This guy has some serious issues and the citizens of Edgecombe County needs to stay away from him. He is trying to convince the Birmingham Board to not finalize the hiring of Dr. Craig Witherspoon Superintendent Edgecombe County Public Schools.
—– Original Message —–
From: rejacksumc@aol.com
To: thedcn@embarqmail.com
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 6:12 PM
Subject: Condition of Educatin Review: Edgecombe County NC Public Schools
Citizens for Better Schools
www.cfbsedu.org
"Structuring Schools for Success’s – Making the Vision Work for All Students"
We are interested in the condition of education in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, academic, administrative, fiscal, along with community perceptions of the condition of education in Edgecombe County. Carolina interested in obtaining data on:
1. The racial make up of Gifted & talented Programs in Edgecombe County Schools.
2. Black/White faculty and administration makeup in Edgecombe County Schools
3. Graduation rates for student athletes (black/white) in all sports
4. Black/White Expulsion ratios 2005-2009; community initiatives addressing this problem in Edgecombe
5. Black/White classroom assignment in each school
6 North Carolina ABCs End of Course and NCLB performance data
7. Any civil rights complaints filed with state and local enforcement agencies
8. Title I allocations to schools and programs
9. Utilization of NCLB Supplemental Education Services at each Edgecombe school, with break out of utilization by race and gender
10. Whether Edgecombe has any "same-sex" or "single gender" (All Boys/All Girls) self-contained classes, or courses
11. Citizens participation in Edgecombe County Schools
12. Equity and equality of school facilities
13. Equity and quality of instruction for each Edgecombe school
14. Whether "ability grouping" or "tracking is utilized in Edgecombe schools.
15. Utilization of NCLB Parental Choice Transfer Options by parents to transfer students from schools failing to make AYP to school making AYP
These are categorical areas of concern we would like to have as much data feed back as possible. Anecdotal comments are also appreciated. Our review covers the time line spanning the 2005-2006 thru the 2008-2009 school term. Of course, any similar data available for FY09-10 is appreciated as well.
Citizens for better Schools is planning a visit to Edgecombe for the end of next week. We would like to hold a public "Speak Out," as we do in Birmingham, to solicit public input on the "Condition of Education of Edgecombe County Schools." We would appreciate venue suggestions (church, community center, hotel) in Tarboro. We world like to do a morning and evening Speak Out event in order to accommodate day and evening shift workers and elderly. Please share your suggestions ASAP.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to call.
Send all mailings to:
Curmilus Dancy II, Blogger/Videographer
252.314.5484 252.827.4598 Fax
P. O. Box 1391, Pinetops, NC 27864
Curmilus Dancy II
Note: Ronald copied and pasted my information at the end of his letter as if whoever was suppose to send all mailings to me. When I seen this I immediately sent him an email.
—– Original Message —–
From: The DCN Blog/Online TV Curmilus Dancy II (Butch) Publisher Videographer @ www.thepoliticalagitator.com
To: rejacksumc@aol.com
Cc: The DCN Blog/Online TV Curmilus Dancy II (Butch) Publisher Videographer @ www.thepoliticalagitator.com ; Curmilus Dancy II (Butch) Grassroots Effective Community Activist @ www.thepoliticalagitator.com ; The Political Agitator Curmilus Dancy II (Butch) @ www.thepoliticalagitator.com
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 9:45 PM
Subject: Response: Condition of Educatin Review: Edgecombe County NC Public Schools
Hello: Mr. Ronald E. Jackson:
This is one of my email addresses. I just wanted to know if you had sent it to anyone other than I.
Thank you, working on my response to your original email.
Watch TV – See what video is playing now. You can click on On-Demand to see the list of videos available.
At the end of the day, it is not our enemies we remember, but the silence of our friends! Dr. Martin L. King
Dancy Communications Network, The DCN Blog/Internet TV
Curmilus (Butch) Dancy II, Publisher/Videographer
Facebook
Life Fully Paid Member NAACP
252.314.5484 Contact
252.827.4598 Fax
George Fisher, Producer
Send all mailings to:
Curmilus Dancy II
P.O. Box 1391, Pinetops, NC 27864
NOTE: If you would like to be added to this mailing list or removed please click Reply and type in Add or Remove in the Subject. Just because you received this email does not mean you have been added to my address book.
—– Original Message —–
From: rejacksumc@aol.com
To: thedcn@embarqmail.com
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 9:30 PM
Subject: Re: Condition of Educatin Review: Edgecombe County NC Public Schools
GOOD EVENING:
MY EAMIL WAS INTENDED FOR MR. CURMILUS DANCEY, III. IT WAS NOT SENT TO ANY OTHER PERSON.
PLEASE LET ME HAVE MR. DANCEY’S CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS.
THANKS
Ronald E. Jackson
Executive Director
Citizens for Better Schools
"Structuring Schools for Success –
Making the Vision Work for All Students"
www.cfbsedu.org
(205) 421-5428
rejacksumc@aol.com
In a message dated 1/4/2010 7:08:23 P.M. Central Standard Time, thedcn@embarqmail.com writes:
—– Original Message —–
From: The DCN Blog/Online TV Curmilus Dancy II (Butch) Publisher Videographer @ www.thepoliticalagitator.com
To: Ronald E. Jackson Citizens for Better Schools Birmingham Alabama Executive Director
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 11:31 PM
Subject: Response: Condition of Educatin Review: Edgecombe County NC Public Schools
Dear Mr. Jackson:
After reading the local newspapers, speaking with you almost 2 weeks ago via telephone and again a couple of days ago, I am a little confused. I thought you were trying to find out some things about Dr. Witherspoon but it appears you are questioning the Edgecombe County Public Schools System as a whole.
The questions you have presented is some good questions and over the years I along with some others have asked many of them.
I am having a problem with trying to understand your motive here because I am confused about whether you are questioning if Dr. Witherspoon is qualified to be a Superintendent as it appears in the local newspapers or are you questioning Edgecombe County Public Schools and the NC State Public Schools System as whole.
So why would you come here asking the citizens of Edgecombe County questions about Edgecombe County Public Schools and our NC Public Schools System? How would you collecting this data help the citizens of Edgecombe County? Do you plan to go to Raleigh and/or to Raleigh to seek change? In my opinion it would be an insult to me and the citizens of Edgecombe County for you to come here with these types of questions when it is my opinion that your motive is to discredit the Dr. Witherspoon. I would attend the meeting if one is held here.
I understand you and your group have some concerns about Dr. Witherspoon being chosen by the Alabama School Board to become their Superintendent however I question the way you and your group are going about this.
I am almost sure the questions you have presented can be forwarded to the Edgecombe County Public School System Central Office and they will respond to you.
As I stated to you on Saturday, January 2 I hate to see Dr. Witherspoon leave however I can not ask him to stay when he wants to move on. I am a product of Edgecombe County Public Schools and I have been a grassroots effective community activist since the early 90′s challenging the Edgecombe County Public Schools System many times solo. I can be credited for many changes within the system and my name is in the minutes of the meetings dating back to the 90′s. I have videoed the meetings for many years. I have served on the PTO, School Improvement Team, Edgecombe County Public Schools Board Advisory Council, Closing the Achievement Gap Committee and I continue to work with community groups who have concerns about the Edgecombe County Public Schools System. Also as I stated Dr. Witherspoon has never had the full support of the entire board nor from some in the system and in the community because he is not a part of the good ole boy system and is not a part of the politics at hand.
If Edgecombe County Public Schools could offer Dr. Witherspoon more money to stay and he would, I would welcome it however I wholeheartedly support whatever decision he makes.
Sincerely.
Watch TV – See what video is playing now. You can click on On-Demand to see the list of videos available.
At the end of the day, it is not our enemies we remember, but the silence of our friends! Dr. Martin L. King
Dancy Communications Network, The DCN Blog/Internet TV
Curmilus (Butch) Dancy II, Publisher/Videographer
Facebook
Life Fully Paid Member NAACP
252.314.5484 Contact
252.827.4598 Fax
George Fisher, Producer
Send all mailings to:
Curmilus Dancy II
P.O. Box 1391, Pinetops, NC 27864
NOTE: If you would like to be added to this mailing list or removed please click Reply and type in Add or Remove in the Subject. Just because you received this email does not mean you have been added to my address book.
—– Original Message —–
From: rejacksumc@aol.com
To: thedcn@embarqmail.com ; cdancyii@embarqmail.com ; thepoliticalagitator@embarqmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 10:45 AM
Subject: Citizens for Better Schools Investtigatoin: Condition of Ed in Edgecombe County
Citizens for Better Schools
"Structuring Schools for Success –
Making the Vision Work for All Students"
(Regardless of Where They May Live and Attend School)
Mr. Curmilus Dancy II
Citizens for Better Schools does have serious concerns, based on our review of the academic performance of Edgecombe County Schools.
We come to Edgedecombe County because educational injustice is present in Edgecombe County Public Schools. African American students are trapped in an air tight cage of poverty and inadequate education.
You wrote, “I thought you were trying to find out some things about Dr. Witherspoon but it appears you are questioning the Edgecombe County Public Schools System as a whole.” Mr. Dancy, I hope you will come to understand that every superintendent is the”the face of the school system;” that the school system, in substantial part, is a reflection of the leadership of the superintendent. We are not interested in the personality of Dr. Witherspoon, his social graces, or “personal” likes or dislikes, his or anyone else’s “politics”. Citizens for Better Schools is interested exclusively in the business of educating children, particularly the education of the poor generally, and schoolchildren of color, those who are most often neglected, ignored, abused, and uneducated in our public school systems in particular.
I acknowledge your support and appreciation of Dr. Witherspoon. I trust you will understand our concern is for the best interest of the schoolchildren attending Birmingham City Schools. The risk are too great and the stakes are too high in the selection of a school superintendent to not punctiliously examine the work record of any "preferred candidate" finalist for superintendent of Birmingham City Schools.
When we read that Edgecombe County Public Schools, system as a whole, is in Year Three of School Improvement for No Child Left Behind accountability purposes, we are concerned. We are equally concerned to learn that the racial academic gap in Edgecombe schools has increased rather than decreased during Dr. Witherspoon’s tenure at the helm of Edgecombe schools. Our concern is increased when we learn that Edgecombe’s graduation rate has not grown, not even making just one percent growth as required under North Carolina’s school accountability system. We find it troubling that Edgecombe’s End of Course ABCs test scores across grade spans are substantially below state norms. When presented with these facts, on can objectively, dispassionately, and reasonably conclude that such record is not commendable.
Your opinion that “Dr. Witherspoon has never had the full support of the entire board nor from some in the system and in the community because he is not a part of the good ole boy system and is not a part of the politics at hand” begs the obvious question. You opinion certainly raises more questions, deserving further inquiry and attention.
For example, after four years in Edgecombe, why has the “community” failed to support Dr. Whiterspoon? Juxtaposed to your assertion that Dr. Witherspoon has not enjoyed the support of the full school board, it is more than curious that the Edgecombe County Board of Education reappointed Dr. Witherspoon this past September as its school superintendent, extending his contract for four more years. That seems a rather resounding sign of “support.” The board’s contract extension seems to refute your assertion of "lack of support" by your Board of Education.
From your personal perspective, Dr. Witierspoon has done an outstanding job in Edcombe. The public record, as we have seen thus far, does not support that conclusion.
The interrogatories we submitted to you in our email are fundamental predicate questions any responsible community would expect to be provided when considering selection of a superintendent of schools. We will submit these interrogatories to elected and appointed officials of Edgecombe County as well. We have also interviewed individual residents of Edgecombe County regarding their knowledge and perceptions of the quality of education in their county. And we hope our trip to Edgcombe will be equally informative.
The selection process for superintendent in Birmingham has been less than transparent, comprehensive, and informative. Should ECPS undertake a superintendent search, I am reasonably confident that the information we seek, the questions we ask, are many of the same questions you will demand to be answered before selection of a superintendent for your school system, should Dr. Witherspoon choose to resign his post.
As responsible and concerned citizens, its is absolutely necessary that we share information on the performance of our school systems and our administrators. School superintendents are transitory. Many move from school district to school district with little public scrutiny. The
We come to Edgedcombe County in search of the facts regarding academic achievement in your school system. We will take those facts as we find them and as made in Edgecombe.
As you are aware, Citizens for Better Schools will not make the final decision on whether Dr. Witherspoon will become Birmingham’s next superintendent. Our task is to gather and disseminate pertinent data and information to inform our citizens on the prior performance of a candidate to head our school system. It would be unfair to the candidate not to come to his school district and observe first hand the workings of that school district. We welcome your cooperation in this regard.
I look eagerly forward to meeting you when we come to Tarboro next week. Of course, should you have any further questions please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Ronald E. Jackson
Executive Director
Citizens for Better Schools
"Structuring Schools for Success –
Making the Vision Work for All Students"
(Regardless of Where They May Live and Attend School)
www.cfbsedu.org
(205) 421-5428
rejacksumc@aol.com
—– Original Message —–
From: Curmilus Dancy II (Butch) Grassroots Effective Community Activist @ www.thepoliticalagitator.com
To: Ronald E. Jackson Citizens for Better Schools Birmingham Alabama Executive Director
Cc: The DCN Blog/Online TV Curmilus Dancy II (Butch) Publisher Videographer @ www.thepoliticalagitator.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 1:00 PM
Subject: Response: Citizens for Better Schools Investtigatoin: Condition of Ed in Edgecombe County
Mr. Ronald E. Jackson:
This is my final email to you because you just don’t get it.
I don’t give a damn about what you and your group thin about Edgecombe County Public Schools because we do not need ya’ll to deal with any concerns that we may or may not have within our system. I am capable of dealing with issues and I thought I had made that clear to you. Not only am I capable but I know of many whom are as well.
You say you are not interested in trying to discrediting the Dr. Witherspoon. Negro do not play upon my intelligence because the only reason you are concerned about the Edgecombe County Public School System is because the Alabama board has offered him a job. So don’t go there with me. The papers speak to that and my conversations with you via telephone and email speak to that as well.
You quote me saying, "Your opinion that “Dr. Witherspoon has never had the full support of the entire board nor from some in the system and in the community because he is not a part of the good ole boy system and is not a part of the politics at hand” begs the obvious question. You opinion certainly raises more questions, deserving further inquiry and attention." I explained to you in detail why that is my opinion and you can have all the questions you want but again I explained to you what I meant by that I thought you understand it but now you are trying to make something out of my opinion. Don’t try to use me to get your point across. "
You say the following and see my response in bold.
"For example, after four years in Edgecombe, why has the “community” failed to support Dr. Whiterspoon?"
I didn’t say the "community" as a whole, I said some in the community and I stated why.
Juxtaposed to your assertion that Dr. Witherspoon has not enjoyed the support of the full school board, . . .
I have never once in our several conversations via telephone or email that I said that Dr. Witherspoon has not enjoyed the support of the full school board. Negro I said that the board did not support him unanimously (fact) and there were some that voted for him just because (opinion).
it is more than curious that the Edgecombe County Board of Education reappointed Dr. Witherspoon this past September as its school superintendent, extending his contract for four more years. That seems a rather resounding sign of “support.” The board’s contract extension seems to refute your assertion of "lack of support" by your Board of Education."
Negro I told you that the board did not vote him in unanimous when he was first hired so what is your point? So are you saying that just because the board extended his contract that he has the full support of the board.
When we had that conversation on the phone you told me to tell Dr. Witherspoon that he didn’t have the full support of the board in Alabama but they worked out a deal. I said don’t you think that man know that and that I was not going to tell him anything.
That seems a rather resounding sign of “support.” The board’s contract extension seems to refute your assertion of "lack of support" by your Board of Education."
Negro I thought I made it clear to you that I have been attending the Edgecombe County Public Schools since the early 90′s as an effective grassroots community activist. However I am a product of the system as well. So my point is I know that the lack of support and that is not totally based on just because the extended his contract. Hell we vote for folks all the time but then do not support them fully. Unless Dr. Witherspoon leaves or done something that they could get rid of him, then just because they extended his contract does not believe in his workings. Negro please.
You attempt to speak for me, "From your personal perspective, Dr. Witierspoon has done an outstanding job in Edcombe. The public record, as we have seen thus far, does not support that conclusion."
Sir that is your opinion because Negro if that was the case then I do not think the board would have extended his contract. Negro I still stand behind everything I have said via telephone and email.
You say, "The interrogatories we submitted to you in our email are fundamental predicate questions any responsible community would expect to be provided when considering selection of a superintendent of schools."
Negro I told you to get the data from the Edgecombe County Public Schools System. Where in the hell do you think myself and others would retrieve the data that you are requesting? Again Negro do not play upon my intelligence. Hell no I am not going to do your homework for you and in my opinion I have shared enough information with you. If not this is the last conversation that we will have.
You say, "The selection process for superintendent in Birmingham has been less than transparent, comprehensive, and informative. Should ECPS undertake a superintendent search, I am reasonably confident that the information we seek, the questions we ask, are many of the same questions you will demand to be answered before selection of a superintendent for your school system, should Dr. Witherspoon choose to resign his post."
Negro it appears that you have a problem with the communication between you and your board in Alabama. I have gone through a couple of Superintendent searches and I have been pleased with how my concerns were addressed so again I don’t need you to assume anything because I can speak for myself.
You say, "As you are aware, Citizens for Better Schools will not make the final decision on whether Dr. Witherspoon will become Birmingham’s next superintendent.
I am very much aware because the board voted UNANIMOUS to hire him and I read it in the 2 local newspapers here and in your local newspaper and the decision is only based on the background check and if Dr. Witherspoon chooses to accept the offer. When he do then he will turn in his letter of resignation. Actually Negro you have no damn say so in the matter and just like I and others did during previous Superintendent searches we stated our opinion the criteria we would like to see when hiring a new Superintendent. I will do the same again during the next search whenever the time arise.
Our task is to gather and disseminate pertinent data and information to inform our citizens on the prior performance of a candidate to head our school system. It would be unfair to the candidate not to come to his school district and observe first hand the workings of that school district. We welcome your cooperation in this regard.
I have no problem with your task however I stated to you in our conversaton on Saturday that you are looking in the wrong direction in my opinion. Sorry Negro but this is my last conversation with you unless I hear about a meeting that will be held here and I am informed by the local folks of that meeting.
I look eagerly forward to meeting you when we come to Tarboro next week. Of course, should you have any further questions please feel free to contact me."
Negro I do not look forward to meeting with you and I do not have any questions so therefore I do not need to contact you and you do not need to contact me in the future.
I will be sharing our conversation with others and the conversations I have already had with several folks, they say you are not welcome to Edgecombe County.
I want to leave these following quotes with you because this is my last conversation to you.
Truth
"Ah yes, truth. Funny how everyone is always asking for it but when they get it they don’t believe it because it’s not the truth they want to hear.": Helena Cassadine
Truth resides in every human heart, and one has to search for it there, and to be guided by truth as one sees it. But no one has a right to coerce others to act according to his own view of truth: Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi
Without seeking, truth cannot be known at all. It can neither be declared from pulpits, nor set down in articles, nor in any wise prepared and sold in packages ready for use. Truth must be ground for every man by itself out of it such, with such help as he can get, indeed, but not without stern labor of his own: John Ruskin
The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear: Herbert Sebastien Agar
"When I tell the truth, it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those that do." William Blake
We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth… For my part, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst; and to provide for it: Patrick Henry
Watch TV – See what video is playing now. You can click on On-Demand to see the list of videos available.
At the end of the day, it is not our enemies we remember, but the silence of our friends! Dr. Martin L. King
Dancy Communications Network, The DCN Blog/Internet TV
Curmilus (Butch) Dancy II, Publisher/Videographer
Facebook
Life Fully Paid Member NAACP
252.314.5484 Contact
252.827.4598 Fax
George Fisher, Producer
Send all mailings to:
Curmilus Dancy II
P.O. Box 1391, Pinetops, NC 27864
NOTE: If you would like to be added to this mailing list or removed please click Reply and type in Add or Remove in the Subject. Just because you received this email does not mean you have been added to my address book.
See related:
Dr. Craig Witherspoon
