From an alum:

I wish I knew more about Scofield aside from the fact that he wasn't principal there that long. And the lady that came after him and before Dawson. Come to think of it, I wish I knew more about all of them. At least when Joe Wilson came to City, we got to know about his background like where he went to school and where he'd taught. Things you might want to know about the person set to run the school.

Actually, what I'd really like to know is were the students and teachers even involved in bringing Dawson or either of the other two to City? Does the School Improvement Team (SIT) even exist anymore? Or was that stamped out during some action to consolidate power?

Answer: A committee was formed with the SIT team, two teachers, alumni, and a student when Joe Wilson left. However, North Avenue hired the committee fourth choice (Scofield). That led many to believe that Scofield was just a patsy, who North Avenue never intended to be successful. He certainly never got the support that others had. Not that he was that great.

Back to alum: Anyway, I did a web search and found this:

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/Issues/1998-05-21/news/metro.html

Thanks, we'll add it to the links.

... I like the City Forever blog idea. If it really is on the level, then it should be gathering statements from students and teachers whenever crazy incidents take place. Eventually, they should be put into a report and presented to the school system. And if they don't want to make any changes, then they should be reported to the media.

Did you know that City was recently ranked as the #203 best high school in the country in a Washington Post/Newsweek poll of schools? The reporter has email. If the CF blog is on the level and what they wrote earlier today is true, then this is just the sort of news story that might get some attention drawn to all the mess at the school. That and send it to the Abell Foundation. Bob Embry has been an alumnus supporter of City (at least in the past) and he has considerable influence within Baltimore's power structure to get stuff done (assuming he'd be willing to help, that is).

http://www.thewbalchannel.com/education/2853447/detail.html

Back in the day, I think that the Alumni Association used to be able to be used as a resource for grievances. I think they used to give more money to the school. These days, I'm not so sure, either. Maybe one of these days, somebody else (or maybe me) will start a new alumni organization. Who knows? What I do know, though, is that even if the school is good enough to be ranked #203 in the nation, then if the principal wasn't out jacking folks up, it might be even better.

Note: Dawson seems to have the alumni in his back pocket, probably because of his emphasis on sports. However, it is unknown what other strengths, if any, he brings to the school. Discipline has been dismal this year and the building is very dirty. Events are run haphazardly and dissent is high.

I think the school needs an independent board, made up of student leaders, teachers, former teachers and administrators, other educational experts, and alumni (and alumnae) to oversee the running of the school.

Great idea.