What Will Montgomery & Burbank Do Now?

It’s official that Colbert County Supt. Anthony Olivis wants to transfer Bob Montgomery to the alternative school. The salary may be the same, but obviously the working conditions bear no similarities. Montgomery has refused the position.

Will it go to the courts? If so, it’s the citizens (read: taxpayers) who will bear the burden of this fight. If Olivis and the school system lose, they will in all probability bear Montgomery’s legal expenses as well, assuming they’re not covered by AEA.

Money will not be the only concern, should it go to court. Both Colbert Heights Elementary School and the alternative school will be in limbo until these positions are decided. That’s not even considering the possibility that Jeff Burbank may decide to engage in a legal fight against his demotion.

We’ve seen some comments that the three administrators Olivis has challenged were not doing their job. What if that should be correct? While we don’t believe it is, in that case the former superintendent had been tolerating three principals who were not doing their job.

We welcome comments on this, as well as any of our blogs.

We’ve heard it said a promotion isn’t really a promotion unless a raise is involved. Nevertheless, titles are nice, they bring respect and they look good on resume’s so that the employee who didn’t get an actual raise can look for a better job.

How about a demotion? Is is really a demotion for Jeff Burbank if he makes the same salary? We say it is. If you’re at a social gathering and are introduced to a classroom teacher and a principal, which one do you think has more “on the ball?”

Comments, anyone?

Shoalanda

Will Olivis Be Voted Out?

We regularly compare candidates for various offices and make recommendations. Two years ago, we did just that in the Colbert County School System race for superintendent. We looked at the qualifications of the two men who sought this office, neither or whom we knew, and then read their press releases. We chose to back Bob (Tuc) Montgomery as both the most educated and experienced.

Needless to say, whenever we endorse any candidate, we get mail from those who support his/her opponent. The most mail we have ever received was concerning this one endorsement. We are not unaware that much of this kind of mail is from one person using different e-mail accounts, but in this case we felt, and still feel, that Anthony Olivis had strong support. Mr. Olivis’ backers sent us varied accounts of his accomplishments.

After reading the material on Olivis, we decided to publish some of it. We also did something that we have never done before, we withdrew our endorsement of Montgomery and advised the voters of Colbert County to consider carefully the two candidates before they entered the polling place.

Now the citizens of Colbert County are faced with having a superintendent who has attempted to sack three school principals in two short years. There are only nine schools in the system (counting the alternative school), so we have to ask why 33% of Colbert administrators were so incompetent? Or is there something more here?

Obviously, in Mr. Montgomery’s case, he opposed Olivis in the election. Some politicians have long memories, short fuses, and carry grudges. We don’t know if that was the case with Mr. Montgomery’s suspension, but so far, no real evidence has been brought to the public’s attention concerning any malfeasance by the former CHES principal.

We were sent a copy of a Facebook posting by a member of Mr. Olivis’ family in which it was stated Olivis would gladly sit down on a one to one basis with teachers and parents of students who had any concerns. This sounds good on the surface, doesn’t it? Read it again. Apparently Olivis has not agreed to speak before a group on the matter, where it could be recorded or videotaped, nor has he agreed to discuss his actions with any Colbert County taxpayers unless they have a child in one of the schools affected.

We’ve heard many say that Olivis cannot win the next election for superintendent. Yet, voters have short memories and are often swayed by dog and pony shows. Therefore, we can’t say with complete conviction that Olivis will serve for only two more years. We can say that we will support anyone running against Olivis...and hope it is Bob Montgomery.

Shoalanda

Seth Lewey: Another Olivis Victim?

It was a small Shoals company, publicly traded, and very successful. The company had a total of two CEOs in its 40 years of life, and a third long-time employee was set to become the company's newest leader. The problem?

Stockholders were happy that the company was very successful, but they believed in the then current economic climate the business was set to become a shooting star of success in its field. The stockholders met, and at the end of the day a new president had come out of nowhere. The new leader quickly fired many employees and brought in his own team. Many locals were upset. What could they do?

The answer is "nothing." It was a publicly owned company and the stockholders had spoken. What if it's a government entity? What can the taxpayers do? We say, "a lot," and it may now be time for the citizens and taxpayers of Colbert County to speak out.

We know that Robert Montgomery, principal of Colbert Heights Elementary, is not the only long-time education employee to meet the wrath of current superintendent Anthony Olivis. A short six weeks after Olivis took office in January of last year, Seth Lewey turned in his notice ostensibly due to health reasons.

Lewey had been principal of Hatton Elementary School and a supporter of Robert Montgomery in the 2012 superintendent's race. Did he really have health problems? If he did, they cleared up as soon as he resigned from Hatton; he now teaches third and fifth grades at Colbert Heights. Perhaps in an area where teachers are as numerous as mosquitoes in the dog days of summer, Mr. Lewey took what he could get?

Olivis' second would-be victim? We know the name, but have been unable to get a statement from the educator. Often, parties in legal suits agree to a gag order, and this may be the case with the principal from western Colbert County.

Robert "Tuc" Montgomery has now become Tony Olivis' third victim in assembling his team of rural educators, all of whom will publicly support Olivis in the next superintendent's race. Let's hope Mr. Montgomery, his attorney Tim Case, and the citizens of Colbert County will draw a line in the proverbial sand of good ol' boyism...

*****

It would seem some in the Colbert Heights area are rumor-mongering. Let's clear up any reports that there is money missing from the school. From Pen-N-Sword:

No Criminal Charges

Shoalanda

In Support of Robert "Tuc" Montgomery

In Support of Robert "Tuc" Montgomery

A Guest Blog by

A Concerned Parent

I have seen Mr. Montgomery do everything from clean toilets to entertain public figures with the utmost grace and professionalism. He was in a constant state of making improvements to the classrooms and campus as well as causing our test scores to soar. He always gave the teachers a say in the decisions that were made and many times gave the teachers credit for things he had initiated. I've seen the love the children have for him and what a wonderful role model he has been for many of them that need this so desperately. Seeing this school shine has been his goal. I've seen him discipline children with a tear in his eye only to shake their hand afterwards and tell them how loved they are. Teacher's needs were always accommodated. I've seen the love and admiration the children have for him as well as us parents. So many of his hours outside of the school day were devoted to making sure the campus shined inside & out.

Our Parents organization, the schools finances, the teachers' resources. He just simply has turned CHES into a thriving school. If a teacher didn’t have what they wanted … then they hadn’t asked for it. He has cut the grass on the weekends, shoveled gravel in the pouring rain, as well as spent many of his summers painting the school.

He has reached in and taken money out of his pocket because he was afraid a child didn’t have snack money. He has left his own family on Christmas Eve to deliver a bicycle to parents who he knew would not be able to give their own child a present on Christmas morning.

I shudder to think where our school would be today if he had not come to CHES. He has been with CHES over 10 years. Whether you are a preacher, administrator, principal or in any other type of management position you rarely last but just a few years before problems start to crop up for whatever reason….. this man has lasted for over 10 years plus. That should tell you something about his character and work ethic.

You have 3 or 4 on the campus that may have had to be reprimanded or told to step it up or possibly they weren’t given the answer they wanted to hear on a decision he had to make … it is those few that decided to band together and try to ruin his career.

You all may wonder why I support Mr Montgomery so much. It is because I have worked with the PTO/Cats Committee and also been classroom mom since the first day my oldest started school. I have a child in 5th an a child in 2nd. I have worked along side Mr. Montgomery and teachers with many things.

With all this being said us as parents want to know WHY? Why... Did our principal that does his job and an awesome job at that get removed from his job. He makes sure our Children are safe and get the education they need, our teachers are safe and get the things they need for their class rooms, Our School shines inside an out. We parents have a voice in matters. Plus Much More... SO TELL US WHY???

Editor's Note: Our mail is running four to one in support of Mr. Montgomery.



Shoalanda

Faces, Feuds, & Fathers

We greatly respect our readers and always appreciate their input. Several have commented to us that the recent Sheffield Police raid on Faces Bar & Lounge on Hatch Boulevard was the result of a false report phoned in to the authorities. If this is correct, we hope the person responsible can be found and punished, not to mention having to pay damages to those who may have been injured in the subsequent melee.

*****

Has another old feud surfaced? Two years ago we received more input on the Colbert County school system superintendent election than any other. We initially endorsed Robert Montgomery for the position, and to say that resulted in an onslaught of e-mail by Tony Olivis supporters would be putting it mildly. Then came the rebuttals for Montgomery.

Now Supt. Olivis has suspended Montgomery. We're sure there's much to this ongoing story that has not yet been told:

Montgomery Suspended

*****

Next to a mother, a father is the most important person in any child's life. When he isn't there, it may have a serious negative impact. We recently commented on Blake Austin Hines, a young many who's scheduled to be tried in June in Lauderdale County for a home invasion involving an older victim. An article sent to us at the time of the crime mentioned Hines' mother. A faithful reader and friend wanted us to know that Hines' father should shoulder much of the blame for the young man's criminal bent. It seems he was rarely there for Blake and in fact set a bad example when he was present.

Fathers, you can't spend too much quality time with your children...



Shoalanda

Montgomery v. Olivis: Their Supporters are Many

Teachers Fighting the System

Most Shoals voters know school superintendents are appointed in city systems and elected in county systems. Is one method better than the other? Each has its advantages, but the county elections always bring just a little extra zing into the voting booth.

We recently endorsed Robert "Tuc" Montgomery for Colbert superintendent, and did that cause the e-mail inbox to overflow. All who contacted us stated that we may use their names; however, since we're assuming these voters have children in school, we prefer to publish a few comments without attribution. Rest assured they do come from our readers.

Supporting Mr. Olivis:

I...did not understand the sentence "due to the obvious disparity in the scholastic records of the two candidates".  Mr. Olivis has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Educational Administration.  He has served in the Colbert County system as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Elementary Principal and High School Principal.  In addition to educational experience, Mr. Olivis also served 22 years with the U.S. Army National Guard & Reserves and answered the call to serve in Iraq in 2005.

I know both of these men, being a resident of the Colbert Heights community and I will be voting for Mr. Olivis.  If you choose to support Mr. Montgomery, that is your choice.  You should not imply that you have looked at both candidates objectively if you have not.

-()-

I have known Anthony Olivis for 30 years and have worked with and for Mr. Olivis for about 10 years.  He is a very hard working, intelligent, and christian man who in my opinion is the most qualified candidate for the position.  Mr. Olivis not only has been a peer of mine in the teaching profession but in the military as well.  He is retired from the military and spent a year in Iraq defending our freedoms. 

Even though your blog is "not an exercise in journalism," you are reaching and influencing people of the shoals.  Hopefully this helps you in making a decision based on the merits which helps the people who follow your blog.

-()-

Here is a link to Mr. Olivis' resume':  Anthony Olivis

 -()-

Here is a link to the latest interview with Mr. Montgomery:  Bob Montgomery

We assume there will be more statements and clarifications from both candidates in the next week. As we stated yesterday, do your own research before you vote. Whoever wins works for the people. Many candidates forget that fact once they are elected. Colbert County is like many Alabama systems and desperately short on funding. Remember the big picture is made up of many little pictures. This is an important election and should be regarded as such.

*****

While we are currently making no endorsement in the Democratic race between Troy Woodis and Lane Roland, we have been asked to make a correction. Lane Roland is now retired from the North Alabama Gas District.

Many retired gas managers continue to receive a monthly salary for consulting work. We have asked Mr. Roland if this is the case with him; when we receive an answer from the Colbert County Commission candidate, we will immediately publish it.



Shoalanda

Revisiting Troy Woodis & Bob "Tuc" Montgomery

 Troy Woodis Sitting on Left of Local Pariah Greg Aziz

We doubt that any of us who have been voting for any number of years have not voted for the "ideal" candidate only to find out later that the man/woman was a wife beater/Satanist/whatever. It happens.

We were certainly caught off guard yesterday when we read the breaking story on Troy Woodis in The Connection:

Troy Woodis Slammed by Lawsuits

We don't pretend to know what has precipitated Mr. Woodis' financial problems, but the drastic decline in housing sales would seem to be a likely guess. We don't know if Woodis is not providing child support because of a lack of means or a lack of common care for his children. He is obviously funding his campaign for the Colbert County Commission. That's not very good prioritizing.

That brings us back to his opponent Lane Roland. Roland may work as manager of the Madison office of the North Alabama Gas District, but the main office is in Muscle Shoals. Would he vote on issues concerning natural gas in Colbert County? Many issues would involve gas service peripherally; would he vote on those if the public didn't realize this?

These are the issues. We are not going to endorse anyone in this particular Democratic race. Colbert voters need to look at all the issues and look at them good. Then vote. Then keep their eyes on whoever serves them. In God we trust; all others should be reasonably suspect.

*****

No local race has been as divisive as the one for Colbert County School Superintendent. Both candidates have run an honorable campaign, but our readers are vehement in their support of either Montgomery or Olivis. We're still receiving e-mails on this particular office/endorsement.

We'll take a second look at both candidates tomorrow. If you want to make your voice heard here, please send your thoughts now. It speaks well of both men that they have such avid supporters and have run such a clean race.

*****

Slang? Ain't it cool? Who should use it and when? Each profession has its own patois, usually not known to the general public and often not grammatical. Should our educators use slang, at least publicly? In other words, is is really copacetic? (Yes, that was a salute to Bill Bojangles Robinson.)

We see where current Lauderdale County School Superintendent William Valentine has just announced he "trespassed" a father from any school property. Trespassed? Really? Perhaps when Dr. Valentine leaves office some incoming choppers will whisk him back to his crib where he can ride the scan machine for more popo talk. From Merriam-Webster:

1

a : a violation of moral or social ethics : transgression; especially : sin b : an unwarranted infringement

2

a : an unlawful act committed on the person, property, or rights of another; especially : a wrongful entry on real property b : the legal action for injuries resulting from trespass.

Shoalanda

Better for Colbert Schools: Montgomery or Olivis?

If you've read anything at all about Colbert County Schools recently, you know this system is in trouble. There is a shortfall of funds in order to run the system, and now the central office is so overrun with mold that a new (as in we hope older remodeled) building is considered the only hope. So who should take the helm of this beleagered system?

Bob "Tuc" Montgomery is one of two candidates running on the Democratic ticket. Here is his vision statement:

If elected as Superintendent of Education in Colbert County, I will take a goal-setting approach.  My primary goal will be to continue the success the Colbert County School District has experienced in recent years.  Our current Central Office administration has done a great job in these tough financial times, managing to improve academic standards while facing extensive budget cuts.

I want to continue improving our academics and ensure that our district is providing every child the opportunity and tools they need to either pursue a higher education or a career in the trades, depending on their own aspirations.  I want to see to it that those kids who struggle are provided with opportunities for success.  The superintendent’s job is ultimately about preparing our kids for a bright future, and that will be my top priority.

Some of the key functions of the superintendent are ensuring the district has a strong and progressive academic curriculum, providing for a strong financial base, and fostering good parent/community involvement in each of our schools.  While each of these is critical, the financial issue will be the biggest challenge we face because it will be a balancing act to continue progressing academically while controlling expenditures.  This will be one of my major focus areas – we have to provide the best education possible based on our financial resources, while keeping the doors open and providing paychecks for our people.

The second Democratic Candidate is Anthony Olivis. Here is his vision statement:

I am running for the position of Superintendent of the Colbert County Schools System. I feel confident in my ability as an educator and principal and now, I would like the opportunity to lead our school system to further successes.

Due to the obvious disparity in the scholastic records of these two candidates, we feel it's almost a redundency to endorse a candidate here; however, we confidently predict Tuc Montgomery is the man to lead Colbert County out of its current misasma of financial difficulty and into a bright future. We wholeheartely endorse Robert "Tuc" Montgomery for the Democratic nomination.

*****

No matter how you personally feel about inducing abortion as a means of birth control or to eradicate the results of a rape, etc., you should still have enough common sense to know when a state bill would financially benefit a member of our legislature. From Greg Reed:

But there’s no chance Preferred Medical Systems, where Reed is vice president, would benefit, he said. It is the company’s policy not to do business with abortion providers. I do not sell ultrasound equipment in my business to clinics that are abortion clinics,” the Republican state senator said recently. According to campaign information, Preferred Medical Systems sells diagnostic medical equipment in five states.

The above statement is the epitome of doublespeak. There are only a handful of "abortion clinics" in Alabama. There are many obstetric clinics which offer abortions when necessary. We don't see where Reed is promising not to sell to them. Aren't politicians wonderful?

Shoalanda