To Wise County SB, AD, BOS

[belly32]

Merlin, its a done deal. But, I'll wait and see like you said.

There is gonna be a plan laid out to put a road in around the back side of PVMS. This will reroute school traffic to the back sections, of the area and basically from what i have seen and been told.
Bring PVHS and PVMS buses and parents out somewhere near the middle of the southern section, or a little above it. I think the county owns the land where the road will be located.
As far as your question about the voice, well there are two. And both have said they are against consolidation and neither are not that new to the board or how things work. Just been awaiting their time, to ask and get what they want. And with the BOS courting them.
Well it seems the plans are coming together. Even with what will be said to rid PVMS and PVHS of having to need traffic control. Yet the county owns the land, and the BOS will see this is done.
Scratch my back, i scractch yours, we don't have to ask for a tax increase, if you handle the school situation, we will back you and help you get what you want and need, but nothing on the scale of $54 million dollars.
We already have to many problems to deal with and we don't need this, we just had to increase the decal cost, and we can ill afford to push this ourselves.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.

[imported_six4three]

as for school board members having their own agendas and wanting what's best for their district, well it's always been that way and will probably always will. isn't that why the new representative from appalachia is on the board, to protect appalachia's school from consolidation?

[R0cketer]

You also will see the fact that most people from Dickenson County have to work outside of Dickenson County or move to Wise County but I guess that point doesn't matter, as usual.

Would you please stop with the done behind close doors CRAP. If all these mystical things occur behind close doors and all these people are corrupt, then how the heck does the information get out. I mean its pretty clear to most people who is on what side, and if they are so evil and corrupt, it would seem they are smart enough to not let it get out, but you all knows things before they ever even occur, if they ever even occur.

You do realize that there is more than 1 person on this board who has been in it, right???

Let me repeat, if you're open to the information, great. But when you're inciting the citizens and dawgs to rally that doesnt sound like someone who is very open. It sounds more like someone who is saying "nice doggie" to the vicious rottweiler until they can grab something to beat it with!

Some did run and say they were against consolidation, maybe you're right, maybe they have changed their views. However when they are in the paper as a ringleader on the groups and suggesting call and call again due to 'caller id and voice mail', it tends to make a person think otherwise. And wouldn't a person who does campaign so strongly against consolidation have a small small bias against it if their family works in a position that 'possibly' could lose their job? I mean call me crazy, and I'm sure some will, I don't know many guys who would EVER support anything that could their wife to lose their job, they would never hear the end of it!!!!

Look, nobody wants anybody to lose a job. Nobody wants anybody to ride a bus 10 minutes longer. Nobody wants to put any undo suffering on a group of people, however, the county as a whole must be taken into consideration. I can say this, we can sit and blow smoke up each other hindquarters as much as we want, we can talk how wonderful the education is here, but you take the average student from this area that goes off to school, they are underprepared. It's not always just that our people are lazy or excited to be in areas where there is stuff to do, many times it just purely underprepared. Do some tough it out? Yes. Do some succeed? Yes. However, the majority do not. You do know that there are studies that prove education and income do have a relationship. Does going to school mean you're going to make big money? No it sure doesn't but it does help and if you are more prepared going in, you are able to excel to a higher level, not struggling to keep up.

Ask questions!!!! Nobody has said not to ask questions, but asking questions does not mean having your minds made up before you hear the statements to ask questions about!!! Look there has been no meeting yet, but yet, the Appalachia Defend Fund has been on full alert. I totally agree that Lord Basham as he has been dubbed is wrong on a great many things, that's not the issue. The issue is preparing for what is best for the future, not what is going on in government, because you're always going to have some corruption, someone who gets their bread buttered behind the table, no matter what level you go to. You don't think that George Bush has extra reasons for wanting things done involving gas? That's corruption. You don't think that ever member of Congress has gotten perks due to their position, that's corruption? You don't think that bills dont pass in every legislative branch in the country from people scratching each others backs? There is always going to be corruption in some form, manner, be it a school board member who votes due to family or a school board member who thinks by cutting a budget may get them a pay raise. That's why I say get past the corruption, its't there, it's always going to be there, and the issue isn't about that. The issue is whats best, whats best and whats best.

What's harassment, well .. </font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
We're also in the 21st century," said Hutchinson. "Everyone has a caller I.D. or voicemail. You need to bombard it. I think your call chain is not as relevant if you don't get a chance to speak to them. Call at 15 minute intervals. I want them bombarded. I want them tired and not wanting to answer the phone, if they're not on-line with the wants of their community."

[/ QUOTE ]

Call me crazy, bomarding someone sounds like endorsing harassment. If someone bombards you with junk mail I feel like they are harassing you. If a telemarketer bombards you with phone calls, they are harassing you. And if you think that there aren't a great many things that don't out to the press, well...thats a dream world if you live there. If there are back door meetings going on at the School Board, I'll guarantee you that there are back door going-ons to the side against consolidation.

The 54 million was from when?????? When was that number tossed out there?????? See a fact, that was from 2000 I believe. Is that number being given Lord Basham this time?? Guess what??? I DON'T KNOW. THERE HASN'T BEEN A MEETING WHERE HE HAS GIVEN HIS IDEAS OUT. IF HE GIVES THAT IDEA, THEN ITS GOOFY AS WHALE BLUBBER, BUT WAIT TILL HE GIVES IT TILL YOU START THE SCREAMS OF CORRUPTION AND WRONG AND BACK DOOR DEALINGS AND SUCH.

I don't know what the best solution is, swear to God I don't. I doubt that Lord Basham will have a good idea. Swear to God I don't but all you are ranting and raving about is gossip, rumors, and people talking. People talked before, remember the end of the fiscal year meeting that was "gonna be a secret vote for consolidation" that 'people in the know' had told. Well they were wrong then, and they might be wrong now, thats all I'm saying, wait and see before you scream wolf twenty times. If he tosses out the same tired junk, then by all means, complain and complain some more, but wait till there are numbers and such to go on!!! I assure you, if it cost $54 million to do something in 2000, its not gonna cost that now. We're 5 years down the line.

I said give facts, you threw out the $54 million from a 2000 report that as far as I've noticed in any comments, releases, interviews, etc have not come from any of the SB, AD or BOS in the last, what several years, unless they are referencing the past report. There is no current 'good data' There is old data, there is data from what, 11 years ago from the State Board telling them to do something about the schools, but here we sit. So yes there is old data, there is old facts, and sure there have been old 'dirty dealings' but if you keep saying you want them to be honest, you want them to give reasons, etc, etc, you have to open to accepting the reasons, the data and such...and when you read comments like have been on here, calls to unity for the old 'dawgs' and 'wildcats' that isn't sounding like someone who says "Lets get the best information we can and move foward in the way thats best for our kids", thats sounding like someone who says "Hell no, this is the way we want it, go dawgs!"

By the way, I answered all your questions about me and why I was comment and such, I noticed you didn't answer me, are your kids in the school system??

Oh and to answer your last question, that I believe has already been answered by Counts. Dickenson County has applied for money I think due to flood plains or such (similar to the way Grundy got money to move things over there), and so far hasn't gotten answers or found out if they are getting the money. If we don't get the money, who knows what will happen.

[imported_six4three]

nothing is a done deal.

[imported_UKCats1]

I do not really know if consolidation would be good or not. I think that all of the information should be laid out to the public and I mean everything. Have a true study on cosolidation and see what the positives and negatives are for consolidation and let the public decide in a referendum vote in November. Get a true pulse on what the County wants and not just what an elected and appointed few want. What they want and what the county wants may be the same I do not know and the best way to find out is through democratic process and that is voting. If the public wants consolidation after viewing all of the information then we should respect the vote if the public does not want it then we should respect that as well.

[R0cketer]

Retiredteach, I fully appreciate what you said and how you said it! I know that I can get emotional sometimes when I feel like I'm repeating myself over and over, and 95% of what is said is ignored in favor of picking out 1-2 comments and then either misinterpeting them or completely taking them out of context. You summed up nicely what I have been attempting to say.

My grandmother went to Pikeville and became a teacher and taught for many many years, so your story sounds familar to me. I remember when they built Clintwood Elementary in Dickenson County, and my grandmother took me there, John Dotson was the new principal and she had worked with him previously. He told her then how much nicer the school building was to anything that they had and how I would have advantages by being in an better environment to learn and having greater tools to learn with. I remember me being there with her and seeing how happy she seemed that I, her grandson, was getting opportunities and chances for things that as hard as she worked teaching, she couldn't provide due to available resources. I'm not putting the cart in front of the horse, there are always going to be problems with corruptions and agendas, thats the nature of the beast, as unfortunate as that is.

Thanks again for your perspective.

No Rocketer. You see i have no kids in the school system. So to me. I say do what is right. And i would if i had children in the school system. Yet you yourself seem to think i am wrong on every issue.
I've repeated myself to. It's like we both are campaign for the same thing. Yet you chose the side of this group is right, and i am saying they may be in some ways. But they have some huge messes also.
Well yes there is leaks and some are even questioning others themselves. As to have i been apart of this, this long to now find out, i have been played.
As far as the $54 million dollars it was in the CEPI report also. And that is the highest amount that could be ask for. Based on several things. One thing is payments back, and cost.
Im open to what needs to be done. But im also really let down with what i find out with the more questions i ask.
Then you wonder why i say rally the people.
The people will be paying for it. Right? Yet they don't deserve no input.
As for the harassment, well all i can say is if people don't want to be called. Then i guess they should call the phone company, or go through the proper channels, of calling the police.
And saying this has gone past being a matter to personal. That would end that. That is one persons comments, so we are all deemed as outlaws?
Honestly i think it is sick. That we have all this in our county going on and people say well, umm ok. We will accept it. It may be corrupt. But you know everyone does it.
Problem is who is paying for what everyone is doing? We the citizens.
As i said. I have no problems with Wise County school system if they do this right. But to put $54 million dollars into 4 - 50 yr old schools?
I cant' accept that. And if you live in Wise County now and pay taxes. You can say you honestly can.
Yet we say and hear well let's wait, till we see what the plan is? I think the plan is out there. Unless by reading here, the plan gets changed by Monday the 14 th.
I just pointed out above how one plan is to be worked on by the BOS to handle increased volumes of traffic?
The word is increased. In a area with declining enrollment?
Where is the increase coming from. Yet i am just guess?
Ok.
And i have talked to others in a few other areas also. Lee County wants this to happen so if it does and it forces realignment sports wise, their problems may be solved.
And the same with Dickenson County. And the reason the money is on hold.
Well all the paper work has not been submitted. And also, the funding percentage may have to be changed, due to failure to get the paper work in on time. But i just listen to those who tell me what i want to hear?
Hmmm. Well maybe some others need to listen to a few who have been there.
Like asking for a job. First thing you get ask, have any experience. No. Well sorry we need someone with experience.
Does Wise County have any experience with consolidation and doing it right and in a way they can afford it? No. No experience unless you go back 50 plus years.
Thing about that. Times have changed. Put some people never do.
As i said. If it means closing Appy and doing what is right. I can vote for that.
But to close two schools for and keep 4 50 yr old building and basically revamp them to have it to do over in 15 yrs. No that is no plan.
But i will tell you what. I will await this plan. And i want to see how far off it is. And i want to see if some other things i have said don't come to pass.
No some don't tell me what i want to hear. Some tell me what they know. And on here we, i'll admit it. I use this to kind of get the message out. Because this is the Wise County gossiper.
But i'll wait and see. And when it comes to that point. Well i want to see a few things. Oh and if nothing is out. How did a meeting get held at St. Paul? And a packet was involved? Hmm. Oh well. Speculation i guess.

[R0cketer]

I'm only going to comment on one thing right now, because I am truthfully tired of reading *lol* The 54 million was in the CEPI report, but there was no intention of saying it was a predicted cost now, it was a number given due to the previous report. They said that they couldn't make a cost estimate, because there was no plan to estimate. They didn't know if it was repair current schools or build 3 new schools and close all or close 2 and incorporate them into others or such.

And something was handed out at St. Paul, guess what, that doesn't mean its the report, I'll say doesn't mean its not the report but until things are official, anything can change, so until the meeting, take things and information with a grain of salt, then tear it apart.

Shew carpal tunnel here I come...

WISE ? Some Wise County parents allege in a lawsuit filed Monday that a recent school resources study that promotes consolidation should not be used because it was obtained in violation of Virginia's procurement laws.

Robert and Joyce Delauder of St. Paul and John and Kellie Brooks and Don Estridge, all of Appalachia, filed the lawsuit against Superintendent Michael Basham in Wise County Circuit Court.

They claim that Basham violated procurement laws because he failed to seek competitive negotiations in awarding the $38,401 contract. The Virginia Public Procurement Act is designed so that public bodies get quality goods and services at reasonable costs and all qualified vendors have access to public business so no one can be arbitrarily excluded, the lawsuit states.

Basham did not immediately return phone calls for comment Monday.

The parents contend that because of how the Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute study was procured, it should not be used to justify consolidation or for any other purposes.

The parents claim that Basham has been "obsessed with the goal of reducing the number of high schools in Wise County" and developed a "strategy of misinformation and disinformation" to reach his goal. The study is a product of Basham's strategy, the lawsuit states.

A number of parents, particularly some from Appalachia, have accused school officials of moving toward consolidation in recent years. Last year, local residents were told they could comment when the study was released, but the School Board did not allow public comment after CEPI head William Bosher spoke to the board about the study's findings.

The parents claim their right to comment was denied. They also claim that Basham has said he would make a school consolidation proposal at a Wise County School Board meeting originally scheduled for tonight because the CEPI study said immediate action should be taken. The meeting has been postponed until Monday.

The CEPI study is Basham's sole justification to act quickly to close some high schools, the parents allege. The lawsuit asks the court to declare the contract void and require the superintendent to recover all payments. They want the court to rule that the superintendent violated his commitment to citizens and prevent him from acting on any study information until there is public discussion. The parents also want to be given the opportunity to question CEPI officials about the study.

According to the lawsuit, Basham recommended to the School Board on Aug. 10 that a qualified and independent firm recommended by the Virginia School Board Association be hired to conduct a school resource study. It was approved in a 5-3 vote.

CEPI, based in Richmond, submitted a written proposal in September and Basham signed it without review of the School Board, the lawsuit states.

The study was presented to the School Board last month. Although Basham and some School Board members said the study would not deal with consolidation, the report was filled with the advantages and disadvantages of school closures as well as the cost savings. Wise County could operate only three of its six high schools and still have a small-school atmosphere, Bosher said.

Residents rally to keep Wise County schools open
BY KATHY STILL
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
Mar 8, 12:24 AM EST






ST. PAUL ? More than 150 town residents and a few from Appalachia vowed Monday to fight together to keep all Wise County schools open.

But two School Board members who represent the St. Paul community warned that only three of the eight members stand solidly against consolidation.

"It's five to three," School Board member Ann Gregory said. "Kyle (Fletcher) and I are on the wrong end of that five to three, but we're working on that. It's not just St. Paul and Appalachia that will be affected. Everyone is Wise County will be affected, and they need to know it now, not later."

The St. Paul rally was hastily organized after residents learned that Superintendent Michael Basham planned to make a consolidation recommendation at tonight's School Board meeting. But the crowd found out that the meeting was postponed until Monday because agendas were not provided to board members on time.

Appalachia residents have been battling consolidation rumors for more than two years, but St. Paul High took several hits last week when a school resources study recommended by Basham touted the closure of three of the six county high schools as a cost-saving measure. The study, which did not specify which schools should close, also recommended quick action.

Many in the crowd said students at small schools excel in academics. Others said the superintendent is pushing consolidation and they blamed the School Board for renewing his contract last year.

"If we had second sight, wouldn't it be wonderful," Gregory said.

Fletcher said the November election could change the board's make-up since half of the seats are up for grabs.

Others attacked the school resources study the superintendent commissioned from Commonwealth Educational Policy Initiative, a Richmond-based firm.

"The report from CEPI won't pass for good toilet paper," St. Paul resident John Jones said.

Some in the crowd suggested a buy-out of the superintendent's contract.

Monty Salyers, a St. Paul resident, said Appalachia has been fighting consolidation for years and other communities must join the battle. St. Paul and Pound will be targeted next if they are not already grouped in the initial closure plan, he said.

"We will not let that happen," he said. "We have to be together and be unified."

Jack Kiser, St. Paul's mayor, said school consolidation would not mean lower taxes. Poor fiscal management is to be blamed if the county can't support its schools, he said. Leland Branham, a county supervisor who represents St. Paul and Coeburn, said rumors that the Board of Supervisors supports consolidation are false.

"I'll stand behind you," Branham said.

Supervisor Robbie Robbins, who represents the same area, said the financial argument for consolidation is flawed. Consolidation comes with a price, and the county cannot afford to finance the renovations necessary to house additional students at three high schools without a significant tax hike, he said.

"It is going to cost you money, big time, to do this," he said.

The current tax rate of 57 cents per $100 of assessed value would jump to more than $1 in any consolidation scenario, Robbins said.

The School Board will likely vote to close the schools, Robbins said.

The school system could save $200,000 annually for each high school that is closed, he said.

"That's $600,000," he said. "That is minute. It's really nothing."

The school resource study also recommends that the school system charge up to $3,000 in tuition for students who live in other localities but attend Wise County schools. St. Paul, a town that sits in Russell and Wise counties, has a high number of those students.

But the crowd said the school system would lose more money if those students decided to attend school in other districts. The students fill empty seats in Wise County and bring more than $5,000 each year in state and federal money, several pointed out.

The meeting ended with the crowd singing the St. Paul High alma mater.