Open Letter about the Budget to the MNPS School Board

Granberry dad

Stratford MOM

Goodlettsville dad

Proud Goodlettsville parent

Please!

Eakin Elementary

Eakin Elementary

I work at Maxwell Elementary School and my concerns about the district’s budget, it’s secrecy and lack of accountability, mirrors our school’s. Our principal employs his frat brothers with positions we don’t need and that don’t benefit our students. Our school’s “leadership” is made up of his friends and those who are too meek or afraid to question him, when he’s even available to speak with, and those times are very rare. Much like Dr. Joseph, our principal is too busy to address his staff and allow any sort of collaboration unless it is designed by him. Teachers work in fear, too afraid to speak up for ourselves and our kids. Families are dismissed or lied to when their concerns are voiced. We need a hero! Please, board members, help us!

Thanks for the well-written letter. Has the board evaluated the director? Director evaluation is the responsibility of the board. Joseph has been in Nashville for 20 months. Why is Will Pinkston silent on these issues? Is he too busy with the BREDESEN campaign. If so, he should resign now.

The decisions that have been made regarding the budget are only going to scare more parents away from enrolling their children, making the problem worse.

I am very happy to see that our MNPS community is coming together to make sure our schools and our students are the top priority.

Our workplaces (schools) should be safe havens for teachers and students. While thousands march for better school safety Dr. Joseph’s budgetary priorities do not address school safety at all. Hundreds of students and teachers in our district are experiencing and witnessing verbal abuse, acts of violence and assault in our classrooms, lunch rooms and hallways. The district says they are implementing Restorative Practice but it isn’t being funded. Teachers and students are cursed and threatened by other students with no real consequence or opportunity for learning better choices. The district is understaffed and unable to attract teachers to fill the classrooms - maybe lack of safety could be a reason. Why isn’t safety on the list of budgetary priorities? Before teachers can feel safe and students can feel safe no real learning can happen.

Parent of Waverly Belmont Elementary student

Has the board evaluated Joseph during the 20 months he has taken our district backward? Where is Will Pinkston? If you are not willing to be accountable to your constituents, teachers and students, please resign. This kind of leadership can only HURT BREDESEN!!!!

I am a metro teacher of 20 years and have never been so discouraged and disregarded. We are underpaid ,overworked, reduced to a number on our TEAM assessments (which is a check list ) . Principals are not present in the schools and leadership is nonexistent. We are abused and threatened by students who have IEPs and no one has our back. Leadership at central office hide behind their power and have no idea what it is like to be boots on the ground nor do they care to find out.

Thank you

Parents, teachers, & students are treated differently by Joseph & his Execs. based on school demographics. Also, students are forced to take a backseat for exotic trips for the Central Office Big-Wigs! What a joke!

I agree with the conclusions based on the statements in this petition. I wish I knew of a rational explanation for the reasons behind the budget cuts, but the most frustrating fact about these statements is that MNPS does not communicate very well with parents to explain why and to solicit input from the parents. This lack of communication from MNPS is an ongoing pattern that must improve!

You are encouraged to make the budget more transparent and allow input from parents.

Our schools deserve better. Our children deraerbe better.