The Complete Story
Memphis City Schools patrons are entitled to timely, complete and accurate information about their school district. Local news stories are often constrained to very short time frames, limited interviews, word space, etc. The Communications and Marketing department provides additional information to these stories here. When inaccurate or inflammatory information reaches the public through the media or word-of-mouth, the Communications and Marketing department will provide accurate information in the "Complete Story." The public has a right to all of the facts.
Posted on 8/18/2010
In this edition of the Complete Story, we clear the air on recent media stories and blogs regarding Jeffrey Hernandez, who has been working as a consultant with MCS to help turnaround our lowest performing schools.
It should be noted that Mr. Hernandez’s resume and credentials are impeccable as it relates to his effectiveness as an educational reform expert; specifically turning around low performing schools.
The recent news articles would lead some to believe that Mr. Hernandez’s previous work and results were less than flattering. And that his former employers were not pleased with his performance. This frankly is not true.
Although, there were some parents and teachers who did not approve of his methods to turnaround low performing schools, the results indicate that the methods he used were effective.
Over the span of his career, Mr. Hernandez has performed worthily, and the results of his work speak for themselves. This is the sole reason he has been selected, to help MCS turnaround 28 of its most persistently low-performing schools. These schools make up the Striving School Zone, which is the primary focus of the District’s Race To The Top scope of work.
Below is a comprehensive listing of his supporters, accomplishments, and data that validate his ability to effectively turnaround chronically low performing schools.
Documents Endorsing Mr. Hernandez:
FLDOE_Comm_of _Education_Eric_Smith_Rec_Ltr.J.Hernandez.o
FLDOE_Dept_Chan_Vitti_Rec_Ltr_J.Hernandez
Supt._Johnson_PBSD_Rec_Ltr_J.Hernandez
PBCS_Board_Mbr_Debra_Robinson_Rec_Ltr_J.Hernandez
PBCS_PTA_Pres_Kay_Stasgray_Rec_Ltr_JHernandez
Principal_Navarro_MDCPS_Rec_Ltr_J.Hernandez
Documents Validating Mr. Hernandez's Turnaround Results
Recent Publication Focusing On Results and Comments
FCAT scores vindicate Jeffrey Hernandez
Memphis City Schools patrons are entitled to timely, complete and accurate information about their school district. Local news stories are often constrained to very short time frames, limited interviews, word space, etc. The Communications and Marketing department provides additional information to these stories here. When inaccurate or inflammatory information reaches the public through the media or word-of-mouth, the Communications and Marketing department will provide accurate information in the "Complete Story." The public has a right to all of the facts.
Truth about false statments in May 19, 2010 Commercial Appeal article: "MCS lies about funding"
This posting of "The Complete Story" is to provide you with the facts about false statements from Memphis City Council Chairman Harold Collins regarding recent reductions that the MCS Board of Commissioners approved as part of the revised 2010 - 2011 Operating Budget.
On Wednesday, May, 19, 2010, the Commercial Appeal published an article entitled "Collins: MCS lies about funding". In the article, Councilman Harold Collins is quoted as saying "it is unfortunate that MCS has lied to you and the citizens of Memphis regarding their budget and layoffs." Councilman Collins was replying to an email he and other council members received from a teacher's assistant, who wrote to the council to ask that they reconsider their position on withholding $57 million, which is currently in litigation. Collins went on say "MCS has decided they are laying off workers because they chose to do so, not because the city owes them money."
MCS General Counsel Dorsey Hopson also provided comments for the Commercial Appeal's article. In addition to the following statement:
"Councilman Collins alleges that the City has fully funded the District and that any cuts in the District's budget are a result of the Board's actions and are unrelated to the Council's decisions. This statement is false and irresponsible. Until last month, the City owed the District $107 million dollars for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 school years. To date, the Council has only authorized the City to pay the District $20 million dollars of this debt. Thus, the City still owes the District $87 million dollars for the last two fiscal years. Obviously, if the District had received the $107 million dollars over the last two years, it would not be in as precarious of a financial situation as it is in now. It appears that the councilman's recent statements were made to confuse the issues and to deflect attention away from the councils decision not to fully fund the school district in the 2008-2009 school year. The school board has repeatedly tried to engage the council in meaningful discussions to address the budget shortfall caused by the councils illegal actions in June 2008."
To read the entire Commercial Appeal article please click on the following link: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/may/19/collins-mcs-lies-about-funding/?print=1
News Channel 3 "School Lunch Investigation Uncovers Trouble On The Tray"
Posted on 5/11/2010
The first installment of "The Complete Story" provides an indepth look into a News Channel 3 story entitled "School Lunch Investigation Uncovers Trouble On The Tray". The story originally aired Monday, May 10, 2010.
In April 2010, WREG News Channel 3 submitted a Freedom of Information request to Memphis City Schools, Shelby County Schools, and Desoto County Schools, requesting menu items, recipes and other information regarding food and nutrition. News Channel 3 explained to the MCS Office of Communications and Marketing that they were working on a news story about lunches that Mid-South school districts serve its students. Despite what was originally communicated about their intent, the story that resulted was solely focused on MCS and did not include any other school district.
Additionally, as part of its story, News Channel 3 sent what is alleged to be samples of food provided by the district's Central Nutrition Center (CNC) to a lab in Idaho to have it analyzed. After speaking with a representative of the lab that conducted the analysis, Dr. Vista Suarez, Director of the CNC, participated in an interview with News Channel 3 for approximately 35 minutes. Dr. Suarez provided extensive information which proved that the CNC is indeed providing all students healthy and nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch per United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations.
It is also important to note that in April 2009, the CNC completed a rigorous USDA Schools Meals Initiative Review, which showed that the CNC is in compliance with Federal and State Nutrition Guidelines.
To view the full unedited version of the WREG Channel 3 interview, as recorded by the MCS Telecommunications Department please click here.
To view the entire WREG Channel 3 news story please click here.