How dare Liz Marrufo do just what the school board did? They asked for community input and then hired Diaz when nobody wanted her. Marrufo asks for a committee's recommendation on the Director of Secondary Education and hires someone who did not make the cut. What's the difference in the actions of these two arrogant school administrators? What kind of professional can Joyce Aranda be when she claims to be an advocate for students and teachers, then turns around and bails out of a failing school? How much more irresponsible can she be? I feel sorry for LCPS secondary schools.
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All parties interested in making certain that the new superintendent process is handled carefully and appropriately should make certain that they view the options posted at Heath Haussamen's blog: http://haussamen.blogspot.com/All three options seem to preclude interaction by new board members and the oversight committee's seem to be stacked in favor of the status quo therefore giving the interim superintendent an unfair advantage. We have made far too many hasty decisions that have created residual damage that will reach far into the future. While our out-of-town selections have been poor I'm not convinced that our interim selection isn't also flawed. I still believe the Public Education Department should take over the day-to-day activities for at least a year. Our district leadership still hasn't proved that it has the good sense to make informed decisions. The teachers have and will continue to do their jobs of educating the children. I am tired of the district leadership acting more like the children we teach than the example they should be setting.
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The good ole' girl club has been alive and well in LCPS for a long time. Take a look:
Virginia Foltz hires Joann Patton
Patricia Miller hires Marcy Oxford
Joann Patton hires Virginia Foltz
Beverly Hine hires Ellen Williams
Janaan Diemer hires Lynn Bryant
Sheryl White hires Terry Hurt
And for how many of these good ole' girl hirings were the positions even posted? Get the real picture here?
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My mother used to say, "Be careful what you wish for." The popular sentiment in the district was to remove Sonia Diaz. Well, now that our wish has been granted look what we've ended up with! She also said "The devil you know is better than the devil you don't." Santa won't you bring us some sanity!
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It's really sad to see people taking out their frustrations on teachers, when it's the central office people who have bogged down this district, stolen its money, and robbed the children of Las Cruces of the money that should go to give them a valuable education. The district would be in even worse shape if it wasn't for those teachers who break their backs and care deeply about the children.I'm absolutely disgusted by the central administration of the Las Cruces Public Schools. These people are selfish, self-serving, bureaucrats, who care about nothing more than their titles and raises. As an employee of the LCPS, it's hard to go to work everyday and keep it out of my mind, the fact that the people downtown, my bosses, are the most incompetent people I've ever known. The only reason they're glad that Dr. Death (Diaz) was let go is so they can get back to the business of razing the district their own way.
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I grew up during this same time frame; I even have horror stories of public school experiences. Yet, I didn't evolve into the vindictive parent that seems to be lurking out there, because of my past. Instead, I have chosen to embrace the schools; after all, they are our future! Teachers need our support now, more than ever. They should be honored and revered for their tireless work and dedication to our children.

Three candidate names were submitted for consideration to be Director of Secondary Instruction. Joyce Aranda was not one of them....
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Watching the LCPS Board of Education televised meetings reminds me of watching the old black and white comedy shows in the 50's and 60's. Slap-stick at its finest!
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Poor, disillusioned, Ms. ja... and friend, they actually believe that she can impact this district with anything other than the probationary status she has worked so hard, 7:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m. daily, to achieve at OHS -- oh my!
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Let's vote while the board continues to sleep! One for Ms. administrator in charge, two for the road, three to get ready' let's guess who she re-opened the HR position for? How many EEOC complaints will this one acquire! Aren't we proud, or so ashamed.
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Oh great, now we have Joyce to join the Fema-Nazi Liz...Hold on to your jobs boys...it's going to be a bumpy ride
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Plus a change, plus se la mem chose...(It's French) (Blogger Comment: Plus c'est la meme chose, plus ça change) Joyce Aranda? Why should you be surprised by anything that happens at central office? The year we were told there was no money available for printer supplies, tech money was spent for central office staff to take graduate level courses at the university. Result: fancy titles, fancy offices and fancy salaries at central office while we use activity money so students can print their work. I guess that is what they mean by "it's for the kids".
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I would like to ask the indignant teacher (taunting the parent who feels like he can't trust his children's teachers or principals to appropriately discipline his children) to get off your high horse, have a little empathy and consider that he may have a history of traumatic experiences in his own education to which he is responding. Growing up in the 70's, my sweetheart of a younger brother had, due to a birth injury, severe school anxiety and learning disorders. Back then we had few of the Special Ed services we do now, and no medications or therapies for his issues, which would be an option now. While the majority of teachers/administrators over the years had a lot of compassion for him, and were genuinely caring and helpful, enough were not, and they have permanently scarred him for life. He was occasionally abused by a few morons who lacked understanding of or skills to deal with his problems. They thought he was being "spoiled" by my parents (who were struggling with early special ed programs that were failing to address his needs), or was just faking. His second grade teacher locked him in the class supply closet because he didn't finish an assignment on time, refused to let him out even though he cried and begged her, and he ended up wetting his pants. His sixth grade teacher sent him to the office for bringing shotgun shells he had found on the playground to class and looking at them while they were supposed to be doing work. To teach him a lesson, the principal had his friend, the local town cop, come in and pretend to arrest my 10 year-old brother, a kid who was distracted, dyslexic, and immature, but never a trouble maker or violent child--he had merely annoyed his teacher that day. During the "arrest", he was handcuffed, read his rights and was told that they would not be able to call our parents before taking him to jail. As a result, he experienced a full-blown panic attack that resulted in the school nurse being called in. My parents, when they learned of the event, threatened to sue the school, and the Superintendent forced the principal to apologize to my brother and my parents. My brother is 40 years old now and has made a great life for himself, but still has very traumatic associations with school that I dare say would lead to him being overly protective of his children if they were unfairly disciplined by school personnel. His experiences sensitized me to children's issues, and were part of why I entered first education, then counseling as a profession. The point of my story is this: don't assume that the parent who cares about justice for his child doesn't demand they behave well, or is protecting their child from natural consequences by advocating for their child. Yes, the teachers and administrators most of us know do a terrific job, and would never knowingly wrongly discipline a child. But there ARE those, and we all know them, that should never have entered the profession in the first place, and they deserve NONE of us covering for them. Ever.
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My middle school is focused on learning. Though overcrowded (1100+), our student-centered educational focus never changes. Administration is overworked, but supportive (of teachers and students) and academically driven. My team and my content PLC are invaluable! We care about the students as learners and as people. I'm sure that the other middle schools have similar teams who could say the same thing! All this middle school doom & gloom is misinformation that many readers may assume to be true of all schools, all grade levels and all teachers- it is not.

So, I just heard that Joyce Aranda from Onate was just sent packing into the black hole of central office. What's up with that? Will Nyeta Haines from Cruces be next? One can only hope...
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Joyce Aranda as Director of Secondary Ed? What a joke. At least she is out of Onate.
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The Good Ol' girl system mentioned last month is alive and well! What's up with selecting a committee's last choice for an important position?
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I'm watching the Board meeting, and find it absolutely outrageous that these people, who ignored all advice in the selection of the last superintendent, are spending a ridiculous amount of time on the selection of an interim supt. They are 100% responsible for the horrible state of affairs in which this community and its schools are now embroiled. They should all be removed, and the sooner the better. Every minute of delay is costing the district time, progress, and money. The employees, students, and community deserve much better. A year ago at this time, LCPS was on the verge of being the flagship district of the state; now it is the laughing stock. It is time to stop complaining, determine a constant focus, replace the Board, and get on with the business of education. My suggestion is to reinstate Joann Patton as interim superintendent -- if she will have anything to do with LCPS after the way in which she was treated. She certainly fits the qualifications the Board is bandying about, and we made good progress in a pleasant work environment while she was with us.
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In disciplining middle-schoolers: Teachers should say, "Mom and Dad, I've got your back!" Parents should say, "Teacher Bob, we've got your back, too!" The question at hand: Who has the infamous back-scratcher? Can't we all just get along? Nah...fussing is much more fun!
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Concerning the screaming teacher scenario: You should report the crazed educator to the principal, providing the principal is more sane than the out-of-control teacher. Or, you could start a monetary donation for a mass school-wide prescription of anti-depressants. Finally, if that fails, then I agree; teachers behaving badly just need to go!
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Noisy parent: Tutorial sessions are free. Please stop by, soon and often! Bring the little wife.
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I'll say it again...I truly hope that I have your child in my classroom! With the distracting noise that you position up front, I'll be especially diligent in watching and listening to the things that your child does not want me to know about you. Perhaps, if the situation warrants, the PD will be able to check out your parenting credentials; your smoke screen vendetta is just one of the warnings signals that teachers are trained to detect as signs of an abusive parent.

Filing Day

Today is filing day for School Board Candidates. We have a viable candidate for each race in Votaw and Phillips. It will be interesting to see who else comes out.
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Best is to do PREVENTION. See: www.ClassroomManagementOnline.com
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Today, as a Reading First school, we were told we could choose between the new reading series Houghton-Mifflin and the old one Scott-Foresman. A choice - now???How much money did they waste on this fiasco? Research will always prove that smaller class size is better - why didn't we just reduce class size with the funds available or buy textbooks that classes did not have? What Dr. Diaz did was a deliberate and negligent criminal act - she did it only for a "power trip" and now the money is gone. Please don't tell us there is not enough money for books now - there was- and somebody screwed up big time!
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This is for the parents who have written in complaining about the audacity of school staff even thinking of disciplining their children...get over yourself. I am a parent and I work for the schools. I discipline my children the same way I would want them to be disciplined at school. I refuse to allow my kids to feel that 'mommy and daddy' will take care of all their problems. I expect them to uphold the rules of the school and district. If they break the rules, they will have to pay the consequence. Believe it or not, there are a lot of other parents who feel the same way. Our children will grow up to be strong, independent, and responsible members of society, not because they had parents who threatened anyone who made them feel bad, but because they had parents who let them learn life lessons when the consequence was small. Are you going to demand that your son or daughter be given the job they want just because you say so? Are you going to file a lawsuit against their future boss for reprimanding them or firing them when they are late or fail to do their job properly? Basically, are you ever going to let your kids grow up or are they going to be 40 years old, living with mommy and daddy, not working but still being treated like the world revolves around them? I pity your children for the failure you are setting them up for.
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From a watchful and vocal parent. I don't worry about my kids getting out of hand being that they all are honor roll students and have never been in trouble so therefore are as normal as can be but the fact of the matter is that "some LCPS teachers" are far from being trustworthy IMO and therefore I have every right to be watchful of "any teacher" that is instructing my child. If you feel offended because I have stated this I really don't care and maybe you are one of those with "something to hide". The truth is some teachers feel the need to yell at students or ridicule them and I for one will not allow that because over the years my kids have had their share of loudmouth teachers and teachers that liked to ridicule or single out students as well as take domestic problems/stress to the classroom. My kids are well informed as to what teachers can and can't do with/to them and realize that they have to follow the rules at school as well and have every right to ask questions if unsure about them. If anyone thinks that there are not teachers that are prejudiced need to "wake up" to the real world. After seeing that LCPS has had it's share of sexual offenders in it's ranks in years past the trust that was once there has now vanished. To the teacher that has honed their skills during their decades of teaching. Good for you, but it still does not mean that you are not a wolf in sheeps clothing or what goes on behind your classroom door. It is due to teachers like you (Mr. or Mrs. "I will not call you first) that I shall keep on being a watchful and vocal parent as any responsible parent would(being retired military I have all the time in the world) so take your offer of a "modified tutorial session" and put it in your pocket to put it nicely. It's not about fighting my children's battles, it's about protecting their rights and you are darn skippy I will call the PD should any LCPS staff "cross the line" in their treatment of my children should I think it is questionable enough to warrant an investigation. It's good to know that my children have teachers that are understanding of my view and who they are to call should the need arise and that their will be consequences for failure to do so. I am just making sure that my children's rights are not trampled on by any LCPS employee or treated in a questionable manner which is my right. In other words leave the disciplining of my children to me and just "do your job and teach" and I will continue to being a watchful volunteer and vocal parent and not leave "anything to chance". IMO the LCPS system needs an overhaul and a superintendent that weed out the bad apples/teachers and parents need to be in the classroom with their kid's more to see what is going on. I value my kids far too much than to let anyone in the LCPS system treat them in a questionable manner or trample on their rights so I don't feel I am wrong in that aspect or as far as discipline is concerned and besides LCPS staff has a long way before it regains my trust again if ever. Until next year! Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays whatever toots your horn.
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I agree with what I read on the link posted earlier. Yes, the majority of students are good kids who are eager to learn. We need to refocus our attention on them and put the students who don't want to learn in an alternate school environment. My daughter and her friends were approached by one of our principals during breakfast-he thanked them for being good and not causing problems. As a mom, and as a staff member at that school, I appreciated that comment. (No he did not know she was my daughter until I mentioned it later) It made those kids feel good that someone noticed them for doing what they were supposed to do. Unfortunately, that happens all too rarely. I try to thank students who are doing their job, but all too often I have to spend hours monitoring, redirecting, and documenting behaviors of students who don't want to be at school. I am so tired of having to tell the same group of kids over and over to do their work, get out supplies, stop touching others, quit cussing, etc. I spend most of my day doing that because by law I am required to make sure they are given every opportunity to succeed. Meanwhile, there are about 30 other students who want my help, but they have to figure it out on their own. I don't think it is fair to those who want to learn. Why should they suffer because I have to spend all my time redirecting a behavior problem? (BTW, I am an EA, I am required to service 32 students in 7 different classes without singling them out, which means I have to provide the same level of service to the entire class. Most of the students want to learn. I am required to give them all the same attention. But the ones who don't want to learn have figured out how to monopolize not only my time but the teacher's time as well) I do long for the good old days of school being a place to learn and not a dumping ground for kids who have never learned how to behave properly.
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As a parent who has had four kids go through LCPS, can I just say that for the most part, you can safely give the benefit of the doubt to teachers/principals in terms of discipline. I can count on one hand the number of "bad" teachers my kids have had, and even they were influenced by my meeting with them, volunteering in the classroom, etc. Very, very rarely this was NOT the case, so I found I needed to step in and advocate for my son or daughter at a higher level. But at some point, especially when kids are in middle and high school, the kid has to learn to accept the consequences of his or her behavior, and that we all have to deal with people in our lives who aren't ideal in terms of being "nice". When my daughter, who had nothing but wonderful elementary teachers through 5th grade entered middle school, it was a bit of a culture shock, especially in terms of more responsibilities, strict adherence to rules, due dates, etc. This kid who had never been in trouble in her life now had to sit in lunch detention a couple of times for forgetting permission slips, or was punished as part of the whole class because two or three kids were talking. She was outraged, and wanted me to do something to intervene. Even though I empathized with her frustration, and thought some of the things the teachers did were a bit petty, I tried to help her deal with the situation by learning what it took to be successful, encouraging her to be respectfully assertive with her teachers when she needed to speak up, but NOT by bailing her out of important learning opportunities. She toughened up quite a bit that year, got better organized, and is now a better student for it. I have found that if you work WITH the school, rather than in an adversarial position, you can create a great outcome for your child, and teach him/her that they truly have control over what happens to them.
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I have seen lots of complaints from teachers about kids behaving badly and their frustration with parents who don't do anything or even defend their kids. But what about parents who normally support and back up their children's teachers, but find that their child has one who really is inappropriate to students? Does anyone have a suggestion for a parent when a good kid gets mistreated by a teacher (eg., teacher screams in their face, calls them lazy or a liar or is mocked in front of the class for asking a "dumb" question)? How do we confront this teacher without making things worse for our child?

Do school board members get paid? Blogger Comment: No they do not. The law does allow per diem per meeting.
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To the parent who feels the need to serve as a watchdog in defense of his or her child at school, remember that the law (In loco parentis-in place of the parent) states that teachers and administrators serve in place of the parent during the school day and have not only the right but the legal obligation to provide proper care and control over the children that are in their schools and classrooms. Parents have an obligation to support this process. If they cannot, then perhaps they should consider home schooling their children or better yet, placing them in a boarding school program. If a parent has a concern that is reasonable, then this should be addressed to the teacher and the building administrator for the purpose of seeking a solution. It is parents who lack appropriate training and State Licensure while insisting on involving themselves inappropriately in the running of our school programs who are creating more problems than they solve. If you have a problem with a teacher or administrator, School Board Policy provide an appropriate avenue to pursue your complaint.
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Oh my goodness, Mr. Parent! I just hope that I do have your child in my classroom. I look forward to him/her acting like a normal kid, who might need to have his/her coat-tails pulled to get back on task. If I need to discipline the child, rest assured that I will do so right then; I will NOT call you first. However, I will show infinite respect for your child using skills that I have honed during my decades of teaching; perhaps you could use a modified tutorial session, instead! Regards to your wife, too.
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Congratulations watchful and vocal parent! You have educated your child that any and all battles will be fought by their parents. You have taught your children that teachers and school rules have no value. Will you inform the police department of the same? Are all experienced teachers prejudiced against Hispanics? Is it you that is prejudiced? Having taught in all black school I have had the race card pulled on me before. I politely inform the parent/child that I do discriminate against any child who chooses to break the rules! I discriminate against rule breakers by enforcing consequences!
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Here's one possible solution to the discipline problems facing schools today. http://consilience.typepad.com/teachers_lounge/2006/12/simple_yet_comp.html
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Teachers, maybe you've heard of Madeline Hunter...maybe not. Her work is an inspiration for all teachers, as she was helpful when I hired her as a consultant, for three years, in a federal project that contributed much to the formulation of methods of accountable management of curriculum. Her 'Mastery Teaching', and guide to lesson-planning, should be familiar to all teachers. Insights are available on the Internet... just look up Madeline Hunter. (Some of what you'll find are modern interpretations and applications of her principles. These may, or may not, be helpful.)
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Anyone here who, A) wants to do more than bitch and moan and, B) cares about LCPS becoming a flagship public school system and wanting some great ideas on how to get there? Check out the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's High School Education page at http://www.gatesfoundation.org/UnitedStates/Education/TransformingHighSchools/default.htm. Also, take a look at the recent "Skills of the American Workforce" report by the NCEE athttp://www.skillscommission.org/. We have to quit focusing on the minutiae, folks, and get to work educating our kids!!!! The Gates foundation especially emphasizes that countering the problems in our American public education system cannot happen without implementing one important strategy: reduce the size of America's schools to create a sense of connectedness, mutual goals, community, and caring between educators, students and parents, so that focused educational strategy's can have the most impact on kids. At the risk of sounding naive, I have to agree with them. I am more and more convinced that if we would just cut the size of the middle and high schools in half, or created smaller learning communities within our existing schools, we would see the positive effects almost overnight (in "school time"). With the LCPS high schools at 2200 and the middle schools at 800, we can barely manage the crowded atmospheres at lunch time, much less find a way to make kids feel like more than one of a big, anonymous, crowd. But create a smaller environment within the schools and something great can and does happen. For example, take a look at the middle School Magnet programs: I bet they have fewer serious discipline related distractions than the general populations at those schools, not because the kids come from "better families" but because there is a sense of community within the groups in the magnate. The teachers (who probably have a little better job satisfaction as a result of all this) know the kids, the teachers know the kid's parents and vice versa, and there are a shared set of goals they all are moving toward together. I know as the parent of a child in Sierra's Science Magnet that I am much far more appreciated, welcomed, and informed by my child's teachers than I was at her two older brother's "regular" middle school, where I never knew what the heck was going on until some big problem reared its head. As a result, I try and volunteer more, etc. because I seem to be wanted and my time seems to make a difference. In all my kids elementary years at our neighborhood school, I felt this way, which kept me connected and contributed to terrific elementary experiences for them. Why do you think we all want our bright kids in AES--it means someone is designated to keep a watch on your kid and shrinks the feel of school for all involved. What if we could create this kind of experience all over the schools in town? We accomplished some good things a few years ago when we innovated by creating school choice and open enrollment--why can't we do that again with a comprehensive effort to make our schools feel like small communities to our teachers and students?

Let's not lose sight of what the School Board is facing --- how and when to select an Interim Superintendent. We must insist that the Board wait to make this decision after the Feb. School Board election. All new Board members (one new member is assured) should be involved with this important step.
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I would not be doing my job as a parent if I did not go to my kid's school as much as possible and make sure that teachers, principals and LCPS staff (even physical plant staff) were not infringing on the rights of my children as well as other kids. Having three kids in the district we have experienced teachers that are prejudiced against Hispanics and those that tend to yell at students as well as monitors that could use a course in manners when talking to children. I realize that there are "good teachers and staff" in the LCPS system but I shall continue to keep an eye on staff at my kid's schools to make sure that the "bad apples" know that they are being watched by a highly vocal parent not afraid to fire off at the mouth at any questionable behavior by LCPS staff. LCPS staff has no business disciplining my kids should the need arise and I have made my children's schools well aware of this and the consequences should they not comply and call a parent before saying a word to my children, because it is the job of the parent and only the parent. Parents need to take responsibility for any questionable behavior of their kids. Needless to say I do and say this because I have lost faith in the LCPS system over the years and public education as a whole. The LCPS system as a whole is in need of an overhaul IMO. A watchfull & vocal parent.
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I agree with many comments about the lack of discipline. In today's world, 3rd graders use profanity, play violent video games with parents permission, know about gangs, drugs, suicide, and sex. Its a rapidly changing world and we, as educators, need to change our approach in the classroom in order to reach them. Of course, this is just my opinion, but a lot of secondary students are given chance after chance with very little consequence. Whatever happened to long term suspension, expulsion, etc., etc. Its difficult to reach students when their behaviors in the classroom are out of control. Lets bring back the "old" system of negative consequences for negative behaviors. These days, everyone is paranoid about making a parent mad and causing a lawsuit. Educators get very little (if any) support from Principals and other administrators. Recently, even some educators have been "burned out" and accuse their co-workers of rash behavior. Our school system has become very toxic. No wonder people are jumping ship.
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The commenter below needs a vacation, an antidepressants, to change professions or possibly all three! Can we please not brush ALL the kids in the schools with the same negative brush? The majority of kids I know seem to be behaving pretty well. The problem with the earlier comment about cracking down on kids is that as a parent, I LIKE the fact that my kid's teachers and administrators use some reasonable judgment tailored to the individual in deciding how to discipline. Some kids are just being kids who are within normal limits of misbehaving, while others are truly displaying the kind of wanton disregard for others that deserves more serious punishments. I never want to go back to the days where a little 5 year-old kindergartener is suspended and referred to juvenile probation because he brought a plastic water pistol to Water Fun Day in the last week of school, and all the principal can say is "Sorry, rules are rules".
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As a parent I am doing my job to make sure the rights of my kids are not trampled on by certain teachers and principals. There is a teacher at my child's school notorious for "yelling" at students and complaints seem to fall on deaf ears with the principal being that there is a "buddy system" between them so you have to look at it both ways, there are troubled students and teachers as well. I have made it crystal clear to the principal at my childrens schools that if any disciplining is to be done to my kids it's to be done by me or my wife and failure to follow my requests will result in dire consequences but this will not happen with my kids being that they are honor roll students and have always been, along with that I have taught them that respect is a two way street and you respect the teacher so long as they respect you and if a teacher disrespects you then they don't deserve that respect and they are to inform me or their mother of any disrespectfulness done to them by teachers or principals. The trust of teachers/principals has diminished in my family. You get what you give and although there are "problem kids" aka gangbangers in our school system you can't judge all kids by a few bad apples as some teachers tend to do. My mother had the same discipline policy when I was a kid and believe me I was more afraid of my mother than any male principal in LCPS and I love her for being this way with me when I was young, so parents do need to take responsibility for their kids behavior. I would prefer my kids be homeschooled but I don't have the resources for it and it's unfortunate that the voucher thing that former Gov. Johnson I think it was had in mind fell through because I for one don't have faith in the LCPS system from the top on down.With any luck the next superintendent will change my outlook on LCPS because God knows it is a mess. A fed-up parent

I agree with the blogger about the lack of limits placed on students. We, as a state, are behind the majority of the country who has shifted back to the 'old school' method of education. We need leaders who research other areas of the country so we can keep up. We need to start holding students accountable for their actions, behaviors, and grades. As long as we keep giving them reasons to fail, they will. We need to get back to the good old days of teaching. If we have ESL/ELL students, we need to give them a year to get settled then put them in 'immersion' classes with the general population. Special Education needs to get back to focusing on students with true learning disabilities, not mainly 'OHI' kids. ALL students need to be expected to follow District and school guidelines and should be disciplined if they fail to do so, regardless of how it may make them feel. The 'kid glove' approach, where we factor in every possible reason and outcome, is not working. Instead we have out of control, spoiled, and sometimes violent students who do and say whatever they want to whoever they want. These kids have learned from an early age that the schools are not going to do anything to them because it may damage their self esteem, or they may come from a dysfunctional home, or it may adversely affect them in some other way. Well, guess what we are teaching them? We are teaching them to fail, because when these same kids grow up and get jobs, their boss isn't going to care if they have dyslexia or if their parents are divorced or how rich daddy is. If they can't speak English, too bad. If they are constantly late, they will be fired. If the kids of today do not learn how to be responsible members of society, they will have a hard time as adults. And the adults of today will be to blame. We need to start making changes to ensure these children grow up and make something of themselves. After all, they are our future, they are the ones who will be taking care of us when we are old. Do you want someone who is irresponsible, late, rude, or just plain lazy to be in charge of your well being?
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I can tell you what has happened in the last thirty years to lessen the amount of limits on students.....lawsuits! The students now have more rights than the teachers, and the students know this. Teachers' hands have been tied when it comes to discipline in the classroom.
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I am glad the black cloud of doom and despair has lifted for you. Where I work, the oppression is just coming from a different source. I get to go to work today and get cussed at, yelled at, threatened and disrespected in soooo many other ways it is not even funny. And this is from the students I am supposed to be helping. They behave like that because 1) they have no other way to express themselves, 2) they are used to getting whatever they want and 3) they know they can get away with it. Maybe I should transfer to your school?

Dear Bloggers of the LCPS,As the days are winding down to the end of the first semester, please take time out to stop and look back on your successes. Most of the teachers, and other personnel of this district are hard working, committed individuals who are just trying to make a difference in a student's life. I want to thank all of you for what you are trying to do for the students in this district. Have a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday. Put all of the strife of the first semester aside and focus on your loved ones. A very grateful parent.
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It must be the new drama season; the ever popular soap operas are once, again, being aired and played out in our middle school. The only problem? HE is not Sonny Corrinthous, and SHE is not Emily Quartermaine! Darn.
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Having lived in the Las Cruces Community for 30 years and watching the changes that have occurred in our school system, I am very concerned at what appears to be the lack of limits placed on students. If there is a problem with student behavior at the middle schools, then central office should be both aware and involved in finding solutions. What is the school board's role in all this? Thirty years ago, you would not see these kinds of complaints coming from teachers and substitutes. As a community we need to take a closer look at what is happening in our schools. As a former substitute, my substituting days are over due to the attitude of many of our students and the lack of limits being placed on them.

Whatever programs the Administration has in place to curb the drug and gang problems in our middle schools isn't working. What we need (like the Administration) is a complete revamping of the system. Maybe they need to pay attention to the "trench" people instead of dictating procedure, programs, and policies from their comfortable chairs totally out of synch with reality.
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Man, is it just me or does the black cloud of doom and despair feel like it's been lifted? I can tell at my school that morale is way up from a few weeks ago. And does it seem that the district runs smoother without a super?
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I'm tired, and I want to go home! We're doing the best we can at our middle school. Keep the faith...no worries...this too shall pass!

Middle school has always been the pits. You have kids who are still truly naive children in with pubescent, street-savvy kids. I remember one young naive sixth grader who was attacked on a school bus by older middle school toughs (girls). That attack changed a smart, sweet young girl into a gang-banger wanna-be. Only by being as tough or tougher did she feel she was safe. It was survival for her. It changed her life and took years for her to recover. This happened here in Las Cruces at a "good" school to a child from a "good" family.
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In regard to the substitute who will no longer sub at middle schools...I don't blame you one bit. I work at a middle school and I have heard the same from other subs. Maybe someone higher up will notice and do something to fix the problem. The students know there is something going on and they are taking advantage to the fullest. Every day I hear students make comments that let me know they do not have to do anything and we can not discipline them. If they refuse to work, we have to let them turn in enough work right before grades are due in order to keep them from failing. If they cuss us out, we have to understand that they are teenagers and that might just be how things are in their homes. If they pick on other students, whether verbally or physically, we are supposed to tell the victims to avoid them or else they themselves will be punished along with the bullies. In other words, the students who are out of control, or lazy, or just plain don't care know that they are in total control of what happens in their school. Sad thing is, the board is on their side, if only by not supporting those in the trenches. Maybe the board and the employees who work downtown, away from the students, should spend a week doing what we do every day-try to survive.
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Responding to comments on my 'fixing our schools' post... Teachers should not have to work until 9:00 every evening, and each kid is not working on 'multiple objectives' in each lesson. The child works on each objective, as he moves up the steps in the precisely organized curriculum. My approach, tried and tested thirty-five years ago, does really work. It is most needed at elementary and mid-school levels... until every student acquires basic skills that are necessary to move forward up the education ladder. The computer does the 'busy-work'... you, the teacher, then has the rare opportunity to TEACH.
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Thank you for your words of support. As an employee, I know that many if not most individuals care about kids and are working hard to do our jobs well, regardless of wha they are. We are continuing to carry on professionally and personally to serve our students and families as we always have through hard times. It is a testimony to the district that regardless of the situation, instruction is being delivered and supported.

Sunday Thoughts

Isn't it ironic that LULAC would come out in support of Sonia Diaz without even doing an investigation? How could Jesse Gonzalez be lumped in, considering he left for a higher paying job and the school board gave him a lucrative benefit package, not to buy him out, but to reward him. Then, Martinez specifically targets Hispanics in the school district and systematically and ruthlessly eliminates them--Gutierrez, Lucero, Acosta, Ogas, etc. I didn't see the LULAC defending the Hispanics harassed and forced out without any reason by Martinez. The LULAC organization should be ashamed. They certainly have no credibility, not that they ever had.
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My daughter has often spoken about Mr. Peace's weekly class at Jornada Elementary School; she looks forward to this class every Thursday afternoon. I have seen his name mentioned once or twice on this website. Jornada had their Christmas lunch this week so I took the opportunity to meet Mr. Peace. I found him to be a polite, intelligent, caring individual. I can now understand why the Middle or High schools want him back.
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I am happy that my Daughter is receiving her degree in elementary education and has decided to seek employment somewhere other than the LCPS. The LCPS district is in such shambles due to poor management which starts at the principal position up to the board that it's not worth the money or time to be employed by LCPS at this time. Elementary school principals seem to be on a "power trip" of sorts and could care less about the educating of students and this is why I had recommended that she seek employment elsewhere until the BS in LCPS is straightened out which may take a decade.
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I agree that changes need to be made. But do you really expect teachers to do everything, keeping files on each student, monitoring daily, etc.? One huge problem with that is teachers where I work have between 150-200 students throughout the day. Those same teachers have one team planning period, where they discuss discipline, etc. and one personal planning period, where they would presumably handle all the paperwork you suggest. As it is, most teachers come in around 7:00am, and a lot of them stay well past 5:00pm, even though contract time is 8:20am-3:50pm. Even then, a good deal of them take work home with them in order to just keep up. In my opinion, the only way to accomplish everything you want is for the district to 1) Start hiring more teachers and educational assistants; 2) Treat the staff already in place like they are valued employees; 3) Make working for the schools a worthwhile job; 4)Make room for the additional staff to teach, even if it means new schools or additions to existing schools. Once these have been taken care of, the class size can be a manageable one (maybe 25 students per class instead of 35-40), and teachers will have time to do all the paperwork want and still be good teachers.
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I have submitted abstract rants or complex discourse? Perhaps it has created harsh, yet imperative, dissonance, which may be quite difficult for too many secondary educational cronies to understand!
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Thank-you for your "fixing the school system" comments. I'll keep that in mind, when I will be leaving my school often 9pm every evening, after I've effectively noted every child's progress into my antiquated school computer. By golly, I'm so glad that you commented that "by just having multiple objectives for every kid for every lesson, I can be rest assured that my students will absorb the information, AND test well on any given testing day". Dang...you're good! Ever think about running for supt.?
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After reading these postings, I wonder if I should take my kids out of their respective elementary, middle and high schools and homeschool them!

But then I remember I can barely find all of them matching socks in the morning...No, really, it wouldn't be a good idea.It's time for this town to come together and demand the board create a task force to come up with community-generated solutions to the problems referred to in the past few posts. Nothing is so bad or out of control that it's not fixable with a little refocusing of our budgetary goals and some ingenuity. Unfortunately, I don't think that Las Cruces is much different than any other school system of its size in the nation, because almost all middle and high schools are far, far too big, which creates a cut-off from community for the kids who then feel anonymous and that no one cares what they do (Read up on the Bill and Melinda Gates experimental grants and the outcomes!) But in the meantime, it's time for the stakeholders on this bus headed for the cliff to grab the controls. We need an "employee takeover" like we have seen in major corporations that couldn't seem to turn a profit with their top-down management approaches and then began to soar once the staff became owners---and in case anyone is wondering, the employees are our teachers, parents, and students. The opportunity is NOW, with this board freezing the superintendent search and things in flux to move and make bold new directions in our school system. We have seen some incredibly informed, caring and committed people post their opinions on this blog over the past few months, and I believe they are just the tip of the iceberg.Please, don't get discouraged.

Its always darkest before the dawn, folks.

Reader Commentary

What's wrong with our school system... and, some ideas for fixing it.
Without attacking individuals... teachers, administrators, or school board... there are some obvious problems that need to be addressed. Why is it that so many of our students are not learning at an acceptable level? We are graduating hundreds of kids, from high school, whose basic skills are at an elementary level. Why is this happening? There are many possible reasons, but, in very general terms, the whole system simply doesn't know how to make it better. Administrators and teachers are still stuck in the mode that calls for teaching what they think should be taught... to class-sized groups, without the inclination, skills, or technical support to address the needs of each, and every, individual student. Kids are passed along, from grade to grade, without learning the academic content and skills to handle the challenges of their promotion. Preparation for teachers, and school administrators, is far behind times... in this age of advancing technology. Through the use of computers, curriculum can be organized in such a way as to facilitate accountable management of all elements of the curriculum, and 'get the right stuff, to the right kid, at the right time'. Constant monitoring of each child's progress, as he/she advances through all content and skills requirements, can now be more efficiently accomplished... and should be required in all schools. Curriculum must be expressed in a precise manner, with steps (objectives) arranged in hierarchical order, and with support alternatives and testing provided for each of those objectives. All children must be expected to successfully complete each objective, before moving on to the next. Cumulative files on students must be made readily available, via computer, to teachers, and should contain much more information about each student's learning history. Standardized test results are in those files, and are necessary, but so is information about teaching strategies, materials, and controls in the learning environment that preceding teachers have used effectively for each student. Create a 'learning file' for each student, and make that file available (with suitable clearance requirements), to the student's teachers, administrators, and parents. Teachers should be expected to update the file on a regular basis... at least once per week... and input each student's progress on each learning objective. With clearly-stated, behavioral objectives, arranged hierarchically, for all content and skills areas of the curriculum, there would no longer be a need for the classic lesson plan... administrators could monitor the progress of students, and evaluate each teacher's professional performance... by turning on a computer. Lest we forget... the primary role of the public school is to provide academic learning for all children. Parents should be expected to provide guidance for their children, in the acquisition of social understandings. Such concepts as ethnic and life-style sensitivities may be addressed, incidentally, in the school setting... but with the understanding that it is a basic right of families to interpret social (and religious) issues, and to pass on those beliefs to their children. When academics is the focus of schooling, and every child must progress to the maximum limits of his capabilities, they also mature in their understandings of the human experience... and positive, historical values become the ruling influence in their lives.

LULAC and Middle Schools

Now my blood is really boiling-LULAC is going to jump into this thing to defend a "HINO" (Hispanic in Name Only)? I am what you might call an honorary Hispanic-Anglo. Setting my Hispanic friends and family as examples, bullying people as if they are in a lower caste than you are, spending taxpayers money on non-approved or unnecessary expenditures, firing good employees for personal (not personnel) reasons and replacing them with unindicted co-conspirators from fraud cases---do NOT seem to be Hispanic values!!! And as for Martinez, leadership incompetencies, control and abuse issues drove him to a stand off that lost him his job, not being Hispanic. And for Heaven's sake--Gonzalez conspired with board members to rip off the school district for over a hundred thousand dollars while forcing all our kids to wear uniforms in his war on Hispanic gangs!!! Since Las Cruces is 65/30 Hispanic/Anglo, I would call all three of these losers discriminators against the very people LULAC claims as constituents. LULAC, lets get someone who REALLY cares about and loves the Hispanics in this community, and shows it in word and deed, regardless of ethnicity.
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I agree with the comments about abstract rants. If you are so immature that you have to resort to stupid Christmas jingles and vague dissertations then you should just shut up and get a life. Everytime these types of comments appear it just strengthens Ms. Diaz position that drastic change is needed. If you are not wise enough to understand that then maybe you should seek alternative employment outside of education and join an organization like LULAC. If this type of discourse continues to appear then maybe Sonja was right and this forum should be discontinued. In either case the children of this district are screwed.
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Good Morning: I am appalled that LULAC would jump into the fray over Sonia's firing. An interesting thing to remember is that the board is NOT able to disclose the reasons for her dismissal as per law but SHE (Sonia) IS able to disclose them because she is not bound under law as the board is. So, if the infractions were SO minor and involved race, discrimination, etc. why isn't SHE going public with the "extensive list"? I have said and still say there is more to this story than meets the eye. It is easy for legislators and organizations to take sides when they haven't been subjected to this woman's abuses. She IS very clever and knows how to play the game. She courts those most influential in our community and abuses those she considers subordinate. Also, LULAC, Jesse wasn't fired as I remember, he opted to leave and take another job. Maybe I'm wrong, but that is my recollection. As to this blog, you blogger have had a tremendous influence in the outcome of the situation. For the blog to go down, in my opinion, would be a tremendous disaster. It has given those most vulnerable an avenue of recourse that they would not otherwise have had. Way to go and thanks for your hard work! Anybody understand Paul Jarmillo's editorial? Clearly its easy to make assumptions when you don't have all the facts. With that comment, I rest.
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As a longtime Latino in this community, I am disgusted that LULAC has come to Dr. Diaz' defense. LULAC should concentrate on ensuring Hispanics have equal opportunities and that's EXACTLY what she had - an opportunity to do a good job. She failed miserably and was let go. And, why is LULAC talking about the last 3 superintendent's? Jesse Gonzales was not dismissed from this district. He was recruited by Compton California schools and he resigned on his own accord. LULAC - get your facts straight! I'm disappointed in you.
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Middle school in Las Cruces is a disaster waiting to happen. The teachers are trying to do their best. The administration turns a blind eye to what is happening. You see students out of control, not ranting and raving, just not listening or working. I know. I substitute in almost every middle school in Las Cruces. Lynn Middle School is the best school to be a substitute. I am not going to substitute in middle school any longer because I am tired of trying to teach and have students blow me off. High school is not much better. Students at Mayfield text message their friends in other classes. I asked another teacher about this and she said to let it go. " They are allowed to get away with it and we can do nothing about it." If a substitute complains about anything they are ignored. How is the subbing in elementary??
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If your children are coming home from school and telling you 'horror stories' maybe you should volunteer at their school. Or maybe you can get your sub license and substitute at their school. All the schools are understaffed and the district needs substitutes. We need more adults visible at all the schools to put a stop to the gang problems. Unfortunately the only parents at school on a regular basis are the gang-banger parents picking up their gang-banger kids.
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About the goings on at the middle schools. Yes, there is a huge problem with gangs, graffiti, fights, PDA, etc. The problem is not that teachers are not watching, the problem is not enough staff to watch everywhere. I work at a middle school. There are between 5-10 teachers out on any given day, for either training or sick leave. We are so short on EA's but they are pulled almost every day to substitute for the absent teachers. We have 2 administrators. We have 1 security guard. We also have over 800 students. Working for LCPS has become undesirable, especially at the rate security guards and EA's get paid. All of that combined means there is no possible way for staff to effectively monitor every area of the school while at the same time ensuring the best education for our students. I think that is one more reason the state should step in...obviously the current board can't fix the problem.
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Maybe if the district took better care of its employees we would have enough staff to keep an eye on the students. There is no longer any reason to work for the schools, unless you are close to retirement, just starting out, or need good insurance. Working for LCPS has turned into one of those 'another day another dollar' jobs that most people do only because they have to. There are some teachers who truly love teaching (I am one of them) but loving teaching takes a back seat to LCPS politics, jumping through hoops for no apparent reason, basically a lot of stress totally unrelated to curriculum. Basically, it's not worth risking physical and mental health for what little amount of money we make. (It is even worse for custodians, secretaries, EA's, security, and food service workers)
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LULAC and Rants

I see our Ex-lady of Las Cruces public schools now has the backing of LULAC. What a joke, since she looks down on us Mexicans as sub-humans...beneath her. Why do you think she had to have her little assistant shake hands with people. We are untouchable. LULAC is as big a joke as the ACLU. This is another example of how this witch uses people to get what she wants. Not to mention her lawyer is a (deleted-You never publish that about an attorney! The last comment by LULAC was they want to be sure race was not an issue in her dismissal. You can be sure than Lonnie Briseno would not have voted to dismiss if it was only about her race).
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He/She's making a list,
Checking it twice,
Going to find out
Who's naughty or nice...
Then-KABAM!!!!-
You're outta there!
With love,
Mr. Grinch
PS) Santa asked for a transfer a long time ago...
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My kids come home every day and talk about what the teachers don't see at school. I agree the drug and gang problem has increased. Its not the teachers fault but someone should pay closer attention to this increasing menace. If anyone comments differently, they are either not in touch with the kids, or they are in denial.
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Hmmmm. The writer yesterday must have gone to a different reception for the candidates. I think Connie Phillips will be an immeasurably better school board member than the incumbent we have now. She will at least listen to you and respond to your questions. The current board member either can't or won't respond to calls or emails. It is time for a change. Thank you, Dr. Phillips, for running against Wooden.
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What are you talking about? I thought the purpose of this blog was to shed light on supposed abuses going on within the public schools - not for just some abstract rant. This blog really should be discontinued. If you think this kind of rant is going to have any kind of bearing on improving our public schools, you are mistaken. This really does taint this the identified purpose of this blog and more care should be taken as to what is posted here if you want to be taken seriously. Blogger Comment: I agree. A random rant is not productive. If there are specific issues, let's hear them.

Dec. 7, 2006 - Pearl Harbor Day

This is one person's impression of the candidates. Bonnie Votaw was prepared, organized and well informed. Connie Phillips was unprepared, disorganized and uninformed.
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It's one thing to need to make anonymous postings to prevent retaliation at work, but it's another to post such vague and ominous statements with absolutely no details or enough information with which we could use to enter into a reasonable dialogue. Are there problems that need to brought out in the open to better the educational climate?
Unfortunately, too many people in the community already think that these kinds of posts make up the totality of what has appeared on this blog for the past few weeks, and they have used that as an excuse to bury their heads on the sand and dismiss all the really terrible stuff going on under Diaz. If you have something to say, say it directly--which doesn't mean you have to name names or identify yourself. Just say what you mean, or don't waste everyone's time.
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Middle school principals are, at best, mediocre and, at worst, dangerous. Ignorant and power driven, these hapless wanna-be administrators seem to develop an agenda without having a clue where to begin and how to get there. "I'm for the kids, and I support my teachers" are common, verbal, smoke-rings used to disguise their ineptitude to properly guide a group of professionals and effectively become the academic leader of the school. Speaking and writing skills are in the remedial range, while social skills have ties with the Jurassic period. Consequently, numerous, inane, microscopic power-quirks emerge at random times, with extremely negative consequences, such as low teacher moral, teacher transfers, and a virus-infected school environment. As a result, personalized sayings have been developed by many local middle school principals that are suitable for framing and gift giving during this holiday season: "No input allowed!" "It's my way, or the highway!" "Do as I say, or I'll do you in!" "You wouldn't dare to disagree with me...if you know what's good for you!" "If you don't agree with me, then you are being insubordinate!" I support average; anything above that makes me look real bad!" "Better harass veteran teachers with the same vigor as the new teachers; that will show them who's boss!" "You better not shout, you better not pout, you better not cry to central office, because I know where you work...!"

Dec. 6

Anyone care to share their thoughts about the two candidates at the "Meet the Candidates" soiree?
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When is the drug and gang problem going to be addressed? What is happening right now is an increase, not a decrease as many of us are lead to believe. Open up your eyes and look around. Most students know several gangsters by the time they enter middle school. As a parent, I am scared to death for my children.
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Exactly what middle school shenanigans are you referring to? Or are you only trying to stir up more trouble? I work at a middle school and I talk with staff from other middle schools. Unless you care to elaborate, I can only assume you are one of those people who can't be happy unless there is drama in your life.

Middle School Teaser

Tantalizing post, but where is it going? What are you alluding to...the general mess at the mid-schools, or some deliberate plan on the part of a few professionals? whose vision will totally destroy academic pursuits, and focus on exploiting kids' immaturity and basic, vulgar instincts? More explanation of your concerns... please.

Middle School Comment

While Sonia, Luis, and Jesse, the three blind cats, are away, the power hungry "little people" mice have begun to play...big time. Check out our middle schools to see the shananigans in motion. Gives new meaning to an open door policy. Ask for input...get hit by an unhinged door! Who hires these people?

Meet the Candidates

There will be a meet the candidates event Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 4:30-6:00 pm at La Posta. Bonnie Votaw and Connie Phillips are the candidates. This is an excellent opportunity to assess the candidates' views and agendas and the direction they would like to take in moving the district forward.

Letters and Editorial

You don't know whether to laugh or cry when you read letters such as Mr. Martinez' in the Sun-News today. I guess if you did not experience the abuse, read her history and see the financial shenanigans, you can't appreciate the damage Diaz has done to the district. It is also interesting that the Sun-News did not publish Del Hanson's letter which was a response to the first Sun-News editorial.

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Here's an old Indian saying: "A desert rose may wait years to bloom, just so it blooms sometime!" Perhaps our LCPS district is still waiting to explode with colors of character, fragrance of tolerance, and the beauty of perserverence. Thank goodness that Sonia was just a passing tumbleweed!
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Our School Board should demand its/our money back from ProAct Search Inc. which brought Dr. Diaz to the short list of applicants for our school district. The ProAct website claims ..."We ensure a “good fit” and guarantee the final results… leading to a longer and more lasting relationship." A good fit? Guaranteed results? Our district should seek repayment from this firm that goes to any length to place their "applicants" with school districts.
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"There has to be some criminal wrongdoing somewhere for us to have been forced into the Houghton Mifflin reading series in the middle of the year."This can be confusing. There's the federal government's Reading First initiative - http://www.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst/index.html nd there's the Houghton Mifflin reading program - http://www.eduplace.com/marketing/nc/ he federal intiative is under investigation for abuses. http://consilience.typepad.com/teachers_lounge/2006/11/reading_first_a.html
I abhor this site but, like a bloody car wreck, I find it hard to look away. However, in the interest of clarification, I offer the above information.)Jeffrey Michael Field

Comments for Saturday

I've heard there may be another candidate who's going to announce their intention to run against Sharon Wooden (in addition to Connie Phillips). Finally, our community is talking about the School Board, about the school district, and how we can improve things. I'm so grateful that Diaz is gone --- but more importantly, we need good Board members who are responsible for picking the next superintendent. Anyone who's not registered to vote - get 'er done!
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"Love and marriage..." "Horse and carriage..." "Peanut butter and jelly..." "Diet soda and chocolate..." "Green eggs and ham..." Some things just naturally go together, like "students and teachers..." We cannot have one without the other! When we say we must "do something for the kids", we must, also, remember to include the teachers. Simply put, we can't have one without the other!
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I can't believe we should have to buy out Diaz to get her to leave. There has to be some criminal wrongdoing somewhere for us to have been forced into the Houghton Mifflin reading series in the middle of the year. Can we not prove that there was "money under the table" and into her pocket somewhere? Are there no regulations on her expenses that she violated by staying in honeymoon suites, etc.??? Buy her out? ha! Seems to me she should run before we press criminal charges against her for taking taxpayer money!
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Message to NMSU Student Paul Jaramillo: It's clear that you are a REALLY uninformed idealist on this topic and I REALLY should have patience with you, but when you start throwing the Rush Limbaugh definition of "liberals" around to blame the victims of Diaz for her bad behavior, well, it REALLY ticks me off. I am a parent of four kids: one who graduated thanks to the dedication of his teachers and AES facilitators with the "crazy liberal" idea that when a bright kid performs below his abilities it's important to never give up on him. He's now a science major at NMSU, one of the very few of his peers who can claim the same, even though they started off in college with much higher high school GPA's. I especially give praise to one really liberal high school Creative Writing teacher, Phyllis Wright, for helping him find the light inside that still carries him to class every day.I stll have three others in the elementary, middle and high schools who are on a daily basis exposed to some of the finest and most dedicated "liberals"--teachers who may have never made enough to pay their own bills on time but who purchase the educational materials for their classrooms, come to work everyday, focused and cheerful and dedicated to being leaders for the children in their classes. They're easy to identify: they are usually dragging a wagon full of kid's papers and activities to their cars, which are in the lot way past 5pm. These bleeding heart-liberals will still stop to give their former students a big hug and carry on a conversation with you, regardless of the time because they have dedicated their lives to the "liberal" idea of education. Maybe my kids are lucky, but I could count on one hand the number of teachers and administrators who I have known over the years who were "bad" or "lazy" or "unaccountable"--yes they existed but they were far and few between and often didn't seem to hang around very long. And I guarantee you they were not the ones with a "liberal agenda that hates accountability and responsible governance". Quite the contrary: good teachers and administrators THRIVE under fair, inspiring and accountable leadership. While you still have the chance at NMSU, take two more classes: one in Educational History and one in Classical Political Philosophy before you decide that "liberalism" is behind Ms. Diaz's necessary departure. Oh yeah, add an effective leadership class to those two. The entire idea that we can educate people from every ethnic group, race, religion, gender and economic class is part of the same Classic Liberalism that was the underlying principle in the Enlightenment, the concept of Democracy, the Constitution, the civil rights movement..I could go on and on. Paul, your rosy view of Diaz is squarely in contrast to the experiences many, many good people had under her tenure. INFORM YOURSELF. Highly educated as she is, Diaz didn't know how to lead people without using all the worst management and communication techniques known to mankind in the 21st century. It was SHE who ruined her reputation--everyone else was openminded, happy to "give her a chance" from her first day, but SHE chose her strategies and SHE created her legacy. Unlike the teachers I described above, her motives were about her needs, not anyone elses. I don't care how good a person's ends are, they don't justify the means of being a power hungry, disdainful and dishonest person--and since this woman has a DOCUMENTED track record of doing the same thing over and over in her past work, and since she is getting up there in years, it's obvious that these are here natural tendencies and time and patience by her victims won't change a thing. Wake up, Paul. Simple common courtesy eluded her --my God, she couldn't go to a restaurant or get her hair done without leaving a path of destruction in her wake!! She is no "desert flower", Dude, she's more of a "desert scorpion".LMG