I am not surprised regarding the actions of the Board - has there been anything that the Board was able to do right? Just get Dr. Larke out of office and mark it up as a huge goof. Maybe they will learn from this mistake? Let's hope so. Dr. Larke is laughing all the way to the bank.

Who in their right mind would vote to approve or disapprove a contract that they haven't read? I am aware that they were told " highlights" by legal council. But who called for an "uninformed" vote?

I think this is a travesty. Larke is NOT retiring in October, he has been given FREE MONEY to sit his but at home. I've watched some of the board's meetings on the Comcast Ondemand channel; talk about a waste of time, the movie quote "well first they all took turns to thank each other and to say why they were there" applies 100% to the board. WTH is going on in Augusta.

Who will fill the shoes of Dr. Larke after he goes home on October 31st? Mr. James Thompson. Mr. Thompson must be 85 years of age with a very bad hearing problem. If the RCBOE thinks that Dr. Larke was not doing an adequate job for our children, like the Joker in Batman says "Wait til they see who they have now!" My question is if they thought that Dr. larke wages were out of control do you think that the new person that they will hire next will take anything less? I don't think so. I feel sorry for the Board Members that thought Dr. Larke was the root of all of our problems. The root of all our problems starts with the Board Members. We need to wipe the slate clean of Board members, superintendents, and directors then maybe we will see an improvement in our test scores, our finances, our curriculum and our staff morality. A.K. will not be re-elected in this upcoming election he has done his job once again, just like in the past he is the secret weapon, he becomes a Board Member when it is time to get rid of the superintendent. So future Superintendent when you see A.K. running for a Board Member seat in the year 2013 watch out because you will know why he is there.

If the board is going to allow him to go home and get paid to consult(which we know no one will call him for a consultation)they may as well allow him to finish the contract, since he's being paid with all benefits anyway! He will at least give the impression of working and earning his money, which is what he has done for years....gave impression of working!

It is no wonder that Larke got away with the things he did, just look at the stupidy of the school board. The board is more of a problem than Larke is, when you consider Larke was to answer to the board. I wonder who really did not do their job... too bad there are only two seats up for election. But this whole mess should not surprise anyone, this county does not have a good record for elected offices. Just look at the upcoming Mayors race, and the commisioners race... what a shame.. is it no wonder that our kids are not being educated look at the leadership that we have.

The BOE has failed miserably on Larke's contact just as it has failed miserably on our school system. To make matters worse I had no representation when this vote was taken since Seitz resigned. I hope this collective group of morons do not think this community will vote to give them another penny. They have shown us no sign of fiscal responsibility with this contract award, or should I say reward. Would it be to much to ask that they all resign? Hopefully the voters in this community will have the sense to get rid of all the sitting members that squandered away more tax dollars. NO SPLOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone out there have any idea of what the total "exit" compenstaion package is and how long it will last? I've heard rumor of $75,000 a year for life? Is there any truth to this or is it all "hush-hush" with a nod and a wink, typical behavior for Augusta. When are we going to move into the modern world?

I heard Larke would receive $23,000 a month for the rest of his LIFE! He will receive 100% of his salary as retirement. Looks like, from his contract, the only $ we will save on his retirement is the expense of his cell phone and internent connection.

This is an example of the corruption and mis-spending in Augusta Government. It's too easy for board members to spend our money. Who moniters Pete Fletcher and who does represent, anyway?

I will vote NO on any and all requests for money by the RCBOE. The school children see none it.
Our administrative costs are astronomical and our kids have to share textbooks.

Let this be a lesson to all taxpayers. NO MORE SECRET GOVERNMENT MEETINGS IN AUGUSTA. NO MORE PRIVATE SESSIONS. HAVE MINUTES PUBLISHED AND AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY TO ALL CITIZENS!!!!!

THIS IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE BEAUTY OF OPERATING WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY. JUST LIKE THE ENTIRE QLT TEAM OF VIRGINA BRADSHAW, DR. ASHE, BUREAU, AND THOMPSON. WHEN WILL PEOPLE REALIZE THAT THEY ALONG WITH LARKE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DESTROYING THE CHILDREN OF RICHMOND COUNTY SCHOOLS WITH THER NON CARING ATTITUDES.

GET RID OF ALL OF THEM BECAUSE NONE ARE WORRIED ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IF YOU ARE GUARANTEED JOB SECURITY JUST LIKE LARKE.

Is the glass half full or half empty. The bank account is empty and our children don't even have text books. This is exactly why I started the group PARENTS UNITED to get parents and citizens together have a unified voice. If we are not happy with our representatves lets vote them out.

If we join together we can have one loud voice to fight for and demand inclusion.

Goals:
1. Sign petitions to demand change in policies etc.
2. Sign petitions to demand terminations for under performing teachers and principals that abuse their authority
3. To provide a forum to parents and students to share experiences in order to connect the dots
4. To educate parents on policies, standards, and rights
5. To formally present a unified voice from the community reflecting the views and concerns of parents
6. To inspire positive parental involvement
7. To be community advocates for our children/students because they have no rights and are at the mercy of any teacher or principal even in instances involving outright malice
8. Organize demonstrations

Philosophy:
One person’s complaint can easily be pushed under the rug; many people with the same complaint must be heard.

One voice, one mission, a better school for our children

Greg Collier

771-0878
Parentsunitedtta@comcast.net

WE NEED A COMPLETE MAKE OVER.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE QLT TEAM OF
THEY WILLFULLY SUPPORTED DR. LARKE AND WERE CHOOSEN BY HIM. THEY HAVE THE SAME MENTALITY.

THOU SHALL NOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANYTHING AND PARENTS DON'T MATTER SO JUST IGNORE THEM.

QLT TEAM LEADERS

1. JAMES THOMPSON
2. VIRGINIA BRADSHAW
3. PATRICIA BUREAU
4. DR. ASHE

JOIN PARENTS UNITED TO SIGN PETITIONS TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE OR SEND THEM PACKING.

706-771-0878

PARENTSUNITEDTTA@COMCAST.NET

DR. LARKE GAVE THIS BOARD OF WITCH HUNTERS WHAT THEY WANTED ANY PERSON IN THERE RIGHT MIND WOULD NOT WANT TO BE APART OF SUCH A DISORGANIZED GROUP OF CUT THROATS THE GOAL WAS TO MUDDY THE WATERS AND FIND ANYTHING TO REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE NO ONE ON THE BOARD HAD THE NERVES TO BE THE FRONT MAN SO WHEN A.K. HASAN CAME ON BOARD THEY REALIZED THAT HE WAS THE RIGHT ONE TO GET THINGS STIRRED UP BUT OF ALL THE ALLEGATIONS IF THEY WERE LEGITIMATE WHY DID THEY NOT STAND BY THEM THE REASON IS THEY CARRIED NO WEIGHT THIS BOARD IS DISGUSTING ALL OF THEM NEED TO BE IMPEACHED I FEEL SORRY FOR THE KID'S OF RICHMOND COUNTY AND YES DR. LARKES CONTRACT I THINK IT'S GREAT IT'S THE AMERICAN WAY DON'T YOU LOVE IT.

PERSONALLY, I FEEL DR. LARKE HASN'T DONE A BAD JOB. IT'S THE PEOPLE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT ALLOWS BAD CHOICES TO BE MADE. I'M SAD TO SAY I HATE TO SEE LARKE LEAVE BECAUSE HE HAS DONE GOOD THINGS FOR OUR SCHOOLS, HIS EMPLOYEES, AND OUR CHILDREN. NO ONE EVER GAVE LARKE CREDIT FOR HIM GETTING THE 401K PLAN STARTED FOR ALL SCHOOL EMPLOYEES SUCH AS CUSTODIANS,CAFETERIA WORKERS, & ETC. HE HAD TWO NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BUILT THAT WERE OVERDUE IN SOUTH AUGUSTA. HE NOW HAVE A STADIUM FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOLS. HE HAS NUMEROUS RENOVATION PROJECTS GOING ON AT MANY OF THE SCHOOLS. EVERYONE WAS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THE TEST SCORES BEING LOW IN RICHMOND COUNTY. DO ANY OF YOU THINK THAT WHO EVER THE SCHOOL BOARD GET FOR THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COME IN AND TURN THINGS AROUND? NO!! THE NEW PERSON IS GOING TO ASK FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY IF NOT MORE TO TAKE ON THIS POSITION AND IT'S RESPONSIBILITIES. THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE THE EXTRA INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS ALSO. BECAUSE THAT PERSON IS GOING TO LOOK OUT FOR HIS/HER BEST INTEREST. IF ONE COMES IN AND SAY THEY CAN DO THE JOB FOR LESS MONEY,THEY ARE LYING THROUGH THEIR TEETH! JUST WAIT AND SEE!!!!

In the private sector, if I as a manager were to be embroiled in a racial discrimination suit and found guilty not only would I be fired immediately I would also be expected to pay all costs incurred including penalties. To this day I still don't know what, if anything, Larke will have to pay for losing his discrimination suit. Are the taxpayers liable for all that mess? His is not a golden parachute but one made of platinum and no accountability. "Crime doesn't pay?" Of course it does!

Even though I don't agree with allowing him to retire and get the benefits...at least it FINALLY GETS HIM OUT OF OFFICE!! The office should be an elected position and NOT appointed by a board of members who claim to be able to "run the show"

Thank you Dr Larke, you have made us a better school system.New schools,new office,new sports areanas,AR Johnson,CT walker,Tabacco rd,the school on post and on and on,all under your tenue.You havent did nothing wrong. What about the ones who inforced separate but equal schools,nobody wants to talk about them.You will be missed by many and loved by many,the few that dont like the money you earned for your retirement wish you were just another broke brother who has to beg them for something to eat,pay your bills,or put clothes on you. Hold your head up high,God is the master judge not this forum or this world,God bless you my brother.

AS A RECENT GRAD OF RICHMOND COUNTY, I CAN TRULY SAY THAT ALL THE TALK OF DR. LARKE IS TAKING SIGHT FROM THE BIG ISSUES WE STILL ARE FACING AND WILL BE FACING IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. WE NEED THE VOICE OF THE STUDENTS WHO ACTUALLY WALK THE SCHOOL HALLS DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO BE HEARD. ONLY WE CAN REALLY TELL YOU WHAT WE LACK AND REALLY NEED. WE CAN EXPLAIN WHY WE FAIL OUR TEST AND DROP OUT OF SCHOOL. ONLY WE CAN EXPLAIN WHY WE SHARE TEXTBOOKS AND FORCE TEACHERS TO QUIT. THE PROBLEM ISN'T ALWAYS AT THE TOP. ALL OF THE ADULTS IN RICHMOND COUNTY NEED TO CONSIDER THE FACT THAT WE AS STUDENTS HAVE PLENTY TO DO WITH HOW THE SCHOOL IS ACTUALLY RAN. HAVEN'T YOU READ THE PAPERS LATELY? THE STUDENTS ARE RUNNING THE SCHOOL, NOT THE BOARD!

I was amused when reading some of the readers comments concerning the Charles Larke situation when one reader, "foreal" states that "you havent did nothing wrong" - - this is a prime example of the results of Dr. Larke and his School Baord's policies and procedures. One hundred percent failure. Charles Larke's performance and the total performance of the School Board I would grade an "F". When I came through school, an "F" signified failure! If the School Board can't positively influence the policies and procedures that govern and guide the operations of it's employees, then how can we taxpayers give our support to this Board and the upcoming Sales Tax issues.
We, the voters, need to clean out the "dead woods" and elect Board members who can lead, not follow. Accordingly, my vote for the next sales tax issue will be NO. You have not provided leadership during the entire Larke term and now you're (The School Board) asking for more money to blow away! Again, No. No. No. Its past time to clean up your act.

I think that it was a travesty for the Richmond County Board of Education to treat Dr. Larke in the manner in which they did. Yes, there may have been some problems, but all school systems have problems. Thank goodness it is coming to a close, because the focus should have always been on the kids. Politics has no business being in education and those with political ambitions need to stop playing with our young people's lives. At least he worked for the good of the students in Richmond County and the blame should not totally lie with him. Parents, students, other administrators, teachers, and more importantly, the BOE should all be held responsible. I don't see any of them going to the chopping block. Dr. Larke, we'll take you in my County as soon as we get rid of the person who has taken our school system to hell and back. She's the type of person you get rid of along with our current board of education.

As a former Richmond County teacher, I am appalled but not in the least bit surprised by the outlandish "contract settlement" agreement accorded Dr. Charles Larke. My experience as an employee under his "leadership" (and never has a term been used so lightly) was extremely disappointing, discouraging, and embarassing. My memories of teaching in Richmond County are somewhat tainted by the shameless circus that was The Larke Administration. From his ineptitude at shifting administrative personnel, which most often resembled a three year old playing with a chess board, to his outlandish performances, complete with gaudy cowboy boots, at the annual "Teacher Pep Rallies" at the Civic Center (and I have to say this...Dr. Larke, if you read this, we WEREN'T laughing WITH you...and it was humiliating when other educators from around the state made comments such as "He's your SUPERINTENDANT????"), the question was always, "What next?" The taxpayers of Augusta-Richmond County deserved better from a man entrusted with the education of their children. As the reprehensible "sweetheart lending" deals revealed, Larke was certainly not above "greasing the right palms" when it was to his advantage...and this from an avowed "enemy" of the "good ol' boy network" that previously held sway in Richmond county Schools. I don't personally know Dr. James Thompson, but my hope is that he will provide strong leadership to lift Richmond County Schools out of this quagmire. One thing that is in his favor...he's not Charles Larke.

I am so sick of all this mess about the RCBOE. I havent heard much from people who actually work for Dr. Larke. Do they support him and stand behind him? If he wasnt doing a good job all these years, why did it just recently become an issue? It seems like it became an issue after certain board members were elected. What is really going on here and who is going to be the Scapegoat next time? All I am trying to do is get my children the best education possible in this county. Nothing will ever change in this town until we get some new people and stop recycling the old. If Hasan was on the board before and it didnt work, whats going to make this time different? I hope that the next person that has Larke's job, regardless of their sex, color, religion or sexual preference, can bring in new ideas, guts and the ability to take charge. I think it should be someone from " way outside the box" with no connections to anyone on the board, in the system, and most definitely not in anyone's pocket.

Hi all,AK Hasaan was brought in to stir up all this mess from the begining. He is the one who came in from the rear and started all this mess about Dr Larkes pay. The kids in this county who are good students,who make good grades,who respect their teachers,follow the rules and never get into any trouble, i bet you they dont like how they ran off Dr Larke. Its them bad a** students who everytime they do something wrong,they run home tell their parents,and the parents run up to the school,curse out the teacher,and the teacher in turns who dont follow the rule book,start pointing the finger at Dr Larke and telling the parents their hands are tied,knowing thats a lie. The RCBOE is not in the raising kids occupation,they are in the teaching occupation.We dont send our kids to school to be raised,but to learn and coincide with what we teach them at home,(manners,respect,uphold the law,get a education and be a good person). What if you came home and complained about your job and your boss everyday? Get the picture parents and teachers alike? Dont worry about the mule going blind,just hold on to the line.

Everyone knows that we live in a democracy and that the majority vote wins. That's what happened with Dr. Larke's contract-the majority won. Two board members voted against the amended contract so don't blame all board members. If you don't like what your board member did then email, call, or write them (all that information is available on the board of education website). Let them know that you don't agree with how they voted. Democracy is not a spectator sport-you must be active and let your voice be heard. Our children are worth the trouble. If you want our school system to get better-vote for SPLOST. Show how much you care about our children's education by voting yes for SPLOST.

Removing Larke will not be an instant fix. The school board is also the part of the problem. If all were replaced it will still take years to straighten the mess out.

I DON'T BLAME LARKE FOR GETTING WHAT HE SO RIGHTFULLY DESERVED! HE IS A HIGHLY EDUCATED INDIVIDUAL AND HE SHOULD GET WHAT HE IS WORTH. WITH THE POSITION HE WAS IN HE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO EVERY PENNY AND MORE. THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO LARKE THOUGHT WERE HIS FRIENDS. HELEN MINCHEW,KEN ECHOLS,PETE FLETCHER AND OTHERS. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT KEN ECHOLS WAS BACKSTABBING FROM THE START. HE LIKES TO THROW ROCKS AND HIDE HIS HANDS.HELEN MINCHEW IS THE SAME WAY RIGHT ALONG WITH PETE FLETCHER. YES, AUGUSTA WILL NEVER FIND ANOTHER LIKE DR.LARKE. HE WAS FOR ALL OF THE KIDS IN AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY. DR. LARKE SHOULD BE PROUD OF HIMSELF AND ALL THAT'S HE'S ACCOMPLISHED! HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED AND I KNOW SOME PEOPLE IN AUGUSTA WILL MISS HIM TOO!!