Category Archives: workplace bullying

23

Sep. ’13

State Super has Md parent arrested…

… at Common Core forumparent, parent becomes cause celebre.

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Last week in Maryland a parent was arrested and charged with second degree assault on a police officer after speaking out at a town hall meeting organized by the local education board and Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Lillian M. Lowery.  Like most town hall forums, this meeting was a sham, where the officials would only answer pre-selected, politically correct answers that they approved of. Questions from the audience of about 160 people, which consisted of parents, PTA members, teachers, and school administrators, were submitted on cards prior to and during the 1-1/2 hour meeting for the Q&A period which lasted about 40 minutes.

The meeting was about a new style of curriculum that is being implemented at public schools called “common core”.  Many critics have accused this new curriculum of dumbing down the material, which would go along with the progression that we have seen over the past several generations.

Robert Small, age 46, was one of the only parents with the courage to speak up, despite the fact that many other parents cheered him on.

“Look, I am being manhandled and shut down because I asked inconvenient questions,” Small said. “Why won’t they allow an open forum where there can be a debate? We are told to sit there and be lectured to about how great common core is.”

As he was being taken out, Small said, We’re sick of this. This is not a CNN political game. This is a public town hall… Listen, don’t stand for this. You’re sitting here like cattle. You have questions.  Confront them.They don’t want to do it in public….Parents, you need to question these people….Do the research,.Then he said, “Is this America?”  Research on common core can be found >>here<<

Mr. Small was arrested after being removed from the auditorium and charged with second degree assault of a police officer and a second charge of disrupting a school function.

The video clearly shows that, if anyone was aggressive, it was the security guard, not Mr. Small. What may have happened out in the hall however, is unknown.

In the second video clip (click here), you can hear multiple parents call out how their question was not read and they were ignored.

There will be one more out of four Common Core meetings hosted by county school boards in Maryland.  This one is on October 1 in Prince George’s County.  Click here for more info.

ANALYSIS

Proponents of the standards are still struggling to explain the initiative to parents, many of whom say they’ve never even heard of Common Core.  Arguments for and against the new standards have had little impact on public opinion because, according to a Gallup survey of public schools, 62 percent of Americans have never heard of the Common Core. With the debate now shifting to the alignment of high-stakes tests to the Common Core Standards, people on both sides of the issue agree that the battle for the hearts and minds of parents will be crucial.

As you have seen in the video the questioning from Mr. Small was for the better of the community. However, he was cut short and forcefully removed plus charged with criminal offense. There was no need for leadership to act that way. The Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE) is out of control and it is accountable to no one in the State.  What has really gotten stuck in our craws most has been the imperial, patronizing manner in which the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE) leadership has been conducting its business. Superintendent Lillian M. Lowery arrived more than one (1) year ago spouting transparency and community engagement, but what we’ve mostly gotten has been something far less. Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE) President Dr. Charlene Dukes and the MSBE set the stage by surreptitiously hiring full time staff members to lobby the state Legislature to increase the power of the MSBE to impose working conditions to cover their own diabolical acts because they are not elected but selected. So far they have succeeded and this trend must be reversed.

The MSBE and President Charlene Duke’s leadership and their cohorts are like a junta ruling by fiat, disconnected from the community denizens. They are not elected by anyone and aren’t fooling everybody with their placating, after-the-fact patchwork rationales that diametrically contradict their own actions. The only transparency that has come to light is that they think that teachers, parents and the public are that gullible, or just not as smart as a third-grader. In the process, they appear disingenuous and are only losing credibility and fomenting distrust.

The person who should have been charged in the above video was the security guard. He had no right to be pushing the speaker. Also, he was getting in his face like a typical thug who wanted to fight. The parents whose rights are violated like this should take a stand and sue them for violating the law. If we do not start standing up to these people, they will assume more and more power. Tax payer dollars made that meeting public. People can leave if they are bothered by his questions.

The hearings have been taking place been between 7pm- 8:30pm as indicated below in the past schedule. A word of  caution though, the meetings may not be teacher-friendly, but we certainly hope for the presence of retired teachers and other professionals to turn out in the last meeting on October 1, 2013.

If you want change to happen, stay engaged with the Maryland State Board of Education system and ask tough questions. Elected officials definitely needs to get involved and demand changes concerning transparency and accountability initiatives in the State level. As seen here in Prince George’s County, corruption is the order of the day in the State level and involves money meant to help the children but has been directed elsewhere. Maryland State Board of Education is the mother ship of corruption and discrimination. Parents and Elected officials must create accountability mechanism and demand tough changes to roll back the trend. For those who missed their chance, the October 1, 2013 meeting at Charles H. Flowers High School in Prince George’s County is the last one, here has been the schedule:

Easton High School in Talbot County on Sept. 10.

Forums will also be held  Sept. 16 at South Hagerstown High School in Washington County

Sept. 19 at Ridge Ruxton School in Baltimore County.

The final discussion will be held for the Washington DC region on October 1, 2013 at Charles H. Flowers High School in Prince George’s County.

Read more >> Examiner >> Washington post

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Dr. Lillian M. Lowery Maryland State Superintendent  of schools has shown very poor leadership skills and received an F grade for Common Core meetings so far.

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Posted by . Categories: Accountability, Corruption and cover up Report in PGCPS, Corruption in Education, Embattled Superintendent, Inspector General, Lawlessness, Morally dead situation, Prince George's County Chapter, Protest, Public Rally, Rot that is PGCPS Sasscer, School Bus Driver loses control, stakeholde​r meetings, Union corruption, workplace bullying. Tags: , , , , . 43 Comments

11

Aug. ’13

Teaching for change and deep learning.

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In a hard-hitting essay, Anthony Cody describes how accountability has been turned into a weapon to create demoralization, failure, and privatization of public schools.

He reviews the recent fiascos involving Tony Bennett and New York’s Common Core testing.

He notes that both the AFT and the NEA are trying hard to meet the demands of the corporate reformers. Both are trying to help teachers prepare for the Common Core sledge hammer, but Cody says it is a fruitless enterprise. The game is rigged. The reformers’ goal is to generate failure so they can advance privatization.

Cody writes:

“Our response must be, as members of the teaching profession, and as members of the unions that represent educators, to reject as baseless these phony, politically-driven accountability systems. These systems to rate schools based on proficiency rates are really much more accurately reflecting levels of poverty, rather than the quality of teaching in effect. Many of those advocating them are, like Tony Bennett, attempting to promote their own favored competitors, in a race in which they have made themselves the rule-makers and referees.

“When someone sets up a competition that is rigged from the start, our response cannot be to ask for more time to prepare. The answer is to expose the machinery at work behind the scenes, and demand that our schools be accountable not to some state or federal bureaucrat, but to the students and parents of their communities. We will not overcome poverty by firing those who have chosen to work with the poor. Our schools and students need support, not more means by which they can be ranked and rejected. Real support from our unions means educating and organizing members to respond with vigor and pride about our students, our schools, and our work as professionals. Teachers cannot “succeed” under these systems because that is not their design. So rather than trying to prepare for tests many of our schools were never meant to pass, we need to prepare teachers to defend and reclaim their schools, and reject the accountability scam.

Even though we do not fully agree with the article, We think there are some points to consider. However, every situation is different compared to what we have seen here in PGCPS District. The current top-down approach to education governance is the hallmark of an authoritarian, not a democratic egalitarian society! Our country is at its best when we have egalitarian institutions which rely on the collective wisdom of the participants, in this case the teachers, students and their parents, to make the important decisions to transform the institutions into something more effective for those participants.

Above all, we should never neglect the will of the homeless youth in Education. Many homeless youth face difficulties attending school because of legal guardianship requirements, residency requirements, improper records, and lack of transportation. As a result, homeless youth face severe challenges in obtaining an education and supporting themselves emotionally and financially including with testing requirements. Many of these disadvantaged children are at a different level all together. Let us be fair to all people.

What do you think? Are our high poverty schools being set up for yet another round of condemnations without proper leadership? Aren’t we ready for new union leadership in PGCPS? How should we — and our FUTURE NEW union leaders — respond? What are your views especially with our current unions here in PG County which seem not to work anymore and appear to be serving special interests? What about ASASP, MSEA , PGCEA and other unions who seem to be involved in corrupt enterprise a long with Thatcher Law firm? What role should our law makers play in creating accountability for all players in this mess? What about the failed grievance system in PGCPS? Any ideas?

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The most important thing in communication is to hear
what is not being said.

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ASASP

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Impunity and injustices have permeated all spheres of our society. We are really in a sorry state of affairs.

Posted by . Categories: Accountability, Corruption and cover up Report in PGCPS, Corruption in Education, Education Forum, Lawlessness, Morally dead situation, PGCPS Audacity to squander, Pgcps corruption, Pgcps Mess, Rot that is PGCPS Sasscer, sex in the school premises, Union corruption, workplace bullying. Tags: , , . Leave a comment

17

Jun. ’13

Union accountability is needed now.

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Weingarten rights don’t mean anything any more to PGCPS and all other unions in PG county Maryland.

There is no victory without honor. Never give in, never give up, Never in nothing, great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force, Never yield to coercion nor tyranny of galvanized racial emotions as shown by previous Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) management led Ms. Verjeana Jacobs and Dr. William Hite Jr.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of COMFORT and CONVINIENCE but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. This is one reason why we are demanding change of leadership in ACE-AFSCME Local 2250 and other unions in Maryland.

If you do not know the truth when you find it, you will follow the one with the greatest story. It has been happening in Prince George’s County public schools politics, Union business and religion etc …we have been following the person who sounds the best and with the most money only to be duped. That is how we screwed up in the last Board of Education elections. Picking our leaders in PG County is a display of charisma and developed skills of persuasion, not evidence and TRUTH. But despite all the evidence that seems to be to the contrary, ONCE you take a stand on SUBSTANCE and TRUTH, the WORLD will come after you.

Misery loves company and finding the truth about the lie of racism and political quackery and opportunists in PGCPS District will make those in misery jealous and angry with you. They will call you names, because that is all they have left. The only power they have now is our fear of being called names. At the very hind of being, “Hater, mean spirited, activist, or any other of their very colorful names, we back up and apologize. Let’s stop backing up and stop apologizing and tell these racists idiots they are not going to destroy our community with their gullibility, ignorance and misplaced naive vanity emotions. Prince George’s County belongs to all of us whether we are White, Black, Latino, Asian etc. On this note, We must learn to create a sense of community and compassion for the most vulnerable in society. As we continue to work with everyone in PG County to celebrate the diversity that we love as Marylanders and help bring the nations of the world together.

We need to face the fact that we have for so long been misled by con-racist demigods, and many people whom we respected. That is the only way conmen can succeed, by getting us to respect them.

However this is a MORAL universe, and despite all the evidence that seems to be to the contrary, there is no way that evil and injustice and oppression and lies and impunity and emotional racist tyrannies can have the last WORD.

This is why we are asking the ACE-AFSCME Local 2250 membership to ask the union henchmen identified here (Mr. James Spears and Mr. Daniel Besseck) to step aside to allow proper investigations to occur. The Union Executives sleeping with their subordinates and making innocent workers pregnant without check, must also step aside. It’s time!

LOCAL 2250

LEGISLATION NEEDED

  • Support increased penalty for contraband in jails, prisons and especially schools.
  • Support strong penalties for union executives and administrators who sit on grievances with serious implication and danger for the society.
  • Reform Sasscer Movement would be interested in working with the legislature to explore the state’s ability to prosecute gang members within the school district who have connection with the jails.

“But the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing, or dig their heads in the sand like an ostrich!” ~  Benji Ndoloh

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Posted by . Categories: ASASP UNION, Corruption in Education, Lawlessness, Pgcps corruption, Pgcps Mess, Rot that is PGCPS Sasscer, Union corruption, Union henchman threatens Beloved Maryland Senator., workplace bullying. Tags: , , , , , , . 10 Comments

15

Jun. ’13

Superintendent of Philly Sued again by Former Principal.

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The Bed hopping love – Rat – Roving eyes at younger female Principal

Former Superintendent William Hite is now the new Superintendent in Philadelphia but he still got legal ties in Washington DC Metropolitan area: Several lawsuits against Prince George’s County Public schools (PGCPS) and Dr. William Hite Jr are currently pending in both Prince George’s County Circuit and Federal Courts in Greenbelt Maryland. The School Reform Commission (SRC) of The School District of Philadelphia made no mention of Hite’s spotty history nor of the suits when they hired him in 2012. Reading this post made me tired. There really is so much drama and cronyism involving Dr. Hite and what he did during his tenure in Prince George’s County. A serious look and an exposé by Philadelphia newspapers and others about Hite is long overdue.  Hite also has connection with Broad Foundation. We are sure many more facts will come up in Philadelphia as the time goes on.

On this note, Carol Barbour, former assistant principal/principal alleges that Dr. William Hite removed her name from a list of candidates to be considered for PGCPS positions after receiving an extremely negative review of her work from a colleague in North Carolina, where Barbour once worked. Barbour is Latina, a fact that Dr. Hite said he was unaware of despite meeting with her in her office, and she is alleging discrimination. In fact, Carol Barbor was criticized as being missing in action by the parents at the North Carolina school where she was principal (at the instigation of Dr. Hite’s friend). See story HERE. (Carol Barbour Affidavit)

Make sure you read it all because at the end of the post includes information on YET ANOTHER lawsuit filed by PGCPS Principals which we brought to your attention in November 2012.  I’ll paste it right here:  There have been new developments in that $100 million federal lawsuit alleging racial and sex discrimination by Hite and the Prince George’s County School Board. At the initiation of Association of Supervisory and Administrative School Personnel (ASASP) Union, the law suit was filed in November and it was withdrawn by the group in April 2013. (See our previous blog on the case here) Doris Reed, director of the Association of Supervisory and Administrative School Personnel, said last week that she and Prince George’s officials are working to get their members, who were part of the class-action suit, back to work.”

From Philly.com, “Carol Barbour, 44, of Upper Marlboro, Md., is slapping Hite, 51, with a Second federal lawsuit, accusing him of defamation and other charges including conspiracy. (See the entire complaint ~>Second federal lawsuit<~here) The claims stem from a federal lawsuit Barbour filed in March 2012 against Hite and his previous employer, Prince George’s County Public Schools, alleging racial and age discrimination as well as retaliation. (See First complaint here – the other case)

Barbour, who is Latina, worked for Prince George’s County schools as an assistant principal and principal from 2002 to 2005. She claims to have applied for more than 20 jobs there since 2008. Hite worked for Prince George’s County schools from 2006 until 2012, when he came to Philly. What is not fully being disclosed is also a hint of sexual harassment – a  trade mark of the infamous and capricious Hite.

It was during the proceedings in the first case that Hite, who “had agreed, then unagreed” to answer email questions from Barbour’s attorney, Richard Patrick, signed a sworn statement that is the basis of the most recent lawsuit, said Patrick, of Fairfax, Va. In the affidavit signed March 28 by Hite, the superintendent acknowledges that he knows Peter Gorman, the head of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, where Barbour once worked, and is also named in the suit.

Dr. Hite Sideways

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Hite categorically stated he called Gorman for a reference and Gorman “specifically said that Ms. Barbour was ‘one of the worst principals he had ever been associated with’ and he said she was ‘terrible.’ “Gorman’s negative reference prompted Hite to instruct the Prince George’s County former human-resources chief Synthia Shilling who was caught drunk driving to remove Barbour’s name from “any list of candidates for positions to ensure that she was not hired,” according to the affidavit. (See Affidavit of William R. Hite Jr here)

Hite said he had no idea Barbour was Latina. “We were baffled,” Patrick said yesterday. “We did not know until his affidavit that that was why Ms. Barbour did not get any job at Prince George’s County.” Barbour’s evaluations from Charlotte-Mecklenburg, filed in the first lawsuit, show that Barbour received a “proficient” rating in her only year as principal of Winget Park Elementary School. The evaluation was signed by Elva Cooper. She was eligible for rehire by the North Carolina district, according to notations made on the school’s letter accepting her resignation.

“You really don’t know why it was said,” Patrick said, referring to Hite’s remark. “The second lawsuit is going to find out.” To the county employees victimized in similar fashion during Dr. William Hite’s reign of terror in Prince George’s County public schools, Carol Barbour is a “hero” to many. She deserves recognition for going after the barbaric and self-serving behavior exhibited by former king pin of public school system PGCPS and thatcher Law firm heads on. How can Dr. Hite say he did not know Carol Barbour was Hispanic or latina when he met her and he is very familiar with people of Hispanic origin with a large Hispanic population in Prince George’s County? It begs the question, did this lady stop Dr. Hite’s advances?… Time will tell.

Philadelphia School District spokesman Fernando Gallard referred comment to Hite’s Maryland attorney, Robert Baror. Phone calls to Baror were not returned.

It’s high time we exposed Dr. William Hite Jr. Students, parents and staff of Philadelphia deserve better. He already messed up PGCPS before moving on to the next victims. It’s high time to stop the behavior heads on!

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From left: Karyn Lynch, chief of student service for the Philadelphia school district, Dr. William Hite Jr., school superintendent, and Dannielle Floyd, interim senior vice president of capital programs, answer attendees questions at the School District of Philadelphia’s Facilities Master Plan Meeting held at the Martin Luther King High School on Jan. 15. (Photo by Sue Ann Rybak)

Posted by . Categories: Accountability, Corruption in Education, Dr.William Hites jr., Education Forum, Embattled Superintendent, Morally dead situation, PGCPS Audacity to squander, Pgcps corruption, Rot that is PGCPS Sasscer, Union corruption, William Hite & His women, workplace bullying. Tags: , , , , , , . 4 Comments

11

Jun. ’13

Another PGCPS Employee Arrested for Sexual Contact with Student.

Steven Ray Poe

Steven Ray Poe, a 36-year-old Lanham man and the student allegedly engaged in sexual conduct for more than a month. Photo: Prince George’s County Police

Another employee a janitor this time around at a Prince George’s County high school has been charged with sexual abuse after a 15-year-old student. She told police she had a sexual relationship with him.

Charging documents indicate that Steven Ray Poe, a 36-year-old Lanham man (Pictured above), repeatedly engaged in sexual acts with the victim on the DuVal High School campus, including both on school grounds and inside his apartment.

The relationship allegedly started in late April, when Prince George’s County Police say Poe and the victim began talking causally on campus. Those brief conversations led to the student giving Poe her phone number.

During their conversations, though, Poe repeatedly advised the student to delete any text messages she received from him, according to the charging documents. However, the alleged relationship was revealed when authorities say the victim’s mother went through the girl’s phone and found text messages between her and Poe.

The documents say that about two weeks ago, Poe and the defendant met in a janitor’s closet on campus, where they hugged and kissed. That scene was repeated a few days later; during that encounter, though, Poe allegedly touched the student inappropriately.

Police say Poe and the student then engaged in sexual activity twice more. The next instance happened on either May 25 or 26 at Poe’s Lanham apartment. A week later, sometime between June 3 and 7, police say the two once again met in a janitor’s closet; during that encounter, police say the two had another sexual encounter.

He has been charged with third-degree sexual offenses and second-degree assault.

(Read more Washington post) (Read more Bowie Patch) (Read more PGCP Dept) (Read more ABC News7) (Read more WUSA9) (Read more CBS) (Read more NBC4)

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Reform Sasscer movement is outraged by the negligence of the Prince George’s County School System in this morally dead situation. The problems have now manifested themselves into physical harm for the children. Urgent  intervention is required by our New Board of Education Chairman to look into these episodes and to avoid further harm to innocent victims. We do understand that change is gradual.  However, this is a state of emergency.  The Prince George’s County School System has established over time that its influence is not only harmful to the educational futures of the children; but also the physical welfare of the students. (Read more)
Posted by . Categories: "Ashes to ashes", Corruption and cover up Report in PGCPS, Corruption in Education, Fight Racism, Homeless youth, Inspector General, Lawlessness, Morally dead situation, Pgcps corruption, Pgcps Mess, Protest, Union corruption, workplace bullying. Tags: , , , , . Leave a comment

11

May. ’13

The Rot that is PGCPS Sasscer.

The Epicenter of the PGCPS Corruption:

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PGCPS Chief Board of Education Legal Counsel and manipulator of Labor relations office – Abbey Hairston.

There are serious problems with our education system today in Prince George’s County public schools (PGCPS). The school system, whether discussing the schools or the Unions, within the PGCPS school district offer perspective that is not cordial to the perspective of students, staff and parents of the community. Most teachers enter the education field armed with enthusiasm, hope and a desire to positively impact the children. The agents of PGCPS have proven through their conduct that all teachers don’t share those characteristics. But what is more regretful is that some of the teachers who do have those characteristics are antagonized for their virtues and/or penalized in their efforts to spread those virtues.

If only for the sake of ensuring accountability and redress, these issues need to be brought to light. The School system’s compliance with its duty to the community has to be achieved. But more importantly, it has to be prioritized in a proper and in an accountable way. A rush to create an additional 15 positions directly answerable to the board as a whole or its members only and without proper scrutiny by the incoming leaders et al, is an affront to undermine the future leadership using corruption. The PGCPS Board led by Ms. Verjeana Jacobs has similar characteristics to those of Miller County schools and Dekalb schools in Georgia.

The reformation of the PGCPS unions is a necessary step in the reconstruction; the lack of representation provided by the unions and their inadequate grievance address will not fit, or be tolerated, in the reformation. While this article won’t be able to address all of the problems in the PGCPS education system, the elevation of Mr. James Whattam as the Director of Labor Relations is a start. Mr. James Whattam, who retired from Maryland State Educator Association, is awarded by PGCPS with a paycheck for his protection of corruption. In exchange, PGCPS maintains status quo or advances the corruption. When James Whattam could no longer forward the corrupt objectives of PGCPS, he was vested with the privilege of appointing someone who would continue the tradition. Mr. Damon Felton Esq was pleased to continue in James Whattam’s destructive footsteps at the Maryland State Educator Association (MSEA). There is clear conflict of interest, regardless of the angle from which you examine Mr. Felton’s appointment.

The continuation of Mr. James Whattam, or any one that is appointed by him, is a continuation of Union corruption in Maryland. Mr. James Whattam has asserted the message: “Long Live Shenanigans”.

As the new age of the school system approaches, identification and accountability will prove to be priceless. In the spirit of identification and accountability, the Director of Employee and Labor Relations must be identified as a key culprit in the institutionalization and furtherance of corruption. Although Mr. Whattam is identified as the Director, an internal PGCPS document labels “Kathy Jones” as the Director of Employee and Labor Relations. Moreover, Mr. James R. Whattam, Esq., is a lawyer who functions out of both the Office of General Counsel and the Office of Employee and Labor Relations. Mr. Whattam is covering all of the bases!

Anyone else would be under suspicion for fraud (at the very least), misrepresentation (at the most), and conflict-of-interest (certainly). However, only the faction of the community that challenges the corruption come under scrutiny, to put it mildly.Corruption

The newly-formed ethics panel (Chaired by Sidney Gibson and Vice-Chaired by Lilia B. True) and the law enforcement community are vested with the task of weeding out the BOE’s entrenched corruption that has proven costly to all. While the ethics panel and this community may not have the cadre of lawyers that the BOE has/had at its arsenal, we have the truth and an unwillingness to accept any alternative to community progress and empowerment.

The Reform Sasscer team, which is composed of professionals, teachers, students and parents, advocates innovation, fiscal stability and transparency for the purpose of redress PGCPS corruption. A considerable portion of corruption emanates from the Office of Chief Legal Counsel and Labor Relations. Both offices can say “job well done” after they have paid off attorneys, including hearing examiners reviewing worker-related cases.

There is no question that the epicenter of the corruption in all Prince George’s county public schools (PGCPS) owes its existence to the General Counsel’s office, which was managed by previous Chief legal officer Mr. Roger Thomas Esq. When Roger Thomas Esq. could no longer sustain the corruption, Mr. James R. Whattam picked up the torch. James R. Whattam now wields the power and commands the community’s lawyers in the direction of the school system’s destruction. We must collectively demand and end to this culture.

A closer look into the General Counsel’s office demonstrates that the corruption is second-nature to the office; previous Chief Human Resouces Synthia J. Kucner and (Director of Employee and Labor Relations) James R. Whattam, Esq. are both affiliated with the Office of General Counsel. Synthia J. Shilling aka Kucner was formerly the Deputy General Counsel before becoming the chief Human Resources Officer. According to reports in Washington post, she had been caught red-handed several times drunk driving. (Read more).

Furthermore, as indicated above, Mr. James Whattam Esq. formerly worked with the teacher’s union as legal representative. This definitely creates a conflict of interest at many levels and promotes Union corruption. Someone should investigate how many positions/titles these individual actually have. According to the school system website, Mr. Whattams office is supposed to conduct thorough and timely investigations for employees and students filing harassment/discrimination claims. The functions of the Employee and Labor Relations are so integral that those functions are expressly enunciated.

Employee and Labor Relations – Also referred to as The Employee and Labor Relations Office (ELRO) Works to provide the following;

  1. Works cooperatively with all departments within the school system to address employee performance and conduct concerns in such a manner as to maximize student achievement.
  2. ELRO is also responsible for the facilitation of effective and efficient operations through the maintenance of positive relations with the labor organizations representing school system employees.
  3. ELRO provides assistance, training and support to employees requesting reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and conducts thorough and timely investigations for employees and students filing harassment/discrimination claims.

To enhance their corrupt illegal activities, the legal department awarded a $5 million legal tender to Thatcher law Firm to represent PGCPS and Dr. William Hite. That award was implemented in the absence of any competitive bind against the rules of Board of Education in 2011 (Read the story here). The said law firm (Thatcher law Firm) is being used to conduct illegal activities in support of corrupt agendas, which include the bribery of attorneys and the defense of illegal activities against staff with legitimate cases. Tax payer’s money is being used by the legal department; all the while, Mr. James Whattam and Verjeana Jacobs are undermining transparency and accountability with no opposition. In addition, the Thatcher Law Firm led by Ms. Abbey Hairston, awarded close to $8,000 towards political contributions to the chairman of the Board of Education, Mrs. Verjeana M. Jacobs Esq. That award created a conflict of interest in light of the $5,000,000 that was awarded. This is unacceptable. The future Board should demand a return of this money from Thatcher law firm. Failure to do this, corruption would have been rewarded.However, that is not true. This office is involved in deep-rooted corruption, which includes systematic delays and the tampering of evidence. The corruption does not end with that office. That office also engages in corruption with the Unions. The office is the center of corrupt Union politics and should be abolished at a minimum. As the school’s reformation demonstrates a new idea, hiring new attorneys to achieve these reformations is the only logical next step.

A reform of the PGCPS Board of Education in the absence of a “clean house sweep” will create some accountability but might not result in the reform needed to improve PGCPS. It is important to take a closer look into the activities of this office and the role it has played in denying job opportunities to staff, as well as educational opportunities to thousands of students. For example: Ms. Synthia J. Shilling, Esq. was in the center of a Filipino teacher’s fiasco (read the story here), Roger Thomas Esq. has been involved in shady deals, which includes questionable contracts involving Washington Plaza and Dr. Andrea Horsby , who is now serving jail time. The illegal tender activities and other questionable tricks of the trade are endless, just like the list of practitioners, which includes Jack Johnson. Jack Johnson’s pay to play corruption is still alive in the PGCPS. (Others read article here).

The time has come to seek new and fresh leadership for General Counsel Office within PGCPS, thus severing all ties of corruption. Roger Thomas Esq was in that position for close to 19 years before being fired for corruption (read more). He left the county with his corruption exposed. To our surprise, the other attorneys associated with him did not take a hint to resign on their own. While the other attorney’s acknowledgement for the need of redress would have been nice, any step toward address is welcome. If the incoming board of education would not do anything to enact any change in this office now, we are asking the general public to exercise its right and vote them out once and for all in the future elections. The Board of education has power to do many things; they can suspend with or without pay pending investigations. They can terminate their employees! Despite the endless ability to scrutinize their employees, the Board of Education has not applied that review to themselves. Let us demand full investigations concerning this office and let the chips fall where they may. Time has come for the school system to move in a new direction, beginning on June 1, 2013. We are watching!

General Counsel provides advice on legal representation, including:

  1. The Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools, Executive staff, and principals
  2. Supervises and manages legal services provided through attorneys in Office of General Counsel
  3. Supervision and oversight on liability and litigation claims
  4. Advice of counsel and legal representation in areas of student support services and student appeals
  5. Advice of counsel in areas of procurement, CIP, business and finance, contracts, leases, MOUs
  6. Represent the Board and Administration in appeals before Maryland State Board of Education
  7. Legal counsel and representation in all other substantive legal services areas provided through the Office of General Counsel.

Once again, as we have articulated before, the PGCPS status quo of continuous unabated corruption, conmanship, gerrymandering and professional misconduct involving the current Sasscer adminstration with the support of the corrupt unions and other conspirators etc, is not the answer!

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Reform Sasscer Movement for Prince George’s County

“Our hope for the future depends also on our resolution as a nation in dealing with the scourge of corruption” ~ Nelson Mandela

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Posted by . Categories: 90 million Jury, Corruption and cover up Report in PGCPS, Corruption in Education, Embattled Superintendent, Lawlessness, Morally dead situation, PGCPS, Pgcps corruption, Pgcps Mess, Rot that is PGCPS Sasscer, sex in the school premises, Union corruption, workplace bullying. Tags: , , , , , , , , . 13 Comments

11

May. ’13

WHY WE NEED TO REFORM EDUCATION IN PGCPS NOW.

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 Education a breeding ground for corruption

The Prince Georges’ County Public Schools (PGCPS) unflinching commitment to conduct that antagonizes the rightfully prevailing winds of wisdom and decency ensures a dark chapter in this country’s history of education.

We are optimistic that the injection of new Board leadership will put a long overdue end to that period. While Board of Education chairperson Verjeana Jacobs’ self-resignation would have had considerable value, the community will settle for any end to her reign of terror.

The task of ousting the current Board of Education has been compared with “…scraping a sticky wad of chewing gum from the bottom of one’s shoe.” Like any other corrupt regime, the Board of Education for Prince George’s County, is deeply rooted and plentiful with regard to resources.  The character of the Board of Education makes the task of cleansing its corruption a difficult task.  The said Corruption started earlier with the former superintendent Dr. Andre J. Hornsby, who commanded the regime. It is no surprise that the former superintendent is now incarcerated. Despite the end of the former superintendent, the reigns of corruption were merely continued in light of the appointment of the current Board Chair person Ms. Verjeana Jacobs. Under the leadership of Ms. Verjeana Jacobs and her trusted cohort PGCPS chief legal counsel, Dr. William Hite Jr, labor relations Director James Whattam, Synthia Shilling and other conspirators. The corruption marely intesfied.

Given the seriousness of the regimes’ practices and the policy of the command in protecting themselves and covering up their crimes, Reform Sasscer movement calls for the reforms as articulated in our earlier post in the blog (Here).

Frantic and very Discouraging Endeavor

Corruption-Your-No-Counts-300x149“What gets us furious and terribly frustrated is that these people have spent huge sums of taxpayer money on shenanigans that have little or nothing to do with children or their education.” (Read more) Washington Plaza fiasco. ( Board Retracts Lease for Headquarters) We also have the Board of Education’s endorsement of sex molesters, some of whom coincidentally are colleagues of Ms. Verjeana Jacobs.  A previous Board member was caught molesting children within the school system. The pimps of the Prince George’s County school system, which include athletic coaches and others, that Prey on young children manage to evade proper scrutiny directly as a result of their political affiliations. The union leadership is compromised in all four unions in PGCPS District in order to continue benefitting illegally from the fraud.  There are many cases of this nature some which have been reported in the media this year alone. (Read more) (Read more). The list goes on and includes Bus drivers who appear drunk and involved in the same with full knowledge of the current administration.

We agreed/agree with our teacher friend. “Due process” is a tool that often times is manipulated by public corruption.  Thus, Due process must be identified and harnessed in a fashion that was contemplated by the Constitution, and not private corrupt entities.

At the time of writing this post, Mr. Rushern Baker, our County Executive for Prince George’s County, was poised to appoint the new Board Chairperson, Vice chairperson as well as additional Board members to the Board as a result of Bill HB1107. We are supportive and very confident that the general Assembly in Annapolis did the right thing in making these changes.

The current chair of the Board Ms. Vejearna Jacobs has some atonement to make, for it was egregiously wrong in giving the PGCPS district a clean bill of health when Superintendent Hite was at the helm. The fact that the state agency could not smell even one rotten fish is beyond belief, in light of the pungent odor of corruption emanating from the PGCPS. It is such a disgrace to lead an organization that constructively prides itself on having the most corrupt Unions in the universe and costing the Maryland tax payers lots of money with impunity. The PGCPS situation is not very different in many aspects to Baltimore jail scandal aided by Union politics. The same elements of dirty politics and inadequate response to serious issues have manifested themself in PGCPS (Read more).

But that is another matter, altogether.

The more important question to ask  is this: What is it about our Prince George’s county and its citizens that attracts corruption and criminal enterprises?

At times, it has seemed to us that the raison d’etre of the law enforcement community is to combat corruption in PG County.

Corruption and criminal behavior in public places are as old as the hills. What is striking, however, is that the educational milieu has started playing host to more and more schemers and charlatans in many parts of the United States, starting with PG County, Georgia, El Paso, New Orleans etc.

So, what is it with public education and corruption? Who are the people sitting on school boards and managing multibillion-dollar enterprises? What qualifications do they bring to their jobs, and have they been vetted, at least to a reasonable degree, to ensure that mismatched ambition, mediocrity and opportunism are not opening a back door to malfeasance? The Washington post article on November 4th, 2012 was very clear and correct in their assertions. After the said Washington post article appeared, PG County citizens decided to change directions and elected two more members with college degrees bringing the number to four. An anonymous employee rightfully said that “We deserve board members who are enlightened to educate our kids and manage the money without corruption.”

Everybody knows that PG County schools rank second to none only to Baltimore City schools with regard to having the worst school system. How is it that we can expect children in PG County to succeed when the leadership itself hasn’t even attained the most basic levels of professional education? What kind of leadership can we logically expect from someone who has only a High School Diploma? I’d reconcile that we’d get what we’re getting……subpar schools. Read more: We posed these questions to our teacher friend.

“The education field is a very safe place for a crook. It offers excellent sanctuary,” she said. “We expect there to be corruption on Wall Street. We expect bankers and corporate CEOs to be motivated by greed and profit margins.

“But a school District anywhere in the US is like a church. Good things are supposed to happen there. Who would want to suspect a teacher, a principal, a superintendent, a lawyer, Chief Financial officer, Chief Human resources officer , a school-board member of underhanded doings and a Board chair of suspected fraud?

“So, a few ne’er-do-wells hide in the public’s trust and do a lot of damage.”

“What blame, if any, does the public bear?” We asked.

“A lot,” she said. “School-board elections are important ones, and yet, it is like pulling teeth to get people to vote in them. A sleepy County like Prince George’s may be a good place for retirement, but it is a bad place for honest politics.” Just look what Jack Johnson (johnsonjackindictment) and his wife  Leslie Johnson did to the county. She added. In addition, it’s wrong to have communication Director brought in for the sole purpose of covering up the corruption.  This person continues to bad mouth the county’s leadership, while purposely misidentifying the inadequacies of the county.

“You can hood an ass here with reverend purple,” one member in the movement said, borrowing from Ben Jonson.

“Sad, but true,” agreed our teacher friend.

Anytime you introduce the possibility to deviate from the lowest sealed bid, you introduce the opportunity for influence, favoritism, possibly fraud, possibly corruption. The PGCPS status quo of continuous unabated corruption, conmanship, gerrymandering and professional misconduct involving the Sasscer adminstation with the support of the unions and other conspirators etc is not the answer!

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Reform Sasscer Movement for Prince George’s County

reformsasscer@gmail.com

“Ideas are not set in stone. When exposed to thoughtful people, they morph and adapt into their most potent form.” ~ Sir Ken Robinson

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27

Apr. ’13

Dr. Alvin L. Crawley Resigns.

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Dr. Alvin L. Crawley – above – The right thing a little too late for innocent victims.

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) superintendent and the Board members are reacting to our expose yesterday. The Board has now sent out an email to all Staff that Dr. Alvin L. Crawley will be resigning as of June 3, 2013. (See News release).

Such changes are what we would love to see and there are others. Kudos to interim Superintendent Crawley and the Board of Education for responding to these needs. We just hope that the Board of Education for Prince George’s County supporting the County Executive Baker will properly scrutinize the next Superintendent who will come in the school District and help fix the issues identified by our group in corroboration with other stake holders within the school system.

Potential replacements for Dr. Crawley include up and coming prospective candidates such as Daryl V. Williams – Chief of Student Services or Lisa D. Price, PMP, CGPM – Performance Officer for PGCPS to act as interim superintendent in case of a delay in selecting the next superintendent of Schools by June 1, 2013. Both individuals are competent leaders with proven track records in their areas of expertise.

Director of Communication Mr. Brian Coleman, who has been on our radar lately for bad behavior including disrespect and cover ups at Sasscer Administrative Building (Board HQ), sent out the attached email at the bottom of this post to cover up as usual.

People would expect a bit of self-circumspect considering what has transpired under Dr. Alvin L. Crawley’s watch. These emails demonstrate what is wrong with the culture of impunity in PGCPS. One is bound to think Dr. Crawley is leaving under normal circumstance. Why do we shed tears for perpetrators and conspirators? Who is sad for the poor defenseless little children who were molested by the brutes during this man’s watch? Please let us be more reverend and repentant.  These are not normal times. Let us not “normalize” the abnormal.

The sentiments expressed in the end are very revealing and expose the Business as usual lesfaires attitudes in PGCPS School District.

There is no smoke without fire! The gentleman had two and half months to go before resigning. What doesn’t he want us to find out? Dr. Crawley is a clear manifestation of a man who forgot his mission and disregarded the 21 commandment he went to uphold and implement from our blogs. He can only blame himself for the calamity which has befallen him!

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From: Prince George’s County Public Schools <PGCPS@public.govdelivery.com>
Date: Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 8:38 AM
Subject: Statement from the Board of Education regarding the earlier departure of Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alvin L. Crawley
To:

Statement from the Board of Education regarding the earlier departure of Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alvin L. Crawley

April 26, 2013

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Office of Communications

301-952-6001

communications@pgcps.org

On Thursday, April 25, Prince George’s County Public Schools Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alvin L. Crawley notified the Board of Education of his intent to resign effective June 3, 2013. The Board has accepted Dr. Crawley’s resignation.

Statement from the Board of Education regarding the earlier departure of Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alvin L. Crawley: “We are saddened by Dr. Crawley’s decision to leave early; however, due to the passage of the recent legislation changing the governance structure of our school system, we fully understand. We regretfully accept Dr. Crawley’s resignation and express our gratitude and appreciation for his consistent dedication to student achievement.”

Statement from Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alvin L. Crawley: “It is with mixed emotions that I submit my letter of resignation effective June 3, 2013. I have enjoyed my tenure as Interim Superintendent of Schools and appreciate the support of our Board, staff, parents, students, and members of the community. I am very proud of the accomplishments we have achieved during my tenure.”

Background: Dr. Crawley was hired in August of 2012 under a contract that was set to expire on June 30, 2013. Maryland House Bill 1107, which passed on April 9, 2013, significantly changes the governance structure of PGCPS by giving the County Executive the authority to appoint the Superintendent of Schools as well as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Education.

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25

Apr. ’13

Where is the Outrage in PGCPS?

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There is something sadly skewed with Prince George’s county community’s moral priorities.

We are sure many of you have been following the growing uproar in our blogs which have advocated for several changes in our school system in the last two years.

So many Prince George’s County administrators at Sasscer Administration Building and elsewhere could not possibly get away with such abuse unless many others were complicit in turning a blind eye in various illegal activities,  including sexual abuse of innocent kids. Why do PGCPS leaders tolerate the presence of colleagues who sexually abuse innocent staff, young children and vulnerable adults? Why do people in the pews not rise up and demand that their leaders be held accountable? Where’s the outrage?

Why don’t people at The School District of Philadelphia in Philadelphia demand the resignation of Dr. William Hite Jr, who admittedly kept quiet about staff members involved in sexual related activity and abuse of kids?

Why doesn’t staff at Sasscer Administration Building demand the resignation of Dr. Alvin L. Crawley, about whom there is significant evidence that he knew of a host of problems including sexual abuse of children when he arrived in September 2012? Where’s the outrage?

Where is the outrage when an 8 year old girl is sexually abused and taken advantage of in an environment which is supposed to be safe and conducive for learning?

Where is the outrage when a 13-year-old girl who died four years ago after she was struck by a car while trying to catch a school bus?

Where is the outrage in the wake of the slaying of seven students this school year alone?

Why do so many people act as though staff- sex abuse cover-ups and other criminal activities are no big deal?

We commend the vigilant teacher and the Principal at Glenn Dale Elementary school. Hopefully at the schools PGCPS could implement in the beginning of the school year teachers and students behavior appropriate and inappropriate interactions. And steps they should take if these rules have been violated.

“Politicians, parents, Churches, TV/Radio personalities etc, should respond with righteous outrage and anger at such crimes against innocent staff, children abused by leaders they trust in these schools and offices,” But where is that outrage?

Even now, has anything changed? Have any of those who covered up and kept quiet in the past about the abuse been held accountable? We appreciate the passage of HB 1107 to make proper changes in PGCPS but it might be too little too late for some.

And what about the epicenter of the corruption in PGCPS led by labor relations Director and previous chief legal counsel? Is anyone outraged at the fact that their long-time attorney threatened to sue abused victims even when the abuse was readily substantiated? It certainly doesn’t appear that way, even as these individuals are being caught red handed stealing. Where is the outrage?

The current Prince George’s County Board of Education Chair Verjeana M. Jacobs, has known about these problems for more than six years now and has continued to keep quiet in conspiracy with the corrupt Unions. She was apparently content leaving countless other children and staff at risk. Yet, she is still the Board of Education Chairperson before HB 1107 goes into effect on June 1, 2013. Where’s the outrage?

Where is the outrage when the Director of communications in PGCPS creates false reports to maintain the status quo of the ailing PG County school system in cohort with the current Board chair while abusing the County Executive? (See PGCPSLies) Where’s the outrage?

And what about the fact that a man with a substantiated report of having sexually molested a child was still driving a School Bus, after the fact the school leaders knew of his problems in PGCPS. This is after several leaders had been informed at Sasscer Administrative Building. Those men and women are still in leadership positions including Ms. Monica Goldson the current Chief Operating Officer. Is there any accountability for the willing blindness of PGCPS leaders who leave kids and others in harm’s way for predators? Where is the outrage?

What about the Union leadership and others smooching in the closets in PGCPS schools while refusing to take responsibility for their actions? Where is the outrage?

It is easy enough to look at the perpetrators and say therein lies the problem. But what about all the enablers? What about the many leaders who turn a blind eye like Board of Education Chairperson Verjeana M. Jacobs and allow staff molesters including Union leaders in PGCPS to move on to other schools, offices etc. where they find fresh new prey? Where is the outrage?

“What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander.”

— Elie Wiesel

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24

Apr. ’13

PGCPS Employee arrested on sex abuse charges.

Jason JamarJason Jamar Howard, 30

Published: April 23, 2013

Riverdale resident and PGCPS Employee at Glenn Dale Elementary School  Jason Jamar Howard, 30, has been arrested by Prince George’s County police (PGPD) and charged with sexually abusing a student at the school.

Based on preliminary investigations—including notification from the victim’s parents—police believe that Howard sexually abused a child at Glenn Dale Elementary on April 17.

According to the charging documents, the confession stemmed from an  incident Wednesday in which a teacher saw Howard sit next to the child,  reach his hand  up the girl’s skirt and put his hand inside her underwear.

The teacher notified the principal of the incident. The child then told her parents, who contacted police.

Once arrested, Howard, an aide at the school, told police he had fondled the student about 10 to 15 times during the current and last school years, according to charging documents.~~> (Read more –Washingtonpost)  (NBC-News) ( Bowie-Patch) (WUSA9) (Gazzette) (PGPD)

Persons with information about Howard or this case are asked to call the PGPD Children and Vulnerable Adult unit at 301-772-4930. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to PG Police website  and submit a tip online.

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