Monday, March 24, 2014

Reader: Responsible Board of Education would have fired C. J. Huff years ago

A Turner Report reader had such a simple solution to the problems that have faced the Joplin R-8 School District, it is amazing that no one thought of it years ago. The reader's comment was in response to yesterday's post concerning frequent Joplin Globe guest columnist Anson Burlingame's contention that morale is low in the school district because the teachers know they are failures:

Teacher morale is low because teachers were successful before Huff came along. 

Take a short trip back in history, Anson, and study some data. Joplin was accredited with distinction for several years until Huff and Besendorfer began the systematic destruction of what had been a successful school district. 

None of their ideas paid off, and a responsible board would have fired them years ago instead of following them right over the cliff. 

Teachers used to know what they were doing, used to have the materials they needed to work with, and used to take pride in their efforts. Now they have no support, no materials, and are demoralized daily.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have been completely satisfied with my child's teachers, schools (3 in the Joplin R-8 district - KN, EMS, JHS), principals, etc...I have a parent who retired last year after teaching at JHS for over 20 years and heard no complaints about lack of materials or support. I wish all the people complaining would give their names and some actual facts instead of this general b*tch-fest. If it is true you can't change it by being silent and/or anonymous.

Anonymous said...

"I wish all the people complaining would give their names and some actual facts instead of this general b*tch-fest. If it is true you can't change it by being silent and/or anonymous."...says "Anonymous"

Anonymous said...

" I wish all the people complaining would give their names and some actual facts instead of this general b*tch-fest. If it is true you can't change it by being silent and/or anonymous."...says "Anonymous.

Nikki said...

Says anonymous =)

Anonymous said...

If 11:52 knew much, she/he would know that names can't be used in this district without being fired. I guess it's acceptable to insult others for what she/he has just done. I believe we call those people hypocrites. I also don't understand what the comment about the parent/retired teacher is about. Is the teacher a parent? Is the teacher her client somehow? That was not clear at all. Either way, if that person/teacher was at JHS the last few years and heard no commentary about the lack of materials, she must have been in a closet basement. But you keep deluding yourself if it makes you happy. I'm glad I left that mess behind. I had no materials.

Anonymous said...

11:52--
Is the word "b*tch-fest" more acceptable somehow with the asterisk? Why not just say it? That's ridiculous. Also, if you read often enough to make this comment, you should also know that district employees do not dare use their names or they will be fired. Period. As far as not getting things changed by being silent or anonymous (which you did, by the way), have you seen Dr. Besendorfer here lately? She left in the middle of the year for a reason.

Anonymous said...

There's a reason why people are sometimes put into witness protection: fear of retaliation. This is also why whistleblowers are given anonymous hotlines.

Anonymity is a necessary tool when there is fear of retaliation.