Wednesday, August 27, 2008
By Wendy Gragg
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Tuesday’s testimony on the first day of a temporary injunction hearing to keep G.L. Wiley Middle School open ranged from disputing school board members’ reasons for closing the school to voicing concern about racial discrimination in the district.
Slide show: First day of school at G.L. Wiley
Slide show: G.L. Wiley hearing Thursday, Aug. 21
Slide show: East Waco speaks out at Aug. 7 school board meeting
Video: Watch what the community had to say
Judge Jim Meyer, of the 170th State District Court, heard a full day of testimony in the case of two Wiley families and a group of Wiley supporters against the Waco Independent School District.
The plaintiffs allege racial discrimination and violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Texas Education Code by the district. Meyer granted a temporary restraining order Thursday, which is keeping Wiley open for school until the judge rules on the temporary injunction.
10-18-08 Waco ISD officials pledge G.L. Wiley, Doris Miller school campuses won't go empty
09-03-08 G.L. Wiley group ends lawsuit
08-30-08 Judge backs Waco school board's controversial closure of Wiley Middle School
08-29-08 Judge to rule on Wiley injunction this morning
08-28-08 Talk of racial discrimination again surfaces in G.L. Wiley hearings
08-27-08 Waco ISD trustee, G.L. Wiley principal among witnesses in court hearing on injunction to keep school open
08-26-08 Wiley reopens as Waco ISD trustees vote again to close its doors
08-23-08 Waco ISD administrators to helm Wiley classes on Monday
08-22-08 Judge approves restraining order reopening Wiley for first day of class Monday
08-21-08 Racial discrimination lawsuit and injunction filed to stop Wiley's closure
08-18-08 Waco ISD officials trying to ease Wiley students' move to their new schools
08-12-08 Group taps attorneys to consider challenges to Wiley's closure
08-11-08 East Waco leaders announce effort to hire legal help over Wiley's closing
08-10-08 Interview: Waco ISD school board chief looks past G.L. Wiley furor
08-09-08 WISD seeks healing while East Waco leaders mull future amid frustration over Wiley closing
08-09-08 Mayor voices optimism for East Waco, Wiley students
08-09-08 What next: Advice for Wiley Middle School parents on the start of classes
08-08-08 Waco ISD school board votes to close G.L. Wiley Middle School
08-02-08 Education leaders question value, impact of Texas' school-rating system
08-01-08 Waco ISD state ratings offer mixed bag of successes, frustration
07-25-08 WISD unveils options for G.L. Wiley's future
07-24-08 Meeting tonight to discuss G.L. Wiley's future has been cancelled
07-22-08 WISD board meeting Thursday on options for G.L. Wiley's future, including potential closure
06-13-08 Despite continued low rating, G.L. Wiley gets another chance
05-31-08 Waco ISD officials see improvement in TAKS scores
04-14-08 TAKS scores could decide whether G.L. Wiley Middle School remains open
Opinion
08-30-08 Editorial: Beyond G.L. Wiley's court ruling
08-23-08 Editorial: G.L. Wiley turmoil
08-17-08 Letters: G.L. Wiley closing
08-17-08 Jean Laster, guest column: Waco ISD selective about whom it invites to table
08-13-08 Editorial: Future for Wiley?
08-09-08 Editorial: G.L. Wiley closure mishandled
08-07-08 Editorial: Rush job on G.L Wiley
08-06-08 Editorial: Accountability system failing Texas
08-06-08 Nikka Davis, guest column: Waco, don't fail us now
08-03-08 Pat Atkins, guest column: Walls vs. equal opportunities in WISD
07-23-08 Editorial: Future of Wiley
06-15-08 Editorial: Effort at GL Wiley
The hearing came on the heels of the Waco ISD school board’s Monday night vote to close Wiley, its second such vote. Last week, Meyer found the school board in violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act for the way the first item to consider closure was posted on the meeting agenda.
Among those who took the stand Tuesday was Waco ISD board member Alex Williams, who repeated his objections to the school’s closure during about two hours of testimony.
Williams, who represents East Waco, also said under questioning by attorneys for the plaintiffs that racial discrimination was on the rise in the district.
“I don’t think it’s getting better. I think it’s getting worse,” he said.
Principal defends Wiley
First to take the stand Tuesday was G.L. Wiley Principal Kermit Ward, called by the plaintiffs’ attorneys. In roughly two hours of questioning, he painted a favorable picture of Wiley before the closure.
Ward also talked about Wiley’s unique culture and the advantage of students having a neighborhood school. When trustees first voted to close Wiley, they dispersed its students to Brazos and Cesar Chavez middle schools and G.W. Carver Academy.
Ward also refuted some of the claims that school board members have used as reasons to close the school.
Wiley’s low enrollment was climbing, he said. And the school offered extracurricular activities, such as football and other team sports. He said the school also offered choir, band and Spanish.
School board member Pat Atkins previously said he voted to close Wiley so its students could have all the same opportunities and access to programs that kids at other schools have.
“We had the programs on campus, but some students just don’t want to do it,” Ward said.
Students would miss the convenience of Wiley being a neighborhood school, Ward said. In the past, students have been able to walk to school for special tutorial sessions and for Saturday school. Parents have been able to make quick trips up to the school to help straighten out their children when they need it, Ward said.
The schools where Wiley kids have been sent may face some challenges getting used to Wiley students’ culture, Ward said.
“We know what kind of parents we have. We know the lack (of) parental involvement. We’ve learned to have the attitude of, ‘If they don’t have the parents, we’ll have to learn to do everything ourselves.’ That will have to be built at other schools.” Ward said.
He added, “I just don’t see other campuses doing what we did. I think (the students would) be better off at Wiley Middle School. I have to say that.”
Following Ward on the stand were the two Wiley parents named as plaintiffs in the suit against the district, Jana Bonner and Michael Lewis. Bonner talked about how her son, Darious Wright, has bloomed since coming to Wiley. Michael Lewis spoke on behalf of his granddaughter, Bre-Asia Hackworth.
Phil McCleery, attorney for WISD, focused on the events and meetings leading up to the Aug. 7 board meeting and vote to close Wiley.
Other witnesses included Thomas Kelly, a special education teacher, and Chemise Sora, a former Wiley teacher.
The hearing will continue at 9 a.m. today. The defense and plaintiffs have roughly 14 witnesses remaining.
wgragg@wacotrib.com
757-6901
Comments
By The Truth hurts!
Aug 28, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Dear Get your Facts Straight:
Here are the Facts!
Roland Hernandez does live in the WISD, his children attend school in the WISD, he was late paying his property taxes last year and had to pay penalty and interest. Ironic, that he worked so hard to raise our taxes , yet had trouble paying his own and public records show $1600 of the past due taxes were paid by a credit card.
Kermit Ward- lives in Hewitt, his daughter attends Midway. While the WISD is good enough for him to work for it obviously is not up to the standards for his daughter to attend.
Dale Caffey- (WISD SPOKESMAN) Dale lives in the Hewitt/Midway area as well. Again the WISD is good enough for him to work for, but he would not think of sending his daughter to one of our ghetto schools (unacceptable).
Riddlehuber- has also had trouble paying property taxes on time, but does live in the district.
There are a number of administrators that do not live in the WISD, its only a paycheck.
Here are the facts, you can look at Tax assesor's Buddy Skeens to see who has not paid their taxes or is late. Thanks internet!
By Get Your Facts Straight
Aug 27, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
I have been reading these comments for days and I haven't made a comment yet. But what really got me going was when someone says the Superintendent lives outside of Waco ISD and his students attended Midway. Dr. Hernandez lives just blocks from Waco High School. I see him driving home or he is outside playing with his kids. Yep, I have seen him playing with his kids outside. Something these Wiley parents should do. BE INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILDS LIVE. Stop blaming the hard working teachers for your inefficiences as a parent and a community. Also, get your facts straight before you make accusations that are not true. I am sure that Open Records Act that our government passed could also clear up this situation.
By Sick and Tired
Aug 27, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Concerned Citizen...
To answer your question, yes, churches in the community have had persons to go to Wiley and Hines working diligently to assist these students where WISD is dropping the ball. If you are a member of a church, have you taken the time to go into a community school and volunteer? If not you have no right to even pose that question. What I am tired of is not the fight, but people that sit in the seat of judgment on your "ok" jobs and talk about what is going on, but not assisting either way to do anything about it. If this was Caesar Chavez, University Middle, Brazos Middle and even GW Carver, everyone would be fighting to keep the school open no one would have anything negative to say. But since these are children that are "black" there is a problem, and we should just lay down and let WISD do what they want to do, HELL NO. If you have been keeping up with this, Wiley is ranked number 5 in the district, ahead of Brazos and Chavez, so why are they not being closed down? It is racial. Yes, I said it. This is so racial that it is not even funny, but you all are sitting here with blinders on crying that ýwe always cry raceý. If you can tell me why Brazos and Chavez again ranked 6th and 7th are not being looked at and the 5th ranked school is and it has nothing to do with racism, then I will kiss the butts of the ENTIRE school board. Repeat this with me....the students ranked 5th in the district are being sent to schools ranked 6th and 7th and that's okay. Wake up people, even the black on the board that voted to close Wiley is really not black.
Get it right, WISD could care less about those kids, and people like you all with that negative out look because we actually care about our students and our communities are no help. Uplift instead of tear down. Look in the mirror and ask what have you done to make the situation better, and if you can come up with nothing.... SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!!
By null
Aug 27, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Concerned Citzen...
To answer your question, yes, churches in the community have had persons to go to Wiley and Hines working diligently to assist these students where WISD is dropping the ball. If you are a member of a church, have you taken the time to go into a community school and volunteer? If not you have no right to even pose that question. What I am tired of is not the fight, but people like those that sit in the seat of judgement on your "ok" jobs and talk about what is going on, but no assisting either way to do anything about it. If this was Ceaser Chavez or University Middle, GW Carver or Brazos Middle, no one would have anything to say. But since these are children that are "black" there is a problem. If you have been keeping up with this, Wiley is ranked number 5 in the district, to be ahead of Brazos and Chavez, so why are they not looking to close those schools down....because of RACE!!! Yes, I said it. This is so racial that it is not even funny, but you all are sitting here with blinders on becuase you feel like we use race too much. Some do, but if you can tell me why Brazos and Chavez are ranked 6th and 7th in the district and Wiley being ranked 5th makes any sense then I will eat trash for the rest of the year. Does that make any sense to you? Reapet this with me....the students ranked 5th in the district are being sent to lower performing schools ranked 6th and 7th and that's okay. Wake up people, even the black on the board that voted to close Wiley is really not black. The Superientendent of WISD lives OUTSIDE of Waco City Limits Proper and his child attends a school in MIDWAY/HEWITT area, and no one mentions that. But Kermit Ward is such a bad person becuase of that reason. RACISM!!!!
Get it right, WISD could care less about those kids, and people like you are no help. That is why we can't get ahead in life. Uplift instead of tear down. Look in the mirror and ask what have you done to make the situation better, and if you can come up with nothing.... SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!!
By Former Teacher
Aug 27, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
I no longer live in Waco I have sense moved on to other places. However, I am a former teacher at Waco High School. It was easy to tell which students came from Wiley. They generally (not all mind you) rude, not prepared, and behind the other students. I do not blame the staff, teachers or administrators at Wiley. I put most of the blame on the parents. They need to step up and take an active role in their child's education. We only have the students 45-60 minutes a day in the middle school/high school level. We can't work miracles in that time frame.
By KITKAT
Aug 27, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
Mr. Ward is a GREAT PERSON AND PRINCIPLE. He was with my daughter at Tennyson Middle two years ago. He LOVES HIS KIDS ALL COLORS and wants to see them do well. I agree he can't be everybody parents but I do somethimes the same thing when my daughter's friends don't have shi for parents. Drive, pick up do it all. It's sad the school needs to be closed and I hope the kids get a better education somewhere else now because my daughter is now at Waco High School and Tennyson was a piece of great cake compared to these crazy people. Mr. Ward I know your trying but you might have to step down on this one because the kids HAVE to come first with a better education, sports, band and everything they can do to have a great school time and education. God Bless all involed even the parents that don't want to be.
By CRAZYIE
Aug 27, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
Come on now Kermit the frog say's Wileyýs low enrollment was climbing how will it take 20 years You already have has 5 yrs, what more do you need,Them children are behind and everything.You can kiss W.I.S.D GOOD BYE
.
.
By old enouth to know better
Aug 27, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Question...If, as Mr. Ward says, they know how to deal with the students and the lack of parental involvement and that other schools do not, how does that effect the high schools that these children will attend in the future? Wouldn't that put Waco High at a disadvantage to have to pick up raising these children where Wiley left off? These children have parents that do not set boundaries or do not care to do so. That is not the responsibility of the school district. Mr. Ward wake up and realize that your job is to uplift and educate these children, not be their parent(s).
I find it interesting that out of all of the people making an uproar about a habitually under performing school being shut down are not the parents, but members of the East Waco community with political ties. If these parents were that worried about how close their children were to their school for special tutorials and Saturday school then why are they not listed as plaintiffs in the suit? I find it hard to believe that there are only 2 concerned parents, one of which is actually a grand parent, that are willing to fight for this school. Is it possible that all of those parents that don't care really do by trying to open the doors to their children being provided with a better learning environment even if it means they have to bused there.
Wake up; it has nothing to do with race. It is laziness and the cycle that continues when we have parents who do not take the responsibility of being parents and teaching their children the importance of education. I wonder if there is any information on how many of the former students of Wiley have actually graduated or have they given up and dropped out because they were not given the tools they needed to succeed once they reached high school. Give these children a chance at a better future and let them go to a school that can teach them what they need to be successful and break the East Waco cycle.
By old enouth to know better
Aug 27, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
Question...If, as Mr. Ward says, they know how to deal with the students and the lack of parental involvement and that other schools do not, how does that effect the high schools that these children will attend in the future? Wouldn't that put Waco High at a disadvantage to have to pick up raising these children where Wiley left off? These children have parents that do not set boundaries or do not care to do so. That is not the responsibility of the school district. Mr. Ward wake up and realize that your job is to uplift and educate these children, not be their parent(s).
I find it interesting that out of all of the people making an uproar about a habitually under performing school being shut down are not the parents, but members of the East Waco community with political ties. If these parents were that worried about how close their children were to their school for special tutorials and Saturday school then why are they not listed as plaintiffs in the suit? I find it hard to believe that there are only 2 concerned parents, one of which is actually a grand parent, that are willing to fight for this school. Is it possible that all of those parents that don't care really do by trying to open the doors to their children being provided with a better learning environment even if it means they have to bused there.
Wake up; it has nothing to do with race. It is laziness and the cycle that continues when we have parents who do not take the responsibility of being parents and teaching their children the importance of education. I wonder if there is any information on how many of the former students of Wiley have actually graduated or have they given up and dropped out because they were not given the tools they needed to succeed once they reached high school. Give these children a chance at a better future and let them go to a school that can teach them what they need to be successful and break the East Waco cycle.
By CONCERN CITIZEN
Aug 27, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
THE SCHOOLS HAS NOT DONE WELL FOR 5 YEARS, THAT MEANS THAT THE 1ST THRU 3RD YEAR STUDENTS ARE ALREADY IN HIGH SCHOOL, HOW ARE THOSE STUDENTS DOING IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS NOW? HAVE PARENTS BEEN ACTIVE AT THE THOSE SCHOOLS ALSO? DO THEY ATTEND THE OPEN HOUSES, PTA MEETINGS, CONFERENCES OR ANY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES THAT BENEFIT THEIR CHILDREN? STOP THE WHINING, GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CHILDREN. NOW MY QUESTION: ARE LESTER AND COQUE GIBSON GOING TO TESTIFY ABOUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT AT WILEY? FOR THAT MATTER ARE ANY OF THE COMMUNITY LEADERS GOING TO TESTIFY ABOUT THEIR TIME SPENT MENTORING AND TUTORING STUDENTS AT WILEY FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS? WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO TRY AND KEEP THE CAMPUS OPEN AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE LAST 2 WEEKS EITHER. HOW MANY CHURCHES IN THE AREA HAD VOLUNTEERS GO INTO THE SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTEER? GIVE IT A REST!!! RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, I DON'T THINK SO!!!! IF YOU WIN IT WILL BE A SHORT VISTORY, TEA WILL COME IN AND CLOSE WILEY.
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