Ron Tesch
by Tim Enloe; Accessmilton.com
This editorial is about the proper and improper use of taxpayer funds. It is about equal treatment and the lack there of. It is about holding those accountable who are trusted with your hard earned tax dollars. It is about the same creating ways to stretch the dollar for a positive end result. It is about honesty and objectivity not being practiced. It is the truth about Ron Tesch.
It is not about attacking the teachers or students. If anything, those two groups fall into the victims category.
After reading both Appen & Neighbor Newspapers articles on Milton Principal Ron Tesch's retirement, I honestly felt ill.
I am a fan of authors Candy Waylock and Joan Durbin. I have enjoyed many of their articles over the years. However, their cupcakes and roses take on Tesch exiting the building was not the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If you are going to write a retirement story, then write the entire history; the good and the bad. Therefore, it is not a surprise that a dissection and correction of such magnitude would be left up to me. Who would have guessed?
First, let’s take a look at his decision to retire. In Waylock’s article, he states "There was really no defining moment that led me to the decision to retire…I've always enjoyed serving as principal…While I could have retired earlier, the thought never entered my mind (before now)."
Interesting. Tesch is one of six principals retiring from North Fulton schools this year. The Fulton County Board of Education Board is looking under every nook and cranny trying to find money to combat the misappropriation of funds spent over the last ten years. They are tightening everywhere in an attempt to right the ship - even by cutting school band programs and going after teachers employment packages. Some will blame the economy but be honest with yourself - wasn't the FCBOE complaining about not having enough money even when times were good? Maybe, just maybe, the true facts of all the over the top spending, such as the estimated $100 million that was spent for the new Milton High, was about to come to a head. Ron Tesch was one of the primary forces behind the new school. Obviously, he couldn't stand the heat so he got out of the kitchen. That, folks, is what is known as a "Coward."
As word spread about the push to kick people off their property for a new high school, neighbor ended up being pitted against neighbor and many friendships were destroyed. Everyone feared that they were in the evil cross hairs of Tesch & the FCBOE.
When they set their sights on Freemanville, the seven families who lived there fought hard to save their homes. As legal battles and threats took place, Ron T. sat back like a spider waiting for the fly. He slept easy as these families were stressed out and in tears. Firemen, police officers, and even school bus drivers pleaded with the county to locate the school elsewhere stressing how dangerous it would be to place a high school at this location due to all the long winding country roads. Such requests fell on deaf ears. This was about Ron Tesch,– no one else mattered….not even seventy acres of “rural character” his school was about to wipe off the map.
There are those of you who have allowed the opulence of what Milton High School looks like help you forget the horrific injustices that took place in the process. Would you still be so taken if you lost your home due to Tesch and the FCBOE’s lack of foresight? Better yet, what if your family member was at the end of the FCBOE eminent domain gun? How would you feel then? What about your nine acres that was once peaceful and quiet now sounds like an amphitheater? And let’s not forget the $100 million spent.If you had such monies at will, I am sure you could build something pretty too.
This editorial is by no means claiming that the original campus didn’t have issues. It did. Board member Katie Reeves even stated that when a review of Fulton County high schools transpired in 1996, Milton was at the top of their needs improvement list. Yet, I have to ask myself, what were Tesch and the infamous FCBOE doing since then? Were they not studying to be ready for the test or where they going to cheat regardless of who it affected negatively? We all know the answer. So much for this branch of government practicing what it preaches. By the way, there was no Windward Parkway in 1996; just cow pastures that were for sale…
The same mind set loves to promote MHS’s claim of being a “school of excellence.” Funny, by going to www.miltonhighschool.com, you will find that their history states: "In the 1997-98 school year, Milton was named a Georgia School of Excellence and a Blue Ribbon Nominee. In the 1998-99 school year, the US News and World Report named Milton High School an outstanding high school, a model of excellence. Milton continued to be a vital part of the Fulton County School System characterized by economic and geographic diversity. " Why make this point? Simple. It proves that you don't have to waste tax payer dollars to have a successful school. Amazing how history has a way of clearing the air. For those unaware, the new school did not open until 2005. Do the math.
This man is a media whore and covets the spotlight like no other. In the Joan Durbin piece regarding the design of the new school, Tesch shared “I was unashamedly copying Thomas Jefferson’s architectural principles for the University of Virginia…When you look at it, it just signifies the value of teaching and learning.”
As he gave tours to past alumni before the behemoth opened in the Fall of 2005, he bragged unashamedly about the size of everything from the gym to the cafeteria. After all, to Hell with the over the top spending; this was Tesch’s hour and no one was going to rain on his parade.
When the school finally opened, Tesch relayed to the media that his precious school wanted to be "a good neighbor." However, when called before city council in February of 2007 regarding the obnoxious noise heard on a regular basis from surrounding residents, he scoffed at the concerns stating “I don’t want to have the Milton Marching Mimes.” He also relayed that the school made no more noise than the average passing car. He even lied in the same article stating that they would “even keep percussion members of the marching band indoors during practice.” To view the band outside, click here=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjVJjqc_nVU In one email that I sent asking them to quiet down, Tesch simply sent over the band schedule – basically saying, “we are here – get used to it."
Other negatives that have transpired since the school arrived include horrific speeding, increased roadside trash, and backed up traffic at intersections. Does Tesch address this problem? Does Tesch reach out to the community? No. He just sits and waits for the next photo op.
Next, we come to the students. If you think that every teenager is going to end up being a lawyer or doctor, think again. I know many successful people and the overwhelming majority of them either have vocational degree or no degree at all.Thanks to Ron Tesch, programs such as horticulture, tv productions, and auto body class are no longer offered since the new campus arrived. What about the students that would have benefited from such classes?
Then there was last year’s Milton Round Up where Ronny attempted to keep vendors from selling Coke Products due to a Pepsi sponsorship agreement with the FCBOE. In addition, he complained about vehicles driving on the grass during the event. In case your wondering, the 2010 Milton Round Up will not be held at the new high school this year...
Last but not least, my wife and I experienced some of Milton’s Track Team trespassing onto our property and taunting our dogs. After a police report was written up, we never heard a word of apology or correction from Tesch or the offending students. So much for the belief of a positive representation off of campus.
In conclusion, bidding a person of Ron Tesch’s self righteous caliber farewell is an easy task. Dealing with his path of destruction, lies, and immoral behavior is a whole other affair. If you think his reign of terror is over; think again. A deadly wreck is coming to Bethany, Freemanville, or Birmingham Highway. It will be 100% related to the traffic going or coming from the new high school. That blood will be on his hands. His actions have also led to a ripple affect whose damage to Milton’s infamous “rural character” is just now beginning. I am happy he is staying local. After all, what comes around goes around…
