Comments on: Guest Column: School Board president responds to West Middle School incident

By: Joan Wardzala

Joan Wardzala — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 03:48:40 +0000

Good Grief. Dave Kelly is not denying the the injury of the teacher but playing the semantics game in order to take the light off the fact that there is violence in the schools. They continue to refuse to admit there is chaos and violence and I am afraid there is going to be a tragedy involving either a student or a teacher. Wake up Rockford!

By: lisa lind

lisa lind — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:22:15 +0000

In response to Mr. Kelley’s commentary on the student’s assault incident is he unaware of the law in Illinois? According to Illinois law a student who assaults a school district employee, whether it be intentional or not, is subject to a one year expulsion from all Illinois public schools. So according to the law the student, who admits his guilt, should have been expelled not suspended. The injuries to the teacher are inconsequential. Perhaps he and the board think they are above the law; it certainly seems so with the way that they recklessly run the system and curtail their rules toward those few students who can not be helped in a public school setting.

By: Concerned teacher

Concerned teacher — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:05:19 +0000

Teachers are hired to educate kids, not act as security guards in the classroom or hallway. We are verbally and physically abused daily. I think when students show up with guns Auburn)or threaten to bring guns and shoot specific teachers (West) we are NOT safe. Maybe teachers should be allowed to carry guns or wear kevlar vests.

By: RPS Teacher

RPS Teacher — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:56:24 +0000

Mr. Kelley, you are wrong on one account: no member of the teacher’s union has EVER assigned OSS (out of school suspension) to a student. Teachers fill out disciplinary referrals and any subsequent punishments are meted out by the administration. Teachers are not allowed to even make a recommendation for the type of punishment given. Please talk to the teachers of our district – you might be surprised at what we have to say. Our union is NOT the enemy. We are fighting for the education of the children whom you have entrusted to our care.

By: RKFD

RKFD — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:58:17 +0000

EBR School Board discusses potential state takeover with LaVonne Sheffield, RSD Superintendent, at the 10-16-2008 school board meeting

By: RKFD

RKFD — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:41:04 +0000

Sheffield listens, just see how well she listens to the Louisiana people and that body language.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXY7LLlYKXo

By: Marcus

Marcus — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:58:47 +0000

Well, the comments section is here for a reason- for readers to voice responses to the articles, excessive typos and all.
Readers are “listening”.

By: dave

dave — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:03:38 +0000

By the way Mr Kelley. Let the queen talk we want to hear what she says not your interpetation.

By: dave

dave — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:02:03 +0000

Mr Kelley,

Wake up and realize YOU represent US. Us is saying we don’t want this woman leading the schools. Look at here history 2 years on a job, take a huge contract settlement and move on. Lavanne McClain Sheffield look her up on the Cleveland scene, Detroit. Vallas forced her on us without anyone lookin at her connectioins to the Broad Foundation. Thats right it’s a plannned massive overtaking of education in this country.

I can’t believe that elected officials don’t look to their constituants instead looking in the mirror and saying darn I am doing a great job… your’re not.

Send the queen packing before maore damange is done. When the kids in the schools are telling you that things have gone downhill listen to them

I followed a bus yesterday as I was out shopping. The students have fear in their faces, they are afraid to go to school. Whose to blame? Look in the mirror. When a child is begging for someone to listen to them. Listen to them. Parents are begging and there is no way I would ever want to be a teacher under this person.

Do what’s right. Do it now.

By: rkfd

rkfd — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:43:06 +0000

Mr. Kelly,
It appears that there has been misinformation given by both sides of the arguement. However, for the school board and Dr. Sheffield to continually claim that schools are completely safe is either unwillingness to disclose the complete truth to the public or utter denial. To say that staff members are simply disgruntled due to the fact that one of Sheffield’s goals is accountability makes you appear as if you are grasping for straws! Someone downtown needs to step up and acknowledge the fact that the school board and Sheffield made a huge mistake by taking police out of schools and changing the discipline code. Maybe the board and Sheffield need to take a look at this “goal” of accountability. When are you all going to take some of the blame for this mess???