Plainfield schools administrator alleges assault at the hands of assistant superintendent
By MARK SPIVEY • STAFF WRITER
November 20, 2009
PLAINFIELD — A municipal court hearing is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 7 after a Plainfield Public Schools administrator alleged that his supervisor, district Assistant Superintendent Angela Kemp, physically assaulted him during a staff meeting earlier this school year.
Phillip Williamson, the district's principal of bilingual education, on Tuesday filed a report on the incident with the Plainfield Police Division, according to city Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig. Williamson said Friday that he subsequently filed a complaint to Plainfield Municipal Court, putting in motion judicial proceedings on the matter.
BRINGING OUT THE TRUTH
According to Williamson, Kemp approached him from behind and violently grabbed his neck with both hands during a staff meeting at about 10:45 a.m. Sept. 15 in the district's Myrtle Avenue administration building. Only after he asked her three times to stop did she release him, Williamson said, after which Kemp allegedly began to massage his shoulders and temple for unknown reasons.
Williamson said Friday that the incident took place in a "room full of people who witnessed (it)," but declined to offer names of some of the district staff members who were present due to the pending nature of his court case. Williamson said he immediately reported the incident to district authorities, but later became frustrated when no action was taken. "I expected them to act on it right away, and they failed to do that," Williamson said. "That's why I've gone to the courts."
Williamson also said he went to a medical facility for treatment after the incident, when he said a physician diagnosed him with a cervical sprain. Williamson, a five-year veteran in the district who served as the principal of Stillman Elementary School during the 2008-09 school year, experienced no subsequent violent incidents involving Kemp, according to the report he filed.
"I expect that there will be a thorough investigation ... we need to make sure the truth is brought out," Williamson said when asked what he believes the outcome of the case will be. "It's one of those things where you can't play with somebody's person. You can't. You don't know how you're going to affect them (physically)."
AN INTERNAL MATTER
Kemp did not immediately reply to a phone message left at her office early Friday afternoon, but Schools Superintendent Steve Gallon III released a written statement on the matter.
"Because we are serious about learning, it would be regretful ... if an internal matter between two staff (members) becomes a public circus or media spectacle intended to once again distract from the real work we are here to do," Gallon wrote. "As Superintendent of Schools, I will have no part of it."
However, Gallon also confirmed second-hand knowledge of the incident in his statement.
"I am not aware of the details of the complaint. However, the related matter which allegedly occurred over two months ago between two employees was reported and (is) being handled procedurally by the district through administrative services/human resources, as are all such confidential personnel matters," he wrote. "As I have not been directly involved in any aspects of the inquiry, I cannot opine on it. I will, as with all such matters, await the findings and take action, where appropriate."
"However, I will say that based on what I do know through my personal observations of the professional collaboration between the staff in question," Gallon added, "there has been no hint of any lingering issues or conflicts."
According to district records, Kemp was hired as assistant superintendent when Gallon was brought on as superintendent last summer after the city school board conducted a national search to name a new leader. Both Gallon and Kemp previously worked together in Miami-Dade County Public Schools in South Florida, where Gallon was administrative director of school operations and alternative education for the district and Kemp was assistant principal of curriculum at the district's Booker T. Washington Community High School .
[For you doubting Thomases here's the orignal article: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20091120/NEWS/911200337/Plainfield+schools+administrator+alleges+assault+at+the+hands+of+assistant+superintendent
4 comments:
So sad to say we work in such a district where such poor conduct exists.....I hope there is some resolution to all this.
You and me both!
Has anyone reached out to Jerry Green again? I thought he was calling for a state investigation. How/When can this behavior be stopped finally? What could possibly happen next....hate to think of the worst of the worst but it seems like this place has turned into a penitentiary on the way it is being run...warden and all. Reminds me of the movie Shawshank Redemption....sad to see such a beautiful city going through such turmoil.
I actually did reach out to Mr. Green and the Mayor for their support at Tuesdays meeting, and I was disappointed that they did not show up, but it was short notice so I'll presume they had a conflict. BUT once again an email response saying so would have been nice. It's a little rude not to respond in kind. It just is!!! No excuses!
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