Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Juggling the facts: "Doc" Thomas needs magic more than ever

We're gonna talk about balls today -- both real and imagined.

In his latest "Nuggets of Wisdom" (Hehehe!) column, ("Don't Drop the Ball") BISD's "Doc" Thomas gives us a glimpse inside his "magical" universe. Thomas sees himself as a magician, fighting against distraction. In a previous column, Thomas envisioned himself royalty (sort of). Maybe next time, he'll imagine he's a unicorn. We can't wait! Anyway, back to the current essay. Carrol posits:

"An administrator recently asked me how I manage to keep all the balls in the air while attacks are occurring all about me."

Oh, THOSE balls. So how do you do it, Carrol?

"Visualize a magician tossing three balls in the air at a solid tempo."

Alright, we're with you. Visualizing. Balls. In the air. Getting dizzy. Are those clown shoes you're wearing? OK, what's next?

"Imagine four or five more balls being tossed into the flow of the balls...While the magician may have a strong position with feet planted or rooted on solid ground, his or her position can be undermined. I can clearly see the nine balls circulating in the air and momentarily touching one hand or the other for a momentum boost. Sometimes the balls are in danger of tumbling to the ground if a donkey is kicking the magician’s feet, a bully is swinging a bat at the back of his knees or a snake is biting at her ankles."

W-A-I-T a second, are we the donkey or the snake? Guess it doesn't matter. What does matter is: do you have a point?

"Having a good team about is one of the best ways to keep on task, even in the face of tough challenges. I’m grateful for the great team of colleagues who help me to keep each and every ball in the air."

Oh, you mean you have a great support staff. Got it. You must be referring to people like the ex-communications director who testified yesterday during the first day of the South Park trial that you told her you had NO PLANS to demolish South Park Middle School? You -- and board president Reece -- threw her under the bus yesterday. Reece went so far as to say, "I don't believe her." Is that how you and the board treat "valued" staff? If so, no wonder you're in a world of hurt right now.

He finishes his random thoughts column with this:

"I am not a magician, but hopefully a leader who has the good sense to recognize that team support is essential to every success."

You're right, Carrol. You're not a magician. A performer, maybe. A leader? Hmm. A leader communicates with his support staff, offering them accurate and dependable information. If adversity arises, he gets their back. He gives THEM support. Seems all of those balls in the air have got you confused.

In order to win this South Park lawsuit, you're gonna need to pull the world's largest rabbit out of your hat. Sadly, we suspect you -- and the board -- might just be out of tricks.

UPDATE: Bayou reader, Amy, points out *** link this week's "nuggets" column might be even better. The theme: consistency. Here's a choice excerpt: "When paying employees and contractors or handling purchases, consistency keeps us on track and minimizes challenges and problems." Like with Sallie Curtis? Oh, these columns are a regional treasure!

Posted by GATOR at 10:12 AM


5 Gator-baiters:

FF said...
Gator has such a way with the words when reducing this problem to the basics. It’s all about balls.

Carroll Thomas should have been blackballed years ago...but wait...doesn’t he already have two oversized (black) balls that are causing BISD serious problems?

When you take a look-see at the constituency of pickaninies that is responsible for electing these morons to the school board, it becomes apparent that (black) balls are the root cause of BISD’s travails.

Why do they invariably confuse the size of their balls with the size of their brains? These clowns think their brains are between their legs. Hard thinking gives them an erection.

Viva Viagra!
September 22, 2009 11:33 AM


BISD Sucks said...
I think it has been said that Hitler also had a great team around him. Anyone care to draw comparisons?
September 22, 2009 12:41 PM


Wrinkled Shirts said...
Oh Gator, how I love to read your posts!

This Sallie Curtis mom is intrigued by this entire process. As I sat in the court room yesterday I was amazed that the man representing our school board as President could not even make complete sentences. I was also amazed that he testified, "We as a board ALWAYS follow Dr. Thomas' recommendations." Then when asked, "Did you explore the possibilities of finding a new site to build South Park?" Reece responds, "Well, we drove around town." Seriously, they drove around town. Same thing they did with the YMCA proposal for Sallie Curtis. They drove out there to look at the land but never once did they ask a question or explore the possibility of actually doing something with it. The juggling act continues!
September 22, 2009 1:12 PM


Anonymous said...
I don't think we need to reduce our differences with Dr Carroll to yet another comment that will be called racist. The man needs to go - doesn't matter if he is black or white or hispanic or any other color. He just needs to go. There are black and white board members and they are the only one's who can fire him. So while I think he's a terrible Superintendent - the final "buck stops here" resides with those Trustees.
September 22, 2009 1:16 PM


Anonymous said...
I hope in the next election that NEW citizen's will stand up and run for election to the school board. Then the voters have to stand up and VOTE them IN! Right now, are you contacting your trustee's and telling them how you feel? Call them? Write them? E-mail them? On a regular basis? They aren't going to read the comments here and even if they do, they aren't "real" to them. Blast them with contacts every day - that will get the message out.
September 22, 2009 1:18 PM