Goodpasture Confidential

JohnHarris

Here is the second installment of the video clip which was preserved by Kim Ford of the statements made by Gil Drake, Dianne Sturdivant, and Lindsey Judd (among others) to the band parents and the band students about the need for the immediate termination of Jim Reed in April 2007 some 6 weeks prior tot he end of school. This was a horrible administrative decision, one which remains to this date unjustified and one which caused acute damage to the band students who were completing the 2007 school year and perhaps chronic if not ultimately fatal damage (ala Lipsomb) to the Goodpasture Band Program. Recall that it was this course of action by the administration which was instrumental in the loss of the Division II band contest which brought approximately 10,000 people to campus, raised approximately $25,000 per year for the band program and which had helped fund these programs and showcase the school for more than 10 years.

Some topics addressed in this clip are Gil Drake's repeated efforts to terminate the open discussion of these issues with the parents and instead encourage them to come talk with the administration one - on - one; the refusal of the parents to let Mr. Drake end the meeting; the statements by the administrators (which were challenged by the students and the parents) about the "parking lot incident."

Band Parents Meeting Session 2

Tammy Lovell · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 5

Oh, my...this IS interesting. Thanks for making it available, John.

Guest · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject:

I've been telling you stupid people that the man lied.

Now listen to the video and defend that joker again.

Just wait until you get to the Judd part.

If you can defend him and call yourself Christian, you are either the biggest hypocrite in the world or pure evil.

Guest · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject: Fair Warning

When discussing with my friends the fallacy of moving to a certain town, I'd simply go by BAM and get a copy of the local paper for that town.

The news was bad enough but the character of the paper tells the real story. Nine times out of ten, I'd win the argument.

I don't have to put much effort in warning folks away from GCS. I just let them come here, read the entries and then I point out the need to examine the apparent myopic and "Holier Than Thou" attitude of those who defend GCS.

Thanks for making my point for me.

Public school out here in the country is looking pretty good. I know where to NOT throw away six thousand dollars.

Guest · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

I don't know which is funnier, Dragon Lady blaming this web site for getting her balls in the crack or comparing Reed's firing to a surprise birthday party. Oh sure, she agonized over this for months.

82grad · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Nashville

This is unreal! If I wasn't "seeing" (hearing) it on video, I don't think I would have believed it. I'm only 6 minutes in and already I'm struck by the "Sturdivant spin" I've heard about on this board, and also by the way Gil has just drifted off to the side and let her take over!!! It almost seems like he's more than happy to have her run the meeting, when what he really needs to do is step up and be the leader. To me, this is one (small) illustration of his ineffectiveness for those of us who are concerned alumni but don't really have any day-to-day exposure to this administration.

"We can all teach our children...to handle a difficult situation..."??? THIS is how they want to teach them?? Good grief.

Kudos to the parents for not letting "The Three" slide on anything! Way to go! Why charges weren't filed in the parking lot incident, for one. Kim Ford ROCKS! Oh, and another parent questioning why "The Three" weren't at the huge band contest, showing support for their program. Very good question! To me this seems like Management 101 stuff...isn't Gil's background in the business world? He should know basic PR even if he knows nothing else about running the school.

At least he stepped back up from the sidelines. Too bad I couldn't hear most of what he said due to his mumbling. (Sorry, I'm pausing the video and responding as I listen.)

Wow, what a sad situation for those kids. I was in band back in the day and I can understand the devastation they must have felt to lose their leader with 6 weeks of school left and many important activities coming up that involved him. As one of the parents said in the meeting, I can't imagine the administration handling this in a worse way. How in the world did they expect to keep it under wraps when Mr. Reed wasn't there for 3 days to teach his classes?? And if I'm not mistaken, the kids found out from another teacher/coach like on Thursday? That person should have been disciplined, but I'm sure he wasn't.

Looking forward to the next installment...can you ask that nice lady in navy to step to the side? Very Happy

JohnHarris · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:15 am Post subject:

Guest · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:19 am Post subject:

The sound is pretty bad but I have played it a couple of times already because I just can not believe things at this meeting were as bad as the band parents were saying. I have gone back and played the clip of Mrs. Sturdivant also. The more I play the video the more I hear and see. Kim Ford fortune or forsight to bring a video camera with her made this possible to see and hear what could not be understood otherwise. I guess the next thing that is going to happen is that Drake and Sturdivant will be installing metal detectors at the school and banning any type of recording devices.

THANK YOU KIM!!!!! AND THANK YOU JOHN FOR PUTTING THIS UP HERE FOR US!!!!!

Guest · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:26 pm Post subject:

Now you know how I felt when I listened in on my kid's cellphone during the Sofa King class. Just wish I had I way to record that.

But as I said in a earlier post on this site, come this year, I will hear it all.

There are some dandy little recording devices available on the net.

JohnHarris · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject:

There have been several references to a "sofa king" on this site, please provide more specific information so that other parents and students may take precautions if necessary.

Part of the objective of this site is not to keep bashing for the sake of bashing but to provide information, sufficient information, such that others might be better informed to protect their own families and to make decisions. For this reason, it is important in making comments of this type to either provide sufficient detail such that the circumstances can be known or to otherwise reveal the circumstances (e.g., "a former teacher") so that parents would know that the risk/situation is not likely to recur.

Band Student · Guest

Hi! Current student here to put out my two cents on the "issue". Hopefully, posting here won't get me in trouble. I'm ready for you, retaliation! Come and get me.

In case you're wondering how the news got out, WAY TOO EARLY! (Thanks, administration! Thank you for waiting a week to let us all know, and still not being prepared!)

It was 6th period Algebra 1. It was free work time, the class was finishing up the day's assignments, a little last minute chatter here and there. Blah blah blah. Mr. David Martin asks the class, "Do any of you have 3rd period Bible?" - referring to Mr. Reed's Bible class - "What are you guys doing in there?" A few of the students who had the class answered, and one asked "Why?"

Why on Earth would he be asking? Sure, he could be subbing for the rest of the week. Judd told us Mr. Reed was feeling sick, after all. That's why he hadn't been in class. Something about the whole thing just...didn't seem right.

Coach Martin responded "I'll be taking over his class for the rest of the year." Again, "Why?" came up. He said "You'll find out soon enough."

I don't think Mr. Martin was too much in the wrong here, but he did give me enough information to put the pieces together. Simple as that.

I proceeded to run downstairs and tell what I knew. It was my right, I think. We had a right to know, didn't we? He -was- our friend and all.

Chaos soon ensued, and I was worried about getting kicked out of school, to be completely honest. Part of me didn't care, it was their own fault for getting themselves into this mess. Waiting an entire WEEK, and still their speeches weren't properly prepared. I felt the entire band program was owed an apology. We were lied to and all.

The next day, the meeting seen in the video took place. The best part of it is that the parents weren't even supposed to be there! I wonder what would've happened then. No wonder the faculty was fumbling over their words so much. They obviously weren't prepared for this.

In the video, around 18:00 minutes, you can hear a student in the background, and after she's done speaking, a loud "OH." made by another.

In case you can't hear what was said, (please do not take this as a direct quote, but it is as close as I can recall) it was something about how she "E-mailed Mr. Drake about 3 years ago, asking for an improvement for the band practice field. The reply she was given went something like 'We don't do things like that for programs that do not make the school money.'" How caring of you, Mr. Drake! I can see now why you are, indeed, head of this lovely school.

Ohhh, and the parking lot incident!
"We asked many people blah blah bleh blah blah"

You know who they asked? The football team standing about 100 feet away. You know how biased those answers are going to be? Sure, they may be a bit on our side, too. It's to be expected, but I'd ask more than just two girls on the band. The woman deliberately came at him with her car. His body touched the front of the car. Not saying she hit him hard, or ran him over, but it wasn't an accident. We don't ask for much, just don't drive through our practices. Not too much to ask, as there's an entire path behind us that you can go around.

Wink

Here's to hoping my post didn't run on too long. Sorry if it's old news.

Guest · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:35 am Post subject:

Wow, out of the mouths of babes yet more do we see that the firing of Mr. Reed was not planned. When it happened, Mr. Drake and Mrs. Sturdivant lied to us intentionally until they could "thought up a lie and thought it up fast." Too bad they were not as smart as the Grinch because their lies were not believable even to kids.

Guest · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:56 am Post subject:

I KNOW THEY LIED. I TOLD YOU THEY LIED. THEY MAKE ME WANT FEEL LIKE THROWING UP EVERY TIME I HEAR ONE OF THEM LEAD A PRAYER. AND YOU WONDER WHY THERE IS NO RESPECT FOR THIS SCHOOL ANYMORE?!?!?!?!?!

JohnHarris · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:41 pm Post subject:

UPDATE UPDATE

Here is a copy of the often referenced "police report" of the "parking lot incident."

Pay particular attention to the FOURTH page of the police incident report for the officer's summary of the "victim's" - a/k/a Mr. Reed - testimony.

Reed Accident Report

Guest · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject:

If what Mr. Reed said on the police report is true then the driver should have been prosecuted. If what he said was not true, then didn't he file a false report and he could be prosecuted? Why does Dianne Sturdivant act like there was no police report when there it is? I would like to hear from Mr. Reed. If he was threatened with his job then I would like to know because if its true then here is another lie from Dianne Sturdivant.

JohnHarris · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:56 am Post subject:

Those of you who know Mr. Reed personally and who are still in contact with him, please consider asking him and encouraging him to help clarify these issues. There are two situations where he could help many parents here and perhaps even the board of directors make some important decisions.

1) Mr. Reed can clarify the facts on whether he was pressured into dropping the criminal assault charges that could have been brought based upon the vehicular assault and battery upon him and his band students. This is significant because, as reflected in the Sturdivant Spin tape of the band parent meeting, she absolutely denied that any pressure against him to drop the criminal investigation and charges.

2) Mr. Reed can also clarify questions of the truthfulness of the administration with respect to the issue of "why he was terminated." As the video tapes and the band parent letter (to be posted soon) demonstrate, Drake/Sturdivant represented to the band parents that he was not fired because he posted the school's averages on standardized tests on this website or because he otherwise posted on this web site. That denial has been made repeatedly by the administration. However, in the wage hour hearings that took place there is, under current administrative procedures, a written report from the employer (Goodpasture) that must be submitted stating the specific grounds for termination. There is also approximately 4 hours of live recorded testimony on this issue much of which involved Evan Harris (yes, that is my brother) who was the attorney representing Jim Reed in those proceedings, cross-examining Gilbert Drake under oath. I believe that if Mr. Reed would authorize the release of the school's written grounds for termination that should have been filed with the state and also the release of at least portions of the audio testimony by Mr. Drake where he presumably responds to specific questions about the grounds for termination that this information will be quite revealing to the parents, the students and even the board of directors.

I do not seek this information to merely keep this discussion alive. I seek it because I believe that if and when it is released it will demonstrate a capacity of the current administration to speak the truth that rises to the same level of Bil Clinton's sworn testimony in the Monica Lewinsky scandal. I may be wrong but knowing the players I think that my beliefs are not far from the true mark.

Sniffles · Guest

If it would help solve the problems one of which is the question of have we been lied to then yes I would like to hear from Mr. Reed. If he cares as much about the band kids as they seem to think he did he should naturally want to help solve the problems that are threatening the future of the school even after what was done to him.

Jim Reed · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

Hello everyone. Someday soon, perhaps next week, I will try to address some of the questions posed to me on here. Since I have begun a new job, I have not had time to form a complete response to the issues you read about on this message board. It has been a busy summer, and I still have plenty to say. When time permits, I will tell my side of the story. Please remember there are other factors in that as well. After the tretament I have received from the administration, I intend to be cautious and prudent with my response. Rest assured, "Sniffles", my feelings toward the students and parents involved in the band program have not changed.
_________________
Jim Reed
"Former Faculty Member"

Guest · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:26 pm Post subject:

Mr. Reed You are a former faculty member who has been fired under what we are told were necessary reasons. You are fighting with the school. What good will it do to bring your dispute and your transgressions out into the open? Why not just move on to your new job and accept the fact that the school administration did what they had to do when they fired you. I do not know what it was but it must have been pretty bad if it could not wait until school was over but I have to believe that Mr. Drake and Ms. Sturdivant still treated you fairly and probably gave you private warnings or talks that you just ignored. If you come here and tell your side of the story why do you think anyone would care or even believe you? Mr. Drake and Ms. Sturdivant had the job to look after the bests interests of the school and they tell us that they believed this was necessary. What do you want to come back?

cosmic · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 242 Location: North Georgia

JohnHarris · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

Guest · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject:

Has this been sent to the board?

JohnHarris · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:20 pm Post subject:

Yes, a link to the video has been sent to at least some of the "receptive" board members. It will be interesting to see when and if anything comes of it. Silence and failure to act will raise the inference that the Board finds the actions reflected in these videos and concerning Reed's termination to be acceptable.

Still Here · Guest

Why do you disgruntled former Goodpasture family members seem so intent on trying to continue to be relevant? Can't you get it through your heads that you LEFT? Those who are still here have the option to accept Goodpasture or encourage changes that WE want. Why do you think you have any say in what happens after you are gone? Why can't you just go away and take this down and let us enjoy Goodpasture without all of your comments which even if we don't read the site are still causing problems and rumors at the school and therefore affect us and our children!

Here is a hint.... GO AWAY and GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!!

Guest · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:26 am Post subject:

Still Here,
You have the option not to read the site. If it is affecting GCS, then good, it's about time somebody listens.

Concerned Alumni · Guest

Unhappy Parent · Guest

Guest · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:57 am Post subject:

ROFLMAO till it makes me cry

Guest · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:50 am Post subject:

I can just see an old Chevy Nova of the late 70's,
fresh spray can yellow and blue paint over the dents and rust,
new tires on scratched up old mag wheels,
a big fuzzy crucifix on the rear view mirror,
smoke pouring out the pipe,
a bumper sticker which reads, "My son can beat up your Honor Student",
Dragon Lady is driving (of course) and
Gil in the passenger seat singing
Everything is Beautiful.

Oh My! That's going to keep me smiling all day.

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

who ever the guy is in the video that said somethin about a band even was the biggest thing that happened at goodpasture is an idiot.... band events are never the highlight of anyones experience at goodpasture except for the band itself and the parents.... thats why they prob werent there because no one cares about the band except yall... i mean when the band gets out on the field at half time of the football games... look around and see who is actually watching them.... only the band parents section.... look around at the student section and the other parents.... they dont really care.... so get off your lil horses and just shut up.

Guest 10 · Guest

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:57 pm Post subject:

Guest · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:04 pm Post subject:

I find this video to be very disturbing to realize that these individuals are still running the school and probably will be even with a new president.

JohnHarris · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:54 am Post subject:

One of the issues that the Jim Reed incident exposed without question is the issue of the credibility of the administration. Most of those involved, including Dianne Sturdivant, remain in positions of power at Goodpasture with the apparent blessings of both the board of directors and Mr. Perry (at least for the time being).

What time will tell is whether these board members and administrators comprehend the importance and significance of credibility in leadership. Their decisions on these issues will illustrate either their willingness to do what must be done or their inability to abide by sound principles of governance.

Guest · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:03 am Post subject:

Awesome. I would like to think that more students and parents with video cell phones are starting to record things. It might help.

someone · Guest

jim reed should have been fired years before this. he locked the door behind him & 2 female students (who were in 8th grade at the time) & talked to the about the movie "van wilder" & other inappropriate things. he was fired for posting students grades online though. goodpasture could have been sued by reed had they told theband parents why he was fired. that video was stupid, i hate when people edit things to slant them the way they see them. gilbert drake was a great man & he was trying to deal with the issue with just parents instead of involving the children. it was inappropriate to have the kids there anyways & kim ford & the guy who was yelling acting like a children wasn't helping the situation. i was a weird kid in high school & even i think the band parents (in general) are WAY too sensitive about stuff. everybody thinks their issues are the most important & that's just not the way the real world works. grow up people, it's sad when someone as young as i am thinks you are immature.

Reply to Someone · Guest

Not that it mattters at this point as all of this is old news and things are different now...thank the Lord!

Fact 1: This meeting was called for the STUDENTS...no parents were invited by the administration...they just happened to find out about it and showed up.

Fact 2: All parents are sensitive when it involved their children, band parents, football parents, cheerleading parents, golf parents, tennis parents, parents of children who aren't involved in any extra activity

JohnHarris · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:56 am Post subject: Re: jim reed

someone · Guest

john harris, i never said he posted individual students grades. but i know that i would have been pissed if someone posted my grades online if they were bad. it was not his place to post the grades as he did not have that authority. & i love how you didn't even address his inappropriate conduct with students because you are so set on defending the only thing you can. you are childish in the things you post on here & half of it is petty bull about people who you have personal issues with & therefore feel the need to air their dirty laundry. the only reason you have a problem with gilbert drake is because he got the job you wanted & apparently you are a poor sport. he was a better man than you could ever aspire to be. i just hope you know that some day karma will come back on you & when it does a lot of people will be very happy. you are a sad person & you should learn to be more loving, i can promise you that your life would actually have meaning & purpose then.

Admin1 · Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 110