Jackson Jambalaya

Now, that, that is funny!!!

Hypocrites exist everywhere. This is funny and sad at the same time.

I know Walterine.

She DOES pay taxes, indeed more than most, so I think she gets to weigh in on how her money is spent.

Besides that... you should check out her volunteer resume.

Just because she didn't send her child to public school ( I didn't either, by the way) doesn't mean she doesn't want to improve public schools so that her grandchildren might again go. She is well educated on the subject at hand and unlike many,has actually worked to improve education in this State.

Rather a lot of women whose children went or go to private schools have worked tirelessly to improve public school education AND contributed a great deal of money. One even helped a school get a band and THAT is expensive.
Some of these women were educators.

Cheap shot, KF...really. You needed to know more about Walterine before going with this.

No different than the Parents for Public Schools people who come on here telling me unless I have volunteered or worked in a school I need to shut up. Not to mention once again a public school supporter doesn't put her kids where her mouth is.

This "Walterine" sounds like a typical progressive

3:47,

If she gets to weigh in on how her money is spent...Why isn't she asking for more accountability instead of saying not enough money has been poured into JPS? Why isn't she demanding a clean administrative slate at JPS? Why is she asking for more time to study the issue when that means is another few classes or so of black students will drop out and/or fail?

Money isn't the answer. Time isn't the answer. And maybe new faces at the district office aren't the answer either. But I will say this: who is she to risk the welfare of poor black kids by asking the rest of to continue to sit on our hands while simultaneously coughing up more cash?

She sounds like a scared union boss.

I know Walterine also and agree that this is a really cheap shot. I am out of town and am sorry that I have not been able to read her Letter to the Editor. Walterine and her husband should be commended for raising great children. What she should have said, but no doubt was too kind to mention in her letter, was that if all parents put the time and energy into raising their kids that she did into raising hers our public schools would be a whole lot better off. Who can blame her for not wanting her kids to go to public school and be around many people who aren't interested in learning. The last I heard Douglas Odom was heading up the overall volunteer effort at The University of Mississippi and is enrolled in the Honors College.

Who knows who aside, what continues to 'get' me is those who clamor 'we need time to study' something that has failed for fifty years. How the hell much more time do 'we' need and how much do we pay for another 'study'?

On the subject of consolidation (which is mentioned by Mrs. Odom ~ whom some of you know), how could JPS be more consolidated than it is right now? Consolidation applies to districts and there is only one central administrative office in the entire district and the whole damned thing is failing miserably. The same is true of districts throughout this state that cannot be further consolidated.

I don't know Walterine. I do know she sounds like a phony who would deny poor people a choice. JPS isn't good enough for her kid but she would have it be the only choice for others.

I'm so confused. Mrs. Odom has the money to send her children to the premier private school in the state to ensure that they get the best education they can. So why would she not want other parents who can't afford St. Andrew's to have the same option? JPS is a broken system...I don't understand the argument against giving someone stuck in that system an alternative. If anyone can explain it, I'm all ears.

Odom is not only a hypocrite....she also is uninformed.
True - the State Senate passed a comprehensive charter school bill.
But it is also true that the State Senate passed THREE bills that deal with school district consolidation...the first time in many years the Legislature has been willing to deal with this issue. If fully implemented, MS would go from 152 school districts to no more than 142 (all of which would have Appointed Superintendants).

Not perfect, but definitely progress.

As a rule, St. Andrews' parents are utterly disconnected from reality. They trot their wives and kids out to do charity work, which is nice, but it's motivated largely by white liberal guilt. It's palpable if you've ever visited the campus.

For one of them to preach to the folks in west Jackson about how they need to suck it up and wait for the government to fix the problem ... that's just beyond parody.

And the article is not a low blow at all. If a northeast Jackson Junior League housewife wants to venture an opinion that will end up hurting thousands of less fortunate kids, her educational circumstances are perfectly fair game.

Anonymous at 9:59 pm is right on! I sent my child to St Andrews from 3 year old kindergarten to 5th grade. When all the high priced cars starting showing up in carpool with OBama stickers on them, I knew it was time to go and get my child away from the guilty liberals! But I did have a choice and the parents in Jackson deserve a choice, too. Their problem affects us all. The next generation is our work force and they need to be able to do more than deal drugs on the streets of Jacktown!

This would be funny if it weren't so sad.

KF, Walterine would be the last to attack you.

And,some of you are making huge assumptions without the facts of her efforts and her politics.

Walterine, just like me, doesn't have to sacrifice her children's education to system that's in trouble to try to improve that system. And, we share the desire to make the public school system AS good as ANY private school education.

The answer is introducing the luck of a lottery for poor people to get a good education for their children. It's to make sure NOBODY has to send their child to private school to get a good education.

She's not even opposing charter schools. Nor am I. She's saying let's do our homework. Let's be sure we're adopting the best charter school system.

My grandchildren are in a system that has " charter schools". The one they are in is a nightmare.

If we are going to do this, let's do it right, not impulsively.

It isn't being done impulsively. The Senate has passed charter legislation 4 years running. Talk is cheap.

This reminds me of the time that St. Andrew's parents allowed the JFP to use their daughter as the cover model for one of DonnerKay's all-too-frequent woe-is-the-underfunded-public-schools screeds. When a local blogger drew attention to the inconsistency, as Kingfish does here, Ladd and the pimping parents blew a fuse.

9:59, my kids go to St. Andrew's, and our family is as conservative as they come. There are parents of all political viewpoints at the school, many of whom I suspect support charter school legislation. So, you are incorrect to paint with such a broad brush. We do volunteer work, just like lots of other people, because it is the right thing to do, not because I feel guilty about anything. And we have kids from West Jackson and other parts of the city who attend our school, some on scholarship and some who have all or part of their tuition paid by other parents at the school who are willing to privately chip in to help students attend our school. I'm not telling you that because I think we deserve a big pat on the back for that (you don't get bonus points for something you ought to be doing anyway), but to let you know that as a school and as individual parents, we are sincere about offering educational opportunities to as many students as we can.

I agree with the comment made earlier by 7:08 - I am lucky enough to be able to afford a great education for my kids, and I'm all for anything that gives parents in a bad school district the options needed to get better schooling for their children.

No different than Sean Perkins, deputy something of something for Mayor Hahhhhvey and proud grad of St. A who has kid(s) at what schools?

!2:33

The reason that so many are defending Walterine and St. Andrew's is because the original post on this blog was one calling Walterine a hypocrite and later posts bashed St. Andrew's and said St. Andrew's parents only did volunteer work because they had "white liberal guilt".

Perhaps if the original post had attacked her COMMENTS and not her PERSON, these comments would be about the issue and not about the person or the school she chose to send her son to.

Walterine is a taxpayer who has the same right as anyone to question how tax dollars are spent. She probably wishes the public schools in Jackson were good so that she could have sent her son to them. The family did choose to send him to the public University of Mississippi because they knew he could get an excellent education in the Honors College.

Sorry, this is a war. The other side wants to pick up a bat and start throwing out segregation and other race-baiting words, then I'm going to pick up a lead pipe and swing it. Deal with it.

Love the obvious racism of the left. Let's keep poor black kids in failing schools while rich white kids buy their way out of public schools into successful private schools. I'm sorry Mrs. Odom, but it'd not a cheap shot. You thought the schools weren't good enough for your pretty white son so you paid to have him go somewhere with fewer "problems" but still think black kids should be forced to endure those schools?

Mrs. Odom don't black kids deserve the same opportunities your son got? The racism of the Left, ladies and gentlemen. They love minorities, as long as they have their public schools while white kids have the chance to buy into private ones.

Mrs. Odom may well be, and probably is, a very nice, well-intentioned woman. It's unfortunate that some want to attack her, rather than what she is saying, which appears to be another leg of the PPS attack on charters.
KF has every right (some would say obligation) to bring to light each and every piece of this pie.
That being said, we have waited long enough, put enough money into a failing system, and it's time to try something else.
As for the man that was recounting the financial aid issued to some West Jackson children at St. Andrews. What's the criteria for acceptance? Do you use a lottery, take the hard-core types, or only allow those chosen few that you believe will "fit in"? Would love to know.

Walterine does not appear to be opposed to Charter Schools. It appears that she wants to make sure Charter Schools are done well. Many communities have ended up with Charter Schools that underperform the failing public schools and are profit centers for those who found them. She knows her kids have been fortunate. The hatred spewed her way on this website shows that those in favor of Charter Schools, who have implied that she WANTS poor, black kids to stay in failing schools, is crazy and shows why it is so difficult to have a discussion about important topics facing our state. If we are to solve these problems we need to be able to have a discussion on the issues that does begin and end in name calling.

10:00
Agreed.
Now, one question concerning full disclosure.
Is Mrs. Odom affiliated with Parents for Public schools, or any of their offshoots, now or in the past? If the answer is yes, then she should have indicated that in her letter.

The best way to sidetrack certain discussions is for several people to start slinging around the race card. The best way to sidetrack this particular discussion was for several people to start harping about their good acts, their personal benevolence, the benevolence of someone else (Odom), their absolute color blindness and how much time they spend hand-wringing in hopes inner city blacks will compete educationally.

Meanwhile, when all that crap is going on, the subject matter brought up initially (hypocrisy) is virtually ignored. "I'm doing more and care more than you!" "Oh NO you DON't. I care twice as much and here's why."

It's typical for hypocrites to be unable to figure out how a mirror works. In some respects, this is similar to Habitat and the crowd who show up with silk gloves and miniature hammers.

If the answer is yes, then she should have indicated that in her letter.

You are barking up the wrong tree if you are looking for disclosure in anything the edu-lobby pushes through the C-L. There may not be another journo in all of Mississippi with more public education and PERS conflicts (ethical and disclosure) than David Hampton. There is no way he'll force any letter writer to disclose while he hides his household conflicts from the clear view of the public.

Sorry to disagree "Shadowfax"; however, you need to hold that mirror up to yourself. It is not hypocritical to want charter schools or public schools to be done well and, in the meantime, send your child to the best private school in the state. The son in question is currently enrolled in a PUBLIC university. Mrs. Odom is not opposed to charter schools. She just doesn't want them to worse than the current JPS schools (which has been the case in some areas).

Maybe someone should be asking Mrs. Odom, who has raised lots of smart, successful young men, how she has produced so many National Merit Semi-Finalists, who were also very involved in community service, school sports and school leadership instead of slinging mud her way. She has a proven track record...do you? She also has the courage to put her name out there...

My 10:00 post should have ended with the line " If we are to solve these problems we need to be able to have a discussion on the issues that does NOT begin and end in name calling."

Hope the original "not" was not edited out.

1:35
Still waiting to hear if she, or her husband, have any association with Parents for Public Schools.

12:10 Agreed. Even when I agree with Shadowfax, I hate to admit it because of the goofy logic he/she demonstrates in hi/her arguement.

She also has the courage to put her name out there...

On that account she definitely has your ass trumped.

3:15; not that I five a rats ass whether or not you agree or disagree; but, what do you find 'goofy' about the logic? While you're 'hating to admit' agreeing with me, the Jatran bus is out front waiting for you.

No , Shadowfax, the best way to deflect good debate is to attack the messenger rather than the message.

Some of you should be careful what you wish for...you may not find charter schools as it will be implemented to your liking and you may find them quite expensive.

Some of you should be careful what you wish for...you may not find charter schools as it will be implemented to your liking and you may find them quite expensive.

After DECADES of failed policy on public schools by Democrats the worse the charter schools can do is as shitty a job as the public schools are doing now.

Wonder if Walterine was one of the many in Belhaven who voted for Jimmy Giles during his Congressional runs.

ooooooo...Shadowfax. You are scaring us.

You would do this blog a big favor if you switched to another blog.

I agree with " decades of failed policy". I just don't think engaging in the same kind of emotionally based and reactive decision making is the answer.

We keep trying to patch a worn out piece of cloth instead of reweaving with better fibers.

I was appalled to hear Walterine say, not once ,but twice -- "What is the hurry?" I know if it were HER son who was going to drop out of school, didn't know how to read, had no concept of mathematics, had no hope for the future, was already in the wrong crowd that did nothing but listen to music / play video games -I think Walterine would be calling for the Calvary in the form of Charter schools. Many have been studying them for years and know to find the models that are working best when they are brought in here.That is not rocket science to all who foot draggers, who like the status quo even if it is rock bottom in the nation. Some of us think there is no place to go but up and don't have ANY confidence in present public schools/supporters to fix what they can't even see is DOA. A Charter School should be completely divorced from as few as possible regulations of the public schools. The less input they get from people who think they can maybe fix a Debacle of such Herculean size they created -as the failing schools here-- the more successful they and students will be.So Slow we have had-- about 40 years of Slowness. So "What's the hurry? "is chilling to hear. Does this woman know how many have not really been taught properly, failed and dropped out over these 40 yrs? How many ruined lives will be enough to satisfy the foot draggers and Walterine's argument?

If your son, 9:22pm is " about to drop out of school,doesn't know how to read, and has no concept of mathematics", that is NOT the school's problem it's yours!

Even in BAD schools, smart, well-adjusted kids from good families do well. Who do you think the existing college bound percentage IS?

And,here's a news flash...even in private schools you get some REALLY bad teachers. You will have some REALLY bad kids as well.

Its YOUR job to make sure your child is progressing in school and YOUR job to be on top of negative peer group influence!

You have a computer. Don't you know how many subject courses , grade specific exist on line?

And, with teacher certification not required and not putting exceptions in place so those with post graduate degrees can teach their subject and get current pay, and with NO structure in place to insure a top rate faculty, you somehow think your child is going to get top teachers with THIS bill?

LOL

I can't wait to see whose buddies get to profit from this bill...new program...new positions. Let's see whose wife/girlfriend/child who hasn't succeeded in the old system or how many mothers who have been home schooling suddenly get the teaching jobs.

calling for the Calvary

Ummm...let's not crucify anyone here.

You want the troops? Call the cavalry.

Let's not crucify anyone? Obviously not everyone is experiencing tremendous anger at what trusting children have been subjected to under the lame education system they've been subjected to year after year cheating them and defrauding them of what should have been their keys to success in the future. Maybe the parents can't help the children always but schools should be able to. If they can't --lead , follow or get out of the way!! You are committing a crime to stand in the way of children having a happy fulfilled life.And every washed up life, every dream that never materialized, you who are poor teachers but happy to get that paycheck have it on your head. And you administrator who know you are full of baloney and are only hindering these students and good teachers with useless regulations -- let the crime of all the failures be on your head because getting your check was more important than scores of human lives. We have a Greed problem in the schools and the anger of many is against you for wasting these students' precious never to be returned time . It is beyond monstrous.No man is the ultimate judge of another man though we have our opinions. I would not want to face God having harmed thousands of children by my incompetence and letting no one dare to remove me because of the union that stood behind me with a club daring anyone to. I think some serious punishments are too good for such people.I wish all children could go to private schools. A charter school is the closest possible alternative. So give the children a chance to learn - start to bring in charters.

Let's not crucify anyone? Obviously not everyone is experiencing tremendous anger at what trusting children have been subjected to under the lame education system they've been subjected to year after year cheating them and defrauding them of what should have been their keys to success in the future. Maybe the parents can't help the children always but schools should be able to. If they can't --lead , follow or get out of the way!! You are committing a crime to stand in the way of children having a happy fulfilled life.And every washed up life, every dream that never materialized, you who are poor teachers but happy to get that paycheck have it on your head. And you administrator who know you are full of baloney and are only hindering these students and good teachers with useless regulations -- let the crime of all the failures be on your head because getting your check was more important than scores of human lives. We have a Greed problem in the schools and the anger of many is against you for wasting these students' precious never to be returned time . It is beyond monstrous.No man is the ultimate judge of another man though we have our opinions. I would not want to face God having harmed thousands of children by my incompetence and letting no one dare to remove me because of the union that stood behind me with a club daring anyone to. I think some serious punishments are too good for such people.I wish all children could go to private schools. A charter school is the closest possible alternative. So give the children a chance to learn - start to bring in charters.