Guess what we hear!
We hear through the rumor mill that Lauren Roberts was allegedly led out of the JCPS castle last week when she was apparently canned.
We’re hearing all kinds of rumors about the reason for being let go. Things like allegedly leaking confidential material to a local newspaper. We prefer to believe it was because she absolutely sucked at her job. Though, this is still Kentucky… so sucking at your job means never getting fired.
Only time will tell what really played out.
42 responses so far ↓
1 Steven // Sep 4, 2012 at 8:18 pm
She was reassigned to HR director of the Substitute Teacher Center back in July, a job which didn’t seem to make sense to me at all… but the reality of this job is that JCPS never assigns anybody to that particular job based upon qualifications or anything. In fact, that whole “red-lining” salary thing we heard about a few weeks ago… that thing really got its start from a reassignment of an employee who was demoted to that particular job. Basically, the people they put in that job are people they’re trying to get rid of but can’t easily do so, and they end up paying them over $100,000. BUT any time that they get rid of somebody working in that particular position, they’ll have interns and/or clerks working in that job for months or years at a time (which is what most school districts use in the first place) and pay them about the same that they pay the bus drivers. They never actually actively look for people to fill that job… they just use demoted people that they are trying to avoid firing to cover it until they can finally get rid of them. With that being said, if she is already gone, that would be surprising. She’s only been there since about July… most people stay in there at least half a year.
2 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 5, 2012 at 6:33 am
The public needs to demand (by demonstrations [if necessary]) that the new head Mommy at the JCPS (superintendent) should EITHER clean house OR be cleaned out of the house, herself.
It should begin by the cessation of the ‘diversity’ busing and the return to neighborhood schools AND the elimination of any vestiges of that idiotic program (which includes personnel who are dedicated to this preposterous program).
I have never hired a sole in my 71 years of life whom I asked the question: Did you sit next to a member of the opposite race in the 5th Grade?
3 JasonL // Sep 5, 2012 at 7:28 am
So glad you a) talk to feet when you hire them and b) you explained what you meant by “demand” and “Mommy”
4 Roger // Sep 5, 2012 at 8:04 am
“opposite race”? My brain had a full-stop “whuh?” moment with that.
5 Charles W. // Sep 5, 2012 at 8:40 am
J. Bruce Miller’s post tells us much more about him than he thinks: calling the new superintendent “Mommy” and “opposite race.” Might want to move into the 20th century ;-)
6 The Tim // Sep 5, 2012 at 9:06 am
All I gotta say is, she held the PR position since Christ was a corporal.
7 Charles W. // Sep 5, 2012 at 11:49 am
It appears that J. Bruce Miller could use some diversity busing.
8 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 5, 2012 at 2:36 pm
To the above-commenters: Thanks for your suggestions, but I’m fine — and entitled to my opinion. If you don’t like my version then – that’s fine, too. The new superintendent has never explained her position with regard to busing and I find it interesting that she left the school system in Raleigh, ‘after the school board was thrown out’ in an election and it voted to END busing.
My comment about the ‘opposite race’ is exactly correct. I have ‘never EVER’ asked anyone who I’ve considered hiring whether they sat next to a person of another race in the 5th grade OR ANY GRADE FOR THAT MATTER. What I’ve been interested in is ‘TALENT.’ And TALENT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE.
So, gents, get off your high horse and realize the pitiful state of circumstances the befalls the local public school system and begin expending some energy doing something about it, instead of sitting on your stool, eating Cheezits and writing stuff on your laptop.
9 Charles W. // Sep 5, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Now that’s funny. I love it when rich, white men (with Cheezit dust on their fingers) talk about how race doesn’t matter. And by the way, one of the things I’ve “done about it” is have children in JCPS for the last 14 years. And yes, I think having folks “of the opposite race” (where do the Asians and Hispanics fit in, by the way?) has been beneficial.
At least I know why Louisville doesn’t have an NBA team now.
10 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 5, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Mr. Charles W: Thank you for the opportunity you’ve presented to explain to you just who I am. In 1962 as a senior in the Vanderbilt University Student Senate I introduced (along with others) a resolution to integrate the University. While it failed, the University was integrated the next school year. In my County Attorney days we empoyed the FIRST African-American assistant county attorneys in Kentucky. In 1975 I took my client Artis Gilmore to the Pendennis Club for lunch – making a statement that it needed to be integrated — and then resigned my membership. I represented over 200 professional athletes in the 1970s, many of whom were African-Americans. Many of them are personal friends of mine and still visit me in my home when they’re in town. Don King and his wife Henrietta and Don’s lawyer, Charles Lomax and his wife have been guests in my home for the Derby on several occasions in the 1980s. Walt (former N.Y. Knick and Ky. Colonel) and Marge Simon’s son was one of my son’s best friends in grade, junior and high school. ‘Butch’ Beard has been a friend of mine for 45 years and spent an entire day with him in May of this year.
One of the multitude of reasons I’ve championed the concept of the NBA in Louisville, is that I’ve personally witnessed what highly successful African-American role models can do for a community from the work the friends of mine such as Tim Duncan and Dave Robinson in San Antonio have done along with dozens upon dozens of others.
So, Mr. Charles — you don’t now what you’re talking about. My opposition to busing in this city has nothing to do with RACE. What it has to do with is simply the RESULTS of JCPS test scores are SHOCKINGLY AWFUL. This county is 130th or so out of 165+/- school districts IN KENTUCKY and Kentucky is one of the worse testing states in the nation. This has been going on for decades — AND CANNOT CONTINUE, IF WE WANT TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN.
I’m pleased yours have received an education, but the vast majority HAVEN’T.
11 The Tim // Sep 5, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Did I mention I’ll miss Lauren’s hoopy earrings?
12 Charles W. // Sep 5, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Mr Miller,
I admire some of the things you have done. But when you post things like your original comment, you come off as a yahoo. You need to know that. What in the fool is a “opposite race?” Can JCPS get better? Yes. Can racial and cultural diversity enhance education? Yes. So get off your high horse and look at it more deeply. Re-segregating the schools is not a solution to the problem.
I hope you are successful in helping JCPS becoming better. But if your rhetoric (and beliefs) match what you posted today–STAY AWAY.
13 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 5, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Mr. Charles: First I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t continue to hide behind you ‘moniker’, since you’ve made a series of comments about me. If you want to continue that then I intend to end this conversation. I meant everything I said and would request that you withdraw your insinuation that I’m a racist. Ask anyone who knows me (try Ray Burse or Cheri Bryant Hamilton or anyone connected wit the NBA or the old Kentucky Colonels, or anyone involved with the AAU basketball for teens here in Louisville, or Junior Bridgeman or Darrell Griffith. I could go on.
You and I have a disagreement. I believe diversity is fine, because I’ve lived a life of it. However, I’ve lived it with extremely intelligent and remarkable folks of several races — who have become educated and understand that TALENT is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than simply sitting next to someone in a school setting.
You’re entitled to you opinon and I’m entitled to mine; and I take umbrage when someone like you hides behind a ‘moniker’ and takes pot shots at me and my career — simply because I’ve been willing to USE MY NAME HERE instead of a moniker.
Good night.
14 Rob Mattheu // Sep 5, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Mr. Miller,
Do you have children? Did they go to JCPS? What was there experience?
When was the last time you attended a school board meeting or contacted your school board representative or the superintendent? What was it about?
When was the last time you volunteered time at a school? Where, and doing what? Do you think every child in JCPS is getting a bad education? Do you think that simply moving to neighborhood schools will fix them? How? What are your suggestions for parents who don’t like their neighborhood school?
I too found your “opposite race” comment a bit strange/offensive. I do think that overdoing it with “some of my best friends….” doesn’t help.
JCPS has problems. But one of JCPS’ biggest problems is that since 1975 the movers and shakers of this town have been spitting on the schools and being critical instead of getting involved, helping address problems, and becoming vocal participants in the education of kids.
Do you know why JCPS schools are failing some students, Mr. Miller? Is it because of busing or something else? Do you know why some schools are producing some of the top high graduates in the state? Do you celebrate those people? Would you hire them?
We’ve spent far too much time in this city running from JCPS while telling everyone how bad the schools are. Work to make it better or shut up.
Thanks.
15 Rob Mattheu // Sep 5, 2012 at 9:54 pm
The “shut up” comment was harsh. My apologies.
16 Roger // Sep 5, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Mr. Miller, it’s the 21st century. Get with the times….triscuits (reduced fat), not Cheez-its.
17 Debbie Linnig Michals // Sep 5, 2012 at 11:02 pm
To all the people who have said disrespectful things to J. Bruce Miller…..let me just remind you of all the hard work this man has beeen doing for this community and state for years. He was using creative adjectives when he used head “mommy” instead of head supertindent. J. Bruce Miller has been promoting blacks and desegregation long before most of you were born.
Give respect were respect is due!
18 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 6:14 am
There = their (sorry, shouldn’t comment when I’m tired)
Slightly refreshed this morning, let me say that I agree parents need to stand up and demand better from JCPS. But wholesale rejections of the entire system serve ZERO purpose, and neighborhood schools aren’t necessarily a panacea for all that ails JCPS.
19 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 6, 2012 at 9:00 am
Ms. Michals: Thanks for the kind comments. Seems like I touched a ‘sore spot’ out at JCPS. I’ll bet ‘a dollar to a donut’ that Mr. Charles W.’s employment resides either with JCPS or a bus company that rents buses to JCPS!! Wanna bet?!!!
For Mr. Charles W.: I have 6 children and step children. 3 of them are teachers in the JCPS system and have taught there for a total of 50 years between them Every single one of them agree with me — JCPS is a disaster. The Teacher’s Union stands in the way of progress – and the teachers would decertify the Union, IF the vote were a secret vote – by a vote of 80%.
How’s that for starters, Mr. Charles W.?
20 Charles W. // Sep 6, 2012 at 9:29 am
Well, Mr. Miller,
Glad to hear your family is so engaged with JCPS. No, I have no employment connection to JCPS or anyone who does business with JCPS. Just a parent who has been pretty involved in the 4 JCPS schools my kids have attended (none of them east of Baxter).
I agree that teachers unions can often be more about the protection of teachers than productive education reform. I’m a strong supporter of one principal in the district who let go of half of his teachers in a major reform. Teacher job security should not be the principal aim of a Teachers Union.
I also believe that, for all its faults, the student assignment plan is a net plus for the district. I want that for my kids.
Be productive with JPCS. Get good things done. But “the good old days” weren’t all that good for all.
21 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 6, 2012 at 9:55 am
Mr. Charles W. (anonymous): I’m pleased that you have your wishes on the ‘student assignment plan.’ As a parent you should be entitled to that.
Tens of thousands of other parents would prefer to send their children to neighborhood schools. They should be entitled to their wishes.
As I told the Ky. Supreme Court in the busing case presently before it — in 1975 there were 141,000 children in JCPS. Today, with nearly 75,000 more people in the county there are 99,000 (or so) in the system. Meaning – nearly 50,000 kids have been taken out of JCPS for either catholic, private or home school situations.
The figures are astounding and the test results are abysmal. It’s difficult to believe that the ‘present system’ has any credibility – at all.
22 Charles W. // Sep 6, 2012 at 11:05 am
My wife works in the non-profit development world, and prefers that my on-line opinions not negatively affect her work. I’m bound to stay semi-anonymous.
23 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Mr Miller,
Will you answer my questions above? 2011! Census data indicates 171788 people understand 18. Taking 13/18ths of that, I get a rough estimate of 124000 school aged children, meaning about 20,000 to 25,000 not in JCPS.
The big question is if those kids are not in JCPS because JCPS is bad or JCPS is bad because those kids are not in it.
The true answer is JCPS is not awful,nor is it awesome. There are great schools and great kids coming out of them. And there are kids failing miserably. The magic element is involved parents. If involved parents had stayed in JCPS, I don’t think we’d see the scores and issues we have today. But rather than you just saying they suck, why not find out why using data and information, not a 40 year old grudge.
24 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 6, 2012 at 1:19 pm
‘non-profit development world’ = ‘semi-anonymous’. It’s a good thing Ole George Washington, Tom Jefferson and Honest Abe didn’t work in the ‘non-profit development world.’ Otherwise it would be George W., Tom J. and Abe L.
25 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 6, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Mr. Matteau: Might I observe – that your tirade is spoken just like one would expect from a ‘dyed-in-the-wool’ JCPS-ite, who’s spending his time looking at his work through a rose-colored lens, rather than from the standpoint of a parent whose child is being subjected to the harassment of a minimum of a 2 hour bus ride all over God’s half acre, EACH SCHOOL DAY.
Incidently, Mr. Matteau: did you enjoy your ride to work at JCPS THIS MORNING in your air-conditioned car, listening to you ear plug music? I hope so, because 70,000 kids DIDN’T.
26 Charles W. // Sep 6, 2012 at 3:08 pm
I’m always getting compared to the founding fathers!
27 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Mr Miller, I still haven’t seen answers to my questions, and I was nice enough to use my real name.
28 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 6, 2012 at 6:26 pm
Mr. Mattheu: I’m not on the witness stand, here. But I’ll assure you of this — If Teddy Gordon and I file another case against JCPS and it involves IN ANY WAY your area of [ir]resonsibility over there, I’ll put you on the witness stand and you’ll have a chance to answer MY questions, UNDER OATH.
29 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 6:40 pm
So you’re really not interested in improving JCPS? I’d love to answer your questions under oath, and your subpoena and reasons for calling me should prove amusing.
30 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 6:53 pm
I’m not sure why you’re angry at me for asking you questions about your criticisms or suggestions that you’ve made in a public forum. I’m merely curious how your changes would work for the better.
31 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 6, 2012 at 7:28 pm
I’m not ‘angry’ at you Mr. Rob. I’m simply explaining my position and what I intend to do, if given the appropriate and legal opportunity by a potential client who desires to be represented in a court of law concerning JCPS and its policies.
You know – we have a democracy here, which is guided by the integrity of the judicial system, which system is guided by ‘discovery’ of information and data and sworn testimony.
It’s a peculiarly effective system — when used as it was designed to be used. Too often around Louisville and its political life for the last several decades — it has NOT BEEN EFFECTIVELY USED.
Just sayin’, my friend.
32 Debbbie Linnig Michals // Sep 6, 2012 at 7:40 pm
J. Bruce Miller: sincere thanks to you and Teddy for finlling that lawsuit. I can’t wait till it finally gets enforced. When I was vice-prdesident of the local League of Women’s Voter’s several years ago your lawsuit brought out all the dyed in the wool busing supporters. They still think we are back in the 60′s and all of a sudden the world is going to segregate. The goal should be that all schools are equally funded and supported not whether you are black and white. Busing has to stop, this is 2012.
33 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 7:40 pm
So can you answer those first questions? I keep hearing attacks and criticisms, but not real explanations of what leads people to their beliefs or what they think needs to be done and how it would work.
34 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 7:43 pm
I’m not a supporter of busing, but I’m not naive enough to believe eliminating it will magically fix JCPS.
35 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 7:45 pm
And I’ll be fighting to get my daughter in the school we want in a year, as well as to improve JCPS.
36 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 6, 2012 at 8:30 pm
Ms. Michaels: Thanks, yet again, for your kind remarks. Teddy Gordon is a wonderful lawyer and dedicated to ending this farce called ‘busing.’
You know something really amusing — Rob Mattheu says he’ll “…be fighting to get my daughter in the school we want in a year….” How long a bus ride do you think she’s going to get when Pappy works at JCPS and is a dedicated JCPS busing afficianado?
37 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Mr. Miller, I certainly hope that you do more research and homework in your job as a lawyer than you do in your comments here. I’d have to imagine that lazy assumptions and grand conspiracy theories aren’t much help in building a case.
I told you about my daughter, and not for you to mock me or her experiences, but to express the truth.
But since you’d rather attack me and make ridiculous assumptions, let me help you:
http://archives.wfpl.org/2010/08/24/jcps-board-approves-higher-tax-discusses-transportation-issues/
http://thevillevoice.com/2010/11/22/sheldon-berman-is-out-as-jcps-superintendent/
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/2010111220001
http://thevillevoice.com/2012/02/28/jcps-diversity-director-raising-some-eyebrows/
http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=13032548
And again, my questions still stand. If you’d like to talk about it in person, perhaps I can walk down to your office from my job.
38 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 8:55 pm
My post is awaiting moderation because I posted some links for you to read, Mr. Miller. I do find it sad that a 71 year old man has to resort to goofy names and baseless assumptions to attack what others say or do.
39 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 6, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Sorry, Mr. Rob. Not interested in an ‘in person’ discussion. I’ve got much better things to do than to further waste my valuable time with you.
Good night and Good Luck.
40 Charles W. // Sep 6, 2012 at 10:07 pm
As a JCPS parent, let me say that I was saddened when the Gordon suit was upheld, and I hope that Misters Gordon and Miller are unsuccessful in destroying the student assignment plan. I have found it to enrich the lives of my children in JCPS.
Now as for an NBA team . . . I’m more on your side.
41 Rob Mattheu // Sep 6, 2012 at 11:24 pm
And yet, Mr. Miller, you did just waste your “valuable time” attacking me with false assumptions and snide comments about me. Speaks to your character.
No matter, I’ll continue with my fight to make JCPS the best school system I can, and hope I can enlist other parents to do the same.
42 J. Bruce Miller // Sep 7, 2012 at 7:36 am
Thanks Mr. Charles W. for at least half a compliment and as for Mr. Rob my character remains, as it always was, and I’m proud of it. You don’t know me, and because you don’t — that’s your loss, not mine.
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