Buna ISD....Bus Policy Change?

 I was hesitant to go here. 

It is the middle of the summer and whether we care to think about it or not, we are rapidly coming to the end of  Summer Vacation. I know I have family members who are taking a trip out of state to visit family over a 1000 miles away, because they are either teaching or they start taking classes very soon. I do not even want to look and see when the in-service days start for teachers. I do not joke when I say there is nothing worse than listening to someone from a Region Service Center(RSC) drone on like they know anything about what they are actually are talking about. Most of these people have not been in an actual classroom in 25-30+ years, and even then, they were an administrator in a school passing through. ( All Regional Service Centers are the same. I have listen to their experts from the Beaumont, Houston, Fort Worth RSC areas, and none have an actual clue about teaching....)

In the last couple of days, the Buna ISD has changed how and where the kids can get off a bus. 

I am wondering if the coming diesel shortage, shortage of drivers, has anything to do with the changes? 

Trouble is, not every kid goes home to the same place in the district every evening. There are parents with 50-50 custody and the child going to different homes within the  ISD. 

There are parents who are on different shifts and their child has to go to grandma's or Aunt Eula's, and I wonder just what kind of a log-jam the pick-up line will be if there are even more people picking up kids? Cars down to the Dollar Store?  

And why wait this late before school starts to announce this change?  People's lives don't turn on a dime. Arrangements have to be made. It's getting late to announce this. 

My concern is the people getting flak because of their concerns. 

Again, and apparently the school district thinks they are something special, or the Bill of Rights doesn't apply to them....

But, schools are taxing entities. Government, taxing entities.  

They are subject to criticism, just like any other government agency.  

The last I checked, we still have a First Amendment and it was originally added to the US Constitution because in the old days, Americans could not gripe or criticize the King of England.  

Somehow, we missed that in government. I have a theory on what happened, but I am not going here right now. Perhaps at a later date. 

Buna is in a downward spiral. The patrons have lost control. "The school board apparently do not understand the role of the school board" as I was told the other day. 

I have not been talking it much in recent days, mostly as I said above, because most Buna patron's mind are worried about anything but school right now. 

So many people are trying to figure a way to get their kids out of the district. And they've been working on it for months. Trust me, I know. This just puts another burden on many people in the district.

I am wondering what the district's grade average is going to be in 2026?

I am not teasing, if I was a parent, I would be looking for another ISD for my kids.... 

 

 

 

 

 

Buna Patrons.....It Could Be Worse?

 I am going to ask a hard question in an upcoming blog. If I lived within the district, I would have already started the process for you, just to see how serious you are about, well the school district. 

I went through the process when I was a fairly new teacher at Magnolia ISD years ago, and might be able to guide you in getting started in the process........

If you are man/woman enough to get involved.  

But I tease a future blog.....

No, I look at the mess at Hamshire-Fannett ISD......And local media is not even covering it. 

Which goes to show just what our local media amounts to.  

As you may know, the Supt. of Schools allegedly had an affair with the Asst. Supt. of Schools.....They both are no longer with the district is my understanding. 

One of the rumors is that many of their " trysts." ( I kept trying to spell it "trists" the old British spelling and spell-check was throwing a fit.)

Anyway, rumor is they were meeting up in classrooms to play " slap and tickle." 

That is nothing new, when I taught at Dayton a Coach and a ELA teacher were having their " fun and games" in the science department, and " knocking it outta the park" on top of the science lab tables.  

I can just about see the fit Mr. Taucer would have thrown. I would have had to help him get the tables into the backyard, pour 5 gallons of coal-oil on them and burning them. ( Coal-oil for you uneducated, is the old East Texas term for kerosene, even though they are different products, very similar.)  

Of course Dayton ISD had them both "resign" their teaching positions.  

On a different note/story, I am remind when I was talking with a couple of other teachers, including a lady math teacher, Charlene Chumley, only girl with 6 brother, if a fight breaks out, she was in the middle help breaking it up....Tiny woman, taught plane geometry. As she said, I had 6 brothers always fighting, "I always wound up breaking it up. " 

It was her, a brand new English teacher who weighed about 90lbs., Tommy Mayhood PhD from Baylor, history teacher, Laird Engel, the St. Paul's Lutheran minister, teaching chemistry part time.( Laird had a chemistry degree from A&M, and they got him to teach 2 classes a day)  

Anyway, Mrs. Pinter who was the head janitor at the school came down and said, " There is something odd going on in the janitor closet we never use down in the Junior Wing." 

We all walk down and normally locked, the door was just a little ajar and from the room was coming , " the " sounds of bliss" coming from it. 

Laird opened the door, and we all looked-in.

3 boys and 1 girl......

In what looked like " an octopus out of control."  

The girl had invited the 3 boys down for some "lunch-break bliss."  

Of course, all 4 got to spend some time at home. 

( Mrs. Pinter's sister was a cook at DHS, she and Mrs. Novak turned out some of the best Czech dishes including amazing pastries for the faculty, and they made a chicken and rice dish that I think was served at the Last Supper, was that good. Dayton still had a number of rice farmers during that time and rice was on the school menu in some form, 2-3 times a week.  And those of you who really know me, know, I got some across the river Frenchman in me that, well, I love me some rice.)

No, the Western side of Jefferson County is having troubles....

The JP in that part of the county is allegedly  under investigation by the judicial commission.

The Constable in that part of Jefferson County was supposedly notified this past week that TCOLE may suspend his peace officer license.Then his Chief Deputy was arrested last week for suspected DUI. 

Then there are now allegedly  investigations into grant money and the former Asst. Supt. of Schools in HFISD.  And if the grant money somehow wound up with Region V Service Center instead of HFISD. The money being used to pay the former Asst, Supt. salary at Region V? 

Then there is the story that the HFISD School Board supposedly knew for a year about the affair. But kept mum. 

Makes you wonder what the Buna ISD patrons don't know is going on....If there are things being hidden? 

I keep telling you, DO NOT trust any government institution, especially if the entities leadership are sitting with you on the pew at church. Maybe it is because I attended a seminary and saw how many of these " Men of God" were questionable at best, and how many that I went to school with left the clergy after " playing hide the hot dog" with a parishioner. And how many times it was covered up. It is part of the reason why I am no longer Southern Baptist. 

And to quote one of my favorite movies , "The Last Picture Show." 

Sonny- " It could've been worse."  

Sam the Lion-" I guess you could say that about anything."  

 

 

 

Going to Get a Lot Out of My System Today.....

 So, I think there is someone trying to discredit the blog and myself.  So get ready. I have sins and other problems, trouble is from their point of view, I am one to pretty much confess all of my bad stuff. And if you find out something bad, I am probably going to say, " Yeah? So what?" 

Already someone was making fun because I now own a cat. 

Is that your best shot? 

My cat is a little rough, and rough around the edges. His owner wishes he himself was something else, but in the end, I am a little rough around the edges. And Fred fits in around here. 

I've never really "fit in" never was in the "clique" never was a "Chad" always just a bit of an outsider. 

So, if ugly things are said more and more about me, well, I am expecting it. 

It makes you wonder if it is an attempt at " Hey look over there at this, not what is really going on?" 

And I am thinking they are a school apologist, not necessarily associated with the district. 

I am shocked at the number of people who think the school does not wrong.   You should get my mail. 

Get ready.

- I am seeing more and more Mamas and Daddies upset because their children are going off to college. 

Do you really want them to stay at home until they are 35? REALLY?

Wait until they decide to teach at a university 14 hours away by plane. The coolest part was we got to visit a city in the middle of Asia, most people in America have never heard of, and you literally were the only " blue-eyes" in a city of 9 million. And the city is more modern than anything that is right now in America. 

We were shocked and impressed. 

The Land Rover, Jaguar dealership was bigger than any dealership in Houston...... We drive a half mile up the road and the Mazda dealer was twice as big. ( They love Mazda in China/ Dr Zhou, April's dad, drives a model not available in America, a sedan the size of an old Crown Vic.. )

Be happy your kid is going off and trying to make something of themselves. You can Zoom them now anyplace in the world. 

And I know it is difficult, see the next message below. 

- Saw my brother's 2 sons Saturday. 

I am very close to both of the boys. I miss BS with them. And as both their parents said when we first met up, " They both were excited to see y'all, especially their uncle."  

I have several nieces and nephews by marriage, but somehow it just isn't the same, I know, I am being ugly, but they are just not " us."  Just not the same. 

They are " hooked-up" like their uncle, and  I can mention some obscure 15th Century Scottish King and they will both know what I am talking about. And all three of us plan at some point visit the battlefield where he was killed. 

Or cuss and discuss theology....For "Fun." 

-I am scared to death this of Iran War spiraling out of control and either nuclear weapons are used, or drones start to blow up Motiva, or Exxon-Mobil, or Dow/DuPont in Orange....Do not think it cannot occur. 

Don't think the US Government won't let it happen to " rally" the American People. 

- On  a lighter note, thinking about getting Fred a collar, no bell, Not sure what color? Name? Cell? Suggestions from you cat people. My dog(s) always had a leather collar in a natural color. 

 

 

 

Be Ever So Careful. AI is Well.....I Will Explain

 I was sent some information on Thursday from a source that, I normally trust, and still do. 

Had a link that I clicked on to what I thought was a government site. And it looked like a government site.  

It was not. 

I think I and 3 other sources of mine were being " set-up" by well, not sure who they are. 

I caught it before I wrote a blog, as did my normally reliable source and within the hour I discovered the ruse, all other sources also realized what had happened. 

The AI was so good, so good, I am going to need to run material I receive through an AI app to see if it is now real or not. 

I was upset with myself that I was fooled. And did not feel so bad when an expert whom I know very well told me that they too sometimes have a hard time seeing the real from the AI. 

And they told me, " It is going to get worse." 

They are doing background research and told me, they will figure out who it came from....It may take a few days, or weeks. ( This is one of the benefits of sending your "kids" to fancy graduate schools Carnegie Mellon and the University of Texas.)  

I am going to have to follow more of the ancient Greek Euripides, " Question Everything." Especially in this day of AI.  

 

  

Cheater, Cheater, Pumpkin Eater.......What is Wrong With You Teachers?

 I do not know if kids today even say that anymore?

I see the headlines of the East Texas Banner, and KBMT, KFDM, KLVI, KJAS, all had this as a story.  

Coach fired, arrested for having an allegedly inappropriate relationship with a student. He knew better. 

16 years old was my understanding was the high school student. 

In a county across the river a school district police officer was also let go for an allegedly inappropriate online communication with a student.  I am sorry, if true, he REALLY should have known better. 

Do a search of teachers and this happens more than you know. In recent days, it seems there are more and more female teachers, married females messing with their kids. 

Heck, some of these kids are 13-14-15 years old. 

And what I do not understand, in many cases, their husband stays with them. And is often waiting for them when they get out of jail.

I just do not get it. 

Are we so in need of teachers in America, that we do not beat into prospective teacher's brains that this is an ultimate " No-No?"

Rather than have some " idjit" from the Region Service Center come and bore the entire school district with some new teaching method they came up with when writing their doctoral dissertation, that a week within the implementation,  every teacher in the district knows will not work.( High School people know it won't work, in the session, especially if it is some sort of elementary method.....Something like " being nice to your high school kids"....Please, you're trying to keep classroom control. ) 

But, because the Supt. of Schools is friends with the person who dreamed up this " new way to teach" and the Supt. of Schools wants a job with the Region Service Center, the teachers have to try and make this excrement work. They, the teachers, and the kids, are the ones who suffer. 

Instead, they need to have an " instructional session" on leaving your students alone. 

Scare the hell out of them. 

Lose their job, their marriage, their certification, go to prison, be a registered sex offender.... Be a felon and have a hard time finding a job doing anything. 

I guess these teachers are looking at our political leadership and see that many of them are cheaters and nothing happens to them. And we keep voting for these people. And don't say well, it is Democrats, or it's Republicans, it is both parties. ( I am sorry, I have a problem with politicians anyway, and cheaters, well, I really have a problem with.)

I know administrators may find it an uncomfortable subject, but it needs to be discussed, every year.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again Buna ISD Patrons.....

 It seemed like I literally spent the holiday weekend on the cell. 

And for a person who really doesn't like the phone, well, it was not fun.

Including a friend who called from Europe, bouncing off the walls last night that England won. I know it is not popular and you should root for the underdogs, but I was still in England's camp last night, and the English will tell you they are still trying to re-live 1966 when they won their only World Cup. 

Two phone calls I received over the weekend were from people kicking around running for school board. Trying, or actually were, picking my brain about campaigns. 

Again, I am not a political consultant, yes, I have worked in campaigns, but I am far from an expert on the subject.  

I know this may sound defeatist, but if you are planning to run for Buna School Board, well, you should have decided already, not waiting until time to file to decided to run. I know it is not a countywide position, and I know it is only a 3A District, but in 2026, politics is well....A lot of thought and issues, positions should be well thought out, not just, " I think I can do better."  

Again, I encourage people to run for office.  

And as I have always said, run, the worst thing you can do is lose, and if you do, pick yourself up, brush off and if you've not gotten it out of your system, think about what you need to change to run the next election cycle.  

 

 

Yep, We Are Failing in Schools....And More " Stuff"

 America turns 250 tomorrow. Somehow, it is not as big a deal as it was in 1976 during the bicentennial. 

And there are a number of people in this country who do not have a damn clue what the 4th of July even represents, or what happened on that day. 

These numbers are from a Cato Institute poll.  

61% of Gen Z. In the ages 18-29 do not have a clue what the date July 4th represents. 

A number thought it was the first presidential election. Others, when the Pilgrims arrived on Plymouth Rock, still others, 30% did not have a clue. ( If you go to England, avoid the City of Plymouth. The Royal Navy has a base there and there is a university in the town, but as far as tourist things to see or even historical things to see, well, nothing. The site where the Pilgrims departed, has a small monument, with British and American flags. The town itself is pretty run down. Same with Torquay, about 12 miles from Plymouth, which is nicknamed the " English Rivera" it reminds you of a " Bad Galveston." And yes, there are palm trees in that part of England, yeah, surprised me too....Cornwall, is not much better. I'll save you the trouble, do not go south of Somerset or Dorset......Stay in the Cotswold's if you travel to that part of England. When you think Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, think the TV show Midsomer Murders.  )

Age 30 to 44 is not much better. Only 46% of Americans in that age range know it is Independence Day.  

I wonder if they considered asking from what nation we declared our independence? 

It boils down to those damn state exams. Follow the money. We are teaching everything but what the kids actually need to know.  

-I know Buna Schools has some openings, but I took a look a Region V area districts and was surprised at the number of openings, for teachers, there still are in our area, including a number of history/social studies positions.  Heck even one was looking for a government teacher. ( No, Kerry ain't coming out of retirement, when I say, " I could not do it today" I mean it.)

Again, schools have gotten to the point it is hard to recruit people to do the job, and with the economic situation, well, it may not hit the oil patch like other parts of the country. 

And people just do not move to this area, even for work, oh, they might live here during construction or during a project, but rather than stay and continue working here, most get the hell outta here....

Only people like me, whose ancestors have been in Orange County since the 1830s, or the 1880s, depending on which family tree you study, people just do not move here in the 2020s. ( I need to sit down and write a "History of Orange County" one day.) 

- There has been at least 2 of my former students who have made the arrest report in recent days. 

Yes, it upsets me. But teach thousands of kids and it is to be expected. People make mis-steps. Yes, they get my prayers, especially them. 

- Have a good 4th folks. I think we are having mystery meat ( hot dogs) and perhaps some links tomorrow for the holiday here at the Compound. Nothing fancy.  

Unless something dramatic occurs, I will taking a few days off from blogging.....