Personnel Changes at TCSD
The Taylor County School District's website is advertising two new job vacancies: Principal of Steinhatchee School, and Coordinator of Taylor Technical Institute. This would indicate that Sylvia Ivey and Ken Olsen are both leaving their respective positions.
Additional, Brett Wilson, the Band Director at Taylor County High School, announced today that he would be resigning to pursue other opportunities.
Additional, Brett Wilson, the Band Director at Taylor County High School, announced today that he would be resigning to pursue other opportunities.
Well this would be a good start. I will believe it when we see it. Olsen I can see, Ivey would be a loss. The best part of this news is that Wilson will be leaving, he has taken the band from more than 50 kids down to less than 15. I am personally aware of this inept person and it was time for him to move on over a year ago. I would like to see an audit review and an accounting of booster and related funds and how the funds were spent.
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Paul,you and I must be acquainted with two different band directors. I can’t even begin to list the accomplishments of the current director.Where did you obtain your enrollment info? I frequently attend performances and count more than 15 students. Also,many students were not afforded the opportunity to participate in the band due to class schedules of remediation in math,reading and
literacy classes at TCHS.I am wondering how many band events and competitions you have had the privilege to attend? During the 2007 season TCHS band earned adequate points to receive an invitation to the State Marching Competition in Tampa. Only 24 bands from the entire state obtained required points.Furthermore, the band was only one point or a couple points away from State in other years.Also, the band performed 2 shows this year and Wilson designed the shows himself rather than hiring others like most schools.The symphonic band received Superior and Excellent scores for concert performances, which included an Excellent in “sight reading”- students play difficult music without practice just like Chiles, Lincoln, Leon etc. By the way, many of these schools require students to obtain private lessons. I say pretty good for little ole Taylor County.
During the past four years, TCHS band students have been provided with opportunities to attend numerous professional and college concerts as well as grow as musicians. Students have attended the Prism concert at FSU, FSU band day activities, Blue Men. Students have traveled to FSU and UF to observe and participate in collegiate band rehearsals. Notable conductors from FSU, UF, Ohio have come to TCHS to provide guidance, who in the past refused to walk in the door. Students have been encouraged to try-out for District and State Honor bands, which Mr. Wilson volunteers his time after school to assist students in their preparation for these bands. Prior to Wilson TCHS band was not viewed favorably by the Florida Band Master’s Association (FBA). Mr. Wilson has established creditability with fellow FBA members through his active participation in FBA events and TCHS performances and behavior.Prior to Mr. Wilson’s tenure, local bands did not collaborate with TCHS for rehearsals, sharing of ideas, concerns, etc. However, now TCHS has a strong relationship with other local bands. I do hope, Paul, you will attend the concert on May 21 at 7:00pm in TCHS gym.You will experience a performance of true musicians.performances from these students.Mr. Wilson has given students a love of music beyond the academic classroom. He has guided students to understand the positive results of hard work and consistent discipline.Students have become true musicians and have experienced a world outside Perry. Students have gained pride in their skills and taken ownership of their band. I say, the loss of Mr. Wilson is an enormous loss to TCHS and the community.The “Real Paul” P.S.What do you think of the "Music Lab"?
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Are we to believe that, in an attempt to flatter youself, that you are the only person named "Paul" in the county? Grow up you moron! Go back to watching the tee-vee!
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Name calling??? I think the "real Paul" did respond in an adult manner. Based on your response it appears that you might be the one that needs to "grow up".
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"many students were not afforded the opportunity to participate in the band due to class schedules of remediation in math,reading and literacy classes at TCHS"---well that is where the focus of the high school should be. All of these extra curricular activities should be second to learning to read, write and compute. What kind of district are we? Mr. Wilson is a loser, ask the students. The "real paul" is obviously one of those stage-band parents trying to live through their children. The prior band director was well liked and had leadership qualities. Wilson has none and it is no great loss that he is leaving. I for one agree with the prior posts about where the $$$$ has been going. I am contacting my school board member as well. A lot of cash passes through the hands at the football games and there has to be some accountability of these funds! What is done to account for the funds.
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Very good news in all respects. Let us
hope that more changes will be coming especially in
the administrative area. Several need to
be back in the classrooms where the real
work is.
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Mrs. Ivey is electing to go back in the classroom. Ask her, I did, and she will explain it to you. Olsen should not have been put back at TTI. Look how the numbers have gone down.
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Dear Paul, I must also respond to the audit issue. Under Mr. Wilson’s leadership, just this past year, the band has made several major purchases to include 2 new quality Sousaphones (marching tubes); major repairs of timpani’s (drums), and overhaul of xylophone and marimba. Further, the Boosters provided for a conference in Chicago, TCMS and TCHS directors to attend the FBA State conference. Students who were selected to participate in various honor bands were provided scholarships from the Boosters to attend these three and four day events. Did I forget to mention, TCHS Boosters supported the middle school band with music purchases, repairs, conferences, honor bands.
I also did not have space to mention, additional music classes at TCHS such as guitar, keyboard, and technology.
Signed- "The Real Paul"
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50 to 15 kids. Despite what the "Real Paul" states that is abysmal. There is obviously something wrong with the current direction under lackluster Wilson's "leadership".
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Given the financial shape of the district, I would like to see less "additional music classes" for a few kids and save REAL teacher positions to prepare students for the real world. I do not see many jobs for "guitar, keyboard, marching tubes, timpani's", ect... The Real Paul is oviously one of the parent of the few that have benfited from the Wilson "special attention". Grow up "real Paul" and let you kids grow up, do not queer up the young boy! LOL!!!
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What's not REAL about teaching music to students? In your world music might not the the real deal, but it is in my familie's world. Do you have a student in the high school? If you do you should know that your child has to take a music class that will be taught by the band director or take an art class taught by the art teacher to meet the graduation requirements. P.E. is also a gradaution requirement, but the high school has 4 P.E. teachers to take care of that requirement. By the way, I haven't seen ANY jobs advertised for "football player"...have you?
But we know the REALITY is that both the band program and the sports program are necessary because both programs teach a lot more than how to play an instrument and how to throw a ball. We have a band director that has done a lot for TCHS and a new football coach that is heading the students in the right direction. We need to get behind the programs, the people leading them and the students participating in them.
My closing comment is a response to the last sentence where you wrote "....do not queer up the young boy!". My response is that the man in me wants to say to you, meet me and my 230 pound instrument playing, TCHS graduate, TCHS Pride of Taylor Band son, behind the gym and we can help YOU grow up. But that won't accomplish what needs to be accomplished. What needs to be accomplished is creating a real world where students that are in the band program, football program, art program, ROTC program etc...are not stereotyped. But that these students can choose an avenue to help them learn, mature and grow into adults that enjoy music, sports, arts and other special interest. LOL!!!
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Are you the one who stands around and glad-hands everybody coming to a band performance? Either you have political aspirations or you are an eddie hasckle type of character, either way it makes you appear like a putz. Go sit down in the stands or buy yourself a blue/orange blazer and call yourself the self-appointed band booster. BTW the prior posts have done little to explain the accounting for band and booster funds. I am going to approach school board members and Dyal and ask them to get to the bottom of this fundinf shell game. It appears that someone has their hand in the cookie jar from what former boosters are saying!
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Yeah...that's me...I glad hand at every band performance, have political aspirations and my middle name is eddie haskle...oh yeah...I have my hand in the band booster cookie jar, too...gotta go...plane to Rio is taking off.
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Is their an independent accounting of band booster funds? Funds spent by band boosters? Fund spent on the band program? District resources expended on band program. I hate to say it, but in this time of laying off teachers and cutting salaries the extra-curricular programs such as band should be eliminated unless they are self sustaining. All of the trips, expenses and resources put towards band and band activities just appears excessive. Does our band really have a chance competing against other school districts with unlimited budgets? Are these "trips" more to further the aspirations of the band director rather than the kids? I think Dyal should evaluate what serves the most kids and do much what the recent reports have done, if it does not serve a large amount of kids, it should be cut! I seem to recall a constant turmoil with band boosters, ask Eric Scott, Mr. & Mrs Archer and others.
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Who accounts for the income and / or expenses associated with the snack-bar operation during football games. Is their a reconciliation of what is spent, what cash is taken in and some type of seasonal or annual report on what was sold, bought and cash taken in?
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Rumor is Ann Morgan will be Asst. Principal at TCHS and Suzanne Bassett will be Asst. Principal at TCMS. Did the District advertise these two positions? Rumor is neither lady has a master's degree or educational leadership. Seems like these appointments are a little hinky to say the least. Guess qualifications are not as important as who you are! How can the district advertise the TTI Director position and not these positions. Hand-picked cronies.
Congratulations to Sandy Hendry on being selected as the Principal at Steinhatchee School. Guess with this appointment, the school board is dead set against closing Steinhatchee School.
I wonder if the Finance Director ever gave Mr. Dennis and the Board the information she said she had on how Steinhatchee School is not costing the district any money. If not, do you think the Board should have required her to provide that information by a specific date so they could make an informed decision about the school before appointing the new principal?
Business as usual!
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In reading what has been previously posted I am utterly disgusted at the amount of ignorance that is flowing through this blog. It pains me to see that a program that I love so much is being trash talked like it is garbage. And for people to sit here and talk about the lives of our children in these manners are just ridiculous. The name calling is silly and it all needs to stop. Lester I have a question for you.. What is a "real" teacher because last time I checked, all teachers even the music ones have to pass the same test that every other teacher has to pass. In fact music teachers have to go through more training than most other teachers have to go through. I know this is true because I am pursuing the degree myself. The Pride of Taylor Band Program has done so much for this school system whenever it has been asked of, from playing in football games to having a celebration whenever there was something exciting happening. It is just terrible that people would look at this band program like IT is the reason that the school is failing. Now for more of the truth, since Mr. Wilson has become part of the staff at TCHS he is encouraged and allowed opportunities for the band to succeed. He is chosen to let the students make their own path. You can say he is a Putz or what but just because he sticks by the rules in his syllabus does not mean that he destroyed a program. It also does not mean that he is a bad teacher it means he is honest and is doing what most teachers should have done. Now earlier I saw mention of someone saying that the last director was fantastic. If this is the case then why was he stalking his students? And I do not know about you but I don't much want a director to being cussing at me and telling me that I will amount to nothing much like Mr. Yaques did. but then again what would I know its not like I was his student oh wait...yes I was. Also, I feel like many people who have not been in band may never know what it is like to play and instrument. It is so much more than competing and trying to win a prize. It is the feeling of accomplishment when you come off of a field knowing that you did the best you could do and you did it with some of your best friends. In fact without the band program at our school I am not sure I would have stayed at the school. In fact I am sure I would not have. There were far better schools I could have gone to. Maybe the real issue is the lack of honor classes at TCHS, the lack of support for higher leveled students, or the lack of extracurricular activities a whole. If there was one thing I was prepared for, for entering college it was what it meant to be a team player, how to communicate effectively, and how to play a horn. Try teaching that in one of your "real classes." and if your argument is what chance does a band program have again other big schools, the same could be said for our football, baseball, and volleyball teams as well. I suppose we should cut them too according to your logic.
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As a parent of a former band student, I feel I must respond. I also attend band concerts and feel 1st Paul must only be able to count to 15 because there are more than that in band. I also chaperoned band trips with Mr. Wilson and other band directors who came before. Thank God he weeded out the trouble makers by making them follow the rules. The children I chaperoned with Mr Wilson knew and abided by the rules. As a parent, when I heard that Mr. Wilson was to be the new band director, I had 2 thoughts. The first was Thank God that Mr Yaques was gone and the second was what were we going to do with this "kid" who was taking over our band? Then I went to our first band booster meeting. He had done more in one week of teacher pre-service than the previous band director had done in a year!! I was very impressed. And then he stood up to the band boosters. There was a band of boosters who had hammered their agenda down both Mr. Yaques and Mr T's throat before him. Then we got this young man who was going to do what was best for the band, not the parents. The concern I heard most from fellow boosters was, "That's not the way we always did it". Well sometimes change is necessary and/or right. Believe me, they certainly do things different than they did when I was in school, but times have changed and schools have had to change also. I would also like to talk about "real classes". Have you bothered to do any research? There is research after research study on the correlation of music to higher level learning, especially math. And let's talk about athleticism. How many of you could read music, play and instrument and march backwards at the right pace at the same time? And when the football game is being lost, who gets the crowd back into it...the band! And what about community service? They represent our school at Veteran's Day activities, events such as Relay for Life and even played at the opening for WalMart. And if we are going to audit boosters, you do know that there are football boosters, soccer boosters, baseball boosters, etc. Without these important booster clubs, these sports would not be able to make it either. But since we are going to do away with most of these teams because they do not serve a majority of the population...most of this won't matter. These sports are only open to the few who can play at a certain level...band will take anyone with an interest who can follow the rules. Thank you Mr. Wilson for taking our band in the right direction. I am sure that if you were staying, out band would not only be the Pride of Taylor County but of the state. And you go band students!! You have a skill that you can use the rest of your life, in the community, in the churches and in other celebrations. One last thing...for you that football is the only thing...the real atheletes are on the field at half time!!!
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LOL!!! LOL!!! A putz is still a putz!
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All principals were appointed for another year at the last school board meeting. It's amazing how annual contract teachers who don't show growth are canned at the end of the year, but principals (who are also on annual contract) are appointed for another year. Case in point-Jan Walker. I understand she took over the reigns of the elementary school in 2006. The school made AYP and was classified as an "A" school that year. In 2007, the school did not make AYP and received a "B" for the year. Now in 2008, the school AGAIN did not make AYP and this year received a "C" for the year. Her contract should have been cancelled. And since the primary school is linked to the elementary school, maybe Clayton's contract should have been cancelled too. After all, he's responsible for sending these kids forward who are failing at such an early age. Instead, the district is getting rid of good teachers and retaining poor administrators just because they can! Hopefully, all of the "cliques" will manage to bring up those school grades next year... LOL
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Look at the TTI Director's deal last year as Oscar was going out the door. Lookingforthetruth has hit the nail on the head. If were are putting our kids under the high stakes testing umbrella why principals? When the TTI Director's deal was approved as a critical need, tell me what this essential employee brought to the dirstrict in his last year? I would bet less than the year before, it was a gift for a crony-everybody knows it! This type of board approved stealing is what has the district bankrupt!
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