Reader Comments
These are our reader's opinions and thoughts.The opinions on this site are posted by our readers, and are not edited by Appen Inc.
Special education retaliation
August 03, 2009 | 02:17 AM
The same thing is happening at other school districts throughout Ga mostly in rural
areas. We have the same issue we are contending with in Walton County schools
with our daughter. Up to the state level now.
They get away with a lot of it because most parents are too poor , do not
know where to turn, get frustrated and pull there children out if they can afford it
or home school. The others just suck it up. They sometimes believe there
child is getting help when in actuality the grading policy in place on a weighted of system allows the child to pass but is actually failing.
We are waiting for a response from the Walton Cty school Bd. and all we have heard is they will have an executive session / closed board meeting to discuss this.
Been going on for years with us. We have decided to fight back.
Michael Riordan, Monroe
report
Thank God for Angels like Sharon Purdie!
November 24, 2007 | 03:29 AM
The world would be a different (better!) place if every district had a Sharon Purdie overseeing special education. The kind of educational abuse and neglect that is rampant in our country's special education programs will ultimately affect society when children whose educational needs were not met end up dependent on increased services for the rest of their lives. In our district (not Forsyth), there are "program specialists" and "inclusion specialists" who masquerade as educators while literally scheming to avoid, reduce, & cheat kids of their legal rights to necessary services -- abusing the trust that parents usually have when they start out in the system -- and harming the very children they claim to be serving. (Public exposure is way past due in our district.)
May God bless Sharon Purdie for standing up for what is right and true! I encourage this community not to rest until she is reinstated in her position. May her principles of honesty, decency, & integrity become the standard to which all administrators are expected to serve. With this rare opportunity to effect change -- for your own sakes -- please do not settle for anything less!
M.J.H.
Forsyth is a bad place for "special" kids
October 19, 2007 | 03:56 PM
This has been true for forever.
You think you get low taxes and good services?
You get what you pay for.
Corruption in the Public School System
October 19, 2007 | 03:46 PM
This is happening in Georgia, Florida and many other states. The system is corrupt and filing any complaint with the DOE, school district or talking before the school board gets parents no where. I have tried to work with my sons school, school district, filed three complaints with the DOE and have gone before the school board 4 times and nothing happened. We are a new generation of parents that are not going to take this anymore. We need to stand up and keep fighting for the rights and safety of our children. Are we really asking for so much? I don't think so. Most people outside the public
school system don't know how corrupt and rotten some of these people can be to children with disabilities,their parents and to teachers who try to work with parents. We need to bring this all out in the open and start getting laws changed or created to give parents the right to participate in their child's education and future without being bullied and retaliated against.
Phyllis - Families Against Restraint and Seclusi
October 18, 2007 | 09:48 PM
This is further evidence of WHY the taxpayers need school choice. Thankfully SB10 passed and the special ed voucners are a help (albeit- not a free pass to private school, but a help)
The Georgia Virtual Academy has been doing a STAND UP job with special ed children in Georgia. Hopefully more people will use this school choice option and 'see the light' that public school as we know it, should be completely phased out.
Rumored: Dr. Evans to bring his prior Director of SPED from Blec
October 18, 2007 | 09:26 PM
Bleckley County has a total population of around 11,000 people. Our student population alone is around 30,000. If Dr. Evans does bring his old county's Director of Special Education with him to Forsyth County, they may well go down together! Further, if true, this type of a decision would relect very poorly on Dr. Evans' abiltiy to grasp the magnitude of his upcoming job.
FAX YOUR OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS TO DC
October 18, 2007 | 09:15 PM
Avoid filing with Atlanta- and go directly to DC
The OCR National Headquarters is located at:
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Customer Service Team
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Telephone: 1-800-421-3481
FAX: 202-245-6840; TDD: 877-521-2172
Email: OCR@ed.gov
NOT JUST A FORSYTHE PROBLEM
October 18, 2007 | 05:41 PM
WE ARE FROM AUGUSTA,GA WHERE SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS SEEM TO BE THE MAIN COURSE OF THE DAY, BUT THE HIGHLY EDUCATED FOOLS REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE "LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE" IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE ALL SHOULD UNDERSTAND IS THAT THERE IS A GOD, AND HE WILL BRING JUSTICE ONE DAY.
MOTHER GUZE TO ALL KIDS
October 18, 2007 | 12:33 PM
Both my wife and I taught in Forsyth County. The so-called "leaders" of this educational system have one concern which is avoiding any bad publicity. To ensure this, they will threaten, bully, and harass students, parents, and teachers to protect their own backsides.
This county is infested with the dirtiest brand of good ol'boy politics imaginable.
Concerned Forsyth Resident
October 17, 2007 | 10:06 PM
Forsyth Schools still has an opening for Special Ed Director posted--- Who are they going to put in that position? -- another lackey?
What a message the school board sent to all the teachers--- keep your mouth shut - - or you are next
October 17, 2007 | 10:05 PM
So - is Sharon PUrdie going to be reinstated?
42 us code 15009
October 14, 2007 | 05:21 PM
says it all
If our children could talk
October 07, 2007 | 04:07 PM
Well I can't speak for anyone else but I know that there are some things that go on everywhere that are wrong.Disabled children are still just that Children they don't have all the afterschool programs, that the regular ed kids get, they don't have extra help to pass these test that the state say they must pass, but don't offer extra help for them to pass.Terry I have not read everything that has happen and that you are doing, but I will say thank you for the children who are disabled, thank you for the children who are regular ed because they also need to be taught not to be scared of our children.Houston County is the district we are formally in right now and yes they do have an excellent education for my regular ed children, but my special needs son I could tell you some stories that you wouldn't belive.Why can't they just do what they say they are going to do. Ever official say's we have that childs best intrested at heart, but really we know whos intrest they have their own or we all of us would not be in this situation and OUR CHILDREN WOULD NOT BE SUFFERING BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT WE ARE FORCED TO SEND TO SCHOOL.
Where's the ... Schmear?
October 06, 2007 | 09:54 PM
In my experience, when a district abuses kids with disabilities severely, and retaliates against parents who fight the abuse, as well as those who question what the special ed program is really doing, it usually comes down to the fact that someone(s) are making money off it. It may be as simple as misappropriating special ed funds for non-special ed. purposes; it may be outright theft. It is rarely because those in authority actually have the welfare of these children at heart. They say they do: their actions speak far louder than their empty words.
Cherchez la buck!
Dee Alpert, Publisher
The SpecialEducationMuckraker.com
http://www.specialeducationmuckraker.com
Dee Alpert
SPECAIL NEEDS CHILDREN
October 05, 2007 | 07:37 AM
I SPEAK OF FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO STANDING UP FOR YOUR CHILD.BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I DON'T CARE BECAUSE IT'S NOT RIGHT.WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN FOSYTH CO IS A SHAME.I HAVE HAD TO PLACE OUR CHILD IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD THEY WERE NOT WELCOME IN THEIR SCHOOLS ANYMORE.I'M SORRY BUT CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BUT THE LAST TIME I CHECKED MY TAX BILL IT DIDN'T READ PAYABLE TO ALL ADMINISTRATION THAT HARASSES AND ABUSES SPECIAL ED STUDENTS.WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THIS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.PEOPLE NEED TO BE ASKING QUESTIONS NOT JUST THOSE OF SPECIAL NEEDS BUT THOSE WHO ARE TAXPAYERS OF THIS COUNTY.IF OUR KIDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO THESE SCHOOLS THEN WE AS PARENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES HERE.EVERYTIME SOMETHING HAPPENS THEY WHO ARE INVOLVED GET RAISES AND PRAISE FOR VIOLATION OF THESE KIDS RIGHTS,OR MAYBE THEY CAN AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER PAIR OF RED SHOES.PEOPLE WE NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE IN FORSYTH CO. AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW.SOMEONE NEEDS TO STAND UP AND PROTECT THESE KIDS.AND LET'T DON'T DO IT THE FORSYTH WAY LET'S DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.
UNABLE TO SAY FOR LEGAL PURPOSES
SPECAIL NEEDS CHILDREN
October 05, 2007 | 07:33 AM
I SPEAK OF FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO STANDING UP FOR YOUR CHILD.BUT YOU KNOW WHAY I DON'T CARE BECAUSE IT'S NOT RIGHT.WHAT IS HAPPENING HER IN FOSYTH CO IS A SHAME.I HAVE HAD TO PLACS OUR CHILD IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD THEY WERE NOT WECLOME IN THEIR SCHOOLS ANYMORE.I'M SORRY BUT CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BUT THE LAST TIME I CHECKED MY TAX BILL DIDN'T READ PAYABLE TO ALL ADMINISTRATION THAT HARASSES AND ABUSES SPECIAL ED STUDENTS.WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THIS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.PEOPLE NEED TO BE ASKING QUESTIONS NOT JUST THOSE OF SPECIAL NEEDS BUT THOSE WHO ARE TAXPAYERS OF THIS COUNTY.IF OUR KIDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO THESE SCHOOLS THEN WE AS PARENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES HERE.EVERYTIME SOMETHING HAPPENS THEY WHO ARE INVOLVED GET RAISES AND PRAISE FOR VIOLATION OF THESE KIDS RIGHTS,OR MAYBE THEY CAN AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER PAIR OF RED SHOES.PEOPLE WE NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE IN FORSYTH CO. AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW.SOMEONE NEEDS TO STAND UP AND PROTECT THESE KIDS.AND LET'T DON'T DO IT THE FORSYTH WAT LET'S DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.
UNABLE TO SAY FOR LEGAL PURPOSES
Anonymous Insults Usually Indicate EducRAT$ Trying to Cover Up
October 04, 2007 | 10:23 PM
I have read through this thread and it is apparent that an administrator wrote the one calling Terry paranoid. The rest of us know what is going on, but unfortunately not enough people with the power to change things know yet. Soon they will. I am close to finishing a book that explains exactly what is going on in our schools, with ideas of how to get them back. I invite you all to join our group - EndTeacherAbuse.org. Membership is free and we are building membership to prove that those of us who speak of this abuse are speaking the truth. We are teachers and parents determined to stop this abuse of children and teachers and parents. Do check out our website since there is lots of information there and we help people network - unity is power. This is going on all over the US and we have documented this. We need to unite to stop it. I welcome the disbeliever to come to our site and see how many people have written their stories, names and all. I wish it were Terry monopolizing the board rather than EducRAT$ having stolen our schools!
Karen Horwitz, President, NAPTA
YOU Get Real
October 03, 2007 | 10:20 AM
You are the one who is paranoid or just an ignorant good ole boy. This is not a Forsyth County School problem - not even just special ed any kid who falls between the cracks and isn't Tag or AP WILL suffer in the public school systems in Florida and Georgia! I have been in both and they will suffer emotionally and educationally. Parents U need to yell as loud and as far as you can - go down to your county boards of ed and get them on their districts' cases. Get in their faces. Administration hated to see me coming but who cares?? I sub with special ed kids just so they can have at least one good day. Some elem kids in north fulton county told me I was the only teacher who didn't yell at them and could I stay forever! Heartbreaking!!!!!!!!!! High school kids in inclusion classes just put their head down and sleep. One boy didn't have the paper they were all working on and when I gave it to him one of the aides said "oh he's in a gang he won't use that" they pay people from MESA or Resa to just sit there and observe but they don't do anything -not their job. The only way Ga will change is if newcomers expose them!! Fight for all our kids!
Also caring about kids and religion have nothing to do with each other so please keep the christianity stuff out some of the worst abusers go to church every sunday
Keep fighting for kids
Paranoia - Let's Get REAL!
October 02, 2007 | 08:51 PM
First, as a taxpaying citizen, mother, advocate and Christian I've been watching and listening to what is going on in Forsyth and I am concerned, as it is our "moral" obligation to look after children.
Personally, I have had a good experience with Forsyth Schools –so far. I think our "good" educators deserve a medal and should go straight to heaven for their public service to our children, but I do not agree with abusing that power and taking advantage of our children or their parents. I am thankful for some great educators and administrators in the system, but let's be "real"istic - there is good and bad in EVERY profession, to think different is naive at best.
Let's get real, just about every week you hear about educators and administrators that have taken advantage of our children, while others have turned their heads the other way. I would be weary of anyone that would not want to investigate the allegations, before they passed judgments. IMHO, you should err on the side of the children out of concern, just because it's right!
I have never physically met Terry, but I do know of her work and visit her website and others around the county every once in a while. We don't talk a whole lot and we don't see eye to eye on everything, but I don't even do that with my husband and other family members, so I don't expect that of other people either. No one can agree with ANYONE 100% of the time, but it doesn't mean you resort to insulting them.
We need different opinions, styles and dialogue to encourage proactive solutions, not stifling public citizens or humiliation to keep them quiet. As decent, moral and ethical citizens and more importantly Christians, not to mention decent human beings these allegations need to be investigated by our County Commissioners for the sake of our children. I don't want to hear that the school system is their own "entity" or organization and there is nothing they can do if they mistreat children in OUR county. This needs to be investigated, for the sake of our children, because many times they can't speak for themselves. The bible is very clear about not exasperating our children.
I know Terry is NOT paranoid and I resent any person using a symptom of a disability to be used as a way of trying to humiliate citizens who invoke their rights under our constitution for the sake of our most vulnerable children and the rights of every citizen in our county and what is still America!
Personally, when people resort to hurling those types of insults I think they are either the attorneys for the school or other government paid employee who forget the power belongs to The People. Our job as citizens is to bring our cares to the government and the government's job is to represent "The People".
Georgia government does NOT own OUR children in public schools and we - The People will not allow you to insult the "few" concerned citizens that have a "backbone" to speak up about an issue that is important.
Apparently, Terry has nothing to hide, as she has come forward and put her name out there, while you - Let's get real – Why won't you put YOUR name to your allegations of Terry?
I really do hope you are not an educator, because I would be disappointed to think you may be teaching our children to hurl insults, instead of dealing with issues by discussing them and coming to resolutions for all concerned, especially our children.
I would like to know - why wouldn't you like to know what is going on, as a concerned citizen of our county? These are children we are talking about. Y'all can say what you want, but there is a law we will ALL answer to one day.
Terry, thank you for standing up for our constitutional rights and more importantly for our children. Let's get real, it would behoove you do follow your own advice - Get Real!
Carmen Allen - Concerned Citizen, Parent and Adv
October 02, 2007 | 07:14 PM
What law is there to stop people from saying what they are going to say in a court case? There is no law it is all made up to keep the public from finding out what is going on. Also in Florida it is the norm to intimidate and retaliate against any parent and child who dares to fight for their rights. Linda D. Montalbano
"Currently, there are several cases pending against the county involving allegations of abuse against students with special needs. Because of the litigation Forsyth County School Board Chairwoman, Nancy Roche, reminded the five citizens signed up to speak before the regular meeting that their comments must not include anything that would later be heard in court. That restricted parents and citizens from speaking about specific students, personnel or incidents."
Linda D. Montalbano advocate
To Mr./Mrs 'Let's get real'...
October 02, 2007 | 05:34 PM
I seriously doubt you have a disabled child or you would not be wasting your time calling Terry names. I don't know Terry, never met her... BUT I applaud her courage and stamina in a fight that is way past due and shouldn't have to be fought to begin with.One of my extremely intelligent children quit school because so called educators couldn't or wouldn't take the time to find out exactly what his disability entailed. All they could do was blame him for their ignorance because he didn't fit the mold of most of the other kids. I can not understand how anybody could be AGAINST humane treatment for every child, disabled or not.
Toni Barker ( parent to two young men with asper
Yes, we would like to know and thanks to Terry we know more!
October 02, 2007 | 02:31 PM
Paranoia? Is that all you have to say about a helpful, dedicated person that is advocating for all of our children? We need more "Terry Bernadine's" in all the Georgia counties. Fulton County is just as bad as Forsyth but unfortunately we don't have a Terry in our county. We need more parents to realize that their problems with the school system are not isolated cases and start speaking up and bond together. We cannot allow the school administrators to continue to allow physical and mental abuse of our children. The very reason we send our children to school is to get an education. All children regardless of their disabilities have the right to grow up and be responsible citizens. My son is a 7th grader, reading at a 2nd grade level placed last year in a self contained room "to give him more reading remediation." Of which never happened with reading programs provided and the non-highly trained special ed teachers. My son was bullied, ridiculed and harassed throughout the school year until he mentally was worn out and started having physical symptoms. Why? Because he couldn't read therefore it effects every moment of his day. The special education administrators need to know that we are joining forces and will not allow this to continue. I find it absurd our tax dollars for the schools are spent on the school lawyers to fight parents wasting thousands (probably millions) of dollars then to simply agree that our children have right's to an education.
Another parent currently advocating for her son
Terry Is Not Paranoid
October 02, 2007 | 12:07 PM
As an attorney representing disabled children and those who advocate for them, I can tell you unequivocally that Terry Baradine is not paranoid. Quite the contrary, she is acutely aware of the abuse to disabled children and the intentional violation of their rights by a system many find totally out of control. To me, anyone who says Terry is paranoid is either 1) ignorant of the truth or 2) a part of the ugly reality in Forsyth County. Interestingly, the individual attacking Terry did not sign his or her name to the response. As an attorney who has represented many children in the Forsyth County School District, I suggest those in Forsyth County not attack each other but instead focus all their energy on correcting a serious problem, one that is causing harm and educational deprivation to children while costing tax payers attorney's fees when their money should be spent on educating children.
Chris E. Vance
Don't Let it Die
October 02, 2007 | 04:30 AM
I am a concerned citizen from FL reading this abhorrent story. Unfortunately, it is happening in the district where I live too. I encourage your community to continue to stand up for what is right. Don't let this issue die, or one of your children could.
Retaliated against in FL
Let's get real
October 01, 2007 | 10:15 PM
How many of these responses are Terry Beradine monopolizing this board with her paranoia a she does about forsyth??
Wouldn't YA like to know??
Let's get real
October 01, 2007 | 10:14 PM
How many of these responses are Terry Beradine monopolizing this board with her paranoia a she does about forsyth??
Wouldn't YA like to know??
The Bigger Question is Why?
October 01, 2007 | 09:21 PM
Are these things happening because:
1. Administrators are out of control and the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education does not have the intestinal fortitude to do something about it? or
2. This attitude is actually coming from the top down and the reason they can't do anything with the administrators is because the fingers will be pointed back to them?
Keep in mind that what happened to Sharon Purdie came from the top.
Don't forget the petition
October 01, 2007 | 06:07 PM
Don't forget to sign the petition expressing our desires to put Sharon Purdie back where she so rightly belongs and is so badly needed!
www.petitiononline.com/0928
System-wide problem that needs to go!
October 01, 2007 | 06:04 PM
Our son's rights were so wantonly abused and his needs so poorly handled that we pulled him out and put him in a private school where, I'm happy to say, he did well. After attending the board of education meeting on the 20th and hearing other parents' stories, it became crystal clear that these are not isolated incidents, but routine throughout the Forsyth County school system. It's time to clean house, folks! Remember this when you're standing at the ballot box in the '08 elections. We need to get good, ethical people in the school system like Sharon Purdie who will stick up for kids and rid our schools of the backwards good 'ol boy network that is hurting our children, thereby the future of our community.
Withheld for fear of further retaliation
September 30, 2007 | 11:24 PM
very one who reads this and see these names should be asking them questions like are you doing this to my children.i can't wait to see how much of a raise they give them for this on there went the 1 cent raise i guess someone will be moving to a nicer house at our expense
big mouth mom
September 29, 2007 | 10:09 PM
Our personal experience dealing with the administrators/principal at Big Creek forced us to place our daughter into private school. Big Creeks administrations is totally incompetent and uncaring to children with disabilities, and their actions were hurtful and demeaning to our daughter. I am happy to report that her learning disability has been properly address and she is excelling now. I appauled anyone who is willing to help learning disabled and special needs children.
Ex-BigCreekParent
September 29, 2007 | 05:47 PM
When I think of how very badly Keith Jarrard was treated in the school district and how many of his rights were violated and how Sharon Purdie, at that time, the director of special education for the Forsyth County School District, was herself so upset she actually stated in writing that the 11 year old child with disabilities was harassed and discriminated against by four administrators, I am deeply saddened by such a school district. Yet, when I think how the four administrators (Zoul, Lewsader, Korngold, and Smiley) whom Ms. Purdie reported to have harmed the child are still employed by the school district and how they were not reported to the authorities but instead Sharon Purdie was demoted, I am outraged. The newspaper and the reporter should be praised for covering the serious problems in this school district. The irony is that the story begins with discussion of Sharon Purdie, known in this state to be an individual who championed for all children to be educated and the story ends discussing Bruce Wagar, who reportedly was upset when the juvenile court dismissed almost immediately the inapppropriate criminal charges brought against Keith by the school distrit officer, reportely under the direction of Zoul. Wagar is reportedly retired and now being paid twice by the school district although reports are the man is not a friend to any children, especially those with special needs. The information I received was that it was Wagar who sent Keith Jarrard over to the alternative school because he failed to give eye contact to an adult, even though Keith, due to his disabilities, struggles to give eye contact when he is anxious. Keith was being tested for special education at the time he was suspended from school and sent to Piedmont, where there, they tried to force him to shovel horse manure and dog feces at age 11. Several teachers have reported Keith to be a wonderful child who should have never have been sent to Piedmont, and surely never ever sent to the psychoed center, where a child earlier took his own life, yet Lewsader was trying his best to send Keith to the psychoed center, reportedly because Zoul refused to allow Keith to stay at Otwell. My questions are this, why are Zoul and Lewsader (and the others) still in education, why was Sharon Purdie demoted, and who in the administration supports such policies. Those are the questions to be answered, and once they are, we know what needs to be done then - house cleaning, at least in my opinion.
Chris Vance
Where's Karen of the Cleanliness in Schools Article?
September 29, 2007 | 11:22 AM
She claims to be someone who works with Special Needs students and lives in Forsyth County. Show us how much you care about them by getting involved and being one more advocate that has a medium to have the voice of Special Needs Students heard.
Status-quo when it comes to special needs children
September 28, 2007 | 07:43 PM
So the district administration has no problem bullying disabled children, their parents, and the wonderful teachers who try to look out for the most vulnerable of our children. As usual, it appears the school board is a bunch of good 'ole boys who conveniently look the other way. Shameful, and shame on them. Where is the Office of Civil Rights? Oh, that's right...the boys in Atlanta are in bed with the school districts and/or just too lazy and incompetent to do their job. You're not alone in Georgia folks, it is just as bad here in Florida. Why is it that institutions in the south still refuse to comply with federal laws, or think that they don't have to? There are horror stories from several counties in Georgia and Florida about this problem. The rest of the country should be enlightened to what is really going on in these two (deep south) states. Disabled children and their advocates, whether it be a parent, teacher, or someone else, are supposed to be protected from acts of retaliation, intimidation and coercion as a result of advocating for the rights of a special needs child. Whose job is it to protect those federally guaranteed rights of protection? OCR. So where are they, still hiding? Where is the moral backbone of just one courageous school administrator, school board member or OCR investigator to do the job your taxes are paying them to do?
Cathy, Parent Advocate, Florida
unknown
September 28, 2007 | 03:23 PM
It is a shame that disabled citizens and childen are stell being treated in this matter. To retaliate against Sharon Purdie for doing her job is unconscienceable.
unknown
