90 grand to bring back Bentley?

By Amy Wood
Anchor
Published: January 6, 2009

He took the rebels to 6 state tittles in 7 years. Then he went to coach college ball at Presbyterian College. But Bobby Bentley is coming back to District 5.

For 90 thousand he’ll reportedly become the newly created Athletic Director/ Marketing guy.

With massive state budget cuts that are expected to swell classrooms and cut teachers, is this right?

The Superintendent told us at the meeting last night, that approved the deal, that they see it as an investment, not an expense.

So what do you think?

Post your comments and vote in our poll.

Reader Reactions

Posted by ( taxpayer ) on January 10, 2009 at 7:33 pm

I want to applaud Melba Banton for being the smart one that thought of the taxpayers and what was good for the district. It’s a shame she is the only one wise enough not to get caught up in the BIG ego. She knows as well as I do that the procurement job (which is not new to the district)would have been easily handled by one of the administrators already at the BIG HOUSE. I hope the taxpayers remember this and vote every one out that voted yes, it’s a shame we can’t vote out the Big Dog.
Now, on to another subject…..someone ought to look into the fact that District 5 built two new schools to reduce over crowding, especially at River Ridge. Some parents did not want to send their children to the new school so the Administration let them stay at River Ridge causing that school to stay over crowded while Abner Creek sits half empty. The administration and school board are trying to come up with a solution to this problem (isn’t it clear…send students to the new school) such as, buying portables, building on or sending the 4th grade back to Berry Shoals. HELLO does anyone see something wrong with this picture! More taxpayer money being wasted when there is a new school waiting on it’s students.
It’s Strange to me that they couldn’t hire teachers to fill vacant spots or a Technology person for the new schools….they didn’t have the money with the budget cuts. But they can find money to buy portables AND Hmmmmm found $90,000,somewhere.

Report Inappropriate Comment

Posted by ( ByrnesStu09 ) on January 09, 2009 at 1:55 am

Ok, $90,000 to bring back a coach who apparently only cares about his ego [seeing as he wants to come back to a team that can win (The Rebels), because he couldn’t do it at the college level in 2 years (PC)] does more than put a sour taste in teachers mouths who have been employees within District Five for more than his time at Byrnes which is only highlighted by his achievements through FOOTBALL ALONE. Before WSPA aired his so called “triumphant, much needed, and wanted comeback”, News Channel 7 reported budget cuts from teachers salaries, to bus drivers, and furthermore over-shadowed by the football teams accomplishments (don’t get me wrong, I love how successful our team has been in the past 7 years, but where is the academic prestige?) classrooms are hit the hardest. Because the classrooms are suffering the most from the budget cut (aka Coach B’s ridiculous contract that our taxes in D-5 will cover) it hinders the greatest achievement all high-schoolers should brag about after walking across the stage in their Senior Year, an education…isn’t that why previous students, attending students, and future students go to school?...you be the judge, I find it ironic that when every day i open my school agenda to write down my homework assignments, there is a mission statement that I will directly quote…“The mission of James F. Byrnes High School is to promote educational opportunities to meet the needs of all students and to provide multiple options for their growth and achievement.“, and now for the vision statement…“We envision a model school in which students and staff: commit themselves to academic achievement and progress, work together to promote individual and collective pride, and promote good citizenship.“,...let it be known our High School is already on the map, for athletic achievements…why should the academics and purpose for schooling be ruined by two buddies (Coach B. & Scott Turner) who agree on $90,000 to create an unjust ego? Why was this made-up job not publicized more before the date of signing?...you be the judge…hopefully some sort of review can be held or a case made, because the hearing or viewing of this information can clearly be put as a blatant abomination on the sole-purpose to educate our future senior classes that will most likely suffer because of this action.

Report Inappropriate Comment

Posted by ( crzywhtgirlklg ) on January 08, 2009 at 12:36 am

I am happy on how good the football team BUT I’m not happy about them bringing Bently back. Sure he’s the one that started how good the football team has gotten but why make the students at Byrnes suffer because of it. We have a really good coach now and is making a name for himself and Byrnes. I know when I was in school yeah it was good that we didnt have to carry around a lot of books BUT it made things tougher cause district 5 didnt have enough money to let the students take the books home, most classes had to leave the books in the classroom because they didnt have enough books for us to take home. I know I suffered from that being I couldnt study more. I also didnt like how we had to write EVERYTHING down that was done in class because the district was low on paper cost. Yeah I needed to learn to take notes and all of that BUT I found it harder to keep up with everything and to actually learn because of trying to write down what the teacher was saying. Now they are wanting to bring Bently back and pay him 90grand (money they dont have) to do a job they made up!! I found it a very stupid move!! I think they need to get things that students need instead of making up a job for a man that already has a job!!!! Just my thoughts!!

Report Inappropriate Comment

Posted by ( RODGER ) on January 07, 2009 at 6:00 pm

i THINK THE REBELS HAVE DONE PRETTY GOOD THE LAST 2 YEARS,WHY DO THEY NEED MR.BENTLEY BACK?

Report Inappropriate Comment

Posted by ( Bandmama ) on January 07, 2009 at 10:21 am

Don’t get me wrong…I like football, and Mr. Bentley. With all of the state cuts in education, that the district would CREATE a position for him is shameful. Now there is talk of freezing teacher pay, cutting bus driver pay…and who knows what else. As usual…D5 is putting all their efforts into football…instead of where it needs to be….which is educating our children. Wonder if they will give all of the other “extra” activity groups a $90,000 increase?

Report Inappropriate Comment

Posted by ( Lindabuckner ) on January 07, 2009 at 10:17 am

Just like there zero tolerance theme Byrnes had going on. That only applied to the ordinary students. It over looked the football team and band members. Dist 5 will do as they choose. Without anyones input.

Report Inappropriate Comment

Posted by ( usaproudtru ) on January 07, 2009 at 12:08 am

1 graduated from Byrnes in May of 08. i think it is ridiculous for the district to make up a job for bentley nand pay him 90 grand. My 2 younger brothers attend byrnes and they have told me they are cutting back in the clssrooms. How can the district cut back on student needs for bentley when he already had a job in college football? Where are the districts priorities?

Report Inappropriate Comment

Posted by ( Annette ) on January 06, 2009 at 11:05 pm

I’ll do it for 85. Call me.

Report Inappropriate Comment

Posted by ( Gigglebox ) on January 06, 2009 at 9:44 pm

OK, I like sports but come on, $90 grand? That’s just like the mentality of the SC education system. They will pay out for sports but won’t put in into our children’s education. That freaking ticks me off! Really, what is hoped to be accomplished here? Wonderful, another championship under the belt but the kids that don’t play get what? I know, a crappy education. Smooth move for the district… not!

Report Inappropriate Comment

Posted by ( dave ) on January 06, 2009 at 8:39 pm

Lets see on the front page of todays paper we see that he will get in the range of 90k a yr.On the UPSTATE page there is an article about the budget cuts"SC AGENCIES BRACE FOR DEEPER CUTS” it is to my knowlede that this is a new position in the school district.
but it is ok to cut jobs in other places,and funding where we really need it. Makes no since to me.

Report Inappropriate Comment