Dot’s mad over emailed misinformation about additional arts cuts

UPDATED…

Dot Kearns is mad about an email.

The GCS at-large Board member is in a bit of a tiff over an email that’s reportedly being spread to “disseminate false information about reported additional cuts to art/music next year.”

The fallout over this report from last Saturday’s GCS Board retreat is starting to spread as the Board member told News 14 Carolina a couple of days ago.

Kearns, who has not yet announced her intentions as to whether or not she will seek reelection, tells News 14 that “a middle school teacher” sent out a mass email with rumors about additional art/music cuts at GCS elementary and middle schools.

News 14 excerpt (with video):

Board member Dot Kearns said it seems the rumor started with a mass email from a middle school teacher. Kearns said the email said the board was looking at cutting back music and arts programs at middle and elementary schools, though the board member claims that is misinformation.

Several of the board members which spoke to News 14 Carolina on Thursday said they have received a flurry of emails since their retreat this past weekend. Most of those messages were pleas from concerned parents and teachers not to cut arts programs.

According to Kearns, the board recently brought in a consultant that specializes in curriculum scheduling for schools, and that at Saturday’s retreat, they merely discussed putting classes and the curriculum on a six-day rotation, instead of on a five-day rotation it is now.

“Well the reason for bringing the consultant in was simply to try to figure out the best use of time in both elementary and middle schools in terms of getting as many arts and music offerings and the required [physical education] and of course to give time for those students who need additional time on task in math and English, those basic core subject, to be able to do that.”

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Here’s my thing…I hope nothing happens to this teacher. In fact, I applaud this teacher for having the courage to speak out. Dot’s mad about this email, when she could be putting this anger toward restoring the already-cut time.

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UPDATE, 2/2/08, 5PM: In the interest of fair disclosure, I should point out that the Huey for Guilford School Board campaign and Hueyforguilfordschoolboard.org had no ties to this mass e-mail campaign and did not forward anything of the like, although if anyone did see or has a copy of it, I’d be interested in seeing the contents of what it says (erik@hueyforguilfordschoolboard.org). It will not be posted publicly.

E.C. 🙂