Yesterday, Student Body President Gallop Franklin, II showed that he is one of the only members of the FAMU Board of Trustees who actually gives a damn about the Developmental Research School (DRS).Franklin asked President James H. Ammons if the university planned to extend the contract of DRS Superintendent Ronald Holmes, which expires this year.
An uncomfortable silence fell on the board meeting after Franklin raised his question, suggesting that he had brought up an issue that most of his fellow trustees did not want to discuss.
Ammons answered that he does not have all the information he needs in order to make a recommendation on Holmes’ contract. He said he is still waiting to receive all DRS’ scores on this year’s Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).
The DRS school grade fell from a “C” in 2008 to a “D” in 2009 after Holmes’ first full year.
Franklin then asked when the administration will have a contract decision to report before the board. Ammons said the deadline is June 30, 2010.
Holmes was hired in late 2007 to a three-year contract. Multi-year personnel contracts must be approved by the Board of Trustees.
The poor leadership at DRS has placed a big financial burden on FAMU during a time of heavy budget cuts. Holmes failed to boost DRS’ student numbers enough to bring in the money required for this year’s budget. Enrollment only reached 544 this year after Holmes projected 600. The new DRS building is designed for 764 students.
On January 29, 2010, the FAMU BOT voted to use $425,802 from the FAMU DRS Trust Fund to cover projected deficits at the school.
Once Franklin finished talking, all the rest of the board members kept their mouths shut and refused to ask any follow-up questions. Ever since Trustee R.B. Holmes threw his support behind Bill Jennings’ 2009 reelection bid for the BOT chairmanship, word has spread on campus that there’s an understanding that Holmes’ brother (Ronald) will not be summoned before the BOT to answer tough questions about the increasingly bad situation at DRS. No one other than Franklin showed any interest in discussing the crisis at FAMU’s K-12 school.
Franklin’s questions come at a time when a growing number of students are expressing anger at the BOT for hurting DRS. Recent opinion columns in The FAMUan have blasted trustees for under-the-table politics that are jeopardizing the school’s future.
At least there is one trustee who is willing to speak up for the students and parents at DRS. Holmes and Jennings, the two longest serving board members, have shown that they have no loyalty to DRS. Their only loyalty is to their own selfish goals.
Good job, RN. This column needs to be blasted to the alumni. It's despicable that it takes a student to have the kahunas to step up to these administrators. Shame on the BOT and Ammons.
ReplyDeleteYes it is about time someone stepped up. Thank you Mr. Franklin, save FAMU High. The time is right for New Leadership at our school and our students.
ReplyDeleteHolmes is not the right person for FAMU High School. It's time for change. He was given an opportunity, but failed.
ReplyDeleteI won't go so far as to say "shame on BOT & Dr. Ammons". They made decisions that they thought would benefit FAMU High. I'm sure they will do the right thing now. It's time for Mr. Holmes to go.
Thank you Gallop Franklin! I have followed you from the beginning and admired your courage and tenacity to make "good" change happen! You are certainly one of a kind. Needless to say, we will probably never hear anything encouraging from Holmes since he has his own "charter school". I expected more from Darryl Jones since he has nieces that attend the school...tsk-tsk! Again thank you Gallop...we stand behind you fully!
ReplyDeleteThis is the history of FAMU, anytime there is need of drastic change our students have led the way!
ReplyDeleteOur students need to lead the way by attending convocation & home football games for a change. Leading the way is not about whining about parking tickets, net checks, & blowing thousands of dollars on a no good rap concert. Our students need to demostrate that they're ready to lead.
ReplyDeleteThe schools each have principals where are they.
ReplyDeleteFAMU DRS is just a shell of what it used to be. I'm talking about way, way back. Back during the days when Matthew Estaras was the HNIC, when teachers were certified to teach in their area, when students had respect for their instructors, when students dressed as if they were going to school to learn and not looking like they were going to hang out on a corner somewhere, when parents tutored at home to enhance what had been taught in school. These are just a few of the things that are missing. While I know that the culture has changed and we must adjust to the changes as best we can, I think many of the problems rest in the notion that once a child leaves home and spends "x" number of hours inside a classroom, then that is all that's needed. The primary thing that I see that needs to be improved is the level of leadership at the school. Without that, well, the school is going to sink more than it has already. I think, finally, that Ronald Holmes not only needs to go, he absolutely must go. And in a quick & fast hurry.
ReplyDelete6/02/2010 12:39 PM
ReplyDelete"I won't go so far as to say "shame on BOT & Dr. Ammons". They made decisions that they thought would benefit FAMU High. I'm sure they will do the right thing now. It's time for Mr. Holmes to go."
^^^^^^^^
12:39 PM you may not be aware of why people say shame on the BOT and shame on Ammons. When it came to the hiring of the new DRS principle there was a recommending committee that interviewed three candidates. Holmes was listed as the #3 candidate which put him in last place. Ammons, in full knowledge of the recommending committee's suggestions, still hired Holmes and the BOT approved his decision.
So in the original hiring process, who got the highest ratings form the committee? The original recommendation for the head of DRS was not the current leadership. If this is not true please produce the rating documents. tey are public record you know.
ReplyDeletePast history doesn't matter. Just get it right this time
ReplyDeleteHolmes is in way over his head. How can you manage anything and sit in a locked glass house all day? The secondary and elementary administrators have their hands tied. They are being blamed for not speaking up; however no one wants to listen. Decisions are made in the locked glass house without any input from anyone. Well someone please talk to the people who are working in the trenches to hold things together while Holmes is living a dream of developing a school of excellence for selfish gratification. What about the children?
ReplyDeletePlease come out and support the FAMU High Alumni/PTA efforts to donate/raise money for FAMU DRS tomorrow June 5, 2010 at 6:00 PM. There will be a BBQ at that time and an Alumni Jam is scheduled for later that night at the FAMU DRS Gymnasium. They are asking for a $25 donation, which will go into the donation pool for FAMU High School. The funds will be monitored by FAMU High PTA.
ReplyDeleteNo one ever mentions the role that Mrs. Rivers play in this. She is the one basically running the school. Holmes is rarely visible on the campus or school functions. Oust them both!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Frankin. Now, if only you would not leave the subject alone and in that one forum (time, location, audience).
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that only 14 comments have been made on this post. Maybe it is because everyone knows that Ammons and the BOT could care less about "doing the right thing" as far as DRS is concerned. If they were, they would never have hired Holmes, Rivers, OR Peters - all of whom are ill equipped for their jobs. The entire administrative team needs to go. I know that it is a popular sentiment to "blame the teachers" for everything that is happening and some even blame the students and parents as well. The fact is that if DRS had TRUE leadership that cared about the school, understood and respected its history instead of pompously disregarding it, and had the knowledge, know-how, ability, and courage to lead the school, raise the moral for the teachers, students, parents, and community at large, DRS could begin its journey back to greatness in perception as well as in actuality. The seeds are there, the school only needs the right people to water, nurture, and care for them. Confidence in Ammons and the BOT is non-existence right now. It would not surprise me or many others if they extended Holmes' contract as well as the contracts of Rivers and Peters. Past experience has shown us that "the right thing" does not hold a candle to the "good ole' boy's club" or a brother's love and caring. Yes, Holmes may be in his glass house ALL THE TIME, but that only highlights the fact that Rivers and Peters are just as inept in their positions. And there is no need to wait until the 30th to find out anything about Holmes or the school's grade. That's only a smokescreen to say they are waiting until the new fiscal year begins July 1. Even if the grades go up - which may or may not happen if the 3rd grade scores are any indication, Holmes, Rivers, and Peters need to go. Though they may be qualified for something else, somewhere else, they are overpaid, under-qualified, and not suited for these positions.
Of course this post may never be read because the article has already been pushed down on Rattler Nation and there are only 14 posts (out of sight, out of mind), but at least it's out there. Oh, and to the person who said something about documenting that Holmes was the committee's last choice, it is common knowledge. If you're interested in documentation, go look it up yourself. The person in 1st was a gentleman from down south. The person in 2nd was Dr. Rose Campbell. Holmes was 3rd (probably because there was noone else interviewed to place before him). It is also common knowledge that if you ask some of the committee members who have the courage to speak to you that the overwhelming sentiment was that they were all being punked during his interview. Please remember that the man couldn't even discuss his dissertation - something that would have been a red flag anywhere else. (Since the Tallahassee Democrat has a general "hands off" concerning most things FAMU, I wonder what St. Pete Times or the Tampa Tribune would report on this.)
I just figured that there was a pause in respect that the Holmes brothers just buried their mother yesterday.
ReplyDeleteDespite everything, our prayers are with them.
That gentleman was Dr. Richard Williams, who I understand has moved on to Atlanta.
ReplyDeleteWell said 10:41
ReplyDelete