By ANTHONY GAYNOR, Staff Writer, The Inter-Mountain
POSTED: April 7, 2010
Pickens School Teacher Phil Hudok has concerns that the federal government is trying to take over the public education system.
“This is public education right here,” Hudok told the Randolph County Board of Education on Monday. “I am speaking for teachers, the public and parents.”
Hudok cited several news articles he said lead him to believe the federal government is overstepping its bounds to controlling public education. He cited one news story in which Gov. Joe Manchin said he would not rule out calling lawmakers into special session to ensure the state qualifies for federal funding.
“It says our state is looking for a way to get money that was taken from the people,” Hudok said. “The federal government should have no control in public education.”
Hudok also cited another news article published on cnsnews.com titled “Obama’s Safe Schools Czar Advocated ‘Queering in Elementary Education.'” Hudok read a portion of the article and said Obama’s appointed Safe Schools Czar Kevin Jennings wrote the forward to a book that includes teaching sexuality to grade school children.
“I don’t like to talk about this stuff,” Hudok said. “This is a book our safe school czar wrote a forward for.”
Hudok said he would bring more information to the board at a later date.
“I think what I have given you is evidence this is happening,” he said.
The board also heard a report from Randolph County Schools Finance Director Brad Smith concerning the 2009 audit report.
He said the auditors had no findings after completing their audit.
The board took action on several items including the transfer/sale of property known as the Laurel Hill School lot. Randolph County Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Phares said the company building the windmills near Laurel Mountain discovered a deed that conveys property to the board for construction of a school. Phares recommended that the board initiate a quitclaim process on the property. This will give 30 days public notice to ensure no one has a claim to the property. After the 30-day period, the school system will auction the property.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE AT: http://theintermountain.com/page/content.detail/id/527914.html