12.20
Oh boy, we have some more “Rocky facts.” The October 25, 2007 edition of the Lake Travis View reported on Rocky and his speech to the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce.
Let’s review his speech:
“If you get good people, the rest of the challenges we face take care of themselves.”*
What? Now we know why the district is only “academically acceptable.” Just how do you define “good people?” You don’t seem to do a good a picking “good people” do you? Should I mention some names?
So then how will the “challenges we face take care of themselves?” We really want to know. Rocky has littered his speech with euphemisms.
I guess “take care of themselves” can be characterized as a “Rocky mantra?” Familiar with this?
Remember, Rocky, you used the phrase: “We have committed to our community to live out our motto: Every Heart. Every Mind. Every Day., and as we do, the results will take care of themselves.”
What kind of management philosophy is this? And we wonder why ….?
Rocky, where is this “magic wand” that you plan to waive about and see everything “take care of themselves?”
“Kirk said the district is working hard to improve its status in the state’s accountability system, “We are an `acceptable’ school district,” Kirk said. “We have been recognized in the past. We have yet to be ranked as `exemplary’ within the state’s accountability system. I am not going to tell you that we do not have challenges in becoming a better school system.”*
What? Let’s point out some REAL facts, and not rely on “Rocky facts:”
“Rocky Fact:” The LTISD has not been ranked `exemplary’ within the state’s accountability system.
REAL Fact: The LTISD has not been ranked “exemplary” within the state’s accountability system during Rocky’s administration.
REAL Fact: The LTISD has been ranked “exemplary” twice since 1997, once in 1997 and then again in 2000.
“Despite the successes, the superintendent said the state accountability system doesn’t help the district to reach its disadvantaged students.”*
Have you ever noticed that those who can’t measure up are always complaining about how unfair the system is to them? So why change the standards so that everyone looks good, even though they are not.
Why can other districts in Texas achieve “recognized” and “exemplary” status but the LTISD can’t? It is certainly not for a lack of resources nor is it directly proportional to superintendent pay.
You wouldn’t happen to think that Rocky’s management of the districts is a reason that the LTISD has fallen to “academically acceptable” for the second year in a row?
“Kirk also pointed out that Lake Travis High School was ranked one of the best in the nation by Newsweek magazine.”*
Searching the Newsweek® web site, I was able to verify this fact, but you should know the WHOLE truth:
The Lake Travis High School was ranked among the top 1000 High Schools in the May 24, 2003 issue of Newsweek® (Rank 659) and in the May 6, 2005 issue (Rank 587) based on data from 2002 and 2004 respectively. Not exactly “this year” as his speech would imply.
Rocky, let’s have the “whole truth” if you please.
And finally:
“And Allison Cobb, who will be the principal at Serene Hills Elementary when it opens next year, but is currently over at Lakeway Elementary, was named Region XIII elementary principal of the year. These are tremendous accomplishments for our staff at every level.”
How can you be elementary principal of the year at a school which does not exist?
I don’t recall Allison being the principal of any “existing” elementary school within the district. I guess you just start pulling names out of a hat. Kind of tells you about the quality and the forethought that goes into dispensing these awards?
If they can name a principal of the year for a nonexistent school, why not name Rocky the Region XIII superintendent of the year? Just let the random selection fall where it may …
“Managers are like cats in a litter box. They instinctively shuffle things around to conceal what they’ve done.” -Dilbert (Scott Adams)
* “Kirk outlines district’s annual goals during chamber luncheon”, Charles McClure, Lake Travis View, October 25, 2007, Volume 22, Number 43
