Progress With Purpose!
14 years ago
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Hey Maria...
(My PC won't let me post this in the comments section (intense POP-up Blocker/Spyware Program) and I don't feel like going downstairs to use the other one.) So -- to Maria's comments and question -- here goes:
They all did say choking but none indicated that it was as we would traditionally think of...so I think it was clear it was not the kind that prevents someone from breathing ergo necessitating aid from anyone in the room. I heard 3 testimonies refer to a massaging episode as PART of the act and 1 as the act in and of itself. (Goes to show you -- 2 people --- 2 different messages received)
I however would NOT have gotten up to assist either.
As the act was described you would have had to have 'touched' your supervisor. Then you would have been sitting on the bench awaiting your trial for inappropriate touching.
Remember this wasn't about imminent DANGER, but rather inappropriate behavior. There is NEVER a reason for employee to employee touching without permission other than to defend/deflect a blow.
I cannot tell you how many meetings I've endured where something less than professional occurs and the meeting continues. Whether it was an inappropriate remark, gesture or what have you. In my opinion the situation did not require me to interfere, but it certainly warranted my written and/or verbal statement of the facts witnessed and as such support for my colleague.
I'm not convinced the meeting was ever jovial as only 1 out of the 4 referred to it in that manner.
Let's bottom line this...it was not the fault of Mr. Williamson or the people in the room -- the contact, situation and uncomfortable atmosphere created was the result of Ms. Kemp's inappropriate actions (period). Nothing warranted it and nothing should excuse it. To blame or even insinuate (as her attorney tried) that someone in that room was obligated to act in any manner other than how they did is Preposterous!
The event as describe by the witnesses during the trial indicated clearly that there was NO LATITUDE for anyone to act in any other manner than how they did -- least they be the ones on trial today!
They all did say choking but none indicated that it was as we would traditionally think of...so I think it was clear it was not the kind that prevents someone from breathing ergo necessitating aid from anyone in the room. I heard 3 testimonies refer to a massaging episode as PART of the act and 1 as the act in and of itself. (Goes to show you -- 2 people --- 2 different messages received)
I however would NOT have gotten up to assist either.
As the act was described you would have had to have 'touched' your supervisor. Then you would have been sitting on the bench awaiting your trial for inappropriate touching.
Remember this wasn't about imminent DANGER, but rather inappropriate behavior. There is NEVER a reason for employee to employee touching without permission other than to defend/deflect a blow.
I cannot tell you how many meetings I've endured where something less than professional occurs and the meeting continues. Whether it was an inappropriate remark, gesture or what have you. In my opinion the situation did not require me to interfere, but it certainly warranted my written and/or verbal statement of the facts witnessed and as such support for my colleague.
I'm not convinced the meeting was ever jovial as only 1 out of the 4 referred to it in that manner.
Let's bottom line this...it was not the fault of Mr. Williamson or the people in the room -- the contact, situation and uncomfortable atmosphere created was the result of Ms. Kemp's inappropriate actions (period). Nothing warranted it and nothing should excuse it. To blame or even insinuate (as her attorney tried) that someone in that room was obligated to act in any manner other than how they did is Preposterous!
The event as describe by the witnesses during the trial indicated clearly that there was NO LATITUDE for anyone to act in any other manner than how they did -- least they be the ones on trial today!
Ode To Blogger's Blight
This week I have read were several Blogger’s shared, what I think is a universal prerogative, with regard to the content we choose (being the operative precept here) to write about as well as which comments we will post (Bernice -- as recent as yesterday).
Well as you can imagine I’ve been getting quite a few nasty grams that I am choosing not to post because they won’t identify who they are, and that is the ONLY reason! They are about me so I have no reservation in terms of offending other folks. And... no... putting Renee, Steve, Frank is NOT good enough -- I want to see who holds me in such contempt.
That’s fair right? If their gripes are legitimate then why can’t they “face” them?
I say to all those who have had enough of my postings…just don’t click on my blog’s link. It really is that simply.
For those who enjoy my postings – keep coming!
With Love,
Rasrahmataz!
Well as you can imagine I’ve been getting quite a few nasty grams that I am choosing not to post because they won’t identify who they are, and that is the ONLY reason! They are about me so I have no reservation in terms of offending other folks. And... no... putting Renee, Steve, Frank is NOT good enough -- I want to see who holds me in such contempt.
That’s fair right? If their gripes are legitimate then why can’t they “face” them?
I say to all those who have had enough of my postings…just don’t click on my blog’s link. It really is that simply.
For those who enjoy my postings – keep coming!
With Love,
Rasrahmataz!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
This Deserves It's Own POST!
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "A Case Study In CLUELESSNESS!":
Renata - this was posted on NJFORUMS..I believe this will answer some of Maria's questions. BTW, Maria you never answered the question. If you were present for the meeting and saw Angela Kemp choking Dr. Williamson, WHAT EXACTLY WOULD YOU DO? In the meantime this post was VERY appropriate!
______________________
3451. Maria's Questions Renata
by ppseducator, 2/25/10 19:44 ET
To answer some questions that Maria asked Renata on her blog, the Superintendent removed a principal to the BOE office because he was accused of putting his hands on a student in an effort to break up a fight this year; last year, a very well-respected teacher at PHS would not allow a student to enter his room for rightful reasons and the student began to attack the teacher who pushed him back and, he was suspended; then another teacher was suspended this year because a parent accused the teacher of improprieties that were untrue. Oh, let's not forget AK choking PW and being found guilty this week ... and she is still at the BOE office. What kind of morale is that to work with? SGIII seems to remove people without a fair hearing, yet the children remain in school.
Then, the people who are principals at the BOE office are and were certified as principals in previous positions at schools in our district. The superintendent did not want them to continue in those schools so he brought them to the BOE office to do other jobs for AK. They have worked at what they were given to do but nothing seems to get approved. Oh, but did you see the CURRICULUM BOOK that was distributed at the January BOE meeting? It isn't even accurate.
This BOE was cutting back on administrative positions two years ago and now we are flooded with administrators who are getting paid 6 figure salaries (some of who are not certified in their positions) and could have been in schools - he is bringing in someone from a charter school to be the principal of a Plainfield school - why? Why not use one of our former principals working in the BOE office?
Some of the people who have inside information are writing on this blog - they see it every day!
We don't have enough textbooks (seriously), computers that work, LCD players, laptop carts break and do not get repaired, IT materials are stolen by who I do not know but someone lacks honesty amongst all of us, teachers don't have contracts yet PASA and those who do not belong to PEA or PASA do have contract settlements. We are treated like we are chattel! And we are still teaching, holding the schools together.
Get with the program ... most of the BOE doesn't visit the schools to see our needs and when they do, it's only for show. And why do we ANONYMOUSLY WRITE? Because we are not supposed to make noise. Do you think anyone wants to lose their job in this economy?
Plainfield will have its eyes woken up when their taxes go wild because so much money was mispent in the past 15 years.
And who suffers? The children.
Renata - this was posted on NJFORUMS..I believe this will answer some of Maria's questions. BTW, Maria you never answered the question. If you were present for the meeting and saw Angela Kemp choking Dr. Williamson, WHAT EXACTLY WOULD YOU DO? In the meantime this post was VERY appropriate!
______________________
3451. Maria's Questions Renata
by ppseducator, 2/25/10 19:44 ET
To answer some questions that Maria asked Renata on her blog, the Superintendent removed a principal to the BOE office because he was accused of putting his hands on a student in an effort to break up a fight this year; last year, a very well-respected teacher at PHS would not allow a student to enter his room for rightful reasons and the student began to attack the teacher who pushed him back and, he was suspended; then another teacher was suspended this year because a parent accused the teacher of improprieties that were untrue. Oh, let's not forget AK choking PW and being found guilty this week ... and she is still at the BOE office. What kind of morale is that to work with? SGIII seems to remove people without a fair hearing, yet the children remain in school.
Then, the people who are principals at the BOE office are and were certified as principals in previous positions at schools in our district. The superintendent did not want them to continue in those schools so he brought them to the BOE office to do other jobs for AK. They have worked at what they were given to do but nothing seems to get approved. Oh, but did you see the CURRICULUM BOOK that was distributed at the January BOE meeting? It isn't even accurate.
This BOE was cutting back on administrative positions two years ago and now we are flooded with administrators who are getting paid 6 figure salaries (some of who are not certified in their positions) and could have been in schools - he is bringing in someone from a charter school to be the principal of a Plainfield school - why? Why not use one of our former principals working in the BOE office?
Some of the people who have inside information are writing on this blog - they see it every day!
We don't have enough textbooks (seriously), computers that work, LCD players, laptop carts break and do not get repaired, IT materials are stolen by who I do not know but someone lacks honesty amongst all of us, teachers don't have contracts yet PASA and those who do not belong to PEA or PASA do have contract settlements. We are treated like we are chattel! And we are still teaching, holding the schools together.
Get with the program ... most of the BOE doesn't visit the schools to see our needs and when they do, it's only for show. And why do we ANONYMOUSLY WRITE? Because we are not supposed to make noise. Do you think anyone wants to lose their job in this economy?
Plainfield will have its eyes woken up when their taxes go wild because so much money was mispent in the past 15 years.
And who suffers? The children.
A Case Study In CLUELESSNESS!
Can someone send me some cases where the Superintendent has gone ABOVE and BEYOND his assigned duty to protect and employ 3 District employees?
What is this really about?
Who will investigate his motives?
This is obviously NOT professionally based given that neither of these individuals perform their assigned duties solely on the merit of their own skills and ability. In fact none of them COULD perform their job's R&R's without district personnel that have been here PRIOR to them coming and have been doing the jobs EVER SINCE they've arrived.
Do we not see the impropriety in how Ms. Kemp has been dealt with throughout this entire ordeal?
Let's look at the difference in treatment of Kemp compared to other employees who have been placed on administrative leave for similar misconduct: Is it a matter of Favoritism? Nepotism? Cronyism?
How many Principals this year alone have been brought over to the Admin building while accusations of professional improprieties are under investigation?
What is Angela Kemp's VALUE-ADD to the district? She has three highly qualified and certified VPs and Principals doing her job. So CERTAINLY it is not a matter of WE NEED HER. We not only DON’T need HER we don’t want her, her attitude or lack of professionalism, nor her inability to “KEEP HER HANDS” to herself or her out and out rude disregard for the Plainfield Community.
What kind of environment is the Superintendent providing by allowing Ms. Kemp to remain in proximity to an EMPLOYEE who has proven by a court of law that he has been harassed by a high-ranking employee who acts in the capacity of his supervisor? Would this not be the definition of a HOSTILE work environment?
Uggh! Another potential LAW SUIT!
Plainfield Parents – WE should be outraged!
Please tell me how STEVE’S leadership even slightly resembles what our CHILDREN deserve.
Our children don’t even respect him as the leader of schools, nor do the teachers AND many, many COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
This ENTIRE Community needs to COME TO EVERY BOARD meeting every TUESDAY until STEVE Gallon, ANGELA Kemp, LESLY Borge and LALELEI Kelly are REMOVED from this DISTRICT! None of them should ever hold a position in the educational field again – UNLESS – of course they find some other lazy board members in urbanville USA that do not research WHO they hire.
It is everyone's responsibility who has been subjected to this under qualified, unprofessional regime to ensure EVERY DISTRICT in the UNITED STATES understands CLEARLY who these people are so that no one ever makes as uninformed and detrimental decision to hire these morally corrupt individuals like we did here in Plainfield.
What MORE do we need to see?
We’ve got LAWYERS put them to WORK and GET RID of the more than ½ Million Dollars worth of WASTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What is this really about?
Who will investigate his motives?
This is obviously NOT professionally based given that neither of these individuals perform their assigned duties solely on the merit of their own skills and ability. In fact none of them COULD perform their job's R&R's without district personnel that have been here PRIOR to them coming and have been doing the jobs EVER SINCE they've arrived.
Do we not see the impropriety in how Ms. Kemp has been dealt with throughout this entire ordeal?
Let's look at the difference in treatment of Kemp compared to other employees who have been placed on administrative leave for similar misconduct: Is it a matter of Favoritism? Nepotism? Cronyism?
How many Principals this year alone have been brought over to the Admin building while accusations of professional improprieties are under investigation?
What is Angela Kemp's VALUE-ADD to the district? She has three highly qualified and certified VPs and Principals doing her job. So CERTAINLY it is not a matter of WE NEED HER. We not only DON’T need HER we don’t want her, her attitude or lack of professionalism, nor her inability to “KEEP HER HANDS” to herself or her out and out rude disregard for the Plainfield Community.
What kind of environment is the Superintendent providing by allowing Ms. Kemp to remain in proximity to an EMPLOYEE who has proven by a court of law that he has been harassed by a high-ranking employee who acts in the capacity of his supervisor? Would this not be the definition of a HOSTILE work environment?
Uggh! Another potential LAW SUIT!
Plainfield Parents – WE should be outraged!
Please tell me how STEVE’S leadership even slightly resembles what our CHILDREN deserve.
Our children don’t even respect him as the leader of schools, nor do the teachers AND many, many COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
This ENTIRE Community needs to COME TO EVERY BOARD meeting every TUESDAY until STEVE Gallon, ANGELA Kemp, LESLY Borge and LALELEI Kelly are REMOVED from this DISTRICT! None of them should ever hold a position in the educational field again – UNLESS – of course they find some other lazy board members in urbanville USA that do not research WHO they hire.
It is everyone's responsibility who has been subjected to this under qualified, unprofessional regime to ensure EVERY DISTRICT in the UNITED STATES understands CLEARLY who these people are so that no one ever makes as uninformed and detrimental decision to hire these morally corrupt individuals like we did here in Plainfield.
What MORE do we need to see?
We’ve got LAWYERS put them to WORK and GET RID of the more than ½ Million Dollars worth of WASTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Real Challenge -- Challenged
Who exactly do you think pays the 86% of the State and Federal $$$?
You've guessed it! It is some of the same folks who are hit for the 14% local taxes and RISING. Sure wish our test scores and overall rating would do the same!!
So, Sir -- I contribute towards 100% of what pays you, your comrades and the entire district in employ.
Ergo -- why I have requested for you to submit your resignation post haste as I no longer feel you are the "TYPE" of employee this district needs to move our schools and our children forward. I no longer wish to fund your exploits.
Sincerely,
RAHernandez
You've guessed it! It is some of the same folks who are hit for the 14% local taxes and RISING. Sure wish our test scores and overall rating would do the same!!
So, Sir -- I contribute towards 100% of what pays you, your comrades and the entire district in employ.
Ergo -- why I have requested for you to submit your resignation post haste as I no longer feel you are the "TYPE" of employee this district needs to move our schools and our children forward. I no longer wish to fund your exploits.
Sincerely,
RAHernandez
How Apropos...
Saw this on a friend's FaceBook status and thought -- WOW...how absolutely fitting for Plainfield --- TODAY!
“The true hypocrite is the one who ceases to perceive his deception, the one who lies with sincerity” - Andre Gide
Thanks AM!
“The true hypocrite is the one who ceases to perceive his deception, the one who lies with sincerity” - Andre Gide
Thanks AM!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Truth is Stranger...The Verdict is In!
Today my daughter and I underwent a lesson in civics, humanity, cooperation and jurisprudence. In one day, for 5 hours, I ran through several emotions including; pride, shame, sadness and satisfaction.
Judge Robinson Gross was a pure pleasure to watch. Her powerful adages and admonishments, her command of the law and her courtroom, her obvious passion and compassion for carrying out justice was a very fulfilling moment for me. As an African American woman and as the mother of an African American woman-to-be, the magnitude of pride watching the eloquence and grace of this master judge was an honor and a privilege.
The verdict was Guilty for the charge of Harassment and Inappropriate Touching; not an offense requiring incarceration (and I MUST AGREE) but not without penalty. The judge’s penalty has been stayed awaiting either an appeal or other paperwork to be submitted by the defense attorney to the state prosecutors and some other folks– all of which is OVER my head so do not ask me to explain this portion of the legal proceedings.
In so much that it is a crime, I would suspect the CSA with the prompting of the Board will be asking for her resignation effective immediately given this violates a few of the NJ Certification statutes and notwithstanding conduct unbecoming a school official.
I’m ashamed that this ever happened and it saddens me that so much negativity and ill-will was brought to this district under the guise of highly qualified, well intentioned Administrators who came to move our district forward. Honestly Plainfield – please keep your eyes wide open and begin to ask for enumeration of all of these children-centric outcomes the CSA is claiming.
I am satisfied, however that we will RISE ABOVE and BEYOND this.
Stay tuned for my daughter’s version of how she viewed the proceedings.
Real life is a wonderful teacher!
Judge Robinson Gross was a pure pleasure to watch. Her powerful adages and admonishments, her command of the law and her courtroom, her obvious passion and compassion for carrying out justice was a very fulfilling moment for me. As an African American woman and as the mother of an African American woman-to-be, the magnitude of pride watching the eloquence and grace of this master judge was an honor and a privilege.
The verdict was Guilty for the charge of Harassment and Inappropriate Touching; not an offense requiring incarceration (and I MUST AGREE) but not without penalty. The judge’s penalty has been stayed awaiting either an appeal or other paperwork to be submitted by the defense attorney to the state prosecutors and some other folks– all of which is OVER my head so do not ask me to explain this portion of the legal proceedings.
In so much that it is a crime, I would suspect the CSA with the prompting of the Board will be asking for her resignation effective immediately given this violates a few of the NJ Certification statutes and notwithstanding conduct unbecoming a school official.
I’m ashamed that this ever happened and it saddens me that so much negativity and ill-will was brought to this district under the guise of highly qualified, well intentioned Administrators who came to move our district forward. Honestly Plainfield – please keep your eyes wide open and begin to ask for enumeration of all of these children-centric outcomes the CSA is claiming.
I am satisfied, however that we will RISE ABOVE and BEYOND this.
Stay tuned for my daughter’s version of how she viewed the proceedings.
Real life is a wonderful teacher!
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