19 MAY 08: CLEAR YOUR DESKS

It wasn't even 7:00 a.m., and the teenager on the phone sounded ready to cry. She talked about quitting school, because of an experience she considered "ruined." And imagine how she would have reacted have someone copied her prom dress.

The teenager was tipping off the news media to a "sit-in" protest inside Russell County High School. Students gathered in the commons area Friday morning, to oppose the planned dismissal of several teachers. Perhaps they longed for the good old days - when teachers would be arrested first.

The Russell County teen I'll call Gail named four teachers she considered her favorites, and indicated she would NOT still be in high school without them. All four of those teachers are being laid off. So are they really that exceptional - or are they padding grades for marginal students?

Gail went on to accuse the Russell County school board of ruining the high school - not only with teacher layoffs, but the removal of several electives. I faced a dilemma like this during my senior year of high school, only with conflicting classes during the same hour. If I had taken Shakespeare instead of choir, I might be selling a spoken-word CD on this site now.

"It's not just supposed to be an educational experience," Gail complained. "It's supposed to be a GREAT educational experience." Apparently these teachers make things great for her. Other Russell County High School students would have been satisfied simply with a second state baseball title.

So Gail joined other Russell County High School students in a sit-in protest Friday morning, at the school commons. She said it might last all day -- but I'm told the principal showed up, and persuaded everyone to go back to class by 9:00. Compared with Barbour County High School in April, these students were a bunch of wimps.

The principal reportedly explained teacher cutbacks are necessary because enrollment has declined in Russell County schools. Smaller student-teacher ratios would be nice. But having more parents paying property taxes would be nicer.

A similar drama unfolded this past week in the Lee County schools. One teacher at Smiths Station High School reportedly was called out of a class, to be told of a layoff. Then that teacher supposedly returned to class, cleaned his/her desk and left. Obviously this was not a drama teacher....

Alabama state education officials say this is all a matter of playing by the rules. Teachers supposedly have to be told by the last school day if they're being laid off. In Lee and Russell Counties, the last day is this Friday -- so perhaps the deadline to file resumes at Glenwood and Lee-Scott are approaching quickly.

But really now -- should teachers be pulled out of class, to be told they're being laid off? In the middle of a school day? Well, I suppose it's a matter of being evenhanded. Rebellious students usually don't have to wait until the final bell rings, to get a smack in the pants....

E-MAIL UPDATE: Some restaurants have Sunday buffets. Our InBox had a Sunday message titled, "Various Complaints...."

Richard, I assume most of us don't think of military generals as cry babies but retired General Jerry White is sounding like one. Instead of complaining about not getting more of Georgia taxpayers money for the new Infantry Museum why doesn't he ask for donations from veterans? The bi-city area has many thousands of military retirees and many more veterans. And with the number of retired generals in the bi-city area he should be able to match that $3 million dollar shortfall quickly. Or, is it that few of the area veterans and retirees care about the new museum?

Another items that bugs me - Why aren't the area veterans willing to keep their building on Victory Dr looking good? That's the building that was formerly the Georgia Welcome Center. When the state of GA had it the grounds were always beautiful. Then the state donated it for the use of the veterans and it usually looks bad. And you should see the inside! You would think that those who get the benefit from it (the veterans) would volunteer to keep it looking nice. But then again, have you ever noticed that when people get something for free they seem to appreciate it less?

And speaking of WLTZ's news team - You would think that their co-reporters (the Ledger-Enquirer reporters) would inform the news team in Iowa about the correct pronunciation of local places, towns, events, and names. How do they expect us locals to take their newscasts seriously when they don't make an effort to sound local?

And when are you scheduled to be on the "Calvin" show again? That program has really gone downhill since the station changed oownership!

Memo to self: Never put this blog up against Disneyland for the title, "Happiest Place on Earth."

You know, maybe the top two complaints go hand-in-hand. Veterans might be too busy saving money for the National Infantry Museum to fix up that Welcome Center....

I've jogged over to the old Welcome Center on Victory Drive once or twice. Yes, the outside could use a little painting and weed-trimming. And once a couple of Boy Scout troops finish their school year, they'll get down to earning those landscaping badges.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I take issue with the idea of appreciating free items less. I'd cite some personal examples - but the investments of my mother's inheritance really are none of your business.

I'm not sure what the WLTZ news anchors in Davenport, Iowa are mispronouncing. But if they have a question, they should turn to meteorologist Mark Prater because he's an Auburn University graduate. The other night, he even talked about eating several times at Country's Barbecue. Not recently, but he's done it....

The people at "Rise N' Shine" haven't invited me on their program in several months. But nothing seemed out of the ordinary when I glanced at the show the other morning. The only thing I noticed was how newscaster Julie Bercik's hair had turned a strange shade of green - but then, it WAS gardening day.

BIG PREDICTION: The Alabama Legislature holds the final day of its session today -- and after what happened last year, I hereby predict NO lawmakers will get into a fistfight.

Now for other things you might have overlooked over the weekend....

+ The 12^th annual "Arts in the Park" festival was held at Lakebottom Park. But this year, one thing seemed strangely missing. Who forgot to bring the rainstorm?

+ Auburn University baseball coach Tom Slater resigned. The Tigers didn't play well enough to make this week's Southeastern Conference tournament -- so perhaps instead they should play Opelika High School, and help the Bulldogs get over that final-game loss.

+ Morehouse College in Atlanta marked commencement, with the first Caucasian valedictorian in school history. Isn't there a wonderful message here? Even white minds can be terrible things to waste.

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