It appears Joplin R-8 Superintendent C. J. Huff may have told the Joplin Globe a different story than the one that volunteers from College Heights Christian Church.
The church sent out a message to potential volunteers earlier today saying the school district had flunked the certificate of occupancy tests Friday to be allowed to move into the new Joplin High School/Franklin Tech Center:
Unfortunately, the new Joplin High School building didn’t pass the city’s inspection for occupancy yesterday. The administration still has every intention of being ready for school on August 25 and requests our prayers to that end. They remain hopeful that they can begin moving in on Tuesday, but for now we will NOT be helping with the move on Monday.
According to a Joplin Globe article posted a short while ago, it wasn't city inpectors, but C. J. Huff and his crack administrative team who decided to delay the move into the new building:
“It went well overall, but there’s a couple things that need to be done,” Huff said. “So, we’ll be working over the weekend and we’ll re-evaluate on Monday,” he said.
He said items that need to be addressed before the move can start is the state inspection of elevators in the building, and a “programming piece” affecting the HVAC system.
“The elevator inspector is coming in from out of town and the programmer will be here on Sunday,” he said. “We’ll reevaluate everything on Monday and may be able to start on Tuesday. Worst-case scenario is it will be Wednesday.”
29 comments:
As a member of College Heights Christian Church I am offended by the remarks of CJ Huff. You are basically calling our leaders liars because they spoke the truth. Mr Huff I would strongly suggest that you retract your remarks because currently we have a good working relationship with the district. But, let me remind you of this. We do not support the district because of you! We support the district because of our children. If you continue to insinuate that we would "lie" about why you failed then perhaps we need to rethink our position with the district.
Once again, CJ Huff proves that he cannot speak without lying. There are many issues that need fixed,, and as parents, we would start our kids in their old schools where they were relatively safe, than in this building where they could be hurt physically. We can only hope that our Board of Education will snap out of it and take control here. Quit wasting time and do what you were elected to do.
I'm much more inclined to believe College Heights Christian Church' account of the delay rather than either C.J. Huff or The Joplin Globe.
Once again, CJ and The Joplin Globe think we are idiots.
There has never been a local official more disrespected and disliked that CJ Huff. And yet, he remains employed to continue destroying the educational environment in Joplin. He should have been fired at least two years ago, but the board was too moonstruck by his hero story to pay attention. His inept handling of the construction, the calendar, the employees, the budget, and the instruction process should any one have been enough to send him down the road. Altogether it is a no-brainer.
What more will it take to get this man dismissed?
Yes, after all the crowing and bravado about Monday being the "big day", he suddenly changes his overinflated, egotistical mind, and puts opening off a day or two. It's nothing short of laughable. How long before we get the rest of the story? Not that we will find it in the Globe.
Enough is enough. Let's clean house and get up a Recall petition to kick out the do-nothing, paralyzed board members. Huff and Barr need to be gone immediately. They lie constantly and do NOT deserve the salary that they make. They are highly paid for their deceit and ineptness.
Construction delays are normal. First inspections are often just that--FIRST inspection, not final. The true problem with all this is all of the deception. If Huff & Co. would just be honest and not constantly trying to 'put on airs'or spin things, this whole mess wouldn't be as bad.
I'm hoping that all those at College Heights who have been duped (and not by any fault of their own) will now know just how dishonest these people are. Should we still support the kids? YES! But we don't need to support this wicked and dishonest group of administrators.
12:05--
This wasn't exactly the first inspection. Go back in time to Cj's interviews boasting he didn't need a Plan B, everything was right on schedule and he would be getting the certificate of occupancy on August 11 after the final inspection, which was supposed to be last Friday. Anyone on that site could tell you that things were not on time, and that it was improbable that the building would meet inspection on the 8th of August since it had failed so many areas a month earlier.
Thank your superintendent and your school board for playing this betting game with your child's education at stake. I would hope that there is a secret Plan B, which might explain why the mall school is still intact months after it was vacated. Three certainly is no transparency here, and the little despot is still allowed to call the shots with no restraint, even if that makes his board look foolish. Why break a streak?
CJ Huff is a lying, corrupt sack of crap, and the board that blindly backs him should be held equally complicit when that audit rolls out. They could at least protect the kids since apparently they don't care if they learn anything.
Ok, lets be clear...the district did NOT pass inspection on Friday, something everyone knew was a VERY distinct possibility. How many buildings pass inspection the first time through? VERY few. An enormous building such as the high school - not likely. Dr. Huff had nothing to hide about that and said that to The Globe. What they choose to report is up to them. It's no secret the building didn't pass; nobody ever said otherwise. And CERTAINLY nobody has called the leaders of College Heights liars. They are amazing people! The Globe simply reported the situation differently than the church did. That is not Dr. Huff's fault.
Here's the REAL problem in Joplin right now - Dr. Huff would have been mocked and criticized if he put out a statement saying the building didn't pass. Right here, Mr. Turner would have been doing the dog and pony show, mocking Dr. Huff for "failing." So now instead, Dr. Huff is mocked and criticized and called a liar because the Globe reports that he didn't say that. He can't win. The district can't win with people who refuse to come and have legitimate conversations seeking answers, but instead opt to post anger and hatred on the internet - all things that they would never have the courage to speak in person.
Can you all not see the absolute insanity of this blog? There are questions presented on this blog and "facts" that Mr. Turner chooses to lay out for public inspection. He proclaims to be a journalist because he's pulled some speaking dates and copies of receipts off of the internet - one of the ONLY TRUE journalists left who haven't been swayed to the dark side, he'd like us to think. But that is absolutely untrue.
Journalism is NOT about smearing people, making a mockery of people, and digging for dirt with every decision that is made. You can't get half the story off of the internet and then extrapolate the rest out with assumptions and somehow call that journalism! That is disgraceful!
Continued in next post...
...continued...
Mr. Turner is no journalist, he is a bitter man with nothing better to do than spread hatred. His agenda is pure and simple - destruction of those who exposed him. Can you not see that? I pity a man who lives in such bitterness that this is all he has to do. And now we have a community that BELIEVES him...it's INSANE! Open your eyes people.
With a district that is audited annually and has more safeguards in place than Fort Knox, do you really think that a corrupt administrator who is stealing and lying would be allowed to continue? Do you really think that ALL of the people at admin would follow Dr. Huff if he were so bad? Do you REALLY believe that everyone at admin is conspiring to dupe the entire community and ruin education for Joplin? Seriously!? It makes no sense.
Have you never had a time when you said something that made absolute sense to you and was true and right, and then somebody took a PIECE of that statement and turned it into something it was never intended to be? This is how this craziness spreads...
What if when you had legitimate questions, you made a phone call, paid a visit, or even just sent an email to someone who would know the answer? What if when you disagree with something, you would have the courage to attempt to understand the perspective on the other side - RATHER than simply hating the one who sees things differently than you? There's two sides to every story, and often the truth is right under your nose - should you choose to look for it. If you've ever been in leadership for more than 5 minutes, you know that there are times when you aren't able to make the "best" choice (your preferred choice) because of certain barriers or limitations that are out of your control. You do the best you can with what you've got each day, each choice. That's ALL you can do. And if you look back on your own decisions as a leader, there are always things you would have done differently...things that if you had had the foreknowledge, the support, the time, the energy, the resources THEN that you have NOW, you would have gone an entirely different direction. But you didn't. So you did the best you could.
If the people posting on this blog would invest half as much energy into solutions as they do into permeating our community with hate, how different could the landscape of Joplin be?
The truth is that you will never agree with 100% of the decisions being made by the district. Never. Not even people inside of the administration team agree 100% of the time. (Good grief, you put any two people in a room for any length of time and eventually they'll disagree!) But can we not at least have enough respect for one another to AGREE to disagree without all the malice and slander? If you are so dissatisfied with things, stop being a bully and a coward and simply spreading hate - be a part of solutions. TALK to your school board. TALK to your administrators. WORK to help. And when you disagree or your ideas aren't implemented after they're shared (which will happen - it happens to EVERYONE), WORK to understand and find compromise. That's how world changers do it. But as long as all you do is sit back in the peanut gallery and throw darts, you are simply contributing to the demise of Joplin - something for which you should be ashamed! If you love your kids and your town, be a part of solutions.
continued...
...continued...
I pray for Mr. Turner that one day his heart will not be so full of anger that all he has to do is hurt other people. I pray that our community will have the scales removed from their eyes and that they'll stop promoting and spreading his work! I pray that people who know God and are perpetuating this kind of hate will be convicted by the Spirit - because this is downright sinful and wrong. We need to fight for unity and understanding. And when we disagree, we should compromise, extend grace, and love anyway. This behavior is simply never okay, and we need to lead the way in stopping it.
Those that perpetuate hate are simply exposing that which lives within them - "out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks". If that's you, perhaps it's time to deal with the log in your own eye before being so concerned about the speck in your brother's.
What makes me sad about this is that no one is surprised except for maybe a few dumb board members. Deception and corruption are the norm in R8. I am just really tired of it. I want my children to have a safe, wonderful education. I shouldn't have to worry about things falling on them, or fires, or mold. I'm paying big bucks every year for this school, only to get a mess in return.
Where is the state in all of this? Please, as embarrassing as it would be, a takeover would be better than continuing down this road. We need some help here.
I'm with 8:31. It's time for a recall. We need to get some fresh blood in there that can stand with Fort and Kimbrough. And if Anne Sharp can't get past the cheerleading stage into the leadership stage, she needs to hand her gavel over to Fort or Kimbrough.
1:50. As a former employee of joplin I can tell u that, CJ Huff & Co. are liars. They.lie about funding, money spent. I am wondering if you were there when Mr. Have one story to the church and another to.the globe. Seems funny that u would defend someone who obviously gave 2 stories. I.doubt that the church leaders fit together and said hey key say something different to the church than.what Cj. Huff actually said. If Huff osnt a kiar .then why not stand up and say something. He can't. OUR TAX DOLLARS IN HIS POCKET ARE WEIGHING HIM.DOWN. FOOS JOB Mr. Turner. Peoplw like Huff hate the truth.
1:50--
Please read your own sermon/tirade/personal attack, and apply to self.
People like you keep people like me from attending your hypocritical churches.
Turner has provided countless documents to support his allegations. And, they are all being proved true. Try removing the log from your own eye and facing the truth. It'll be okay once you get used to it.
The only way the author of the three-part comment would know "Dr. Huff had nothing to hide about that and said that to The Globe" is if Dr. Huff wrote it or told someone else what to write. My guess is either Tina Smith or Kim Vann, neither of whom I trust or respect any more than I do C.J. Huff.
Evidently you think if we are good Christians we will see things the way you see them (same as C.J.) or we can continue to follow that evil Randy Turner's blog full of lies and believe our own lying eyes.
1:39,
I (12:05) know it wasn't the first inspection and I also know that anyone that has been inside would know it’s not close to being finished. My point was about all the dishonesty and how many good, honest, well-meaning people have been duped. And there is no plan B. It’s rumored that the mall school is being rented month to month by R8 but it’s been taken apart so it isn’t ready for anything.
And, no, I’m not very happy with how Huff and his friends are messing with my kids.
1:50-1:51,
Bless your heart; you have been taken in also. The Globe article and the information that Huff released have a ‘spin’ to make it sound like they just thought it would be better to wait, not that they didn’t pass. The insanity is how this blog is the only place where you can find the truth about what is happening. I am not the only one on here speaking from experience.
You’re right, this is crazy. But it’s real. If you work in R8, you can’t talk to anyone in administration. If you disagree, even if you disagree and still go along with whatever they want you to do, you are labeled as being negative and your days are numbered. When your days are numbered, you get ready to be destroyed because when they come after you, they don’t just want to hurt, they want to destroy you. They will make things up and insinuate very nasty things. Mr. Turner is not the only one they've done that to.
This really isn't about hate and it IS about the truth. Unfortunately, all those people at admin ARE conspiring to dupe everyone. Do they want to ruin education? I don’t think so but they certainly want to make it be what THEY think it should be with the intention of winning prizes and accolades.
No one is misquoting Dr. Huff. He is not looking back and thinking he did or said something wrong. He is only interested in making himself look good and putting a spin on things. He’s spinning but he doesn't look very good.
I am going to pray for the city inspector to do the right thing and protect our children. I don't want my kids hurt at school so Cj can brag that we went to school on time. And, on time would have been a week earlier, like everyone else. So, we are already late. I'd rather be another week or two late than to have cabinets fall off the wall onto staff, or mold in the air my child must breathe. Please, Mr. Inspector, since the board can't stop CJ, please do what is right. If the building is not ready, then don't approve it. The parents will stand behind you. We know where the blame falls.
I am curious how long it will be until there are massive electrical issues in the building. The electrical was not done to code, and did not pass inspection. The school board them begged the city for a variance on the code. These are some great buildings Joplin students are being sent in to.
Aw hell, let's just do away with public schools and let the churches educate our young like it is supposed to be.
1:50
Go far far away. Quir licking the peach fuzz from the testical of Huff and Puff.
Go during your cool aid in some place with like minded ball lickers.........
Randy, I am one of C.J. Huff's biggest critics but I find 9:29's comments to be crude and offensive.
I find it funny that 1:50 goes on a long diatribeabout how bad Mr Turner is yet they feel the need to read the blog. One has to wonder which clone from the bunker was assigned to post that. Maybe the highly paid social network clone. Whomever it is. Please do us all a favor and do not insult our intelligence and go back to planning the most awkward school opener in Missouri history.
I know that headlines are meant to lure a reader into the story, but they also have to be accurate. Huff never ever said "we didn't flunk inspection." Those are YOUR words Turner. A seasoned journalist like yourself would know better. Oh wait, you are just seasoned.
I know that headlines are meant to lure a reader into the story, but they also have to be accurate. Huff never ever said "we didn't flunk inspection." Those are YOUR words Turner. A seasoned journalist like yourself would know better. Oh wait, you are just seasoned.
I give my readers credit for intelligence. They and I are both smart enough to know the message C. J. was sending. I am sorry if it takes you a while longer.
Randy, I imagine that the post from 1:50 would one of your favorites you have received in a while. It is clearly written by someone from administration (or a TLC-type hoping to get to administration), and it clearly shows that your work is directly affecting them. The fact that this person states, "...and now we have a community that BELIEVES him!", shows that this blog is much more than simply a site for a few disgruntled people to air their grievances. Unlike 1:50, I feel that the community is smart enough to look at the information provided and come to an informed decision about what is right and wrong. If this person feels the public is misinformed, perhaps the administration and the board should be more transparent.
I find it somewhat silly that the solution presented by this individual is to have the people irritated by what is going on in the district simply sit down and discuss it with administration or the board. This is the same administration that so many people on this blog view as bullies, people that will quickly target those brave (or foolish) enough to speak out. This is the same board that continually demonstrates that they will support any initiative Huff chooses to undertake. This blog poster also suggests that everyone should stop concerning themselves with administrative wrongdoing, and join hands to help. How does a teacher or other employee that disagrees with the direction the public education in Joplin has taken help? I would like to hear some specific instances in which the administration listened to employee concerns and changed course as a result of those concerns.
Post a Comment