It’s time for the Superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools to resign.
Not because of the lies we have caught him in on this website. Not because of his “late night runs.” Not because of his ties to Robert Felner. Not because of the 1,000 or so JCPS teachers who provided a sickeningly horrid look into his regime.
But because of his ridiculous handling of the Gilpin investigation.
The Courier-Journal editorial board says it best:
Mr. Berman apparently expects parents, students and the public to be reassured by his clinical assessment of the data collected by the JCPS investigative unit. The report falls far short of accomplishing that goal, however. It raises as many questions as it answers, assigns no responsibility to anyone in the school district’s employment for the tragedy and as a result does not undo the damage of the stumbling JCPS response last August.
If anything, the report provides additional grounds for public concern: the lawyerly language of the “findings,” the parsing over things such as water breaks, and the continued treatment of Max Gilpin as an abstraction — as referenced, say, in an indictment or lawsuit — instead of as a student who died after taking part in a school function under school supervision. That he is never coming back is no abstraction; indeed, it is the most real thing that will ever happen to his grieving parents.
Hearing that “no rules or regulations were violated” is hardly a ringing endorsement of the PRP coaching staff or of JCPS officials. Nor is it an invitation to put trust — and children’s well-being — into the hands of educators who seem more interested in legality than responsibility. Only Max, with respect to the possible role of his medication, an infection and an over-the-counter supplement, is tagged with anything resembling responsibility for his untimely death.
To think the board of education gave him a glowing annual review.
What a disgustingly corrupt system.
For once, the JCTA should use its massive membership for something good: get this guy ousted as quickly as possible. The few good changes he’s made within JCPS are far outweighed by the dozens and dozens of terrible things he’s done, the lies he’s told and the myriad conflicts of interest that have been pointed out over the past year.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Novena // Jul 6, 2009 at 1:30 pm
“Missing the Real Reality”
The C-J editorial has given me a somewhat better estimate of our hometown paper. It captures how the reality of Max Gilpin should have been treated by Berman and JCPS officials. The latter missed the reality of life and subordinated lived concreteness with lawyerly gibberish in its lame responses to this tragedy. It is indeed astounding that both Berman and Ramsey have received glowing annual reports from their boards. Further examples of being too abstract and out-of-touch with reality?
2 le gardien de but // Jul 6, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Unfortunately, school teachers & other “public service” employees are not allowed to unionize & strike in this state. However there are strategies to employ such as calling in sick, being anal about safety & fire regulations and reporting deviations from the requirements & regulations to the fire marshall. Grievances upon grievances; stop up the system; no slack for not following the book. When parents can not send their kids to school because “the system is stopped up”–JCTA gets their attention finally….
I was a faculty senator when Swain stirred up the faculty big time & there was unionization talk. There was a standing room only, overflow to 2 rooms, “faculty assembly”. The day went against swain by a score of 8-1. Chair of BoT sat there, unfazed. BoT were fully in support of Swain. As a footnote, the shenanigans in the faculty senate–woofing at the administration & parsing words per usual—would have been laughable were it in Lexington, us watching their faculty “showing their butts” to the world…
3 Anonymous // Jul 6, 2009 at 9:09 pm
As teachers, we are too intimidated by Berman and his retaliation to strike or speak out. Those who have spoken out have been in the same “boat” as those who spoke out against Felner at UofL. It’s pointless and only results in making your work life hell. People like Berman and Felner are only outsted when serious financial issues come to light. Of course, maybe teachers will remember Berman’s glowing review when the next school board election is held. That’s our only hope, honestly.
4 Novena // Jul 6, 2009 at 9:26 pm
“The Power Behind ‘Education’ in Loo-a-ville”
Anonymous, unfortunately you describe the plight well. The Felners and Bermans of the world are protected by entrenched power. Only financial shenanigans open the closed doors to some sunshine. The public can at least elect a new board at JCPS. At UofL, politicians still call the shots regarding its board. God help those of us in Louisville’s “educational” trenches. The graves are already more than six feet under.
5 Always Amazed // Jul 6, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Does anyone know if the KDE Commissioner candidate from MA, Michael Sentance, has any connections to Berman? That would be Berman’s dream come true to have someone in the KDE Tower who is willng to look the other way and not breathe down his neck. It would be disastrous for the children of Louisville if that were the case.
6 Conservative // Jul 6, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Since when are teacher’s strikes illegal? I distinctly remember one back in 1970 or so. I remember it not only because I was a student then, but because my father and grandmother were teachers and both adamantly opposed the strike.
7 Anonymous // Jul 7, 2009 at 9:56 am
Strikes aren’t illegal, but there has to be enough movement among the teachers and union to begin talk of a strike and then do it. Teachers are upset about the situation and the resulting effect low morale has on the students. However, no teacher is going to put themselves back on the rallying line now because we have seen those who speak out become targets and their professional lives ruined.
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