KFDM Friday, April 2, 2010 12:20 PM Demolition begins at South Park Scott Lawrence Crews have begun demolition work Friday at South Park Middle School, using a trackhoe to begin tearing down the front wall, after earlier demolishing the outside front stairs, bricks, awnings and other parts of the school's exterior. A person who contacted KFDM News said a friend received a call from the construction company doing the work, asking him to report to South Park Middle School on Good Friday for preparatory work and for the demolition. The work begain shortly before noon Friday at the campus, built in 1923 on Highland Avenue in Beaumont. An attorney representing BISD, Melody Chappell, told KFDM News following a Wednesday court hearing that the district believed there were no legal roadblocks to the demolition and she would advise BISD the work could begin whenever the district was ready. Miriam Cade-Nichol, a supporter of the school's preservation, spoke with KFDM News after the work began Friday. "Dr. Thomas wants to get rid of South Park no matter what," Nichol told KFDM News. "It doesn't surprise me the district decided to start the demolition process on Good Friday." The district received a permit Thursday to begin the work. On that same day attorney Michael Getz filed a notice of appeal with the 9th Court of Appeals, on behalf of the Beaumont Heritage Society, in an effort to stop the demolition. State District Judge Bob Wortham held a hearing Wednesday on the Heritage Society's request that he modify his court order to prevent BISD from using non-bond issue money for the demolition. Wortham didn't rule on the request. He'd previously decided the district couldn't use bond money for the demolition. Wortham said the board and administrators had already decided to demolish the school prior to the November 2007 bond issue, and in his hearing Wednesday, he said they "committed a fraud upon the citizens" and said the board "violated the Texas Open Meetings Act" by going behind closed doors, outside of public scrutiny, and decided to demolish the school. The board president and the BISD attorney deny the contention. On March 18, 2010, school board members voted 4-1 to approve the demolition. They also approved a $23 million budget which includes bond funds to build a new middle school at the site of the nearly 90 year old campus. Judge Wortham didn't rule on the motion to prevent the district from using non-bond issue money to demolish the campus. By law, he retains jurisdiction for 75 days from March 4, the date the motion was filed. Wortham can rule on the motion or let it expire, in which case it would be automatically overruled. After the 75 day period, the Heritage Society attorney has 30 days to file a motion of appeal. "I think if BISD doesn't take a hard look at the judge's findings of fact and conclusions of law and re-think its position, they'll leave us with no alternative but to seek additional relief from the 9th Court of Appeals," said Michael Getz, attorney for the Beaumont Heritage Society. "I really think Judge Wortham has given BISD one last chance to do the right thing and commission a study to determine the cost of renovating the school versus demolition. The logical thing to do, based on the evidence, is that it would be cheaper to renovate than to build a new school. The logical thing to do is to gut the interior and renovate the school, leaving the historic exterior. Then everyone would be happy. I can't fathom why BISD won't find that a logical conclusion." Melody Chappell, the attorney representing BISD, told KFDM News the district believes nothing in the judge's ruling prevents the district from using non-bond issue money to tear down South Park. "A temporary injunction that was keeping us from using non-bond funds has expired," Chappell told KFDM News. "There are no temporary orders preventing us from tearing down the school. I will advise the district there is no legal roadblock to demolishing the school. They can do it right away, tomorrow if they want." The following is from Judge Bob Wortham's hearing: CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. In failing to make a substantive inquiry as to what the costs of renovation of the South Park school building would be as opposed to demolition of the three story main building that now houses South Park Middle School and construction of a new school, the BISD school board has breached its fiduciary duty to the citizens of BISD. 2. In continuing to put out the message that there would be no demolition of the South Park school building prior to the November, 2007 bond election when the BISD school board and administration had already decided that should the bond pass that the South Park school building would be demolished, the BISD school board and administration committed a fraud upon the citizens of BISD. 3. In deciding to demolish the South Park school building behind closed doors and outside of public scrutiny, the BISD board violated the Texas Open Meetings Act. 4. The Court feels it is limited by the pleadings and the strict statute of limitations for election contest cases. Had this been an election contest case, the Court feels sufficient evidence was produced to require the Court to order a new bond election. Judge Wortham also ordered the district to pay the Heritage Society's legal fees, which amount to about $40,000. **** COMMENTS: lufman wrote: I agree, thomas's days are numbered, he better watch his back....shame that they would sneak in and tear dwn the school like that...i agree that the kids needed something new to be proud of, but they could have saved the front of the school and built new behind it..wonder if they are going to rename the new school South Park still, or will it be carroll thomas middle school, that would be a kick in the a$$...and before u starting saying im not from there, was BORN and RASIED in South Park...now the whole area is going to hell....disgusts me to drive through there now and see what is happening to the area...hell, bisd needs to remember that SPISD saved their a$$ years ago, and now this SOB thomas is hell bent on destroying anything related to SPISD, but like i said, his day is coming, VERY SOON....GEAUX GREENIES!!!! 4/4/2010 9:17 AM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (3) spinaltap wrote: Jacks, I have a few questions. How much lead do you suppose you, me and millions of others consumed before anyone decided it was harmful? What adverse affects has it had on us? How is it these men were forced to work in a harmful environment? Isn't Texas employees at will work? What does the mayor have to do with BISD? I thought school districts were separate from city government. 4/4/2010 8:14 AM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) jacksass wrote: and they are going to build a school on that site... thats insane... heres why... Airborne lead can be inhaled, but the main way people are exposed is when they ingest it from contaminated soil, for example, when children play in a contaminated area and put dirty hands to their mouths. now they have involved children.... save a little money ,beat the regulation deadline,,, slowly killing your children, silently and lawfully... i will be reporting this to state officials.... i will be requiring the state come and take soil samples of the premises.. when construction is complete.. anyone ever heard , tear it down and start over rule.... i would suggest someone from the beaumont mayors office and bisd look into this immediately and the people of beaumont need to force this issue, this could cost tax payers millions if school is built on soiled that is considerd saturated with lead contaminent.... i rest my case....... for now.... but bisd and the city of beaumont better make a move on this or i will........ 4/4/2010 6:33 AM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) jacksass wrote: you may say, why,,, why would they do that too good men trying to make a living, force them to work in a know carcinogentic enviroment.... first fine for not having lead certified expert on site... 32,000 dollars, now thats a fine... you would think we were professional athletes with fines like that..... i havent looked up disposal changes but i do know the documentation is greater and im sure the cost are outlandish comparitively... good job mayor of beaumont and bisd school board and chairperson, thanks for saving a few buckies on the backs and lives of our residents... they should be so proud.... they should be fired... how much more do the people of beaumont need to see that these officials are in it for thier cronnies and future prosperity for themselves... i got a crisp c note that says one of the two , mayor or bisd president will be a lobbyist or spokesperson, legal support, on the board or a community relations liason for one of these construction firms that has done work for our local goverment... can anyone say ann richards.... lobbyist for the tobacco industry, the death of her own father from lung cancer didnt even get between her and a buck.. is our mayor the next ann richards,, crawling to the top on the backs of hard working people she put in danger or allowed to be put in danger without one word said..... except start demolishing boys, we got till the 22nd to have this lead haven torn down and off the site.... 4/4/2010 6:08 AM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) jacksass wrote: are they trying to circumvent the new epa laws on lead paint remediation and the requirment to have a lead expert on any demo or remodel larger than 20 square feet.... yep, april 22 is deadline...... this is an article within its self... scott, this is your chance... journalist of the year maybe... the next stossal, scott stossal with 60 minutes , sounds good doesnt it... obviously the statement one made, i wonder why they are working on good friday and saturday.... now you know.... the bisd and dr. carroll thomas have put men in danger in a known lead enviroment on one of the most important religious holidays . these men were forced to work in a dangerous work enviroment recognized by the state and regulated as of the 22nd of this month... lead is deadly today and tommorrow, not just starting on the 22nd... this is a gross injustice and i believe they conspired to start work prior to regulations effective date to circumvent the law and the cost of remediation requirments and certifications required under the new epa regulation.... putting workers and community nearby in danger.... working men in a known, future regulated dangerous atmosphere, on a holy day just to beat the regulation deadline... thats a news story scott... go for it.. 4/4/2010 5:50 AM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) mycorps wrote: For the second day in row that i have passed by the schools demo it is loking better every day, glad to see it and its historical bullcr_p go so that an up to date state of the art building can be built for the students. The teachers also deserve to be in a better teaching enviorment that those of the deplorable conditions of that old smelly arse lead paint, cancer cell filled rooms. Those of you who disagree get over it, the biotch is what it is; HISTORY! 4/4/2010 2:11 AM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) tillmanjr wrote: It is really strange, that the school district was in such a hurry to tear down, South Park High. They paid workers to work on good friday, then they came back and continued work on saturday. Its almost like they were hiding something, or trying to cover something up. Their was even some band instruments and trophies, that i am sure some one would have liked to of had. 4/3/2010 5:17 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (5) tanner1998 wrote: Thomas your days are counted and I personally will kick your ___. But I will have to stand in line.GREENIE FIGHT NEVER DIES and you better remember this. 4/3/2010 4:01 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (6) spinaltap wrote: I agree the citizens of Beaumont should not be lied to by the BISD. I also believe that Carroll Thomas is probably the biggest waste of money BISD has ever spent. I find it to be appalling that a school district as small as BISD would have the 2nd highest paid superintendant in the nation. The problem is with the school board. They are the ones who hired Carroll Thomas and the ones who allocate spending. Carroll Thomas does not have the power to do anything without the approval of the board. The best way to fix this problem is for the citizens of Beaumont to stop complaining about BISD and get involved with the school board. Go to the school board meetings and speak to the board. Get out and vote for candidates that best represent your concerns. Start a campaign of your own and run against these people who do not represent the best interest of the students of BISD. Get involved with your community and get rid of the cancers on that board. 4/3/2010 8:54 AM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (8) jacksass wrote: the fraud is there........... its verifiable, he said we did not violate open meetings laws... they didnt, they conspired off the record and in a personal conversation... while they represented in open meetings the school would not be torn down.... bring them infront of city council and demand they answer direct questioning about the events transpiring before and after the open meeting declarations... put them on record.....im guessing one of the indians will talk when the heat is turned up....... i would be willing to agree to give heritage society all property and buildings with a 29 year tax abatement if the representing attorneys would seek take this task and sue not only bisd and the state but also thomas for conspiracy to committ fraud... heres how possibly... The Personal Liability of the Public Sector Administrator Pursuant To 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 Section 1983 was enacted by Congress in 1871 pursuant to its power under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Section 1983 originally was known as the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, thus clearly indicating its historical derivation as an important piece of civil rights legislation. The law is found in Title 42 of the United States Code, a compendium of congressional legislation. The statute in pertinent part holds that every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit of equity, or other proper proceeding of redress.1 The crucial rights covered in the public sector context herein include the rights under the 5th and 14th Amendments not to be deprived of life, liberty, and property without due process of law, the 14th Amendment right to equal protection of the law, the 1st Amendment rights to freedom of speech, association, and religion, and the Constitutional right to privacy, principally stemming from the 4th and 5th Amendments. These constitutional rights to be vindicated under Section 1983 are so important that the Supreme Court has ruled they take precedence over any conflicting labor agreement, or arbitration and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Initially, it also is necessary to underscore that Section 1983 in and of itself does not create any substantive legal rights; thus, technically there is no such legal action for a Section 1983 violation; rather, the statute is the legal instrument employed to vindicate rights protected by the federal constitution. Accordingly, the major purpose of Section 1983 is to provide a tangible legal remedy, in the form of an injunction, monetary damages, as well as the recovery of attorneys fees, which is enforceable in the federal courts, for the violation of constitutional rights by government, government officials, administrators, and employees. An aggrieved party, therefore, not only must meet the requirements of Section 1983, but also demonstrate the underlying constitutional violation. The statute also encompasses the deprivation of certain non-constitutional federal statutory rights by government and government administrators (though the narrow focus of this article concerns only the remedy for federal constitutional law violations). The "tort" element of this legal wrong, one must emphasize, includes the recovery of compensatory, emotional distress, and even punitive damages; the latter, however, only are imposed against government officials, administrators, and employees, and not government itself. Yet, although Section 1983 is a broadly worded, and expansively interpreted, statute, there is a wide array of immunities protecting government administrators. Section 1983, moreover, is not available to redress violations of state law, including state constitutional law. Finally, not every tort committed by a government employee is a constitutional violation; and, of course, constitutional violations are the essence of Section 1983 liability. Section 1983 liability, it is essential to emphasize, punishes only purposeful "deprivations" of constitutional rights. If a case involves only the negligent infliction of a legal wrong by a public official, administrator, employee, or agency, the action is governed by the Federal Tort Claims Act or a comparable state statute, which may create an exception (that is, a "waiver") to the traditional doctrine of sovereign immunity.3 The focal point of this article, of course, is the intentional violation, that is, the legally required "deprivation," of one's constitutional rights by a public official, administrator, or employee, and the ensuing potential of Section 1983 liability, particularly the personal damage liability of the government worker. Ascertaining precisely whether such a "deprivation" occurred is itself a difficult task, and one beyond the purposes of this article. Yet, a mention must be made of two leading Supreme Court "deprivation" cases due to their public administration consequences. In one, mere carelessness in managing by city administrators did not equate to a legally required "deprivation";4 but in another case, the court held that a city's policy of inadequate training was so deficient so as to constitute a "deliberate indifference" to its citizens' rights and thus a "deprivation" of constitutional rights. i believe dr. thomas and several board members conspired off the record while intimating on the record something completely different, the deprivation of our civil rights gives us standing.... we dont have to have a whistle blower here.... i think records will show a path of deprivation.. the act of pushing for documentation emails, personal conversation declarations may and in many cases cause the defendant to withhold information which is usually their downfall... ask our city councilmen about that..... 4/3/2010 6:34 AM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (2) bornonmountain wrote: Hey Melody Chappell, dont Parigi,s goats smell like Carroll Thomas? 4/2/2010 11:27 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (3) bornonmountain wrote: I am going to post billboards around town telling exactly what Judge Wortham said about BISD. May even quote Carroll Buckwheat Thomas stupidity on a few. Get ready!!! 4/2/2010 11:25 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (5) kingteddybear wrote: "ez2njoy wrote:bisd suz as do dr thomas." Let me guess you are currently attending a BSID school or have in the past. 4/2/2010 7:33 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (2) scorpian1 wrote: People who pay taxes on a $150,000.00 house should get more than someone who pays taxes on a 30,000.00 house. I hate that I have to pay school taxes, even though I chose not to have children. 4/2/2010 7:20 PM CDT on KFDM.com girlforgod wrote: you go coy, i admire your enthusiasm! you would make an excellent lawyer girl! keep it up. no how come all discussions can't end like ours, maybe some folks can learn from us girl! it's only an opinion, but i don't hate you for it! :-) 4/2/2010 7:13 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) coylin1221 wrote: they do deserve something nice, but they also deserve not to be lied to. It's a double edged sword- if the only way their going to get anything maintained, updated, or changed is when Dr. Thomas and the board lies to everyone after ignoring a growing issue, then I really feel sorry for them. The grounds had been ignored for decades, but people don't all know that- the parents and teachers should have demanded that the board fix things. And if the board didn't fix things, sue 'em. Nothing can be changed now, but the good that will come of this school will always be tainted with BISD's treachery, and I think it's going to be very, very difficult for people considering a move back in South Parks' district to look past that. But that's just a personal thought. Good talk girlforgod, I feel all pumped up and semi-lawyerly now lol. THE GOOD OLE BOY GOT PAYED 7 MILLION?! Christ on a CRACKER!!! No wonder David Gonzales and the guys at the IBEW were so peeved when he got that bid... 4/2/2010 7:11 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) girlforgod wrote: no prob coy, not taken personally. the building should have been maintained, but i am glad they are getting a new one. it just bothers me that noone cared about the sp or the school or fought for it until they decided to tear it down. people want to hold on to some memories from 50 years ago, that's what yearbooks are for. let it go already. the new school is coming now. and to me it is relevant if you live in sp or not, if you haven't walked those halls you don't know what those kids and teachers dealt with during the school year. i do, i was there from 6th to 8th grade, and like i said it was old then. if the heritage society wanted it so bad, why didn't they buy it from the school district? they didn't seem to concerned about it before then. people on here talking about paying higher taxes for living in certain areas, well won't don't the taxpayers of sp deserve something nice and new for their children? we pay taxes too, everybody in the "hood" as so many people like to call it, do not rent. they have new schools coming up all over beaumont, and noone is saying a word about them. 4/2/2010 7:05 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) scorpian1 wrote: The problem with BISD is building maintainence. When we still had two districts (SPISD and BISD) guess which one had the better buildings? When white flight first happened SPISD was the district with the most money. Old BISD (mostly minority) ran itself into bankruptcy and forced itself upon SPISD and eventually killed SPISD. Thus, BISD all over again. Wasteful spending on garbage that helps no one. If they would take care of buildings instead of waiting for bids or studies of a leaky roof....but no, they wait until a small problem becomes big before they will even try to fix it. How much money was spent for that garbage school on Major Dr? Temporary at that. The good ole boy electrician was paid 7 million for just his work alone, and that is only a temporary school. BISD is CORRUPT. 4/2/2010 6:50 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (7) coylin1221 wrote: thank you for clarifying girlofgod, and I do understand. I apologize, but many people I know who live in that area, and in Beaumont, support Dr. Thomas but can not tell me why- my own Aunt supports him and others on the school board and flat out told me that it was because they are African American. That's never a good reason to support someone- I would never vote for George Bush, for instance, no matter what he looked like! I shouldn't have just assumed that you were a supporter of his- I fell victim to assuming, which makes an a$$ of me. Apologies. BUT it should still be noted that the children could have still gotten a new school without Dr. Thomas' big F U statement he just made. It is important for the school to be clean and safe- but South Park is a part of the area's history, more so now than ever. There aren't very many other schools in the area that are as old and beautiful as South Park. Of course the teachers wouldn't have commented on it while you were there; it's not like, Harvard old. But that's the same reason it should have been retained, because eventually it WOULD have been that old. If you keep tearing everything down, there wouldn't be any historic building. We wouldn't have the Kirby Hill House, or the McFaddin Ward House, of the John Jay French museum. You have to give things time, and CARE, which was denied South Park's facilities. The fact that it was past time is not the students fault - it is the BOARDS fault for refusing to comply with people. It is the BOARDS fault for not even CONSIDERING alternatives to destruction- THEY are the ones who kept those kids and teachers without proper facilities for so long. I mean, the school was never even properly MAINTAINED! The fact that some of the supporters of keeping South Park's exterior do not actually live there is IRRELEVANT. I care about Washington's home in Mt. Vernon, and I sure don't live there! These people are not trying to condemn your children to a subpar education in a dilapitated building- they are trying to preserve a piece of history and present those children with an appreciation of the importance of such landmarks. Tearing it down with complete disregard for the requests of the community, and LYING to attain the funds to do so, is pretty much saying "hey kids, no body cares about old stuff, you should want everything to be right off the rack and brand spanking new! And hey, do what you got to to get it!". 4/2/2010 6:46 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) ez2njoy wrote: bisd suz as do dr thomas. 4/2/2010 6:43 PM CDT on KFDM.com girlforgod wrote: if that last comment is for me, i am a homeowner that pays taxes just like you guys. no renting here. thanks! 4/2/2010 6:22 PM CDT on KFDM.com bcmom04 wrote: Just saw the report on the evening news. Pretty sneaky BISD, I'm surprised you didn't wait and tear it down in the dark. As for the woman ranting and raving on the news about how wonderful it is....I wonder....are you a homeowner that pays taxes for such projects or a renter who just likes to be seen? That building could have been gutted and re-done, how wasteful. Hope the citizens of BISD remember this sneaky tactic when it comes time for elections...time to clean house. 4/2/2010 6:21 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (4) girlforgod wrote: all i am saying is i am happy they are getting a new school. it's about time. i don't agree with everything dr. thomas does, or the school board does. but this was much needed. alot of the comments, or probably the majority are from people that didn't go to, teach at, or care about sp until this happened. it was really past time. 4/2/2010 6:08 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (2) girlforgod wrote: and when i was there, our history teachers made no comment on the historical aspects of that school, they complained back then that it was in poor shape. that was never a part of any of our lesson plans. 4/2/2010 6:03 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) girlforgod wrote: i don't remember leaving anything in my comment about my race supporting Dr. Thomas. I never said I supported Dr. Thomas. They need a new school whether he built it, or whoever, why is it such a problem for there to be a new school there. It's just alot of people assume because of the majority of SP residents are black, we have let the neighborhood go to trash. Why shouldn't the kids that attend SP get a new school? What's the big deal. There are alot of historical buildings that get torn down everyday and no one cares. Again Amelia? Look at Old town, I don't see anybody trying to better that part of town, and half of those buildings are falling apart. 4/2/2010 6:01 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (2) coylin1221 wrote: oh yeah, dad's big IBEW too. I couldn't get away from being a Union Brat if I tried, Scorpian, lol! giftforgod, if you read back, it is no longer about tearing down the school- it is about one MAN'S in-your-face abuse of power. Do you even know if it would have been cheaper to renovate then demolish? No. Because that wasn't even presented as an option. AS for all the teacher's praying to God for a new school to teach in, they could have had that WITH a historic exterior- think how wonderful that would have been for sociology and history teachers! If you are going to come on here and say it should be about the kids, then MAKE it about the kids, damnit! These people LIED to you about what they were going to use bond money for, they hired a two-bit electrician with NO master's license, and now they are contemptuously abusing the second chance that Bob Wortham gave them! Yeah, you should feel confident that your children are in the BEST of hands... as a resident of South Park, your race should not be the soul reason that you continue to support Thomas, because deceit and trickery come in ALL colors! 4/2/2010 5:51 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (2) spinaltap wrote: Out with old and in with new. 4/2/2010 5:16 PM CDT on KFDM.com bornonmountain wrote: Watch for sign up to change how board members are elected. Sign the petition. Then we can cut teh head and most of the snake into pieces. Carroll Thomas must go. Melody Chappell should be disbarred. This City must get rid of corruption or we will be a little Atlanta. 4/2/2010 5:15 PM CDT on KFDM.com girlforgod wrote: oh and about the money, since when can you put a price on children's education?? i don't care who the superintendent is, it should always be about their education. i went there in 90 and 91, and the school was old then! 4/2/2010 5:00 PM CDT on KFDM.com girlforgod wrote: i am a south park resident, went to south park, and my parents are still there. it saddens me to read some of the comments that people have written about our neighborhood. i know it's not what it used to be but there are still alot of hard working people that love that neighborhood and are still there, white and black. it was time for a new school. regardless of what Dr. Thomas does, i know teachers that were praying and believing God for a new school. They got what they needed. Noone complained when they tore Amelia down, because it's about the school. Half of the people complaining don't even live in SP anymore so why does it matter. Those kids and teachers deserve a nice school, without asbestos and lead. it may not be the nicest part of town like the "west end" but it still deserves to be treated with respect as well as the residents. and for those of you that say the residents are what make it that way, don't be so quick to judge. we are an african american family, black, whatever you want to call us. we work, we have children, we aren't on any government programs, and we pay taxes. so pay respect to the residents of south park. 4/2/2010 4:57 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) her2kees wrote: nice that BISD can push forward on a demolition when they can't keep construction on scheduel. I also hear that not all the buildings on the portable campus are properly secured. Heaven help us all if a tonrado rolls in. 4/2/2010 4:43 PM CDT on KFDM.com allsmile wrote: This song is dedicated to Carroll Thomas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atBg9zLI2bA Also, Carroll Thomas should have been tied up with a noose and hung on the front door steps when the demolition began!! Sorry b@stard!!! You need to take your sorry @ss out of BISD. You already ruined one school district and got kicked out of there for it. Your day here will not come soon enough. 4/2/2010 4:42 PM CDT on KFDM.com scorpian1 wrote: Coy...I was raised an IBEW child! My brother is an IBEW electrician with Newtron and Brother-in-Law is with Mobil. My Dad Retired from IBEW, but has since passed. Union Brats! LOL 4/2/2010 4:24 PM CDT on KFDM.com spinaltap wrote: Highest paid superintendent in the state? How about the 2nd highest paid in the nation. 4/2/2010 4:20 PM CDT on KFDM.com coylin1221 wrote: that is true Scorpian- husbands an electrician and that really ticked off the IBEW since that guy had failed his masters test a few times. Well, hopefully enough people are irritated, disgusted, and OBSERVANT to now make some changes and put some TRUSTWORTHY people in charge of the BISD. 4/2/2010 3:42 PM CDT on KFDM.com scorpian1 wrote: Do any of you remember the so called Licensed Master electrician, who BISD hired because of his blackness, that was a fraud? His bid, like many others was accepted because of color, not cost. Many area businesses bid for BISD projects, but minority business comes first! Everything BISD does will cost us more in the long run. The board is now in control by the minority and will do everything to put taxpayer money into the pockets of their own. And they wonder why White Flight is a problem! 4/2/2010 3:38 PM CDT on KFDM.com beaumonter wrote: again, why do we have one of the highest paid superintendents in the state??? And you have to wonder how the school board is benefiting from this. Interest in a construction company maybe? 4/2/2010 3:17 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) mousecatsmama wrote: so if they can't use bond money to tear it down - why do they get to use bond money to build a new school on the property? 4/2/2010 2:57 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (2) greeniesalways wrote: There is nothing wrong with change. However, Beaumont needs to look around and see all those things that started this city. It is great to have new schools; but, why is the board so determined to destroy a part of history that so many people have some sort of connection to even if it is just a small part. I felt like this was the type of action the board would take instead of stopping and really giving thought to what the judge said. The board can tear it down, but they cannot tear down the love and the pride that Beaumont citizens and citizens in other places have for South Park. 4/2/2010 2:54 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (3) sean1955 wrote: If you can, leave Jefferson County. 4/2/2010 2:42 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (3) scorpian1 wrote: King....Right behind you.....Hubby and I are just counting down to retirement so we can leave this city. I want to move sooooooo bad. We are not in any debt, so we can save money and escape as soon as my husband can retire. Beaumont is well on its way to becoming the new Port Arthur! 4/2/2010 2:25 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (4) coylin1221 wrote: stannous, that is a really good idea, but I have a feeling that when it comes time to remove him, the people of Beaumont will have to drag him away by force- he's gotten too fat in power and will NEVER leave voluntarily. And thank you King! I think most people can see what is really going on in Thomas' evil little mind, but I agree, most won't remember come election time.. or... will they? 4/2/2010 2:25 PM CDT on KFDM.com stannous wrote: Doc Thomas and the board perpetrated fraud on the citizens of Beaumont - judge Bob Wortham said so! They should be removed forcibly from their positions of authority after this abomination! Every taxpayer should attend the next board meeting and every one after that and loudly disrupt the meetings until the board and Thomas resign. 4/2/2010 1:51 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (1) txyellowrose wrote: I said long ago that it had nothing to do with the kids, it was a personal vendetta of BISD to destroy what so many people are fighting to stop. I guess for BISD, history means nothing. Why don't they tear down the old Beaumont High Building. It is equally as old and in lousy condition....and it has no historical value. But that doesn't matter, South Park was loved by so many, so it HAS to go. 4/2/2010 1:36 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (3) kingteddybear wrote: Way to go coy!! Frauds and cowards doing their dirty work on Good Friday. Unfortunately Beaumont residents will not remember when the next school board elections roll around. I will but I bet the majority don't. Oh well now the old school looks like the rest of the hood. What the hey it's only tax dollars, and we can all afford to throw more tax dollars away judging by the attitudes of our elected officials. BSID I will pay my school taxes for 4 more years, then you can find someone to replace me, as I am doing my best to leave this area when my son graduates from Kelly. May follow him to Hawaii Pacific University. 4/2/2010 1:21 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (2) coylin1221 wrote: that is really f'ed up. He's not doing it for the good of the children anymore- now he's doing it just to prove he CAN. You would think in the matter of diplomacy, and as a good example for the CHILDREN he pretends to be so worried about, he would have at least explored alternatives to demolition. And Melody Chappel- methinks you are about to have one major dry spell concerning employment after this. You better retain the BISD's business, hunny, because there won't be many others hiring a crooked witch like you. Yes, I know there are people out there that say it shouldn't matter, we have better things to b!tch about, but the fact of the matter is YOUR SCHOOL BOARD LIED TO YOU AND DON'TM GIVE A SH!T. Beaumont, you better remember when it's time for school board elections.... 4/2/2010 1:04 PM CDT on KFDM.com ccn9213 wrote: That's too bad; South Park is a beautiful school!!!!!!!! 4/2/2010 1:00 PM CDT on KFDM.com acohrs02 wrote: Good. 4/2/2010 12:56 PM CDT on KFDM.com Recommend (2) http://www.kfdm.com/news/demolition-37291-south-park.html