Southern York County Life

mamma - 06 April 2008 12:02 AM

The 33 names are posted as a list interviewed on top of the exit interviews.

And without the names being attached to any of the interviews directly makes them all a bunch of mostly meaningless media fodder.

Here’s a perfect example:
“I was actually bullied. There was lying going around to the superintendent about me. I was in fear of my job because of the lies.”

Without this said person coming forward in name and personally stating this for public record, it all is just a bunch of hearsay without any credibility. Names, dates, times, witnesses and everything else are needed in order to validate it. They also better be prepared for their own, and every witness they have’s personnel files, records, et al. to be opened for public view.  This person certainly could have a good case if it is all true; if not, then there could be possible recrimination for libel and/or slander.

mamma - 06 April 2008 12:02 AM

It was students first idea not to post names with the exact response.

Maybe so, but I really doubt this. I don’t think any of the ones interviewed that possibly have any real “issue” has the guts to back their statements in public. Again, if this all were true, then someone should have the gall to step forward. The reason that no one has gives me the impression that none of this has any real proof to stand on other than their own personal feelings, opinion, and/or agenda.

mamma - 06 April 2008 12:02 AM

Many of the professionals were at the board meeting when the interview responses were presented.

And not one of them stepped forward to individually present and validate any of their statements. Why even bother to show up?

mamma - 06 April 2008 12:02 AM

There are former teachers that attend every board meeting - not for fun but because they care and live in the district.

There are many citizens that also do this.

mamma - 06 April 2008 12:02 AM

My suggestion to both of you would be that you attend the meetings and talk to some of the former teachers that are there in person not on some forum.

I have and do attend meetings and have talked to both former and current teachers.

My suggestion to you is to ask some of the former teachers you speak of why they hide behind a bunch of general statements and anonymity instead of stepping up to the plate and taking the stand.

Carl,
Why on earth do you think these people should step forward for you to hear their story?  Are you on the school board?  Many of these who left have made their contact and moved on to a district that they can work to the fullest potential in.  I don’t think you understand how many contacts have been made to school board members by phone, letter and requesting visits.  The school board is the only group that can make decisions regarding bullying by the superintendent, not you Carl.  If you really did talk to former teachers you will hear about their contacts to the board.

The steady stream of excuses when these former employees have told their story to board members is exactly the reason students first focuses exclusively on the facts.  The facts will speak for themselves.  Every former employee listed on the exit interviews would be willing to talk to you Carl - please call them for the details you want.  The data we collect is provided by SESD to PDE.  Every PA district must provide information to PDE so whether you agree with the statistics or not is irrelevant.

I wish you the best of luck.  You need to stand up for what you believe in.  I am of the opinion that if you see something so wrong and do not step in you are a part of that.  I will continue to step in for the sake of the students and professionals in the district but not from this forum.

mamma - 06 April 2008 12:48 PM

Why on earth do you think these people should step forward for you to hear their story?

Why should they expect us to believe them if they don’t? The burden of proof always lies with the person who is making a claim, not the person who is hearing the claim.

Sorry for the delayed post.  It has been a long couple of days.

Here’s another one - JPC!

Blame leaders for loss of teachers
Daily Record/Sunday News
Article Last Updated: 04/05/2008 02:09:23 AM EDT

words, words, words, blah, blah, blah, blah

JOANNE FULLAM
RED LION

I am not sure what you are telling me?  That a response to letter to the editor of the YDR, written by a resident of Red Lion is actually applicable to this?  That is as effective as ‘Free Tibet’ signs in a Walmart parking lot.

But, back to the question of these folks coming forward at a board meeting.  I can think of a few reasons.  Maybe they still live in the district.  Maybe the Supt wasnt really told the truth in the whole exit process in order to guarantee a good reference.  I dont know, maybe a lot of reasons.  But since that time, we hear a lot of noise from some people in the name of ‘Caring for the School District and the Kids’.  I find it a strange dichotomy that the people that have spoken the loudest about how horrible thier job was, and how terrible the environment was, didnt make the same complaints while they worked there.  There are laws that protect employees that file grievances that are valid.  I do believe that the discussion of this has brought to light some important issues, and there does seem to be some motion in a new direction.  But I dont see how it is going to do anything positive for anyone.  And in the meantime, some of the very POSITIVE efforts of SETC are being ignored.  At what point in time does it become more productive to attempt to build something up rather than to tear it down?

Why should they expect us to believe them if they don’t? The burden of proof always lies with the person who is making a claim, not the person who is hearing the claim.

Moreover, the accused has the right to face thier accuser

C

Page 1 Delta Star Thursday, April 10, 2008

Former South Eastern Principal Loses Certification

A former South Eastern School District principal recently lost his ability to teach in Pennsylvania, allegedly for an inappropriate relationship more than two years ago. 

Russell J. Sowers surrendered his teaching certificate in February, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Sowers, who had served as principal initially at Delta-Peach Bottom Elementary School and then at Stewartstown Elementary, resigned from the local district in 2006.

According to the Department of Education, he is accused of having an improper relationship with a minor who was not under his supervision as a professional.

The PDE documents state that Sowers denies the accusation.

Sowers’ alleged involvement with a minor did not involve any district student.

According to state law, teachers can lose their licenses even if they are never charged with a crime.  Sowers has not been charged in any Pennsylvania or Maryland courts.

That particular article was in the YDR several days ago.  I dont know that there were many people that cried when Mr. Sowers left the district two or three years ago.  His relationship with the staff was always contentious at best.  He was misogynistic and truly treated the staff like chattel.  There are very few people that I truly dislike, and he is one of them.  On more than one occasion my wife came home in tears over something he had done.