Waco Breaking News

By joker

August 21, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Ridiculous. I guess the judge wants to make sure he doesn’t lose any votes in East Waco.

By WAH WAH...

August 21, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

yeah, i second that vote.. RIDICULOUS!

By concerned citizen

August 21, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

So, now we’re going to keep the school open and reshuffle everything again. Will Lester and Coque Gibson and the other community leaders be there on the first and every day afterwards to ensure that the kids get the type of tutoring they need to pass the TAKS test, or will they only be there for the first day of school ? How many hours are they willing to sacrafice to make sure these kids do pass?

By vet

August 21, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Gary Bledsoe, a civil rights attorney working with the group said the lawsuit is, “seeking to maintain the status quo so the good people who live in the Wiley neighborhood can go to school.” This person is part of the problem…the ‘status quo’ got Wiley to this point.

By Another concerned citizen

August 21, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

What does Jim Meyer think he is doing? He should have consulted a psychologist before this absurd decision. He needs to seek counseling for himself. These children have been through enough, and have just begun to settle down. Now they will all be in an uproar because of these “so-called” adults who want to have their way. Leave things alone!! You might want to visit Wiley, or better yet, go and assist in replacing all the furnishings and equipment needed to teach our children. The building is no longer a school building … it is empty, with the exception of boxed up records and books. Crazy, crazy, crazy!!!

By REAL

August 21, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

This is crazy so we will see who will be @ school everyday to see if the chilldren will learn more or not, they art to be on top this time around Gibson and Jean need to be there to see to it. they art to pass every test higher that ever now, this is a joker

By ITOLDYOUSO

August 21, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

WOOOOHOOOO! Score one for the underdog! The first point that I made on the initial EW makeover blog was that legal action is the only path to improving EW. Read the comments for yourselves regarding the filing of the lawsuit. Racism, biggotry, and hatred for blacks by whites is at an all time high. These people voice the sentiments of our so called “leaders”. White people have historically proven that they prefer to murder, rape, torture, and enslave people of color. There is no point in bickering back and forth with racist biggots on these blogs. Now is the time to unite and continue legal action to improve the plight of EW.

By Idiots

August 21, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

To ITOLDYOUSO………You “won”????

Are you kidding me? I guess you’ll be receiving the same prize as you did when OJ was acquitted.

There’s a reason that the welfare office is located on that side of the river.

By virginia

August 21, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

They should leave the school closed and let these children adjust to their new school. In a month or two they will be missed placed to another school. Than these children will have to start all over in making new friends where as if you start at the begining of the school year everyone is pretty much on even ground. Racism is the only way the Gibson’s know how to deal with anything they are the prejudise ones. Get a life and let these children start fresh in their new school and make new friends and enjoy their school year.

By DDD

August 21, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

This is such a waste of time and I have become bored with it. Next………………………..

By JP

August 21, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

So… this is temporary?!!! Once WISD fights back these kids will be the rope in this tug-a-war. Wake up people… you are not hurting the white man… your hurting your children. Chalk this up as a wasted year of education for those children envolved, because this sets them further back. How can you possibly concentrate on learning when the folks you look up to are more interested in their own agendas than looking out for your best interest as a student. It also sucks to be these teachers… well, at least the few good ones that were at Wiley. They’ve been reassigned to other schools and now they will have to put a classroom together in 5 days! Just doesn’t make sense!!!

By Mike

August 21, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Poor kids…. The community must be happy with the “status quo”, and that’s too bad. Hey, that’s fine for the parents, but the kids are the losers here. Loser parents, loser leaders, and now loser kids. And they wonder why their community is a hell hole….Oh, sorry, it’s “whites” fault that east Waco does not value education and community standards……. Just look at ITOLDYOUSO’ s post and there is no doubt that these people do not get the meaning of Personal Responsibility! East Waco has to accept responsibility for their own communities failure to raise successful children.

I hope the kids succeed in spite of their parents and community “leaders”.

By Paul

August 21, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

I can not believe this. This is school has been FAILING for the past five years. Are you truly doing these kids a justice to have a school open where they have no team sports once progress reports are released. I cannot believe that not only do the parents want this for their kids, but our elected officials who also think having this school open is good for i dont know what. I just hope that this decision is changed and the kids are placed in an school that is better equipped to serve those students who want to excel and be part of not only a learning environment, but one that is also competitive in sports and other extra-curricular activities. Shame on those who made THIS decision to keep Wiley open.

By Lisa

August 21, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

This is not a good move…what happens two weeks from now? The kids have to change schools then? Who is thinking this through? Oh, yeah, NO ONE!

By NICHOLLE

August 21, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

IM GLAD THAT THE SCHOOL WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR NOW, I LIVE IN THE ESTELLA MAXEY HOUSING PROJECTS AND ALOT OF THOSE CHILDREN THAT ATTEND WILEY LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY, I WAST TALKING TO A FEW OF THE TEENAGER GIRLS I KNOW THAT LIVE OVER HERE WHEN THE SCHOOL WAS TO BE CLOSED AND THEY WERE SAD AND SAYING THEY DIDN’T EVEN WANT TO GO SCHOOL AND BE BUSED OUT, THOSE KIDS LOVE THAT SCHOOL YES I AGREE THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THERE TEST SCORES BUT THATS WERE THE SCHOOL BOARD NEEDS TO STEP IN AND HIRE SOME MORE TUTORS AND OFFER MORE TUTORING PROGRAMS. CLOSING THE SCHOOL DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE SCORES WILL BE IMPROVED RIGHT AWAY, THERE JUST NEEDS TO BE MORE TIME AND EFFORT PUT INTO TUTORING THOSE YOUNG TEENAGERS THAT ATTENED WILEY. IM VERY HAPPY WITH THE DESCION AND I KNOW ALOT OF THOSE CHILDREN WILL GOT TO SCHOOL WITH BIG SMILES ON THERE FACE MONDAY MORNING.

By Fa sheezie

August 21, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

All yall can go to hell. The people said they needed to improve their grades, they did that. They also said they need to improve their taks scores they did that. What else do you wont. When you dont know what you are talking about it is best to keep your mouth shut. And for the person who said thats why the welfare office is on our side of town, Its not. Thank You EAST SIDE

By null

August 21, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Now lets see how the students handle their, possibly, LAST chance to make Wiley into a better school. East Waco parents and leaders MUST see to it that the students are putting in hard work on studying and bringing this school back from the hole its about to sink in. They have received the ONE chance they wanted, now lets see if they can improve.

If it fails, what will be East Waco’s excuse, or primarily, who will they blame? Their kids? No, they will blame the rest of Waco.

By null

August 21, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

“Fa Sheezie” please get out you ignorant bigot. Please learn to spell and also learn to make proper sentences.

By FaSheezie??

August 21, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Reading the posts from GL Wiley grads (if there is such a thing) is hilarious. Grammatical errors, incorrect spelling, etc. Obviously, ignorance breeds the same. But “Sheeziy” is probably correct in knowing where the welfare office is. Wouldn’t doubt it a bit.

By Mike

August 21, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

ITOLDYOUSO- You wrote ” Racism, biggotry, and hatred for blacks by whites is at an all time high.” I hope that you do not really believe that.

You must be under fifty years old to make that kind of statement…and you misspelled bigotry.

If your statement was true, I must have missed all of the news stories this week about a new ship of slaves arriving for sale, or lynchings, or Church bombings, or burning young black men alive in the town square…. Yes, all of those things happened in the past, but your statement that hatred of blacks is at an all time high shows that you are a uneducated about your own race. I guess you were not around in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s to see when it was REALLY at an all time high. Stop with YOUR racist rants and think about what you are saying instead of spuing racism yourself.

By xstitcher

August 21, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

15 years down the line, we will have lawsuits from former students saying they were denied a proper education. Five years of failure should end now. I really don’t want to be around when these students are trying to find jobs and can’t even make change at a fast food joint. Good grief.

By EX-WISD Student

August 21, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

As a product of WISD, I am so glad that someone is finally stepping up and fighting for what is right for these kids. I lived in East Waco and had to go to school all the way across town when I could have gone to J.H. Hines. If you ask me, if they had it their way they would close down every school in East Waco except Carver. If you do not live in East Waco, or never have, then you really have not right to even make a comment on what is going on. All I can say is, “RIGHT IS RIGHT”.

EX_WISD Student

By LookAtTheRankings

August 21, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

Look at the school rankings for the Waco Junior Highs. Brazos is dead last in every subject but the one that Wiley failed. Overall, that makes Brazos the worst school Junior High in the district. Considering the kids at Wiley are the same kids that 2 years ago failed almost everything badly, I’d say that’s quite an improvement.

And for those that didn’t look at the overall rankings, not only was Wiley not last, it wasn’t next to last either. Brazos was 7th or dead last in Waco. University was the 6th. Wiley came in at 5th.

I suggest you listen to educators like Mr. Bables who brought a failing Wiley to the top of the list when he was there, not to a school board who have turned Waco’s education system into a laughing stock.

By null

August 21, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

What’s even crazier is the teachers have already been reassigned to other schools and have already had to move their stuff to the other school. Now they have to move back? I feel sorry for the kids who are getting caught up in this mess.

By huh

August 21, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

MAYBE IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE INVOLVEMENT FROM THE PARENTS WHEN IT CAME TO THE KIDS GRADES AND THEIR SCHOOL WORK FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS THIS WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. TEACHERS CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH, BUT HOW MANY PARENTS WERE ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN THE CRITERIA? THE KIDS ARE THE ONLY ONES PAYING FOR THIS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THEY ARE BLACK,WHITE,CHINESE OR GREEN, THEY DESERVE A SHOT AT THE BEST. THE ONLY RACIST PEOPLE ARE THE RACIST FROM EAST WACO CRYING RACISM.THATS ALWAYS AN EXCUSE FOR NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE-BLAME SOMEONE ELSE- THE “WHITE MAN”! COME ON…GET REAL…

By Question

August 21, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Attention Wiley supporters……..Are you aware that your “leader’s” (term used VERY loosely)son was convicted of selling crack right next to your “coveted” school? What a pathetic group you are! It’s probably “whitey’s” fault that Lester’s son went down the criminal path. Couldn’t be the lack of parenting skills which flourish in EAST WACO.

By JP

August 21, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

EX-WISD student:

Get a clue… I pay taxes! Therefore, I can comment all I want on how my tax dollars are spent or in this case wasted! YOUR comment was not needed!

By Mike

August 21, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

Idiots wrote: “There’s a reason that the welfare office is located on that side of the river.”

In fairness, they closed that office a few years back. There is one on LaSalle, just past the circle, but they are renovating the old J.C. Penny store downtown to re locate.

By Makes Perfect Sense

August 21, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

So now instead of changing schools before the school year, they’ll either change them mid-year or after a year of arguing and fighting. Makes perfect sense. Well done, “Fighting to Save the Children.” Although perhaps now that you’ve succeeded in further introducing chaos into the lives of these kids who already have it in abundance, you should consider a name change to something that better reflects your actions. I suggest, “Fighting Instead of Educating.”

There’s an odd dichotomy here. Everyone says they have the best interest of the kids in mind. And certainly when it comes to education you want and need the participation and input of every related party - parents, kids, teachers, administrators, community leaders, etc. But at what point are the inmates running the asylum? Don’t we want the smartest and ablest among us to serve on the School Board to make decisions that the rest of us aren’t qualified to make? We elect them because they understand these matters better than the average bear and put in the time - the volunteered time, no less - to make the kinds of decisions that we can’t. And now they are having their decisions regarding the educational welfare of our kids questioned by people who can’t spell?

Like I said, we need parents and the community involved in the educational process, but when you’re sick, you go to a doctor not a self-appointed “community leader.” Likewise, Wiley was sick and the prescription from the experts is now being overturned by amateurs and quacks. It’s a shame that Wiley got so sick, and there’s surely more than enough blame to go around for it, but that doesn’t change the need for a dramatic remedy. Anyone who actually cares about the children should gladly take a blow to their pride over the course that they are charting for this year by trying to keep Wiley open.

By Truly Concerned

August 21, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

Such hatred, May God Bless You All!!

By EX-WISD Student

August 21, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

JP Let me ask you one question. Have you ever been in a classroom where you were on of the two blacks in the classroom and the teacher pulls the two of you aside and tells you that she is keeping an eye on you? I guess not. That is something that happened to me, when I had to go to school way across town to go to school instead of going to J.H. Hines. When you can tell me that you know from expierence what these kids are going through, then I do not want to hear it. These leaders in the community have been trying to overcome some many battles for so many years, and as soon as we get one foor forward, of course you all will have to beat us down ten feet. I no longer live in Waco, or in Texas, because I do not want my children to expierence the hate that I did. I just graduated from WISD ten years ago, so I see much has not changed. So JP, all I can say to you is, HAVE A BLESSED DAY.

By J Cool

August 21, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

THANK GOD!!! ALL RIGHT IS RIGHT

By a year to late

August 21, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

This is all the same school district, right? These students will have to go to the same high schools in a few years anyway. This will effect the teachers and students. Yet again G.L. Wiley will not make much ground in improving. The improvements already made will soon be forgotten. The facts are clear, the school is not populated and improvements came a year to late. These community leaders and parents need to see the writing on the wall. This has been in the making. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to do 2 weeks before school, but it was somewhat epected.

By To EX WISD Student

August 21, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

The supporters of GL Wiley, especially those posting here,are unable to spell simple words or construct a simple sentence. Your ignorance flows in each and every posting! It disgusts me that a penny of my tax dollars pays for this ignorance. These people are the reason for the lower tax brackets and the need for a “minimum wage”.

Absolutely useless.

By Harry R. Pitts

August 21, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

What a bunch of Clowns we have on running our WISD. Hernandez and the District’s legal councel need to be shown the door!

David Schleicher stepped in it this time. Now these MORONS are going to waste more of our TAX DOLLARS.
I think Mr. Schleicher who claims to be an attorney, should understand basic Texas law He needs to step aside and let someone else lead.

I think for the Gibson Family, they are one and one. The one this one today but the federal goverment filed a lien(fine from federal drug charges) this past week on thier son UMOJA ADEYEMI GIBSON, $5200.. Maybe the NAACP will pay that fine as well

East Waco Leaders and the WISD deserve each other!

By Suzanne

August 21, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

I too am wondering if all of these community leaders and parents will be there to support these kids throughout the school year. If there had been some parent involvement and support over the past 5 years, maybe it wouldn’t have come to this. The teachers and administrators can only do so much if the students and parents don’t care. Are these people really concerned about their children’s education, or are they just there to take a stand against the school board? And of course, the “racism” card had to be played. That’s always easier than taking some personal responsibility

By joker

August 21, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

OK, people, there’s a key on the far left side of your keyboard. It’s called the “Caps Lock” key. Learn to use it. Typing in all caps is borderline illiterate.

As to Wiley, the ball should now be in TEA’s court. They were threatening to shut Wiley down all along if there was no improvement. The Commissioner in Austin should step up to the plate and do just that.

By local girl

August 21, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

I am not all together certain that this is the right decision at this time. But I do feel strongly about the fact that whether it’s two weeks notice of closure or 4 days notice of “we are open” sucks either way. The school board could have handled this a little better and allowed the school to remain open for 1 year, like the recommendation of the Board of Education suggested. This would at least have allowed for a transitional period for everyone involved. Wiley, the parents, the teachers, and the new schools “forced” to take on the monumental task of getting these kids up to speed need time to adjust to the idea of change. I too feel like some of our public schools are dumping grounds from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. It seems like parents take the “it’s your turn to take care of my kid attitude” then when they don’t like the results, they are all too quick to place blame instead of looking within the structure of home and trying to make things more stable and better for their own child. God Bless everyone involve in this stinker of a situation.

By Inside Man

August 21, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

It seems like the people who are actually involved with the school are happy with Judge Meyer’s decision.

So, frankly, that’s quite enough from the peanut gallery. Thank you for expressing your thoughts and concerns, however uneducated they might be.

By Taco

August 21, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Judge Meyer is a MORON!!!! He opened up a whole can of crap!!!!!

MORON!!!

By P. Flowers

August 21, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

First, Harry Pitts, the NAACP hasn’t paid for the lawyer representing the parents and students affected by the WISD Board’s decision. The lawyer was secured by the concerned citizens of Waco, not just East Waco.

Secondly, Vet, status quo is what got Wiley in this position, but not on the behalf of the students and teachers. It has been because of five years of mismanagement by the WISD Administration in not supplying the school with what was needed through the No Child Left Behind funds (Nicklebee Funds) that would give the students what they needed to be successful.

Thirdly, Wiley only failed the Science section of the TAKS. Students across the entire state of Texas performed poorly on the Science section. The reason being is the curriculum does not line up with the exam. Every middle school in the District performed low on that section, even the ones that passed, passed barely.

Now for you concerned citizens wanting to know where the Gibson’s will be on Monday morning and the mornings thereafter; the question is: “Will you be there to help these students to become successful.” This was not about the Gibsons. It was and is about the children.

As for the post regarding Mr. Gibson’s son, God does not hold us responsible for the actions of our children after adulthood, neither does the legal system; so who gave you the power to try and put Mr. & Mrs. Gibson’s son’s choices at their feet. God gave us as parents a charge to train them in the admonition of Him. However, He also gave our children the same freewill He gave us all, to follow the training they received. That’s what “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” is all about. They are no more responsible for their children’s choices than you are. Apparently, you have no children or your comments are perpetuated by ignorance.

And for as misspelled words, how can you ever read the Waco Trib? If I have any misspellins in this blog it is not from a lack of education; but it’s due to my anger at such pure ignorance of a supposedly educated white community writing this garbage.

The location of the welfare office is at 21st and LaSalle. Go by on any given day and you will find more Whites and Hispanics there than African Americans, with the exception of those working for the Department of Human Services. The location is for the central access from all parts of the community, not for the number of residents in a certain area using the services of the agency.

By local girl

August 21, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Taco - honey you are the Moron, you have yet to post one intelligent thought on any of the blogs you participate in. Please have something helpful or serious to say when joining in on dialog of such important matters. You have the mentality of an 8th grader. Please, go play your video games and stop rambling on.

By To Mr. Flowers

August 21, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

You are, indeed, blinded by a pathetic attempt to blame the caucasian race for the shortcomings of your own. Granted, I don’t agree with the actions of my ancestors, however, I strongly oppose the actions of Mr. Gibson and his peers. Blaming the “white man” for the failures in his community is cowardice. Should he be held accountable for his son’s actions? OF COURSE! At 40 years of age, I certainly still respect the teachings of my parents and would never even dream of following the criminal path that this individual chose. Regardless, they have two weeks to do whatever they have been unable to accomplish in 5 years.

Good luck……Talk to me in 14 days.

By Taco

August 21, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

Local girl, I should have known you were voting for Obama!!!!

Maybe we will find “hope” at G.L. Wiley on Monday!!!

He’s still a Moron!!!!

By L aw N Order

August 21, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

The so-called racism of whites in this blog is really a growing and more vocal frustration from Anglos who have finally grown weary of the “white guilt” rhetoric spewed by the black “leadership” over the last 30 years or so. Other races are no longer responding in the same social fashion to the same old “civil rights” tactics as seen in the past. These changing responses are viewed as racist by today’s blacks…an incorrect viewpoint. Whites are increasingly resenting and rejecting this charge and are on the offensive. Does this country still have racial problems? Yes. Are those problems as pronounced as they were 30 years ago? No. Is there racism in the black community toward whites? Yes. Do blacks have an image problems with other races? Yes (the “N” word is liberally used in that community, yet, will cause a riot if uttered by one of another race. How about NO ONE OF ANY COLOR using this ugly, profane word??)The G.L Wiley issue is yet another example of the critical need for ALL cultures to find common ground, respect one another (in each respective community, then outside of that community)and build a concensus on what is of universal importance such as a truly quality education, respect for diversity, keeping the peace, and living for the future instead of re-opening the wounds of our past. Yes, learn from our mistakes as a country, but, don’t keep repeating them. Hey, Rodney King said it well after being treated horridly by LAPD, “Can’t we all just get along??”

By Clif Dollens

August 21, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

Today some will celebrate, some will complain, and some will likely just not care. Tomorrow, we need to put down our differences and show these children that we can and will make a difference for them and with them. Spend time tonight asking God how you can help the kids, not how you can put down your friend or neighbor just because you don’t agree. We are united in our hopes for the children. Show up and support them, be a positive role model, watch for and help create opportunitie to have a POSITIVE influence and create success out of chaos. Be a part of the solution. Like them or not, thank you to the people of courage who took a stand and fought for what they believe in. Only in America.

By bear78

August 21, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

Folks, we’re never going to make progress until we throw the race card and discrimination excuse out the window. Too much time has passed to use it now-it’s up to individuals and families to determine their futures.

I live in a small, old, former oil boom town an hour away and hope to retire to Waco someday. Our town is lower income and our Hispanic population is booming due to manufacturing jobs and immigration. Our high school was dangerously close to “Unacceptable” as well as our sixth grade center, middle school, and a primarily African-American elementary and an Hispanic elementary.

TODAY, 3 years later, ALL of our elementary schools are recognized or exemplary. Our sixth grade center is exemplary. Our other schools are acceptable, with improvement. With the proper leadership and PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT, Waco can do it, too. Parents need to quit blaming others and take responsibility for their children’s success.

Waco has a lot going for it and has resources in place to help people who truly want to help themselves. Take responsibility, take advantage of the wonderful opportunities offered by non-profits and various foundations and philanthropists, and make your own success!

Taxpayers should expect results-Wiley is too small to be economically feasible. The community already “voted with its feet” as said before by transferring to other schools. Accept responsibility for that.

By Bh

August 21, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

I hope this young generation will grow up loving more than we did “back in the day”. No matter what color we are, it is small compared to our shared humanity. It is as silly as yellow cats fighting yellow cats because they are yellow. Only man is crazy when it comes to injustice, unfairness, separatism, division. I work with all the 3 major raical groups in Waco in a program that serves primarily minority students…no, I am not “minority” I see much hope that our children will get along better than our last generations. They have a chance if we can stomp out racism across all lines. There has to be healing. My African-American brother and sisters need alots of help in overcoming poverty, high crime, high incarceration. Let us quite blaming and take care of each other

By Sick of the Race Card

August 21, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

Sick of the B.S…..Maybe it IS time to go back a few years. The black folk haven’t evolved—other than blame “whitey” for their shortcomings. Why don’t you take responsibility for the ignorance of your race? The high crime rate, etc…..You’re making me a racist because of your stupidity! Look at your posts! Go back to your ghetto and leave us alone!

By Arce

August 21, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

From my reading of the article, the Judge did not rule on the merits of whether the school should be closed but on whether the procedure used by the board was proper. The article clearly indicates that the TRO was granted due to the failure of the board to give proper notice of the action(s) to be considered.

That is not a decision on whether Wiley should stay open. It is only saying that the board did not do the proper steps prior to closing. If the board does the proper steps, then it can close the school, unless a permanent injunction is issued.

The decision was proper based on the law. However, had the board properly announced the actions to be considered, the decision most likely would have gone the other way and the school would have stayed closed.

By Lawyer in Houston

August 21, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this

Well, I see that there are still some mixed emotions. I would like for all the Waco lawyers and attorneys to pick a date and time to meet with me. I would like to teach them three concepts: 1. Never assume-every lawyer in Waco said this will never fly. 2. If you are not hired and do not have any stake in the school mind your own. 3. Never publically present a case on a bias point of view-everyone knew that most lawyers in Waco wanted the school to close.

I still see comments about the students, lack of parental involvement, student transition and much more, but what about the administrators and teachers. Waco, will you have a great team who can pull out a win, or staff with little hope? The teacher who spoke during the board meeting, who I believe was a math teacher seems dedicated and want to remain faithful. I am just concerned about some who have lost faith. Faith without works is dead. This means that if you go in believing that success cannot happen, then you will remain a failure. My recommendations to Waco is this: 1. Get right-Learn procedure first 2. This is the last minute- A. Who is going to lead this school? Will it be the same person or will we change? B. Will you move some teachers from high performing schools to this school and will they be able to deal with the students? C. What can be done to motivate these students, besides the pressure to keep the school open? D. Who on the board is going to provide support? We are not only talking money. E. How will you restore the relationship with East Waco again? F.How will you train your board members and directors how to be leaders and not followers? The problem Waco is not your school, students or parents, you just haven’t found the Dream Team. One member who needs to be on the team is that teacher who currently teachs at Wiley.

By Lawyer in Houston You're NOT!

August 21, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

Lawyer in Houston,huh??? Which online “college” did you patronize? Being in the legal profession myself, I find it hard to believe that any such person would have such a difficult time constructing a sentence using proper grammar. Your “dream team” consists of a racial ambulance chaser named Lester Gibson. (His son, by the way, is in prison for dealing drugs right around the corner from said “school in need”.

What a stain on our society!

By TEACHER

August 21, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

I am so SICK of seeing posts on here from people who know NOTHING about G. L. Wiley. Individuals who haven’t been inside the school, met the students, or the teachers are making ignorant comments that ignore the true issues. Tell me how a school board has the legal right to close a school when they are holding illegal board meetings and planning underhanded agendas to close a school without properly notifying the population it serves. To me, it’s not about black vs. white, but it is about being professional vs. being sneaky. WISD tried to sneak closing down Wiley by the public, and it bit them in the butt. What is done in the dark ALWAYS comes to the light, and that is what has happened. I can say that the Wiley administrators and teachers care deeply for those students. The administrator team had a 2008-2009 staff consisting of strong veteran teachers who had several offers to teach in other places, but they were chosen… YES CHOSEN, to proudly serve the students at G.L. Wiley. So for all of the people who want to bash the teachers and the principals… don’t speak unless you have your facts straight. That school was not under the same leadership for all 5 years nor were the students the same. That school is a totally different place, and the only direction G. L. Wiley was going was UP. WISD Trustees and Administration had other agendas so they had to close the school before the goal was reached. Unfortunately for them, they underestimated their “opponents”… It’s time for the people who know the TRUTH to speak up because the lies are old and tired…

By Remind me again...

August 21, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

How many students were enrolled at Wiley? What was the enrollment trend over the past few years? How much was WISD spending per student to get such miserable results as opposed to the cost per student at other schools? How many extracurricular activities, arts opportunities, and sports teams were being denied to these kids due to the low enrollment?

Oh… that’s right.

Those are the reasons Wiley was closed. Test scores were not the main reason. If they were, then of course Brazos would face closure as well. But Brazos has higher enrollment and isn’t shrinking into oblivion like Wiley was.

Keeping Wiley open is an irresponsible use of taxpayer money and it limits the options of the students with regards to sports, arts, and extracurricular activities. And if you think about it, how many students are actually affected here? The incoming sixth graders have never been to Wiley and thus aren’t missing anything. Roughly 60 kids were there for all of one year. Roughly 60 kids were there for all of two years. Those latter 60 kids will be changing schools next year anyway when they go to High School.

So for the sake of 120 kids who are currently getting a limiting education in an underpopulated school on whom twice as much money is being spent per student than in other schools in order to get grossly sub-par results we’re tearing our city apart and threatening to further inject racial hatred into an otherwise progressing community? Oh yeah, definitely sounds like a recipe for “supporting the children” to me.

Big picture, folks. Big picture.

By Publius

August 22, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

As much as we want to talk about this being a racial issue or a test score issue, it’s just not. I cannot see why Wiley is labeled by the Texas Education Agency as “low performing” when its test scores are better than most in WISD and above passing in all areas except science.

It’s a money issue. Waco slowly moves west. Fewer people live in East Waco. No good administrator keeps a school open, fully staffed with teacher, for very few to attend.

I love the idea of Wiley. I like the look of the school and think that a neighborhood school is a great idea. But when the neighborhood up and leaves (over a period of decades), what then?

By Lebster Gibson East Side School District

August 22, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

I say we gives Lebster all the money WISD spends on East Waco Schools. Then, he can be having the New “Lebster Gibson East Side ISD”.

He can hire all the teachers and can answer to the State of Texas. If the test scores do not go up…then he can be sueing them for making up test that are unfair for East Waco childrens.

Then the State can let Lebster makes up his own TAKS test. Problem solved.

Except for our next topic: Reparations

By God is Watching

August 24, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

For people of ALL Races—-God is Watching You. Stop the hate and help one another. We are ALL children of the same loving God no matter what color we are and that fact will NEVER change!

James 3:5-9

5: Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

6: The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7: All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

8: but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9: With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.