High school parents were the ones protesting this time.
Once they discovered, the Huff Administration had scheduled some high school volunteers to work from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. tonight and tomorrow morning hanging the six-and-a-half-mile ribbon, the calls began pouring in.
Word came down Wednesday that the student volunteers (nearly all of whom are members of student organizations that do volunteer work as part of their organization's purpose) would not work past 10 p.m.
Adult volunteers will continue after 10 p.m.
Another monkey wrench could be thrown into the plan since the students will not be asked to work if it is storming tonight, something which was also a major concern for the parents.
15 comments:
Dear Dr. Huff,
Please stop using our children to be your personal army. In case you had not noticed parents will put up with quite a lot but if you continue to use our kids for you own PERSONAL agenda you might be taking a new job sooner than you planned. Stop messing with our kids.
Part 1
Fellow Joplinites and R8 Parents:
As one of the "apathetic" district parents I felt compelled to share with you the contrasting images of CJ and his constituents, as provided in the article (below) from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).
Challenging What Seems
Insurmountable
BY LIZ GRIFFIN
CJ Huff
C.J. Huff
When C.J. Huff took over the superintendency in Joplin, a city of 50,000 in southwestern Missouri, he faced an apathetic community that showed piddling interest in the affairs of the school system. Of the 7,600 students, 60 percent were living in poverty, and the annual graduation rate hovered between 70 and 75 percent.
That was five years ago. The face of the Joplin schools could not look any more different today, figuratively and literally. The district started a 1:1 laptop initiative, hired 13 teaching and learning coaches in a genuine commitment to 21st-century learning, passed a controversial $62 million school bond issue and cut the dropout rate by an astounding 42 percent over that period. The district’s current state perhaps is best signaled by the name of its outreach program, Bright Futures.
It’s a fitting appellation, as Huff has led the district’s resounding bounce back from a devastating category EF5 tornado in May 2011 that flattened nine of Joplin’s 19 schools. Yet Huff does not see his leadership tenure defined this way. He barely referenced the life-altering act of nature during his candidacy as one of four finalists for 2013 National Superintendent of the Year.
Born to a family of farmers and educators in the southeastern Missouri town of McCune (population 500), Huff says growing up on a working farm was fitting preparation for public school leadership. Farming and adversity go hand in hand, he observes.
When he arrived in Joplin, Huff says he discovered the community’s apathy stemmed partly from the public’s perception of the poor graduation rate “as a school problem, not a community problem.” He reached out to the public, creating Bright Futures, an umbrella covering 280 partnerships with local businesses, faith-based organizations and human service agencies to provide round-the-clock attention to the basic needs of poor children.
Part 2
In the tornado aftermath, Huff acted decisively to reopen school for the entire district just 87 days later. Among staff, the district motto informally became “Every child, every day, no matter what.”
Although insurance money would cover basic rebuilding of Joplin High School, Huff saw an opportunity for something more — a state-of-the-art facility fit for 21st-century learning. Some residents objected loudly to the expense of an upgraded facility. But Huff persisted, educating the community about why it was so important to the city’s and students’ future.
“He was tireless,” says Carol Stark, editor of the Joplin Globe, calling Huff a man of “principles and morals” who solicits input widely and then “questions whether a decision is the right (one).”
In the case of the contested school bond, the superintendent personally sought out the critics, Stark says. He would call individuals who had written critical letters to the editor in the Joplin Globe and often meet them over coffee. The bond proposal was approved by 46 votes.
That it passed “is a testament to plain hard work on Dr. Huff’s and his team’s part, but also on the comprehensive nature of the plan to get people on board,” says Gary Pulsipher, president and CEO of Mercy Hospital in Joplin.
An educator since 25, Huff says he finds joy in devising new initiatives to overcome major challenges. “I love my job,” he adds. “Even the week after the storm, I loved coming to work. I was put on this earth to help kids.”
Liz Griffin is managing editor of School Administrator. E-mail: lgriffin@aasa.org
BIO STATS: C.J. HUFF
Currently: superintendent, Joplin, Mo.
Previously: superintendent, Eldon R1 School District, Eldon, Mo.
Age: 43
Greatest influence on career: Without question, my family. My wife and kids have encouraged and supported me during some very trying times. They keep me going.
Best professional day: Aug. 17, 2011. That was the day we hit our goal of opening school on time following the May 22 tornado.
Books at bedside: Influencer by Kerry Patterson et al.; Leading in a Culture of Change by Michael Fullan; and Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles of Effective Leadership by Joel Manby
Biggest blooper: When the Missouri Legislature passed a bill requiring additional structured time for physical activity, we used one recess. We began referring to it as “structured recess” and that name stuck. Parents cried foul at the idea of structured playtime. We are much more careful now when we name initiatives.
Why I’m an AASA member: Advocacy. AASA stands up for our children, whose voices are seldom heard.
From an apathetic parent to CJ Huff:
Either refute this malicious attack, or claim it as your own by stating so or ignoring this admonition.
Call the Pope, C.J.Huff should be his next saint. At least get him a cape he thinks he is the next Superman.
Up, Up and Go Away!
Joplin was Accredited with Distinction when Huff arrived, it has fallen down a slippery slope every year since! He has done nothing but damage to our children! Even his employees hate him! How does he think we are getting our information!?! Huff no one is loyal to you remember that as you walk through you office building!!
By the way Huff, there was an "umbrella' organiztion long before you showed up.... Southwest Community Alliance.
Hey CJ, if you were "put on this earth to help kids," how about helping our kids by going to you true calling: used car salesman.
(Apologies to any honest used car salesman.,.or dishonest ones..., at least yo do nt target kids)
Question for parents. If CJ aligns himself.with KZRG, an ultra rightwing talk radio; whose hosts are hell-bent on the destruction of public education; is he an unwitting tool of this destruction or an infiltrator with aims of bringing down a high profile district sngle handedly?
This is NOT true at ALL! These kids WANTED to help. They were never going to be allowed to be out all night - although they wanted to be.
The people who were put on the earth to help kids are generally on the ground, working hard, and underpaid. They are teachers, counselors, crossing guards, etc. They actually interact with kids on a daily basis and help them with their problems in a manner that involves contact and understanding them as individuals.
Hey! CJ! Read 5:37pm. That is exactly what a teacher sounds like, Better find out who it is before he or she pollutes your kids with education.
I'm not sure what kids really care about this ribbon bull mine don't. What a waste! My kids rather be at home! R8 school district distinct gone down hill ! Nobody listens to kids and they sure don't listen to the parents!!
I'm not sure what kids really care about this ribbon bull mine don't. What a waste! My kids rather be at home! R8 school district distinct gone down hill ! Nobody listens to kids and they sure don't listen to the parents!!
I might not agree with all decisions made by CJ or the Board. But I do think that the Bright Future Program is one of the best idea's! ! It is something that is needed for or schools, kids & community. Coming from a metropolitan city, I think things could be a lot worse & parents & children could also give a lot less if what's going on in our schools. I also think that the board should send home a survey to all R-8 parents asking us what we think as far as the system, the schools, teachers, how the rebuilding went, issues or concerns & idea's of improvement. I think if they really care about our students, they would want to hear what they & the parents have to say. We r the ones that voted them in (or didn't) it is our children we leave in their hands all day & have to have trust in & it's our tax dollars that are paying for their salaries & schools.
This is so true they don't listen to kids and they sure don't listen to parents! It's there way or no way!!
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