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Tim Pitchford Letter - Pitchford Admits To Open Meetings Law Violations

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 7172

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Oct 08 2014 8:50 AM


HOUSTON COUNTY:     


In another article written last evening, I informed of the Tim Pitchford letter that was "found" during an investigation!  The letter is written by Houston County School Superintendent ( Henry County Resident ) Tim Pitchford to the members of the Houston County School Board.


Pitchford was upset because FINALLY a Houston County School Board Member, Bobby Harrell, asked Pitchford questions in a meeting. Pitchford will not allow anyone to question his authority. He gets mad and revengeful.


As you read the letter from Pitchford to the Board with his threats, refer to section 5, the portion in black bold and underlined. Mr. Pitchford, there is a good reason Bobby Harrell was asking questions. It is called, Bobby Harrell is wanting to operate LEGALLY and LAWFULLY! You have admitted to violating the Alabama Open Meetings Law, in writing. That subjects Bobby Harrell and other members of the Houston County School Board to fines, individually, of up to $ 1,000.00.


Bobby Harrell, according to you, was creating trouble. When in reality, he is just trying to get you to not subject members of the Board of Education to fines and civil action.



LETTER TO HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WITH THREATS FROM TIM PITCHFORD



September 3, 2014



To: ALL Board Members,



I would like to formally respond to the accusations made to me by Mr. Harrell last night. To say that I was caught off guard and disappointed would be an understatement. I chose to be a peacemaker last night instead of choosing a path of confrontation. But, I will address each charge as clearly as possible.


1. Not being informed of agenda items:



I ask Dianne to try to send an agenda five to seven days in advance of a board meeting. The agenda is alist of personnel and business items to that point. There will always be items that principals or supervisors bring to me after the agenda is sent. For that reason, I always point out any additional item and offer to table it at the request of any board member that needs more information. If there are no questions I assume everyone understands.


2. Hiring a principal without approval (Greg Yance):



Jim Murry was the principal at Alternative School nearly two years ago. He had shoulder surgery and was to miss the last couple of months of school. He was also previously taking sick days as he approached retirement. I did not hire a principal, I found a substitute with an administration degree. Greg Yance was not a principal; he was a substitute for the principal. We hire dozens of substitutes every day.


3. Changed attorneys in the Wicksburg lawsuit:


Nearly three years ago Denise Whitfield requested that the board allow her to change special educationattorneys. The board agreed to her request. We have not used Kevin Walding for a special education case in three years. When the federal judge in the civil case ruled that the case should have first been handled through a special education due process, the case was taken over by the board approved special education attorneys. The case will go back to Kevin Walding if another federal suit is filed.


4. Informing the board of graffiti at Rehobeth:


Both cases of vandalism occurred on Friday night and were discovered on Saturday. In both cases the story made the news before Monday morning. We have cases of graffiti at least once a month somewhere in the school system. This is a common occurrence with our open campuses. This is the first time it was considered newsworthy. Our painters are always called and the markings normally are covered before students arrive on Monday morning. We have found the less attention we give the markings, the less attention the vandals receive. Proof of that is the first incident made the news and vandals repeated the crime the next weekend, even worse this time. The second incident made the news and more attention.


5. Filling in ditch at Houston County High School


Chip informed me that before we could install the new light poles at Columbia, all the pine trees on the west side of the stadium had to be removed. He also told me the driveway across the ditch had to be replaced with new pipe and widened three times in order for the truck to deliver the poles to the stadium safely. Chip also pointed out to me that after this work was done, it would not take but a few more pieces of pipe to cover the whole ditch. Houston County Road and Bridge would deliver the dirt. Chip already had the backhoe on site.


I did not remember it but Chip reminded me this morning that I would not let him purchase the pipe until I at least got verbal approval from the board. Chip stated he was present when I asked about the project. I don't remember it but he does. I have gotten verbal approval on many occasions when a board meeting was three to four weeks away. There has never been any question of this practice before. Why now?


I believe these ridiculous accusations, some that happened nearly two years ago, are the result of me not agreeing to hire more coaches at Rehobeth as Mr. Harrell wants. The principal told me they have enough coaches. The head coach and athletic director tells me they have enough coaches.


But Mr. Harrell obviously feels he knows more than the principal and coach and demands his way.


We addressed the need for more coaches at,Ashford and Rehobeth with the $15/student activity allocation. Rehobeth Middle and Rehobeth High receive nearly $20,000 extra each year to hire as many coaches the principal needs. And there lies the real issue. Mr. Dixon and Mr. Boyd are happy with the number of coaches they have. They are very appreciative of the money and facilities the board provides for them.


Mr. Harrell wants to tell the principals how to run their schools. The principals want to make their own decisions without interference from Mr. Harrell. Mr. Harrell is now upset with me that I will not over-rule the principals on his behalf.


To make matters worse, on Wednesday morning, after Mr. Harrell had the opportunity to sleep on what happened the night before and realize that those mean-spirited comments were out of line, called Frankie Clark, the head football coach and my friend, and told him he needed to get hunting another hunting partner.


He stated that I was finished with him and Frankie.


Unprofessional, inappropriate and mean-spirited.


If this behavior is condoned and is not addressed, the working relationship between board and superintendent will suffer for years to come.


The record of Houston County Schools over the last ten years stands for itself. Year in and year out our system ranks near the top 10% in the state in graduation rates and financial responsibility.


As for my leadership skills, the state superintendents association has had me mentoring new superintendents for years. I will begin mentoring Ozark City School new superintendent next week. Two years ago I was selected as one of the top seven superintendents in the state. An honor I would not accept because I did not want the attention.


Last night I was hurt and disappointed. Today I am mad as hell. The board can handle this unjust attack on my character and leadership skills or I will. I have bragged about the board all across this state. I never fail to tell people how thankful I am and how fortunate Houston County is to have such an outstanding board.



This is a 56 million dollar corporation with nearly 800 employees. The pressure and stress is unbelievable.


If any board member has a problem or question call me or come by and see me. We can solve any problem we have. But to blind-side me before a board meeting with a bunch of two-year old, trumped up nonsenseis unacceptable.



Sincerely,



Tim Pitchford




Tim Pitchford Letter - Pitchford Admits To Open Meetings Law Violations

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