I live in Alabama and I don’t have any children in Columbus public schools. Two of our sons, Michael and Adam, graduated from Hardaway High School, so there’s that. In spite of literally not having a dog in that fight, I remain intensely interested in the health and effectiveness of our Muscogee County School District, because great schools train great future employees and leaders, both being mighty important to our region’s economic development.
After putting my news nose into the wind yesterday, I had a feeling that last night’s Muscogee County School District meeting might be one for the record books, and that I probably should attend and see for myself what I have heard others say about the tone of the meetings.
Jill and I went to the meeting last night. It was my first MCSD school board meeting. I hope that many more of you, whether you have children in the public schools or not, will go and watch that process some time soon.
Jill and I each said one word several times last night on the drive back to Seale and even after we were in bed. “Wow!”
Just “Wow.”
Wow, I can’t believe what I saw and heard there.
“Wow.”
Wow, I can’t believe Frank Myers referred to Superintendent Dr. David Lewis and Chief Operations and Facilities Officer David Goldberg as “You two birds.”
Wow.
How Frank Myers called David Lewis a liar. Out loud — with TV cameras rolling, in spite of the sweet presentation on RESPECT delivered by four children from a local elementary school.
How Myers finger-pointed and ranted about how he was “sick and tired” of this, that and the other and threateningly engaged other members of the board and the MCSD cabinet and then immediately began Facebook postings, writing or shuffling papers, very obviously not caring to hear what the person he was dogging had to say in reply.
A strong memory from my childhood is how I felt when I went to church as a little guy. I knew I was going to leave that church every Sunday feeling depressed. Just down. I went into each Sunday morning session knowing that I was going to be beaten down. I knew I would leave feeling smaller than I did when I walked in. It was such a bad experience that, to this day, I almost get sick to my stomach when I pass by my old church building on Hamilton Road.
That is exactly how I felt as the meeting last night opened with four precious children from Allen Elementary School talking about the efforts they make in their lives to treat others with respect. It was so cute that they held up the letters R-A-O-S (just a slight, old-school technical glitch), and talked about how they SOAR when they treat their classmates with respect. There was no more respect shown from the right side of that dais for the next more than three hours.
Here’s the other thing: Jill and I have gotten to know Karen and David Lewis. They are really fine people. We’ve had dinners with them and have found out just how much they love our community. They’re planning to retire here. The other thing I learned from them is how shocked they are that there is so much anger aimed at our local school board and administration. I really don’t think they’ve ever seen anything like what is going on here.
Beyond the friendship, David Lewis has got the passion, the knowledge and the personality to take our schools to the next level. He deserves the respect of a grateful community. He does not deserve to be called a liar in a public meeting in front of his wife, his cabinet, his board and his employees.
Frank Myers is a schoolyard bully. He’s a tall, imposing guy and his lawyer swagger just accentuates the bluster. Everyone in the room with a bully is wary of him. What is he going to say or do next? When will he point that finger at me about something else he’s “sick and tired” of?
We live in the Deep South, where people are a whole lot of different things, but what we are most is kind. We are genteel. We usually treat even our worst enemy with kindness and respect. Not so at the Muscogee County School Board. Not so when big, bad Frank is in the room.
There was joy in that room last night. People brought their families to see the votes that honored their loved ones with a promotion or a new job. That joy was short-lived as we all dived back into the sludge that was our county’s school board meeting last night.
You know the feeling when you’re walking at night along a stretch of unfamiliar road in a strange town? That feeling like something bad could happen and catch you by surprise? That is exactly what that meeting felt like last night and I am profoundly sad that it has to be that way.
From what I saw and what I have read, Frank Myers wants David Lewis to go back to Florida. My clear sense also tells me that Myers, if he’s allowed to keep his seat on the board, will think exactly the same thing about the next superintendent.
That’s exactly the way all bullies act — until they get the final, verbal ass whipping they deserve. Stirring up people’s feelings just because you like to do it is no excuse for the embarrassing show that Frank Myers put on last night. I think it is safe to say the palpable tension was unhealthy for every person who was in that room.
Hoping it will get better may be too much to ask for, unless Myers’ cavalier attitude about the rules, finds him on the wrong side of one of them and an angry citizenry decides to recall him from office. I think this is a great example of how someone’s passion about something diminishes his ability to act in a civil manner. My momma wouldn’t have put up with it. I’m thinking Frank Myers, like brilliant singer/songwriter Jason Isbell in his song If it Takes a Lifetime says, has “got too far from his raising.”
Linda Twiggs says
Beautifully said, Mike. Dr David Lewis is such a brilliant, thoughtful leader who has brought such class to our schools system. We love the way he has studied our system before making any suggestions for changes. We believe he truly loves our students and teachers as he leads us to higher educational standards. Shame on the bully! He acts disgracefully!
Susan Cheney says
Kudos to you Mike for using your own platform to say it like it is!! Right is right and wrong by golly is wrong! Bullying is the exact word I have used in every occasion I’ve had to speak of Frank Myers’ antics, to include those conversations I’ve had face to face with him. Trouble is, it’s fuel to his fire. The only thing that’s going to shut his proverbial pie whole is s big, heaping helping of votes that take his platform completely away from him. It’s time for voters to become educated when they go to the polls. I’m sure I’ll be personally attacked by him again soon but that’s ok. I’ll keep using my God given, southern genteel and graceful manner in telling him to shut the $)&@ up
Jack Basset says
Mike, Frank and his little follower Thomas have no contribution to make to anything! I’m convinced that Frank has issues that require professional assistance.
I wonder just how much trouble it is to have a district recall?
Debbie McGreggor says
You are 100 percent correct in your description of Dr. Lewis. He is an extremely nice gentleman and kind to everyone he meets. He truly loves the kids and only wants what’s best for the district.To be called out like that in a public meeting is utterly disgraceful. it is my understanding that since Mr Myers has join the school board, he has been extremely rude in the meetings. Dr. Lewis attended many of the Muscogee County Library Board meetings. He always exhibited a high level of professionalism. Mr Myers could certainly take lessons from him. As long as Mr Myers is on the school board, you can expect more meetings like the one you attended. like you, I do not have a dog in this fight since I am no longer employed by the school district.
Debbie Eklund says
He is a band teacher.
Paula Acton says
Bravo Mike!! Why has politics at every level become so mean-spirited? What happened to people finding common ground and working together for the common good?
Guerry Clegg says
Well said, Mike. And very much needed. Myers and Thomas claim they want financial accountability. What the really want is to bully people. They’re both an embarrassment to the city and detriment to the school district.
Lisa Jenkins says
Mike, You said it all so nicely, but I will add, I work closely with Dr. Lewis for the autism community and the 24 classrooms we will be building. Dr. Lewis is a fine man, Frank Myers is a wanna be loud mouth who is using his seat for a personal vendetta. He wants Dr. Lewis gone, Rob Varner gone and Hatcher Stubbs( HS represented franks sister when she sued him over daddies trust he was managing, yes sister sued him). I’ll never forget when I went to his house to give him back his yard sign after the campaign(yes I supported him), he said throw it away, I am a one turn person, who will get rid of Rob Varner and Hatcher Stubbs. I looked at him and said, you used me, you lied, its not about the kids, he smiled.He has worked day one to destroy what Dr. Lewis has done for our kids. He is a bully, that uses profanity to the board, treats them with no respect. I recall my vote.
I have full confidence in Dr. David Lewis and the 7 others who want to move our district forward. Sorry for the rant, but FM may cost our schools accreditation and that means, NO COLLEGES…
Jennifer says
I went to a school board meeting last year as part of my Leadership Columbus class. I could not believe my eyes and ears! Frank Myers wasn’t elected yet- but he sure was running! The name calling and general demeanor at that point was alarming. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out why anyone would want to run for a seat if these folks personally attacked them every single week! It has to be exhausting for everyone! In this instance (and actually any politician) that uses anger and name calling in their argument to make their point automatically is discredited in my mind, regardless of the validity of the argument. My one board meeting made quite the impression about some of our local “leaders.” I gained so much more respect for how Dr. Lewis and others handled these verbal attacks!
Barbara Moushon says
Thank you. Things do not change overnight – for the good or bad. I love Dr Lewis’ outlook and intention. His intention is clear. I have delt with bullies in my youth and my child’s. They gain joy when they hurt someone else. It feeds them. Dr lewis’s ability to stay cool is inspiring
Pat Jones says
Thank you Mike for calling out the bully!! There needs to be more people like you so the bullies are put in their place!! Unfortunately, other people pay the price when they open their mouths!! I will lift prayers for the issues that he has never dealt with that causes him to behave this way!!! By the way, exactly where do the children fit in?? Does he ever bring them in to the conversation???
Joyce S says
Amen. Thanks, Mike, for your honest comments. Mr. Myers needs to be removed from the Board.
Dusty Wellborn says
I watched the school board meeting last night and was aghast at the uncivil behavior of Frank Myers. The school board member sitting to his left looked uncomfortable and almost threatened. Surely there is some reprimand for his deplorable conduct. He is wasting precious time in the school board meetings, offering no solutions and creating negative energy that serves no one but himself. He feeds off of creating chaos and is currently the biggest problem in our school system. If he really has the best interest of our students, he will resign.
Lisa Jenkins says
well said
John Woodward says
Well said brother, well said.
I think Frank is positioning himself to run for mayor and feels his attitude and demeanor will help him win that office. I sincerely hope I am wrong. He is counter productive on the school board and would be dangerous as the mayor.
Gwen says
Very well said, Mike! Unfortunately, we all have a “dog in the fight”. The second and third order effects of a disjointed school board are thus: 1) families with school age children will think twice before relocating here in our community, which is an economic impact; 2) administrators are not able to fulfill their job duties because they are spending valuable time chasing rabbits down a hole in order to amass documents and unnecessary records to appease the curiosity of the board members 3) the good public servants are lumped into the same category with the self-serving and disruptive ones and finally 4) we all hang our heads in shame at the example being set for our children….
Debbie Eklund says
Surely you jest? This is one of the worst pieces of writing I’ve clapped eyes on in many moons. I winced at times reading this….. it’s puerile transparently personal.
Tom Hanley says
Maybe some smiles and a gentle laugh by those in attendance would put a little shame in him.
Debbie Eklund says
It’s going to take a lot more than that to shake Frank Myers.
Nadine Moore says
Any one who is not part of the status quo is called a bully. Because you have resorted to name calling you have lost the argument.
This is a personality piece more so than a piece on the issues.
The Lottery for Education vote used the “school supplies” as one of its baits to get the vote.
Title I was to buy school supplies and books.
As it stands, we are still purchasing supplies and the students to not have books to bring home.
Listen to both sides of the argument and forget the personality piece.
Lewis is a nice man who inherited a mess. Can he lead us out of the mess or will he fall in step with the status quo and keep us entangled with failing schools?
Frank Myers and John Thomas make good points. They are not bullies. They are thinking outside of the mess. People are paying attention.
Bill Mays says
I support Frank Myers and John Thomas! i wish every board member had their passion. Mike, you seem to be a mind reader. People like you is what is holding back the truth. This is not about personalities, it’s about accountability. I hope and pray Frank Myers and John Thomas keeps up the great work!
Brandon Smith says
Mike clearly you are being a bully writing something like this. Frank Myers is saving MCSD, he is my hero!
Carlton says
What is he doing to save the school system? He is making up problems and then arguing that he has the solution. Hero I think not…tell him Fox News isn’t looking for any new anchors.
Sandra Voyles says
Dr. Lewis may be a fine man. He probably is. Nice doesn’t get my granddaughter educated. Frank Lewis may be a bully. I HOPE he is. Why is there so much angst about people DEMANDING the truth? If a liar is a liar am I supposed to be nice and keep letting him/her be a liar? Especially when my grandchild’s education is at stake?
I am not name calling anyone – I do not personally know either of the men. I want what is best for my future.
WHY ARE COLUMBUS SCHOOLS FAILING if that board is doing such a fabulous job? WHY ARE MORE AND MORE military families moving on post for their children? Waddell lost 4 that I personally know of. Parents told me point blank that it was SCHOOL that drove them to post. They actually lost money in the moves.
So if heated meetings, if bully tactics, if name calling gets our failing schools whipped into shape then KEEP IT UP. Bless their hearts.
Georgia Brown says
Like you and Jill, Chuck and I don’t have a dog in that fight. However, every Tuesday morning when we read Mark Rice’s report on school board meetings, we wonder how he, gentleman that his is, can stomach sitting through those meetings and then go back to the newsroom to regurgitate his reporting.
Is it too much to expect that public figures behave as ladies and gentlemen – at least in public?
Mark Sanks says
I find it odd, that the writer would focus on someone’s personality rather than the issues he is fighting for. Admittly you have only attended one board meeting and you are good friends with Lewis. I’m sure Lewis is a nice person, but after watching every meeting on TV, I don’t think he is a good superintendent. It’s apparent to me that The waste of this school board is out of control. Kudos to Myers and Thomas for their willingness to call out the perceived injustices of our children and taxpayers, and taking on Lewis and some of the administrators. Myers is a breath of fresh air.
Debbie Eklund says
Yes, that was rather odd wasn’t it? Big, bad Frank Myers?…….
Beth Garcia says
Mike Venable has a personal relationship with David and Karen Lewis. I appreciated that disclosure as I read his hit piece on Frank Myers. Because Mr. Venable’s friendship with Dr. Lewis is the only thing that helps make sense of Mr. Venable’s words.
Mr. Venable is apparently attempting to come to the defense of his friend. As a general rule, I admire and appreciate loyalty.
But blind loyalty is another matter.
Facts still matter. You would think Mr. Venable would understand that, as he apparently holds himself out to be a journalist of some sort.
First, from all accounts, Frank Myers never called David Lewis “a liar” in Monday night’s school board meeting. Frank did, however, raise issues and bring forth facts that made it clear that the Superintendent has a history of failing to be candid with the board, his cabinet and staff, and the public. There is a big difference.
Second, Venable claimed that he didn’t have a dog in this fight. That’s simply not true. Mr. Venable failed to disclose that one of his business tenants, Marquette McKnight of Media, Marketing and More has a NO-BID contract with the Muscogee County School System. Mr. Venable benefits directly from this very questionable relationship in the form of maintaining his rental income.
Third, Venable puts forth the thought that there are legal grounds to remove or recall somebody like Frank from the school board based on the ‘facts’ presented in this piece. There aren’t.
I could go on with various other factual problems with Mr. Venable’s piece, but I won’t. You get the drift.
What was missing from Mr. Venable’s piece was a discussion of what is really important here, and that is the performance of our local public school system.
The uncomfortable truth is that our local school system is failing EVERYBODY. We have nearly twenty percent of our schools in a state of perpetual failure. And Dr. Lewis has done nothing more than to propose a vague plan to address this issue by adding $3.5 million worth of consultants to our already bloated school system bureaucracy. Consultants. Seriously?
The school board — the governing body of the school system (to whom the Superintendent is supposed to report) — DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE where the system’s financial resources are because the Superintendent refuses to provide requested information to board members. On the night of the final vote for this year’s budget, the Superintendent substantially altered the final, yet sketchy numbers that were presented to the board, and failed to give notice of these changes to the board. Many departments were impacted to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Yet Lewis claims he is transparent and accountable.
Long time employees are leaving the District in droves. Many of them have nowhere to go. They just want out, due to the toxic atmosphere that the Lewis administration has fostered.
Teachers work in a climate of fear, ruled from the Taj Mahal by a dictatorial superintendent who restricts admission to his office floor even among his own administration staff.
The Transportation Department struggles to train and keep qualified bus drivers because the administration will not open its eyes to the fact that our district is not competitive in the employment market.
The people who keep our system running — those responsible for the maintenance of our buildings — and the crossing guards, whose job it is to help keep our kids safe, have not had a raise in many, many years.
Frank Myers is doing exactly what he promised the voters he would do during the campaign last year and that is attempting to bring accountability and academic achievement to the Muscogee County School District.
But people like Mike Venable, who benefit from no-bid contracts and prefer to cavort with the social elite rather than get his hands dirty and help fix the obvious problems of our school system, have the nerve to attack a reformer like Frank Myers.
And the irony of all this is that Mr. Venable is attacking Frank for Frank’s actions during a meeting where Frank was attempting to enact an initiative to have the school system pay for basic school supplies. But if the kids get basic school supplies and thus have a fighting chance at getting a quality public education, Mr. Venable might not get his rent money. And Mr. Venable apparently doesn’t like any bullies messing with his rent money.
Finally, by all indications, there is another perpetual failure at work within the Muscogee County School District. And that is Dr. Lewis’s apparent perpetual failure to be candid with those with whom he works. If you think Frank Myers made the Superintendent and those in his social circle uncomfortable this past Monday night, I suggest you fasten your seat belts.
alice spengler says
Any socially and emotionally well adjusted person can size up the bully/person with a problem in the room in about two seconds. You called it like it is. Reading the news from Alabama, I have sat over a cup of coffee saying the same words, “Wow, this Myers guy is a bully.” Most people like him have no insight to themselves and don’t care to. What is so hard about being respectful? You can make your point, be vocal, and not back down all without being so disrespectful. There is an old saying, “You can catch more with honey than vinegar.”
C S Howard III says
I have a bigger problem with the fact we have so many failing schools…..
Tricia says
Yes are superintendent is a nice man, but nice is not getting the job done. Our children do not have books in classrooms. We do have common core where the children and teachers can be stressed out of their minds w pre-tests, mid way test, post tests and post post tests. He has chosen to change our reading program to model Alabama’s?? He cand the current board have taken our county and screwed it up. The school board has and continues to make poor choices with our tax paying dollars, and people need to stand up and question the choices these leaders are making for our children.