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Russell principal named superintendent of Laurens County Schools

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in Education Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Wednesday, May 16. 2012

Comments (26)

The Barrow County Board of Education on Tuesday accepted the resignations of 19 employees, including the principals of Russell Middle School and Statham Elementary School. Russell principal Robert Johnson submitted his resignation after learning Monday of his selection as the new superintendent of Laurens County Schools in Dublin. Statham principal Robert Almond is retiring.

“Mr. Johnson received notification late Monday afternoon that the Laurens County Board of Education unanimously approved him as their next superintendent,” said Barrow County Schools Superintendent Wanda Creel following the meeting.

“Rob will continue in his legacy of caring for children and making a difference in the educational arena. Laurens County is gaining a tremendous leader.”

For the full story, see the May 16 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Joe on 05/16/12 at 12:50 PM [Reply]

Congratulations to Mr. Johnson on his appointment. This speaks to the quality of people that the Barrow school system has.

#2 Anonymous on 05/16/12 at 03:27 PM [Reply]

Congratulations to Mr. Johnson. I do hate to see you go, Russell Middle School has totally changed for the good with your presence. Your shoes will be hard to fill.

#3 Sheesh on 05/16/12 at 03:27 PM [Reply]

Never met him, but my neighbors kid loved him.

#4 c on 05/16/12 at 04:38 PM [Reply]

Congratulations to Dr. Johnson. You will be missed. As far as the quality of the people that Barrow has, have you been to the middle school lately? Dr. Johnson and a few of the teachers are great but for the most part they are all rude and hateful to these children. Even have teachers making calls from personal phones in class. Never seen teachers that just didn't want to deal with children at all until I had to send my child to Russell.

#5 Anonymous on 05/16/12 at 06:20 PM [Reply]

We've lost a wonderful leader. It's a sad day for Barrow County. Did anyone else besides me catch the part about 19 resignations? Does anyone know how many administrators have departed this school year?

#6 Anonymous on 05/16/12 at 09:23 PM [Reply]

losing good band leader at wbhs also sad day for barrow schhol system

#6.1 Anonymous on 05/17/12 at 08:10 AM [Reply]

we did NOT lose a great band director at WBHS, we lost some one who advanced himself at the price of our children and no great loss

#6.1.1 Anonymous on 05/17/12 at 11:27 AM [Reply]

you talk as if he wasnt any good but was great teacher we have had worse.

#6.2 Anonymous on 05/17/12 at 05:15 PM [Reply]

Great? Really? Have you met him?

#6.2.1 Anonymous on 05/17/12 at 07:43 PM [Reply]

Bryant is by far the most talented and dedicated band director to have graced our county since Mr. Hayes. They both have hundreds and hundreds of students that say so. How does one "advance themseleves" when they're stuck in 3 jobs in 3 years against their wishes? That's not "advancing" that's being a team player. Other guy was a bully and ego-maniac who was verbally abusive. He didn't just leave like he should and kept contacting students throughout this year- totally unprofessional and immature. I think he had mental issues. The band sounded like crap when he was there too. Good riddance!

#6.2.1.1 Anonymous on 05/17/12 at 08:57 PM [Reply]

Bryantt did not 'take one for the team' when he jumped on the Fine Art Coordinator's position which was not needed and was created just for Bryant by Saunders.
And, who did Bryant recommend to Johnson as the new Band Director for WBHS when he, Bryant, left?
There is no "I / Me" in TEAM.

#6.2.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/18/12 at 01:30 PM [Reply]

quite true DR Bryant who when the made up job he switched to was cut pushed his way to the job he walked away from and got his doctorate this year while saying that he was doing a two man job all year, how did he find time by not doing the teaching he should have and the band does not even get the benefit because he is gone all ready because of the money involved where is the being dedicated other than to him self

#6.2.1.2 Anonymous on 05/17/12 at 10:26 PM [Reply]

What ever happened to Dwayne Elliot? He was band director for a while.

#7 Happy for Mr. Johnson on 05/16/12 at 09:34 PM [Reply]

Mr. Johnson is a solid leader and truly cares for his BCCS family. We wish him well and will miss him. To "C", I'm sorry you feel that way about the faculty at RMS. You've obviously had a bad experience. Please don't discredit the entire school for the actions of whomever upset you. I've personally never seen such a caring faculty, and I can really feel the family atmosphere everytime I walk visit the school. As far as teachers using phones in class goes, from what I've seen it is sometimes a necessity. RMS does not have call buttons in the classrooms, so teachers sometimes have to call the front office to check on things or call to communicate with other faculty members to keep things running smoothly. Once in awhile a teacher may use the phone to call a parent to give the student a chance to talk to the parent about any problems he or she is having in class while giving the teacher the chance to pay attention to the rest of the class during the call. This is just a classroom management technique, and I have witnessed this. Some may not like this technique, but from what I've seen, it's an effective way to quickly take care of the problem and minimize the distraction to the rest of the class. I find it hard to believe a teacher is just sitting there chatting on a personal phone call in the middle of class. The administrators at RMS are supportive but firm in their teacher expectations, and this would not be tolerated. Besides that, I just don't see the teachers there doing this even if they could get away with it. They're too busy teaching these kids, and I'm sure the scores will reveal that. I hope you are not taking a child's word for this, especially if the child has been in trouble with the particular teachers you are referring to. Again, I'm sorry you had that experience, and I hope you give RMS another chance. The faculty and staff are truly supportive of the kids and try to do what's best for them.

#7.1 c on 05/17/12 at 05:11 AM [Reply]

I am not just taking the word of my child about these things, unfortunately, I have seen things for myself. I don't fault all of the teachers, however there are a few that just don't seem to want to be there. Makes it difficult when a teacher tells your child to his face and mine that they don't know why he even comes to school, he is gonna fail anyways. I have seen my son go from a decent student to a child who just doesn't care about school anymore. It is heartbreaking when he comes home and says "why try, they just keep throwing up the past at me?" I have a child about to come to RMS and I am terrified to send her there. I am already looking into homeschooling my son just to get him away from there.

#7.1.1 shelly on 05/17/12 at 05:56 AM [Reply]

If you can get them away from RMS GREAT!!!! my child was there and I had them removed because of that and a certain type of harrasement that no one wanted to do anything about-they just slapped the kid on the hands! RMS is getting pretty bad and no one seems to care-you can but your kids in another school. Hope this helps but I pray for every child that goes to RMS

#7.1.2 Anonymous on 05/17/12 at 07:59 AM [Reply]

sounds like a child making excuses on why they dont want to try....good luck

#7.1.2.1 c on 05/17/12 at 09:08 AM [Reply]

Ty for your opinion. Too bad it is incorrect. My son's grades have went up since he got away from this particular teacher. Her class was the only one he did bad in, but then she did tell him he wouldn't pass anyway and that makes me wonder about his grade. It amazes me how everyone can always blame the children when the teachers are at fault as well. The teachers just don't care anymore like they used to. I guess I can understand a little when their budgets are always getting cut. At the same time if you aren't happy with teaching then leave and quit taking out your frustrations on the students.

#7.1.3 Anonymous on 05/17/12 at 01:20 PM [Reply]

Homeschool your little brat. Hint: "anyways" is wrong.

#7.1.3.1 c on 05/17/12 at 02:51 PM [Reply]

Who are you to call anyone a brat? Where did I put anyways? I must have missed that. I didn't resort to any name calling like you, I just stated my opinion. There is no reason to be childish. Can you at least try to be an adult?

#7.1.3.1.1 Anonymous on 05/17/12 at 04:06 PM [Reply]

"he is gonna fail anyways"

Remember that?

You sound like an hysterical parent.
Calm down.
Take some medicine for hypertension.

And, by all means, homeschool your wittle jean-yus angle.

#7.1.3.1.1.1 c on 05/17/12 at 10:40 PM [Reply]

Sounds like you need to be on some meds. Or maybe you are on too many. You should check your own spelling and grammar before you call someone else out on theirs.

#8 Sheesh on 05/17/12 at 01:55 PM [Reply]

"C" It sounds like you are angry but don't know how to direct it properly. In your first post you state: "a few of the teachers are great but for the most part they are all rude and hateful to these children"

On you next post you shrink the blast radius of your comments to fewer folks: "I don't fault all of the teachers, however there are a few that just don't seem to want to be there."

Then you zero in on a single teacher: "My son's grades have went up since he got away from this particular teacher. Her class was the only one he did bad in."

So please stop taking pop shots at teachers and staff that deserve better when you are simply upset with a single teacher. Next year your child will have new teachers and this problem will be solved.

#8.1 c on 05/17/12 at 02:58 PM [Reply]

No, I am not taking pop shots at the teachers. His grades were bad in only one class. Had many other problems with teachers from a separate year. When I went to school, if you chew gum in class you had to wear it on your nose or get detention, now they suspend you for it. It seems like they find any reason possible to keep students from coming to class. Apparently the teachers don't stay at the same grade level in middle school, so he ends up with some of the same ones.

#8.1.1 Anonymous on 05/17/12 at 07:00 PM [Reply]

Not my kids fault....its the mean old teachers. Boy do we hear that a lot. My child doesnt deserve the punishment. They are just misunderstood. I wish they would suspend a lot more than they do. Get the trash out so the good ones can learn. If you follow the rules, you dont get suspended. So easy a middle schooler can understand.

#9 Russell parent on 05/27/12 at 06:53 AM [Reply]

We wish you the best Mr. Johnson!

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