THERE’S nothing that creates a greater lack of trust in your school board than the kind of controversies we’ve witnessed lately in the Greenville and Reynolds area districts.
And in the long run, it’s a problem that probably only the voters can solve at the next school board elections.
Greenville is mired in a legal battle with former teacher Jon Ross, who was fired for alleged sexual harassment. Ross has appealed the case to the Labor Relations Board.
Reynolds saw Superintendent Don Thomas resign after only five months on the job, claiming that the school board would not let him properly do his job.
Both incidents have created black eyes for the districts and have to hamper education.
The Greenville case has evolved somewhat into a battle between the teachers and Superintendent Dr. Patricia M. Homer.
Ross claims he was fired in retaliation because he was head of the Greenville Education Association which gave a “no confidence” vote in Dr. Homer and high school principals Steve Ross and John Ziegler, because the teachers didn’t like how the school was being run.
School directors said they fired the third-grade teacher after an investigation showed seven school employees were sexually harassed by him or saw him harass others.
Several teachers came forward to speak for Ross’s character.
One of the most damning testimonies against Ross came from Dr. Homer who said she believed she caught Ross and a female teacher having sexual relations in a classroom in 2005. Yet the teachers, who denied the claim, were never disciplined. Why? Wouldn’t a good superintendent go to all lengths to bring a case against teachers if they were involved in such activity? Aren’t there morals clauses in their contracts?
A third hearing is set for Aug. 18. But more than just Ross and Dr. Homer are on the hot seat. If there truly is such a great rift between teachers, superintendents and principals, then there is something gravely wrong.
There may be something gravely wrong at Reynolds, as well. Thomas, in resigning recently, said there were too many “superintendents” in the district. He claimed that school directors and at least one administrator in the central office were trying to make decisions that were his to make and that they ignored his input.
Thomas, former Sharon City School District superintendent, is a veteran educator with whom The Herald has had many dealings over the years. As a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent we have always found him to be a man of utmost integrity.
So if Thomas says there are problems with some of the members of the school board, we believe him.
Residents of both school districts need to take a serious look at the people serving on the boards. And good people with serious interests in what’s best for their schools need to step up and run for election if changes are going to be made.
The ultimate control of schools lies with school boards.
Opinion
OUR VIEW: Ultimate responsibility for schools rests with boards
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Jocelyn E. Buckley
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Jocelyn E. Buckley
