School Board Member Henderson, critic of PHSSA curriculum, has had “cursory level” review of RPS curriculm
Chris Dovi of Richmond Magazine.com takes a closer look at the battle that the Richmond School Board is waging on Patrick Henry School and specifically the actions of Maurice Henderson and the critical letter by School Board Chair Kim Bridges. There are so many juicy quotes in this article that I’m honestly overwhelmed on which ones to pick.
School Board member Henderson sticks to statements that PHSSA doesn’t have an integrated curriculum however from the Dovi article “he acknowledged that his own review of RPS’ curriculum was “at a very cursory level.” He would not respond when asked whether he had reviewed Patrick Henry’s curriculum.” Take a second to re-read that sentence. A school board member only has a “cursory” review of RPS curriculum yet sits in judgment of PHSSA curriculum. This same man won’t even admit to having read the PHSSA curriculum which makes me think that he hasn’t even graced the PHSSA curriculum with a cursory review.
One point that Bridges brought up was the turnover in key accounting and Secretary positions, yet somehow doesn’t mention some of the reasons for that turnover.
Anita Zimmerman, an accountant hired by Richmond Public Schools to work with Patrick Henry’s board, agreed, saying the nonprofit board’s books were in good order. She only served at the school between early March 2011 and June 30, 2011, indicating that she left frustrated that the School Board’s central office staff would not cooperate — or even to establish communication — with her.
Even better in my mind the following tidbit that sums up the School Board’s interaction with PHSSA. Keep in mind that Zimmerman was hired by RPS.
Zimmerman says her interactions with the RPS board and central office staff were best typified by one meeting toward the end of her tenure. Arriving for the meeting with the RPS board, she says Bridges approached her “minutes” beforehand and gave her a list of discussion items and then announced that Zimmerman had been “asked beforehand to give a presentation” on the information requested.
“You often felt like you were being set up,” she said. “It was … you against us.”
These are just a couple examples, please head over to the article to see quotes from the other half of H&H (Page), PTA President Joy Simpson, and Marty Jewell. Formal PHSSA response to the Kim Bridges letter can be found here.
Often critics of PHSSA have never attended a meeting, never met the board members and never taken the time to adequately educate themselves about the very thing they are criticizing.
Can school board members be impeached or recalled?
Where’s the community outrage about a school board member only having a “cursory level” review of RPS curriculum? http://t.co/3ekrEfW9 #rps
Pretzel logic. He also states he never even read the letter he handed out to Patrick Henry parents…?? Listen up 5th district…he’s up for re-election
Wow…just wow. My husband and I are making serious sacrifices to send our son to private school so he can get a great education invested in by folks who actually focus on the educational aspect instead of politics and power. I already feel like a fool paying taxes toward a public school system where the school board is populated by people who are 1) non vocal puppets, 2) vocal puppets (Kim Bridges) or 3) people who are so hell bent on sabotaging a successful school they have become blind to reason (Henderson). How are Richmond kids benefiting from this self-serving agenda RPS? Shame on YOU!
@mystified: You are correct. All citizens of Richmond should tell the RPS “Shame on you!”
Any Richmond citizen can voice their opinions directly to their school board reps. Find contact info for them here: http://web.richmond.k12.va.us/Administration/SchoolBoard/Members.aspx. Write letters to the newspaper, to Richmond Magazine, to city council. PHSSA will also attend RPS School board meeting on January 17th. I don’t think it would be inappropriate to bring in state representatives into this either. The governor just committed add’l funds to education, some of which goes to RPS. We all have a stake in the success of this charter school.
Wow. I see that the 4th district School Board member, Adria Scott, was with Henderson when he invaded the PTA meeting. Tell me who’s running against her in support of honest dealings protecting kids’ best interests, and I’ll volunteer for that person’s campaign.
Also, as an engineer I’d be happy to volunteer occasionally for science projects. Is there a way to sign up?
If 1/4 of the school board would put 1/4 of this much effort into all of the city schools we would see sweeping changes. I agree with a recent blog statement I read recently: success in RPS schools are not because of the school board or non-qualified Brandon but rather in spite of them. I spent a decade attempting to teach in RPS and while I had great success with my students, the system that is RPS made it literally impossible to continue working for them.I moved to another system and celebrate it everyday. What I mourn are all the students with no choice, which is ironic considering the latest attempt is to convince folks that RPS is the best choice.
@ Melissa – I am sure that the teachers would love to have you come in and talk with the students. I suggest contacting PHSSA.volunteers@gmail.com I am sure that once we are all moved into the new building someone will contact you.
@So OverRPS – AMEN! Seeing how they are dealing with PHSSA really makes you wonder how hard they are making it for other educators to succeed in the Richmond Public School system. I think a tidal wave of change is coming…for the better.
Emailed. Thanks @ toesinthesand!