In Talks With Site Meter

I have been in touch with the good people at Site Meter. They are checking to see if they can retrieve the post and give me the complete IP address. They say it may take a week, but they will be in touch. I have emailed the commissioners and told them that a simple public apology from the person that did this, will make it all go away. No investigations and no courts. The attorney general's office in Atlanta knows the route to Camden to well. So I don't think they would mind at all coming down and checking things out. I have also talked to my friend Greg, at the Police Complaint Center in Washington D.C., and he said just call and they will be on the next plane down. If this person would just stand up and say they did it and say they are sorry, I would have a lot more respect for them. But to hide like a little child scared to come out is so immature. And this is one of our leaders. Way to lead by example.

A Letter From The Office Of The Commissioners

Click on image to enlarge

Taking It To The House

That's right The Real School Police have made it to Capitol Hill. This blog has been read by at least one member of the House of Representives. I am guessing good ole Jack Kingston was the one. And you know how news travels in Washington. Could we actually get viewed by the White House as well. Only time will tell. I have no problem with them reading my blog. The more people see how this county is run the better it will be for all. Is this not great. What did we do before the internet? I know nothing, and our elected official could get away with murder. Like Ted Kennedy did. He would not walk away a free man in todays world.


Domain Name

house.gov ? (United States Government)
IP Address

143.231.249.# (Information Systems, U.S. House of Representatives)
ISP

Information Systems, U.S. House of Representatives
Location

Continent
:
North America
Country
:
United States (Facts)
State
:
District of Columbia
City
:
Washington
Lat/Long
:
38.8933, -77.0146 (Map)
Distance
:
616 miles
Language

English (United States)en-us
Operating System

Microsoft WinXP
Browser

Internet Explorer 6.0Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322)
Javascript

version 1.3
Monitor

Resolution
:
1024 x 768
Color Depth
:
32 bits
Time of Visit

Dec 28 2006 8:26:55 am
Last Page View

Dec 28 2006 8:27:12 am

Referring URL

Visit Entry Page

http://www.schoolpolice.blogspot.com/
Visit Exit Page

http://schoolpolice....y-personal-life.html
Out Click


Time Zone

UTC-5:00
Visitor's Time

Dec 28 2006 8:26:55 am
Visit Number

1,295

How Soon They Forget

Another part of this verbal assault states "You take and take but never give back." Back in the year 2000, My wife and I owned a restaurant we donated subs to almost anyone who asked, and even those who didn't. Like the Sheriff's office. We would take them party platters at least once a month. I am sorry that this was not in the police and credit reports that you pulled. I will call the state and make sure they are updated. I guess this Commissioner likes to brag about what they have done. I do not. I don't need to be put up on a pedestal like some elected official in this county would perfer. I don't sit back waiting for a pat on the back. So mr. or MS. Commissioner have you figured out who's the boss yet. Would love to hear what you have to say. Please comment more. The only thing I have taken back from Camden County is my right to free speech. And we would not have it if elected officials Gary Blount, One or more of the Commissioners, and of course my personal favorite Jimmy Coffel had their way. These people are our best friends during the campaigns, and as soon as they are elected they no longer work for us but for themselves.

Not even close to being done with this.

You Are No Beneficial Member of Society

You are no beneficial member of society, this comes from a member of the County Commissioners. This Commissioner sure does talk tough. I am sure he or SHE is still talking tough. I am sure he or SHE is still saying I really nailed it to that Rick Rogers. You mr. or MS. Commissioner are nothing more than a little child scared that you are going to get in trouble. I think you are the one that has no benefit to society. I must say I don't hide behind false names and do illegal things to try and make people look bad like you do. I wonder if the other Commissioners will still allow you to play in the sand box. I'm sure they will. So I guess the comment of who's the boss really disturbed you. I wonder why? Which one of the Commissioners would be rattled by the comment of Who's The Boss. In case you missed it I said on Sandy Feller's blog "who is the boss". Is Sheriff Smith the boss during the day and Ms. Sears the boss at night. This is an honest question considering she works for the Sheriff and is also in charge of the Sheriff's office as a County Commissioner. Now which one of the Commissioners would offended by this. I wonder?

Open Records Request Received

And guess what? They can't tell me the name. Not because they don't want to, they REALLY want to tell me the person, but they don't have the last three digits of the IP address. The last three digits they assign for their use only. I do have a call in to my IT guys at work, but I think all they have to do is look on the server and it will tell them what computer logged into my blog at that time. They just don't want to tell me so I guess I will have to go to court to get this info. If I do have to go to court for this info, I will be compensated for my time. More to come, will let you know what my IT guys say.

Open Records Request

I have filed an open records request with the Chairman of the Commissioners David Rainer. The request just simply asks for the name of the employee that uses the computer in question. I got feeling the Board of Commissioners are going to come under a lot of fire for this one. If the board would like to settle this matter with out the use of courts they can always contact me through this blog or I am sure they could just pull my phone records and get my number that way. This is really serious not to mention illegal. I wonder if they do wire tapping as well. Folks you don't have to worry about George Bush tapping your phone, but I can't say the Board of Commissioners won't. Just another thought......

I will keep you posted.

Commissioner Attacks My Personal Life, Is Yours Next?

This was posted yesterday by one of our County Commissioners. I believe since it only says I have seen you, that this person does not know me. Yet they seem to think they know my background.

ARE THEY PULLING CREDIT AND POLICE REPORTS ON PRIVATE CITIZENS????????

You all know me I won't quit until I get to the bottom of this.
I know Jimmy Coffel is sitting there reading this with a grin on his face. Because this takes some pressure off the board. But don't worry we will talk school board stuff again next year.

Here is the post as it was written:

Mr. Rogers, I find it extremely interesting that you feel so inclined to pass judgement on those who seek only to assist in problem areas whether it be in education, band or politics. You are no beneficial member of society. You take and take but never give back. Look at your history and where you came from. New York, New Jersey, and so on and on. What happens to make you move so much...is the heat getting to you so you have to move on? Or the creditors coming down on you? Before you sweep around others doors you should take a hard look at what is around your own door. I understand one door you visited was the courtroom of Kingsland Police Department.I also think it is comical that you use a dog photo in your profile. It is not far from the truth. I have seen you and was not that impressed to say the least.

Of course they were too scared to say their real name. I may attack many of you, but I never attacked your personal life. How can this person look at my history yet has only seen me and does not know me?

I will and have asked for an investigation in to this matter.

Check the comments for the complete list of how many and how long this person wasted our money.

I want to a sure everyone that I will not comment on who posts as long as you keep on the topic and don't involve personal matters.

Corruption, Corruption, Corruption

If you don't like the fact that the United States taps phone lines, then you won't like the fact that your county commissioners are pulling your credit and police reports to get trash on you.

More to come.
You can count on it.

From Sandy's Website

URGENT MESSAGE
Posted by Sandy on December 13th, 2006 — Posted in Misc. Government & Politics

As the political campaigns fade into memory. As the DEMOCRAT and REPUBLICAN parties close their offices and drift into hibernation till next time. Now comes reality. While the folks up in ATLANTA contemplate new ways of picking your pocket. Now comes a revelation. It would seem that they are zeroing in on teachers retirement benefits as a source for revenue for more attractive projects. For information on how you can help the teachers who taught your kids contact Dr. Ann Proctor, Superintendent of schools, Camden County Schools Kingsland Ga. They were there for you, now it’s payback time. Do it right now.
Thanks
Sandy Feller
County Commissioner District #4
“People count”

Now I agree with Sandy 95 percent of the time. I think at this time I have to disagree with him.

I will comment more on this later.

Just Another Person's Opinion

From the Tribune and Georgian

Author unkown

Opinion

Adults must set good example for local youth


Adults in the United States often repeat the following question: "What is wrong with kids today?"What many of them fail to account for is that "kids today" were raised by - or are being raised by - the very adults who utter that question.
The example set by their elders directly affects the behavior of the younger generation, and it is not only the parents' behavior that might teach children - by example - what is acceptable behavior.The first lesson adults need to learn is that children are not their peers. There has been ample criticism of the Camden County High School award-winning band out in the community, in the pages of the Tribune & Georgian letters to the editor section and by certain behaviors at football games.The purpose of being a part of a high school marching band is to learn - learn music, learn rhythm and get ready for college and possibly a career in the music industry. Part of that training requires a great deal of practice in order to be competitive with other marching bands, which Camden County's band clearly is.The practice schedule for a marching band to be ready for competition leaves little time to develop a second routine just to please the adults who attend high school football games.
We commend the parents and community members who support the football team, but why does that support stop there? What are we teaching our children when we boo a band that is bringing home awards and criticize a band director who is making that possible?But it is not just at the football stadium where adults need to check their behavior.Last weekend, St. Marys held its annual Search for the Yule Log. Admission was a toy to be donated to the St. Marys Police Auxiliary Badge of Benevolence for a needy child at Christmas, and the prize for finding one of the two yule logs was $100 cash. Competition was fierce, and while parents were allowed to help with the clues to get to the final place where the logs were hidden, they were not permitted to help look for the logs. The children were on their own.That, however, did not stop several parents from blatantly searching for the yule logs, while other parents stood on the sideline and followed the rules.A very young child in a stroller spotted the first log. The family attended the hunt with one purpose in mind: If we find the log, we will take the $100 to adopt a child from the angel tree and buy all the presents on that child's wish list.Even that noble intention did not stop other parents from whispering that the child's mother was the one who found the log, and it was unfair.The irony - if you missed it -_is that the people being criticized were the people who had the best of intentions, who were not going to "take the money and run,"_as many of us would.And they were following the example, literally, of last year's winner, who also donated her winnings to a charitable cause, but was also chastised for her own gesture. First, at the yule log hunt, and then in a letter to the editor because she bought gifts in Jacksonville rather than Camden County.Adults in the community should always think first before speaking or writing a letter. If we do that, we will raise a future generation of caring, tolerant and thoughtful people. After all, isn't that what we want most for our society?

I Can Take It

I Can Take It
I love freedom of speech and this women gives me HELL for my letter. But I can take it.Yet I only received two complaints so far. The other one I will not publish because that person was not man or women enough to give me their real name. So maybe more people agree with me than I thought. They agree that the football team does get treated differently. This women just can see that because she has a child in football. But that's ok. I still love the Wildcats.Here it is from the Tribune and Georgian letters to the editor:

Buying snacks helps support the band

Dear Editor,I feel I need to address the letter of Rick Rogers ("Is the band Camden County's Rodney Dangerfield?" Nov. 17).It seems because of some fans, it was a season filled with controversy. To Mr. Rogers, how does it make you feel to know you did not support the band by bringing your own snacks? The concession stand is run by the band parents (who do not get to see their child's half-time show) to raise money for the band!I'm to assume from your response, you didn't buy a program to support the cheerleaders, either. Do you remember (that) the fans help raise money for the new band uniforms when they passed the hats for donations? At least you admitted not knowing any band members.So next time, support the band, visit the concession stand before the game or before half-time if you prefer. Sometimes the wallet speaks louder than the voices of those who do not know all the facts. It is sad that the activities such as band, cheerleader, softball, football and many other activities rely on fundraisers and donations.To attack the grades of the students was definitely a lack of respect. The students in activities have rules about grades and performance. The students work hard and long hours (being at school longer than a normal 40-hour week) and still have homework and jobs. We do not need to put down one group of students to bring support for others.Please, everyone, remember these are children, not "grown-ups." Yes, we would like to teach them respect for each other. We do not need to teach them that the words of a few outweigh the support of the many.Yes, I'm a proud parent of football players and (a) middle school band member. So, everyone, please support the activities of your choice or all of them if you choose. I was sad to see my son's senior year tarnished by a few people's actions and opinions.

Marsha Squires
St. Marys

Marsha,
Yes I will visit the concession stand before the game so I can hear the band at halftime.I am sorry if I offended you or your children that was not my intention. My intention was to show how much difference there is in the football program and that the football program could show a little more support for the band. I will post every comment I receive on this issue both pro and con, as long as that person gives me their name.Also I would like to thank the Camden County Board of Education for their support of this blog. I know you hate it yet you can't help but look at it. It's just like a bad car wreck.

What About The Parents

Dear Ann Proctor,

I realize that you think virtually all of Camden County is behind the Wild Cat football team. And I would agree with you on that statement. Yet not all of Camden County works for you. I would say that a lot of people who support the Cats don't work for you, and don't have the time or money to find a babysitter so the school can close for a football game. I am not saying that you should not close the school, but this would have been a day some parents would have had to taken off to watch their kids. It is easy to say I can't come in to work because school is closed due to bad weather or a water main break, but here in the real world you can't go to your boss and say I need Friday off as the school is closed for a football game. All I ask is that for next year lets have some place to take the kids, whose parents don't work you, were they can be safe. Let's face it every year we get a last minute memo, or as is the case this year a letter to the editor. That letter was directed toward every employee of yours yet not one mention of the parents. I ask do you and the board realize your job is to work for the parents and children. If only you would make things this easy for us. We need to have a plan in place for next year so parents don't have to scramble around and find daycare with only a weeks notice.

Open Meetings Will Happen

I just can't tell you when. I guess whenever the board decides to do away with their communist views. I have given the board many chances and this is the last step I will take before seeking a legal remedy to this problem. Well I am more confident than ever that I will prevail. I do have court cases that will back up the peoples right to open meetings. Not to mention my witness list that include many leaders in the community. Let me take you back to the Ms. Martin incident. Ms. Martin wanted to speak out about her son being abused at school. Jimmy Coffel stop the meeting got out of his chair, went over to the podium to have a private conversation, at a public meeting, with Ms. Martin. My wife and I both questioned this procedure. Mr. Coffel then said he was closing the meeting and going into executive session. I also objected to this as not all people got to speak that night and Ms. Martin was hauled in executive session. A court case in Fayette County on this exact same issue yielded a settlement in favor of the plaintiff. If you remember correctly the police were to in that night. My first two witnesses. The two Kingsland police officers. Two reporter were also there one from the paper and one from the radio. And lets not forget Mr. Williams retired Judge in Kingsland also in attendance. Please let me know if you have a different version and I am sure you do as you are prone to lying. SO LET'S SAVE THE PEOPLE OF CAMDEN TIME AND MONEY AND JUST OPEN UP THESE MEETINGS.

Stand Up and Say

OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT
NO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT
OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE
WE'VE GOT THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND
THERE AIN'T NO WAY WE'LL LOSE IT
THIS IS OUR LIFE, THIS IS OUR SONG
WE'LL FIGHT THE POWERS THAT BE JUST
DON'T PICK OUR DESTINY 'CAUSE
YOU DON'T KNOW US, YOU DON'T BELONG
OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT
NO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT
OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE
OH YOU'RE SO CONDESCENDING
YOUR GALL IS NEVER ENDING
WE DON'T WANT NOTHIN', NOT A THING FROM YOU
YOUR LIFE IS TRITE AND JADED
BORING AND CONFISCATED
IF THAT'S YOUR BEST, YOUR BEST WON'T DO
OH.....................
OH.....................
WE'RE RIGHT/YEAH
WE'RE FREE/YEAH
WE'LL FIGHT/YEAH
YOU'LL SEE/YEAH
OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT
NO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT
OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE
OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT
NO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT
OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE
NO WAY!
OH.....................
OH.....................
WE'RE RIGHT/YEAH
WE'RE FREE/YEAH
WE'LL FIGHT/YEAH
YOU'LL SEE/YEAH
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT
NO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT, NO!
NO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE
JUST YOU TRY AND MAKE US
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT
COME ON
NO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT
YOU'RE ALL WORTHLESS AND WEAK
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE
NOW DROP AND GIVE ME TWENTY
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT
OH CRINCH PIN
NO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT
OH YOU AND YOUR UNIFORM
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE

A Letter To The Editor

From the Tribune and Georgian :
Is The Band Camden's Rodney Dangerfield ????

Dear Editor,
I usually reserve my one letter a month limit to criticize the Board of Education, take a jab at the Sheriff, or just laugh at the puppets on the Board of Commissioners, but what some people have done to our children, I can not let slide. And as most of you know I call as I see it.
You people in Camden County that booed our beloved band should be ashamed of yourselves. How dare you boo young kids who work just as hard as any member of the football team and probably have better grades than them. Although I am not a fan of any marching band, I can at least give them the respect that they deserve because they work so hard. I always thought when the band started playing it was time to hit the refreshment stand. Well, that will not happen anymore, as I will bring my own snacks and instead of supporting the refreshment stand, I will support the band. If you don't like the music, then criticize the instructor, but don't boo our kids. Did you all boo the football team when they lost in South Carolina, I didn't think so. So why would you boo other kids who try just as hard. Is there some kind of campaign to get rid of the the band? I know a few months ago Jimmy Coffel, Chairman of the Board of Education, said that if they did not raise taxes that the band would have to go. I couldn't believe he said that, but no one seemed to mind, not one letter to the editor, not one parent at the board meeting, nothing. Now, maybe our own fans want to get rid of the band to free up some more money for the football team. The band has been the only constant in the football program. Winners every year, can the football team say that. They have always excelled at competitions, yet have we closed school so more people could attend these competitions, NO. Why? What makes the football team so special? Now, the coach of the football team has asked for more support in a playoff game. He believes in his team so much, he took time to write a letter to the editor. Coach, where's the letter showing your support for the band. After all they are there every time supporting the football team. and what about the players, I have not seen one letter from a football players. Do you not support the ones who cheer every game win or lose? I guess you all feel the same as those idiots that booed. Shame on you to. Winning is more important than defending a bunch of kids against selfish, disrespecting, and ignorant people. Please join me at http://www.schoolpolice.com/ as I will show the band the respect they deserve. Kids, I don't think I know a single one of you, but I am sorry that some adults in this county just have not grown up, I support you and you continue to ROCK ON. I urge all who support our band to make signs to show your support for the band. Maybe take some newspapers and read them during the first half of the game and then get loud at halftime and show our Rodney just a little respect.

Thank you Camden County Marching Band

Rick Rogers
Kingsland

Where Is The Support For The Band

Why do we have people in this county that think it is ok to boo school children? I have watched plenty of high school and college bands and never have I seen the home team fans boo their own band. Never. Yet people in Camden County not only see fit to trash them on the field, but also in the paper. I think some in Camden County would like to get rid of the band altogether. Like Jimmy Coffel. Right Jimmy the band would go.

Band members it is time to fight back, before there is nothing left to fight for. You must take a stand and say:
We're not gonna take it anymore. You have been step on, pushed around, called names, booed, and always first on the get rid of list.

Stand tall and stand proud and always know the The Real School Police has your back. If you need anything just let us know and we will do all we can to help.

I would suggest maybe Friday night you face the opposing teams bench when you take the field.
That's right turn your backs on those that boo.

Long Live Camden County Marching Band.

More to come......

This Is A Catch 22

That's right you can keep the closed meetings and face litigation or you can open the meetings and face litigation. When would you face litigation in an open meeting? When someone does something wrong. OMG they would actually be punished.

So the choice is up to you. Here is the contact info for the ACLU attorney in Atlanta:
Gerald R. Weber, Jr., Esq.
American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia (ACLU)
70 Fairlie Street, Suite 340Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone 404-523-6201

Can You Say ACLU

You see I now have precedent. Remember when Ms. Martin wanted to speak And Jimmy Coffel stop the meeting and into executive session you all went. (Tyrone parent Joy Belyeu and other members of two concerned parents groups have recently clashed with the Fayette Board. After criticizing the Superintendent, Belyeu was required to finish her remarks in a closed session.Georgia Press Association attorney Jim Ellington says it is a violation of Georgia's Open Meeting Act to silence a statement made in a public hearing, then separate the complaining party in a closed session.4)

Murphy says most school attorneys disagree with a July 1995 unofficial opinion from Georgia's Attorney General. That ruling stated, "A school board may not close to the public any meeting devoted to the airing of grievances about school personnel by interested members of the public." The ruling went on to say "evidence or argument presented to the board must be held in an open meeting," while "deliberation or discussion by the board" may be in closed session.6

Question does the school attorney make the law. No I didn't think so.
So I ask you nicely to please change your ways or else!!!!!!!!

I would sure hate to take money away from the schools because the board thinks they are communists.

I will take a few days off now to support the band since its apparent that Jimmy Coffel won't support them. No, Jimmy I have not forgot your comments that the band would go away.

Need I Say More

The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them.

If You Don't Have Any Nice To Say

Check out the GEORGIA SECTION of this.


Open Meetings:
Public Criticism of Personnel?
Bill Stemmons
as published in the
Journal of the American Institute of Parliamentarians, April 1998
©1998 American Institute of Parliamentarians

Many school boards and other public bodies are uncertain how to receive comments from the general public concerning their personnel. Under open meetings laws in many states, public bodies generally may not consider anything not on an advance agenda. Many also believe all personnel matters must be discussed in closed sessions. What if a member of the public makes comments before a board critical of personnel? Can a brief response be given? Should they silence the speaker or insist it be discussed in a future closed session?
A member of the public has a right of free speech in an open forum, which a public body creates by inviting public comments. But don't public employees have a right to privacy in personnel affairs? A look around the U.S. shows the issue of public criticism of personnel in open meetings has become a widespread controversy.
George Dunham, Trustee for the Chicago suburb of Schaumberg, says their Board is like most public bodies: "Public comment time is not required, but the people expect it." Their Board also hosts monthly informal coffees entirely devoted to public input. "The whole point," Dunham says, "is to make it easier for people, not harder."
Victoria Baca attempted to criticize a superintendent and principal at a May 1996 Moreno Valley, California School Board meeting. The Hispanic activist, former school board candidate, and parent was warned that she could not mention employees by name except in a closed session. When she continued, she was physically removed from the meeting by a deputy sheriff.
In California, public comment time is required by law. A federal court held that in such a public forum, Baca's constitutionally-protected right of free speech prevailed against a prior restraint on content, and over any privacy or liberty interest of a public employee. The Court ruled that comments may be limited to subject matter under the jurisdiction of the Board, but the Board may not then limit the content of views expressed.
The Court held that as an employer, the District had an interest in protecting employee privacy. But the District had a compelling state interest in its role as a governmental entity required to allow public comment in its meetings. Employees' rights were outweighed by the First Amendment guarantee of uncensored free speech.
In February 1997, San Diego Vista School District residents Margaret O'Neill and Nancy Leventhal were cut off while attempting to question the performance of the District's Superintendent. Board President David Hubbard stopped both women and threatened to close the meeting if public criticism persisted.
When the ACLU filed suit on behalf of O'Neill and Leventhal, the Vista Board paid a settlement and attorney's fees. Plaintiffs' attorney Guylyn Cummins commented, "I found it extremely egregious that the Board would not allow criticism of public employees -- especially high ranking employees like the Superintendent of a public school system -- at public school board meetings by parents and other concerned citizens."
"At one point, the criticism ban was invoked as to elected Board members as well," Cummins explained. "The Board essentially said that concerned citizens could make laudatory or neutral comments, but could not criticize. The Court found it to be a content-based, viewpoint-discriminatory ban on speech which could not survive constitutional scrutiny."
Cummins added, "There is no principle more basic to our constitutional democracy than the right of citizens to confront their elected officials in a public forum and comment on their performance."
Shortly after free speech was ordered by the Court, the Vista Superintendent resigned amidst substantial controversy.
Activist Joan Coe of Simsbury, Connecticut, has been described by the Hartford Courant as a "gadfly."1 But her attorney praises her as a "public-spirited citizen," and one board member calls her "an asset and a tireless investigator who helps keep the concept of an open forum alive."
The former city employee and substitute teacher has already filed two suits against the Simbury School Board -- for open records and free speech in board meetings. Coe says she was once arrested for "reading a public record before a public meeting of a public body." That incident involved reading drunken driving charges filed against a student.
On September 10, 1996, the Simsbury Board abruptly adjourned during Coe's criticism of the Superintendent. (The Board has since shelved a proposal to cut off public comments altogether.) When Coe sued, the Board offered to settle. Coe refused unless the Board agreed to maintain public comments on their agenda.
Far from setting any precedent, the federal judge praised Coe's efforts, and in ruling against Coe's petition simply said she should have tried harder to work things out with the Board before going to court.
"The Board wants a good image before the cameras to help property values in the District," Coe said. "They deter public participation which could actually benefit schools by making them more accountable."
In Fayette County, Georgia, The Citizen newspaper says Georgia's "Sunshine Laws" are in practice "more like suggestions."2 In December 1997, the Fayette County School Board allegedly violated the Open Meeting Law for the third time in one year by meeting in the home of the Board President without public notice.3 In Georgia, advance public notice of a meeting is required, but an agenda is not required until afterward.
Tyrone parent Joy Belyeu and other members of two concerned parents groups have recently clashed with the Fayette Board. After criticizing the Superintendent, Belyeu was required to finish her remarks in a closed session.
Georgia Press Association attorney Jim Ellington says it is a violation of Georgia's Open Meeting Act to silence a statement made in a public hearing, then separate the complaining party in a closed session.4
Schools attorney Sarah Murphy disagrees: "Board deliberations about disciplinary actions or employee evaluations should be considered in private to protect the rights of the employee."5 But does criticism by a member of the public constitute "board deliberation?"
Murphy says most school attorneys disagree with a July 1995 unofficial opinion from Georgia's Attorney General. That ruling stated, "A school board may not close to the public any meeting devoted to the airing of grievances about school personnel by interested members of the public." The ruling went on to say "evidence or argument presented to the board must be held in an open meeting," while "deliberation or discussion by the board" may be in closed session.6
In Pennsylvania, two cases merit attention: When Bob Kircher demanded the resignation of a bankrupt board member, the Brentwood School Board had him removed by police. Meanwhile in Edgewood, the Woodland Hill Citizens for Quality Education complained about a board policy restricting public comment. Both Edgewood and Brentwood repealed their policies restricting public criticism of personnel after the ACLU threatened action. Pittsburg ACLU attorney Vic Walczak remarked, "Both defendants rolled over quite quickly after receiving our letters."
Without question this is a difficult issue. Personnel expect privacy and due process. Media representatives believe they should be able to hear citizen comments to public officials. Board members are reluctant to make any comments concerning items not on their agendas, even in response to criticism.
In many states open meetings laws require advance agenda. Under such requirements, officials responding to public comments may fear straying into illegal consideration of topics not on such agenda. Perhaps such laws could be amended to allow brief responses from officials. Under California's Brown Act, members of body or staff may briefly respond to statements, ask questions for clarification, make brief announcements, or make brief reports on their own activities. They may also refer items to staff or other resources for more information, request staff to report to the body at a subsequent meeting, or direct staff to place matters on future agenda.7
Finally, all involved in such controversies may do well to remember the principle stated succinctly in the Brown Act's public policy statement:
"The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.8
[Bill Stemmons is professionally registered with NAP and is currently pursuing certification with AIP. He is President of the Oklahoma State Association of Parliamentarians and a member of the Board of Freedom of Information Oklahoma, Inc. Opinions expressed are his own and should not be relied upon as legal advice. For cites or sites, contact Stemmons through his web site at:
www.secondthemotion.com
-0-0-0-
1. Hartford Courant, November 18,1997, p. A10, Editorial: "Silence Shouldn't Be Golden"
2. The Citizen [Fayette County, GA] , July 9, 1997, Editorial: "Sunshine 'Laws' More Like Suggestions"
3. Atlanta Journal and Constitution, December 4, 1997, "Fayette Board Meets without Notification," pp. CO-1, CO-2
4. The Citizen [Fayette County, GA] , May 7, 1997, "School Board Disputes Illegal Meeting Charges"
5. Atlanta Journal and Constitution, May 1, 1997, "Executive Session of School Board Called Illegal," p. MO-1
6. Georgia Attorney General Unofficial Opinion U95-15, July 31, 1995
7. California Government Code [Brown Act], §54954.2
8. Ibid., §54950
All other quotes are from personal interviews.

OMG!! She Is Not Blaming Teachers

Don't worry the rest of us know it's the parents fault.

From the Tribune and Georgian letters to the editor.
Thanks for your comments Sonya.....


School dress codes should begin with teachers

Dear Editor, Wow that story was really amazing ("School dress code should be uniform, not capricious," Oct. 20).Yeah, we all know there are rules to be followed while attending any school. And it seems no one is exempt. When our kids come home with A’s, B’s and honor certificates we certainly think they are making all the right calls.
Yeah, right — until they wear the wrong outfit to school and then, ooops!Heard a lot about it, but I haven’t had first-hand dealing.However, I've wanted to address this situation for awhile. Re-read the title and let's go from there.Many parents probably don’t realize how the faculty dress code of our county has changed drastically in the last eight-10 years. And then maybe they have, but they just say teach my kids the books.
I do know that time brings on change. Some things should never change.I am the parent of a 20-year-old, so I didn’t just get here. Been in Camden all my life, so I do know of the changes. When I was in grade school, we had some of the best role models and examples that you could ask for. You could walk the hall and be able to tell who was the teacher and who was the student. Not by who was at the door when you got there. Or who stood at the blackboard when you got in class. But the appearance gave it all away.We didn’t have to wonder about the student/teacher fashion competition. Professionalism in the staff's looks was present. There was nothing called “dress down day.” When you came to work you dressed like it. Pantyhose sales were surely up. Below knee dresses/skirts were certainly in high sales. Sleeveless tops would rot on the shelf because we didn’t see those at school. Flip flops, sandals and open toe shoes would have suffered a great monetary loss.We didn’t see that stuff in our classes. When we had to stay after school, our parents didn’t have to worry about whether li'l Bill would get caught with his teacher. They both would have a lot to get off in order to get anything started. He wouldn’t know if she had a tan or a tattoo. She was the model, the example, the teacher.The individual principal thing probably wouldn’t last long, though, because I was in the presence of a middle school principal one afternoon, and I heard him tell a student she couldn’t wear them 'cause he said so, but one of the staff had worn some almost identical. I didn’t bother questioning that because it appeared he didn’t recognize I was a guest parent or maybe it didn’t matter who I was. Can they be good followers without good leaders? It may be a home first thing, but some of them don’t have a real one.Before all you professors, scholars, faculty, aides or excuse me, paraprofessionals, start typing or e-mailing, if you don’t fit in this description, or know someone who does, then it’s not for you. But if you do, share some light (bright ones) with anyone that you might come in contact with at work that are not practicing the good leader, good follower rule.Some of you deserve accolades because you’re still wearing the look that got you there.Sonya WalkerWaverly

School Board Comes Under Investigation

A new grand jury will convene on Monday Nov. 6th. On the agenda will be an investigation on the use of executive session. I have asked the District Attorney Steven Kelly to take a look at the practices of the Camden County School Board. In response to my request Mr. Kelly told me he would turn this matter over to the grand jury for further investigation. I have told Mr. Kelly that the only punishment I want is that they keep meetings open as the law states. Yes, Dr. Proctor, I did receive your letter and that letter will be turned over as evidence to the grand jury. If it was not that kind of meeting, What kind of meeting was it? I don't think Georgia law has multiple meeting laws. The law states what constitutes a meeting. There is only one kind of meeting therefore you did break the law. And to have the school attorney comment on a meeting that he was not even involved in is totally unethical. He does not know what was said in this meeting. Any contact between a board member and a member of the grand jury could also lead to serious criminal charges so I would advise that the board stay away from these jurors. As I have stated before all this could have been avoid as the Georgia open meetings law does not require any meeting to closed, It just states that you may close some meetings, as long as evidence is not collected in that closed meeting. And yes when Ms. Martin stood up and said she had a problem with a teacher that is a charge and she was trying to file those charges with you.

Why do you think the turnout for board meeting is so low? I have been asking that question all week long with friends and neighbors, and the response shocked me. The response was because they don't listen. You have used your positions to promote friends. Your free ride is over now that I will be watching you all closely. I wish all of you the best of luck.

Blount Must Go

If the assistant superintendent of schools is not going to push for all students to go to college, he should not be in our schools. I call on Mr. Blount to turn in his resignation immediately. If he does not I call on the Board of Education to FIRE him.

I Figured Out What's Wrong With Our Schools

Plain and simple it's Gary Blount............Mr. Blount says that students can receive a career technical degree and would not have to go to college. That is a great idea. Mr. Blount have you ever gotten a good job with a technical degree. Sure you can probably make a few bucks above minimum wage. Why are we not shoving college down these kids throats. This day and age you can not get a good job with anything less than a real college degree. No one ever told me that college a necessary to succeed in life, in fact they told me that the Navy was the best way to go. And don't think like John Kerry, I was not stupid, I graduate with a regents diploma from the State of New York. Here in Camden County Mr. Van Blarcum told my wife not to bother with taking the SAT's because she was going to marry her high school boyfriend!!!

Today we should be molding all the student for college, because they will not succeed in life without it.

I know I could move out of the county and that would make the board very happy, but I could also change the boards closed minded thinking and we all could be happy.

What? The Candidates Want Open Schools

Have you seen what the candidates for districts 2 and 4 are saying? They want open schools. Hummmmmm. How is that going to happen, because Jimmy Coffel will not allow it. The funny thing is that all of the candidates are for open schools and in order for the board to go into executive session it must be voted on and approved by a majority of the board. So let's see districts 2 an 4 would vote against it, if they keep their campaign promises. That leaves us needing one vote to eliminate executive session in our schools. We know how Coffel will vote but how will Mr. Benton and Mr. Simpson vote. This will be interesting to see it play out. I do know in two years we will have the three votes necessary to eliminate most of executive sessions. Yes I do believe we need executive session in rare cases. As everyone knows there is no law that requires a board to go in to executive session. The law clearly states that the board MAY use executive session and NOT that it is required. I will be at every meeting to ensure that the new board members up hold their campaign promises, because come January we get rid of two liars and will only have one to go. Remember they are self proclaimed liars, they are the ones that said they would do a national search for a new superintendent, and then after the vote claim that was not true. The October/November surprise has been verified and I will release that news on November 6.

How Safe are Our Schools?

School bus assault poorly handled by schools

Dear Editor, I would like to express my anger towards a situation that has taken place at my son's school and on the school bus.On Oct. 18, my son was hit with a water bottle and colored pencils before his head was slammed into the window pane of the school bus by another student who is a fourth grade girl. This action taken by the fourth grade girl was not an action that was done in self defense, because six other students on the bus gave statements to the assistant principal and the resource officer at David L. Rainer Elementary School.
My son came home with a bloody head and hands. He was taken to the emergency room where he waited for four hours to make sure that he didn't have a concussion or fracture.I was told by the assistant principal that she would take care of the situation. Well, I don't know what disciplinary action was taken, but that same afternoon of the incident, the student that caused my son's injury was allowed to ride the bus home.My son has been singled out since this incident to be a trouble maker. He was told to sit behind the bus driver on Oct. 20, and the bus driver's response to me when I questioned why was that he has had problems in the past hitting other children when there is no record of any incidents with my child on the school bus or in school.I feel as though my child is being punished for something that he did not do. Why wasn't the child who caused bodily harm to my child not suspended or expelled from the bus or school? Is it OK to cause harm to my child because he is a boy and she is a girl? Why do I feel as though the school is covering for this child? And don't you think the situation would have been different if the roles were changed?
I know things would be different. It's not OK to cause harm to my child and get a slap on the wrist because he is an African-American boy and she is a caucasian girl. My son would have been expelled and they would have probably have arrested him if she had gone home to her parents the way he came home to me.It's not fair the way the school has handled the situation and I am not pleased. I am very angry with the nonchalant attitude of the school and staff.

Monique Jamison
Kingsland

From the Tribune and Georgian

Happy Birthday

Yesterday was Dr. Proctor's birthday. Happy Birhday to Her.

I can't tell you her age because that would have to be discussed in executive session. Maybe we can do that at the next board meeting.

October Surprise

Usually we don't have many surprises during the campaign season for the school board, but this year nothing should be taken for granted. I can't say anymore at this time, but I can tell you this will change the way the school board operates.

Stayed tuned will let you know shortly.

Students Show Your Support for Mr Waters

An open letter to Mr. Waters.

Dear Sir,
At the last school board meeting we asked the women( the mother of the student) be able to speak as that is granted to us in the Constitution. If the board would have allowed this to come out in public this whole issue would have been solved a long time ago. The board after the meeting ran to the press and really made you look bad. I understand that you did tell the mother that you were sorry that the incident happened. We can't ask for anything more.Their was no violent push, I for one sir am asking you to stay. Sure this incident made you look bad to some people who don't know you and I am one who don't know you, but I have gathered all the facts, and I find that you acted properly. I am glad that this all came out because as a parent I now know that this child is a trouble maker and SHOULD NOT BE THE FFA PRESIDENT, And to I for one would not let my child near this child.

Mr. Waters, I am sure that this has been hard on you, but we needed to get to the bottom of this and the school board could have settled this weeks ago. I went to the meeting tonight and there were more people than I have ever seen. There was at least 30 more people than that was there when the board lied about the superintendents job.

Sir you have a lot of students that love you and they will really miss you.

Students please post your letters to Mr. Waters in the comments section.

Mr. Water what ever you decide is your choice. I for one now think we need more teachers like you.

Thank You and may God Bless You.

School Board Meeting

Oct. 10, 2006 is the next scheduled meeting for the Camden County Board of Education. Please join me and members of the Jacksonville media as I discuss why the cops were called to the last meeting. If you remember a citizen of Camden wanted to speak at the public session of the meeting she was not allowed to talk. In turn a heated discussion arose and Jimmy Coffel said NO ONE COULD SPEAK. Then it got heated up some more before Mr. Coffel decide to limit time to 3 mins. All of this is illegal. Mr. Coffel everything you said was out of line. You can't change anything without a vote from the rest of the board. So Mr. Coffel you called the police, Why? Because you were scared or because you wanted to intimidate us? Choose your answer carefully.

As I read the laws that this board must follow, I find a lot that they do not.

Camden County were an educated voter is an elected official worst nightmare.

You Write The Story

Since the Sheriff refuses to tell us what happened with the jet ski's, I think the public should write the story for the paper as you think it happened. That's right when the public does not hear the whole story, we are left to ASSUME. So go ahead and assume. The winning story will be published in the Tribune and Georgian, and that story will be the official story until the Sheriff tells us what really happened. Just click on comments, sign in and tell us how you think it played out. I will start.

I Think We Can Agree

I have waited one week before weighing in on the Mr. Waters' story. A story we would not know anything about if it was not for The Real School Police. We stood strong at the last school board meeting and forced the board to issue a statement to the press. Which I guess they would rather tell them about it, than you read about it here first. It's a power struggle and I have taken some of their power and they can not stand it. Jimmy Coffel stop the meeting, refused to let the people speak, and called the cops to try to intimidate us. None of that worked. We stood strong and this is a victory for school children everywhere. Now do I think Mr. Waters' did something wrong? Yes, because he admitted, he lost his temper and he pushed the kid. Should he be fired? NO, because at least he was honest and was truly sorry for what happened. Thank You Mr. Waters. We all get upset and we all lose are temper, and I can imagine with 30 kids running around I would be the same way. But I think that if I was to walk into the school board meeting and have a heated conversation with Jimmy Coffel and I pushed him, where do you think I would be spending the night? That's right behind bars for assault. I don't know who told teachers that they are above the law, But you are not. And I plan on making you realize that.

I think the board of ed. needs to send out a letter to everyone in the school system(and that includes parents) stating that a school employee can not touch our children in any way. You people will educate students on GOOD TOUCH, BAD TOUCH for sex, Why not for everyday living and include all school employees. I see kids all the time pushing and shoving at school. And you want to blame the parents. Well parents can only do so much and you people have our kids for 8 hours a day and they learn from you. They see teachers, staff and school board members lie, and push others and these so called adults get away with it. Then when that child does the exact same thing he or she is punished for it.

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS AND OUR KIDS SEE YOUR ACTIONS.

From The Past For A Reason

MORE TO COME!!!!!!!

BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CAMDEN.

Camden County Teacher Under Investigation.

It has been brought to my attenion that Mr. Clayton Clark of the Camden County High School is currently under investigation with the Camden County DA's Office. This is an opened investigation so not all of the details are clear, but appearently Mr. Clark flexed his big football muscles on some poor little student. Why is this person still on the payroll? Why did the board of education allow him to retire with full benefits? Questions I can tell you we will never have an answer for, or will we?

AND THEY ARE SOO PROUD OF THEMSELVES

The Real School Police

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Contact: Derrick Dickey
(770) 220-0210
Governor Perdue Announces Highest SAT Ranking in Georgia's History With SAT ranking on the rise, why would we ever go back?
ATLANTA, GA- Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Georgia has achieved the highest SAT ranking in our state's history. This year Georgia jumped past Florida, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and South Carolina to 46th in the national rankings."Today's ranking shows that Governor Perdue's efforts to improve SAT scores are getting results," said Perdue Campaign Communications Director Derrick Dickey. "The Governor has created a classroom environment in which our hardworking teachers and students can be more successful than ever before. He has also launched innovative programs that are making a real difference in the academic progress of our students." The new rankings are a marked improvement from the SAT scores Governor Perdue inherited from the Barnes-Taylor administration. In 2002, Georgia's SAT ranking fell to 50th out of 50 states.Since taking office, Governor Perdue has been working to improve SAT scores by:
Providing access to free online SAT prep courses. Approximately 100,000 students took advantage of the free online prep in 2005;
Creating the Georgia Virtual High School which provides students across the state with online access to more rigorous courses;
Adopting a more rigorous academic curriculum;
Increasing the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses in high school; and
Creating the Governor's Cup Challenge, an SAT improvement competition among Georgia high schools.
Under Governor Perdue, SAT scores have risen steadily, closing the gap on the national average. In 2002, Georgia's average SAT score was 980. That score jumped four points in 2003, three points in 2004, and six points in 2005 to a total of 993. And with this year's ranking, the Governor has helped paint a more accurate picture to the global business community of the strength and quality of Georgia's students. Georgia's SAT ranking is on the rise, but there is still more work to be done. Why would we ever go back?

School Board Takes Another Hit

Once again in this weeks paper, there is another letter from a concerned parent. See I am not the only one that thinks this board lied. And Jean Brazille has the nerve to tell me that she has not heard that many complaints. Mind you the poll that she discredits as not being scientific enough for her came back as 91% of the county disagreeing with how they handle the whole thing. Not to mention that in the spotlight on Camden every person was against it. So either she thinks she has not done anything wrong or that the Tribune is bias. I would go with the first, because by law she did not do anything wrong. Legally she can do what ever she wants and this is exactly what Jimmy Coffel, Tricia Smith, And Jean Brazille are doing. Whatever they want. Screw you parents we, own this board not you. That is their thinking. Thank God Two of them are gone at the end of this year, only because they no longer have children in this school.

Read the latest letter in the comments section.

Still No Reason

We still have not been told, Why the school board is allowed to lie and students get punished for it. I would also ask the board if they think that it is ethical for an elected official to try and commit harm and hardship on a private citizen. You see in this country we the people have the right to critique our elected official for their job performance and not their personal life, You as an elected official have the right to defend any statement I make, But you are not allowed to go after my personal life. I never attacked you personally. You lied on the job therefore you are a liar. I don't care if you lie to your children, your friends and even your mom, but you took an oath that said you would respect the people of this county. You know the Kingsland Police tried to silence me this same way. They even tried to sue, but guess what, I have every right under the law to call you a liar, just like the Dems call Bush a liar. The only difference is I am right and the Dems are wrong. I will not let this issue be drop. Ann Proctor and Coach Gibbs had a nice conversation about lying in school and they both said they could do nothing about it because it was my word or my daughter's word against Miss Douglas' word. Well I guess this time it is the school board's (minus Mr. Benton, the only man with any integrity ion the board and maybe Mr. Simpson I still don't know him well enough yet, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt) against the rest of the county. I guess the school board steals another win.

Don't Disagree With The Board!!!!

Be careful if you disagree with this school board they will stoop to the lowest of the low and call your work and try to get you fired. Ask me how I know. Yes one member called my work and tried to get me fired. So don't disagree the board.

I would like to publicly praise Mr. Doug Benton for his integrity in standing up for what is right.

Dear Editor,
After Wednesday nights school board meeting I left disappointed and upset that our school board refuses to listen to the people with the exception of Mr. Benton. Let me take everyone back to March 1, 2006. Mr. Benton wrote a letter to the editor about how he was unhappy with the idea of expanding the search for the superintendents job. (His letter is in the comments section.) Which in turn I wrote letter on how I was concerned about the lack of communications I had with Mr. Benton. This letter in turn sparked a civil war in Camden County. I was attacked in a political ad by the supporters of Mr. Benton. Before all this happened, I really did not know Mr. Benton, but after last night I have to greatest respect and I hope that Mr. Benton and his family will accept my public apology for my comments "that he did not care." The issue turned out to be nothing more than bad communications. Mr. Benton took the time to sit down, after hours,and discuss the issues I had with the school system. If you remember the board voted with only districts 2,3, and 4 voting, and I wondered what happened to district 5. We all know district 1 was unrepresented, (as we hope Mr. Chance is doing well) but no district 5. Why? Well, Mr. Benton went on the record last night and told us why he did not vote. He said, and this is not a quote because I can't recall his exact words, that he did not vote because he felt that it was not the right time and it was not what the people wanted. Thank you Mr. Benton. Even though you disagreed with the people wanting to expand the search, you still stood up for the people. You sir have restored my faith in democracy and the principals in which this great country was built on. You are not just a great school board member you are a GREAT AMERICAN. You are this school systems greatest asset.

Maybe the school board as a whole failed the parents, but if you are a parent and you disagree with the boards decision and you did not show up for the meeting last night, than it is YOU that has failed your child. Parents please checkout my blog http://www.schoolpolice.blogspot.com/ and please add your comments, they are important. If you won't communicate with your board member I will. I believe the board is willing to work with us, but I don't think we as parents are getting our message to them. My school board member listened to me and I am sure if you talk to yours they will listen. I do thank the board for allowing us plenty of time to discuss this issue at the meeting.

And to the new district one member Mr. Simpson, I don't know much about you, but WELCOME TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

Election Day Is Tomorrow

July 18 is election day in Camden County. I urge all eligible voters to get out and vote. I ask that you vote for a candidate that does not have big corporate sponsorship. When A government agency such as the Sheriffs Office donates to a candidate you can bet there is corruption brewing somewhere. Vote for a candidate that uses his or her own money. These are the people that really care. They care so much that they will spend $7,000 of their own money to try and make this county better.

Thank You and good luck to all the candidates.

Board Meeting Changed

Have you heard the news the regular school board meeting scheduled for July 11th has been changed to July 19th. THANK GOD I CALLED TO FIND OUT SINCE THEY DO NOT PLAN TO ADVERTISE THIS. Or at least I have not seen it anywhere. They do not update their website. Besides they don't want you there.

Past Letters to the Editor

All of these letters are from the Tribune-Georgian. The worlds best newspaper.

The Recall Election Can Move Forward For Jimmy Coffel

According to the "Recall Act of 1989", Every public official who holds elective office, either by election or by appointment, is subject to recall from office by electors. Jimmy Coffel is the only board member that is eligible for recall. The other two lairs are not eligible due to the fact their terms are up at the end of the year. That being said I need someone from district 3 to step up and file an application for recall as it must be done by a voter in district 3. Please contact me through the email in the links section and I can explain to you how all this works.

A Letter From Rick's Wife

I am Rick's wife, mother of three, college graduate, and I graduated from Camden County High School. But, I had a choice, I also attended Coffee County High School (go Trojan's) much of my high school years. I had the opportunity to bounce between the two counties. The only reason I ever attended Camden was to spend time with my friends. At Coffee County we were so ahead of Camden I could afford to bounce because I had more than enough credits to graduate early, but I chose to be with my friends. I wasn't ready to leave childhood so quickly.I can attest to the days when our high school principal came dragging into the lunch room slurring his speech and acting well beyond drunk. I would look across the room to his wife - a teacher and see her destroyed look. I watched as ignorant football coaches become the head of our schools; The same who attempted to teach Health, but only cared about Football. I had to raise money in order to keep our Drama Dept ( Thank you Mr. Stephen's for not giving up easy), but Football coaches receive high end SUV's - in a county that doesn't want dirt roads.I have watched this county destroy any hope for Children - unless of course they are prime football players. This is sad, yet I choose to live here because something here just feels like home. It looks like we will be looking to private schools and home schooling instead of our state to educate our children. We will continue to pay school tax to our county in order to support their schools, but I can no longer safely say my kids are safe and taught well in our public school system in Camden County. I adore my husband for being so concerned not only with our own children, but our counties children as well.

Ex- BOE Employee Speaks Out

Dear Rick,
I read your letter in the news paper this week (way to go ) I know that the head of maintenance for the Camden Co BOE had his DR.. Can you tell me why they need to pay him 100k for maintenance... And I know that there is a teacher at one of the schools that has family and children service called on them 6 times in the last month ( molesting his 13 year old foster child ) what is this school system coming too.I use to work for the BOE I know what goes on all the money they spend on gas, do you know that at the high school there are a least 10 buses that run every day and the drivers get paid 30 a day plus gas (some of these kids have to stay after for detention)they still get a ride home. There is so much I can tell you.
Thank you for you time

In case you missed the paper's Letter to the editor

No one should be surprise by school board's devious actions
Dear Editor, Are you really that surprised that the school board would lie to us all; I am not. I told you so in a letter back in February. This entire school district is filled with liars. Their only objective is to promote their friends. Have you ever wondered why we have so many football coaches in high positions in our schools?There in no oversight at all in the education system in this country. The Dept. of Education in Georgia and at the federal level are the biggest waste of money. That is why we as Americans are at the bottom when it comes to education. We spend so much money on useless items like teachers with a doctorate teaching the fifth grade. A teacher with a bachelor's degree can teach up to the 12 grade level just as good as one with a doctorate. Did you know there are more doctors in our school system than in our hospital? Yet this school board has decided to hire them at a higher price over a teacher with a bachelor's.
Now we went out and did a multi-state search for a football coach, had parental involvement in that process and hired one after months of consideration. But not for the position that matters more. Winning football championships does not graduate students. Parents are encouraged to get involved with their kids education, but when we do, we are attacked for not agreeing with the good old boys.What really has the school board done for this county? The only change I have seen in this county is from 2002 to present day. And that is only because federal law made them make changes. If the school board is not going to listen to the people that elect them then why should we listen to them. They lied to us and then have the nerve to basically say that "Right, we lied to you and there is not a thing you can do about it."They are right about not being able to do anything about it. The vote was planned so that a recall election can not take place. You can not petition for a recall election within 180 days of the end of their term. How convenient. But we can call people to let it be known that Camden County is under attack by a runaway school board. I ask all county residents to call your state board representative, Lynda Zechmann at 1-912-285-4499 or e-mail at lyndazechmann@waxcable.com Tell her you want an investigation into this school board. As always I ask you to report school abuse of powers at www.schoolpolice.blogspot.com. I will forward your comments on to Mrs. Banks at the Georgia Dept. of Education just to have it on record for future cases.

Rick Rogers
Kingsland

School Board Member Says "If you don't like what we do MOVE!

Here is an email from Tricia Smith school board member district 4.


Mr. Rogers,
I just got this email, having been out of town. I have no response to which I think you would listen. I am curious why you choose to live in Camden County. There must surely be schools nearer your place of employment with which you would be pleased. I would never keep my children in a system that I thought as badly of as you do ours.
Tricia Smith

Surpise!! School Board may face recall election

I am just waiting for the Recall Election packet to arrive in the mail. I will review our options and let you know.

Take back your school

This is a blog for students of Camden County Georgia to report abuse and violence in the school system.