Tuscumbia Schools Thumb Noses at COVID

 

How to end the pandemic? So far we've learned that lay lawmakers know more than educators, but that educators know more than those with medical degrees. How are local educators handling COVID in their schools? Let's just say it from our armchair - Not well!

From a connected source in Tuscumbia:

This communication has been removed due to the source now fearing retaliation.

How does that sound? Everyone right now say a prayer for these teachers and the families of the ill children. Now let's ask what those sick children were doing in an actual school setting to begin with? Don't you just love some parents?

Please, please tell us why the health of students, teachers, and the general public is sacrificed in a CYA attempt by Tuscumbia school administrators? If these are the ones who are to lead the next generation out into a productive world, we are truly doomed to a future as a Chinese colony...and not even a first rate one at that.

On a positive note, all these newly minted medical practitioners out there give hope for skyrocketing sales of Shoalanda's home lobotomy kit...

Not So Cool Schools in Tuscumbia & Lauderdale?

The following are two recent comments from readers on local schools:

A few years ago, and after many complaints by teachers, a national educational accreditation committee advised the Tuscumbia City Schools school board to 'back off' the 'micro-management' of the system's schools. The school board agreed to do so, but never actually did. The school board continued to do what they were told NOT to do, and haven't stopped. System school administrators have virtually ZERO say in who is placed in their respective schools. Few, if any, interviews are actually conducted for vacancies. Instead, school board members 'inform' principals who will be 'hired'. Actual hiring is said to be determined by two factors: Coaching ability, and personal (family) relationship with board member(s). Coaching ability is said to trump teaching experience and content knowledge.

and

The Lauderdale County Board of Education does not carry Workmen’s Compensation on its employees. Any work- related accident must be reported to your supervisor within 24 hours. An injury report must be completed. If medical care is required, [a] the employee will need to file on his/her own hospital/medical insurance. [b] Out-of-pocket expenses may be filed with the State Board of Adjustment for possible reimbursement.

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An imaginary exchange:

Alabama Legislator: I have a great idea. Let's take a lot of our tax dollars and build a care home for all the Zika babies that will be born in this state in the next few years.

Voice of Common Sense: Why not take that money to familiarize citizens about the virus. Tell them to avoid areas where mosquitoes are located, but if they can't do that, wear insect repellent and avoid unprotected sex?

An exchange that no one listens to:

Alabama Legislator: I have a great idea. Let's take a lot of our tax dollars and pass indefensible laws against abortion regulations and clinics in this state.

Voice of Common Sense: Why not take that money to explain reproduction in detail to all pupils in public schools. Tell them to wait until they're ready to be a parent before they have sex, but if they can't do that, carefully explain contraception. Voila! No unwanted pregnancies.

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It's time for a Bi Lifestyle in this state. No, we're not talking about sex; we're speaking of jobs. We need to encourage high school students to think about both a career they need as well as a career they want. If any out there wish to obtain a degree in goat cheese production and marketing, that's great. Go for it. We do suggest you also learn a trade, as in welding or plumbing or some other vocational mainstay.

Just because you know you're in the top ten all time great graphic comic illustrators, don't assume you'll immediately get a job in that field...and not leave Frog Pond to do it. Make sure you have a vocation to fall back on when the latest war on terror creates a shortage of artist's ink.

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We're not placing any bets on August trials for these three, but here's the schedule:

Human Trafficking Trials

Related post: Sex, Booze, Pills, & More Sex

Silent Night: Mixed Signals from Americans United

Recently an anonymous Tuscumbia parent requested that the organization Americans United for Separation of Church and State intervene concerning the school system's annual Christmas play...or should that be holiday play? It seems one of the songs to be featured was Silent Night.

Americans United then wrote the Tuscumbia School Board requesting the song be dropped from the program. The board refused to honor the request, but it's been reported that the song was moved from the finale to a place of less importance in the production.

Such requests are no longer novel, but we do question the purpose for Americans United becoming involved in this issue. The following is taken from their website:

Public schools may incorporate some religious music into concerts and other events, but it should not dominate. Some purely religious plays and other works are not appropriate for public schools. No student should be punished for declining to play religious music.

Seemingly not everyone at Americans United is on the same page. The group has suggested it may take stronger action next year; unless they edit their mission statement in the upcoming year, we would expect the Tuscumbia School Board to continue to ignore the group.

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Dated between 1907 and 1915, this postcard depicts the Florence-Sheffield trolley crossing the railroad bridge. It can be yours for $35.00. Link



Shoalanda

Comments welcome. No profanity. No vulgarity. No libelous statements. Get it? Got it! Good...

Where is Calvin Roman Hankins?

Calvin Roman Hankins is now confirmed as the main suspect in an early morning stabbing death in Muscle Shoals. Hankins is a 31 year-old Sheffield resident with previous assault arrests dating back several years.

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More on Tuscumbia City Schools from a long-time reader:

During the Jim Berry administration at Tuscumbia City Schools the DHS principal did not recommend a DHS alumnae math teacher for tenure. The Tuscumbia Education Association rose in protest. The Board thru management or was it micro-management at the request of the TEA reversed the Superintendent. Over time this action was correct, the teacher is rock solid and a valuable asset! The picture in the Times Daily contains the same retired teachers and wife's of former school board members who asked the board to do the very same thing they now see as wrong. Time dulls memory and logic fades when false piety rule the day rather than true concern for what is best for TCS.

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For those who have asked:

The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office is temporarily relocating to the basement of the Lauderdale County courthouse while demolition and renovation of the old offices, located on the 2nd floor of the courthouse, takes place. LCSO dispatch operations is being moved to 'E-911'. The project is expected to be completed by the first of 2012.

One hopes that 'extreme caution' is used during the demolition process as there is most likely asbestos present in some of the old building materials when one considers the age of the building.

Shoalanda

Bad Teacher?/Good Immigraton!

We present two views on recent topics. First the Tuscumbia School Board situation--as with any issue, there are always two sides. Failing to renew the contract of the current superintendent may have been done for the wrong reasons, or the right reasons; it is not micromanagement. Surely the superintendent of any system should be the utmost concern for that system's board of education. Here is a take from a regular Tuscumbia reader:

It is peculiar that the same Gene Balding who lives in Russellville and teaches for the Tuscumbia Board of Education is bashing the Board for Micro-management! Not too many years ago he was a member of 11 teachers at R.E. Thompson School who petitioned the Board of Education to over-rule Superintendent Royce Massey who wanted to tenure a principal (Gillespie). The Board over-ruled the Superintendent and Mr Balding's group got it's way. Urging Micro-management? The Pot calling the Kettle black? Hypocrite? Whose community is he talking about? He sends his kids to Russellville, shops there, and lives there. More to come on a similar circumstance at DHS during the Jim Berry administration.

We look forward to more from this concerned citizen and thank him for his input.

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We plan to feature several articles on both the good and bad sides of immigration in the days to come. Here is the story of Mary Carton's mother, originally published as part of a larger article in Grit Magazine. This is what our country is about. Mrs. Carton, we salute you.


My Mom was born in Yugoslavia. Her Dad was German and Mom Hungarian. After WWII broke out a German officer rode up to the door of their house and told my Grandfather that he was to report for duty, and if he didn’t, they would come back and shoot him. After much discussion with my Grandmother, he decided to report. He came home a few times, but is listed as MIA in the area of Yugoslavia now known as Bosnia. In the mean time, my Grandmother was taken to a Russian concentration camp. Mom at seven years old was left to fend for herself, begging for food, after her Grandfather’s death, her brothers took off for Germany. After a year on her own, she eventually found her Mother, who was rented out by the Russians to work in farmer’s fields during the day. She was then also placed in the concentration camp with her Mother for 18 months until they paid to escape with a group of 60 from the camp.

After going to Austria, somehow they were united with my two uncles and came to the U.S. as refugees aboard the troop carrier USS Hanselman. How did Mom and Dad meet? My Dad requested a family to come and work for him through the Catholic Relief Services. Another family was to come and work for him, but their children developed the measles, so Mom’s family was selected. After a brief courtship, mostly hiding and kissing behind a stack of milk crates, they were married and had five children.

Shoalanda

The Chinese Are Coming?

Do you think the Chinese company that wished to purchase the old Florence Golf and Country Club property just threw a dart and came up with Florence? Don't think so. UNA has a recruiting office in China and has in the past announced its intentions of awarding several slots in its nursing program to Chinese students. Money talks, and to think we once were worried about the Japanese buying our golf courses...

We're also curious about this company's alternative natural medicines. Are they talking rhino horns as a homeopathic Viagra? How would this fit in with any existing curricula at the university? From looking at their web site, we would venture any foray into U.S. enterprise would have to be at least partially approved by the F.D.A.

Let's not condemn Mr. Pendleton or Mr. Barnhart until we have the full story. Remember, it was university president William Cale who convinced the Guizhou Shenqi Group to retract their offer. Perhaps mediation isn't his strong point.

Related post: Chinese Nurses?

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It seems Tuscumbia School Superintendent Joe Walters will have to review and act on complaints against the very board of education that recently terminated his contract. We have no concrete idea why Walters' contract is not being renewed, but we can definitely say he is handling his responsibilities for the remainder of his term by taking the high road. We hope to have more on this later.

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From Chris Ligon:

I think fundamentally, Shoalanda and I would agree that the ultimate solution would be a society of voluntarianism where people would simply pay other people for services in a non corrupted exchange and not feel entitled to charity that is the end result of the productive class having their labor gleaned at the point of a gun. However, just like the local journalist who I respect the most says, those days are gone.

So what we are dealing with is a fiat currency, manufactured debt and the upward flow of wealth that is channeled into all kinds of programs that do not benefit the people who are actually out here trying to make an honest living. So the question becomes... out of all the ways that the taxes from workers could be more fairly distributed to better our communities, why is it that other poor working people from Mexico should receive most of our outrage. Believe me, the people that brought them here and benefit the from their cheap labor aren't having to worry about paying for their kids' health care. This is a class warfare issue and when I see us fighting over the scraps of wealth instead of looking at who is sitting at the table, it saddens me.

Mr. Ligon's comments are profound, but "class warfare?" It's something to think about. Tomorrow another look at local immigration.

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If you see Mary Carton today, wish her a happy birthday!



Shoalanda

Joe Walters Put Tuscumbia Residents First

When current Tuscumbia superintendent Joe Walters took office in 2007, as many as one-third of the students entering Kindergarten were from outside the city. Due to proration, Walters put a stop to non-resident students. Now at least one source states this may have cost him his contract renewal.

Tuscumbia is a small town with relatively little in the budget for the superintendent's salary. When they last interviewed four years ago, several applicants asked to be taken out of consideration when they found out just how little the demanding position paid. It will be interesting to see who now applies for a job with so little security.

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If brother kills brother over an air conditioner, as has happened more than once in Alabama, we can only imagine what the theft of beer would produce. Tony Curtis Wilson states his brother stole his beer and he retaliated by attempting to burn the house down. Wilson apparently isn't very good at impulse control, having a 2005 arrest for shoplifting meat from Hometown Market in North Florence and several arrests for burglary, not to mention a domestic violence charge in 2009. We wonder what it will take to keep Wilson in prison.

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We sympathize with those residents living on unpaved gravel roads, but there is humor in their story. Who names a narrow gravel road "Paradise Drive?" We see fodder for Jay Leno...

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It's the 31st anniversary of Larry Fisher's 39th birthday. Happy birthday, Larry!



Shoalanda