Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for April 18, 2009 REGULAR BOE MEETING...ADDENDUM

Cairo Association of Teachers President De De O'Shea received a telephone call from Cairo Board of Education Member Danny Brown on Friday.

Mr. Brown was concerned that anyone who read the "minutes" of Thursday's BOE meeting which appeared in CAT Tracks might draw the wrong conculsions as to his personal feelings.

President O'Shea (who was also at the meeting) told Mr. Brown that the report was an accurate description of what had transpired.

Mr. Brown did not disagree with what was reported, but objected on the basis of something that was left out...something not known to CAT or to members of the audience. In Mr. Brown's opinion, that missing "something" might cause members of the audience (and subsequent readers of CAT Tracks) to draw the wrong conclusion.

Mr. Brown then went on to tell President O'Shea that he and fellow BOE Member Brenda Gooden had been told all week that President Arnold Burris and Vice President Vernon Stubblefield wanted to switch positions on the BOE, with Mr. Stubblefield becoming President and Mr. Burris taking the position of Vice President.

According to Mr. Brown, it was for that reason that he placed Mr. Stubblefield's name into nomination for President. Mr. Brown assured President O'Shea that his nomination of Mr. Stubblefield for President did NOT mean that he had anything against Mr. Burris.

Mr. Brown stated emphatically that he had been misled during the week and then "blind-sided" at the meeting. (When Mr. Stubblefield, in turn, nominated Mr. Burris for the position of President, it set up an awkward confrontational balloting that resulted in Mr. Stubblefield being rejected and Mr. Burris elected with apparent opposition by Mr. Brown.)

In short, Mr. Brown asserts that he was simply trying to do the right thing...giving Mr. Burris and Mr. Stubblefield their desired positions. Mr. Brown feels it would be unfair if anyone would conclude that his actions and votes were motivated by personal animosities.

Editor's Note: Every effort is made to insure that what is reported in the pages of CAT Tracks is completely accurate..."We call 'em as we see 'em." What was reported Thursday in the "Minutes" is exactly what you would have seen if you had attended the meeting...the report captured the true essence of the meeting.

However, we were NOT privy to what happened outside of the meeting, in the week leading up to the meeting, events or conversations that may have colored the thinking and actions of individual members...or the perceptions of others.

Mr. Brown contacted CAT with his concerns. Mr. Brown sought to place his actions into proper context...sought to clarify his actions and dispell any conclusions that might be drawn by the audience and/or readers with respect to his personal feelings toward Mr. Burris.

CAT Tracks is ALWAYS willing to tell "the rest of the story"...

In the past, CAT Tracks has solicited input from District officials...offered to "publish without comment", but has been turned down. CAT Tracks is confident in its position and the accuracy of its reporting...it does NOT fear "exposure" from other sources.

CAT Tracks thanks Mr. Brown for his contribution and encourages such feedback in the future. If CAT Tracks prints something that you feel is not accurate - or more likely, that there is more to the story than "meets the eye"...bring it on! As long as you are willing to put your name to it, CAT Tracks is willing to publish it.

Okay, read that last line again. Better throw in a "disclaimer" or three...

The "feedback" needs to explain YOUR actions...provide YOUR opinion. The "feedback" should not defame others...only explain YOUR actions. The "feedback" should be "G-Rated"...no vulgarity.