It?s all about the money folks. You have greed and apathy in the ?ham everywhere you look. There is plenty of money floating around for the ?leaders? to siphon. When this story first reared its ugly head I wondered why the masses weren?t protesting and waving signs at Sims door for literally stealing $175,000 annually from them. In his attempt to cover his arse all he?s done is invited even more scrutiny into a system that has failed to provide even the most basic lessons needed for success. Unless of course you want to show the children how to steal, cheat and lie to get what you can while you can. Here?s yet another reason why thinking people don?t want to be associated with this once great city.

It's about nepotism, favoritism and cliques. The people that are in charge only allow the people they know to join that inner circle. It's not about being qualified or capable. It's about who you know. And that premise applies to city jobs, city government, state jobs, all city involved governing boards such as water, education, etc. The people in place are corrupt. The people they bring are also corrupt. They do everything covertly and under cover of dark because they know what they are doing is wrong. And the most important fact of the matter still remains : "They are NOT concerned with the education or well being of the children"

These people in charge are in it for themselves and nothing more. Sure, there are a couple here and there who honestly may have the interests of the children at heart, but they are not allowed to do anything about anything and are purposely kept in the closet, so to speak.

And it's not necessarily because the people in these circles are black. It's because they're NOT QUALIFIED OR CAPABLE.

You can hire a white person to run things, doesn't mean that it's going to be any different or any better. Just because he or she is white doesn't mean they are QUALIFIED AND CAPABLE. THAT is where things need to begin people, with QUALIFICATIONS. I don't care if someone is day-glow green with plaid accents, in a wheelchair, have one eye and speak through a hole in the top of their head........AS LONG AS THEY ARE QUALIFIED AND CAN GET THE JOB DONE TO ITS BEST AND MOST EFFICIENT LEVEL. That is all that matters.

Predominantly white cities and school systems do have problems, but nothing like you see in the Bham school district, and most of those other cities and systems problems are not due to corruption and incompetence, unlike the Bham school district. Facts are facts and these facts in Bham are absolutely undeniable.

Garry Owen - I'm sure you speak the sentiment of alot of people. It feels good to say it, doesn't it? At least anonymously, that is. Hey, at least you're honest. Some of you deny that you are racists, and try to convince yourself (and others) that racism is a thing of the past. I think it's more for your sake than anyone elses though. I guess you don't want to believe that such hateful thoughts and actions can be attributed to yourselves.

Now, there are many issues that need to be addressed in Birmingham, as it is with most big cities. Birmingham is not an island. It is not alone in its problems. But it is apparent that major changes will have to be made in order to make the city "magic" again. As far as the school system goes, it will mean reducing some of the administrative overhead and becoming fiscally responsible with the finances. I know these people have been in their jobs for years, and have built a lifestyle on their salaries, but the future of the children has to come first. I'm hoping that some type of plan can be worked out that would allow these people to either retire, be relocated within the school system, or get a reduction in pay. It has to be done.

I honestly believe the new mayor is trying to turn the city around. I don't agree with all his tactics, but at least he's putting forth an effort to improve the city. It is obvious that many people want him to fail just to be able to say "I told you so." Predominantly white cities and school systems are not without problems. Just because you have the money to cover it up, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

And Garry, as for those who have moved out of the city into your comfortable, suburban neighborhoods, if they chose to come back when Birmingham it's "magic" again, fine; if not , say "Hi" to your neighbor for me. :-)

Looks like he spent his "energy" on "planning and coordinating" this coverup. Unfortunately as in other aspects of his performance again he has proved so short-sighted that he couldn't figure out that there were more copies available and he would easily be found out by anyone who pays attention. What an unqualified buffoon.

And Vicki Allen, yes, there are undoubtedly qualified people who COULD do the job, but it's a little hard to find them when at least half the potential candidates are eliminated at the start because they are the wrong color and then the remainder are whittled down by what political candidates they support and who their friends and connections are. Typically people who are spending too much time making and keeping powerful friends are not the best free-thinking, honest, committed and solutions oriented managers. Everyone knows that the brown-nosers (no racial comment implied) may get farther in most companies, but those aren't the same ones who are the performers and it is the same here.

That's OK...I'm sure if the school board wants a favorable report card, they can find a "dubmbed down" auditor somewhere.

I fear the race card being played here before all is said and done...it's (sadly) almost too predictable an outcome.

As long as the blacks run larryham, it will always be this way. I wish it would change and actually work for unity and progress. This would allow their kind in the suburbs to return to their city.

Nobody may agree with me but this is my opinion. I don't understand why the school board cannot find a suitable person here in Birmingham or Alabama to run the school system. If they cannot, what does that say about our system that cannot produce anybody to qualify for the job? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that out of state people are not qualified, I'm just saying I think it should be someone local that cares about our schools. The board is to blame for a lot of this mess. I lay the majority of it at their feet. They are so cloak and dagger when it comes to decisions. Everything is conducted behind closed doors and BAM, they present it to us after the fact. When will they learn - it is sheer madness to continue to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results!!! I think next election we should look more closely at them.

Good point Fritzy1, there's no telling how many "little Johnny's" in the city school system are already packing heat as it is, no sense in giving them any ideas...

I also get burned up when the schools send home stuff for fundraisers, or ask parents to send just tons and tons of extra c*ap with their school supplies. I would send that fundraising stuff right back, straight off. A child goes to school to learn, not to raise money.

Something else that gets me torqued is how these schools will redistribute the school supplies they do bring. It's an outright assault on the concept of private property, straight out of the communist manifesto.

In contrast, yeah, I'll admit that I went to private school, but you know what? I learned what it meant to have private property, to actually own something that was yours. I wasn't taught to be stingy, I learned the value of sharing and helping others, but I knew that what I was lending or even giving away was mine to lend or give away. And before anyone gets started up on "What about the less fortunate" who's fault is that? My parents worked hard to send me there and to buy my supplies, and I do the same for my kids.

SIMS most likely got his PHD in DECEPTION 101. He has got to go. He is not have the capabilities to run the SCHOOL system in Birmingham. I have an IDEA HIRE SOME ONE WHITE FOR A CHANGE. Not everyone in power in BIRMINGHAM HAS TO BE BLACK. JUST AN OPINION. NOT ALL WHITE PEOPLE ARE RACIST. I'm sure they can find someone.

LMAO ! How funny is this crap? I mean really, does it surprise ANYONE?

"no evidence of coordinated planning," "no sense of urgency or energy," "middle management bulge," and "inadequate financial analysis and reporting."

Looks like the TRUTH finally comes out. Of course, this won't change anything. The people in charge will continue to pocket funds for personal and "family" use and purchases, while schools are being closed right and left, parents are told to send toilet paper to school with their kids, and more and more personalized plates for "education" are seen on the butt ends of Escalades with 30 inch wheels. But MOST OF ALL -- the KIDS are still not getting an education.

Way to go Mims. You're just as crooked as any other name in the city of Birmingham "powers that be" ....

Ooooh LittleJohnny, please don't use the term "shooting match" in the Birmingham City limits.

I think this sounds like someone is trying to save their job starting with the ones at the top. This is just par for the course, it is time to get rid of Mims and the whole shooting match and start over.