Schools with less socio-economic and racial diversity are graded on a curve

Studies show that the top tier of the top rated school districts have similar traits...those traits are that the students are white and economically advantaged.

This does not mean that lower socio-economic and more diverse populations can't succeed. I believe we need to look at what factors exist inside the school environment and outside the school environment that are contributing to these success stories. It is not just the teachers or the school that are making the difference.

Parental involvement is a key component. Which leads me to the question "are we seeing more parental activity with more children in neighborhood schools?"

Read a story from the Dallas Morning News here and share your thoughts.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and the Merit Award Program (MAP)

I have received numerous complaints about MAP from ESE teachers and teachers who have a high number of remedial students in their classes.

Are we dealing with the same issues as Orange County? Read story here. I asked the question at the last board meeting and was told that teachers were compared with like teachers.

I am gathering data and want to hear from these teachers specifically. Please let me know what you experienced regarding MAP. I am going to meet with the Superintendent and staff about these issues and want some real world experiences to show them.

I never planned on resigning...I didn't even know it was an option

The topic of my resignation was raised by Ms. Faliero. It was never an option I considered. I believe this is a classic case of transference.

I have received many letters, phone calls, and blog postings on various sites supporting me and encouraging me to "keep up the fight". Thank you, I want let you know that I will.

I do want to say that I am sorry I walked out of the "team building" exercise when I was being attacked. Next time I will stay and give it right back instead of walking away and cooling down. Also I didn't consider this a business meeting, I never would have done that in a real business meeting. This is the only criticism I have received since the debacle and I have taken it as constructive. If there are others out there that would like to give me other view points please feel free to contact me.

That being said...I do not believe we are a team. The voters of Hillsborough County did not elect "Team Hillsborough School Board" they elected individuals with individual talents, perspectives, and constituencies. I resist the comments from multiple people in senior staff who have told me, on more than one occasion, that this is not a political position.

We clearly have a philosophical divide. There are some who believe there should not be debate or independent thought from the board in the public eye. I believe that it is my duty to ask tough, probing questions and to challenge the administration. We should not ever be in lock step. We are a check and balance created to prevent unbounded power within the school system.

I am not going to buckle and shut up just because I am the minority. I have always challenged people to change my mind. This is not personal for me. However, when it was made personal at our “team training” I chose to walk away in order to keep from stooping to one particular members level and I chose not to return because this meeting was, in my opinion, just another orchestrated play meant to reign me in and get me to conform.

I agree with both of the major newspaper opinion editors. We need to be focused on much more important issues. Those are the conversations we need to be having at our meetings. Unfortunately there is a major culture change that needs to take place first. My point was made with the majority of the board’s behavior and comments at recent meetings and has only served to solidify my resolve to work for change. Change is hard and people hate change.

I am not going to be an elected official who is afraid to stand up for what I believe in. I am not serving for my re-election. As I see it I am only guaranteed four years. If the public likes what I am doing, they will re-elect me and I will be happy to continue advocating for the public. I don’t get an evaluation with an opportunity to improve. I only get a pass or fail by the voters.

As for certain board members saying I defend myself, I guess that having independent thought constitutes defending oneself. Yes, there have been times I have defended a position, but this is invariably tied to the majority of the board ganging up because they don’t like what I have to say or are not listening to what I am saying. I am not going to change my position just because I am in the minority unless I am given a valid counterpoint that I legitimately feel alters my perspective of what is best for the students, staff, this district, and the taxpayers.

In the Saturday article in the St. Pete Times, there is the spin that I broad side staff by raising issues at the dais that staff has not had the chance to research and respond to. The reality is quite the opposite. On 95 percent of the issues I have asked my questions in private before meetings and I have told staff members that we are going to have the conversation so the public can hear. Although most agenda items I have questioned never result in a public conversation.

The bottom line is that I am taking on their “sacred cows” and they do not appreciate it.

I have been respectful and courteous to all of my fellow board members and will continue to be so, because I am a professional and I do believe we are working towards a common goal…educating children.

They want to label me as a maverick. By definition a maverick is an independent thinker and I will wear that label with pride.

I conclude with a great quote by Elbert Hubbard that sums me up..."To escape criticism: do nothing, say nothing, be nothing".

I do not aspire to be nothing, April