Definition of Irony: Great Things Uhl Has Done

By The Wanderer
Published/Last Modified on Monday, May 25, 2009 9:44 AM CDT

I think Uhl has got to have his face in the Webster's dictionary next to the word irony. It's very ironic that his presence at CHS has perhaps had the opposite effect on the school than originally intended. Let's look at the list of things that has happened since his arrival:

1. The entire football staff under David Comeaux is now gone. Result: a quarter-final-qualifying team is no longer playoff bound.

2. A ridiculously high faculty turnover every year. Result: faculty competence has diminished, confidence in CHS teachers has declined, and rally medal winners have dropped from a record high of 35 to 14.

3. A new rotating block schedule designed to give more class time to finish curriculum sooner. Result: little teacher preparation to counter resistance, and it was discontinued after one disastrous year.

4. A new yearbook moderator with more qualifications than the old one. Result: 2008 yearbook is not in yet, a year late.

5. A new development director unfamiliar with our ways. Result: fundraising is down and her contract was not renewed.

6. Hiring uncertified math teachers or math teachers without math majors. Result: teachers have quit mid-year, math tournament trophies and awards have dropped precipitously.

7. Uhl places no importance on academic (rally, science fair, social studies fair, math tournaments). Result: Doc resigned from directing science and social studies fair, rally, or math tournaments, awards have dropped, and no students went to the international fair for the first time in 30 years.

8. A new modified math program, pushed by Dr. Uhl. Result: the special Algebra I Part I & II classes dropped after one year and the teacher teaching them left after one year.

9. The unprofessional manner in which Uhl releases some teachers. Result: voluntary teacher flight has increased because CHS is perceived as an unstable place to work.

10. Uhl hires his own wife on the staff. Result: a whole Forum thread devoted to this, even though, by all accounts, she's an excellent volleyball coach.

People of New Iberia, I invite you to do two things: share your own stories of irony that involve Dr. Uhl; and then share them directly with Fr. Langlois, Superintendent Anna Larriviere, and Bishop Michael Jarrell. There are probably many more I have not covered; they need to be exposed. As John Milton once wrote in "Areopagitica," all ideas should surface so that the good ones may rise to the top and the bad ones sink to the bottom. Let the ideas commence.

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Comments

Concerned about Chrisitanity at CHS wrote on Jun 1, 2009 10:53 PM:

" To Dedalus: Does Uhl promote the Christian Values of the School? Since his first year, he still has not hired a Director of Religious Education, even though he told the Religion Department teachers he would hire someone. We are going on year four and still no DRE for CHS. What does that say about our Catholic School? What Christian Principal has the maintenance man pull down the Stations of the Cross made by students and throw them in the dumpster because they were hung with tape and might mess up the new paint job? "

Whos Leaving This Year wrote on May 31, 2009 11:19 PM:

" The list is as follows: Clarisse Guillory, Mrs. McCoy, Gayle Clement, Becky Blanchard, Danielle Ware, Shelly LeBlanc, Tiffany Wattigny, Jennifer Delcambre, David Jordan, Jodi Suire, Kateri Williams, Paige Billeaud. That's twelve, and I guarantee you, it will climb. The irony is that this madness would end if only one job was replaced.... "

to Dadelus wrote on May 31, 2009 10:40 PM:

" I do have a job and my superior has more than earned my respect. Uhl has not. If Uhl has respect, why have 60 teachers and staff moved on? Some for financial reasons, some for personal reasons, but do you think THAT many would leave if the right man were in charge? Respect? Please. "

simply stated wrote on May 31, 2009 10:53 AM:

" To Dedalus
Respect is something that is earned. Respect for a position will erode if the person who inhabits that position is not worthy of it. Uhl by his arrogance and but mostly his ineptness as an administrator has lost the respect of many and should go.
To say we should wait and see how much further he can take our school down is simply idiotic. Ph.D. or not, HE IS SIMPLY A BAD PRINCIPAL, let's move on. "

to Dadelus wrote on May 31, 2009 8:08 AM:

" The only person who sounds high and mighty is you. A man who cared about Christian values (remember to capitalize) and students would NEVER have allowed the unruly behavior of the 8th grade students at their graduation to continue. He would have addressed them firmly to behave. The epitomy of callousness is Uhl. "

Dedalus wrote on May 30, 2009 5:28 PM:

" Respect is called for here. Respect the principals that operate in your schools. He is doing a great job. Give him a chance to succeed. By 3 years your just getting your ground, you know that! Stop being callous toward this man who does care about students and christian values. I wish someone was this hard on some of you in your jobs if you even have one.....give up being high and mighty. "

Isnt it ironical wrote on May 29, 2009 6:38 PM:

" Isn't it ironical that people forget prayer when it may have been the answer all along. Please go to the Grotto to pray Sunday at 7:30. Prayer is powerfull. "

Wow wrote on May 29, 2009 8:44 AM:

" Well, this is ironic! Uhl spoke to Mrs. Indest and she agreed to stay. He did something good for once. He must be in the hot seat. "

Changes wrote on May 28, 2009 11:55 AM:

" I found an old email from 2007, and here's a hint of what Uhl started back then:
1. Changed Academic Banquet to cookies & cake (let's not reward our students, after all.)
2. At Academic Pep Rally, took away all GPA categories (let's not reward the 60% of students who qualified.)
3. Ordered Doc not to feed the Science & Social Studies Fair winners as in the past.
4. Quit giving shirts to Rally participants.
5. Reduced the number of medals given to students in subjects.
That was just a hint, and no one listened. It's gotten a lot worse. "

Its Not Sudden wrote on May 28, 2009 11:51 AM:

" When Uhl began making changes to CHS in 2007, there were parents who warned about his changes. This is not a new phenomenon; it's simply one that has grown to its present chorus. I just hope there are enough people out there who actually care about the school to do something. "

To Dedalus wrote on May 28, 2009 11:44 AM:

" I've no doubt that Uhl is smart, but does he promote the Christian values of the school? Does he retain the best and the brightest teachers? Does he encourage his teachers when he tells them it's not your job performance, it's just that you cost too much? What rise in scores have we seen? Have we seen ANY scores? What has he done to bring the school to a new level of excellence? Nothing, nada, zip! "

To Dedalus wrote on May 28, 2009 9:12 AM:

" Do you realize this is going on 3+ years? I was very much in favor of change and giving Uhl the chance he deserved. But if he can't/won't become more of a concensus builder, motivator, transformational leader and administrator that our loyal faith community then perhaps he's not the right person for the job. Even if I don't personally have a problem with any items on the list above - the general unrest that persists is enough to say his time is up. Where I work, loss of confidence in abilities and being ineffective is grounds for dismissal. "

Uhl is Smart wrote on May 28, 2009 9:05 AM:

" If Uhl is so smart, Dadelus, why is there a money problem at CHS? Why have so many teachers who willingly took low pay for years left? You say have patience? We've had three years of Uhl, and what grand solutions or great achievements has he brought us? Newspaper articles about swastikas, endless forum postings, and ex-teachers heaping justifiable complaints about his inexperience, condescending attitude, financial mismanagement, parental disregard, and nepotism. If it means we have to be perfect to be justified in complaining, then the world would never improve. "

Ironic School Board wrote on May 27, 2009 10:19 PM:

" And another thing: some school board members stood up to Uhl, with the end result being two being removed and one quit. Great way to protect the kids, Uhl. Thanks. "

Dedalus wrote on May 27, 2009 7:02 PM:

" Suddenly everyone jumps on the band wagon against Uhl. Poor souls who have nothing to do but put another down.....Dr. Uhl is a very smart man and you all lack patience and understanding. You lack in the area of constructive ideas and solutions for the school. Let him who is perfect throw the first stone. Change can be good......remember, patience and understanding is what is needed, not bashing a professional. "

Lynn wrote on May 27, 2009 4:21 PM:

" To: Say What....I believe the person who said public education was free means that you don't have to pay a monthly tuition like you do at Cathollic High. In other words, you're already paying taxes that pay for public school, why pay additional money for school is probably the point. "

IBFORCHS wrote on May 27, 2009 12:05 PM:

" I think the ones who interviewed Uhl for the job should be the ones leading the charge to get rid of him. I know a few of them have been let go, but they all should be doing everything that they can to get him out now. After the interview and hiring they all were kissing up to Uhl, to see which one could be one of his court jesters. If Uhl had stopped suddenly most of them would have broken thier noses on his butt. "

May 29th is Coming wrote on May 27, 2009 8:13 AM:

" I really hope we find out more things from teachers who are leaving coming May 29th. They'll finally have the freedom to speak their minds. "

Say What wrote on May 27, 2009 7:19 AM:

" 'scuse me...Public school is in no way free of charge. A very large chunk of the taxes we are forced to pay goes to education. Just a clarification. "

Hows This wrote on May 26, 2009 9:30 PM:

" Here's another comment. Uhl was brought in partly because donations were down under Ivy, and Uhl would bring back the money. Result: fundraising is down so much that Uhl's had to let go of staff and personnel. People just won't give money as long as he's there. Ironic. "

An Answer Please wrote on May 26, 2009 8:03 PM:

" Can someone please tell me or the world exactly what has happened financially to CHS that it needs to remove an elementary administrator, a guidance counselor, and a guidance secretary? Where has the money gone? Has someone not budgeted things correctly? Don't tell me it's just the economy, that's a cover. What did someone know and when did they know it? "

Heres Another wrote on May 26, 2009 8:00 PM:

" This one can go with #1, the sports issue.

Ms. Arabie takes the girls soccer team the farthest they ever went in playoffs. Result: Uhl removed her as soccer coach, causing her to leave the school, which lost an excellent coach and math teacher.

Ironic way of rewarding excellence, don't you think? "

Why not go public wrote on May 26, 2009 7:14 PM:

" I don't understand why people who are so discontent with CHS don't try our public schools. There's a lot of good things going on in them! Why pay for an education when it is available to you free of charge? If religion is the issue, then teach your children the faith yourself and make it a family activity! "

Irony wrote on May 26, 2009 5:23 PM:

" How's this for irony? (It's been said before, but it's still true.) The teacher who was on the committee that picked Uhl is leaving CHS. She can at least escape the situation; most of us are stuck with Uhl. "

wiseone wrote on May 26, 2009 2:50 PM:

" To Frank: I no longer have children in school either. I think the point of the parents is to keep their kids in their school and for the school to improve. It is not easy to pull your kids from where they are established. Personally, my five children all attended NISH in the Honors program, all qualified for TOPS, all graduated from LSU. Both public and private schools produce good students. I am Catholic as are many staff and students from this area who attend/work in the public schools. "

Remember Father Alfred wrote on May 26, 2009 2:11 PM:

" Aren't you the same group of parents who caused the removal of Father Alfred and Sister Michelle from St. Edwards School? By the way, Father Alfred is doing just fine in New Orleans.
I guess this is another case of "What goes around comes around". Good Luck, it seems like Principal Uhl are treating you parents the way you deserve. "

Frank Rizzo wrote on May 26, 2009 6:46 AM:

" I don't have children in school anymore, but I know that money talks. Take your kids out of the school if it is so bad. Whoever is in control of the tuition will get the message. "

Thanks wrote on May 25, 2009 11:46 PM:

" Wanderer, you've nailed Uhl on the head. Wonder what else he's done. "

Disappointed Parent wrote on May 25, 2009 10:00 PM:

" Seems so many negative comments have been posted recently about Dr Uhl that someone in control of his activities should step forward and take charge of the situation. Poor leadership results demands attention and seems that's not happening. CHS is deminishing and the students are paying the price mainly because of one person. "

Edward Jones wrote on May 25, 2009 9:27 PM:

" CHS is falling just like the Dow Jones... to be perfectly honest... if we wait too much longer it may fall to far. Someone do something about this problem... "

CaptainCourageous wrote on May 25, 2009 4:05 PM:

" You also forget, sir, that since Tim Uhl has been at CHS, the spiritual atmosphere of the school, once characterized as a family environment, has dissipated to almost nothing.

All because Uhl has no respect for the conservative Catholic traditions of south Louisiana.

Yet Fr. Langois keeps him on board. "

Finally wrote on May 25, 2009 3:22 PM:

" A list of abuses or mistakes by Uhl. It's about time. People should read this list and add to it. There must be more. "

proud american wrote on May 25, 2009 2:41 PM:

" I removed my child from CHS 4 years ago because I was paying for a service I was not receiving. This school has been falling for years.
I witnessed first hand some of CHS students temper tantrums after losing at sporting events. I to fell for Catholic education baloney. My child begged me to go to public school and I'm so glad I listened. SO HERE 'S AN IDEA STOP WAISTING YOUR MONEY. BELEIVE ME YOUR CHILD WILL THANK YOU!!!!!! GOD BLESS. "

I couldnt have said it better wrote on May 25, 2009 1:17 PM:

" Yet, he is still the principal.How ironical is that! "

Lem wrote on May 25, 2009 11:06 AM:

" WOW!!! I know there is often two sides to a story. If what was posted above is untrue, or a half truth, then someone needs to go down the list, and debunk all of this one by one. If not I will believe it to be the truth. "

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Definition of Irony: Great Things Uhl Has Done

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