Discussion by the Fort Bend Independent School District Board of Trustees concerning what would normally be a routine approval of a resolution took an interesting turn at Monday night’s board meeting when Trustee Marilyn Glover specifically addressed the media concerning quotes in local publications.
The board was considering approving a resolution “calling for heightened awareness of the effects if bullying awareness and harassment on student well-being in Fort Bend ISD.”
One section of the resolution reads, “WHEREAS, bullying and harassment can take many forms, including physical bullying; teasing or name-calling; social exclusion; peer sexual harassment; bullying about race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and cyber bullying (i.e., bullying through e-mail, text messaging or other digital media).”
Further down the resolution, it reads, “WHEREAS, incidents of reported bullying and harassment in the nation, Texas, and the greater Houston area are ample evidence of the need for intervention for any child being bullied; and that children and youth with disabilities or who are lesbian, gay, or transgender, or perceived to be so, are at particularly high risk of being bullied by their peers.”
Prior to the board approving the resolution, Glover asked why bullying due to sexual orientation was brought up twice in the resolution. Trustee Laurie Caldwell said that nationally publicized instances of students taking their own lives recently have all involved bullying due to sexual orientation and transgender issues.
Board President Sonal Bhuchar said sexual orientation and transgender issues were specifically spelled out because “it happens to be the current hot button topic.”
Glover then made a statement directly to the media, of which four members, including Fort Bend Now, were in the room.
“I find that we are misquoted in the media so often, and I am telling the media right now that if you misquote me on this I will call you out as a liar,” said Glover.
She went on to explain that the resolution is “very serious” to her, and the only reason she raised the question is because she wonders why that issue would be broken out into its own section when “I am still trying to get people to stop using the N-word.”
“That in no way implies that I am against this resolution, and if you imply that, I will go after you,” she said.
Glover did not mention any specific examples or publications that misquoted her or any other board member.
Watch out Press People. She might just knock your head off while she’s swinging that 50 lb rubber stamp.
Marilyn Who?
Well…you can’t treat one protected class better than another protected class can you? That would be inequality.
Yes, all the incredibly stupid and expensive mistakes the district has made are coming to roost and the district will be trying to balance the budget off the backs of the dwindling numbers of teachers and employees. Approximately eight teachers can be paid a year’s salary for the four administrative assistants that Dr. Jenney has that no other superintendent has needed. And please, someone tell me how someone can spend $350/mo on electronic communications unless it includes a mighty fancy cable set up in every room of a very large house.
She is very much behaving like an idiot. I wonder who put her up to this one, afterall she only operates like a puppet.
She probably thinks she told someone a thing or two, but she looks like an idiot instead.
I am so disappointed in our School Board and most of the Administrators as well – especially those Administrators that have no experience in the jobs they hold (with their big salaries). The District spends/wastes millions of dollars each year on some of the dumbest things. Now, we should expect our School Board to make dumb decisions because they have no experience at all. The only real thing FBISD has going for them primiarily — is teachers.
I’m surprised she made any comments at all because she usually waits for someone else on the Board to say something and then she just copies whatever they say.
“social exclusion” is bullying? FBISD will force students to socialize with other students? I think students should be allowed the freedom to pick their own friends.
Can something be done about “elected” officials bullying and stealing from the taxpayers?
While I agree that children must be protected by the district and its employees from bullying in all its forms, I find it absolutely appalling that a resolution of such nature:
1) is only now just being formally formulated and
2) is being utilized, as usual for this district, as good PR.
What the district doesn’t want you to know is that bullying and harrassment does in fact take place on every campus, everyday by administrators against teachers and staff. As the budget cuts deepen, the bullying and harrassment worsens with the purpose of encouraging employees to quit. Who suffers for every single, valuable teacher/employee lost in mid-year or from a beloved profession by a misogynist or sick principal? 25 elementary students or 150-160 secondary students; many who will need to take the TAKS tests.
Wow ms. Glover, if you would actually challenge the superintendent with this tone you might actually get some respect from the community. Unfortunately for you, you remain a laughing stock.
Indeed!
When is Jenny’s next pay raise?
If they lay off another teacher, they can give him a bonus.
Yeah? What about making a vote on the contract after everyone left? See Bev’s Burner’s editorial in the Fort Bend Southwest Star dated January 19, 2011 about Dr. Jenny. So, what is proper protocol anyway? Dang.
They have to make a resolution to tell everyone they are anti-bullying? Well, duh!!!
The 4 Agreements by the Don Miguel Ruiz is applicable here, namely 2 and 3:
1. Be impeccable with your words
2. Don’t take anything personally
3. Don’t make assumptions
4. Do your best
http://www.suite101.com/content/the-four-agreements-by-don-miguel-ruiz-a187631
These are my thoughts…
She will hunt you down and beat you with her rubber stamp.
To Drew,
That is sooooooo funny!!! I couldn’t stop laughing when I read your comment. love it.
Now, *there* is a lady with issues. Jamie, keep up the good reporting!