Yesterday, Provost Cynthia Hughes Harris swooped in to fix another public relations fiasco created by bumbling DRS Superintendent Ronald Holmes.Holmes recently told nine DRS faculty members that he would not renew their contracts in January. He explained that the layoffs were necessary because his projected enrollment numbers fell short by 56 students.
Harris came to rescue, announcing that FAMU has now found enough money to keep all nine teaching positions.
DRS suffered another employment-related media snafu in June after word spread that Holmes planned to lay off 35 teachers. Holmes had written 35 “visiting” faculty members to tell them that their contracts were about to expire.
After a public outcry, FAMU released a press release stating that Holmes was going to send another letter to the 35 visiting faculty members encouraging them to reapply for their positions. Harris tried to calm down the outrage against Holmes by saying: “We must do what is in the best interest of FAMU-DRS while having compassion for the students we serve."
Harris and chief Communications Officer Sharon Saunders appear to be working overtime to cover for Holmes’ bad budgeting and lack of public relations skills.
I would like to know if it was the Provost's office in the first place that told Dr Holmes that 9 teachers had to go.
ReplyDeleteThis can't make any teacher feel comfortable at the school right now?
Holmes need to go and we need to bring in Richard Williams.
ReplyDelete8:26. Holmes might need to go, but we should find a replacement through a thorough search. If, Dr. Wms bubbles to the top, that will be great. We have to get rid of our propensity to rush to fill positions with familiar people. If we continue down that line we will only go as far as inbreeding will take us.
ReplyDeleteWe need to actually have a plan for DRS it is so so so SAD! We as a people have no clue and we should! Why is the Provost involved at this level? Anyone who can read should know the Provost should be the last person "talking" to parents about the DRS, which if you all do not know, is an acronym for Developmental Research School. PLEASE RESEARCH THE IDEA BEHIND THE LEGISLATION THAT CREATED THE DRS! The name says it all, but is there anything “developmental” going on there HEL* NO! The name says it all, but is there any “Research” going on there HEL* NO! So, there you have it, the DRS is an extension of the horrible College of Education! At any rate Welcome to FAMU.
ReplyDeleteAny sign of blood and they come out. This will be fixed. Funny how many people who really know nothing but bits of informaiton, wield the sharpest judgements and criticisms. What they don't know, we can tell you hate our school and anyone who cares. I have the restraint to know I have no place to judge. Especially because you are doing nothing but talk instead of help. I'm not surprised.
ReplyDelete9:29AM, at the time of screening and interview, Dr. Wms was the best qualified candidate for the FAMU DRS principal's position. We all, or most of us, know how Ron Holmes got there. No different than the way Gene Harris got his position as FAMU BB head coach.
ReplyDeleteOne of these days, I pray that this type of nepotism will be a practice of the past.
When Jesus restored the blind man's sight, he didn't want to here why or how. All he knew was that "he once was blind, but now he sees". Don't worry about who told the 9 teachers that they would lose their jobs. They once were fired, now they're rehired got dammit.
ReplyDeleteWow, you leave this blog for a few months and look what pops up on a slow news day. As the first posted alluded to, the Provost's office probably told Dr. Holmes that he had to lay off the teachers and they are extremely comfortable rolling him under the truck. Those who are intimate with the DRS situation had to know that it would get worse before it got better. The real issue is and has been the support of the university. Dr. Holmes has always seemed to be a easy scapegoat.
ReplyDeleteLet this thing play out