LUMBERTON — As a parent, Dwayne Smith wants his son to attend Tanglewood Elementary School as a fourth-grader.
As a member of the Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education, Smith says he will fight to make sure that happens.
Smith last week spoke out strongly about a plan he says is being floated by some board members that would result in fourth-grade students at Tanglewood and Rowland-Norment elementary schools attending classes at Gilbert Carroll Middle School.
Both Tanglewood and Rowland-Norment are currently overcrowded. Gilbert Carroll, which now houses 593 fifth- and sixth-grade students, reportedly has enough space to accommodate the fourth-graders from the two elementary schools.
This year, there are 125 fourth-grade students at Tanglewood. As of late Friday, the number of fourth-graders this year at Rowland-Norment was not available.
But Smith doesn’t see this as a space issue. Instead, he said, the issue is one of “catering” to parents who wish to transfer their children from other Robeson County elementary schools to one of the Lumberton elementary schools.
“In my opinion, you can’t justify moving kids out of a school in their district to make room for transfer students,” Smith said. “It’s just not fair. All you are doing is hurting the kids and the school.”
According to public schools spokeswoman Tasha Oxendine, the issue of moving fourth-graders from the elementary schools to the middle school has not been discussed by the administration and school board at any meeting. She said the administration has no official position on the subject.
Oxendine also said the issue is not on the agenda for the board’s next meeting Tuesday.
Board Chairman Mike Smith said the issue will be discussed during the board’s annual retreat Friday and Saturday.
“We will get a better understanding of this at the retreat,” Smith said. “We’ll hear what the administration thinks. This is not something we will just jump into.”
Smith said he personally doesn’t think moving the fourth-graders to the middle school would be a big problem.
“These students would be moving to the middle school the next year anyway,” he said. “This would just mean that they would move a year earlier.”
The school system’s transfer policy is liberal, allowing parents to move their children to schools near where the parents work so getting them to and from school and day care is more convenient.
Mike Smith agreed with his fellow board member Dwayne Smith that a lot of parents prefer their children attend Tanglewood because it is known for providing quality education. He added that Tanglewood is convenient to many parents because they hold jobs in Lumberton.
The chairman also said he does not believe the move from the elementary school to the middle school would be difficult for the students.
“I think if it comes to the change, the students will make the transition fairly easily,” he said. “Kids adjust easily. They just want to go to school and get an education.”
Mike Smith said he has received several calls from parents and others concerned about the possibility of fourth-graders moving to the middle school. Some of the calls, he said, were from friends.
“Some are apprehensive about the possibility of the change, and that’s a natural thing,” he said. “If I was a parent I might have a different opinion, but I don’t think so.”
While Tanglewood is currently overcrowded, it is expected that the school’s population will decrease for the next school year with the opening of Southeastern Academy as a charter school. Southeastern, which has been a private school, is expected to take in about 100 new students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade.
(a) All members of governing boards of cities, counties, local boards of education, unified governments, sanitary districts, and consolidated city-counties shall receive a minimum of two clock hours of ethics education within 12 months after initial election or appointment to the office and again within 12 months after each subsequent election or appointment to the office.
(b) The ethics education shall cover laws and principles that govern conflicts of interest and ethical standards of conduct at the local government level.
(c) The ethics education may be provided by the North Carolina League of Municipalities, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, North Carolina School Boards Association, the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or other qualified sources at the choice of the governing board.
(d) The clerk to the governing board shall maintain a record verifying receipt of the ethics education by each member of the governing board. (2009-403, s. 1.)
I BELIEVE that the majority of the school board issues could be resolved if Board members had more training, as required by the above State Statute. Sometimes, it is not how you handle the situation that causes the problems in the system, but how you respond to the citizens and their concerns before the decision is made.
After going on the Robeson County School Board website, it was noted that no Agenda is posted until several months after the meeting is held. Perhaps it is posted on the door of the meeting place and bulletin board, as required by law, but how many citizens are going to drive out the the BOE building to view this. I have never seen a full agenda listed in the paper either....only notice of the meeting, as required by law. However, since the agendas are available at least 48 hrs. before the meeting-and are later posted on the website-why are they not available for the citizens to see before the fact?
This type of communication would put more trust in the Board, if people knew what was to be discussed before the meeting. There is supposed to be a Clerk to the Board, who could easily do this with a couple of keystrokes:) By not having this available, it creates an atmosphere of distrust, whether granted-or-not.
Also, the minutes are very vague. Any Clerk who has had the necessary training knows that accurate minutes are required to show who makes a motion, who makes a second to the motion, and what the vote was. Those voting against are to be named-regardless of the subject matter. In reading the last minutes posted ( I believe Feb.2013), I noticed this was not being done. The minutes are supposed to give enough information that a person not in attendance would have a general understanding of what business transpired at that meeting. After reading, I was totally in the dark as to any action taken. The only item where this information was available was in the vote to give the Super. a bonus of $10,000. (which may or may not have been deserved) - as that "can of worms" is not mine to open. But, it was covered very well-for whatever the reason may be.
Concerning the matter of moving 4th. grade to CMS - the citizens are automatically suspicious due to the way the matter has been handled. Upon talking to various school board members-quite a few different answers have been given....from No Way, It's already a "done deal", we haven't even discussed it (and won't until all the Board Members can be present)......an yadda, yadda, yadda.......
So what we have here is the groundwork for mistrust. Now, it appears that it will be discussed at the "Workshop" !! Well sure, why not. Citizens will not be there for input or observation...they can plan their strategy for pushing this thru, and when they leave the workshop-what ever their decision- it WILL BE a "done deal". Then they will breeze thru it at the meeting, since no official action can be taken in the workshop, and it will be passed. T
My general feeling is that the purpose of dealing with it in the Workshop is to privately try to settle the dissension among Board Members. It appears that they must "get it together" before presenting it in the meeting.
The Board needs to openly discuss this, have a public hearing to get input from citizens, and then explore other options. They need to quit "passing the buck" and making excuses. They need to be professional and honest (this is where the ethics classes should be helpful). The Board members need to realize that they are Public Servants...not Washington politicians.
One more thing, to your attempt to insult “THE BIG DOGS” who, as you claim, can pay their way through life. This is the same left wing liberal crap that has this county in the shape it is.
I along with many of these people have worked extremely hard for what they have. I work long days, went to college and sacrificed a lot. I have to pay back my school loans and often miss some of my children’s extracurricular activities; all things I am glad to do if it means a better life for my children.
Have the dignity to consider that when you make ignorant comments like you did.
Don’t assume everyone in Robeson County doesn’t work for what they have. We already have enough of that because of the entitlement programs.
You folks with the bad schools, look at the parenting skills in your neighborhood. Are you spending time in the afternoons with little Billy? Take him to the park and play with him on the swing? Do you eat dinner together and help Jhonny with his homework? Do you attend church and teach your kid to do good unto others and respect those in authority? Do you allow your kid to listen to profanity filled rap music and despise the police. Are you asleep in the afternoon when Jill gets off the bus? Are you hungover in the morning and can't get out of bed while they get dressed?
Parenting involves more than some can handle. It's not easy. You have to be involved with your kid. So, it's not the school, it's those good kids from good homes that make a school what it is. So, how is your school doing?
Ross
Parent.
My opinion on this is unbiased, I don't have a child attending the schools mentioned in this article. I think it is ludicrous to ship off an entire grade of kids to another school in order to make room for kids who LIVE OUT OF DISTRICT. One might argue for a "quota", but all that will turn in to is an issue of politics/favoritism - which we all know runs rampant in this county.
How many up-and-coming out-of-district 4th graders at those schools will go back to their in-district schools if this stupid plan goes through?
The issue is a cultural problem. We live in an area where a very large number of people do not have a high school education. Robeson County is among country’s leaders in entitlement recipients. (Welfare, unemployment) Our youth see this everyday and learn from it. Parents teach and encourage entitlement cultures that develop lazy, weak minded youth. As these children grow, they see no problem with being the way they are. Unfortunately neither does that child’s parents, after all they have been taught to be this way for generations.
In short, Tanglewood or any other school, it doesn’t matter. Until the culture is change, this county’s educational system will continue to die.
I know this doesn’t sound very open hearted but this is the reality of the sorry county we all choose to live in. Unless we make efforts to change the CULTUAL issues this will never change. With that said why should we punish and pull the rest of the kids down.
Not a helping hand up, but a strong arm to bring down...
Justice...I hate that stupid word.
But I can answer that question the way a democrat would.
You see, YOU can afford those taxes and it's not "fair" that YOU and others like you can send your kid to a well financed school(by your higher tax rates) and other people have bad schools. There taxes are much much lower because of the area and crime rate.
I know how to make things fair, raise their taxes in those sub-par neighborhoods and funnel the money to their school so it too can be like Tanglewood... See, that's fair.
Ok, Dwayne Smith and others, the folks in the bad school areas WANT THEIR TAXES raised, they want a better school for little jhonny.
MY COUNTY, STATE, OR FEDERAL TAXES ASSIST IN PAYING FOR YOUR CHILDS EDUCATION!
ps. They're not complaining about the tax rate, they chose to pay it so their kid could attend a good school and they could live in a crime free area. It's the stuff their taxes pay for being taken away and given to others who don't pay that higher tax rate that is angering the folks.
pss. And must you yell?
Enjoy your 20 mile ride to Walmart...you chose to live out there.
What a back and forth answer. I know how you are trying to argue this but you can’t. Facts are simple:
1. You pay fewer taxes. That is a fact. No way around that. Yes some of what you pay goes to schools; however, you pay no where near what some of the in town parents pay. This is how real estate is often driven. Look at any Real Estate site; they all have a section for school districts. Not tax districts.
2. I don’t live in town for Wal Mart. That was the last thing on my mind and I’m sure most parents agree. They wanted a good environment. This means school, neighborhoods and houses. Not Wal Mart. When you think about the cost of housing, unbelievable power bills and everything associated with living in Lumberton you see there really isn’t any convenience to it. Is only about our kids.
3. Based on your post, I pay higher taxes for sewer, water, trash pick up and so on. Since you don’t live in town let me explain how this works. We are taxed separately for those things. This means you are honestly WRONG. By the way, unless you live in a tree I believe you should have running water, lights and sewer also…. Right. I should hope so.
If you have followed this at all you will know who is to blame. This is an issue the school board caused. THE SCHOOL BOARD!! (since you like to write in all caps) They need to fix this issue and take the blame. In any leadership position you have to be strong enough to make the hard choices. This includes admitting when you are wrong. The board was wrong to send all these transfers. Now they need to send the kids back to the district. Step up and be a group of leaders. YOU WANTED THE JOBS, NOW DO THEM!!!
Those folks don't care about their kids the way most do, if they did they wouldn't choose to live in squalor or government housing. They don't understand that we all choose how we want to live(except the sick/disabled) our lives and THAT THE DECISIONS WE MAKE EARLY IN LIFE WILL IMPACT THE OUTCOME LATER IN LIFE.
They'll never take the blame for how they ended up, it's always somebody else's fault. Then when life seems unfair, they want to scream bloody mary and demand "fairness".
Life is "FAIR", we all have the same amount of time in each day...what YOU choose to do with your time is up to you.
Ross
Parent and taxpayer
where 4th grade is seperated and shipped off to Middle School. It's funny when the schools got integrated back in the 90's Prospect was untouched!!! Those of you who don't know Prospect (home of half Centtal Office) is K-8 once you are in there those kids never see a move again until 9th grade. Now let's talk about fair...
It's the KIDS who attend this public school who make it great. The kids!
These children are loved at home. Their parents spend time with them and show them happiness. These parents are what makes those kids so great. The kids are well mannered and respectful of authority. They are willing to learn without shame. Again it's the children and the parents who allow these wonderful teachers to exhibit their ability to teach.
In most(all) public schools, making good grades is considered acting..(guess). Well lets just say it's made fun of. The children are more concerned with gangs, drugs and rap music than they are in learning. There's a lot of disruptions in class by the bad one's, and fights occur often. Most kids in Robeson county public schools are from single(mom) parent homes and don't get any love that they deserve. Their homework is never checked, mom never asks what did you learn today and really could care less.
It's not good to combine those kids with the kind of kids who attend Tanglewood. It has and will cause problems. Social and economic backgrounds do play a very important part in children's lives.
If you can ever move into this beautiful neighborhood, they'll welcome you and your children to their school. Until then please have your kids attend their own school.
Get with the parents(moms) in your neighborhood and see what you can do to make your kids want to learn and stay away from fighting. If you will work with your children the way these folks work with theirs, you too can have a GREAT SCHOOL.
Remember, the school is just a building...it's the kids who make the grades or cause the trouble. Start at home working with the kids and you'll improve the numbers at your neighborhood school...Just like Tanglewood.
Listen Up. I really want to hear your answer to this. You state that all children should have equal education. What do you say to the quality of education for the children who are legitimately attending that school? I have been a part of the Tanglewood family for more than 7 years. I have two children who have rotated through a wonderful school. I can tell you right now, the influx of out of district children has HURT the educational opportunities for those kids. Over crowding, fewer teachers to child ratio, a lower family support backing and a low parent support base has HURT the school.
NOW WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE TO HURT MY AND EVERY OTHER PARENT’S CHILDRENS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES?
Listen up makes some good points. Again I agree with some of what is said. However, pushing these kids to one school will do is make it just like the rest. Now what has thinking like “LISTEN UP” done for us then?
LISTEN UP needs to just enjoy the ride. I assume you are already in Tanglewood, so enjoy the good school while it lasts. Keep your head up when you start dealing with the hard issues of overcrowding and others mentioned above. Shake the hands of those who give the extra taxes and time. Ten years from now, when Tanglewood is just like all the rest, you will have it exactly the way you wanted it- ALL EDUCATION THE SAME. The problem is it will all suck.
100% Agree!!!
Please don't be upset with these people, they mean no harm or insult. They just prefer to live their life and you live yours but they don't want to pay extra for school and then have their kid shipped elsewhere.
If you want to participate in your kids school activities, find a job near their school...simple. Problem solved.
There it is, a comment made out of arrogance and, most of all, ignorance. I AM a parent and my child attends Tanglewood. And yes, I will have a problem if this goes through. Why should my child be moved to another school because of children who shouldn't even be attending Tanglewood in the first place? You, Mr. Smith, don't see the problem? Are you really that stupid or are too many of your friends' children attending Tanglewood who shouldn't be? Which one is it?
Hold your ears people....
It's the CHILDREN at this school who make the school what it is. The majority of the ones who belong there come from great homes with two wonderful parents who love their children. They spend time helping the kid with homework and are involved in every aspect of the kids life.
These kind of kids make teaching a wonderful job, like it's ONCE was. When a teacher has the respect of the children they feel confident in their ability to nurcher these kids much like their own.
NOW...... These "new" kids being "dropped off" by folks who don't live around there are starting to make things a bit more challenging. They don't live in the community and have a hard time adjusting to a school where learning is important. In most other schools, learning is secondary behind fighting, gangs, and mischief. When a kid is in unfamiliar territory, they will group with like minded kids and lash out at the others who belong at the school. It's best to keep kids in their own environment around like minded children. When a mean kid gets around the nice kids, usually it's the nice ones who will be influenced by the "cool" kid. Very seldom do the nice ones make the mean one change. You know, like that old saying: A bad apple spoils the whole crate".....
So you people who live elsewhere please keep your kids where they belong, their own schools. When YOU can move into the area, we'll welcome you and your children at the school, OK....Fair.
ps. I care for the children.
Also, Ross is correct that Tanglewood's success is due in large part to the socioeconomic background of the students that attend. I've taught at other schools in the county, and teachers at other schools are just as good as or better than teachers at Tanglewood.
You think everybody has a right to something based on "fairness" and not earning it. So that being said: YOU have a trailer near a factory. Some mom who works there wants to be near her job. Your trailer is right across the street.
So the "FAIR" thing for you to do is get out of that mobile home and let that lady move in so she can be close to her job....and she has kids so YOU must do it for the children.....
Part2) And the good kids can be influenced by the bad ones. The good ones don't know how to fight since it's not part of their culture and are usually quiet and reserved, the way they are raised. The bad ones come from a culture of gangs, fighting disruptions in class and disrespecting those in authority positions. When the good one's see this, they think it's cool and some(not all) want to be like Billy the new kid. He's tough, he talks back to teachers, he cusses and smokes cigarettes.(in the 4th grade)
Yep a bad apple CAN and usually will ruin a crate of good ones. That's an old saying so I don't take credit for saying it. If you google "bad apples" you'll see it. I believe it.