Coordinator: “And did Keeling only attend the Howell Awards last week because of the election??? I've never seen her there before!”

I assume this is a question. If so the answer is No… I have been very involved in my kid’s school activities and I can honestly say that Ms Keeling is the most visible board member we have. I have seen her at countless banquets and award assemblies over the last 2-3 years (in fact, that is how I met her). I can’t speak for Patti Welder since my kids did not attend there, but I do know that she routinely attended Howell and Crain events and countless MHS events. She is normally the lone board member in attendance. Sometimes she is recognized publicly by the Master of Ceremonies and sometimes not (which might explain why you’ve never noticed before). She goes there as a representative of Administration and not for recognition. The key thing is that she takes the time to support such events.

I think you ask an interesting question, however I think you got some of the names and places mixed up. Here, I’ll fix it for you…..“And did Dr. Jaynes only attend the School Board Meetings these last few weeks because of the election?? I’ve never seen him there before!”

coordinator, thanks for reinforcing what I've believed for a long time:

Dr. Jaynes' role on the school board would be used to advocate only for the elite. What do you suggest we do with kids whose parents are not involved and they're not involved in extracurricular activities?

Those kids you dismiss and talk about as inferior did not choose to be born to parents they were born to; it is in all of our best interest to make sure they are somehow equipped for life when they leave high school. After all, they will be walking our streets and using our tax money, robbing us when they drop out of high school.

This kind of an attitude is what has gotten our community and schools to where they are now. The US and THEM attitude. If you are poor, you're one of THEM and we don't care what happens to you. We only care about US, he will only deliver for US.

It's worked really well so far...

That is another reason I support Ms. Keeling, she is interested in making sure there is a place for all kids who want an education in our school system, not only those who are involved in extracurricular activities...Might you mean dance and drill team?

And NO, a uniform will not solve all of the discipline problems, but it definitely won't hurt. Why do you think you have to wear one in the military?

WHY, do ya'll think a uniform is going to make a difference
in a child's behavior??? Children learn appropriate behavior at HOME from their PARENTS!

Dr. Jaynes knows that students that are involved in school sponsored activities are more successful. Could that be because their parents are involved?

Tami Keeling needs to go! She was on the board when Moore hired Maples to replace an outstanding principal.

And did Keeling only attend the Howell Awards last week because of the election??? I've never seen her there before!

woohoo, what you're saying sounds really great if the Superindendent had a magic wand he could just wave and make everyone in VISD disciplined. You know it is not that easy.

The Superintendent we have been so lucky to get has qualifications that would make it possible for him to pick any place he wants to work. I am glad he chose our school district and have been excited about the changes happening since he has been here.

You must know that it will take several years to fix the mess we've gotten ourselves into not only as a school system, but as a community. You also must know that the discipline problems in our schools are only a reflection of what is happening in our community. Unfortunately, the Superintendent has no control over what parents teach their children and that makes it more difficult to change what happens in our schools.

Personally, I think the only discipline teachers and administration should have to worry about is a system of clear cut actions and consequences..."if you do this, this will happen"... and then the ability to back each other.

The important part is that we have teachers, administration, and a school board who work together, not against each other. When a child has a discipline issue, you don't need parents who are going to argue and blame each other, you need parents who can work together and come up with a solution.

Given the things he has publicly said, I feel that Dr. Jaynes would continue the current culture of pitting teachers against administration which doesn't help anyone: the teachers, students, or our community.

I do not want to see our Superintendent leave in the middle of all of these exciting changes (and $159 million of our tax dollars) because he feels like he is not backed by our school board.

Bob Moore is a well qualified Superintendent who has already done some great things for our school district. We don't need people on the school board who are going to "walk the halls" and "call him on" anything. Especially ones who have a personal score to settle because of their spouse's issues with the Superintendent, like Dr. Jaynes has.

We need a school board who will work WITH our administrators and teachers to continue to work on the issues in our schools.

Also, Tammy Keeling supports a change to uniformed dress code, while Dr. Jaynes thinks the current one works fine. That's another reason I support her.

I agree, Riverboat. All the school board usually does is rubber stamp what the superintendent wants. We need someone in there that's willing to call the superintendent's hand on discipline. WHO will step up? If Jaynes will, let him say so or if Keeling will, let her say so. Then I know who to vote for. Teachers need relief from saggy-pants, finger-signing, tattooed-up freaks with bad mouths. Let's work towards THAT end, folks. Who will step it up?

I heard Jaynes make those same remarks, which were subsequently reiterated by Keeling. The difference is Keeling has been there two years. I seriously doubt she had anything to do with that evil seven-step steel trap. At the same time, she's been there for two years now. Surely she's gotten an earful or two about that disciplinary DE-ferral system. Why hasn't she called whoever was responsible for it to task by now?

I wouldn't presume to speak for Ms. Keeling, but I know that she has said the problem with the current system is that it pits administration against teachers and that it should be stopped. She has said before that teachers should feel like they are supported by administration and everyone should be on the same page when it comes to discipline.

I also know that Dr. Jaynes has said at the Victoria Teachers Federation meeting that he would be walking the halls of the schools and holding administration, and ultimately, Bob Moore accountable for any discipline issues.

Example: if two parents are trying to discipline a child should they focus on telling each other what they are doing wrong and arguing in front of the child, or should they try to focus on goals and stay on the same page?

She's also stated that she supports a change in the dress code, which I happen to also agree with.

I suggest you address any questions you may have to her blog, she will probably respond herself.

Did Keeling have anything to do with the 7-step process? Let me know. I want to make an informed vote, here.

Did she (Mrs. Keeling) have anything to do with the new 7 step disciplinary process? If so, she needs to go.

southtexas: the big deal is called "conflict of interest". This election SHOULD be all about the issues, not about which fan club you belong to. Dr. Jaynes has stated he plans to vote on 100% of the issues brought in front of the school board. Again, he does not seem to care about the conflict of interest, which as a voting taxpayer, concerns me.

It's great that you seem to be such an avid fan of Dr. Jaynes', but for someone more objective, that's not enough. I want to know what he is going to do for our school district that is better than what Tammy Keeling is doing. I have not heard any issues with anything she has done as a voting trustee that would make me want to fire her.

Again, it is fine that you all seem to adore Dr. Jaynes, I'm sure he is very fond of you also. But that has absolutely nothing to do with him doing a better job as a school board trustee than Ms. Keeling has done.

I think she has been a well informed trustee who devotes a large part of her time to improving our school system. We should allow her to finish the work they have started to turn VISD into a superior school system.

By golly southtexas, you are truly blessed!

First of all Dr. Jaynes is not Dr. Suarez' boss. They are partners, two of a rather large group. And as Dr. Suarez pointed out even though he and Dr. Jaynes might at time have been opponents on certain issues....no one could ever state that Charlie Jaynes ever did anything other than for the most sincere and honest of reasons.

It would be hard to find someone to put on the school board with no connection to the School. So Dr. Jaynes' wife works there....Big Deal!!! There have been plenty of other school board members who have had children as students, relatives as teachers, etc. etc.

I must reinforce Dr. Suarez' point. I have had the pleasure to know Charlie Jaynes since he arrived here in Victoria. He is one of the most outstanding, sincere, unprejudiced, unpretentious and morally founded individuals I have ever known.

That is what we need on the school board.

I completely understand why Dr.Jaynes' business partner would fall in line for his boss...us parents on the other hand have every right to question his motives when the conflict of interest is so blatantly obvious to anyone with some common sense.

Yes, he's a great doctor, nice guy, wonderful husband and grandfather, I don't think any reasonable person is questioning that...it has nothing to do with who is best qualified for this particular position. Some of us believe that person is Tammy Keeling and have every right to do so. Some of us do not "attack" him and his family. We just point our real issues which happen to be related to his wife's position within the school district and the way that position has not only been misused to further his campaign, but also presents a huge conflict of interest which he doesn't seem to mind.
Some of us are actually concerned about the way the money we all voted for will be used to benefit all of our children. Have any children in VISD Dr. Suarez?

By the way, the unfortunate drawback of online opinions is that it is difficult to monitor what people post, so under the anonimity of a screen name, anyone can post anything. I think this has worked in both directions during this campaign and I'm sorry if I don't see Dr.Jaynes and his family as victims. I didn't hear you complain about the vile things posted about Ms. Keeling...that doesn't bother you much?