Rattler Nation has learned that there is already under-the-table maneuvering among some FAMU Board of Trustee members aimed at helping Developmental Research School (DRS) Superintendent Ronald Holmes remain on the university’s payroll in the event that his contract is not renewed by June 30th.The dirty dealing is driven by fear that Holmes’ highly publicized management fiascos at DRS will prevent him from landing another six-figure job outside of FAMU. Holmes failed to recruit enough students to meet his projections for the 2009-2010 budget and had to ask FAMU for a $425,802 bailout.
Angry DRS stakeholders are also complaining about the lack of leadership the superintendent’s office has demonstrated throughout the process of preparing students for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Many want Holmes to leave no matter what the next FCAT school grade turns out to be. DRS dropped from a "C" in 2008 to a "D" after Holmes' first full year in office in 2009.
There is already word that Holmes might be dumped into a faculty position in the College of Education.
FAMU’s administration should strike that idea off the list of options for Holmes. Holmes’ appointment in 2007 was a public relations nightmare and FAMU doesn’t need to attract more negative news coverage.
Bill Maxwell and Ron Matus at the St. Petersburg Times had a field day when Holmes was hired and would probably love an opportunity to write another round of critical headlines about the university. The Holmes supporters who want to subject FAMU to more of that public embarrassment by keeping Ronald at the university do not care about FAMU’s reputation.
And how in the hell would “Professor Holmes” be an asset to FAMU’s college and graduate students? How do his experiences as an administrator qualify him to be an "authority" in the field of education? Why would FAMU want a professor who could not remember the title of his own dissertation when he was asked by the College of Education’s former dean?
The smartest thing a student in one of Professor Holmes’ classes could do is listen to him and then do the exact opposite of what he says.
FAMU should not treat its College of Education like a dumping ground.
All students in the COE should heed RN's advice there are already enough Holmes in the COE...
ReplyDeleteAround FAMU it's not only who you know but who you are related to.
ReplyDeleteFAMU, SAY NO TO HOLMES!
ReplyDeleteLets stop kidding ourselves. FAMU IS NOT the only employer that hires relatives. Some of you self hating MFs look for ANYTHING to criticize FAMU on.
ReplyDeleteFAMU IS THE GREATEST!
Face it, y'all. Holmes just doesn't have what it takes.
ReplyDelete8:02 AM, true. FAMU "isn't" the only one that hire relatives. It's akin to the "good ol' boys" network that whites are often accused of. Problem is that, they've (FAMU) made it a fine art of hiring incompetent relatives and and friends.
ReplyDeleteHow about- let's become a leader in hiring people who are actually competent and proficient for the advertised positions. Then maybe, just maybe, we can reach that level of being the "GREATEST FAMU".
June 30,2010, hopefully this will be Holmes's last day at FAMU High. Do the right thing Dr. Ammons. We don't care if he goes to COE or DOGK (dept of grounds keeping) just leave DRS...
ReplyDeleteWe the parents at DRS just need a qualified leader, the good Dr is clearly not qualified to hold this job, even if the FCAT score goes back up to a C, that is not enough, we should be an A school. Please hire the most qualified this time, not the hook up person. All that does is hurt our children...
ReplyDeleteHubba that 8:02. This is the root of many of our collective problems. Holmes should resign asap (prior to June 30) and someone along the lines of Dr. Niara Sudarkasa should take over. High time for the grade level principals t be more active and engaging to the community as a start.
ReplyDeleteNo we should open it up again Dr. Richard Williams who was the other finalist who was suppose to get the job is still interested after knowing he was screwed by Holmes. We want all of Holmes people gone that’s the only way to make a better FAMU High.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I really wanted to have our daughter enrolled in DRS this coming fall to start kindergarten but opted not to because of all that's going on at the school. We believe that Holmes is the root of the schools problems and his brother has become one on the hill. FAMU IS NOT YOUR PERSONAL PLAYGROUND!!!
ReplyDeleteROTFLMAO @ DOGK, you guys are a trip. Maybe he would be great at the DOGK. I want to see what their going to have him doing when and IF they move him from DRS. We all know that he will have a cushy job somewhere on FAMU's campus.
ReplyDeleteHe's outta there.
ReplyDeleteOur aim is to be a 5 star school. To hell with those grades from the state, as long its based on a test like the FCAT in whole or part. 5 star is the real objective when it comes to quantifying how well our students are being exposed and instructed educationally and environmentally. The campus and the commnity, and obviously the parents and alumni need to get into the school environment and make this happen despite the unlikely super.
ReplyDeleteI like what I've seen so far about Dr. Williams. I 'd lie to find more. I still think we need Dr. Niara Sudarkasa as a trustee or as the head of the DRS. She's a great mind and can lead us out of this era. I remember being on the waiting list to get into the DRS, ad I was a gifted student.
ReplyDeleteHow bout both of them???
ReplyDeleteAt this time, Dr. Williams is in the ATL making one of their schools better. We need him home NOW!!
ReplyDeleteGood point how bout both of them. Let's makes some calls.
ReplyDeleteHow about just having an open announcement/advertisement for the job and let those interested in the job apply. DRS has suffered far too long from those that have had the best interest of the school at heart, hand picking someone because "they thought" they knew what was needed at the school. The current administration was hand picked because of "someone thought". If the process had been fair and not a payoff for a presidential vote, the school may have continued on the improvement it had started under the previous administration. Dr. Ammons' integrity, if he has any left, is on the line with DRS.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that the entire administrative team at DRS has been protected for so long while everyone else at DRS has been thrown under the bus. NONE of the administrators should be allowed to stay at DRS. This includes Holmes, Peterson, Rivers and even some of the other people placed in "administrative" positions. These people are quick to blame the teachers, and even the parents and students, but people don't talk enough about the disastrous effect all of these "administrators" and their misplaced egos have had on DRS, publicly and privately.
ReplyDeleteI agree 7:53 AM. Have an open advertisement that's actually advertised and open and fair, not just a front. Not to mention a selection that's fair and honest. As a former FAMUan and former DRS parent, I wonder if there's any honesty or integrity left as far as staffing goes (at DRS and the University).
ReplyDeleteUnderstand that any process taken is not absent of some type of nepotism. However, the stakeholders involved in this are just as much to blame as anyone else. If there is a new process, it should be inclusive of all stakeholders and followed up by accountability at every level.
ReplyDeleteNo one screamed foul in the beginning, nodded their heads and quietly gossiped in the middle and now are all indignant at the end.
I think that Dr. Holmes was handicapped at the start and that is unfortunate. It says a lot that the only so-called criticisms of anything involving the DRS come anonymously on a blog. It is an indictment against anyone who can not stand up and be part of the solution as opposed the problem
11:54 AM, let it be known that you posted ANONYMOUSLY. Which Holmes supporter are you? Just curious
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, there was screaming at the beginning, but it was not heard. There was screaming in the middle, but it was not heard.
There is still question about whether or not the screaming is being heard at the "end," if this IS the end.
I've heard Dr. Clyde Alderman. An all-american football player at FAMU high in 78-79, 80 might also be interested in helping FAMU high.
ReplyDeleteDr. Clyde Alderman and Dr. Richard Williams, homeboys, homegrown Baby Rattlers, successful educators. Wow, that's a start. I might also add my classmates. I am sure they could bring the passion and spirit as well as rally alumni.
ReplyDeleteYou are all justified in your criticisms of the DRS. If the northeastern's (New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, etc..) can figure out and launch schools that have 100% graduation and college placement rates SO COULD FAMU DRS. I know some would disagree, however, if you've reached out to Dr. Ammons (seriously doubt if you got pass his "gatekeeper") and you raised your voices in other ways and not been heard. STOP with the financial support (including going to parties and football games,etc..) and see if you get listened to then. We have the power people. We need to use it.
ReplyDeleteBTW, why isn't someone all over NOW the selection process for the VP of student affairs. This is the most significant position for the university as it is the "face" of FAMU students. Don't what until the "homeboy" gets the job and start complaining start asking questions now and letting your opinions about what type of person you want in the job known.
A lot of what Holmes and his "administrative team" have put into place must be undone before any real progress will be realized. The school is going to need more than a rah rah, but I agree that having people with the students, teachers and entire DRS family in mind and heart instead of egos, behind kissing, political gain, and EGOS would be great for the school and the community. Holmes and his "team" out, DRS in!
ReplyDelete