From WZEP First News >
Rosemary Ragle Speaks Against ESE Changes
posted an hour ago by WZEP AM 1460 An Exceptional Student Education employee with the Walton School District took issue with Superintendent Anderson’s recommendation to add a Coordinator of Instructional Support Services. Rosemary Ragle spoke to the Board and questioned adding the position at a time she says morale is low, questioned changes in ESE staff location and questioned spending money for a position when it could be used elsewhere.
Ragle, who is with the Walton School District ESE Department, talked to WZEP First News. Ragle is also qualified as a democrat candidate for Walton Superintendent of Schools. With limited time to make comments, and with the meeting being an agenda specific special meeting, Ragle made several comments and points, but not all were fully cited or allowed due to the specific question on the agenda.
At the meeting Ragle talked about constraints on financing and teachers not getting step raises. She says she is concerned about teachers. Ragle also thinks moral is low and does not think teachers feel valued. Talking to WZEP, she noted the recent School Accreditation Report and says they cited the need to develop a plan of corrective action to improve the confidence of the stakeholders in the school district. Stakeholders can be teachers, support and parents. She says another area of weakness noted by the Accreditation team was the need to increase parent involvement.
Ragle also talked about Building One at the Tivoli Complex. She says it has always housed the exceptional education department. Currently they have six staff members with offices there. She told the Board that in the past the district spent funds to install a confidential record file room that meets requirements. Ragle tells First News her staff will be moved in July to accommodate the phy services department. Ragle says she is concerned that the departments are being split into two and that if the ESE staff is separated from the building, they will lose easy accessibility to the records needed to their everyday work. Ragle was stopped from discussing the relocation of her staff since the meeting was an agenda special meeting and the personnel recommendations were listed, but not building needs.
Ragle also questioned adding another administrative position to the payroll. She says the two departments were one, Psychological and ESE and now there will be two. At the meeting, Superintendent Anderson told the Board there will be no additional cost and there might even be a savings. It was explained the position would be funded through several TItle programs. Saying that union negotiations have been at an impasse, Ragle expressed concern with adding a position to the Tivoli Complex. She tells WZEP she feels it would have a negative public perception. Ragle says these funds can not be used to pay teachers, but could be used elsewhere. She says they could find areas of need where the funds could be used, without creating an administrative position. An example would be using these funds to provide inclusive services for V-PK and pre-Kindergarten disabilities.
Replies
243Beach Comber
Qualifications to run for superintendent? Got to have a high school education, as long as you have that your in and the job can be yours!
I'm confused if Anderson had a closed door meeting with no witnesses then how does your source know EXACTLY what happened? Right, they don't, but listening to a one-sided argument is still fun, right?
I'm confused if Anderson had a closed door meeting with no witnesses then how does your source know EXACTLY what happened? Right, they don't, but listening to a one-sided argument is still fun, right?
Beach Lover
There are two sides to the story. I believe Mrs. Ragle's version.
Beach Lover
Read my post again, her mouthy little pet snitch witnessed the events leading up to the closed door session. I stated Carlene exhibited her ignorance by not having a witness present during the meeting. Regardless, the way she reacted was deplorable. Mrs. Ragle was not even allowed to enter her office when she arrived for work.
Banned
On the Carlene Anderson for Superintendent Facebook page there was an endorsement by the chairman of the rubber stamp committee, Dennis Wallace. He was praising her for balancing the budget among other things. Wallace ought to be an expert on budgets. He's on the board of BankTrust (BTFG), one of the many banks that hit bottom after the financial meltdown by making bad loans. It's finally being bought by Trustmark, but the board has been the subject of an investigation and the acquisition has been delayed.
SoWal Insider
IT, please clarify. There was someone there when it all went down, but no witnesses. Just trying to understand how the information was shared if no one was there, but they were there. And I agree with having someone in the room. An HR person or other witness should have been present for a meeting of this sort. It was bound to end badly from the start with no one else present and that's just my personal opinion.
OK, IT, I went back and read your prior post and now understand someone was there up to the closed door part. Thx!
OK, IT, I went back and read your prior post and now understand someone was there up to the closed door part. Thx!
Edited
Banned
The Human Resources director is Sonya Alford. Perhaps she should have been in on this.
Banned
Walton Academy, the charter school is run by the Rader Group. The Rader Group made a contribution to Carlene Anderson's campaign. I understand that the charter is up for renewal in a few months. Is this really good public policy (ethical)? This is the same outfit that gave Ray Sansom a job. And Bill Eddins is principal in one of the Okaloosa County charter schools. Is he related to the state attorney?
SoWal Insider
Who decides the renewal? The SB or Anderson? And I know, I know what everyone says about the board rubber stamping request, but it's an honest question. I think you could probably tie donations by groups to someone they might want something from, from most of the political candidates. People donate and vote for those they think will help their business or cause from the presidential race down to the school board. Not saying it's ethical, but is it illegal? I disagree personally with many things that bother me ethics wise but are perfectly legal according to the law citizens support through their votes.
Two instances I will mention, and please, I am only asking an honest question and am seeking opinions, not for anyone to jump on me or to get upset.
First, Marti Coley really brought home the bacon for her campus in Chiply/Bonifay area and was never held to the same scrutiny as Samson to my knowledge. Second, when politicians come into office, there is always a "reorganization" of the ranks. There were many changes when our sheriff came into office four years ago. Some people went home, some had their rank lowered and some changed positions. When someone changes their cabinet when they enter into or back into office, that is usually expected. I agree that this with Mrs. Ragel was pretty sudden, but if I remember correctly, and I don't always, I'm human, the sheriff's transition team came in before he took office and starting sifting through personnel and where they would be placed or if they would stay.
I'm honestly just asking how is this different in the posters eyes here and not taking any side or saying what has happened is right or OK. I just want to understand what people think about these issues. Thank you for any thoughts anyone wants to share.
Two instances I will mention, and please, I am only asking an honest question and am seeking opinions, not for anyone to jump on me or to get upset.
First, Marti Coley really brought home the bacon for her campus in Chiply/Bonifay area and was never held to the same scrutiny as Samson to my knowledge. Second, when politicians come into office, there is always a "reorganization" of the ranks. There were many changes when our sheriff came into office four years ago. Some people went home, some had their rank lowered and some changed positions. When someone changes their cabinet when they enter into or back into office, that is usually expected. I agree that this with Mrs. Ragel was pretty sudden, but if I remember correctly, and I don't always, I'm human, the sheriff's transition team came in before he took office and starting sifting through personnel and where they would be placed or if they would stay.
I'm honestly just asking how is this different in the posters eyes here and not taking any side or saying what has happened is right or OK. I just want to understand what people think about these issues. Thank you for any thoughts anyone wants to share.
Beach Lover
I get your point, but the changes in the Sheriffs Dept. don't usually occur unless a new sheriff is elected. Why did Anderson decide to relieve Mrs Ragle of her duties the day after the election ? Why was this not done before the school year started or before Mrs. Ragle annouced she would be running for the office ? It just appears to be either a vendictive move, or poor planning and leadership.
Edited
SoWal Insider
I agree, IT, the timing and the fact no HR person was in the room are not positive for me personally. I'm going to try to get the skinny on all the employees that were moved that day and report what both sides are willing to speak on record about. I've worked in many different areas, offices small and large and I would never agree to a meeting with a supervisor that I had clashed with without an HR person or someone I trusted to tell the truth no matter their position if and that's a big if, I had the where with all to ask for it. Sometimes, things happen so quickly, we don't make the best choices for ourselves when we are surprised by something. I'm disappointed, personally, as a tax payer, that another person was not included in this meeting if either side requested it. That's pretty much HR 101 from my experience. 
And if it cost the tax payers and home owners, like myself, that this was not handled correctly, then that upsets me personally as well. But let me add this big IF: If this is what has happened as we do not have everyone on the record that was in the room that day. It will be up to the people involved to share their sides of the story on this issue that they can by law and then the public can decide what they think about it.
I already have more bubble gum than I can chew for next week's edition, but I will cover the SB on Tuesday morning and hopefully have something on this out for the week after edition that will cover all the bases and changes that were made. Let me add that Mrs. Ragel, her supporters or just anyone disturbed by this or anything else are always welcome to voice their opinion in a letter to the editor and that would go out with next week's edition if received before Monday at 4 p.m. Letters can be mailed to Bruce@defuniakherald.com or dfsherald@gmail.com and marked, Atten: Letter to the editor.
And if it cost the tax payers and home owners, like myself, that this was not handled correctly, then that upsets me personally as well. But let me add this big IF: If this is what has happened as we do not have everyone on the record that was in the room that day. It will be up to the people involved to share their sides of the story on this issue that they can by law and then the public can decide what they think about it.I already have more bubble gum than I can chew for next week's edition, but I will cover the SB on Tuesday morning and hopefully have something on this out for the week after edition that will cover all the bases and changes that were made. Let me add that Mrs. Ragel, her supporters or just anyone disturbed by this or anything else are always welcome to voice their opinion in a letter to the editor and that would go out with next week's edition if received before Monday at 4 p.m. Letters can be mailed to Bruce@defuniakherald.com or dfsherald@gmail.com and marked, Atten: Letter to the editor.
Edited
Banned
I've attended a lot of board meetings and don't think I've ever seen the board not approve the superintendent's recommendations. I've talked to a lot of teachers and I wonder why the union has never filed a complaint against the district on behalf of it's members. If this were Dade, Broward, or some other counties, the union would have stood up for their members. The most useful thing to come out of a civil action is that a lot of people would have to give depositons and I'd love to see what some school district officials would say under oath.
SoWal Insider
That would make for some very interesting news as well, JP!
SoWal Insider
JP, I'm not aware of a lot of history of the new member. With the new member coming on, do you think the shift of power will change on the board or stay the same?
Edited
Banned
I suspect the new member, a retired principal, will be another rubber stamp. I believe she contributed to Mrs. Anderson's campaign in 2008.
Banned
As a former Walton County educator, I'd love to know the reason why I was non renewed in 2010. I taught for 4 years with good evaluations and excellent student performance in my first grade class. I've applied in other counties and one of the questions is: "Have you ever been fired or denied continued employment, if so why". Obviously, I've been denied continued employment. I can only guess, since the law doesn't require a reason. How do you answer a question like that?
Edited
Beach Lover
Good question...... and it's certainly not fair. I have some questions, and your answer to my question may answer your question; (1) are you a Walton county "native" (2) (I know the answer to this - no) are you part of Andersons suck-up click (3) Isn't in commonplace here to not renew contracts for good teachers after 3 or 4 years ?
Banned
All of the above. I also signed Trisha Hutchison's petition when she ran in 2008 and I was told that wasn't a good idea. It really hurts to lose a career of more than 30 years and not be given a reason. Also, my husband was very ill at the time and we thought he might not live and to suddenly lose a job and health insurance was a real blow. When I applied for unemployment, I was initially denied because the school district reported to them that I might be rehired. They had no intention of rehiring me. Forgive me if I sound bitter.
SoWal Insider
Miss Watson, I am very sorry for what you have gone through. Why do you think Trisha has not had any consequences for running against Mrs. Anderson or has something happened with her I am not aware of?
Beach Lover
Miss Watson, I am very sorry for what you have gone through. Why do you think Trisha has not had any consequences for running against Mrs. Anderson or has something happened with her I am not aware of?
Ms. Hutchison probably has tenure. I understand that it's very difficult to get rid of teachers who have tenure. Mrs. Ragle is probably under a different contract. I think the new education law did away with tenure for all teachers who didn't already have it.
Beach ComberAuthor
Good Questions and here is what I’ve been able to discover :
Ragle, like other administrators, work on an annualcontract. The superintendent can renewor deny that contract yearly. Under thisset up no principal or coordinator would ever disagree with Ms. Anderson if they wanted to work the nextyear. Hutchison is a “tenured” teacherand works under a professional contract. It is much easier to get rid of teachers on professional contract withthe new evaluation system but it will still take a few years. Therefore Hutchison may not be as protectedfrom retaliation as she was four years ago. I guess she’ll know when she gets her evaluation.
The mention of an HR Dept. made my contact laugh. The HR Dept. is called Personnel Director andis a teacher that became a principal with no HR training. In many ways like the Finance Director thatonly has a high school education. Bothof these people make around $90,000 a year. A teacher with a master’s degree and 30 years experience might make$60,000 but extremely unlikely since teachers have not had a step increase inabout 5 years. Wouldn’t a schooldistrict want a CPA or something to manage the millions of dollars? It doesn’t seem to matter your qualificationsjust your willingness to do what you are told and consequences be damned,
My contact also said the superintendent and her pawn, KayDailey, can say they are reorganizing the responsibilities of all thecoordinators at the district office because of an upcoming retirement of one ofthe coordinators but no one that works there believes it. And, they might have moved a couple ofcoordinators around to other offices BUT no other coordinator was met Wednesdaymorning by three men demanding his or her keys, having the locks changed on their office doors and denying them access. All the teachers I know say that the superintendentwon’t fire Ragle right now because that would definitely be seen as retaliationand give Ragle cause to sue the district. The superintendent will just put Ragle in a position that will humiliateher the most and then not renew her contract at the end of school year.
And, you’re not goingto believe this but I’ve heard it from more than one person now, Kay Daileystood up in her church last Sunday, cried, and asked everyone to please votefor Ms. Anderson because if Ms. Anderson didn’t win she would lose herjob. Really? Really?
Dear Ann, all the teachers I talk to say you, like manyother teachers at the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] year annual contract position that year, werenot renewed because if you had been the district would have had to put you on aprofessional contract and Anderson didn’t want any more teachers onprofessional contract.
Ragle, like other administrators, work on an annualcontract. The superintendent can renewor deny that contract yearly. Under thisset up no principal or coordinator would ever disagree with Ms. Anderson if they wanted to work the nextyear. Hutchison is a “tenured” teacherand works under a professional contract. It is much easier to get rid of teachers on professional contract withthe new evaluation system but it will still take a few years. Therefore Hutchison may not be as protectedfrom retaliation as she was four years ago. I guess she’ll know when she gets her evaluation.
The mention of an HR Dept. made my contact laugh. The HR Dept. is called Personnel Director andis a teacher that became a principal with no HR training. In many ways like the Finance Director thatonly has a high school education. Bothof these people make around $90,000 a year. A teacher with a master’s degree and 30 years experience might make$60,000 but extremely unlikely since teachers have not had a step increase inabout 5 years. Wouldn’t a schooldistrict want a CPA or something to manage the millions of dollars? It doesn’t seem to matter your qualificationsjust your willingness to do what you are told and consequences be damned,
My contact also said the superintendent and her pawn, KayDailey, can say they are reorganizing the responsibilities of all thecoordinators at the district office because of an upcoming retirement of one ofthe coordinators but no one that works there believes it. And, they might have moved a couple ofcoordinators around to other offices BUT no other coordinator was met Wednesdaymorning by three men demanding his or her keys, having the locks changed on their office doors and denying them access. All the teachers I know say that the superintendentwon’t fire Ragle right now because that would definitely be seen as retaliationand give Ragle cause to sue the district. The superintendent will just put Ragle in a position that will humiliateher the most and then not renew her contract at the end of school year.
And, you’re not goingto believe this but I’ve heard it from more than one person now, Kay Daileystood up in her church last Sunday, cried, and asked everyone to please votefor Ms. Anderson because if Ms. Anderson didn’t win she would lose herjob. Really? Really?
Dear Ann, all the teachers I talk to say you, like manyother teachers at the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] year annual contract position that year, werenot renewed because if you had been the district would have had to put you on aprofessional contract and Anderson didn’t want any more teachers onprofessional contract.
SoWal Insider
Does Anderson do the firing or does the board have to approve a dismissal?
Banned
I'm wondering what the district has a personnel director for anyway. I went to a Tea Party meeting back when the half mil tax referendum was up for a vote and I tape recorded Mrs. Anderson's address. In the meeting she took questions and I asked why former teachers were dismissed and not rehired. She said that the principals decide who is dismissed and who is hired and she has nothing to do with it. I have it on tape and I can prove that she said it. Well, if that's the case, what does an HR director do? I submit to you that she was lying.
SoWal Insider
Sometimes, in my experience, HR directors or staff members deal with health care, absences, vacation time, sick leave and such where paper work is concerned. When I worked for a private- non-profit many moons ago, if you had any of those items, you took it to HR. Supervisors also would go to HR when they had questions about hiring or dismissals and such. A supervisor or other staff member might sit in a meeting with you and another employee if you had issues, but when it came down to the legalities, it all had to go through HR.
Edited
Beach Lover
After reading most of the posts here and in speaking with teachers, am I to understand that the school system can fire teachers for no reason at the whim of a principal or anyone else in the system? Isn't that a formula for discrimination? It seems to me that a state law that allows such a thing would be in violation of Federal law. Incredible!!!!
SoWal Insider
Florida is a fire at will state. But, I believe and others will know more about this than me, most teachers as long as they abide by their contract serve the length of their contract. Instead of being fired, I believe they call it not having your contract renewed in the new school year.
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