Local grassroots advocacy group Strong Schools has a new video out highlighting the proliferation of portable classrooms in the system.
The video points to the stark reality that thousands of kids every day attend class in portables -- supposedly temporary solutions to growth that have become permanent fixtures at schools across the county.
They also note that this is not a recent phenomenon - that some portables have been on campuses for ten years or more.
Here's the video:
Showing posts with label Frank Freels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frank Freels. Show all posts
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Rhetoric vs. Reality: Frank Freels Edition
Parent-led advocacy group Strong Schools released results from a survey of County Commission candidates. The survey asked questions about where the candidates stand on issues related to Sumner County Schools.
A number of incumbent County Commissioners chose not to respond to the survey. However, 4th District incumbent Frank Freels did respond. Interestingly, his responses were at variance with some of his recent votes on the County Commission.
For example, on his list of priorities, he mentions that he wants to "continue to create safe school buildings that are a clean, nice environment for students and teachers to learn and work in."
This in spite of his votes against funding the school system budgets in 2011 and 2012.
Not only did he oppose the initial budgets, his vote in 2012 to reallocated capital dollars to the school system's general fund meant that additions at Hendersonville and Gallatin high schools were delayed. That means more kids were in portable classrooms instead of fixed school buildings.
On the issue of whether or not teachers and staff are paid appropriately, Freels notes he "Somewhat Disagrees" and calls for respectful compensation levels for teachers and support staff.
Here again, Freels' votes tell a different story. Freels repeatedly voted to provide raises for County employees while denying the School Board the funds to give their employees raises. He voted against initial school budgets in 2011 and 2012 that would have increased compensation for support staff. He voted to allow the County Insurance Trust to keep employee premiums artificially low while the insurance premiums for teachers continued to rise based on market rates.
Finally, Freels notes Dr. Phillips has done a great job communicating the needs of the school system.
And, while he may believe that, his County Commission votes have been consistently against funding the needs he is applauding Dr. Phillips for properly pointing out. Here's just one example.
If you're an incumbent with a voting record and you fill out a candidate survey, you should be sure your answers line up with the record.
A number of incumbent County Commissioners chose not to respond to the survey. However, 4th District incumbent Frank Freels did respond. Interestingly, his responses were at variance with some of his recent votes on the County Commission.
For example, on his list of priorities, he mentions that he wants to "continue to create safe school buildings that are a clean, nice environment for students and teachers to learn and work in."
This in spite of his votes against funding the school system budgets in 2011 and 2012.
Not only did he oppose the initial budgets, his vote in 2012 to reallocated capital dollars to the school system's general fund meant that additions at Hendersonville and Gallatin high schools were delayed. That means more kids were in portable classrooms instead of fixed school buildings.
On the issue of whether or not teachers and staff are paid appropriately, Freels notes he "Somewhat Disagrees" and calls for respectful compensation levels for teachers and support staff.
Here again, Freels' votes tell a different story. Freels repeatedly voted to provide raises for County employees while denying the School Board the funds to give their employees raises. He voted against initial school budgets in 2011 and 2012 that would have increased compensation for support staff. He voted to allow the County Insurance Trust to keep employee premiums artificially low while the insurance premiums for teachers continued to rise based on market rates.
Finally, Freels notes Dr. Phillips has done a great job communicating the needs of the school system.
And, while he may believe that, his County Commission votes have been consistently against funding the needs he is applauding Dr. Phillips for properly pointing out. Here's just one example.
If you're an incumbent with a voting record and you fill out a candidate survey, you should be sure your answers line up with the record.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Frank Freels: Defender of the Status Quo
According to the Hendersonville Star-News, when incumbent County Commissioner Frank Freels was asked about why he's seeking another term on the County Commission, he indicated he is proud of the work the Commission has done in recent years. Specifically, he said,
“We’re the best-run county in the state right now.”
Apparently, Mr. Freels thinks a well-run county engages in repeated crisis budgeting instead of properly supporting schools.
Or, perhaps he thinks the 2012 School Budget Crisis is an example of sound management?
Maybe he thinks the County Commission should continue using accounting gimmicks to balance the school system's budget?
Or perhaps he can explain why he wouldn't support a proposal to use reserves from the Hospital Fund to help open schools back in 2012?
Or, is his idea of a well-run county one that engages in a multi-million dollar taxpayer-funded bailout of a mismanaged insurance trust?
If Frank Freels is going to run as a defender of the status quo on the County Commission, he's going to have to answer a lot of tough questions. If he has new ideas about how to improve the body, it's time to start talking about them.
“We’re the best-run county in the state right now.”
Apparently, Mr. Freels thinks a well-run county engages in repeated crisis budgeting instead of properly supporting schools.
Or, perhaps he thinks the 2012 School Budget Crisis is an example of sound management?
Maybe he thinks the County Commission should continue using accounting gimmicks to balance the school system's budget?
Or perhaps he can explain why he wouldn't support a proposal to use reserves from the Hospital Fund to help open schools back in 2012?
Or, is his idea of a well-run county one that engages in a multi-million dollar taxpayer-funded bailout of a mismanaged insurance trust?
If Frank Freels is going to run as a defender of the status quo on the County Commission, he's going to have to answer a lot of tough questions. If he has new ideas about how to improve the body, it's time to start talking about them.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Candidates Line Up for 2014 Races
Candidates for County offices in Sumner County are lining up for the 2014 election.
Sheriff Sonny Weatherford may again face Stan Hilgadiack.
Circuit Court Clerk Mahaliah Hughes is retiring, and County Commissioner Joe Matthews (who consistently opposed school funding during his terms on the Commission) is seeking the seat along with three others.
Matthews' run for Circuit Court Clerk creates an open seat in District 4. Democrat Kaye Kemnitz has announced her intention to run. Also running in District 4 is Frank Freels.
So far, no pro-schools candidate has announced against County Executive Anthony Holt, who is seeking re-election.
District 1 School Board member Vanessa Silkwood, the only Board member to oppose last year's school budget and a proponent of a costly outsourcing scheme for school staff who has questioned whether teachers deserve retirement pay, has announced her re-election bid. She's the only candidate in District 1 so far.
More news as announcements happen.
Sheriff Sonny Weatherford may again face Stan Hilgadiack.
Circuit Court Clerk Mahaliah Hughes is retiring, and County Commissioner Joe Matthews (who consistently opposed school funding during his terms on the Commission) is seeking the seat along with three others.
Matthews' run for Circuit Court Clerk creates an open seat in District 4. Democrat Kaye Kemnitz has announced her intention to run. Also running in District 4 is Frank Freels.
So far, no pro-schools candidate has announced against County Executive Anthony Holt, who is seeking re-election.
District 1 School Board member Vanessa Silkwood, the only Board member to oppose last year's school budget and a proponent of a costly outsourcing scheme for school staff who has questioned whether teachers deserve retirement pay, has announced her re-election bid. She's the only candidate in District 1 so far.
More news as announcements happen.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Frank "Free Ride" Freels Announces for Re-Election
County Commissioner Frank Freels, a steadfast and outspoken opponent of properly-funded schools, announced this week he's seeking re-election to his seat on the Commission.
This is the same Frank Freels who reportedly left at least one County Commission meeting with a free ride from the Emergency Management Agency. No word yet on whether Freels reimbursed the County for the time and mileage or whether this is a regular service extended to County Commissioners.
Still no official word on challengers to Freels, but it seems likely a pro-schools candidate will emerge in a strong position to challenge him.
This is the same Frank Freels who reportedly left at least one County Commission meeting with a free ride from the Emergency Management Agency. No word yet on whether Freels reimbursed the County for the time and mileage or whether this is a regular service extended to County Commissioners.
Still no official word on challengers to Freels, but it seems likely a pro-schools candidate will emerge in a strong position to challenge him.
Friday, March 1, 2013
School Safety Committee Recommends SROs
Last night, the Ad Hoc Committee on School Safety met to discuss possible options for improving school safety in Sumner County Schools.
The committee recommended adding 13 School Resource Officers (SROs) to the schools by spring of 2014 -- they can't be deployed earlier because the committee is reluctant to recommend using reserve funds to cover start-up costs and because the training takes 10 or more weeks from the date of hire. The plan is a five year plan to deploy SROs at all schools in the district.
The Committee heard information regarding a request for funds from the School Board to upgrade school buildings to provide additional security. This would be a one-time cost to address needs identified during a currently on-going assessment of the system's schools.
At one point during the meeting, Chair and County Commissioner Jim Vaughn said the committee couldn't act on concrete recommendations because none had been submitted by the School Board. This in spite of a December letter from Dr. Del Phillips and County Executive Anthony Holt requesting one-time money to address school safety. The amount of the request was $5 million.
School Board Chair Ted Wise, present despite his recent resignation from the committee, read a letter from the School Board dated January 9th and addressed to County Executive Holt and County Commission Chair Hyde. The letter requested immediate action on a proposal to provide an SRO in every school and allocate one-time money for building upgrades to enhance school safety.
Following that January 9th request, Commissioners in a budget committee meeting requested that the issue be deferred until a committee chaired by Vaughn could further study the issue. The Ad Hoc Committee was later appointed and Vaughn named the Chair. The first meeting was last night - a full 50 days following the Board's request and 70 days after Dr. Phillips and County Executive Holt asked the Commission to act.
Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator Pat Conner asked that the Committee or County Commission give some budget guidance. She said the assessment of facilities will show areas needing upgrade/improvement but the solutions will vary in cost. She asked for $3 million to be allocated for school security upgrades. The Committee indicated that no money was currently available (they won't spend reserves) and that until they saw clear recommendations, they didn't want to discuss funding.
County Commissioner Frank Freels, present though not a committee member, spoke and suggested that Sumner County is being pushed into doing something and that counties as close by as Trousdale were doing nothing and that was just fine.
Commissioner Jerry Stone noted that he was unsure where the money would come from -- and it is Stone who now chairs the County Commission Budget Committee.
County Commissioner and former Hendersonville High School principal Paul Decker noted that the SRO program was excellent and he supported expanding it to more schools in Sumner County.
School Board member and former Portland High principal Glen Gregory said that new graduates looking to enter the teaching field will look for schools that are safe.
Danny Hurst, who manages the SRO program, noted that safe schools are key to economic development. He noted that families moving to middle Tennessee will look for school systems with solid school safety plans.
The Committee's next meeting will be on March 28th -- A Thursday during the week of the school system's Spring Break and just before Good Friday.
The committee recommended adding 13 School Resource Officers (SROs) to the schools by spring of 2014 -- they can't be deployed earlier because the committee is reluctant to recommend using reserve funds to cover start-up costs and because the training takes 10 or more weeks from the date of hire. The plan is a five year plan to deploy SROs at all schools in the district.
The Committee heard information regarding a request for funds from the School Board to upgrade school buildings to provide additional security. This would be a one-time cost to address needs identified during a currently on-going assessment of the system's schools.
At one point during the meeting, Chair and County Commissioner Jim Vaughn said the committee couldn't act on concrete recommendations because none had been submitted by the School Board. This in spite of a December letter from Dr. Del Phillips and County Executive Anthony Holt requesting one-time money to address school safety. The amount of the request was $5 million.
School Board Chair Ted Wise, present despite his recent resignation from the committee, read a letter from the School Board dated January 9th and addressed to County Executive Holt and County Commission Chair Hyde. The letter requested immediate action on a proposal to provide an SRO in every school and allocate one-time money for building upgrades to enhance school safety.
Following that January 9th request, Commissioners in a budget committee meeting requested that the issue be deferred until a committee chaired by Vaughn could further study the issue. The Ad Hoc Committee was later appointed and Vaughn named the Chair. The first meeting was last night - a full 50 days following the Board's request and 70 days after Dr. Phillips and County Executive Holt asked the Commission to act.
Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator Pat Conner asked that the Committee or County Commission give some budget guidance. She said the assessment of facilities will show areas needing upgrade/improvement but the solutions will vary in cost. She asked for $3 million to be allocated for school security upgrades. The Committee indicated that no money was currently available (they won't spend reserves) and that until they saw clear recommendations, they didn't want to discuss funding.
County Commissioner Frank Freels, present though not a committee member, spoke and suggested that Sumner County is being pushed into doing something and that counties as close by as Trousdale were doing nothing and that was just fine.
Commissioner Jerry Stone noted that he was unsure where the money would come from -- and it is Stone who now chairs the County Commission Budget Committee.
County Commissioner and former Hendersonville High School principal Paul Decker noted that the SRO program was excellent and he supported expanding it to more schools in Sumner County.
School Board member and former Portland High principal Glen Gregory said that new graduates looking to enter the teaching field will look for schools that are safe.
Danny Hurst, who manages the SRO program, noted that safe schools are key to economic development. He noted that families moving to middle Tennessee will look for school systems with solid school safety plans.
The Committee's next meeting will be on March 28th -- A Thursday during the week of the school system's Spring Break and just before Good Friday.
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