Concerned Parents at McBride Elementary

 

Facebook posts. Petitions. General unrest. All have been recently noted concerning the state of Muscle Shoals City Schools. 

You may be aware that the State curriculum for student teachers includes a short class on how NOT to interact sexually with students. Perhaps a similar course is needed to instruct young teachers that violence against class members is also not to be tolerated.

It's been reported that a neophyte teacher threw an object at a special education student, hitting him in the back of the head. The projectile was allegedly a ball, and the student remained relatively unscathed. The point is that it shouldn't have happened at all.

Not every one is cut out to be a teacher, especially one involved with special needs students. If you can't make it through the day without hitting, striking, or kicking a little one, you don't need to be in the classroom.

Natives are restless in the "Music Capital of the World." They are totally unsatisfied with everyone from the the teachers all the way up to the superintendent. While cleaning house at various city halls in the Shoals, perhaps it's time to do the same in several school districts.

The O.G. is Not Concerned

The Plot Sickens at McBride Elementary

After we published our blog yesterday, a non-resident of our state asked if we were unfair in our statements concerning McBride fourth grade teacher Blake E. Jarmon. Since that time, we've received communications from several Muscle Shoals parents on the issue.

How many children have accused Jarmon? We have been led to believe several, but some parents say that there was only one initial accuser, and prompted questioning from school authorities led others to follow suit. 

Why would school officials want to incriminate Jarmon? Some parents think the fact he's about to get his doctorate is a prime motivator to move him out of the way. If this is true, don't officials care that this type of publicity could ruin his career? Oh, sorry, that was a silly question.

The above graphic is from a faithful reader and can be clicked on to enlarge. Opinions expressed in the graphic are not necessarily ours, but are nevertheless extremely interesting.

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Several parents have asked if school authorities questioning students about an incident(s) without their being present is illegal. From what we can ascertain, it's not. Remember, only an attorney can give you definitive advice. We can say that if any of this should come down to a court of law, we don't believe prosecutors can make your children testify if they don't wish to.

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We understand some criticism of various teachers involves things as seemingly innocent as patting a child on the shoulder. We live in a sad world. While it's not something that would have been necessary to say fifty, or even twenty, years ago, it's better if no one outside family or very close friends touches a child at all. 

And just to be on the safe side, milk and cookies are out for Santa as well...

Do Parents Have Any Idea What's Going on at McBride Elementary?

McBride Elementary is part of the Muscle Shoals school system. It educates only the third, fourth, and fifth grade students in the system. In early November of this year, a fourth grade teacher was suspended for inappropriate behavior. While we had been given his name some time ago, it had not been released publicly until yesterday. Now a Facebook page calling itself #TeamJarmon has named the teacher as Blake E. Jarmon.

Jarmon began his career at Hibbett Middle School teaching math before moving to the Muscle Shoals system. While at Muscle Shoals he was once named Teacher of the Year. Now he's been suspended for allegedly inflicting harm on his students. Guilty or innocent of the charges, we don't know. Here's what we do know, and it's all about McBride.

* The day after Blake Jarmon was suspended a spokeswoman lied to a reporter about the suspension.

* Supt. Brian Lindsey has told the public that it's not a police matter. The alleged physical harm of students isn't a police matter?

* Jarmon has definitely lawyered up and Lindsey has reportedly attempted to negotiate against the advice of the school board's attorney.

* Jarmon isn't the only employee of McBride to have come under scrutiny in the past two months. Many parents have contacted us about the rumors; however, we've not been able to verify them. If true, what should have been a simple reprimand/short suspension situation has become a total cover-up, and parents have a right to be upset.

Now Muscle Shoals has a school divided. Many of the parents defend Jarmon, even initiating a FB page in his support, while others want him gone and a police investigation underway. If Lindsey and Jarmon have nothing to hide, why not allow an outside agent to interview the children? The longer this situation goes on, the more entrenched the rumors become.

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Don't forget to mark your calendars for Tuesday. Whether you vote for Jones, Busby, or Moore, it's important to exercise your right to cast a ballot. 

And What of McBride in Muscle Shoals?

The 15 day suspension for the fourth grade teacher at McBride Elementary in Muscle Shoals should now be over. Or did the board of education meet and set a more permanent punishment in place? 

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Remember the parent who got a royal runaround from the Lauderdale County Board of Education? Some are saying she's the cause of the state audit, the first in decades, that indicated Lauderdale schools weren't monitoring their financial shortages - and there were plenty of them.

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Speaking of Lauderdale schools, it was only a few months ago that Jennifer Gray wanted to become superintendent of a neighboring system. Now she's "retiring." Many are saying her send off will be standing room only...as in give the people what they want. 

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Things change... Remember that old song with the line "the day we tore the goal post down?" It might sound like fun, but Auburn has been fined $250,000.00 after fans stormed the field following its win over Bama. Ouch.

Goodness! Just think how much the fine would be for storming the field in Muscle Shoals! 

Muscle Shoals Teacher Torture

This blog is rated PG:

First from Leslie M. Shoals...

Actually, the men are saying he does that weird thing men do,,, "nipple twisting" as they are explaining how "innocent" he is.

I asked if it was little boys he was doing that to and I get a scorned look!!

It is not proper nor is he a good role model with that kind of behavior.  But then again, look at others in MSCS...

* High school Coach Balentine beats his wife while having affair with guidance counselor. 

* Middle school Principal and assistant have affairs with teachers and principal gets promotion to newly created central office position.

* Coach Basden and others get bonuses out of tax payers money under the table.. 

Need more examples of the culture at MSCS?

Don't ask why kids act the way they do, ask WHY NOT.

That school board is totally disengaged. The love of title and free ride/trips?

 

Leslie M. Shoals

 

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Yes, gentle readers, the reported sin of the fourth grade teacher is "nipple twisting." We're not sure if this was a form of punishment for infractions or just a general habit. No matter which, it was wrong.

Yes, it was inflicted on both male and female. We're told it's painful. It would be especially painful for females who would at that age (9-10), at least many of them, have growing mammaries. Their breasts are tender and should be off limits no matter what.

Supt. Lindsey says this is not a criminal matter. Isn't it child abuse? We understand this man was suspended for 14 days; will the investigation be complete in two-weeks-time? Will the truth, whatever it is, then be told?

We're still waiting for someone to tell us why McBride Elementary where the abuse took place lied to the press about the incident. Yes, lied. Who told the receptionist/secretary to lie? The people of Muscle Shoals deserve some answers.

Publishing Twice a Day/Those Who Lie to Us?

First, we wish to apologize to some of our writers who have not yet had their blogs published. Due to various breaking news, we've fallen behind. At times, we will now publish twice a day. Look for us around late morning and late night - this is not written in stone as far as time is concerned and will not be an everyday publishing event. 

Please feel free to send us guest blogs; we will attempt to publish them as soon as possible. We publish views from all sides as long as they're polite, etc. You know the drill.

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There are many ways not to tell the truth without lying. Still, when we ask questions of someone, a "no comment" is sufficient if they don't wish to answer. Take the Town of Rogersville. Some years ago we asked if they had given drag racers a permit to race in the industrial park. We were told "no." What they had done was to provide the drag racing show with a parade permit. Not the same thing, so technically the city did not lie to us; however, do you think we will ever so much as blink to help that town in any way? We sincerely hope you answered "no." (People who live there who need help, yes; the town itself, no.)
Now we see this:

Did Muscle Shoals School System Lie About Suspension?

The entire brouhaha over this fourth grade teacher physically abusing children could have been handled so much more nicely, but apparently the staff at McBride were told to lie about the suspension. Why? They knew it had to come to light at some point.

Every Muscle Shoals parent should be asking Supt. Lindsey why anyone chose to lie about this man and his alleged crimes. We're asking him now. Or was it the principal at McBride? We're asking you now. Why was the employee who answered the phone told to lie when she could just as easily have said "no comment?"