Holmes got lowest score, FAMU records show

The FAMU committee that interviewed the three finalists for the director's job at the FAMU Developmental Research School gave Ronald Holmes – who ultimately got the job – the lowest score, according to public records obtained last night by The Gradebook. Holmes is the brother of influential trustee R.B. Holmes, and his selection by President James Ammons (left) and the Board of Trustees on Dec. 31 has kicked up accusations of cronyism.

The three finalists – Holmes, the assistant principal at an Atlanta-area high school; Rose Campbell, the K-6 principal at the research school; and Richard Williams, an administrator and former assistant principal in the Miami-Dade school system – were rated by seven committee members on how they answered a series of 14 questions, including how they would turn around a troubled school (FAMU DRS got an F from the state last year) and their experience in starting new programs despite budget constraints.

Ronald Holmes got an average score of 48.2, the tallies show. Campbell got a 50. Williams got a 51.25.

Asked by The Gradebook for Ammons' response to the ongoing criticism, FAMU spokeswoman Sharon Saunders e-mailed this statement last night: "Dr. Holmes met all of the qualifications and is a seasoned professional. His area of specialty is on test score enhancements. He has been especially successful in this area which is a critical need for FAMU DRS students."

Reached by phone this morning, Williams, who graduated from the FAMU research school and earned his bachelor's degree from FAMU, said he was "overwhelmed" when told by The Gradebook that he was the top scorer. But he also said he had no hard feelings. He said he did not know whether Ronald Holmes' family ties played a role in his selection, and was not concerned about that issue. Ultimately, Ammons had the option to choose who he thought was best for the job, he said: "That's the choice the president made, and I support it."

- Ron Matus, state education reporter

Comments

Former UF student here...
Every time I go back there, there are about 15 new ridiculously huge bulidings being built on every street corner of campus and about 20 others undergoing beautification projects. Enough with the cosmetics. Maybe that will save some money.

The FAMU DRS went from an F school to a C school under superintendent Holmes. Is anyone going to talk about that?

Most of the financial records for UF's 2.5 billion budget haven't been resolved against bank records.

That's more than the entire wealth of some third world countries.

FAMU is a third world country. Who is in control?

55K is nothing compared to the $1M Ken Hillier stole from UF's foundation. UF still leads the state in financial problems.

A FAMU employee was just arrested today on grand theft charges. She stole 55k from the school Sound familiar?

The school needs to be put in receivership!

rw,

It appears that you have a chip on your shoulder about the employees and students of FAMU. Is it because your application for admission was turned down? Perhaps, it is because you were not hired after submitting an application for employment. Whatever the reason, there appears to be a personal issue clouding your mind. If there is a problem with the employee and students of FAMU, don't critcize, pray for the peace of Jerusalem and FAMU. Just a note, FAMU is an institution. It is the people who make mistakes, not the institution. Just for future reference.

FAMU needs to join everyone in the 21st century. Why is it still virtually segregated? Why does separate but equal apply to FAMU?

Time for Jim Crow to end at FAMU!

[ngoldwire]

It saddens me that so many people bicker and complain about the mishaps of FAMU. For 121 years it has been scrutinized and vilified for offering a service to does who could not get it anywhere else. Remember when you point a finger 3 point back at you. So what are you doing besides kicking the institution while it is down?

When FAMU's data system can't properly report HALF A BILLION DOLLARS, then FAMU's finances will be in as bad shape as UF's.

UF sets the standard for financial mismanagement in Florida.

and when P.K. Yonge hires an idiot as the school superintendent, then talk otherwise sit back, wait for the next time you get screwed by the BOT and President.

When UF gets put on SACS probation, and has a Law School on provisional credit then FAMU might have a case. But the last I checked they were not. FAMU quit acting like a petulant child caught in the act.

At least FAMU's finances aren't as messed up as UF's.

I say hold the higher ups accountable. Dean Pernell accepted the job and responsibility as Dean of FAMU Law School. If he chooses to continue with the current administration, then I say hold him accountable for everything. Pernell claims big changes will be made. Yet, Dean Witherspoon and Dean Langston, the root of all problems FAMU Law are still employed by FAMU. It seems he is willing to put his reputation in the hands of incompetence. He must truly believe the students have no idea what they are talking about. If Dean Pernell is willing to put his career on the line for Witherspoon and Langston then he is willing to lose the respect of the students and faculty. Ultimately, he will be forced to defend his position and the students will gladly hold him accountable.

This hire just flies in the face of prudence and competence. FAMU continues to misstep at the public's expense. I just don't get how they continue to get away with things. Humphries and Ammons hired a convicted child rapist as Dean back in 2000 and no one was held accountable. Any other university president and provost would have been fired on the spot.

Why does the Legislature and BOG continue to let this happen?

All this talk, nobody is going to do anything about this so we are wasting space and time.

Life goes on.

Say what you want, but FAMU has been, is, and will continue to be one messed up school b/c the administration just doesn't get it (and if you have to ask, you don't get it either).

None of the problems at FAMU have added up to HALF A BILLION dollars. UF has no room to talk about anyone else.

Take responsibility for your own out-of-control financial mess!

What does UF have to do with FAMU hiring of an under qualified brother of a Trustee to run the DRS.

Oh that is right it is FAMU throwing mud blaming everyone else for their lack of responsibility.

Is it true that FAMU will lose the Law School? Apparently it is a complete mess. Not surprising though just look at the main campus in Tallahassee!

It's also common knowledge that UF's money problems are the worst in the state.

UF received $580,426,350 in federal money in 2005.

http://www.fedspending.org/faads/faads.php?recip_id=901167&sortby=u&detail=-1&datype=T&reptype=r&database=faads&fiscal_year=2005&submit=GO

The state auditors said UF "had not developed and tested a methodology to extract data from the myUFL systems required to produce a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards."

There should be a federal investigation into why myUFL can't produce a proper report on how the university spends $580,426,350.

It is also common knowledge that FAMU is on SACS probation, received two qualified audits, is under investigation by the Federal Government once again for financial aid fraud. Remember two were already been convicted back in 2000. FAMU is about to have is provisional accreditation yanked because the school is so dysfunctional. I encourage everyone to read A Better HBCU Experience. The author of the blog was a visiting Professor and what he experienced will blow you away and bring shame to FAMU like it should.

FAMU for too long have been about them without in regard for what is best for a multi cultural state. FAMU's mission is a relic and they fight for a bygone era.

It's also common knowledge the state audits said 6 of UF's 8 main bank accounts have not been resolved against university records.

Why are hundreds of millions at UF not being properly accounted?

Lets not forget the questionable hire at the Law School. Cunningham gave a million dollars to the school, received and endowed chair teaching position and then did not even bother to show up.

That is a laugh...

Cunningham is currently awaiting trial on charges brought against him by the federal gov't.

FAMU's Law School is the worst in the states folks. They have a horrible bar passage rate.

Apparently the new hire at the DRS school could not even recall what the title of his dissertation was?

And by the way it is common knowledge that FAMU does not pay bills on time, and sometimes just not at all.

FAMU gives "excellence with caring" new meaning!!!

I don't recall where he said he didn't care. Just because folks up there are exposed doesnt mean it was by racists either. Good luck on the law school, is the dean the brother of a trustee?

The ABA has already noted the progress at FAMU and full accreditation is forthcoming.

The law school will eventually become as good as FAMU's pharmacy school, which just out-performed UF on national licensure exam.

If that guy Williams doesn't care, why should you. Get off of FAMU you racists!

And you wonder why the Law School is about to lose accreditation?

I do care. It seems that FAMU proves once again that the hook up is more important than the quality of education. So much for "excellence with caring"

Do you think anyone cares about any of this?

That's messed up.

Question: Who is accountable for this mess?