Portland, Tennessee Blog

I am a student who just recently left Portland Middle School. I moved to Portland my seventh grade year, and attended Portland Middle School until my eighth grade year, and then left for Portland High School. I was there the day the gang incident. It was horrible. That is something that I will never forget.

I also am not proud to say that I was also in a fight my seventh grade year. The other girl was given a day of ISS as was I. Myself the girl and several other girls had been called to the office to discuss the issues at hand. The girls had been harassing us ( mysef and another ) and it had been brought to the Vice Principles attention, when it began to escallate. Bassically Mrs. Denny told us all it was to late in the year to move classes, to seperate us, to knock it off, she sent us back to class, without another word.

I do not know how long after, but it was not long, but that is when the fight happened. Mr. Butler dealt with the conflict at hand. He asked us to write a paper of what happened in our own words, and then read them both, gave us ISS and sent us back to the same class, together, once again without another word. When my mother came to the school for the meeting, Mr. Butler walks in and says your aughter was in a fight today. My mother was of course appaled that he DID NOT call her and inform her of the happenings. She checked me out, and still not one word from the Principal or Vice Principal. I had a slit eyebrow and a black eye.

I am not sure that the day of the 'gang' fight had went along those same lines, but if they COULD have gotten away with it they would have, not one word to the parents.

My younger brother is going to the Middle School next year,and I am afraid for him. What will the school hide. The principals DO NOT CARE, nor do the teachers. The teachers have not fully prepared their students for high school , and the principals have not diciplined them correctly . A child shouldn't have to wait for ten ISS notes to be sent to allternative, something should be done now not later.
Things should not be kept so clandestined from the parents.

Michelle,
I want to commend you for your post and your honesty. I was one of the few who attended the meeting at the school a few weeks ago and appreciate your efforts to try to make our children's school a safe place. If I were in your position, I feel I would have acted the same way that you have described with my children given this situation. I must confess though that this is the first time that I have heard about this situation.

JH,

I am the mother of 4 wonderful children, one of which was ACCUSED of threatening to bring a gun to school and shoot everyone.

***BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I ASSURE YOU THAT MY DAUGHTER DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ANY TYPE OF WEAPON***

I am also the mother who asked the school why NO ONE reported it for 5 DAYS. (Mr. Craighead said that 1 child told their mother,but the mother told the child NOT to report it . . . and mother didn't report it either . . . you can draw your OWN conclusion on that one!)

I am also the mother who asked the school to review the video tape located on the bus where the threat was alleged to have occured. (the school NEVER REQUESTED IT)

I am also the mother who asked why the school didn't call the police IMMEDIATELY.

I am also the mother who was APPALLED that the school considered this a "bus issue".

I am also the mother who said IF they truly thought my daughter made the threat, that 2 days OSS was INAPPROPRIATE/INSUFFICIENT punishment. I also said that if she was guilty that she should have been suspended until a board hearing was convened.

I am also the mother who refused to let my daughter return to school, even though she could, because I wanted to reconcile the MANY INCONSISTENCIES that surrounded this entire situation. I was even told by several administrators that I could be facing "attendance violations" (My daughter had been ACCUSED of threating to bring a gun to school and shoot everyone and they thought I was worried about ATTENDANCE VIOLATIONS??? Give me a flipping break!)

I am also the mother of the child who has maintained her innocence throughout this entire ordeal,and who has suffered irrepairable damage as a result of FALSE and MALICIOUS ACCUSATIONS as well as an apathetic system that had little to no desire to know the truth.

I venture to say that many people will conclude that I am proclaiming my daughter's innocence simply because she is my daughter. Well, that simply IS NOT the case. I sure didn't JUST take her word for it. I looked at the ENTIRE PICTURE. I consulted mental health professionals, I consulted the police, I consulted Sumner County Juvenile Court, I spoke with children and parents, I spoke numerous times with various school faculty and I questioned my daughter EXTENSIVELY. Even with ALL THAT, in the end, the thing that allows me to say with utmost certainty that she is INNOCENT is the fact that SHE offered to take a lie detector test.

She took it yestersay (Thursday May 3, 2007) and SHE PASSED.

If anyone has any additional questions, concerns please feel free to ask because we have NOTHING TO HIDE.

Is the Michelle Hanners on this blog the mother of the Middle School student that has been suspended for making threats to kill fellow students and teachers at the school?
Just curious?

MEETING at PORTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL
APRIL 12th at 7PM

I've made arrangements to hold a special meeting at Portland Middle School to address our community's concerns about school safety.

I urge EVERYONE who has a stake in the safety of our children to MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO ATTEND.

The focus will be on CREATING A SAFER SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT. This will be an informal meeting that will be much like a "town meeting" with an opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions.

Hope to see(and hear) you there!

I just wanted to say that the situation at PMS couldn't have been predicted, but it definitely warranted more than ISS, because if ISS is like it was when I was in school, it's a joke. Although I was never in ISS, I know that the kids that were in it couldn't care less that they were, or so it seemed.

I realize the child is not in school there anymore, but I think that was probably after it was all over the news and that probably forced their hand somewhat. I don't think it was a simple fight with two children disagreeing about something, but this kid was just randomly chosen and did nothing to instigate it. That doesn't really constitute a "fight" as I would assume a fight requires 2 parties participating instead of one sucker punching the other and continuing to beat him until his jaw breaks.

I have children in Portland schools and one of my son's classmates recently was out of school for a couple of months for a very involved surgery. He's healthy and back now and you can't tell that he's had surgery by looking so I cringe to think if he had been the one randomly chosen. In his case, it could have been much, much worse and possibly caused irreversible damage or even been fatal. So would that still be ok?

AMEN! This particular thread is supposed to be about the concerns of the community regarding the safety of our children in school. Now back to the subject:

Yes. I listened to Tim's interview with Mr. Butler on Monday. I understood him to say there were 2 girls that were still in school, but that they were being closely monitored. One has to stay in the office every morning until the rest of the students have gone to class and the other is in a self-contained classroom all day.

I have known Mr. Butler since I was in high school. I like and respect him, but I'm afraid that we will have to agree to disagree that these girls were simply trying to form a "club".
While extremely technical, "gang" IS synonymous with "club" and "clique", but there is one major factor that differentiates them: violence.

As I stated previously, my family is currently seeking help from the juvenile court to address a threat made against my daughter, so I am not going to come on here and pretend that there's not a problem, but the problem IS NOT Mr. Butler.

I urge everyone who feels strongly that change is order to stop the finger pointing and step up to the plate.

Mr. Butler said he has said for years that the Middle School needs an School Resource Officer (SRO). Bottom line, this will cost money. I'm willing to do my part and pay my share to keep our children safe, ARE YOU?

Think about it, we are in the midst of a census to bring more money to Portland. OUR CHILDREN ARE PART OF THAT HEAD COUNT. (10% of it at the Middle School alone)

TELL OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS (CITY OFFICIALS AND SCHOOL BOARD), YOU WANT YOUR CHILD'S SAFETY IN SCHOOL TO BE THEIR MISSION IN LIFE AND THAT YOU WANT THEM TO USE EVERY RESOURCE THEY HAVE . . . MONEY, INFLUENCE, ETC. . . TO GET AN SRO IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

Call them, show up at meetings, write letters . . . do SOMETHING!!!!

This blog is supposed to be for comments concerning a particular subject,not to personally attack another person who believes differently than you.It's very easy to say those type of things when hiding behind a one name signature.If you're gonna be man enough to spout that B.S.be man enough to sign your full name.

Did anyone catch the radio interview Monday with Mr Butler? I did.
He said this happened upstairs in the old gym. There were no teachers up there. He said when the teachers seen what was going on that they had to work their way thru the crowd and up the stairs to stop the attack. Wonder how long that took?? He also said that the attacker was no longer a student at PMS. Wonder what happened to the girl that started it all? He said "girl" not "girls". Mr. Butler said the attack was gang related BUT there are NO gangs at PMS. HUH??

Tim Coker really pushed him on why parents were not notified of this and would parents be notified in the future. Mr Butler said that the only parents that would be notified are the parents of the children involved. That they do not practice notifing parents of incidents like this.

Mr Butler did confess that bulling at the Middle school is a problem.

Oh, Dear. To quote Val Kilmer "If I thought we weren't friends, I couldn't bear it". Or something like that.
I'm glad that your indignation has overcome your hairspray. Bully for you! Sadly, the activities associated with society are leaving you at the last whistle stop, crowded with nostalgics and fools. Renee, I too wish that life were like the halcyon days of chain smoking dixiecrats.
Why not champion the end of tobacco use (deadly to women) for your cause du jour?
Perhaps the people who work with chldren really hope they turn out well. Perhaps your furious little fingers are doing more here...when they could be doing something real. I know I am. Other than an insipid role at a church that serves the people with the nicest hats, what do you do for Portland?
Not much, I'll warrant.

No posts recently...has everyone abandoned this very important issue!

Daniel,

It is obvious you are very "shaken" by the fact that so many on this thread find you as wrong as I do. you are now grasping at straws. It is even more obvious that you have absolutely NO idea what you are talking about.

No my name does not have 4 letters.....you are as usual CLUELESS!!!

To everyone else,

I am sorry to have gotten off subject and I promise to do better at trying to stay on topic....it is not fair to all of you to get involved in such sillyness. Again, Sorry!!!

Thanks for the respect for my jumpshot Daniel, just don't tell anyone about my golf game. As far as I know I am the only golfer to ever break a toe by hitting it with the ball...

All kidding aside, Daniel and I are on opposite ends of the political spectrum, yet we are still friends, and we can debate the issues without getting personal. It is my hope that the anomnity of that this blog offers does not cause personal attacks from both sides to get out of control. I don't know about anyone else, but for me, it makes it real hard to read and take seriously.

Just my feelings on this. Doubt they are even worth two cents.

Michelle,
We have good friends whose daughter was bullied so much they had to move her. The school would not address their problem either.
I am glad you posted your problem so maybe more will put theirs on here as well. Good luck to you and your family...

Terry

"Just as your demands that "something be done" will have no impact on the situation."

Hmmm, that's funny. I don't recall ever "demanding" anything be done. Perhaps you should go back and read my posts again?

"Criminal avtivities need solutions, not a complaint box filled with bluster."

So now you're calling this "criminal activity"? Seems to me you've been defending the situation the whole time...make up your mind.

"My information comes from Jim Butler and the Sumner County school codes. How about yours?"

Ahh yes, the man with no backbone. Of course he's going to say there's no problem. My information? My family and I happen to know the victim and his mother quite well. Thanks for your concern.

"Jim Butler- or any educational worker, for that matter- are not responsible for the failings of a parent. It may be satisfying to vent, but unless you have a solution, there isn't a lot of substance to your stance."

While I can see your point on the "failings of a parent", I still believe you're full of it. Sure, it's the parents responsibility to raise their children, but it's the school's responisbility to take over when the parent's aren't there. Hope you're not planning on teaching if you're going to hold the parents responsible for everything.

"I hope that when read in a slow, southern style, the above paragraph does not come across as "psychobabble". That would be offensive....like calling someone a Progressive reader, right?"

Ouch. I'm sorry, but have you even been paying attention to what I've been posting? I don't know if you were intentionally being an ass by your "southern style" comment, but I do believe I've made some very good points-and surprise, surprise, I actually punctuated and spelled everything correctly! What do you know? A southern stereotype proven wrong! I'm done arguing with you, because unlike you, I have a life. I've made my point-apparently very well because people have agreed with me-and you've TRIED making yours. Good day.

LET ME REITERATE: I filed a petition in juvenile court against the girl who has not only been harassing my daughter for the past 3 months, but who threatened her with bodily harm . . . NOT THE SCHOOL.

Terry, you and I do actually agree that it's sad that parents feel they have to resort to the judicial system, but what's saddest of all, is when a child can't go to school without fearing for their safety.

If you TRULY BELIEVE that teachers (grown adults) are so fearful of a lawsuit that it renders them "to the point of ineffectiveness", then PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell me just WHAT IN THE WORLD do you think it does to a CHILD who is fearful of being attacked?

One other point that illustrates what many parents are sadly learning for themselves- the education system is as hogtied as any by the litigious nature of society. Teachers and faculty are severely limited (to the point of innefectiveness) by fears based on lawsuits.
It's sad that parents feel that they must resort to the judicial system. Even more sad is that fact that good people in the schools are hamstrung by the idiocy of law today.

You're correct, Renee, my opinion should not have an impact on yours. Just as your demands that "something be done" will have no impact on the situation.
Want to have an impact? Get active. Until then, get out of the way. Criminal avtivities need solutions, not a complaint box filled with bluster.
My information comes from Jim Butler and the Sumner County school codes. How about yours? The student in question is no longer an issue for the school system after removal- again,I repeat, it becomes a criminal issue at that point.
Jim Butler- or any educational worker, for that matter- are not responsible for the failings of a parent. It may be satisfying to vent, but unless you have a solution, there isn't a lot of substance to your stance.
I hope that when read in a slow, southern style, the above paragraph does not come across as "psychobabble". That would be offensive....like calling someone a Progressive reader, right?

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS- Unfortunately, I am not writing this post based on speculation and/or rumors. I say "unfortunately", because my daughter is CURRENTLY a victim of harrassment and threats at PORTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL. (as well as harrassing phone calls after school)

I have made numerous phone calls to the school over the past THREE MONTHS and I have spoken with BOTH Mrs. Denney and Mr. Butler. I have also spoken with various people at the Sumner County Board of Education. ***Did I mention that I have been addressing this for 3 MONTHS??? I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!

Though I believe with all my heart that the school has "addressed" the problem, they have yet to FIX it. And while I am convinced that they truly WANT to fix it, if for no other reason than they wouldn't have to talk to me 2500 times a week, I'm not convinced that they can.

Up until last week, the harrassment was just that . . . harrassment, full of catty remarks, name-calling, annoying phone calls, bumping into my daughter in the hall (oops!), and the list goes on.

But on March 12th, things went from "catty" to downright THREATENING. A particular girl, with whom my daughter USED TO BE friends, told my daughter that there were a number of girls who were going to jump her unless they (my daughter and this girl) "got straight". She said, "if we're 'straight', I'll MAKE them back off, if not, they're gonna beat your [another, more vulgar word completely omitted] a** and I'm gonna sit back and watch, so you better make up your mind pretty d*** quick."

I had to take several things into SERIOUS CONSIDERATION:
1. The SOURCE of the threat.
2. The limitations of the school's staff in their ability to keep my daughter safe. Not their DESIRE, their ABILITY.
3. The incident that occured the previous week where that child was mailiciously attacked.
4. The fact that there have been two, not one, but two groups;gangs;gang wannabes,calling themselves "G" and "21", reported by students at PMS.
5. That these reports are being downplayed by denying a "REAL" problem even exists. (that ONE CHILD being attacked made it real enough for me)

So, feeling I had exhausted all of my other options, I filed a petition in Sumner County Juvenile Court against the girl who made the threat. ***This is no easy feat. You have to have a LOT of personal information about the child that no one wants to share due to "privacy issues". The correct procedure is to contact the police and have them file a report which includes the POLICE investigating the incident (not just the school) and/or THE POLICE gathering all the information that YOU will need to FILE THE PETITION YOURSELF.(THIS IS PER THE COURT CLERK WHO FILES THE PETITIONS FOR JUVENILE COURT: 451-6016)

I am in no way, shape or form suggesting that all minor squabbles between kids need to be taken before a judge, but considering all that I have, and under our particular circumstances, I am not about to risk my child's safety by living in a state of denial.

I know this was long (zzzzzz) but thanks for allowing me to share our situation. It is my hope that this community wakes up and wakes up soon before something happens that can't be fixed.

Yea we all know Daniel is a liberal, but he is very fair when it comes to writing his stories. At least someone in this town covers the news. For so many years this town had no news covered and now we are blessed to have the Progressive. The Progressive has conservative commentary in Phil Valentine and jacki Cook. So please dont say the Progressive is just a liberal rag. Now back to the Days of our Portland.

Hey Daniel and JW....take this childish banter some place else. This has nothing to do with the topic we are trying to discuss here.

Would I be wrong in saying your first name is four letters...hmmm....maybe it's connected with a certain phone call I received on Friday, just maybe. As far as calling you, I have no reason to call you, this is a place for opinions and everyone else stated theirs respectfully except for once again, you. The middle-aged cry baby. You must keep your opinions hidden all day and that's why you're afraid to use your real name, that and the fact your wife is someone of importance here, kind of. Maybe I should start a boycott of my own...hmmm...maybe I already did.
Anyways I have no reason to call you, you're boring enough on here. But you're welcome to stop by our office anytime you'd like. We'll have coffee and maybe we could do an interview or something.
Oh yeah, can you make a post without quoting everything I say. The good people of Portland are smart enough to scroll down though it seems it took you a while to figure it out. Yes, in my OPINION column in the Progressive I usually write towards a liberal slant, it has absolutely nothing to do with how I cover news. By the way, taxes have EVERYTHING to do with this issue, I'll wait for you to catch this week's episode of O'Reiley to respond copycat.
JW, tisk, tisk, life's too short to be so bitter all the time. I would try to boycott your line of work but I think you and your friends do an excellent job making license plates but once again, that would have nothing to do with the issue we're supposed to be discussing. Do your children respond to their peers in such a hateful manner?

And now we return to our regularly scheduled program: "As Portland Turns"

These dicussions are one of the reasons I like to log on daily and read.

It's better than "Jerry Springer" sometimes.

Lol No Harm intended.

Hey Mack,

Yes you and I are normally in agreement.

As for the people you stated are shown in the progressive.....A mere attempt to "appear" balanced.

You would be surprised how a threat to stay away from an advertiser will work......never under estimate people.

Of course it would be difficult to have an affect on Mcd's, where else do we have to go eat!!! Wonder WHY we don't have more of a choice of where to go eat! LOL

No anger involved, at least on my part. My objective is simply to respond in as rediculous a manner and the post I am responding to. And it seems that there are one or Two (of which I am sure will reveal themselves with a response to this) people who post on this blog who think they can Bully people around. THEN there are many more that I tend to agree with.

I agree we need to get back on Topic, it is easy to stray away from topic on these things. This blog many times gets my blood pressure going, so I need to be more selctive with which topics I respond to just because some (not all by any means) peoples stupidity never ceases to amaze me. Most of the people who visit this Blog are very wise and need to be heard.

And Mack, I'll tell you what, The topic you mention is one that will continue until the faces change on the Council if you know what I mean. We are on the same team, my friend, lets keep it that way!!! LOL Bye the way....what makes you think I am a "he".

Hey JW, don't take that last post the wrong way. I often agree with you on here. Now let's get back to discussing city government and that space station Callis wants to build.......lol

I think it is funny that "JW" keeps accusing the Progressive of being some "liberal" rag. I guess he doesn't read the Jacki Cook column and the Phil Valentine column.

I just don't see it as a liberal rag by any means.

Also....I guess McDonald's should be warned. The boycott that he is starting up just might put them under! Don't they advertise in the Progressive? Food Lion, Captain Video.....you all should be shaking in your shoes!!!

So much anger.......
LOL!!!

Renee...

Very, VERY well said!

When you really look at this whole issue and those involved.....

Kinda sounds like the "Good Ole' Boy" network in action doesn't it?

Yet another Quote from Daniel

"JW will cry on one post about taxes and raising this and that but doesn't see a connection in the school systems and the idiotic no child left behind policy that's crippling our educators. You want more protection in schools, i.e.metal detectors, security cameras, more staff...you have to pay for it.
You want teachers to stalk out students like private detectives and raise them like your kids are their own but you don't want to pay them more than a meager salary compared to other professionals with master's degrees.
Until then, a teacher's job is to teach. If you feel your kids are in danger, you can always home school or send to a private school.
I think I figured out who JW is. If you are who I think you are, your personal attacks are now very much understood and even funnier. If you don't want to read our paper then I'm sorry you feel that way but we will continue to provide Portland with stories they can't get anywhere else.

I think I figured out who JW is. If you are who I think you are, your personal attacks are now very much understood and even funnier. If you don't want to read our paper then I'm sorry you feel that way but we will continue to provide Portland with stories they can't get anywhere else." (end quote)

First off "DUDE" When did I say anything about No child left behind...YOU are the one who brought that up!

My view on taxes has not changed, but that is not the issue here is it! The issue is safety. As for the rest of your rant.....Blah, Blah,Blah. Put it in the paper!

If you have figured out who I am, then you should know how to get in touch with me....feel free. I would bet what I earn in a year that you have no idea who I am....your threats are quite humerous.

BUT, everyone here knows who you are.....and can see your one sided rantings in the Portland Progressive....Remember everyone reading this to let those advertisers know how you feel.

My conversation with Daniel is over....particularly since he seems to know who I am....if so....call me....Lets chat...lets have a conversation with each other. My guess is I won't hear from you at all...again the issue here is not who I am, or who you are, but the safety and security of our children. Which we all should be concerned about whether its in our job description or not!

Just to be clear,I am not the "Terry"in this topic.

Goodness people, Grow up! And we wonder where the youth of today learn such behavior. Yes, this has upset me as well, but good lord ya'll, children also learn by example!!!!!!!

I just finished reading the updated article in The news Examiner. A couple of things in it really jumped out at me.

"Butler says the juvenile, who suffered a broken jaw and concussion, was treated at the hospital and returned to school Monday"

and

“We have a good school, great faculty, great student body — to me, there is nothing to be alarmed about,” Butler said.

I have a child in the middle school and to me, some poor kid that gets jumped for no reason, receives a broken jaw and a concussion IS something to be alarmed about!!

I spent 3 years as a paramedic in Memphis before moving home and I have seen real gang activity, and this is nothing but a bunch of wannabes pretending. But the fact that this was allowed to occur at all is very disturbing to me as well as my son who is now scared that something like this will happen to him!!! I think this has been under played and I am disappointed that nothing was said to the parents about the whole incident.

I believe the school needs to worry less about public perception and more about prevention and information!!! Just my 2 cents.

Terry;
"Reactionary idiocy is the surest sign of an uninformed person. Renee typifies this outlook."

I guess you think using big words makes you sound smarter? I'm sure a lot of people agree with me, therefore, your opinion has no impact on mine.

"The offending student is no longer in attendence, and is subject to the laws of the state."

Gee. Wonder how long that will last. And will it have done any good when he IS allowed back in school? Doubtful.

"Perhaps a flogging or public spectacle meets your demands for "something being done"."

Oh yes, because I lived back in the days of the Salem Witch Trials and it just overjoys me to see people made a "public spectacle" of. No moron, that's ridiculous. However, I think kicking someone out of school never does any good. I know people who have been kicked out, and nothing changed. It's not even just about this particular person, it's about everyone involved. Did the girls get punished? And let me add that "punished" doesn't mean ISS for three days. What happend to all the kids who were walking around with "G"'s on their hands? Probably nothing, because as always, the schools take everything lightly. Bet now the teachers at Columbine take things a little more seriously...hopefully it doesn't have to come to a situation like that before teachers start doing their jobs.

"There are few people more irritating than internet didacts who wring their hands and snipe."

Same goes for me with annoying people like you with your psychobabble BS. Thank you.

"Gotta run- I hear my neighbor has a "television" and I can't wait to see it!"

And where exactly did you get all of your information that you know SO MUCH about? The Progressive?

Reactionary idiocy is the surest sign of an uninformed person. Renee typifies this outlook.
Nothing was done? No, Renee, what you mean is that there was not enough sensationalism or hype regarding the incident to suit your tastes. The offending student is no longer in attendence, and is subject to the laws of the state.
Perhaps a flogging or public spectacle meets your demands for "something being done".
There are few people more irritating than internet didacts who wring their hands and snipe. Maybe we could bring back the steam engine and life would be better for all of us?
Gotta run- I hear my neighbor has a "television" and I can't wait to see it!

The best thing that could happen is new blood at either the middle school and the high school. New blood is not a gang, just a saying. It looks like one could happen really soon.

My oldest attended K and 1st grade at Oakmont around 10 years ago. Two years was long enough in the public school system. We too decided to homeschool. One reason--he was watching more movies at school than he was doing schoolwork. The favoritism towards the kids whose parents went there or who were well-known in the Portland community was outrageous. He now attends college on a full-scholarship. I'm sure some kids do well in the Portland area public schools. However, a neighbor's daughter graduated from Portland High School 2 years ago, and she cannot read. At all. She was pushed on through the school system and graduated. A sad statement of how the schools are run.

LeighAnn,

You go, girl! We moved to Portland with one child in Middle School and the other just starting high school. Both are bright, intelligent students. The classes at both PMS and PHS were, with a few exceptions, totally "dumbed down" so that everyone could pass. Did you know that the advanced students in the SEARCH program are considered to be "Special Ed" students? How ridiculous is that?

My biggest regret in raising these children is bringing them into Portland schools. We thought the small-town country atmosphere would be an asset to their upbringing, but didn't realize that we were sacrificing educational excellence to achieve it.

The happiest day of my life was the day that my youngest child graduated from PHS, and I knew that I would never again have to set foot in that school or deal with the inept school administrators ever again. Thank God my grandchildren attend a private school and are able to get a quality education.

Step 2:
billsb@k12tn.net
Benny Bills' email address - write and express your concerns...

I have just stumbled upon the first step...
check out sumnerschools.org and a link has been set up to evaluate schools. Complete the evaluation....

I have always said that who you are depends on how you are treated so I am glad to see others are in agreement.
LeighAnn - your post is wonderful and kudos to you for posting it!
To other parents whose children have been victimized one way or another, physically, mentally, educationally...it's time for us to do something about it...anyone have any thoughts on what we should do to take action?

BRAVO Leighann! You are absolutely right about the 'last name' thing. Popularity has been an issue in Portland schools since way back when. If you are 'well-known' in this community, you pretty much have it made in the school system. If you come from money, it seems to be the same way. I have heard from my own children how teacher's kids, football players, cheerleaders, etc, get treated much better than anyone else. It sometimes seems that if you are a good student, both academically and socially, it doesn't matter, you don't really count unless you are popular. That, in itself is pretty sad. I think the whole school system in general needs to be revamped! From dress codes, to athletics. After all, these children will be adults one day, and may be looking after us. Help them while we can.

My son went to the Middle School 4 years ago (he graduates this year) He was beat up, and BRANDED in the boys rest room. It was our 1st year here from Louisville. We moved here,not only because we had family here, but we wanted our son out of the city school systems. Instead after nothing...NOTHING was done to the other boys, which I demanded phone numbers, however I was informed of privacy issues. I chose to go through Aarons Academy Christian Homeschool Program. It has been a wonderful experience even though I had to go to work Part time instead of fulltime. I couldn't trust Mr. Butler would protect my son, it's obvious we did the right thing. I wonder if a student will have to be seriously injured before he wakes up.
My prayers go out to the family and student that this happened to.

I found this bit of info interesting but could not verify it. Maybe someone else can.

Is it true that Mr Butler's wife works at the Board of Ed and is his boss? I am told she is over the middle school principals.

After reading all of the blogs and the newspaper articles about this "incident" I no longer can be a reader...must be a typer now.
I am not very familar with Portlands School Systems as my family only moved here 5 years ago. When we moved here, from New York our daughter was in 7th grade and my son in 8th. My daughter was an A-B Student in New York, my son wasn't *lol* anyway.... We noticed the curriculium is about 1 to 1 1/2 year behind and also Tennessee being a Non-Regent State puts it behind even further... my point here is that sometimes when students aren't challenged thats when you see boredom, class clowns, aggression and so on....but that isn't really what I noticed at the Middle School ... I noticed that when someone got in trouble it depended on there last name to how the situation was dealt. I volunteered when needed and was very active with my kids while in the school. I once asked why the 8th graders were not allowed to mix with the 7th graders ( I think they were doing a project that actually called for kids of both grades but the teacher told me 7th and 8th graders couldn't "be together") because.....(sit down) they didn't want the 8th grade boys hormones to be near the younger students!!!!! Yes this is what I was told not one time but then an office staff member confirmed it. So, my feelings about this gang thing... maybe it was nothing, maybe it's a start of something, We homeschooled after our year was done... which worked well for us, but alot of parents can't homeschool with work and different life situations...so what do we expect from our Middle School Staff... I would want Teachers that Teach, but that also keep there ears and eyes open..listen don't be afraid to intervene before a situation starts..did you ever hear of an after school fight being kept hush..NO WAY!!!!! Someones gonna talk. Yet I also would want the PRINCIPLE TO START BEING A PRINCIPLE....interact with the students..talk TO THEM NOT AT THEM....and teach our 8th graders to work well with 7,6,5,4,3,2,1 grades we all need to work with each other in life so start letting our students know we expect 8th graders to set examples.Then talk more about gangs, violence, teenage suicides and other Terrible things that happen everyday somewhere here in the US. Tell our children here in Portland they have a choice to a better life...a life here in Portland where we do not promote nor will we tolerate violence, gangs but then also we need PARENTS TO HELP OUR SCHOOL OFFICIALS....So parents work.. Is it to much to take a day off each semester to volunteer at the school, or to go to the school and see what your child is doing. It takes a community to raise our kids...It takes a community to work together to show our children what we expect...children only know what we teach them..lets teach them that we love them, and that we want them to be safe, and Happy.
WE NEED PLACES IN PORTLAND FOR OUR KIDS TO GO....to be with other kids just to "hang out", not just our churches...yes the churches are great but sometimes a neutral place can be just as successful. Please parents....lets consider this civic center if its gonna give our youth a safe and happy healthy environment to have some KID FRIENDLY FUN!!!!!
One other thing, Daniel, Thank You for allowing Portland to keep a Paper that will write the truth and stories about everyone, no matter who you are. Thank You for not sweeping those stories under the rug that we otherwise might not have read about...
AND.....Tim...I look forward to listening to your new radio show. I hope all of these great Blog topics are talked about....

I was there MDL, but you know of course it was just to support my "Liberal Agenda" and David I understand exactly what you're saying and your comparison about alcohol is dead on. It's easily the most dangerous drug in the world. Along with cigarettes, funny how they're both legal here though.

zzz.zzzz.zzzzz., dude, I fell asleep half way through your post. Man, argue the issue, I think you really need a hug. You know, I was driving to one of Portland's grand eateries earlier and I noticed the roof hadn't fallen in at PMS yet. Wow.
My question is if this has happened so many times before, why haven't more kids been in the hospital or more arrests made?
JW will cry on one post about taxes and raising this and that but doesn't see a connection in the school systems and the idiotic no child left behind policy that's crippling our educators. You want more protection in schools, i.e.metal detectors, security cameras, more staff...you have to pay for it.
You want teachers to stalk out students like private detectives and raise them like your kids are their own but you don't want to pay them more than a meager salary compared to other professionals with master's degrees.
Until then, a teacher's job is to teach. If you feel your kids are in danger, you can always home school or send to a private school.
I think I figured out who JW is. If you are who I think you are, your personal attacks are now very much understood and even funnier. If you don't want to read our paper then I'm sorry you feel that way but we will continue to provide Portland with stories they can't get anywhere else.
I never think a parent is overreacting for being concerned about their children. The faculty is not at fault in this situation, I feel. A teacher's job is to respond when something breaks out and do everything they can to prevent it if they see something occuring. Even then, there's no way any teacher or JW or anyone else on this site or in this town or in this country can stop one person from hurting another if they truly want to. You could have the coalition of the willing at PMS and if a kid wanted to run up and start whaling on another kid they couldn't totally prevent it without shooting them. Plus, it only takes one good punch to break someone's jaw, it could happen in a matter of seconds.
Alright, I think we've all said about everything that could possibly be said about this, at least I know I have. The rest of this is just a lot of hot air. I respect every persons comments on here(except JW, though your posts do make for good reading material when I'm having trouble falling asleep ) because I'm glad parents do get upset because it shows concern even though we may disagree with who is responsible. Like I said earlier before Tim Coker got on here and stole my idea(typical Republican, just kidding Tim, you've still got a mean jumpshot) if anyone wants to send me some questions to ask I'll gladly ask them.
Till the next topic JW, you big teddy bear you!

Just curious, how many of you who are concerned with all of this went to the meeting at the school recently about the drug/alcohol use and also to the open public forum meeting tonight to express these serious concerns?

Curious - No, I do not have children at the school. Even better - I graduated 2 years ago and therefore was at the middle school less than six years ago.

JohnL - Wow. Are you familiar with the concept of a troll? It is someone who lurks on message boards and posts inflammatory remarks while contributing absolutely nothing to the conversation. Congrats! You now have a label - one that you have earned, unlike the one you placed on me. For the record I do not smoke pot as I have no desire to and have too much to lose if I did (I work in a pharmacy. They tend to frown on drug charges in my profession. ;) ) I encourage the readers of this blog to ignore this imbecile's worthless "contributions" as I am going to after attempting to set him straight. If you have nothing to say, please kindly shut the hell up. You're wasting everyone's time and not impressing anyone with your cunning ability to zero in on one tiny line in a post while avoiding the issue.

I understand the concern about this incident, but it does happen and the school should be upfront about it. The sad truth is that without compromising our basic liberties, there really is no way to prevent this from happening. Those years can be hell on some kids who aren't able to deal with it and lash out through bullying. The schools do everything within reason that they can to prevent this (see my previous post - teachers monitoring the halls, ever present police officers assigned to each school...). I'm still in disbelief that they dropped the ball in contacting a victim's parents. There is absolutely no excuse for that.

I have a suggestion: Rather than bickering and pointing fingers, why don't the bloggers of Portland try coming up with possible improvements to the problem? What would you like to see the schools do differently?

Quote of what was stated by Daniel Sudeath-

"JW-Are you done now crybaby? You sound like a middle-schooler and frankly, if hate mongers like yourself are raising children the same way, no wonder situations like these continue to occur.
But you did say something about you being responsible for raising your children. Good. Start doing it by not waiting for a principal to have to tell you they are totally screwing up and becoming a problem. I'm sure Mr. Butler would be happy to sit down with any parent who is concerned at any time, maybe that would be a more telling stat, how many parents actually arrange to speak with him.
Everyone wants to believe the worst, rumors, rumors, rumors. Bring me some facts, not blank shots in the dark about what she said that he said that she told her...." (end Quote)

Funny how you seem to know so much about how many parents want to meet with this principle....Give us facts Mr. Suddeath....FACTS! How many parents....etc.

If my so called "Hate Mongering" will keep my children safe.....then I am guilty as charged....obviously keeping children safe is not something you appear to know much about Sir!

Perhaps what should happen is parents should be kept informed of what is or is not going on rather than parents hearing about it on the local Television news!

I can understand that there is no way to know someting is going to happen until it happens....thats fine....but what about afterwards. There is simply no communication between the school and the parents on this issue...seems a simple letter sent home explaining things would have probably eased alot of the tension in this case. Communication between school and parents is very important...especially when things like this happen.

As far as how I raise my children...they are straight "A" students who are very involved in various activities at school, they are very happy and VERY well liked children. Perhaps they could teach YOU a thing or two.

As for the one comment made by another poster about there not being a gang problem in Portland....I spent several years working with troubled teens and I can tell you one thing....Gangs feed on communities that don't think they have a problem...if you don't believe that....travel to Lavergne and talk to them about the problem they didn't think they had.

Unfortunatley, it appears the only way to respond to these rediculous responses by Mr. Suddeath, is to speak out loud by not purchasing the Local Newspaper he works for (The Progressive) and/or by letting the papers advertisers know that you will not be frequenting their establishments and why. Perhaps this would give Mr. Suddeath a new found outlook on the safetly of MY children.

Missy Carr,

"Someone asked if it's time to hire a new principal--how are earth should he have kwown two idiot girls would want to instigate a random attack on a student? How on earth were teachers supposed to know ahead of time? Are they supposed to be psychic?"

Nobody knows when an attack is going to occur. That's not the point. The point is, nothing was done about it. It was brushed off as if nothing ever happened. It's not the school's duty to "predict" when a fight will happen, but it is their responsibilty to control it.

"It's a bit silly to think that schools should notify all parents of all fights every day; there would be no point to it."

Let's hear you say that when your child-if you have one-gets attacked. I'm sure then you'll look at it a little differently.

" Frankly, any parent who has a student at either the middle school or the high school should thank their lucky stars that their children do attend our schools."

I'm only 19. I have no children, however I do have a brother that goes to PMS. I know things that he has said, as well as the things I remember from being in school. I know times change, but I can remember when fights broke out, and the teachers actually cared enough and weren't scared to do something about it. Now it's like they dont't care.

For you to sit back and say everyone is overreacting is outrageous.

Perhaps you're related to Mr. Suddeath? You two both seem to have the same lame opinions. Just imagine if everyone in the world were more like you two...all hell would break loose.

Daniel,

How can we not point the finger at teachers and Mr. Butler, especially when my child comes home and tells me incidences of overhearing teachers saying a student needs to shut their "fat***" mouth. As a parent I am appalled that a teacher would even think of saying this under their breath with any kind of chance that another student might hear this. If our teachers can't show respect than why should THEY expect them to show respect despite what we as parents teach them. As for this incident.....it is not the first. I also know the parents of the girl who was threatended by a piece of glass and I am deeply disturbed by the fact that the parents were not notified. As a parent discipline starts at home but the staff of the middle school can not expect to be in their profession and not expect to step in and have SOME responsiblility for what our children do while in their care. YOU DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN........so you DON'T know what it is like to teach them what you believe to be right and they do not always follow. You do not have to deal with children who have no respect for others and their parents do not seem to care what they do. Also I need to mention that as a society the family unit has become blended and unfortunately not all families have the origional parents that are still together. This multiplies the problem because the parents can't always get along which is unfortunate. It is hard enough to raise a young child let alone a teenager who is trying to become their own person. It is unerving to talk to your children about certain topics that children should not have to worry about some of which they may tune you out because they simply don't want to talk about these things with their parents or anybody else.

First of all my children have grown up in this school system and I have a child coming through it now.My mother was a teacher. My grandfather was a teacher.I know first-hand about the girl who's paremts were not called.Folks this isn't freaking Mayberry.I've tried talking with the school from Mr.Butler to any teacher who I could.We've made phone calls, notes, and requested conferences. Calls not returned,notes gone with no reply, and no conferences. I would love the chance to be involved but someone on the other end has to be willing to meet a parent halfway.It's called working together. A teachers first responsability is to teach; secondly provide a safe enviroment for a child to learn. It even says this in the boards mission statement.So far this school year I've seen very little of it.ANY OF IT.Most I've seen or heard was "my teacher was on her cell phone all class" or a teacher on this blog during the school day.There is no difference when a person walks into my place of work, each supervisior ,first line or upper management, to ensure that the person leaves just as they came.If something does happen it is dealt with right then and evryone concerned is notified. Not "well its the end of the day or I was to busy dealing with other things." Let me tell you It's a sicking feeling when you find out your child was threatned or hit and you find out about it from other parents.Someone at that school needs to get their heads out of thier hindends and start taking some responsibility for what goes on at that school.It's no fun having to call an injured employee's wife that her husband is in yhe hospital. Let's see if any teacher or Mr. Butler wants to make that call.Now that I've vented some if anyone knows a way to get in touch with the Sumner co. School Board without getting a stupid machine please post it.

Missy,
This was NOT a fight! A fight is between 2 or more people. This was an ATTACK. There is a difference.

Have you ever been to the high school, that blonde lady in the front office is as rude as they come. I have always found the folks at PMS friendly.

As a parent who has had to deal with Mr. Butler and his staff, I have found it very difficult. I feel that when you walk into the school; especially a parent, you should be offered help. Instead you get a cold shoulder and an attitude, nor are they forth coming with who they are. I understand they have a job to do that does not revolve around dealing only with parents, but a little common courtesy goes a long way. I also feel that the staff at the school seems to sweat the small things while not taking care of larger things. As for notifying parents of every "silly" fight....well maybe that is why bullying happens. As a parent, if my child were to get into a fight I would want to know! I don't care if my child started it or not. You never know when a fight might compile into a more serious situation.

The hubhub over this isolated incident is nothing short of ridiculous. I've worked at the middle school previously as a substitute teacher, and my mother has been a teacher the middle school since 1988. Jim Butler has been one of the most effective principals the school has ever seen. Someone asked if it's time to hire a new principal--how are earth should he have kwown two idiot girls would want to instigate a random attack on a student? How on earth were teachers supposed to know ahead of time? Are they supposed to be psychic?

Unfortunately, there are fights at school--any middle or high school--every day. This incident was no different. It's a bit silly to think that schools should notify all parents of all fights every day; there would be no point to it. Also, more importantly, there are no gangs at Portland Middle School. Frankly, any parent who has a student at either the middle school or the high school should thank their lucky stars that their children do attend our schools. The outside world has largely been kept at bay in our Portland schools, and that's nothing short of a miracle. We have the administrators and the teachers at the schools to thank for that.

And let me repeat this oft-forgotten (in the last few days) fact: there are no gangs at Portland Middle School.

In addition, not accepting rhetorically unsound arguments regarding Mr. Butler's and the middle school's teachers' abilities is not the equivalent of not supporting the boy who was injured. That, in itself, is a nonsesical argument.

Daniel,

Wow. One minute you brag about your grand upbringing, and the next minute you are namecalling. How mature of you. What a fantastic job your mom did! Is that what you call "using your words, not your fists"?

Just an FYI, not an advertisement *wink*, I am having Jim Butler on my radio show Monday to address this very issue. I'll bring some of these things up, and if you want to email me some questions, you can do so at tim@wqkr.com .

Mr. Butler has been very gracious in coming, he has not put up any resistance to coming on the show, so just from my limited dealings with him on this issue, it does not look like he is trying to hide anything. So let me know if there is anything you want to know, and hopefully we can all begin to know the facts about the situation and what is being done to address it.

Oh, the show is on from 4-6PM and he will be on from 5-6 if anyone is interested in hearing the interview.

Bravo Daniel!

It's hard sometimes for people to see things objectively and not let their emotions get the best of them.

As I stated in my previous post, I'm certain Mr. Butler would love to have as many parents (and nonparents too!) contact him to ask what they can do to help rather than insult and point fingers!

And before the next post comes up and inquires, yes, I am a parent!!!!

JW-Are you done now crybaby? You sound like a middle-schooler and frankly, if hate mongers like yourself are raising children the same way, no wonder situations like these continue to occur.
But you did say something about you being responsible for raising your children. Good. Start doing it by not waiting for a principal to have to tell you they are totally screwing up and becoming a problem. I'm sure Mr. Butler would be happy to sit down with any parent who is concerned at any time, maybe that would be a more telling stat, how many parents actually arrange to speak with him.
Everyone wants to believe the worst, rumors, rumors, rumors. Bring me some facts, not blank shots in the dark about what she said that he said that she told her....

Daniel,

Thanks for the nice comments, I really am not worthy!!!!

I frankly really don't care what you think. What I do care about is the safety of MY Children in a school system that it appears has had their heads in the sand. You know what they say....when your head is in the sand, your ### is in the air.

When someone comes on this board and basically discounts the concerns of numerous parents who DO have children and try's to justify things that were and continue to be wrongly handled....particularly when it involves MY children...then yes for me that is very personal, and as a result I will react to your rediculous, uneducated stupidity with a personal response.

You Can NOT respond in an educated manner if you do not have children. I don't care what your mother did, or who worked where. That is not relevant. What is relevant is the safety of MY Children which is MY responsibility, it is also MY responsibilty to make sure that MY children are safe and properly educated in the local school system which MY tax dollars pay to ensure.

So am I getting personal...absolutely.

Why? because of the ignorance of someone who has NO clue what being a parent is!!!! Don't dare come in here and tell any of us how to parent or what we ought to think....

You are out of line!

Bye the way...I Don't watch Fox news...

I think most everyone can say they are in agreement that they just want to be informed by the school of incidents such as this. Don't try to downplay what happens as an "isolated incident" only when the media gets hold of it. If the media didn't get word of it, then most parents would probably still be in the dark unless their children told them. Again, does anyone know about the markings of "XIII" around the park. Can anyone confirm this isn't "gang related"?
I work with parents with children in other counties and more than one has told me that their schools have a "phone tree" type system that an automated caller calls parents and tells them happenings at school, both good and bad...I know money is tight, but I would love to see something like this for our school - let us know what is going on somehow!

Daniel,

Thank goodness other people besides myself find you to be way out of your league! JW is right, until you have children of your own, you have no idea! I DO ask my child very important questions regarding school issues, on a daily basis. He never mentioned a GANG issue until Robert was attacked. So don't assume that I did nothing. Had I known, I SURELY would have. Also, let me also point out that this was NOT just a school fight. A fight is between 2 or more persons, this was an ATTACK! Please stop feeling the need to quote the Bible, as I can do the same. The Bible also says 'an eye for an eye.' Do you believe that the victim should be allowed to return to school and pound on this bully until his jaw is broken? You also said that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I read in the newspaper, not a tabloid, that the attacker admitted it to officer Rippy. To me, that is proof of guilt. Get over yourself!

JW-you have to be the most bitter individual I think I've ever encountered. It seems like on every topic everyone else argues the issue and you always try to get personal. Get over the middle age crisis and quit trying to quote O'Reily.
Anyways, to answer the question.
A-have no children B-Worked in the school system for five years C-Mother was a principal and educator for over 30 years.
2 of the 3 above have shown me there are always parents that come around when things go bad and point the finger, but few of them are ever around to support their children or to take the right steps to prevent violent situations.
One of the responses just said "If my child would have come home and told me there was a gang...I would have done something about it..."
Okay, so what were teachers supposed to do differently? If you're not going to ask your kids tough questions and check up on their daily lives why should they?

If any of you wish to come up with a list of questions I'll ask the principal and maybe a few teachers and run their answers in a story.

This incident is a parent/school issue. The parents of the children directly involved should be the ones handling this. I think the school was right to notify them and handle within. This is far more productive than to post an emotional filled rant on the town blog without getting all the details first. All that does is stir hate and prosecution before anything is even thoroughly investigated.

Yes, it is terrible what happened. Yes, it probably (and hopefully) is an isolated incident. Yes, as parents we should be concerned.

Hopefully the two girls and the attacker will be punished. But why not call Mr. Butler and ask what you can do to help, rather than insult each other on this blog?

I enjoy this blog and all the different comments. Even the stupid ones! However, I have to wonder sometimes if a lot of the ones who get so riled have ever lived outside of Portland and in a metropolitan area (and no, Gallatin doesn't count, lol!).

BE PROACTIVE PEOPLE, NOT REACTIVE!!!!!

I have a child at the school, I will not mention the grade or gender.

I will say this very clearly this is a school and parent issue. I live in a town where gangs thrive and let me say if you sit here on this blog and type your feelings out and take no further action you and portland will be suck in by this.

"You" meaning schools/parents better come together and nip this or I sure you, you will become a another Nashville.

Theses groups love small towns so they can get the first grip on it.

Do I see a major problem no not yet, but if YOU don't do something you will.

Remember these people watch tv also.

Daniel,

It is very VERY typical for you to get on this blog and spew your Liberal garbage. Drink your Kool-Aide somewhere else. You, my friend, are very wrong here. There is no possible way for you to have any clue what you are talking about until you have children of your own. I used to think alot like you (Until I grew up), then I had my own Children and realized it was not as easy to actually BE a parent as it was was to try to tell OTHERS how to BE a parent.

You are out of your league here, Keep your fantasy liberal thoughts to the Portland Progressive....what happened at PMS was real and someone could have been killed.

Now I fully expect you to respond by quoting some theory or statistic you found in the latest liberal rag that you have read, or perhaps its a conservative rag, I don't care for either. Both are a complete joke.

Please everyone just remember, when you purchase the Portland Progressive, this is the type of people you are supporting.

I am very sorry this had to happen here in Portland, BUT, it is reality in this day and age....so we deal with it by becoming educated on this type of activity....this is the way to fight this battle, is by getting educated...and perhaps a call to the Guardian Angels wouldn't hurt.

Just curious Daniel,

Do you have children?

Daniel,

I did not say that the students weren't punished. I ASKED what happened to the girls who supposedly tried to start a gang. In answer to your question, 'what did you do to stop it?', I can assure you that if my child came home and told me of a possible gang, I would definitely have called Mr. Butler myself to get to the bottom of this. I AM a concerned parent, and I also would discipline my child if he behaved like the accused attacker. I, nor you for that matter, knows if this was this attacker's first mistake. But, what difference does it make? The victim's jaw was BROKEN! That sounds pretty severe to me. No, I don't know how long the fight was going on, but what difference does it make? There is suppose to be a more strict policy against bullying, and you are crazy if you think that all instances of bullying are punished. I've heard teachers myself complain and call other children tattle-tails if they try to report bullying, so why would a child risk being called that by an adult if they were being bullied or threatened? Children also run the risk of being 'picked on' by other children if they report bullying, so you tell me what people are suppose to do. I also admit that I am a sinner, aren't we all on some level? That doesn't mean I am not suppose to be outraged at this situation. Maybe things should be taken a little more seriously at the middle school. After all, in this day and age, if you made even the slightest joke at the airport about bombs or terroists, that would be taken seriously enough to have you banned from flights and perhaps apprehended. I realize that this sounds harsh, but maybe these wanna be gangsters should be treated the same way!!!!!

Lori-you have me totally misunderstood. I was the first on here to say the kid who was attacked was a good student but yes, in America you're innocent till proven guilty and even the guilty have rights.
Plus, you're basing 75 percent of your argument on speculation. How do you know the kids weren't punished? I know in Kentucky a fight is an auto suspension, I'll check on it here though. Also, how do you know how long the fight was going on, how many gang activities were going on, what Mr. Butler was doing...etc. My final question, if you did know all of this, why didn't you do anything to stop it?
No I don't have kids at PMS but what kept me from doing something like this was knowing my butt would be kicked when I got home by my parents, apparently our society has lost this.
Basically, our society is now a bunch of conformist. People will do anything to be accepted by a group. It starts in kindergarten, matures through school with cliches and social organizations, then you have your frat boys and sorority girls in college doing unspeakable acts so they can have a few friends...it never ends. This was an act of conformity.
Also, how can you say this kid could not of made a one-time mistake? Did not Washington cut down a cherry tree? What 13 year old always makes the right decisions? Ye who is without sin cast the first stone

OH Please Mr. Suddeath!!!! Do you always take up for people who do wrong!? Do you have children in the middle school, or at all? If it were your family or friend who had his or her jaw broken by some thug, would you still feel the way you feel? I happen to know the VICTIM personally, and he is the epitome of a GREAT kid. OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE NEGATIVE ACTS THAT DO GO ON AT PMS! Yes, it is the parent's responsibility to raise their children, but it is also the responsibility of principals and teachers to protect our children when we as parents can't be there. If there is even the mear threat of gang activity at PMS, whoever attempts to start one, should be suspended. This should fall under the zero tolerance policy. This thug that attacked an innocent child that did not fight back, should be sent to an alternative school! It ticks me off that Jim Butler will say that "he is a good boy that made a poor choice." Well so what! I could care less if the thug was captain of the football team, teacher's kid, preppy, or whatever. Maybe he needs to be made an example of! It is such a shame that people seem to be taking up for the middle school moreso than this innocent child. As for 'the teacher's stopped the fight as soon as it was "noticed".' That must not be entirely true, or else they would have stopped it BEFORE the victim had his jaw broken. This is for you, "OneTeacher" who is obvioulsly afraid to use their name, parents of chldren who choose not to fight, or fight back in this case because their parent's taught them to use their words instead of their fists, don't feel any better if their child sustains injuries at the hands of thugs who weren't taught to use words. Do you think Robert's mom feels good that her son received such major injuries at the hands of a classmate!? Personally, if I were Robert's mom, this incident would never be forgotten. As for the 2 girls who initiated this whole thing, did they get punished at all? Mr. Butler needs to stop turning a blind eye to things that go on there. Finally, think about this: The Thugs of today, are the criminals of tomorrow. This whole situation needs to be stopped, and if it takes a new principal to do it, then so be it.

Please correct me if I'm wrong. Haven't gangs and violence been in our schools at least since the 50's?
Kids are little sponges. They learn from thier parents, other adults and television how to handle disagreements. This shouldn't surprise anyone based on what goes on in some homes and society today.

OneTeacher,
If the reference was re: a movie then why were the kids told that if they were caught with these writings, then punishment would be given? Please clarify this for me.

Exactly what was the principal supposed to do? Put a wire tap on the two in question and follow them around all day? If a teacher called a town meeting every time someone threatened someone else their would never be time for school work. This is not China! We have to protect people's rights. This is typical though, something like this happens and we all point the finger at the school instead of in the mirror. This is all of our faults. It takes a community to raise a child. A teacher is paid to educate, not to be a police officer or a parent.
I agree, one incident is one to many but everything is not a conspiracy. Because of the rights of students principals are not allowed to tell other parents about every situation.
Almost everyone on here wants to say "your stats are wrong" or "the teachers are hiding something"...please, wake up and smell the coffee. We have the highest murder rate of any industrialized country in the world, our country is built on violence, from the genocide of the Indians to the war in Iraq and on our children in schools. Violence.
How many of you "concerned" parents were at the Anti-Drug Rally last week at PHS? I think I counted maybe 50 ppl in attendance and you know who most of them were, teachers,principals and government officials...hmmm, but it's their job to raise your kids right? please.

Oh Yeah -- Daneil S For President 2008!

Thanks for recognizing the role of the teacher and the unattainable demands being placed on the faculty members of our schools!

John L -- no ball was dropped. The incident was handled exactly as it should have been. Please learn all the facts to an incident before placing blame on any individual or institution.

From my inside knowledge, the teachers were present and were the ones who stopped the fight. Unfortuantely, the teachers did not know the fight was going to occur until after it started...but as soon as the fight was noticed, it was stopped.

Per the question regarding the numbers being written on students in SG's initial comment -- the reference to "gang activity" at this time had to do with the movie Grid Iron Gang and the fact that the numbers tattooed on the actors bodies had to do with prior gang activty. In no way did this small activity give rise to the thought or vision that gang members were actually at the school -- it was a stupid movie reference that the kids though was "cool".

Again, while teachers are responsible for keeping the safety of the teacher, they are not responsible for instilling the values and morals that are expected by both parents and kids -- that must happen at home. And unfortunately, if a parent hasn't taught their child to talk through problems instead of using the fist...then teachers can't be expected to do anything more than stop a fight in progress.

David Lonie...
WHAT??? Seems like someone needs to lay off the drug that he said was "pretty harmless". Your post sounded like you have a few brain cells missing.

SC....
Where did you get your stats? Same place as Daniel I bet.

Quit putting all the blame on the parents. The school dropped the ball on this incident.

Daniel-
I wish more people, especially parents of middle school children, would take responsibility for their childrens actions. It seems most parents don't want to get involved until something bad has happened. Not only with discipline problems but also academics.
The teachers can NOT teach and raise your children.

Portland Middle School is a great school with a great principal and staff. They work hard to ensure all students have an appropriate education. The problem lies when the child gets home and does not complete his assignment, the teacher is blamed for not teaching.. Where are the parents????

If more parents were involved with their children, the parents would know exactly what their childs time was being used for, sex, drugs or gangs..

My advice-- Parents get involved and start raising your children and stop putting so much blame on our administration and staff..
One man should NOT be expected to raise every child in Portland Middle School..

Well said! You are right, those parents were never notified! Many reading this will probably not even know to which incident you are referring. I agree that incidents are "smoothed over" instead of shared with concerned parents.

Here's an idea Mr Suddeath. Get 75 Middle School students, 25 from each class, and have a question and answer session. I'm a betting your stats will be alot different.

Things happen at the middle school that never reach the parents, police or the paper. Just ask the parents of the girl that was threatened with a piece of broken glass. The parents were never called.

Mr. Suddeath stated..."I think what's missing here is perspective and comparison with other schools from other cities".

Parents don't care what happens in other schools. They want to make sure their children are safe in their schools.

The Portland Leader tried to smooth this over and so has Mr. Suddeath but I'm not buying it!!!

For anyone that needs to know the story, visit wkrn.com and search "Portland Middle School."

David,
Do you have children in the school? Just curious...

Where were the teachers?

My guess would be that they were in the school.

Unfortunately, I don't recall them having psychic ability, and therefore unable to to have knowledge of the incident beforehand.

Based on these assumptions I guess they were only able to stop the fight AFTER it started, rather than before.

WE NEED PSYCHIC TEACHERS!!!

Seriously, like someone else mentioned: If someone wants to hurt someone else, they will. During class changes the teachers take shifts monitoring the halls, there are dozens of cameras in the halls, as well as a police officer who is not only at school from 7-4, but at every school event as well.

ARE OUR CHILDREN SAFE?

Yeah, I think this is as good as it gets. If you take a couple hundred boys who are hitting puberty and stick them in building together for 7 hours a day, incidence like this will happen. And, it's not as big of a deal as it sounds like. Our society so often times forgets that we are humans. Our children are humans. If an adolescent boy gets into a scrape at school, are you really that surprised?

The drug problem at the school is a real problem though. But, I think before we focus on the school, we need to look at the city itself. When I moved to Portland I was middle-school age and I remember a fellow student mentioning to me that there is nothing in this town to do but "get high and have babies".

This is so true. The kids do not have anything to do in Portland, and every time something does some along, the paranoid Christian fascist sect that owns the town starts crying and moaning about how all they do at the new establishment is drugs, whether or not it's true. Talk about natural depravity...Can any human fit their definition of "good" (Except themselves, of course)?

If you want the kids to stop doing drugs, realize that is not going to happen. It is up to the parents to educate and advise their kids. So, you do have a shot at getting YOUR kids to stop. You cannot wave a magic wand over Portland (or anywhere for that matter) and remove the problem.

You may be wondering "Why do the kids start drugs? Don't they know they're bad?" To reply, are they? Yes, there are many risks and dangers associated with many drugs, but marijuana is pretty harmless. I'm not going to start a huge point on this, but if alcohol is going to be allowed, the effects of marijuana on a person are much less. Ok, moving on....

Now, "Don't kids know that drugs are bad?" Simple answer: No. They don't. Having not graduated that many years ago, I feel I have a good idea of what kind of education the kiddies are receiving. Here are a few things I was CONSTANTLY told, as the government tried to replace the parents. We were supposed to take these as the gospel truth:

o "If you smoke marjiuana once, you will die"

o "If you use methamphetamine once, you are hooked for life"

o "If you have sex (even protected sex) before you're married, you WILL get AIDS and die."

So what is the big deal about scaring the kids like this?

They find out. One of their friends smokes pot and is still alive. They find out methamphetamine was actually used as a prescription and those people aren't still addicted (I actually know someone who was on it for 12 years and has been clean for 4. You can't stop, huh?). Or their buddy has sex and, well golly, he doesn't have the AIDS, now does he?

IF YOU LIE TO YOUR CHILDREN, YOU WILL GET CAUGHT.

And when you do, your child won't know what to believe. In their mind "Well, this scare tactic you used wasn't true, what else is a lie".

If we would just shoot straight with the kids about these thing it would be a lot more effective.

Those are my thought anyway.

I have children at the middle school, but I only hear what my children tell me. I NEVER learn of anything regarding the school from the school. I need to know what things surround my children so I can speak to them about it. Bullying, drugs, fights...yes, I have spoken to my children about these things, but it is not real until it happens in their environment. I think just as much attention should be focused on the females as the males in the school. I have one of each, a male child and a female child. When my son's shirt becomes slightly untucked or loose in the back thru the day, he is called on it. I see girls that have shirts barely meeting the waistline of their pants and nothing is said. I feel boys are treated differently than girls at the school. Each gender should be treated with the same rules. All parents should be notified of what is going on with the school when it is their children that attend. Regarding the education, I would like to see it stepped up a notch to prepare my children better for their future because my children need to rely on scholarships to help with college. I know parents who can't figure out why they haven't been informed their children was having problems until progress reports come out with all failing grades. Better communication between teachers and parents would help! Keep us in the loop and at least tell us if our children need help!
As far as the post about no gang activity at the school, my children told me a few weeks ago that something was said that some children had writings on their hands or something and the school or a teacher (or someone) said anyone that wrote on their hands (or had anything in particular on their hands) would get in trouble because it could be gang related. I can't remember exactly what my children told me, but at the time I thought it crazy and an over reaction. Now I know better, but I also know now that the school must have had some idea about "gang" activity in the school.
Also, has anyone else noticed the markings at Richland Park? I didn't until another parent pointed them out the other night. "XIII" is marked at the park a few times and I believe she said she had noticed it at other places too. Does anyone know anything about this?

I had not heard anything about this. My son is in the 7th grade at the middle school and never mentioned this to me and I never saw it on the news (I must have missed it). When did this happen? Where did it happen? And where did these kids in a gang come from????

One kid with drugs at school is too many. One child getting beaten up regardless of where the gang was located is too many. Where were the teachers when this child was being beaten up? They are responsible to protect this child while he is on school property. They are to provide a safe learning environment. So what should the parents of the beaten child have done to protect him MR Suddeath, home school him? The June Cleaver days are over. Parents have to work to provide basic things for their children. Not every family is two parent like mine and set where one works first shift and the other works third so that someone is always home. Parents can't always help the situation they have found themselves in and are just struggling to keep themselves and their children going day to day. Where is that liberal it takes a village mentality for them? They rely on the School and the Churches on Sunday. My child has come home and told me about another student being told that he has no rights by one of his students. All the kids being punished at recess because someone got muddy so they can't have any equiptment. For a long time the sixth grade boys bathroom sit down stall didn't have a door on it and noone seemed to concerned to get right on that. I guess boys don't have privacy or dignity concerns. Teachers are there to teach but they have the potential to be so much more. My great aunt taught for twenty-six years. Her older sister was a teacher and taught in a one room school. She taught her younger brothers and sisters. My uncle was a history professor at LaSalle University in Illinois. My own grandfather was a teacher. My great grandparents wanted all five of their children to be teachers because they felt that was the most important and greatest occupation. You have the chance to shape young minds and inspire greatness. It starts with parents the first teachers. Children are always excited and can't wait to go to school but gradually can't stand it. What is wrong with that. If they have a good teacher they are excited and inspired to keep going. My cousin teaches in Alaska and goes by that. It's not just a job. If you think it is then you don't need to become a teacher. That's what is wrong with the education system in Portland. Too many teachers are just in it for the JOB. Teachers need to be accountable. The school system needs to put an extra adult on school buses for bus safety and they need someone to patrol the hallways and bathrooms in the middle school.

You can check the stats all you want Mr. Suddeath but the stats do not show things that happen that parents are NOT even notified about.
There has been bullying, fights, and only God knows what else.

I know the kid that was jumped had NO prior issues but the kid that did the jumping does. It does not matter if the gang was from another city, it found it's way to Portland so to speak or this child wouldn't be hurt. Do you think his parents care where the gang was located?

Yes, teachers are there to teach but they are also there to make sure the kids are in a safe environment to learn. And, yes I do blame the parents of children that misbehave. Discipline should start at home.

I don't think I am overreacting. I have 2 grandchildren in the middle school and I am very concerned about this incident. I am very curious about what is being done about it.

I had not heard about this incident until last evening through another parent who's child is in attendance at the middle school.
Daniel, while I agree with the fact that parents should be involved and knowledgeable about the lives of their children; I also believe that teachers may have access to aspects of the child's life that a parent may not see. Not that I put any of the blame on the teachers, but I do believe a phone call to the parent would be helpful.
As far as the middle school goes I am more concerned over the quality of education than I am the safety. I dont believe there have been a large number of safety problems at the school, unless I have been misinformed. The largest problem I have seen has been with an acceptance of low quality education. This is not to put the blame on any one position as I believe this is a community issue. We have people coming in to our community from other states whos children are in standard classes and once here the children are being taught curriculum they learned 2 years prior. Why are our children so far behind and what can we do about it? Sure, we can say that it could be worse but is that the standard we want? Do we want to accept the unacceptable because it isnt as bad as it could be? Education of our children should be a large issue in our community and as a community I would love to see us address how we could improve upon it.

No offense Debra, I've enjoyed your posts in the past, but this is an overreaction. The media gets accused of creating the news and this is exactly what channel 2 did. The gang was based in another city, there was no gang activity at the middle school, at all. The kid who was jumped had no prior disclipline issues. Portland schools are well run. I checked the stats, one kid was arrested there last year for drugs. One. You all should be on here praising Mr. Butler for that type of enviroment. I think what's missing here is perspective and comparison with other schools from other cities.
Second, it's not a teacher's job to do what parents should be doing. A teacher is there to teach, not babysit. Parents should be finding out if their kids are in gangs, on drugs or taking part in other questionable behavior, not the teachers. If they choose to work all the time and not pay attention to their kid, that's their own fault, not the school system's. The parents of the kids already knew they were involved in gangs. This society is full of people who want to pass the blame. If teachers ask too many questions then parents start complaining about that to. If parents want to stop this then they have to take responsibility for THEIR children.
Finally, you can have all the security you want but if someone wants to hurt someone else, they will always find a way. You can only deter this by making the punishment so severe that people will not dare question it.
But I am glad to see parents concerned for their children.