How safe are our public schools? The Star carried at least five articles on this issue during the last month.
On April 28, Anniston Police Chief John Dryden was quoted as saying that Anniston schools were in good shape on safety matters. In a story by Ben Cunningham, Dryden said that crimes reported inside Anniston schools “tend to be less severe” than those reported by surrounding neighborhoods.
The members of the Anniston City Council and the Anniston Board of Education had a somewhat confrontational meeting to discuss “at least 20 incidents at Anniston Middle School and Anniston High School,” of which 13 were never reported to the police, according to city officials. During the meeting, covered by Cunningham, the school board chairwoman said the board lacked specific information on the alleged incidents. “If we don’t know what they are … we as a board can’t respond to them,” she said (May 3).
There were three anonymous threats of bombs or shootings at Anniston High School, Alexandria High School and a junior high school in Talladega County. All proved to be hoaxes. A story by Andy Johns said that parents and school administrators disagree over the handling of such incidents, although only two Alexandria parents were quoted (May 12).
On May 18, the Anniston school board met and voted to ask the state board of education to investigate its own superintendent and school staff concerning allegations “that the Anniston City Schools’ leadership is violating local and state policy, and possibly state law.” The board apparently acted without consultation with Superintendent Sammy Lee Felton. The report of the meeting, by Matt Kasper, did not appear in The Star until a week later. Apparently, The Star did not cover the meeting, but developed the story later. A question went unanswered in the coverage: Was the board’s letter to the state superintendent ever sent?
The Star has not yet told its readers: Were there really 13 school incidents that were not reported to the police? And what were the specific alleged violations of law and policy by the school board staff that caused the school board’s unusual request to the Alabama Department of Education for an investigation?
The Star carried many stories on state and local races leading up to the June 6 primary elections. Several Q&A stories that seek answers on real issues from candidates were well done and will be helpful to voters. The Star did less well reporting on campaign contributions. Voters can learn much about candidates if they know where the money comes from. It’s the job of the news media to tell them, but The Star tends to deal in overall totals rather than the sources of the money.
A May 7 article on money and the governor’s races provided much useful information. We learned that Gov. Bob Riley is well ahead in the money race and that Roy Moore has taken out a loan for his campaign. The article, by Brian Lyman, did give the names of two Riley contributors, but no information on where Lucy Baxley or Don Siegelman are finding their money.
A story on fundraising by local candidates (May 10) told how much money has been raised in two state Senate races, but not where it came from.
A story on the Third Congressional District by Lyman (May 21) had some interesting comments from potential voters, but some of the analysis is questionable. The story said that “political analysts say incumbent Mike Rogers, with more than $739,000 on hand, is expected to have an easy ride to re-election.” Maybe, but no analyst is quoted as saying so.
The story said, “The national Democratic Party did not support candidate Joe Turnham’s run against Rogers.” Not true. The national Democrats did provide Turnham with some funds and help, but far short of the aid Rogers received from the national Republican Party.
Oddly, data on the district is printed on Page 1A, and again on Page 6A.
The otherwise useful section front, “Voting 101,” by Laura Tutor (May 25), lists the date of runoff primary elections as June 18, a Sunday. The correct date is July 18, a Tuesday.
Some Star stars this month:
“McClellan: A weekend of activities,” an attractive layout of places and events over Memorial Day weekend, Escape section front (May 25).
“A few good men,” about the White Flag Club of volunteers at the Talladega race track, by Scott Adamson (April 30).
“After the rain,” a poignant discussion of depression and its costs, by Brett Buckner (April 30).
And some misses:
An ad for The Victorias “Party on the Patio,” on May 24, said the event would be April 26.
The sports TV schedule for Saturday, May 27, provided three schedules for “today, Saturday and Sunday.”
The results of the Cheaha Challenge races were printed May 14, a week after the event.
A nice extended obituary for Ralph “Danny” Higginbotham Jr. did not run until four days after the funeral.
