Time to get the "Spot" out...of the Tazewell County School Board...

[GMan 3,569]

Robert "Spot" Steele, that is...

 

I've tried telling you all that the TCSB needs to go...here's your first, best chance at getting rid of one of its biggest problems...his selfish, ignorance has caused Tazewell Co. to suspend a very good program for needy kids...

 

Backpack program suspended

 

By CHARLES OWENS and GREG JORDAN

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

 

TAZEWELL, Va. — A program that provides free backpacks of food to children who qualify for free or reduced lunch in Tazewell County violated school board policy when it allegedly included political letters, officials said Tuesday.

 

As a result of political letters being distributed through the backpack program, the initiative will be suspended at the end of the current school year and reevaluated prior to the fall semester, school board member Steve Davis said.

 

The motion to continue the backpack program until the end of the current semester was made late Monday night by Davis during the regularly scheduled May meeting of the school board. It passed 4-0 with Robert “Spot” Steele abstaining. Steele, chairman of the Labor of Love Mission, which spearheads the backpacks project, left Monday’s meeting after the motion was passed, and didn’t return.

 

“We did address that some school board policies were violated with the backpack program with political letters going home in the backpacks,” Davis said. “Mr. Steele cited a couple of times that he would be willing to resign his position if it meant saving the backpack program. We indicated making a motion that was approved 4-0 with Mr. Steele abstaining that the backpack program would be continued until the end of the school year and then be suspended and reevaluated prior to the fall. Mr. Steele did end up walking out of the meeting. He did leave in the middle the meeting. He didn’t return to the meeting.”

 

When contacted Tuesday, Steele confirmed he left the meeting, but said he wasn’t resigning from the school board.

 

“I’m still a school board member,” Steele said. “I didn’t resign.”

 

Davis said school board policy states that no political messages can be distributed through any channels involving the schools.

 

One policy, KF, states that “students shall not be required to carry or deliver any material that advocates the election or defeat of any candidate,” Superintendent Dr. Brenda Lawson said. Employees are encouraged to participate in politics, but only outside school hours and off school property, Lawson said. They must make it clear that their views are their own and not those of the board of education.

 

Davis said an internal investigation into the complaint was conducted by Lawson.

 

“She did draft a letter to Mr. Steele explaining these policies were violated,” Davis said. “The entire board supports the backpack program, and realizes the benefits of it. But we have to make sure that all policies are complied with. I believe Mr. (Randy) Conn pointed out last night that when students violate policy, we’ve been very consistent to take the appropriate action or respond to those policies. But we if anybody as board members need to be held to a higher standard.”

 

A message left with school board chairman Mike Dennis seeking comment on the matter wasn’t immediately returned Tuesday.

 

A complaint stemming from the alleged placement of political letters in the backpack program was forwarded to authorities last month.

 

http://www.bdtonline.com/local/local_story_135203957.html

[dcecilgolf 11]

Yeah, I was pretty pissed when I read that this morning.

[cityofRaven 2,453]

there always seems to be "that guy" on the TCSB, and Robert Steele is that guy, everything seems to be going to hell up there in Tazewell, is it elections yet???

[Justin_Credible 10]

Mayor I think you might want to consider reaching out and grabbing up some other elected position. Years of excellence in the Raven and Doran community shows your well qualified to serve the people of Tazewell Co.

[cityofRaven 2,453]

i might have to see what i can do