I had a family member do this stuff also and they won their region and their team was suspended for not having a coach present to help with grading at the region competition when the coach had had a heart attack the night before.

I am not happy with the way my posts sounded on this subject. Just a little to negitive for me. So I would like to add that there have been some good things happen in the last couple of years at Russell with the addition of some really awesome teachers and some updates to the tecnology programs. As far as the academic coach, I am starting to think he just may have believed it would be ok to use the rules to gain an edge, I'm just not sure. Unfortunately for him it didn't work out. In all honesty ,in the class room he does a fantastic job.This situation will hang a dark cloud over Russell for way to long. I just hope it's over soon.

^ Hesitation...

I had a family member do this stuff also and they won their region and their team was suspended for not having a coach present to help with grading at the region competition when the coach had had a heart attack the night before.

 

This goes back to the ugly aspects of the academic competition. Since the state does not rule this like they do athletics, politics and cliques come into play that should have no bearing.

 

I am not happy with the way my posts sounded on this subject. Just a little to negitive for me. So I would like to add that there have been some good things happen in the last couple of years at Russell with the addition of some really awesome teachers and some updates to the tecnology programs. As far as the academic coach, I am starting to think he just may have believed it would be ok to use the rules to gain an edge, I'm just not sure. Unfortunately for him it didn't work out. In all honesty ,in the class room he does a fantastic job.This situation will hang a dark cloud over Russell for way to long. I just hope it's over soon.

 

If Russell is guilty, and they handle this properly, we should not let this influence our opinion on the academic standards of Russell as a whole. I agree, that the publicity will have a negative impact, however.

 

The state needs to require that certified personel head the team. This does not totally fix the problem, but the consequences become much more severe.

 

If a teacher has the threat of not only losing their job, but also their teaching certificate, it is far different than a paraprofessional losing a 2k extra job.

According to Ch 27 news tonight the academic coach at Russell has been suspended until the investigation is completed.

 

Wow! I ddin't realize that it had made the Lexington news as well.

 

Also, I do agree with others on this thread in that it in no way reflects on the Russell kids, this one is ALL on the school teacher/coach, administration and puts a bad reflection on the school system. JMO

I'd just like to briefly throw my two cents in here, I think it's appropriate. Most of what I

will be responding to comes from my experience with the KAAC and how it works as well

as some personal experience.

 

First, to JPP:

KAAC does have a certification program in place to ensure that those who attend the

competitions are well versed on the rules. Losing certification does prevent you coaching

at meets; however, I am not aware of a situation like this ever occurring in the past - at

least not one being reported - so this, even talking of lifetime bans or suspensions, is

unprecedented ground for the association.

 

For those who have said that academic competitions are among the most corrupt things:

Contrary to what other people have said, the KAAC is perhaps the most well-

oiled and certainly is one of the most organized academic competition entities in the

country. They have numerous, stringent policies relating to fair play, recruiting, and any

number of other violations. The number of complaints that have been made on this board

toward Russell and numerous other undisclosed schools likely triples the number of

complaints that have been officially lodged in 20 years of competition. The KAAC takes

pride in running a fair competition for all member schools; this cannot be said of the

academic competitions in all states or even at the national level - I know from having

experienced it on both sides.

 

Third, to anyone inquiring about Col. Burgess:

Currently, as stated in the article, Col. Burgess is the director for the 16th region. His

capacity, I believe, is as a facilitator in the distribution of testing materials and as a

contact to the needs of tournament directors. If I'm not mistaken, his role has nothing

to do with calling or postponing the tournament. He will be just as interested as everyone

else as to the findings of the report. Part of what is at stake is the reputation that he

helped build, though I'm sure he is far more concerned with the well being of all the

students in the region.

 

Fourth, and I hate to beat the dead horse, but please refrain from comments deriding the

academic accomplishments of past, present and future STUDENTS. It is ultimately up to

them to decide how successful they are in the classroom and in Governor's Cup. That

being said, the teachers at Russell do an excellent job of preparing their students for

many aspects of life - social, mental, and scholastic. I understand that such an alleged

impropriety may look bad, but it should not invalidate years of well mannered achievement.

 

Lastly, as a member of two of Russell's state championship teams (I'm sure I am one of

those Russell robots!), I am eager to hear the findings by the KAAC that will be published

tomorrow. Until then, all this speculation is ridiculous. Not only are many people basing

their judgment off of stereotypes of the Russell school system, they are truly making life

difficult for individuals associated with the program. This is a regional story at best that

has become a media circus and has rapidly spread statewide. Despite what may or may

not have happened, the costs that members of various outlets have placed upon daily

activities of pupils at associated schools is flat out ridiculous.

 

I hope that this issue will be resolved in a manner that best accommodates everyone

involved and punishes those who were at fault appropriately, neither too harshly nor too

gently. Admittedly, I count Mr. Knupp as a personal friend and hope for his well being;

however, if found in violation of the Coaching Code of Conduct he should suffer consequences

proportional to the wrongdoing.

Edited February 25, 200917 yr by Red Shift
Shifting

 

Lastly, as a member of two of Russell's state championship teams (I'm sure I am one of

those Russell robots!),

 

:thumb: Much respect. You guys were awesome. I, and the other schools, never meant it as a slam. You guys were machines you were so good.

 

The students here are the real losers. They just wanted to compete. I feel bad for them because I know how fun and important Academic Team was to me, and for them competing at Russell they have a legacy they want to continue. I hope whatever choice the state makes they don't punish the kids for the sins of the father so to speak.

Red Shift, thank you for your insights on this subject. Your post sheds more informative information than we can. I think you are dead on in regards to holding judgement until the facts are heard, I was one that jumped too eagerly in the beginning. I do disagree about this being a regional problem. Russell is an elite academic team with all the accolades to boot. This makes it a statewide news story. As embarrassing as it may be, it is still press worthy. I am friends with many teachers and a few administrators at Russell and I know that they are upset with the person not the media for causing this "black eye".

^ Hesitation...

 

Not really. Just not pleased with the tone ! It is sometimes difficult to convey true intent of content, when put on paper. One can be very intelligent and still not make good "common sense" decisions. It's kinda like sticking your finger in the toaster to get that stuck piece of bread....you knew better, but you still gotta pay. In this case I'm just not sure this outcome was anticipated. It is possible that someone actually thought they were within the rules not realizing the consequences for being wrong. Unfortunately, it is what it is. I am not condoning what was done , but stating a possibility. I know the kids have worked very hard for this competition and now will more than likely suffer from the outcome. There probably will be one or two thrown under the bus in this case (weather permitting).:thumb:

Not really. Just not pleased with the tone ! It is sometimes difficult to convey true intent of content, when put on paper. One can be very intelligent and still not make good "common sense" decisions. It's kinda like sticking your finger in the toaster to get that stuck piece of bread....you knew better, but you still gotta pay. In this case I'm just not sure this outcome was anticipated. It is possible that someone actually thought they were within the rules not realizing the consequences for being wrong. Unfortunately, it is what it is. I am not condoning what was done , but stating a possibility. I know the kids have worked very hard for this competition and now will more than likely suffer from the outcome. There probably will be one or two thrown under the bus in this case (weather permitting).:thumb:

 

Maybe the busses can equipped with snow tires.:lol:

Red Ramblers post 69 is correct imo in that the students are the real losers. I don't believe that anyone is in any way blaming any student for anything here and they are the ones that are getting hurt.

From the way it seems the Russell teacher/academic team coach and possibly a member (or more) of the Russell administration are to blame. I have no way of knowing if it is/was some kind of an ego, power trip problem or not. At any rate and for whatever reasons there imo is no excuse for it.

I would feel the same way if this were any school and I believe that anyone with any sense would. The "alleged" violations/charges were in black and white (newspapers) and on the news telecast statewide, that imo makes them public record and not rumor or any kind of grudge against any school or administration from anyone.

I really hope that this teacher/school system is not guilty of this but it certainly doesn't look like that is the case. Should the charges be proven correct, then is jmo that the teacher may be gone and the school may lose it's right to compete for a certain amount of time (probation). I have no idea at all what is done or should be done in cases like this and was just stating my thoughts on what possibly should be done about it it.

 

This charge (if proven true) definately makes a huge statement to the students and I guess that it is everyones personal opinion as to what kind of statement this is sending.......I vote that is was the wrong statement.

:thumb: Much respect. You guys were awesome. I, and the other schools, never meant it as a slam. You guys were machines you were so good.

 

:lol::lol:

Haha, yeah it's cool. If Russell Robot were the worst thing I'd ever been called, I'd be living

one heck of a life. I just found it amusing.

Red Shift, thank you for your insights on this subject. Your post sheds more informative information than we can. I think you are dead on in regards to holding judgement until the facts are heard, I was one that jumped too eagerly in the beginning. I do disagree about this being a regional problem. Russell is an elite academic team with all the accolades to boot. This makes it a statewide news story. As embarrassing as it may be, it is still press worthy. I am friends with many teachers and a few administrators at Russell and I know that they are upset with the person not the media for causing this "black eye".

 

I suppose what I intended was that individuals who were not involved in any of the wrongdoing

are suffering a great deal of the heat from the statewide media. It's a very serious situation

and the people who are going to end up paying for it from a media standpoint are students

and other innocent parties due to rampant speculation, unjustified claims, etc.

:thumb: Much respect. You guys were awesome. I, and the other schools, never meant it as a slam. You guys were machines you were so good.

 

The students here are the real losers. They just wanted to compete. I feel bad for them because I know how fun and important Academic Team was to me, and for them competing at Russell they have a legacy they want to continue. I hope whatever choice the state makes they don't punish the kids for the sins of the father so to speak.

 

Totally agree with this!, I do not believe the students should be punished for the poor decisions of their coach/administration. I also don't believe the Coach should be the only one "thrown under the bus" if the superintendent was aware of the decision being made. I am not sure how she could not know what was going on...wouldn't she be informed if the school felt they could not travel due to inclement weather? Wouldn't she question that decision after looking out the window?

 

Although the fate of the academic team is supposed to be resolved today, ie whether they will be allowed to compete or not, the ramifications of this situation may go on for some time.

The "alleged" violations/charges were in black and white (newspapers) and on the news telecast statewide, that imo makes them public record and not rumor or any kind of grudge against any school or administration from anyone...

 

I wasn't necessarily making that statement toward the main issue here. There have been

quite a few asides (toward the KAAC mainly) that I would submit are unsubstantiated.

 

And as for the public record aspect, sure the allegations are in "black and white" but

the media need not leave students open to public record when they have done nothing

wrong. That's where I'm taking issue.

 

And for the most part I don't really think grudges are playing a whole lot into this. Certainly

I'd like to see my alma mater in a good light and would like others to see it the same way.

However, I also realize people are entitled to their own informed opinions and allowed to

make judgments on their own.