MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) –
WSFA 12 News has reaction to a scathing letter from the state education
department about Montgomery’s public schools. The letter was to inform
Montgomery schools the state is extending its investigation into grade
changing.
State Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice says the investigation
reveals widespread and systemic problems or deficiencies within the Montgomery
school system; harsh words that surprised Montgomery’s Superintendent and
members of the school board.
“What are you talking about?” School board President Eleanor Dawkins
echoes the reaction of the other members after they read the letter.
“I think that he needs to clarify those words,” Montgomery
Superintendent Barbara Thompson says the issues are old. “I don’t
think these were new items, so I think we’ve addressed many of
these” And she says the letter isn’t specific enough.
“When you want me to react to generalizations, you have to give me
specifics”
Dawkins says, “the implications are that she’s not doing her
job”. She and board member Beverly Ross believe there’s an ulterior
motive behind the letter. “I do think that somebody somewhere has
some goals to make us continuously look bad, “Dawkins says. “There’s a purpose behind it.”
And Dawkins says the board is
ready to address any issue necessary. “We are not saying by any
means that MPS is spotless… If there’s something wrong, tell us and we’ll fix
it, if you don’t like what we’ve sent you, tell us and we’ll send you
more”
But Thompson is defensive about the measures her office has already
taken. “We’ve turned in the reports that we were supposed to turn
in, all of the documentation’s been submitted that we are aware of up to this
point”
Still – the State Superintendent’s letter about the investigation clearly
points to problems with the system as a whole. “Well he’s never used
the words widespread or systematic with me, so that’s why you probably need to
get it from him,” says Thompson. She does not have another meeting
scheduled with Dr. Bice.
Dawkins and Ross insists something doesn’t add up with this letter – saying
it’s just the opposite of what Dr. Bice has told them.
School board Vice President Heather Sellers sent this written statement:
“I take any misconduct
seriously and am awaiting the details on the findings from the ALSDE. We
will act swiftly and firmly once we are given more details.”
Durden Dean told WSFA 12 News
Reporter Bethany Wales over the phone, “today is a bad day,” his
scheduled was too busy to sit down. And Mary Briers said “I don’t do
camera interviews”. Robert Porterfield and Melissa Snowden didn’t
return phone calls.
The State Superintendent’s office says Dr. Bice won’t comment until the
investigation is over.
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