The Truth About School Resource Officers

Yesterday, we made a humorous comment about school resource officers. One who labors here with us felt it was perhaps not in good taste. The line why don't they call them "ya better do what I say or ya get 120 volts below the belt" officers was not intended to disparage these men and women who help protect local schools.

We simply feel the term "resource officer" doesn't clearly define their roles in local schools. If students and parents had more respect for these officers, it would make their jobs much easier; however, we assume if these same students and parents had enough proper respect for others, there would be no need for these officers in our schools to begin with.

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The regular school resource officer for Hibbett Middle School is Matt Minor. We have not been able to verify that he was the one who held down the fort at the recent gun in lunchroom incident, but nonetheless, we hear great things about him, and he deserves the public's thanks for an often under appreciated job.

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The “Muscle Shoals” movie will be showing Sunday August 25th at the Shoals Theatre at 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

General Admission and VIP reserved seating available.

General Admission $20

VIP Reserved Seating with movie poster $40

More Info

Shoalanda

Still Here? Make it Count!

It's after eight o'clock in the evening on the first day of winter 2012, and we're still here. We're not particularly surprised about being here, but are surprised some school systems across the U.S. shut down today in order to avoid violence from those who didn't think we'd make it this far.

Hibbett Middle School may not have been shut down today, but it was on lockdown. We have to ask what kind of parent buys a 13 and 14 year-old a paint ball gun/s (they run $100.00 to $300.00) and then doesn't tell them not to brandish it about in front of a school...while wearing a ski mask no less?

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Now that we've made it to the winter solstice, the days will be getting longer again. A new year is almost here; let's make it count, but first we need to finish out Christmas for those who haven't been blessed as we have. You still have time to give to these two great causes:

18 Kids Without Presents

"Helping Santa" in Franklin County

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Tomorrow: The story of how one community is making a difference.

Shoalanda

The Horsey Set/More Views on William Combs

For those who wanted to learn more about the new equestrian program at Florence High School, here's some interesting info from a knowledgeable supporter:

As far as we know, this is the first equestrian team in Alabama. The land and facilities and some funds were donated to the school for this purpose. We did purchase two horses and are paying a teacher a small stipend for the extra hours devoted to equestrian training. It has generated a vast amount of excitement from the students.

While the rest of the state did have quite a challenge financially, Florence did not participate in pro-ration. We absorbed our cuts through attrition and were able to keep hiring teachers because of the fantastic financial support we receive from the City of Florence. County schools and other less-stable cities did not have that luxury.

It is simply not possible to hire "more teachers instead of horses" as some are claiming. Teachers can ONLY be hired using money the state and feds give us for teachers. Virtually every dollar we received is earmarked for a specific purpose. We had extra money devoted to expansion of sports programs (and could ONLY, by law, be used for that) and decided to go with this exciting program.

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Two diverse opinions on former Hibbett Middle School principal William Combs:

I-Now is a database. The GUI isn't difficult, but it is not intuitive to most users. What amazes me is that this man was either stupid, lazy, egotistical, unable to delegate tasks or a combination of those things. Those aren't qualities that we need in our school's leadership. I am glad he is gone, we need more things like I-Now to test our educators intelligence, integrity, and ability.

and

Please understand my passion for the subject and pardon me for saying so, but the article re: Combs was, at best, tacky.  What your source showed, intentional, or not, is the HUGE lack of support for school teachers and administrators....from their own ranks. Mr. Combs was...IS...a professional. Ask yourself this: IF what your source claims is true, what made him think he had nowhere to turn for help?

Oh, yeah....the new policy re: out of district enrollment hit Mr. Combs REALLY hard.  He has two (2) 'special needs' children that were formerly enrolled in FCS.  The new policy forced him to choose a less ideal alternative for their education.

As for help, it would seem every other principal in Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin Counties did learn to navigate the new system. Our use of the word "funny" simply referred to the stereotype that men don't like to ask directions. Obviously many male educators did either ask for help with iNow or they learned on their own. We understand that there is also an iNow wiki site with tutorials available to all Alabama schools.

The writer of our second comment referred us to Mr. Combs' Facebook page. It seems that as of two years ago the former principal acquired three step-children. We don't know anything of this new enrollment policy, but would be glad to hear from those who do.

We also wish Mr. Combs the best in whatever new endeavor he chooses.



 Shoalanda

The Sad, but Funny, Fall of William Combs

Hibbett School sits in a quiet residential North Florence neighborhood. Built over 25 years ago, the school consolidated Gilbert Elementary and Appleby Junior High Schools and was named for Rufus G. Hibbett, a former Coffee High football coach, superintendent, and founder of Hibbett Sports. When the name of Hibbett School is in the news, it's usually in connection with its outstanding teachers or an award for excellence in some field. That wasn't the case late last week.

As soon as it was announced that William R. Combs III, the principal at Hibbett for just over a year, had resigned, we began to get e-mails. All were supportive of Combs; apparently he was considered a great guy who ran his ship well and made friends wherever he went. Coming just five days before the start of the 2012 fall term, our readers questioned the motive behind a resignation rumored to be at the request of Superintendent Janet Womack.

All schools in Alabama come under the jurisdiction of the state department of education. Local systems may have the freedom to implement or discontinue many programs and policies, but some they don't. This was the case of  I-Now, a scheduling program that the state implemented at the beginning of the 2011 school year.

A core job of middle school principals is to maintain records in I-Now. A knowledgible source told us that if records are entered in a timely fashion, producing a teacher/student schedule for a new year is 80% done by the end of the old year.

Was I-Now user friendly? It seems unfriendly doesn't even begin to cover it, but it was the program selected by the state, and principals in all other Florence City Schools buckled down and learned how to use it. Bill Combs did not.

Why didn't he ask for help? Surely no one would have faulted him for needing help with a new program. Instead, Combs assured teachers at Hibbett that the new schedules would be delivered shortly. Instead, last Wednesday, Combs announced that nothing had been done on the 2012 schedules. With less than five days before the start of the new school year, teachers and administrative personnel rallied together to produce the schedule. This was not part of their job description, and we're going to call them our local heroes of the week for saving the day at Hibbett.

Was Combs asked to resign because he hadn't been able to decipher the new program or because he had continually stated all was well in that area when it most certainly wasn't? We're going to guess the latter played a much larger role than the former.

Why is this funny? Perhaps that's not the best choice of words, but some men never learn to ask for directions even when they're hopelessly lost. Why is it sad? Florence has lost a competent leader/administrator, or at least one with the potential to become one. Combs is now in the position of looking for work elsewhere, and his family will again be uprooted in the process.

We commend the school board for taking care of this situation. Here's wishing Dr. Womack and the board the very best in finding a new leader for Hibbett.

Tomorrow: A look at Florence's new equestrian team.



Shoalanda

Scott Beason Has Some Smarts

Alabama State Senator Scott Beason

It's almost back to school time and we have a great idea for all you parents out there struggling to purchase your child's supplies. Instead of getting your own child anything he needs to be successful in life, just go buy something for your neighbor's child instead.

Anyone like that idea? We thought not. Yet that's what many supporters of "undocumented" immigrants would like us to do for them. Thankfully not everyone is on board with this wonderful plan. State senator Scott Beason of Gardendale was quoted in today's TimesDaily as saying:

We cannot solve the world’s problems, but we can make sure we don’t import some problems.

Thank God someone knows what logic is and can actually apply it to everyday life in Alabama.

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Parents and teachers alike have been weighing in on the resignation of William Combs at Florence's Hibbett Middle School. Tomorrow we'll have an update on the situation, as well as some surprisingly good news about Florence's new equestrian team.



Shoalanda

Hibbett Principal "Resigns"

William R. Combs III, Principal of Hibbett Middle School in Florence, resigned earlier today. Superintendent Janet Womack reportedly asked for Comb's resignation five days before the start of the fall term; however, the official letter of resignation stated family problems were at the root of Combs' sudden departure.

A brief bio of Combs who took the helm on June 1, 2011:  

This is my fourteenth year in education.  My history in education began in Mobile County Schools where I was an English teacher for nine years.  I have also served in Thomasville City Schools and Covington County schools as assistant principal and federal programs coordinator. I grew up in Mobile, Alabama and graduated from Baker High school in 1987 where I would earn a scholarship to play football at Copiah Lincoln Community College.  After my tenure at Copiah Lincoln, I would go on to play at The University of Alabama for Coach Bill Curry where I was a member of the 1990 USFG Sugar Bowl team.  I truly believe that nothing in life comes easy, but the rewards from hard work will continue to pay dividends for years to come.  It is my goal to instill a strong work ethic in your child and help them realize their potential as well as overcome any obstacle that may be in their way. 

Our sources are predicting a scramble to find a replacement; Assistant Principal Rose McGee is expected to fill in. Hibbett came in next to last in two areas in the most recent round of standardized testing. Womack has stated she wishes to make the Florence system the best in the state within five years of her arrival.

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On a related note, we've been asked how many public high schools have an equestrian team? We have absolutely no idea. We do know that Florence's is the first in the state. We support such extracurricular activities, but in a time of proration, we can see how some would view this as totally superfluous.

We hope to have a statement from a school board member in the next few days.



Shoalanda

Amanda Duboise Watkins - "girlinterrupted"

Amanda Duboise Watkins' Facebook address is girlinterrupted1. The 38 year-old Watkins was certainly interrupted last Saturday night when she was found having sex with a 15 year-old male. Watkins is, or perhaps more correctly was, a teacher at Sheffield Junior High School; her male companion had been her student the previous year. What would possess an attractive married woman with multiple degrees, not to mention a young daughter, to risk everything for a few moments of sexual passion with someone who's hardly more than a child? While many apparently see humor in this, it is no different than an older man taking advantage of a younger female student. These relationships are taboo for a reason, but are seemingly becoming more and more commonplace. Could anyone have foreseen this kind of deviant behavior from Watkins?

Amanda Duboise is a native of Phil Campbell in Franklin County. After graduation from high school, she attended Northwest Shoals Community College before advancing to the University of North Alabama where she met her husband Carter Watkins (pictured), a Florence native who graduated from Hibbett Middle and Coffee High Schools. Carter Watkins also majored in journalism and is currently employed as WHNT's Chief Photographer for the Shoals Bureau. Together, Carter and Amanda reside in Forest Hills with their daughter Grace Anne and dog Toto.

Perhaps their marriage looked idyllic only from the outside. Sheffield Superintendent Richard Gardner reported that he had spoken with Watkins over an incident two years ago. Gardner did not specify the exact nature of the problem, but did state that it was not sexual in nature. Now Amanda Duboise Watkins has been released from the Muscle Shoals Jail on $15,000.00 bond, while also having been placed on paid administrative leave at Sheffield Junior High.

Photos of Watkins show her wearing a cross; she lists her favorite Bible verse as "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength;" two of her Facebook organizations are I Love Jesus and I'm Proud to be a Christian. Here, in her own words, is the vision Amanda Duboise Watkins had of herself:

Before entering the world of education, I worked as a reporter and freelance writer. My original degree from the University of North Alabama was in journalism. I have always loved reading and writing. I worked as a freelance reporter for the Times Daily, a staff writer for the Franklin County Times and wrote various freelance articles for a few magazines. I even worked at WVNA Radio in Tuscumbia. I decided to go back to obtain my masters after the birth of my daughter. It is a decision that changed my life. I absolutely love what I do. Today's young people are our future. We need to do all we can to make a positive impact on their lives and their educational experience. Every student has his/her own unique talents and abilities. Teaching allows me to help students make those discoveries or further develop ones they have already uncovered for themselves. Helen Keller once said, "Its a terrible thing to see and have no vision."

Now, unless offered a plea, Watkins will be branded a sex offender and never teach school again. She also may be required to serve time in prison. Her family deserved more, and certainly the young man she seduced deserved and expected more, as did his family. Teacher sex is a crime--a crime no less serious because the offender may manage to plead to a lesser offense. If our children aren't safe at school, how can we expect them to be safe anywhere?

Shoalanda