This website has made it our mission to expose the galling incompetence, inefficiency, dysfunction and poor academic performance of South Carolina’s government-run school system (and to push for expanded choices for parents outside of this failed system).
Why? Because the government’s effective monopoly over education is destroying the Palmetto State’s competitiveness – while at the same time starving taxpayers of resources they could be using to grow the economy (including the establishment of a free market education system).
This week we turn to the fiefdom of Colleton County, S.C., where the local school board recently extended the $130,000 a year (not counting benefits) contract of superintendent Leila Williams.
Why should we care about a local overpaid educrat getting a new contract? Well, this extension was issued despite the fact Williams presides over one of the worst government-run systems in America – and despite the fact her district is under investigation for alleged grade tampering.
Rewarding failure and corruption … it’s the South Carolina way, right?
Thickening the plot?
Efforts by a local citizens to hold the district accountable for its performance have been greeted by a stone wall. In fact one local advocacy group was presented with a $12,500 bill for the production of public documents in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Amazing …
This is how leaders of the government-run system operate in South Carolina: They fail your kids, lie to you about that failure, give themselves fat new contracts and then tell you it’s “none of your damn business” if you dare to ask questions.
And don’t bother complaining to your local elected officials because odds are they are already in the tank.
Anyway … we’ll be keeping an eye on this district moving forward and urge anyone with information to contact us on our tip line or via email. All tips are confidential.
25 comments
While the education system in this country, and in this state in particular, do have severe problems, I would hardly call it a failed system. Most of the problems it faces are societal problems outside the bailiwick of the school system.
A return to emphasis on core subjects, discipline, and parental accountabilty would achieve far more than a push for ‘school choice’ which is really nothing more than a tax break for those who can afford private schools already, albeit at some sacrifice in cases.
WHAT??? WTF? HAVE YOU LOST YOU FRACKING MIND?
I support fracking as well.
Frank is a Battlestar Galactica fan.
Damn right. One of the all time greats. Original
Oh, it was great. Until they ruined with STARBUCK BEING AN ANGEL. Stupidest ending ever.
Hmm
Agreed on discipline. I’m not sure how parental accountability would work though.
Sadly, I think society may be too far gone to expect it.
Some kids, because of their environment, you just can’t help. It is a shame, because to a certain extent, it isn’t the kids fault. But, how much effort are you willing to expend on a kid when the efforts will be undone by those around them?
It is a very tough call, and really for the teachers to make. They know best. BUT, that isn’t the way the admins on up want it. It is just a political game to them.
Think about this: we can all name teachers that made a difference in our lives. Can we think of a school district official that did?
Didn’t think so.
I suspect bringing back corporal punishment might help curb some of the discipline problems in schools. Problem is, all the parents that could give two craps about their kids’ education, suddenly become parents of the year defending their kids from anyone daring to strike their “special” brat.
Some good ole fashion Old Testament learnin’. Spare the rod, spoil the child.
You have to beat them so they know you love them, and then they will learn.
I look forward to seeing your spoiled brats in court.
…then vote out the school board?
As much as it pains me, +2
Colleton County
Isn’t that the same quaint buggery berg that set up cameras on Interstate and fucked every Yankee going North and fucked every Yankee going South
Buggery is in their blood, ain’t nothing going to change their way of life
Can’t really blame them for getting some money from the Yankees. At least it wasn’t from local taxpayers.
Nope, that was Ridgeland, in Jasper County.
Thanks for the clarification. My apologies to Colleton County
The fact that they are just fucking their taxpayers says something – not much, but something
Nothing to apologize for, taking advantage of Yankees is to be commended!
ANOTHER SC PRIVATE SCHOOL FAIL
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2013-03-13/aiken-businessman-private-schools-accounts-ordered-frozen
Most school districts are little more than fiefdoms. Hard to get the buggers out, too much apathy in the community.
…South Carolina’s government-run school system…
CNSYD,
TBG thinks you should have enough in the tip jar to take most of the regular commentors out to Ruth’s Chris for dinner and drinks. Just let us know when, buddy.
All aboard the government fail train! Non stop service to hell, plenty of room for all as it’s the longest train in the world!
Wooo!!!! Wooo!!!!
The issue in Colleton County is the unspoken policy of promoting black faculty (regardless of performance and qualification) to leadership positions almost exclusively. This is a result of having a very black majority in the county voting in a black majority school board, and promotion of the “black community” being considered the most important issue around.
Look at the few white people in the district that have received promotions in the past 5 or so years. Most were promoted (rightfully so) because they were already doing the work of their incompetent (not necessarily black) superior, and essentially threatened to walk if they didn’t get the job. Had this happened, the district would have been left high and dry in these very publicly visible roles. In other words, had they not gotten the job, they could have either sabotaged the replacement, or just quit doing their job all together, having the same net result. This would have the direct effect of bringing scrutiny to the black hierarchy causing the whole thing to crash.
sic(k) willie, “…you ignorant slut.” :)
The sic(k) one hates it when our Funding Editor calls him an “ignorant slut” because he knows the phrase fits Fits perfectly.
It’s a great old line from Saturday Night Live.
sic(k) willie has been blinded by Howie the Voucher Clown and his voucher scam.
Vouchers are a scam because they would do nothing for those who need help the most except rob them of resources.
The voucher scam is the BIG lie.