Arkansas Blog

Daugherty's constituents/supporters are convening at the Hilton Community Facility (12th Street) next week, according to an email I received from a member of Concerned Parents. Larry Berkley represents my zone, but the author of the email has requested my assistance in Daugherty's campaign; and an appeal for those who are willing to help him has been extended. I will draft an email to the member and ask whether she has any knowledge of Daugherty's opponent.

Hey Max, not to change the subject or anything, but did you see where Wally described you in his column today as " ever conscious?"

Is that a compliment? Or does he know whether you suffer from sleep apnea or something?

ARK. BLOG: Anybody who'd ever seen me after about 9 p.m. would perhaps choose a different descriptive.

I don't think it is fair to assume a candidate will be be a Chamber lackey just because he/she challenges Daugherty. No more fair that to say that Daugherty will be a puppet for Walker or CTA. Let's welcome and encourage a spirited race. Competition for that seat will force candidates to give the public a sense of where they stand on issues of import. That's a good thing. I look forward to hearing from all the candidates.

What a relief to hear that someone is possibly running against Daugherty. I hope they follow through. Personally, I really don't care who is behind a candidate..........we can't really do much worse than what is already on the board, and that includes Baker Kurrus AND Daugherty. Daugherty is deeply corrupt and not particularly intelligent, either. He's abused his power like all the rest. Hopefully, his opponent will be a person who is truly concerned about the education of children instead caught up in a personal power trip and perpetuating the current oligarchy of the status quo.

Now we need someone to take on Bakur Kurrus............Anybody out there???????????????????

Say Max - I love you-mean it yet really miss u on the LRSB issue. While I'm not clear on good-Brooks, bad-Brroks thing - isn't it time we accept the elephant in room and really address this thing head-on?

Johnnie and company are bigots in sheep clothing....depsite intentions, the outcome has been unacceptable due to his feeble oversight and lack of progress over all these years.

Time for something new - unless of course taxpayers wish for a 100% minority public school system (vesus +80% currently). Repeating the same thing over and over and hoping for a different outcome is the definition of insanity.

Shame on the those that have fuled this nightmare for years with lackluster results. If an all black student, teacher and board is whatcha want....cick your heels and blow out the candles..your wish is soon granted.

Keep up the awesome blog Max...

Max

In what way did the Chamber intervene in the last school board election? Can you shed some light on this please?

Justice---
Don't omit Berkley; he needs to go, too. I usually encounter Kurrus in the early mornings when I am out trying to walk/jog to defeat this stubborn belly fat. Not that he can not be removed from his position on the board, it is going to be a challenge. Kurrus has a great deal of support from his community and most of the people who reside in his zone share his ideology; so even if he were defeated, we would see one of his clones. And, I have to concede, Baker is the most intelligent member of the current board----and he knows it. Before I forget: does anyone have any Lipozene or Alli for sale?

Daugherty is nothing but a puppet for John Walker. I have attended the last 3 board meetings and it is appareant that he has been coached by Walker on everything he says. Daugherty doesn't care about the school children of LRSD. It's all about the power. Parents would be appaled if they attended the school board meetings and saw what is really happening at the meetings. If Daugherty were interested in the children, he would have an e-mail address where he could be reached. All of the other LRSD School Board members do. I have heard that he said he doesn't care what people have to say. Why is it that a LRSD 2nd grade classroom has 20 kids. They read from the same books, and all have the same teachers. The kids that exel, have parents that attend PTA, Parent/Teacher conferences, help them with their school work, make sure they are fed and clean, etc. etc. Maybe if Mr. Walker and gang spent some of thier time, effort and money trying to get money for parenting classes, parenting training, etc. that would be of more value, than their racist attacks on the LRSD.

Honestone,

You are right......Berkley needs to go, too. However, his position is not up right now. I wish there was some way for the state/governor, whoever to step in and an order an election for a totally new board. I understand that the current staggered terms allow for there to be experienced board members while the new members learn the ropes....

But in practice, all that really happens is the "old guard" just corrupts any new members. That's one reason I think we need a whole new slate. As for Kurrus........he may be the most intelligent member on the board, but that doesn't mean he does what is right or legal.....it just means he is more adept at covering his tracks and his ass and maintaining his appearance of being rational and balanced, etc.

I do not see ideology as the problem, but rather the refusal to follow policies and the law. Despite being a lawyer, Kurrus doesn't hesitate to overlook the law when it suits him. In that respect he is absolutely no different from Katherine Mitchell. Did you notice how well he worked with the others in appointing Linda Watson (who still remains under investigation)?

Shouldn't the only lawyer on the board had a few concerns and questions about that???

Justice--
I agree with your assessement; you have a good sense of what is really happening in the district. And, yes, I did notice his support of Watson for interim superintendent. Most people do not realize the corruption that exists in the district, and the new year will usher in business as usual.

Honestone,

Yes, you are right: the new year will usher in more dirty business as ususal. I've noticed that there is less participaton on the blogs about lRSD issues. Once the Brooks fiasco was over and the next heir apparent in place, it's like folks sort of lost interest. I understand wanting to focus on the new school year....and for the sake of the students we do need to do that.

However, as another poster commented, there really is an elephant in the living room, and justing focusing on the kids will not make that elephant go away. I have noticed the disturbing trend in our society to not want to talk about or deal with unpleasent issues. We want to "move on," before it is time.

LRSD/LRSB is infected with the terminal virus of corruption/nepotism and every other "ism" I can think of. We just slap bandaids on gaping wounds and give it a little tylenol and cough syurp when what it needs is radical surgery and radiation. But that's "ugly" and unpleasent, and I fear that the public has lost interest and will "move on," as the status quo would love for us too. I hope I am just being cynical here and that folks are more involved than they appear to be. What do you think, honestone?

Justice---
I have read many of your posts and cynical is not a word I would use to characterize you. Each post has been insightful and has captured the essence of many of the ills in the LRSD; however, this psychotic need to deny reality, to not acknowledge the elephant in the room, to avoid the tough issues is the daily menu being served in America. And, you are correct, there is a large segment of our society that wants us to 'move on' and pretend that all is good.

It takes courage to stand alone; it takes a level of maturity to address that which makes us uncomfortable; it takes a vision that transcends emotional attachment to challenge those who we respect and like.

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't envision any major changes in public education; and I certainly don't see that many positive changes on the horizon for the LRSD. Continue to speak out and don't allow anyone to whip you into silent acquiescence; be strong

Honestone,

Thank you. It's good to know that I am not the only one who sees that the emperor isn't wearing any clothes.

Honestone,

One last thought. Sounds like you live in Kurrus' ward. Have you thought about tossing your hat into the ring? Running against him? Of course, you would almost have to be a masochist to do so. If not, do you know anyone who might be brave enough or crazy enough to jump in the race?