Huff said he has been working with "one of our student groups" on the ribbon project, though he has never specified which group that is. The ribbon is scheduled to be wrapped around the new high school and cut during a special ceremony October 3. The ribbon, which Huff acknowledged is costing $11,000, is designed to put the school book in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Huff said the ribbon-cutting ceremony is a special event. "Everybody wants to be a part of it." He added that "we have some sponsors for it."
The $11,000 cost is not out of line for the ribbon, Huff said. "We will have well over 10,000 people at that event. We have to have some kind of memento." He said the cost was about $1 a person, though he never explained what that had to do with anything.
On Facebook posts, Huff has been criticized for collecting donations for a ribbon when the district has other, more compelling needs. "We can't tell people who want to spend money on the ribbon that we're going to take their money and use it on something else,"
This should really not even be a controversy, Huff indicated.
"There are some elements of this community who want to see us fail. If I fail, our kids fail. The kids are defending our position."
Huff stressed that no district funds will be spent for the ribbon.
"That would be dumb."
14 comments:
Did he pull that 10,000 number out of some body orifice or is he psychic? How about this for a memento for the ribbon cutting...a school where students can safely attend and learn something.
I don't know of anybody who wants to see the school district fail. On the contrary, we want it to succeed and know that our tax dollars are being spent wisely. On that front, C.J. has failed miserably and it has nothing to do with "the kids."
The student group is a few members of link crew who thought it would be a great idea. Mentioning link crew would bring up why they also spent 30000 on one two day event where freshmen got to miss class. -AP student Joplin High
To AP student: Without jeopardizing your anonymity,could you give more information about "link crew" and their purpose?
Link Crew is a group of juniors and seniors who support freshmen during their transition to high school. The ribbon is/was not a Link Crew project. A student who is in Link Crew, STUCO, and Key Club completed the research regarding the ribbon project. Link Crew spent $5,643 on an event to help freshmen overcome obstacles, connect with resources, and commit to graduating. The event cost $8.06 per participant and included a JHS T-Shirt and Lunch. -Senior AP Student Joplin High.
AP student is incorrect...Link Crew did not come up with the idea for the ribbon. One student was asked to research the idea.
1:08 - Link Crew is a national organization which is intended to bridge the gap between incoming freshmen and upperclassmen, so there isn't the fear factor that most of us probably remember from having to start high school. The upperclassmen in Link Crew work very hard to get the freshmen involved in school activities, to help them feel a part of the JHS community; the purpose is also to combat bullying and depression, and to give the younger students people they can depend on. The Link Crew leaders do their own presentations before community businesses and organizations to raise funding. Tobin Schultz is the coordinator for Joplin's Link Crew - I would imagine you could contact him through the school with any questions, rather than relying on anonymous heresay.
I am disheartened by the willingness on this blog by its readers to find fault with every single thing associated with JHS. I'm not a fan of CJ Huff but I am a fan of our students who work so hard to accomplish good things. I realize the desire on here is to fan the flames of dissent, but please, keep your focus on those creating the real problems. There are many problems in Joplin Schools, but Link Crew isn't one of them.
The student who was asked to research the ribbon as a project is a member of Link Crew, but the ribbon is not a Link Crew project. It would be great if every commenter would check his/her facts (as well as Senior AP Student did) before posting an inflammatory comment.
2:39 & 2:50 - I think the student answered correctly. He stated Link Crew did not come up with the idea, one student who is part of Link Crew did research on it. I didn't feel like he criticized the project or JHS, but you are quick to fault him????
Okay, okay, enough about Link Crew. Well-meaning kids. Harmless program except for being time consuming. Back to the subject at hand: Did Huff say they had people WANTING to donate for the ribbon? Proves that a fool and his money are soon parted.
No one wants to see this district fail. That's just so much melodrama to distract from the real issue, which is that Huff has failed us. As a community, we have poured our support into this district. If that is a reference to the Turner Report and its followers, it seems to me there is too much documentation on here to deny the true state of the district.
NO ONE WANTS TO SEE A DISTRICT FAIL. THE DISTRICT HAS FAILED THE COMMUNITY AND THE STUDENTS. AND THERE'S PLENTY OF PROOF FOR THAT.
Fake concern for "the kids" is being used as a smoke screen to hide behind by Huff and his blind devotees. Numerous mistakes have been made but rather than admit any responsibility, he clumsily changes the story and backpedals. No one is against the kids, teachers or the school district, but that provides a convenient red herring for him doesn't it.. Huff implies that those who are fed up with his foolishness want the school district to fail. Not at all. We want the truth. We want financial responsibility. We want ethical leadership. We do not want cronyism, retaliation against those who speak up or self serving decision making. Get it? Got it? Good.
Anyone else see that reshare on facebook today...it was originally posted by Melissa Streeter Winston (Bright Futures). I think it was meant to be a pep talk...a very long and wordy pep talk. To me it felt more like a direct order. I felt ordered not to dare ask any questions or express even a hint of discontent lest I be openly shamed.
I agree no one is hoping for failure.
That Eagle Meme generated by the owner of a local media group is being circulated heavily. We are all being asked to change our profile pictures to this Meme to prove we support "our eagles".
For crying out loud... I do support the kids but not a great many poor choices made by the Administrators. That Meme made me feel angry because it was generated by yet another supporter of Huff who will not permit anyone to inquire or disagree. If he catches you stating an opinion, especially one that could be considered in agreement with Randy Turner...you will be openly shamed.
Feels a little like being run over by the A list kids when I was B list teenager. Bullies breed bullies and it isn't going to stop if all of the logical thinkers give up and let these jerks tell us how to feel.
So fed up.
Maybe this explains the rush?
https://twitter.com/JeffSharlet/status/499733472991510529
https://twitter.com/GovJayNixon/status/499633341365108738/photo/1
"Touring the new Joplin High w/ @CJHuffJoplin. High-tech building where students will learn high-tech skills"
Turner and his supporters are vengeful, hateful people that will distort all information, true or otherwise, to obtain their ends. This tactic will justify any outcome where they will always be right. Greasy...perhaps you could spend your energies in more positive ways. Perhaps Dr. Huff could spend his on more cost-effective ones that actually save resources and instill real learning and life skills.
Anonymous @11:50 PM: I doubt it, touring the school with hard hats adds to the verisimilitude of Nixon's visit.
On the other hand, that says nothing about how Huff and company viewed Nixon's visit. Their view of the world in general and of the relative importance of PR events is badly skewed. The clearest example is Huff stubbornly continuing his ribbon idiocy, although telling us students will be "blown away" by the new school is close.
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