Exactly why I took my college degree, my work ethic, and commitment to education 10 miles north to a suburb. The students at Samuell High are violent, their parents are violent, noone can read by the time they get to high school, and the buildings are filthy. However, 10 miles up the road, I am treated like a professional educator, surrounded by students that are respectful, and that come with parents that actually give a crap about what they do from 8-4. Thanks DISD for showing me the way to Rockwall!!

Hahahaha! Dale, thanks for posting the "Wicked Witch"'s comment. I almost fell on the floor laughing.

My favorite was "DISD suck like dead pigs". Wicked Witch, you are one classy human being. As "fir" you, maybe you should have stayed in school and earned your "so called HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA". It is "so called" that because you have to recieve education to recieve one. It's really cute how you put those periods before every conjunction...oh wait, you probably don't know what a conjunction is.

It's quite sad that you get "pleasure 'AT' insulting teachers". Maybe you should get pleasure "at" going back to high school, and listening to those "brain dead" teachers who earned a college degree and are actually doing something constructive with their lives. What do you do for a living, Wicked Witch? Hopefully nothing that involves interacting with other people. Thanks for the laugh though!

[Ed Note: See... our readers tow the line on letting folks get away with (or not) things!]

In Wicked Witch's defense, typing "fir" is a somewhat reasonable mistake just because the keys are right next to each other. If he's typing fast and not paying much attention, he might do that. However, if he rereads what he wrote, he should spot the mistake fairly quickly.

Hello, anonymous reply to the Wicked Witch...it's "i" before "e" except after "c".

[Ed Note: Sorry, I usually catch spelling errors. You wouldn't believe how many we get from teachers even! With this one, however, I felt it was important to post it unedited.]

The Wicked Witch is so obviously a set up to get people riled up, why bother to reply?

I am a senior at skyline and its not all of what people make it out to be. This incident with the birthday money is something that just so happen to get out into the open. What about the time when the girl in the cafeteria got her head bashed into the "unbreakable" window, which broke. Or what about the numerous amounts of blacks versus Hispanics fights we've endured. Maybe we should talk about how students stand at the top of the stairs and throw locks that go on lockers at teachers heads. And please don't blame Mr. Wright he's new to this he's trying the best he can. It just so happen that he walked into the mess that Mr. Williams created. But sadly to say my last four years at skyline sucked and with this being my senior year it really sucks thats why i'm happy this is my last year, because i'm ready to go G-O!

I saw a Seagoville mom on tv who actually understood and supported the spraying of mace after her daughter told the reporter that it wasn't needed.

Parents need to explain to the kids that they are not the arbiters of "what is needed" during a riot. That spray will make you cough and cry, but it will not kill you. If you don't want to get sprayed, then maybe you should move AWAY from a fight. Instead, most students want to see what is going on and move TOWARDS trouble. Good. Get sprayed then.

[Ed Note: Well put. Maybe when there's a fight, you shouldn't be near it!]

I am a teacher at a DISD school who was told yesterday by an administrator "When the media comes around, just say 'no comment.'" From looking at the news, I could have been from several DISD schools that encountered trouble on Friday!

Why tell me to not to admit to anything? I didn't do anything wrong!!! DISD continues to disavow any trouble - whether it's with administrators, teachers, students, budgets, credit cards, school board members, etc! I think I need to teach in another district! Do ya think???

I used to be proud of working for the great “Dallas Independent School District" but not anymore. I wouldn't enroll my dog in to that district. The schools are not safe, the principals are incompetent, and it is plagued with corruption. The teachers are excellent and they are making the best out of a bad situation. The children are obnoxious and disrespectful; but the teachers are still trying to educate the children who could care less about being educated. It’s embarrassing to be a part of a school district that is heading for disaster and I am leaving this year because I don't want to risk being stigmatized. This district has inspired me to become a superintendent and I am not going to stop until I reach the top. On my way out, I am going to write a book about the big "Dallas Independent School District" and it will be a best seller because the world is interested in what goes on in inner city urban schools. Get out while you can, if you plan to make a name for yourself. I will definitely see you in the crossroads because I am going to change the way American schools are operated and that's a promise. Good luck to you in your endeavors and maybe you will see me on Oprah. It doesn't take much to make a difference in the lives of today's youth, all it takes is someone who is destined, dedicated and determined to change the lives of children who are forced to attend school in the public sector. This is my pledge to the children, of the State of Texas. I am a catalyst for change and a change is going to come, for I am the sparrow that is watching over the children.

[Ed note: Ahh, future activists...]

Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for the laugh. Sure the teachers are excellent but everyone else is either incompentant, corrupt, or stupid. I'll see you on Oprah. Hope you have a great retirement party.

Why so bitter? If you're so unhappy...do us a favor and leave now! Your negative experience isn't the experience of all of us in the district.

Superintendency, huh? Let's see if you can run a school district this size in a better fashion...No, it's not a perfect system, but once the negative influences leave, maybe then we can truly get to the work of educating the future!

I didn't mean to be offensive or step on any toes. This is how I feel and not how anyone else feels. However,I do have a right to express my opinion. In closing, if the shoe fits, wear it. Was I speaking of you? Maybe or maybe not. Have a good life !!!

Why slam the one who is leaving? Really, you think the district is being run WELL right now? Could it get worse? Yea, wait two months. It will. Get worse. You know it. You just know it.

As far as I am concerned, the "negative" ones in the district are the ones who lay it all at the feet (and on the backs) of the teachers only. Is it our fault kids come to school not ready to learn?

Is it our fault they are running low on PAPER PRODUCTS in the DISD right now? Toilet paper, copier paper, paper towels?

Is it our fault that they won't tell the truth to the taxpayers about problems early on, but try to conceal them? And when it does get worse, they act surprised?

Is it our fault that they refuse to engage parents in the big decisions?

Is it our fault?