CJ’s speech to the Huntsville Board of Education
CJ at A Soldiers’ Perspective is shutting down his blog, due to pressure from the Army and concern for his military career. The Huntsville City Schools and the Huntsville Board of Education should be ashamed of their behavior by allowing his career to be threatened by an apparently unaccountable school principal. Here are excerpts from CJ’s speech to the Huntsville Board of Education:
Mr. President, members of the board, Superintendent Moore, I come before the board today to bring your attention to a gross injustice being committed in your schools. My name is CJ Grisham and I used to have three kids in the Huntsville City Schools district.
You are already aware of how this began over a simple uniform dispute as other parents have addressed this body before on my behalf and theirs. I went to the next PTA meeting with a camera to protect myself as a result of my treatment following that first meeting. Unfortunately, it turned out that I needed that video because once again the Williams Middle School, Principal Avis Williams, began calling the Army and slandering my name.
A few weeks ago, I had a meeting with the Superintendent and a few other parents. During that meeting, I explained that the principal was calling my employer and asked if that was common practice. She assured me it was not and that she would speak with the principal and let her know that the only person that is to contact the Army about a parent would be her. Well, either she didn’t tell the principal this important rule or the principal simply ignored her. Since this meeting, the principal has called my place of employment twice with baseless accusations.
The environment at Williams Middle School and within Huntsville City Schools was so untenable and intimidating that my wife and I sought to have our kids transferred out of the district…
When we took our grievances to the administration, we were assured that steps would be taken to de-escalate the problems, but they only got worse.
Because of these false allegations against me by the principal and/or the PTA president, Angela Thomas, I have been threatened with a General Letter of Reprimand by the military. As a senior non-commissioned officer in the Army, this would be a career killer for me. In 15 years of honorable military service, I have never had these problems…
Everything I’ve done with respect to my military service has been honorable and just. And because of the baseless accusations of ONE principal, my career is being trashed. My career is being trashed because I dared to disagree with a policy. I dared to question the principal. I was never disrespectful, but I was greatly disrespected. I tried to resolve my dispute through the school system while the principal tried to resolve it through the Army.
At a recent PTA meeting, the one in which I brought my camera, I was refused an opportunity to present a motion by the principal herself. She completely violated protocol and rules of order. I was refused an opportunity to intelligently and professionally discuss a policy that was quite controversial to many people. In fact, none of the parents were allowed to discuss it. The principal violated protocol and censored anyone that didn’t agree with her. She created a hostile environment by surrounding the PTA meeting with six security officials and a uniformed police officer, something that I’ve NEVER seen at a PTA meeting in the past. They even tried to get the police to search me as I entered, a violation of my 4th Amendment rights. At the end of the meeting, one of these security guards assaulted my wife and the principal has refused to give us his name. To this date, school officials, to include the Superintendent, have refused to grant me the name of the public school security official that violently grabbed my 5’2” wife and dragged her across a hallway…
I no longer have a child in Huntsville City Schools. I will never have another child in Huntsville City Schools. I will never encourage another family to place their kids in these schools…
Something to think about on Veteran’s Day. CJ has defended this country honorably for 15 years and this is how the City treats him? What is wrong with the Huntsville City School system? For that matter, what is wrong with the Redstone garrison chain of command?
To the Huntsville City Schools Board of Education, what are you going to do about this?
What the PTA and principal did to him is unconscionable. Wholly inappropriate. The Army’s reaction wasn’t any better.
Did you watch the WAAY interview w/ HSV superintendent Dr. Anne Roy Moore? She is an embarrassment. When asked if she thought the PTA contacting the Army, CJ’s employer, was appropriate she avoided the question by saying, “The PTA is a separate entity… I don’t control what they do.” Weak leadership right at the top!
And the message to BRAC new comers, don’t fight local power structure if you value your job.
Ditto Brian X 100
CJ – Just get a great lawyer! You should not be treated badly!!!
A lawyer won’t help him against the Army. His “superiors” must be cut from the same cloth as the ones who saw Nidal Hasan’s scary behavior but said nothing due to concerns over political correctness. God help us when the Army goes PC.
Ben,
Hate to break it to you, but the Army has gone PC. That is according to my friends in the Army.
As someone in the Army, I can confirm that the Army IS uber-PC on many fronts. They are so public image conscious it’s nuts. Instead of taking a stand for what’s right these days, they rather just avoid the attention.
So does that mean nobody is going to do anything? We are going to allow yet another unelected official to crush our rights? I no longer have children in any of the schools except for the business enterprise masquerading as a institution of higher learning UAH and thank God I will be finished with paying them their educational blackmail in 6 more months. Anyway I am just concerned that nobody who can justifiable be concerned with this is going to do anything. I know that if anyone with no children in the system takes up the battle it would be a disaster.
Douglas C. Meeks
Douglas, I’ve been trying to find legal representation but so far no one is taking up our case. They are claiming either conflicts of interest or that the school has “immunity”, whatever that means. We don’t know what else to do, which is why my wife has embarked on this media campaign. It seems to be our only recourse.
This guy risk his life to defend this country only to have it destroyed by worthless sleeze bags like those in the school system. The citizens of Huntsville and Madison County need to clean house from top to bottom! Now I am going racist if he had been a minority it would be a whole different ballgame with Eric Holder jumping in feet first.
I know a minority (Retired Air Force) that was treated worse. For standing up for his kids he was charged and convicted of harrassment. What do you think about that? At least you have some community support. They lied every step of the way and had the existing power structure to implement punishment. They tried to break him but they did not succeed. Nevertheless he has a blemish on his record. Good luck.
I’m so sorry this has happened to your family. Thank you for your service. We have got to stop these people!! I took my child out of the Madison Co. schools when he was in 3rd grade because the system treated kids like prison inmates and parents had NO access to their children while in school. I was a helper at the school and saw the way they treated these poor kids. Get your kids out people!!(I know your family has CJ)
I’m embarrassed and ashamed our community has treated a soldier in such a despicable manner!!
I’m so sorry your family has been….attacked! I’m so ANGRY!
HOW DARE THIS PRINCIPAL AND PTA BOARD! They MUST be fired. We can fire the superintendant in the next election.
Thank you for your service. You deserve much better.
Joni Boulet
PS We welcome you at Holy Spirit School..pro GOD, FAMILY, COUNTRY, and MILITARY!
Thanks, Joni. If we weren’t leaving anyway next year (now in December) we would have probably taken you up on moving the kids to a private school.
The climate at Williams is the sole reason I moved from Huntsville to Madison. I had to leave a house that my family had custom built and loved because of the blatant irresponsibility at this school. My son was harrassed and assaulted daily at this school but the principal wanted to move and punish my son. It was ridiculous. I moved to get away from this school, but I had that option. The soldiers may not, and that their kids are trapped by this school district makes it imperative that the community fight to get rid of the persons that have created a left-wing climate of dishonesty and mistreatment of anyone who stands up.
God bless you and your family CJ. I am truly disgusted by the kind of people placed in charge of educating our children. This is the MAIN reason why my children are in homeschool. I can not in good conscience allow my kids to be influenced by left wind liberal teachers and school administrators. I hope that you find peace and that something positive will come from your experience through all of this. It is times like this that you learn who really has your six.
The way the PTA president and the Principal acted was ridiculous. It’s too bad the President couldn’t admit that they had made a mistake and then allowed debate. Although the PTA doesn’t make the rules on school uniforms, that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t try to influence school policy, which is what it seems CJ wanted to do. They were way out of line to call his employer. Time to call theirs!
I am not only disappointed by The PTA, the principle and Ann Moore’s action but mostly at Army for losing its integrity. It’s a sad situation. I don’t expect much from the PTA and the others but Army – seriously, Army without honor and integrity — very sad…
Mr. Grisham,
If I am not mistaken, you posted a note stating that your wife was abused by the police officer at the meeting. You stated she was knocked to the ground and had bruises. I was wondering, why have you not brought charges on the city police? And my other question, living in the same neighborhood in which word does travel at light speed, you statated to the School Board, and I quote; “My name is CJ Grisham and I used to have three kids in the Huntsville City Schools district.” If I am not mistaken you whisked your children away in the dead of night to an undisclosed location BEFORE the school board meeting which means you have NO children in the school district.
What Mr. Grisham is failing to tell you people is that when you become a soldier you are a soldier and a national representative 24/7. He also wants you to believe that it was only the school and the PTA that went to his superiors when in fact there were several other soldiers in the audience and he addresses one in his video by telling the man off.
When I attend my childrens PTA meetings I wait till we are asked if there is any questions or comments then I stand and address the PTA board. Sadly, behavior on BOTH sides of the argument are childish. I am also tired of the back biting and the other BS that continues in our neighborhood over this as Mr. Grisham tells his “cronies” “it’s no longer about uniforms but about me.”
Sadly there are victims. Little victims. Our children. Mine. Grisham’s. Our neighbors. Mine have been told to EFF off…others have been talked about in school…Grisham’s are not with him. Sad. Children, no matter WHAT!! Need their parents. NOT grannies and grampies, ants and uncles…PARENTS.
Will this end? Nope, and MISTER Grisham will make damned sure of that.
Moving along.
Isn’t it interesting how people who spew lies are unable to use their names? Isn’t that interesting? Allow me, Mr. Concerned Citizen, to respond to your ignorance.
#1: I never stated and don’t state now that my wife was ever “knocked to the ground.” She was grabbed by the armed and pulled down a hallway violently – on her feet – by a Huntsville City Schools security guard, not a police officer. The grip of this large ape left bruises on my arm. Yes, I did file a police report and the police were in our home to see the bruises. However, HCS has refused to give us the NAME of the security official, so filing a lawsuit has been slow!
#2: My kids weren’t whisked away “in the dead of night.” We picked them up from school on Friday at 1500 and then “whisked them away” to an undisclosed location Sunday afternoon after church. I’m a little confused about the difference between your statement that I have “no children in the school district” and my statement that “I used to have three kids in the Huntsville City Schools district.” In my public school educated (plus college) mind, those mean the same thing.
#3: Are you telling me that other Soldiers in the audience went to my supervisor as well? If so, how do you know this? As a Soldier, are you saying I am not allowed to disagree with a school policy? I am not allowed to bring attention to a breach in policy or procedure at a public school at which my children (at the time) attend.
Yes, children need their parents. Children also deserve a quality education free of harrassment by school officials. You have NO idea what my kids went through at that school, and frankly I don’t care if you don’t. You are none of my concern. My children are my concern. You’re not one of my “cronies” and are too cowardly to stand up anyway, so I’ll take your lies with a grain of salt.
#4: (forgot this one) I waited until the section of the agenda in which I was allowed to bring up new business before I spoke. If you were aware of Roberts Rules of Order that dictate these PTA meetings instead of just spewing ignorance, you’d know that too. But, instead, you just go with the status quo and accept mediocrity and low standards at our public schools.
No, I am not one of your cronies thank the lord. Ape is an interesting choice of words. This is going to be a stupid question: Do you think you are the ONLY soldier that attends PTA meetings? I mean, REALLY? You are a senior NCO correct? Your superiors won’t tell you who nicked you?
Confusion? None. The confusion is on your behalf. You are leaving in December (by your own words above) and you continue to act as though you DO. I have read almost everything you have wrote on this topic to include things where you say you are done with this, have had enough, so on and so fourth. Yet you pop up and start throwing tomatos.
On the contrary Mr. Grisham, I probably wouldn’t sit 30 or 40 feet from the podium making comments about the people conducting the meeting THEN expect to be allowed to speak especially after you slam your hands down on a table. I have been in that boat and it is a lonely one.
As for other things, and what others have said before thats none of my business and should have been none of theirs. You are a soldier. I respect you for that.
Let me explain something, I didn’t use my name because you see we have very vindictive people in our “hood” and the moment they see my name not to long after I will have to clean the eggs off the cars and truck, tell my kids that true friends are NOT mean, and explain to them that they DO NOT have the swine flu regardless of what snickering adults say to them.
Moving along
Interesting again. No, as a matter of fact, I didn’t see ANY Soldiers there. What I did see were a bunch of PARENTS!! Yes, as a Soldier, I can be a parent too! You should try it sometime. Allow me to address lie #5.
#5 – I didn’t try to speak after slamming my hand on the table. After slamming my hand on the table, I got up and left. Nice try.
Interesting also that you fail to respond to the four other points I”ve corrected you on and instead talk about fictitious eggs and snickering adults. See, I know I”ve pissed off a lot of people and I don’t care because I stand for something. I”m not afraid to put my name on the line for something I believe. I could care less what my “friends” think. All I care about are my kids and family. You’re always more than welcome to come over to myself and discuss this issue since you obviously live nearby. I”ll even offer you a cold drink and we can sit on the porch like gentlemen (I’m assuming you’re a man).
Yes, I’m a senior NCO. So what? What does that have to do with my kids? What did I do that was a gross violation of my creed? What was so heinous that I deserved to have my command contacted? Specifics, my friend. Specifics.
And what do you think about the fact that the superintendent lied to the school board about the principal contacting the Army – my employer?
And what comments about the speakers are you referring to?
Can you please cite specifically for me where the school must have parent input for the implementation of school uniforms?
Sure, Bill, I’ll do your homework for you. Look up Huntsville City Schools Policy Number 102-8. You can also look up U.S. Code, Title 20, Chapter 48, Subchapter I, paragraph 3401. And then there’s the Williams Middle School PTA Bylaws. Have fun.
What course or parental involvement would have wanted in the decision?
That should be “you would have wanted”. Also, what quote from the US Code you cited are you basing this arguement. Cut and paste please.
No, I won’t cut and paste. I’m not going to nitpick this with you and argue ONE of many areas where my parental rights are obvious. Do some research for yourself. I’ve provided the links, now learn to read them.
I read through and did not see any, so I wanted to see which specific line you are citing to back up “YOUR” case. So, can you answer my question about what level of parental involvement would you like to see?
Basically, before all this other stuff with your commander being contacted, what is your end game?
Bill, so your point is that parents shouldn’t have any input into school policies like uniforms, which cause the parents to incur an unplanned expense?
What does it matter what my end game is? that’s not the issue. The issue is how the school handled a disagreement. Look, read the policy letter. read the bylaws. read the US Code that talks about who has the primary responsibility of educating their children. It’s not that difficult. You don’t have to read between any lines. My “end game” doesn’t matter. My end game could be that I want every teacher at the school to male dwarfs and the fact is the school must allow to present my argument about why male dwarfs make the best teachers.
I’m not going to argue MY end game with you while you ignore everything the school has done here. I’m not playing that partisan game.
I am simply asking what do you and your group want to happen here. Do you want people fired? Do you want to become the principal? Do you want a straight vote on the uniforms? Do you want to have a say in every decision that the school makes? Despite your snide responses, I am trying to understand your position a little more.
To Brian,
No, I am not saying parents should not have any input, but what will satisfy you and your supporters as adequate “parental involvement”.
Yes, that principal needs to be fired. I wouldn’t say so if it were just me having issues with her. Parent after parent has come forward with concerns about this principal and her teachers. She allows teachers to tell students that they will become “dropouts and homeless” and “never amount to anything.” She has forced kids to unzip their pants in public during an assembly to tuck in their shirts after arbitrarily instituting a new dress code policy. She has outright lied to Army officials, the Superintendent and the board. Yes, I want her fired. I could care less about a vote on the uniform. I’m beyond that. I removed my children from that school because they were afraid to go there after being pulled out more than once and witnessing first hand the principal’s out of control heavy handedness. Keep in mind, my kids aren’t trouble children. They’ve never been written up for anything and were straight A students. I also don’t care about a say in future school policies. Again, i’m out of the school system now so I’m just fighting to get my name back and force the system to admit they were wrong and lied to the public about it. Tomorrow will be an eye opening day as new information is released.
Oh, and Dr. Moore needs a new job too. She’s condoned all these actions personally.
Well, I am one of those teachers. My name is not Bill, so don’t come looking for me (Joking). I am not trying to be vindictive, I just would like to see this resolved.
First, I want you to know that “Her” teachers, were the same teachers last year. I never heard these complaints under the previours administration. No matter what you may think about her, she has been, in my opinion a breath of fresh air and very motivating to the staff.
Second, I was at the assembly and the words “unzip you pants” never came out her mouth or any teachers mouths. As far as I know, you can tuck in your shirt without unziping your pants.
Well Bill you probably didn’t hear it but it happens to multiple students whose pants were too tight to tuck in without nzipping. Interestingly, I never had a problem with any of the teachers in the previous two years my kids ahve attended the school. I have other issues with principal williams that I won’t discuss publicly. My kids were directly spoken to by her teachers about the adults that disagreed with the uniform policy. The teachers were way out of line there.
I heard about that situation with the teacher, and just like it was said on the Dale Jackson show this morning, we were immediately instructed and ordered not to let that happen again. You of all people know how emotions can get on certain topics. Please keep the teachers out of this. I along with other teachers at Williams work very hard.
Wonderful. No one apologized to me or my kids yet!
Believe or not, the teachers at Williams do care about their students.
Bill, I have no doubt that there are teachers at that school that care about the students. I’m sure the vast majority do. I’ve seen it and my kids have told me. Unfortunately, though, the ones that don’t are rubber stamped by an uncaring principal who is more worried about image than education. We have volunteered at that school for three years, so I’ve seen first hand the teachers that DO care. Unfortunately, I’ve also seen the ones that simply need to be thrown out on the street with a pink slip. Thankfully, those are in the minority.
That should be “Believe it or not”. Man I’m tired.
Until you are in the classroom everyday, dealing with all that a teacher has to deal with, I think it is unfair to say any teacher doesn’t care. Some may have a tougher exterior, but not caring is a stretch.
It’s a perception, Bill. I’m allowed to base my opinion on perception. And again, my wife and I have BOTH volunteered in classrooms for full days and I understand what you are talking about. But YOU chose that profession, not me. I could never do it because I don’t have that kind of patience or political correctness to deal with out of control kids whose parents don’t know how to raise children to respect authority.
I will give you just one example of how Ms. Williams “cares” for our students.
In September, Ms. Williams and some teachers developed a reward system for the students with good behavior. Something that was never suggested by our previous principal.
To be quite honest, I have seen her first hand dealing with students in her office with great respect and “care” while listening to them sharing their problems.
Is this the same reward system that takes kids away from education one day per week or so to “reward” them for good behavior? I don’t want my good kids playing video games and eating cookies at school – I want them learning! That reward system itself has so many flaws based on what other parents have said to me. I personally refused to allow my kids to wear their “honor card” to school their last week of school. The rules are unclear and teachers are abusing it, mostly against the children of the parents who have stood up to the principal. Go figure. Not me. I don’t have a dog in the fight anymore.
Good night, Bill. We should get to bed. I have a nation to protect and you have young minds to mold.
In addition, she has motivated a middle school staff, that for sometime has felt ignored.
CJ, I respect you for your service, but respectfully disagree with you pursuits. Goodnight.
Well, you’re part of that system so I can’t fault you for that.
CJ,
The Foundation for Individual Rights [FIRE] (http://www.thefire.org/) is a group that provides legal help concerning matters in education. They offer a lot of free help and Dr. Mike Adams is very supportive in helping causes like this if you write him.
What is the link to the video taken at the PTA meeting? Thanks
http://www.soldiersperspective.us/2009/11/03/picking-up-the-pieces/
Why no comments lately?
I think they all moved to the new discussion.