get better test scores even while testing more students.

There has been a lot of focus placed on college and career ready students. Several years ago, the previous administration even adopted the motto of having every student college or career ready. Yet, they never could hit the mark. In 2012, 167 students were college ready. A 166 were in 2013. But in 2014 the number swelled to 186! Even more staggering was the jump in career ready students. From 2013 (a year attributed to Elaine Farris in the testing world) to 2014 the number of career ready students more than doubled. That is a tremendous accomplishment considering in past years the number of career ready students has increased/decreased by only one or two points.

Several things can impact these numbers, not the least of which is the overall morale of employees and students. It is impossible to ignore what a huge increase came with the change of superintendent and board members. Leadership will clearly make or break a system. This county has undergone changes most schools systems would find unimaginable and could cause a significant setback to students and staff. But Clark County weathered the storm and came out stronger than ever.

Our students are reaping the rewards of a united community and school system with improved leadership. Students who are career ready, leave school, enter the workforce and improve our community. Students who are college ready, go on to higher education, return and improve our community. We are at last in a situation where we all win. Stand Up Clark County and applaud the superintendent, board of education, employees and students of Clark County Schools.

Integrity Matters Regardless Who Is In Office

Some have the misconception that Stand Up Clark County was formed only to fight the previous administration.  That is absolutely incorrect.  Stand Up Clark  County isn’t a club.  It is a movement.  It is a citizen’s group committed to fighting and righting all sorts of wrongs, both in and out of the school system.  When information is brought forward, it is investigated and determined to the best of our ability if it is credible or not.  If it is, it does not matter who is on the other end of the wrong.  It will be brought out so that the citizens of this great community can make appropriate decisions.

That being said, this instance does, in fact, have to do with the school system —-AGAIN!  Considering our past, citizens are significantly less tolerant of misdeeds.  Therefore, they will be aired here at first instance.      

Let us be perfectly clear about what the citizens of Clark County expect from their school administration.

1.  Integrity of the highest level.  

2.  Extreme work ethic.

3.  No good ole-boy networking

4.  Superiors hold those in their charge accountable for the FIRST wrong & allow them a chance to correct it.

5.  Acceptance that your job is for the education and betterment of this community first and you second.

Stand Up Clark County takes the position that it is always best to keep in mind that you are not getting away with what you think you’re getting away with.  Someone is always watching, and the truth is always revealed.

Stand Up, Clark County, and accept nothing but the absolute best for our kids. 

Bringing Receipts to Expose Fraud BJ Swope

Former board of education member, BJ Swope recently decided to “get a few things off his chest”. Recently, he posted this to his FB.

“My view on the local politics. Some decisions were made 4-1/2 years ago for the safety of students. The new board is elected and they did not address the safety concerns that was brought up in 2008. The concerns was a “game changing” enough that I changed my stance on a topic in April 2008. I lost “friends” and the trust of the people around me because what I found out but kept my mouth shut, hoping and praying that the problem will get solved. I will not go into detail but am very disappointed in the direction of this new board. The new board has chose to play politics and hire someone that was the least qualified candidate academically. The new board members ran on the platform of “we want to save small schools & were against the merged middle school,” yet hired the one candidate that voted twice in a sub-committee for the current facility plan. Way to “stand up Clark County” for the best interests of students and not your own political desires.”

BJ was my board representative, and I trusted him. Due to the ongoing litigation, I cannot get into the specifics of what BJ told me, but suffice it to say, he was not a fan of Elaine Farris or Judy Hicks. In fact, he was not a fan of anything that was taking place, or so it would seem. In January 2011, BJ voted against accepting a personnel package that contained the firing of GRC’s head football coach. Later, I would learn through legally obtained emails that BJ was not only telling me what the board was doing, but also he was telling the board what I was doing. I thought I was talking to a trusted advisor. I had no way of knowing he was playing both sides against the middle. I feel I must now apologize to the community for the faith I had in BJ Swope. I was duped once, but I will not be again. BJ Swope is the absolute last person who should be discussing student safety or anything else about our schools. However, you do not need me to tell you that. Just take a look at his remarks in his own words.

This email was retrieved through Kentucky‘s Open Records Law, which is ironic considering there is nothing open about it. While it seems BJ had concern for the kids, it should be noted that the school in question was already housing students. Which means he knew of a direct threat to our students and did not report it to the public. He opted instead to continue chasing down answers from people he believed was being evasive. The email dated September 23, 2010 but according to BJ’s recent FB post he knew back in 2008. The post states it was a “game changer” as he reversed his opinion on building the new high school. According to BJ himself, he opted to build the new high school because of safety issues at the old GRC building.

BJ openly admits to “keeping his mouth shut” about the safety issues. Which means he knew for YEARS students were in danger and did not a single thing to protect them. How many students were in jeopardy? How many still are in danger? Even now, he will not come clean. He openly admits to endangering the lives of thousands of students and did nothing but “hope and pray” the problem resolved itself. Are you kidding me?! How in the world could doing absolutely nothing to protect students ever be a good idea for anyone, most especially a board of education member? What about the students in the building now? Is the danger still there? Considering BJ’s level of resentment against the new board, it is a safe assumption to say he has not revealed his safety concerns. I suggest the parents of Conkwright Middle School students explore this safety threat.

The Kentucky School Board Association (http://www.ksba.org/) defines the code of ethical conduct a school board member should have and there is an oath of office each member takes. I have no idea what the repercussions are for a public official who confesses to violating his oath of office, voting against his constituents, failing to advise students of potential danger and deceiving the public,. What I do know is the current board of education is working hard to dig us from the muddy mire in which the previous board dumped us. They are performing their job in the face of great adversity with integrity, commitment, courage and a level of transparency we have not had in years, if ever.

Stand Up Clark County and so no more hypocritical leaders for our schools.

Principal Uses His Power To Get Playing Time For His Son

The Jessamine County Board of Education is currently hearing the contested demotion case of West Jessamine High School Principal, Ed Jones. Jones is accused of interfering in his son’s school athletics over a period of several years. The Jessamine Journal reports that a teacher alleges Jones told her he was “unhappy with the baseball team and his son’s playing time”. The teacher, Denise Hamilton, is married to the coach in question. She described the severe emotional toll of having to cope with what she believed was unethical behavior while trying to maintain her job. “That is my supervisor; he’s in charge of my professional career, and I’ve had outstanding evaluations for 10 years,” I take pride in what I do.’ When referring to an incident where Jones allegedly was angry over his son is playing time, Hamilton said; “I had never seen such rage.” The Journal goes on to state Hamilton testified she was “afraid for her professional career to the point of physical illness.”

Other employees reported Jones had frequently been heard screaming and yelling at employees and coaches. Others allege Jones made remarks such as “He better put my son in” and, “You don’t know who you’re messing with”.

Typically, in these situations a student with a relative abusing educational power gains an over-inflated sense of entitlement. If no one steps up to contest the ethical erosion, the student will see the benefits of continuing the family-trait of narcissism. They fail to realize that their lack of empathy increases the chance of future criminal behavior.

Sadly, this story is playing out in various ways in school districts across America. The very place that should be preparing our kids for a better future has become a breeding-ground for narcissist personality disorder. Compounding the issue are the educators whose goal is to survive so they silently wait for the coming year so they can pass the problem to the next person. That may be getting rid of the problem for one person but it does nothing to improve or enrich the life of the student.

We can compare what happens in our schools to a crocheting project. When you begin crocheting an afghan, it does not look like much. The pattern we hope we are creating remains hidden as one loop is weaved into the next. It is only after a significant amount of time, money and effort has been invested that we begin to see the pattern is not at all, what we expected. Then we must decide whether we should rip it out and begin again or attempt to cover up the parts we do not like.

A kid who depends on someone else’s power to get him through life will not have the first clue what to do when that power fails him. And make no mistake about it, that day will come. The only question is are we going to be people willing to rip out what’s wrong and start over while we have a chance to make a difference, or are we going watch the them self-destruction years later, unraveling from the inside out?

Stand Up Clark County and embrace the hobby of crocheting.

Trying To Answer Your Questions On Today’s Fast Breaking Events

Downtown Winchester, KY (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There have been some important events today. I’m always amazed at how quickly information travels. As you all know, I am restricted from discussing specifics of the lawsuit filed against the Columbias and me. I can confirm that yes there have been new developments today but I can elaborate no further. However, be assured that the moment we have secured our victory you will hear about it first right here.

The middle school merger is getting some long overdue attention. In addition to the previous post regarding Herald-Leader coverage you can follow this link http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-971738 to my CNN iReport.

Speaking of media attention, I will be interviewed tomorrow by Casey Castle of the Winchester Sun. I know many of you have been frustrated with the Sun coverage which is why I think it’s important you know about the interview. I have been very pleased with recent conversations with Mr. Castle and am thrilled he has taken on the endeavor of writing an in-depth report of the entire school issue.

I know many of you want answers and you will have them as soon as I am able to release them to you. Until then be pleased with the changes your commitment has brought about and look forward to the fantastic days ahead.

Stand Up Clark County and stay tuned.

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Herald-Leader Reports on Failing Facilities Plan

Herald-Leader Reports on Failing Facilities Plan

This link will connect you to Kentucky.com where you can read Lexington Herald-Leader educational reporter Jim Warren’s article regarding the upcoming Frankfort meeting for the Clark County facilities plan.

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Kudos To Kuduk For His Handling Of Tonight’s BOE Controversy

When Dr. Michael Kuduk became the board chair he made it clear that a major priority will be improving the district and community relationship. He certainly demonstrated his commitment tonight. Even though tonight’s board meeting meets Kentucky Open Meeting regulations that was not enough for Dr. Kuduk. He has higher expectations. He does not want a board willing to meet the bare minimum of the law. Instead, he seeks a board that embodies the “spirit of the law“. That spirit is how the board carries out KRS statute 61.805 which states that the public must have ample notice regarding any meeting that will be discussing public business. Dr. Kuduk made clear  someone had failed to put the public’s best interest first and he was not happy about it.

To remedy the situation, Dr. Kuduk announced the board wouldn’t be taking action on any agenda items tonight. Instead, the public would be made aware of what was going to be discussed so they may attend the next meeting if they desire. He went on to say the board would continue with presentations from superintendent search organizations in attendance but there be no board vote on it until the public had an opportunity to comment.  What is likely not a surprise to anyone,  Judy Hicks objected.

Judy determined that because one of the agenda items was the acceptance of Superintendent Elaine Farris’s  resignation they shouldn’t hear any presentations until the resignation had been formally accepted by the board.  Judy seems to be laboring under the misconception that Elaine’s resignation is questionable. Dr. Kuduk pointed out that Elaine publicly announced her resignation to the board at the last meeting and it has been posted on the  district’s website.  He concluded that it would be a tremendous waste of time for the organizations prepared to pitch their services to now be denied because someone on our part dropped the ball.

In her typical passive-aggressive style, Judy continued to verbally spar with Dr. Kuduk, who was having none of her nonsense. Then in a shocking move, Judy attempted to undermine Dr. Kuduk by soliciting the opinion of board attorney Henry Rosenthal. Rosenthal agreed with Dr. Kuduk, stating it was common knowledge Elaine resigned and the vote to accept her resignation was formality because Elaine couldn’t be forced to work at a job she quit.  Discussion over.

The importance of the exchange between Dr. Kuduk and Judy Hicks cannot be ignored. Judy claimed only to be asking a question to get clarification. Yet, there was no confusion. It had been established that Dr. Kuduk was acting in accordance with the law and that Elaine had made her resignation public.  Despite these glaring facts Judy continued to press the issue.

Dr. Kuduk is the chairman of the board which technically makes him Judy’s boss. In what other job would an employee be allowed to continue protesting the instructions of her boss and not be insubordinate? Insubordination is grounds for automatic dismissal in the working world. While Judy’s behavior is up for interpretation, it certainly raises some questions. Is she having trouble relinquishing control of the board to Dr. Kuduk? Was she challenging Dr. Kuduk because she personally resents him? Is there a deeper, more sinister motive of which we are not privy?

It’s important to keep these questions in mind. If Judy is on a personal mission it is the responsibility of the board and the community to seek her removal from the board. It is also our responsibility to give Judy an opportunity to demonstrate that she is willing to work with the new board for the betterment of Clark County students. At this stage we can’t determine for certain what is taking place so we should carefully observe her behaviors and attitudes in the future.

In the mud of all the legalities, petty differences and personal agendas one thing is absolute. A new era has arrived in Clark County. Change is marching in and taking no prisoners. Dr. Michael Kuduk is taking the board of education in a new direction. People are talking about how, under his leadership, the board is more focused on priorities. As more energy, enthusiasm and zeal tear through the board the public celebrates its readmission into education.

Stand Up Clark County and give kudos to Kuduk.

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Demanding Answers From Public Servants Is Not Harassment – It’s Accountability

If someone was lying about you so bad that it incited public hatred of you what would you do?  Would immediately begin to stop it by talking to the individual?   Would you exhaust all the efforts at your disposal before going to court?

Steve and I addressed the board and superintendent at the March board meeting about improving community relations. After Steve spoke Elaine Farris went on and on about how we were “encroaching harassment” and would hear from her attorney. She then got up out of her chair and went to the podium. She apologized to the parents in attendance for having to listen to our negative remarks about her. She said negative attacks were, all part of the job but she could take it because she’s got “big shoulders”. As she said it, she raised her arms and flexed her muscles in a strong man pose.

In May, after the first emails were posted on Facebook I went back to the board and pleaded with them to put an end to all of this by simply making a commitment to talk to the community. I told her we wanted to stop the postings and just have a conversation about the concerns. She blew off the  Facebook postings as inconsequential and alternately made faces at me and played on her iPad while I spoke.

Eight months after her lawsuit threat Elaine finally filed. But she didn’t name Steve even though it was his remarks that prompted the threat. She named Paul, Pattie and me. Why did she wait? Why didn’t she include Steve? Why did she sue Paul when he’s not even on Facebook? According to postings by the group KY Anonymous, Elaine responded immediately to them by having their Twitter accounts shut down. Why hasn’t she shut mine down?

As I understand it, the lawsuit states that we have been harassing and slandering Elaine for so long it has incited public hatred against her. If that is the case why didn’t she stop it before it reached public hatred stage? When told that simply talking to the community would put an end to all of this why didn’t she do it? Why didn’t she even follow through on her own idea of interacting with the community?

If  I have been lying all of this time and Elaine has made no attempt to even discuss the issues then she is responsible for the public’s perception of her, not us. She did not follow through on her threat to sue for eight months. She didn’t file the suit until after she lost control of the board through the election and learned that Patti had filed harassment charges against her niece.

Elaine has had the tools, knowledge, power and opportunity all along to put an end to this. She has made the choice not to do so. With her actions, inactions and words,  she alone is the creator of her image.

Stand Up Clark County for truth.

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Judy Hicks Knows She’s Lost Public Support

I am responding to Judy Hicks comments in the Winchester Sun because so many of you have asked me to. What I first want to say is we need to see this for what it is; a desperate attempt to save a sinking ship. It’s a whole smoke-and-mirrors act that isn’t even close to being honest.

We have previously posted emails from Elaine Farris where she treats the Winchester Sun more like her publicist than a local paper. We have emails between Judy and Elaine in which Judy says “Strong PR” will be needed to convince the public to buy into the superintendent’s propaganda. Even Debbie Fatkin admitted that Elaine has an uncanny ability to “use the media to her advantage”.

We must first look at the fact that it’s Judy, not Elaine. When have you ever seen our schools in the news for anything, and Elaine wasn’t prominent?  Why not now? Elaine’s picture and words have become a stigma. People are angry and fed up. Elaine is smart enough to know that any message coming from her would not be well received.

We should also note that Judy’s remarks are not a letter to the editor or a report from a Sun employee. This is the chairman of the board of education having her say about the controversy that is a major part of tomorrow’s election. In other words, it’s a political ad. Stand Up Clark County had an ad in today’s paper. The only difference is that we paid for ours.

The board claims the facilities plan has been in motion for years, so why, on election eve, would Judy suddenly feel the need to explain?  If her account in the Sun is accurate, why did she not mention it at the meeting with parents? Rather than respond to the people who vote her and the rest of the board she waited to take a one-sided stand at the midnight hour.

This deceitful tactic reveals how low this board is willing to stoop. Every middle school parent should be outraged. Judy Hicks is using your child’s education for her political gain. Rather than face you and respond to your questions, she opted to take an “ad” out in the paper when you can’t question her about the validity of her statements.

The fact remains that if anything Judy Hicks said in the paper today was actually correct, why wait until now to say it? Her intent was to provide a presentation that might give voters a bit of doubt and keep you from voting for the candidates backed by Stand Up Clark County. Then, after the election, you discover it was all just a fairytale. It is blatantly trickery and an insult to your intelligence.

We need board members willing to answer questions we put before them. We need board members more concerned about our kids than their image. We need to ask ourselves why the board is going to such lengths to keep us from voting for Ashley Ritchie, Michael McGowan, and Steve Graves.

This board knows that when those three are voted in, the community seizes control of the board room and our schools. That is something they can’t tolerate. If Judy Hicks is so certain she makes the right decisions, how come her kids weren’t educated in the schools she runs?

Stand Up Clark County, and tell Judy Hicks her deceitful tactics won’t work anymore. If you want the truth about the facilities plan, the only way to get it is to vote for Steve Graves, Michael McGowan, and Ashley Ritchie. They’ve been here all along, answering your questions when you ask.

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Middle School Parents Take A Look At Your Opposition

Yesterday I posted IP address 65.5.251.78 on my FB page telling her I was tracking her. I tried to ignore her but she is having none of that. So, I want you all to see what is happening behind the scenes.

I have listed her comments below followed by my responses to her. The first comments are in response to the post on the Community Eligibility Option.

Anonymous 65.5.251.78

Submitted on 2012/10/20 at 12:22 pm Please post the attachment explaining the rationale

Joan Graves

Submitted on 2012/10/20 at 4:18 pm | In reply to Anonymous. I’m not certain what you want me to post.If you go to the Winchester Sun’s website you can search the archives for the 2 articles I mentioned. You can go to the U.S. Dept. of Education & the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to obtain info on the Healthy hunger-free program & the Community Eligibility Option. Hope that answers your questions, if not let me know. Thanks for reading the blog.

Anonymous 65.5.251.78

Submitted on 2012/10/20 at 8:34 pm The attachment referenced in the emails with the district”s rationale

Joan Graves

Submitted on 2012/10/20 at 11:01 pm | In reply to Anonymous. The rational was the letter Elaine sent to the Winchester Sun on Aug. 2011. This is the link to that letter. http://www.centralkynews.com/winchestersun/news/ws-farris-free-lunch-for-all-isnt-an-option-20110809,0,1281648.story

This exchange left me thinking she wasn’t really interested in truth because the information was before her. All she had to do was a few minutes of research. When she found herself unable to dispute the facts I laid out she moved on to her next target.

When I posted about the middle school merger meeting I said, “Debbie Fatkin didn’t bother to show up.” Though, I didn’t go back to confirm it, I accepted that Debbie was at the meeting and apologized for the mistake.

Anonymous 65.5.251.78

Submitted on 2012/10/23 at 10:24 pm To clarify a statement above… Debbie Fatkin was in attendance tonight sitting in the front row next to BJ Swope. The room was crowded and it was easy to miss people in attendance.

Joan Graves

Submitted on 2012/10/23 at 11:04 pm | In reply to Anonymous. My apologies to Debbie. I didn’t see her & asked people that were there that apparently didn’t see her either. Thanks for bringing that to our attention.

It’s hard to argue when someone who admits a wrong and apologizes. Since her whole point is to discredit me she now starts grasping at straws.

Anonymous 65.5.251.78

Submitted on 2012/10/24 at 7:12 pm | In reply to Joan Graves. Winchester’s population is approximately 18,500. 200 people is barely over 1%. That is a far cry from a majority.

Joan Graves

Submitted on 2012/10/24 at 8:30 pm | In reply to Anonymous. I didn’t say everyone in the majority attended the meeting. How many times has a school board meeting drawn that many community members? That is about 5 times the average board meeting. There is a problem when that many people show up unhappy. This has been the case twice in the last 10 months. And it’s not just the same people voicing the same complaints.

Knowing she had nothing to fight facts with she dropped it and moved on to the candidate forum. Obviously, this is just an attempt to provoke a fight so I didn’t bother responding.

Anonymous 65.5.251.78

Submitted on 2012/10/26 at 8:14 am Wonderful public forum last night at the extension office. Here are my thoughts on the candidates for the school board. Mr Graves – He came across to me as “a jokester”, full of negativity and has a personal agenda. Not someone I’d vote for to move our schools forward. Dr Griffin – She started out a little nervous but came around. Seems to be in the race for “ALL” the kids. Very intelligent lady. Someone I’d vote for. Mrs Fatkin – Has a lot of experience and has lobbied for “ALL” the kids. She’s someone I’d vote for. Mr McGowan – Oh my!! What a jerk. Another one with a personal agenda. He must have been called to the principles office many times. No way would he get my vote. Ms Ritchie – Interesting character. Definitely in over her head. She had to read off McGowan’s paper to answer questions. Did she do that in class too? No way would I vote for her. Mrs Wolfe – Very nice quiet lady. Seemed to very genuine. She seems like she’d bring some common sense to the board. I’d vote for her. So, stand up Clark County and continue to move our schools forward. Vote for Griffith, Fatkin and Wolfe.

Since she was having trouble baiting me she stepped up her assault and went after the middle school merger. The gloves are off and the profanity unleashed.

Sit Down Stand Up Clark County sitdownstandup@gmail.com 95.154.230.191

Submitted on 2012/10/27 at 12:51 am Slow down? What the hell are you talking about? This has been in the works for years? Slow? The only thing slow around here is your reaction time to the issue. We (Winchesters natives capable of rational & independent thought) are so sick of you and your self righteous husband and all the bullshit you’re both peddling as facts. Please, just go back to sleep and let the intelligent grown ups deal with these issues. This is all too important to let some sad little housewife with an axe to grind have any say in the matter. Woohoo – you filed some paperwork and got to look at some random emails. What in the hell makes you think this gives you insight into anything? You take it all out of context, mix it up and vomit back some ridiculous unfounded and unproven claims like you have some special insight. First it was fun to watch you make a fool of yourself, but we can’t take it anymore. Ok, so to stay on topic. Since apparently BJ Swope’s judgement is valuable enough for you to pick apart this portion of an email conversation and use it for your own personal agenda, then let me ask you this — if BJ Swope is smart enough to not vote for the middle school because of security concern, then why aren’t you pressing him to know what that concern was? I’ll answer for you: because you’re too deep into your own BS to keep sight on the real issue. If BJ Swope hasn’t done something since 2010 to make sure this security concern was fixed, then his opinion shouldn’t be of any value to you. – and if the security issue hasn’t been addressed yet, then this renovation of the school should be fast tracked so we can make sure our students are safe. Your arguments are weak. Sit Down Stand Up Clark County.

This is typical behavior. When they can’t do anything else they lie, curse and name call. They demand evidence but provide none of their own. When they get evidence they discredit it. In order to draw attention from the truth they start making personal attacks and trying to drag everyone else down to their level. It is classic text-book desperation.

Ashley Ritchie, Michael McGowan and Steve Graves articulated their thoughts, priorities and goals for the school board. All three candidates spoke with confidence, proving they have the ability to remain faithful to the change we all want and need. Seeing that displayed before the masses has scared the heck out of our opponents. They were hoping our candidates would fall on their face but when they saw the support they received an attack was in order. Because anytime they are failing they turn to the only tactic they remain true to: bullying.

My refusal to respond to their attack only increased their desperation. Because lets face it, one thing I’ve always been consistent with is my passion. That passion can just as easily work against me as for me. They have been able to provoke me several times in the past but unlike them I’ve admitted my mistakes apologized and moved on. This community and these students are far more important than me giving into my desire to klunk their heads together.

Each day more people come forward and square off with our current board. It can no longer be said that this is all the result of an angry “housewife with a personal vendetta”. We have middle school parents and students able to articulate with controlled passion exactly what is wrong with our current school decisions. The school board’s ship of deception, arrogance and selfishness is sinking and there is no life-preserving in sight.

Stand Up Clark County and say no to childish temper tantrums and yes to change.

 

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