Not one teacher was seated on stage when the new Joplin High School building was dedicated October 3 and Huff was largely responsible for the departure of more than 300 teachers over a three-year period.
But not all teachers were low on the Huff totem pole. Administration sources tell the Turner Report that before Huff "retired" June 30, he arranged for one favored Joplin High School teacher to receive a $6,500 stipend to keep this teacher from taking a job in another district.
The teacher purportedly will receive the extra duty stipend to continue sponsoring a group of upperclassmen who serve as role models, mentors, and tutors for freshmen. In the past, Huff has made sure this teacher has received extra money for this group, which Huff has heavily promoted, through Bright Futures.
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39 comments:
So who's the teacher?
Who says butt kissing doesn't pay? I heard the stipend is coming from the athletic department's budget for something like athlete or coach retention. Do you suppose this is why the coaches are all quitting? Like all of Cj's big ideas, this one doesn't seem to be working for anyone but the butt kisser. Keep one and sacrifice everyone else. This is grotesque.
You have got to be kidding me. Core teachers and K-8 teachers have the pressure of that assessment system that will be part of their evaluation and they get nothing for that, and this idiot gets $6500 to "retain athletes"? I am about to give up. It's just not worth it. What a slap in the face to the teachers who are accountable for accreditation.
I think I'll go to that Board meeting tomorrow. I want them to have to look me in the face when they vote for this. It may be the last time they see me, because working retail is starting to sound a hell of a lot better than this.
Between the crappy raise and no step that's on the agenda and this I now have no incentive to knock myself out next year. It doesn't pay to stress out. Schmoozing is what pays. Not hard work. This is just wrong.
Since this story doesn't mention the teacher or the circumstances, or what they do then what is the point of this post?
I guess that big award a few years ago just wasn't enough for him. And anyone who doesn't think that deal was rigged is stupid. Makes you wonder what he knows to keep getting these little payoffs.
7:31
Most of us know exactly who the teacher is. And you know exactly what the point is--one teacher gets a payoff, and the rest get screwed. I'm sure Turner isn't using the name for a reason, but how many teachers have a class like that? It'll be in the athletic department's budget, under "athlete retention." Are the athletes fleeing the district too?
I'd rather have the respect of my peers than that $6500. Perhaps you will get more specifics at the meeting tomorrow night if they don't save the special treatment for the closed session. I'd be too embarrassed to discuss it publicly, myself.
Does anyone know if this is what is driving the coaches to quit? I looked at the job openings. It's unbelievable. I have no idea who will be coaching my kids next year. I'm guessing a warm body with minimal qualifications at this rate. Those facilities will mean nothing without good coaches, and they lost one of the best last month that Joplin Schools has ever seen. Makes me sick. Maybe they should have tried to keep him around.
People, read what it says, " Administration sources tell the Turner Report that before Huff "retired" June 30, he arranged for one favored Joplin High School teacher to receive a $6,500 stipend to keep this teacher from taking a job in another district.
The teacher purportedly will receive the extra duty stipend to continue sponsoring a group of upperclassmen who serve as role models, mentors, and tutors for freshmen. In the past, Huff has made sure this teacher has received extra money for this group, which Huff has heavily promoted, through Bright Futures."
It was a comment that someone People, read what it says, " Administration sources tell the Turner Report that before Huff "retired" June 30, he arranged for one favored Joplin High School teacher to receive a $6,500 stipend to keep this teacher from taking a job in another district.
The teacher purportedly will receive the extra duty stipend to continue sponsoring a group of upperclassmen who serve as role models, mentors, and tutors for freshmen. In the past, Huff has made sure this teacher has received extra money for this group, which Huff has heavily promoted, through Bright Futures."
Someone commented this -- Who says butt kissing doesn't pay? I heard the stipend is coming from the athletic department's budget for something like athlete or coach retention. Do you suppose this is why the coaches are all quitting? Like all of Cj's big ideas, this one doesn't seem to be working for anyone but the butt kisser. Keep one and sacrifice everyone else. This is grotesque."
So, someone heard, but it also says that the teacher is being paid : "to continue sponsoring a group of upperclassmen who serve as role models, mentors, and tutors for freshmen."
Hmm, it doesn't take a smart brained person to look up who sponsors that. I think some of you people just like to hear your head rattle.
I teach for Joplin, I DON'T do it for the money, I don't do it for the fame, I do it because I am JOPLIN PROUD...no matter what has happened, we need to be there to make it better for the children we are teaching. That's what it is all about. I love the kids I work with and I keep going back despite of what happens. It WILL get better and I will still be there teaching the kids and making sure they are getting the BEST education I can give them NO MATTER WHAT!
When I donated funds to Bright Futures, I did so thinking I was helping to feed hungry kids, and to provide shoes, clothing, etc. I did NOT give my donation so that it could fertilize a walking ego. I understand the mission of that program, but having had children who were freshmen and who were in the program as upper classmen, it is not what it is trumped up to be. I will not donate to Bright Futures again. I would rather just walk down the street and put the money in the hands of those in need myself. They might actually get something from it.
Shame on you, Joplin Schools. Shame on you.
8:20
I appreciate the sentiment, and I agree the students need us. However, this isn't my hobby. I have a mortgage, medical bills (thanks to R8's crappy insurance), and a home to run. i cannot do that on a salary that seems to be going in the wrong direction. If you can, good for you. I would love to work for the district of my hometown. However, if I don't see a positive change coming, I will be FORCED to go somewhere else just to survive. I should have left this year. I literally can't afford to stay and can't take an evening job and still see my family.
By the way, no one teaches in Joplin for the "fame." It's not a wise idea these days to wear spirit wear in public. You hear a lot of negative remarks about the district. And it gets tiresome being asked how I stand it. So you go ahead and martyr yourself. I have to feed a family. I'm certainly not getting the stipend that this man is getting, and I work very, very hard, providing a lot of materials out of my own pocket so my students can be successful. That just can't happen this year with a small raise, no step, reduced stipends, and increased insurance.
The teacher in question is Tobin Shultz, director of "fusion" the group that is "lowering referral rates and increasing attendance" among freshmen (really this is because teachers are threatned if they punish students, and the attendance is about the money, ass in seats) lets also mention how this group just magically fund raises $35000 for a two day event for kids to get their nails dine and to play archery tag during a school day forcing older kids to miss class as well. Let teachers teach, be done with this fusion and bright futures bullshit.
11:32 is correct. I worked at the 9/10 building the year Fusion (Link Crew) was started. I wasn't threatened, exactly, to get grades up, but we were sent emails by the freshman principal with the Fs our students had and we were asked what WE were going to do about the Fs, not what the students were going to do. Attendance was altered by said principal, also. One teacher had a student with three truancies in a row that said assistant principal changed to tardies. Then we were lectured about what behaviors required office referrals and what needed to be taken care of in our room. Most behaviors were to be taken care of without referrals. She told teachers she wasn't going to do anything with the referrals. The kids got conferences and treats or t-shirts, but they didn't get consequences. Then when the number of referrals went down and the number of Fs improved she gave the credit to Link Crew. It was a joke then, and I would assume it is now. The older kids would skip class and maybe spend an hour with their freshmen and the rest of the time they would be stopping to eat and who knows what. They would brag about it. They were also the kids who ragged on Huff on Twitter when he didn't call snow days fast enough. They were great leaders, for sure. The younger kids they were supposed to be leading followed right along.
Getting away from all of that was the best decision I ever made. My friends tell me it has not improved. I miss my friends. I don't miss the district. The kids are getting cheated every day but the assistant principal and the teacher who runs the program have sure gotten a lot of mileage from it. Typical for R8. But as Huff said, teachers who don't like it can leave. And so we did. How's that working for you now, R8?
4:03 has reminded me of something. When this crap started it was a purchased curriculum that was called Link Crew. After a year or so they (admin and Schultz) decided to "rewrite" the curriculum and repackage it for sale as "Fusion". Has any income been generated from that decision, or was it just a way to have Link Crew but not have to pay for the consultants and curriculum? Who has the money, if any has been made? Inquiring minds would really like to know this. You have to wonder who got the profits since Cj was involved.
I am wondering just how many people Randy has helped who have not contributed a cent to the Turner Report. CJ Huff is gone, the school board has completely changed and he had more to do with it than anyone. He stood up against CJ and Bruce Speck when others failed to do so and he warned us about Wallace Bajjali even before the city hired them. His new book is the best investigative reporting Joplin has seen in years and let's face it, the work that he and John Hacker did on the tornado with their books provided a much better examination of the tornado than the higher priced books the Globe and the Star published. Joplin is lucky to have Randy Turner and there are a lot of people in this area's power structure who want to see him put out of business. I don't want that to happen and I am hoping the people who read this will agree with me. Give what you can, but let's back this man now. If all you can afford to give him is $5, then give him $5, and if you can afford more, give more. We need the Turner Report. I would be willing to bet that many of the MSSU and R8 employees who owe him so much have never contributed a cent. Sorry this went so long but I feel strongly about this.
8:20, 8:41, 4:54 are all correct ... Teachers typically never expected a high paying salary, but would like to make enough money to feel valued and pay their bills. This basic respect and support applies to Mr. Turner. This forum provides a voice that is not available anywhere else in the community. It also shares information that most do not have the time or expertise to discover independently. It allows space and access for comment, discussion, support, argument, elaboration, collaboration: freedom of speech and press. It's a valuable asset. Our subscription is paid and the latest book purchased. Thank you, Mr. Turner, and everyone who reads and posts.
@ 4:54...Great post Randy
My daughter was a link crew leader and is still in fusion. It really is a great program as long as the leaders and the younger kids don't abuse the privileges. As far as Shultz goes, he has help my child overcome basic high school drama and bullying several times when the assistant principals did absolutely nothing. He is a great liaison for the students to have. As far as a coach, he's pretty good at that too. There was a major blowout not long ago involving all the football coaches and now we have none. I'm not sure how giving a $6500 stipend to one person will bring us additional coaches but I suppose 1 is better than none. I can think of about 100 more teachers who also deserve that $6500. Heck, they'd even take $100!!
5:51
4:54 is not Randy. But I bet it made you feel really good to be hateful that way. I will pray for you. You are a bitter little person. I'm with 4:54. People who have not supporter Turner should. Without his efforts we would not be nearly so far in our efforts to save our school district. Maybe 5:51 has something to lose from our efforts. If so, that is unfortunate for you, but the students have to come first.
Ummm...Joplin has athletes ? That is too cute and funny ..:)
Umm...Joplin has athletes ? That is too cute and funny ..:)
8:48 - That's mean and wrong.
7:47--This attitude is what is wrong with the culture in our schools (well, and in our overall culture as well). You're concerned about who will be coaching your kids? Um, sports are not important. Who the hell cares who the coaches are? They ought to get rid of football at the very least; it's barbaric and causes traumatic head injuries, and it's not right for kids to play football. They ought to scrap much of athletics, all sports, period, since R-8 can't manage to succeed that things that actually matter. Academics matter. You should be concerned that this school district cannot seem to hire or hold on to good teachers because it is a terrible place to work. You should be concerned about who will be teaching your children important academic subjects. They can play soccer or whatever on the weekends with their friends. Geez.
Maybe Joplin School teachers need to look at other district in SWMO. It looks like most gave nice raises and steps!!
Let's talk about how Bright Futures is now PAYING tuition to a local college for the student who "created" the ribbon -- under Fusion/Link Crew's leader Tobin Schultz's direction. It must be nice to get paid off by administration to do their projects that "teachers are raving about". Maybe if they were paid more they could rave about their jobs... and not have to be bought and paid for.....!!!!!!!
Can someone explain Bright Futures? Who is responsible; who makes decisions; who is accountable to whom; and how it is linked to Joplin Schools?
And what exactly does Bright Futures do and how much of the donations that Bright Futures receives are used for administrative costs and not charity? If its a non-profit attached and affiliated with a school district how can public funds be used to support a non-profit or even a for profit company? There needs to be some serious investigations into the relationship of CJ Huff's baby and figure out who is really receiving those donations???
So am I the only one wondering if Bright Futures could be another Wallace Bajjali scheme? It seems unlikely but what they say about walking like a duck and quacking like
9:59
I am trying to figure out what is the most insulting, your condescending attitude or your presumptions based on lack of information. One, none of my children play football, but I would support them if they wanted to brave the gender issue and join. Two, my children are quite successful academically and I am quite involved in that area. Your presumption that their athletic activities were my only concern was quite short sighted. They are in advanced classes and their test scores are good. You also don't seem to realize that there are many studies that prove that involvement in extracurricular activities, including sports, improves academic success and emotional wellbeing. Every foreign exchange student I have ever known has said that the American education experience is superior to what they receive, and that even if our approach is unorthodox and sometimes chaotic, it is much more interesting than what they do. So, before you presume to jump down my throat again, I would suggest you get more information. A decent person would apologize. I won't hold my breath.
Thank you. That is all.
Bright Futures was started the year before the tornado to provide for the needs of children (clothes, shoes, food, water heaters, utilities, baby showers) so that they could focus on school. That increased focus would then lead to better academic achievement and later a better graduation rate. Now it appears that donations can be used to pay for the tuition of a boy who rarely goes to school and who spent way too much time working on a ribbon campaign that appears to have won no recognition. I will give BF not one more cent. They are wasting funds on frivolous nonsense. At first it did seem sincere, and maybe some of the people are still so (community volunteers and donors). But after the tornado it became the dumping ground for all donations, which made it impossible to know how much money the district got and where it was supposed to go. Then Bright Futures USA was dreamed up. You'll have to read Turner's book to get the whole story, but it supposedly is not part of the district, even though it is housed with Bright Futures Joplin and receives free rent and utilities like BF Joplin.
I was under the impression that BF Joplin is funded 51% privately and 49% publicly, which is why the auditors could not get into their account books. If this is wrong, perhaps Kelli Price or the BF people will come on here and correct the information, as we know they are reading every word. But I wonder if you added in the value of the free rent, utilities, janitorial staff, supplies, etc., if they are really just 49% publicly funded. It would be nice to know. CJ was heard to be brag that the auditors would find nothing since the money was hidden in BF and the School Foundation, the treasurer of which now being a Board member. It's all very twisted and convoluted, and gives the appearance of wrong doing. We do need to have the facts and the figures. That way all suspicions could be laid to rest.
As a former student, athlete, and active leader at JHS I would like to take the time to share my opinion, as I have kept it off of social media, as you all should do too. These comments have come so far off topic that each and everyone of you decide to voice your opinion on a post that means absolutely nothing. If you want to complain about Huff or the R8 school district, the proper and adult way to handle that would be to voice your opinion at a school board meeting instead of thinking that Randy Turner might want to take your opinions and do something good with them, because if you haven't noticed each of his posts are bashing Joplin Schools as a whole, leaving all the good that happens out of the picture. For the longest time I was so proud to be an Eagle, seeing all the good that Huff had done for the school and the community. What other superintendent could've gotten 9 damaged or destroyed schools back in session in about 55 days? None. Huff spent endless days doing what was best for his students and this community not because he had to but because he chose to. But after seeing how the parents and members of this community treat our leaders (with disrespect, and needless to say on social media) I am nothing more than ashamed to be an Eagle. While that may be only one example of the extraordinary accomplishes Huff has done, you would think we could come together and support the man who has held us together. He's no longer serving as a superintendent so I would say it's time to stop blaming him for stuff that you don't have enough information on. You may or may not agree but coming from an insider who has been on both sides of this wonderful club that Huff supports, it has truly changed the lives of many freshman, and even upperclassmen and not to mention the more than amazing role model that sponsors the club. Thank you to everyone commenting for teaching the students and future leaders of this community to handle situations like this over social media, simply bashing one another while not even trying to understand the full circumstances of these decisions that for one most of you didn't even make an effort to change.
So how is retirement treating you Huffy?
Everyone has a right to their own opinion, whether you agree or not. It's hard to deny what is being stated on this blog. There seems to be a thread of truth running throughout most comments, and the old saying where there is smoke there is fire? People need to express themselves in some form, this blog has been the method that allows true freedom of expression. So come down off that high horse and know that the comments expressed on this blog is an expression of personal rights to comment as you wish, truthfully or not so truthfully, you have to decide that for yourself. You are obviously reading them, so good for you that your experience with Huff was a positive one. You are one of only a few that feel that way it seems.
This detail will be sufficient to rebut much of what 10:41 PM says:
What other superintendent could've gotten 9 damaged or destroyed schools back in session in about 55 days?
Angie Besendorfer. Since she was in fact the assistant superintendent who did the work while Huff was mostly doing PR.
All the evidence you need for this is Huff's manifest incompetence once she left the district. Also note that she was smart enough to leave her old job at Reed Springs before being forced out, and to leave this one before it got too ugly, whereas Huff outstayed his welcome and got abruptly forced out.
Well, at least Kelli Price is doing something for her money. This is obviously another attempt at hitting the Huff talking points and trying to convince everyone that it is another student.
Alan is going to Arkansas, not very local.
Working backward through these comments, Bright Futures Joplin is paying a student's tuition to Arkansas? Is that correct?
Bright Futures is NOT paying anyone's tuition. That is insanity! This is such a far cry from reality. Would one of you who believe this PLEASE call someone and ask!? Ridiculous!
11:46
No one expects an honest answer, hence no one asks. Word is the woman that teaches with Fusion asked for the tuition payment for one student in her dual credit class. It isn't an Arkansas class. How do we know this? The kids are talking. Is it the same kid that organized the ribbon? I really don't know. Could be. Either way it is just wrong. Like buying bicycles for doctor's kids that graduated already. Is that a rumor? We hear about it but can't prove it. It's all wrong if it's true. Bright Futures needs to go away. It's benefiting the wrong people too often. I won't donate to them again. Are kids a reliable source? I doubt it, but I trust them more than any information from Bright Futures or Joplin Admin. Since we can't prove it one way or the other, like I said, donate your dollars somewhere else. There are other charities that help children in Joplin. That's where my donations will go. So much is wrong in our school district that I will believe about anything I hear about those people who work in the admin building. I hope they all get fired so we can start over. Huff can have them all to his house and throw them a party using his retirement severance package. Our dollars might as well be burned as soon as we earn them.
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