Several Concerns as a Muscle Shoals Citizen

Below is a blog written by our regular writer Leslie M. Shoals. Leslie is the only one of our writers who resides in the city of Muscle Shoals. Yes, we know that another local blogger has attempted to implicate owners/editors of other sites as being part of our blogging team. You may believe him or you may believe us. If we wished to lie about the person's involvement, we would also lie about Leslie's. So, yes, Leslie has a special interest in the upcoming tax referendum, while the rest of us do not. 

How would Shoalanda vote if she lived in the city of Muscle Shoals? The answer is "No" since current tax revenue isn't being spent expeditiously, we can't believe any added revenue would be spent in any more accountable fashion. 

*****

The belief that educators model good behavior for the students is something that is sacred. It's critical for the development for young minds to witness the highest level of moral and ethical behavior of those school employees they are exposed to at every level.

However, the Muscle Shoals City Schools are failing miserably in setting the good example for their students in the importance of following rules and concentrating on getting a quality education.

Muscle Shoals Employee Handbook - as adopted by the School Board upon recommendation by the superintendent:

4.11 Political Activity

        a. Employees may not appropriate Board property or resources for use in political campaigns and may not engage in partisan political activities (including but not limited to the distribution of campaign material or literature) during regular school or duty hours or at a Board sponsored or sanctioned events, functions, or at activities at which the employee is on duty or assigned official responsibilities.

         d. Political signs may not be placed on schools or school board property. 

As you can see from the pictures taken at the High School, McBride Elementary and the Middle School, there is very little regards the principals really care what the rules are, nor do they fear being held responsible for clearly violating the rules. Then again, Superintendent Lindsey doesn't hold any respect and regards for the board members doing right either as he has vote yes signs lined up in front of the Board Central Office as well as the Community Ed Office next door. (now - how about that community?)

Let's look at much deeper and troubling reports out of the Middle School. A PE teacher (non resident) lectured the children to tell their parents to vote for an increase in property taxes based on it will only cost their parents $4 a month and the children would reap the benefits when they get to the high school where this tax will allow them to buy really nice PE equipment for them to use there. Wow - Haven't heard that as one of the "capital improvement" plans Mr. Lindsey has thrown out there.

Earlier there was much ado made about McBride Elementary School (principal is non resident as well) using the taxpayer's LED school sign to promote the political campaign "Vote Yes".

Now, we have him, and the Middle School Principal (non-resident) lining the street and around the multi million dollar athletic facility with campaign signs to vote yes - clearly violating the policies - with no regard for the rules.

How do these administrators expect the children to respect them, let alone follow the rules, and aspire to do great things, with this kind of childish and illegal acts going on?

What is the penalty for such? Those are also spelled out within the pages of "thou shalt nots", however, there has to be moral and ethical governance and oversight for a civilized society to function in such a manner.

Mr. Willie Thompson, Mr. Farrell Southern, Mr. Clay Wood, Mr. Stoddard, Ms. Rudolf, did you read the handbooks before you approved them to make them binding rules of procedures? Do you realize by your lack of enforcement of rules, you have set a precedent for any and all attempted enforcement of rules to be thrown out in a court of law?

CITY COUNCILMAN NOLES, WILLIS, LOCKHARD, SOCKWELL - MAYOR. Is this what you condone with your appointment of yes people to that board? Your test of accountability will be taken in 2020 - we're ready to grade you, and not soon enough. 

And, you want the good citizens of Muscle Shoals to give you MORE MONEY? You can't manage simple tasks like rules and regulations, how can we expect you to manage money?

It's obvious, you have bigger problems than money - you have a serious lack of moral and ethical values in some of your administrators.

This ole timer says a BIG NO to any further feeding of the fattened cow.

VOTE NO - AUGUST 28th