Parent protests ruling that allows clothing with Confederate flag

the sylva herald ^ | 11.20.03 | Lynn Hotaling

[freepatriot32]

A parent of a high school student asked local school officials last week (Nov. 14) to reconsider a Sept. 22 decision that paved the way for students to choose clothing that displays the Confederate flag.

Stella Moore told members of the Jackson County Board of Education that her son had heard racial slurs at Smoky Mountain High School and described an incident where students ran across the football field (during a pep rally) carrying a Confederate flag and yelling "KKK."

"Your decision was made without regard for the feelings of those who think that flag represents racism and slavery," Moore said.

According to Moore, she and other parents of African-American students met with then Superintendent Mack McCary but were told nothing could be done.

(McCary, who was dismissed by school board members the following day, was unavailable for comment.)

By overturning Cullowhee Valley Principal Theresa Peters's decision to suspend four teens because their clothing displayed Confederate flags, board members told students principals have no power, Moore said.

"Your handbook says clothing that is disruptive is not permitted. Does this not include African-American students?" Moore asked.

School Board Chairman James Roper said Tuesday that board members had not yet discussed Moore's remarks but planned to revisit the matter.

School board members Sept. 22 reinstated the four CVS students, two boys and two girls, who Peters had suspended.

"There is nothing in our handbook that says (students) cannot wear shirts that have the Confederate flag,"

Roper said then. "They can wear it as long as it doesn't cause a disturbance and it's not vulgar."

The question of whether students could wear clothing with the flag came down to a "free speech" issue, then Superintendent McCary said at the time.

[freepatriot32]

then there ias this related story

---

School board members dismiss superintendent

By Lynn Hotaling

Local officials Friday (Nov. 21) dismissed the county's top school administrator, citing his "lack of leadership" by way of explanation.

Members of the Jackson County Board of Education voted unanimously to buy out Mack McCary, and allocated $141,326 from fund balance to pay the former superintendent for the approximately 15 months remaining on his contract.

After a brief statement by the outgoing superintendent, board members unanimously chose Assistant Superintendent Sue Nations to lead Jackson County's seven schools.

No timetable was set for the naming of the next superintendent.

McCary	Nations

A Friday statement issued by local officials listed several reasons for removing McCary from his post, including "an increasing lack of decision-making" and a failure on McCary's part to follow the direction and instruction of the board.

Other reasons given for the superintendent's dismissal included McCary's lack of rapport with the parents of students and low morale on the part of administrators, staff and faculty, causing personnel to retire or resign to take positions with other school systems.

"During Dr. McCary's tenure as superintendent, our principals and teachers in Jackson County have spent more and more time in conferences, meetings and developing plans for the school system, rather than in the classrooms with their students," the statement says. "Dr. McCary has, in the opinion of the Board of Education, spent an excessive amount of time outside of Jackson County on meetings that were not directly related to the improvement of the Jackson County school system.

"While conferences, dialogue and development of plans for a school system are imperative, there must come a time when ideas are gleaned from those conferences and dialogue and plans implemented in a manner designed to improve the future of the Jackson County school system and our children.

"The Jackson County Board of Education has lost confidence in the leadership abilities of Dr. McCary to accomplish that goal," the statement says.

The former superintendent said Friday that he was proud of his association with local schools.

"I'm grateful and proud to be associated with Jackson County Schools, and I'm extremely proud of the teachers and students and the best results ever on (state) ABC and SAT tests," McCary said. "Thank you for the opportunity to have worked in Jackson County."

When reached Wednesday morning, McCary confirmed statements attributed to him in other media reports that indicate that he is considering a lawsuit over the school board statement, which said was "character assassination" and termed "libelous." Those statements were made in reaction to the school board's statement, which he had not seen when he left Friday's school board meeting, McCary said.

On Wednesday, however, the former superintendent told The Herald that nothing would be gained by engaging in recriminations.

"This happens when a board and superintendent don't see eye to eye," McCary said.

The former superintendent issued a written statement Monday, which was similar in tone to his remarks to the board on Friday in that it expresses gratitude to the people of Jackson County for the opportunity to serve them and outlined the vision he brought to his post as top administrator for the local school system. It also referred to the school board's public listing of the reasons for McCary's dismissal.

"The board in place now has a different vision. To work effectively together, a board and superintendent must share a style of leadership and vision. In order to move on, this board chose the option provided in the contract to unilaterally terminate it by paying out the remainder of the salary due," McCary wrote. "In this process the board does not have to share its concerns, nor does the superintendent have the opportunity to respond.

"By comparison, the only other option for ending the contract would have required the board to present charges, conduct a hearing and provide the superintendent with the opportunity to respond. The board did not pursue this option," the statement said.

"There is certainly nothing to be gained from surfacing accusations now when I have no opportunity to respond. I would hope the board would allow this 'divorce' to occur without deliberately trying to harm my professional reputation," McCary wrote. "For my part, I intend to make no further public statements about the situation, other than to affirm the agreement I thought I had with the board that we had 'irreconcilable differences' in our vision and leadership style for Jackson County Schools."

McCary, who was chosen as superintendent after a lengthy selection process, began his duties here in February 2001. The position was advertised for the second time after school board members were unable to settle on a superintendent from six candidates - a field that included local administrators Arlin Middleton, Lib Balcerek and Nations - interviewed in August 2000.

McCary was among candidates interviewed after Superintendent Gary Steppe of Cherokee County declined the job in October 2000.

A graduate of both Yale and Harvard, McCary began his educational career as a first-grade teacher. He was serving as assistant superintendent for instructional services for Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Schools when he was tapped for the Jackson County job.

School Board Chairman James Roper praised Nations, a Sylva native with 29 years experience in the local school system, and expressed confidence in her ability to handle her new responsibilities.

"Sue has been a loyal employee of Jackson County Schools as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent," Roper said. "She knows our school system and its personnel, and I feel she'll do a great job."
Acting Superintendent Nations, who assumed her new position immediately after school officials' Friday session, sent a letter to all school system personnel informing them of the change in leadership and pledging Central Office support in their efforts on behalf of local school children.

"I know that the real power, the real impact on student achievement is in the schools, and it is with the everyday, ordinary activities that translate into the extraordinary," Nations wrote.

"My point is to say that school goes on; my role is to support you in what you do for our students, and I need your support in doing what is best for our school system," Nations wrote. "You make the difference. I'm honored to work for you."

Nations, who began her teaching career as a Teacher Corps intern in 1974, was an assistant principal at Smoky Mountain High before moving to Fairview as principal in 1994. She left Fairview in July of this year to become assistant superintendent.

Before switching to administration in 1988, she taught fourth grade at Fairview. A 1965 graduate of Sylva-Webster High School, Nations holds bachelor's, master's and education supervision degrees from Western Carolina University.

Details of Nations' salary had not been worked out at press time, said David Steinbicker, school system finance officer. She is currently being paid pursuant to her $93,000 contract as assistant superintendent, Steinbicker said.

Buying out the remaining months of McCary's contract will leave the school system with approximately $360,000 in undesignated fund balance and unofficially with a fund balance total of approximately $990,000, Steinbicker said.

Under McCary's initial contract, he received an annual salary of $118,125. Some $95,000 of that came from state funds. The remainder - a $17,125 supplement and a $6,000 per year local travel allowance - came from local funds.

McCary's compensation will not include the travel allowance, Steinbicker said.

The entire amount needed to buy out the superintendent's contract must come from local funds; state funds cannot be used to buy out an administrator's contract, Steinbicker said.

so basically the taxpayers are going to have to pay over one hundred thousand dollars to this guy so that the schhool board can show their pimps that they are being really good political correct whores and will get rid of that evil white southern male for daring to allow the first amendment into the schools

[Budge]

"Your decision was made without regard for the feelings of those who think that flag represents racism and slavery," Moore said.

Oh, grow up Stella. You've been brainwashed to think that by your illustrious leader, Je$$E Jacka$$.

[Polybius]

....described an incident where students ran across the football field (during a pep rally) carrying a Confederate flag and yelling "KKK."

It seems that idiots on both sides are using an honarable military symbol for race baiting.

The white students carrying the Confederate flag while shouting "KKK" should be suspended.......for, among other thgings, dishonoring the Confederate Battle Flag.

[xrp]

Are there any protests happening that want Malcolm X, Nation of Islam, Aztlan or AZNPride clothing banned?

[BJungNan]

By this women's logic, they would not be able to display the American flag. If you think this is over-the-top, read on:

Old Glory gives pause to library officials
As I understand the story, back in September the "Friends" of the library, a volunteer group that helps it raise money, attempted to present an American flag to Director Addie Ciannella for display in the building. She declined the gift.

Or as she explained it in a e-mail to library’s board of trustees:

"It was a rather awkward situation .. but she didn’t feel as if she had much of a choice given her "professional opinion" which is "the library (any public library) is a place for all people of all beliefs, backgrounds, etc. Symbols can send a message of unwelcome philosophical orientation, expectations of others, and can produce ill will and even fear. I know we are an adjunct of the government but we are not the (township) or county or other government. All (Haverford Township) people pay taxes, not just those who fly the American flag."

Read on, it gets funnier. Apparantly the Library did a lot of research and finally came to a conclusion that it would be okay to fly it but the article notes many librarys do not fly the U.s. Flag.

[07055]

The white students carrying the Confederate flag while shouting "KKK" should be suspended.......for, among other thgings, dishonoring the Confederate Battle Flag.

What evidence is there that this actually occured? Other than what Stella Moore (race baiter) said happened.

[freepatriot32]

ping

[Puppage]

without regard for the feelings of those who think that flag represents racism and slavery

Even if those people are in the MINORITY, eh, Stella?

Since WHEN did it become fashionable in this country to allow the minority to dictate to the MAJORITY? If it offends just ONE person.....

If we worried about offending someone,ANYONE, we NEVR would have accomplished anything in this country.

You have the right to pursue happiness, you DO NOT have the right NOT to be offended.

[gunnedah]

I will bet you it is OK for students to walk around all day using the "F" word,calling females hoe's and wearing their pants down below the crack of their a$$eSS though. Damn ant America reasonable!

[Arkinsaw]

so basically the taxpayers are going to have to pay over one hundred thousand dollars to this guy so that the schhool board can show their pimps that they are being really good political correct whores

Yep, thats about it.

[Polybius]

The white students carrying the Confederate flag while shouting "KKK" should be suspended.......for, among other thgings, dishonoring the Confederate Battle Flag.

What evidence is there that this actually occured? Other than what Stella Moore (race baiter) said happened.

Well, if it didn't happen then the school can't suspend anybody since those people don't exist.

My position is that the Confederate Battle Flag is an honorable military symbol representing brave men and that it should not be dishonored by racists whether they be black, white, green or purple.

[Polybius]

I will bet you it is OK for students to walk around all day using the "F" word,calling females hoe's and wearing their pants down below the crack of their a$$eSS though.

Not in the 10 student school we have in our house. :-)

[sweetliberty]

"Your decision was made without regard for the feelings of those who think that flag represents racism and slavery,"

.

Hey Shiela; STFU!

.

MY HERITAGE YOUR IGNORANCE

[Budge]

Since WHEN did it become fashionable in this country to allow the minority to dictate to the MAJORITY? If it offends just ONE person.....

Stella won't answer your qustion, but I will.

Since we, the people AND our leaders began accepting "political correctness" as a way of life in America.

Acceptance of "PC" was a very major brick in the wall of Communism that is building in the U.S.A. A small thing, but a major cornerstone.

But you knew that already, I hope!

Someone once said, "There are no slippery slopes toward loss of liberties, only a long staircase where each step downward must first be tolerated by the American people and their leaders."

[Puppage]

But you knew that already, I hope!

All too well, I'm afraid. Keep up the good fight, Budge!!

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[Budge]

All too well, I'm afraid.

I figured you did, as most FRepers do. :)

Not counting the DUhs and trolls who frequent this site.

[Budge]

Are there any protests happening that want Malcolm X, Nation of Islam, Aztlan or AZNPride clothing banned?

Don't we wish!

[cksharks]

If it keeps jessie and the naacp pisssed off then I recomend flying a confederate flag from every pole and antenna.

[Budge]

Agreed!!