Read the Birmingham school board’s full evaluation of Superintendent Craig Witherspoon – Source: The Birmingham News

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The Birmingham Board of Education this afternoon certified its evaluation of Superintendent Craig Witherspoon, giving him an overall rating of 3.24 out of a possible 5 and noting he met expectations in 89 percent of the evaluation’s performance standards. (Read more)

See related:

Dr. Craig Witherspoon

JOEY KENNEDY: Birmingham City Schools moving forward despite a lousy school board (Dr. Craig Witherspoon)

There are members of the Birmingham Board of Education who never miss an opportunity to take shots at Superintendent Craig Witherspoon. Shame on them. They nitpick, strain at gnats and do what they can to drag the superintendent down and, with it, the city school system. (Read more)

See related:

Dr. Craig Witherspoon

Edgecombe County Public Schools – Is The Recently Hired Superintendent Qualified And If So Why Did The ECPS Board Vote This Past Week To Hire A Consultant To Work With Him?

Sources have been telling me that the current Superintendent is not doing a good job. Well my first thought was the man has not been here long enough for them to truly say that. I believe in giving a person a chance after they have been elected, hired or whatever to do a job. Sources says he needs to go.

The latest thing I heard about the Superintendent was that he didn’t know what to do with the situation at SouthWest Edgecombe as it relates to the testing probe.

So obviously my sources must be right about the new Superintendent because the board has voted to hire a consultant to work with him. I find this to be quite interesting.

I heard there were a white female and 2 black males that were strong in the running for the Superintendent’s position. I heard the 2 black males were very, very impressive.

Well didn’t think that they would hire another black Superintendent after Dr. Craig Witherspoon moved on to lead the Birmingham Schools District.

Oh well can’t wait to see how this is going to unfold.

See related:

John Westberg Principal SouthWest Edgecombe 

CPA says schools managing money well – Source: The Daily Southerner

Dr. Craig Witherspoon Former Superintendent Edgecombe County Public Schools

CPA says schools managing money well – Source: The Daily Southerner

TARBORO — Edgecombe County Public Schools received its audit report and everything appears to be in order.

During its monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Edgecombe County Board of Education was given the findings of the annual audit report for fiscal year ending on June 30, 2010.

Certified Public Accountant Gerrelene Walker of Tarboro presented the unqualified opinion to the board. (Read more)

Note: Thanks to Dr. Craig Witherspoon former Superintendent for setting the stage for this audit. Dr. Witherspoon’s audit last year was one of the best audits that Edgecombe County Public School has had. It would be crazy for the money to look funny this year. Dr. Witherspoon moved on to take over the helm of Birmingham Public Schools. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

See related:

Schools budget in better shape now; Auditor credits Witherspoon with turnaround Source: The Daily Southerner

OUR VIEW: Birmingham superintendent has to convince his school board, not the AEA, that job cuts are necessary – The Birmingham Times

Many changes must be made in the structure and operation of Birmingham City Schools if there is any hope of turning around the school system’s finances and reputation.

With chronic financial problems, made worse by a continuing decline in student enrollment, more city schools will have to be closed or consolidated. The school system’s outrageous legal costs must be slashed. And with so much of the school system’s budget tied up in personnel costs, jobs have to be eliminated, too. Those are the facts. (Read more @ The Birmingham Times)

Note: Dr. Witherspoon do what you feel is best. It is sad when the board is not listening to the head when he is trying to do what he feel is the best thing for the children. He did some of the same here in Edgecombe County Tarboro NC and the people got mad as hell. But look at the system today, it is more financially stable than it has been in many, many years. The auditor commended Dr. Witherspoon for his great work with the finances and said she had not seen other Superintendents do what he did because he was passionate about the money.

Dr. Witherspoon continue to do what is right because you know that it is about the children and not the adults who are afraid of change especially when they are part of the change. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

See related:

Dr. Craig Witherspoon

It Appears Dr. Craig Witherspoon Former Superintendent Fired A Popular Principal – Source: The Birmingham News

I’ve heard from a lot of people, both from within Birmingham City Schools and from outside, who can’t figure out why Superintendent Craig Witherspoon was so clumsy in firing popular Parker High School Principal Spurgeon Banyard. (Read more @ The Birmingham News)

See related:

Dr. Craig Witherspoon

See The Superintendent’s Entry Plan For Birmingham City Schools. Is This Something That All Systems Could Adopt?

Birmingham City Schools
Superintendent’s Entry Plan1

Purpose and introduction

The purpose of this plan is to present the goals, objectives, and activities associated with the successful transition of Dr. Craig Witherspoon as Superintendent of Birmingham City Schools. This plan is centered on listening, learning and allowing for effective leadership of the district moving forward. (Read the Whole Plan)

Dr. Craig Witherspoon is the former Edgecombe County Public Schools Superintendent. Witherspoon is the 1st black superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools who recently moved on to lead the Birmingham City Schools. 

Are All Black Males At-Risk Or Just The Boys?

I have always stressed that while emphasis (especially in the schools) has been put on the young black male, all black males are at-risk in my opinion.

It does not matter how smart, intelligent and/or what school you have attended, the black male is at-risk. At risk by not being considered to hold certain positions throughout all walks of life and etc.

Just look at how intelligent Barack Obama is and how some did not want and still do not want him to be the President of these United States. I am so glad countless whites voted for change.

About 4 years ago Dr. Craig Witherspoon was hired as the 1st black Superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools. There were some who never accepted him.

In Wilson County a black male just defeated a white Sheriff who has held the office for 28 years and he can’t handle being defeated by the black male. However so many countless whites are supporting the black male.

When Martin L. King III came to Rocky Mount last week I was going to ask him his opinion on black males being labeled. I was going to ask him do he feel that he could be labeled just like the young males. Remember there were many who didn’t like what Dr. King stood for.

Black males it is up to you to continue to be about the business of doing what is right. Yes you may endure some obstacles but let the obstacles drive you to continue to keep your eye on the prize. You see it is not about them but about the master plan. What God has for you is for you so don’t let nothing and no one keep you from reaching your goal.

300 attend Birmingham Superintendent Craig Witherspoon’s welcome reception

Parents, business leaders and community members showed up in full force tonight to welcome Superintendent Craig Witherspoon to Birmingham City Schools.

At least 300 people turned out for Witherspoon’s reception at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and listened to a multitude of speakers, including Mayor William Bell, board members and even a student. They each welcomed Witherspoon. (Read more @ Birmingham News Today) 

Note: 300 or more attended the reception in Princeville NC when Dr. Witherspoon arrived in Edgecombe County.

See related:

Dr. Craig Witherspoon arrives in Alabama

Dr. Craig Witherspoon

Look for longevity in superintendent post – Source: The Rocky Mount Telegram

The Edgecombe County Public Schools system has been blessed in recent years with dynamic leadership from strong superintendents. Here’s hoping that trend continues with the next person to lead the system — and that the new superintendent sticks around for a while. (Read more @ The Rocky Mount Telegram)

Note: Edgecombe County is a strange county.

Dr. Steve Stone did all the above however he left the county in a financial bind and had some issues. Dr. Stone said he was going to stay here atleast 12 – 14 years and he lied. The system went to hell during his tenure and I know because I was very actively engaged in the system during his tenure.

I received phone calls from Bertie County that we didn’t want Dr. Stone to come here. I did work with him and had no problem with him until he got ignorant when I challenged the schools in the southern end of the county. It is funny as hell that this article do not mention that the financial auditor said Dr. Witherspoon, the first black superintendent in this county is the only superintendent who did such a great job with the finances. Dr. Witherspoon leaves the school system better than all the others before him because they have working capital and they do not have to worry about the money.

I do not recall Dr. Witherspoon saying how long he would stay here. The new superintendent can focus on other areas while making sure they keep the finances in check. Many jobs CEOs do not stay but around 5 years so I believe the superintendent can be considered as a CEO. C. Dancy II

See related:

Superintendent Search

Dropout Rates In Edgecombe County Public Schools Was First Reported On The DCN. I Wonder Did A Black Superintendent Have An Effect On The Black Males Whom May Have Considered Dropping out?

Click on the following links to see information related to the dropout rates in Edgecombe County Public Schools

Consolidated Data Report for 2008-2009 — Progress In Edgecombe County Public Schools

Dropout rates fall in Nash, Edgecombe counties

Dropouts decline in the region

Schools make progress in key areas

Dropout rates in Edgecombe County Over the Past Several Years

Forum chance to give opinions on new superintendent

Anyone who would like to express their opinion on the qualities a superintendent for Edgecombe County Public Schools should have can do so on Monday night at the schools Central Office on 412 Pearl St. (Read more @ The Daily Southerner)

See related:

Regular Meeting of the Edgecombe County Board of Education

Superintendent Search

 

Moving forward or backward? – Source: The Daily Southerner

"Common planning and sharing of best practices among teaching staff through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) is equally important. Expansion of the use of technology in our classrooms to engage students in the learning process is a goal of the district. Frequent monitoring of student attendance and suspensions is also vital.” (Read more @ The Daily Southerner)

See related:

Superintendent Search

Edgecombe County School board sets timetable for superintendent search – Source: The Daily Southerner

A proposed timeline has been laid out for the Edgecombe County Board of Education towards hiring someone to permanently fill outgoing Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon’s position within the next few months. (Read more @ The Daily Southerner)

See related:

Superintendent Search

The Edgecombe County Commissioners continues to validate Rev. Roosevelt Higgs but why?

Sources have been telling The DCN that Rev. Roosevelt Higgs lives in the E. L. Roberson Center on Baker Street in Tarboro NC with his mother. Higgs address is listed in Speed NC where he is a precinct vice chair.

The Edgecombe County Planning Department has made several presentations to the Edgecombe County Commissioners about where Higgs says he lives. The commissioners know that it is no way Higgs lives where he says he lives especially after the county has visited the property and there is no livable structure nor any electricity and water at this property.

Higgs is the chair of the Edgecombe County Human Relations Commission. He teamed up with a person who came down from Birmingham Alabama whom tried to discredit Edgecombe County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon was at that time was a candidate for Superintendent of Birmingham schools. Sources told The DCN they seen Higgs and this person arrive at the January Edgecombe County School Board meeting on a rental car.

About 2 weeks ago It was reported to The DCN that Higgs attended the Department of Social Services board meeting and acted a fool. It was reported that he arrived at this meeting with Cliff Hickman a former DSS worker who is retired but has some issues with the DSS. Hickman addressed the board also saying he had been denied access to the DSS building.

It was reported to The DCN this past week that Rev. Roosevelt Higgs was calling around asking folks to run against certain incumbents on the Edgecombe County school board and  county commissioner board. I see some folks have filed to run against several incumbents.

See related:

Rev. Roosevelt Higgs

Ronald E. Jackson Citizens for Better Schools Executive Director Has Connected With A Known Criminal In Edgecombe County To Help Him Carry Out His Mission

Edgecombe County Public Schools