What Happened at Beechwood School?
An emergency parent meeting was called at Beechwood school last night to explain that a teacher had been placed on administrative leave and that the police department was conducting an investigation into…well, something they’re not allowed to tell us about. The Chief was adamant that there was no evidence that a crime was committed or that any students were involved, which makes you wonder what he’s “investigating” in the first place.
It’s interesting to watch Superintendent Hovey and interim Police Chief Hughes struggle with a new-found interest in transparency, releasing only enough information to scare people about what the teacher might have done. Parents in the room didn’t seem to appreciate the lack of detail. One mother even came to tears trying to figure out if anything had happened to her own child (25 minutes in).
An attentive resident brought us this video of the meeting:
UPDATE: School Board Trustee Chris Thompson posted this comment addressing the question of what the board currently knows about the investigation:
I do not mind being held accountable. For clarity’s sake, I have NOT been briefed on any aspect of this story beyond the information which has been made publicly available in the meeting posted here. I have made it clear to Dr. Hovey that I believe that fact is inhibiting my ability to do my job as a trustee. Dr. Hovey informed me that he had been advised by the district’s law firm as to what information he could and could not give to the board members. He did confirm that he knows more than we do. As the law firm’s primary role is to limit the districts liability, there is no surprise there. Unfortunately, my role is to be 1/5th of an independently elected body whose job it is to ensure that our district does the right and smart thing, and I cannot very well do that if I am “managed” by the district’s lawyer. I believe that the theory is that if the board members are informed of the details of the investigation prior to the conclusion of the investigation that our impartiality will be brought into question if any decisions need to be made by the board as a result of the investigation. I don’t buy it. The people elected us to oversee this government entity and the entity itself is preventing us from knowing the details of what is going on within our own walls. At the risk of sounding self-important, I thought we were in charge.
Having said that, I would not personally use the phrase cover-up at this point. I will not quietly sit by uninformed for any extended length of time. This situation is three days old and we are talking about an elementary school. The individual who is the focus of whatever it is we are investigating has been administratively removed from the classroom and we are being told that there is zero evidence of any direct impact to children. My first step is really what I am doing here. Making it known publicly that I think it is a mistake to withhold the details of the investigation from the board.
Ostensibly, the board would be able to offer some comfort to the community…or some guidance to management about we believe we should proceed. I have no idea if I even agree that there should be an investigation.
As a final comment, I want make it clear that I believe it is exceedingly likely that both Mitch Hovey and Dan Hughes are doing what they believe to be best for the children and the community. I also believe that it is my job to review all of the knowable circumstances in order to determine whether I concur with Dr. Hovey’s actions. I have no way of doing that now.
Chris Thompson
Ok so beechwwod is a great school, dont confuse it with other schools? what does that mean? uh oh. still watchin.
I guess I’m missing the point.
I did not watch all 38 minutes of the video.
However, I did hear the substitute chief state that no children were involved in any way.
If it’s simply a personnel matter why did they call an “emergency” meeting that includes all parents??
The inference is that the teacher may have done something really bad. What did he do? Who knows.
Maybe one of the teachers was caught supporting the recall of the three stooges and Hughes has decided to “investigate” to make sure he or she is not brainwashing young Fullerton residents.
Or maybe a school teacher was caught reading this blog or watching a FSD board meeting which are only accessible from the 4F website. If my memory serves me, Mitch Hovey censored the 4F blog from the district’s employees which includes teachers….
http://www.fullertonsfuture.org/2011/access-denied/
Hopefully his Holiness Saint Hughes will give everyone a pat on the back if they get really upset over this.
Dan Hughes-“Sometimes it gets frustrating when we hold a meeting and we don’t provide enough information, but we want to provide information that was accurate”.. WTF is that comment all about? Same MO as always. So in other words, parents don’t assume the worst and just go home and let your minds run wild.
Hey look, I’m as pissed off at the FPD as the next guy, but I still want them to persue this goal: “we want to provide information that was accurate”. Call me crazy, but I think when he used those words, he meant them to mean what they mean.
At 16:50, the principal and Hovey confirms via comments that the teacher is a male.
They call him “Doctor” Hovey.
What has the world come to when an elementary school superintendent makes over a quarter million $ per year and is referred to as “Dr”.
Wake up folks before it’s too late. Ah never mind, it already is too late.
Perhaps if you had spent more time studying and less time praying, you might have an advanced degree is something too. Statistically, those who invest in their knowledge growth make more money that those who spend that time drinking beer and watching TV. I’m with you, the world is so crazy and hard to understand!
Those who invest in PhD and ED work for us, the tax payer. Show me a company in F-town that isn’t a government contractor/leach and that hire PhD or ED employees. When was the last time a PhD or ED started up their own FOR-PROFIT company?
Ummmmm, psychologists in private practice? Private school admins? The list goes on and on.
I will agree with Pat McKinley here and say: “Don’t leap to conclusions.”
I violently oppose leaping to conclusions.
Lol
I know it wasn’t my kids, they’d probably have knocked out the teacher.
Ditto Tom. And when he got back up, I’d knock him out.
I violently oppose stepping on weenies, less it be Doc’s.
Sounds like its in need of a John/Ken blast
Erin, where is it that the mother of a child in that teacher’s classroom speaks?
25:25 is when the mother who was crying speaks.
This is just ridiculous. They are in CYA mode all right, but they just created more harm than help.
Hovey spent the first three minutes saying absolutely NOTHING. Typical brain-dead vastly overpaid educrat.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THAT SCHOOL??!!
You get what you pay for…an expensive mouthpiece with little or no substance.
No, we are not getting what we pay for. I expect somebody who makes well over $200,000 a year to be able to articulate to the public what the Hell he is doing.
I don’t want to know where Mayor Silva teaches but I’m just wondering if it’s at this school.
Quirk teaches at Richman school.
Really? Really? You’re pathetic.
Say, Chris, how about a little transparency? At the very least tell us if what is being investigated – forget the who for now.
Yeah Chris, Mr. I’m on the school board and “I have been deeply involved in the Fullerton School District for 15 years.” (from your own website) Thompson, you’re all about transparency, so spill the beans. And since you are one of those responsible for what happens in our school district, why didn’t you do more to prevent this kind of thing from happening at Beechwood…hell, maybe you hired the offender. Who are you protecting? Those interests who got you elected? Nah, c’mon now, I’m just kidding.
Hmm, Good point. I forgot about that.
We’ll have to see if Chris Thompson is part of the status quo or a true game changer.
Hmm, Good point. I forgot about that.
We’ll have to see if Chris is part of the status quo or a true game changer.
I don’t believe its routine for schools to call the cops if its just a teacher policy issue.
No. Somebody suspects a crime was committed or they wouldn’t have called the cops. But if was about stealing crayons or something Hovey could have said so.
E
Thompson what the hell happened? Keeping my kids home. If we all stop sending our kids the schools will lose tax dollars, it’s the only thing they understand.
Barney, better not go over 10% total absent days or your child will be on the Sheriff’s Department list for truants. Then you get to go to “parent education classes” at your cost. So be careful of taking kids out of public school.
well, I noticed that the principal mentioned “those of you with 3rd grade students will know, that HE gave a reason for the absence that was not correct” Hmmmm. A quick scan of the FSD web site show three potential Perps if you will, one of which is female. One with a first name of Blair (could be either) and a Thomas. so we’ll focus on him first. off to scan FPD arrest logs for the past month…
You get the pitchforks; I’ll get the torches. Have Tom Hanson get a noose and we can put together a good old fashioned lynch mob. Let’s get ’em boys! Never mind due process or innocent until proven guilty, we want blood now! Feed me! Feed me! I’m so angry about everything but it helps me mask my feelings of powerlessness and inadequacy.
Uh oh! I think you’re getting close to the truth info warrior. Keep digging!
Bi-Curious Khat can claim to be morally superior while abandoning those ideals that might give ’em the moral high ground. Sweet, I suppose you’d argue I have no right to say that too, you hater of the Constitution! Go Ron Paul!
Actually you’ve made that argument not me.
Denying basic rights is what the cops did to Kelly Thomas and you’re on here doing the same thing. Fucking hypocrite.
Umm. Not even remotely close.
You’re the one telling people that they shouldnt have any opinion until a trial has taken place.
Remember this?
On the contrary, you can say whatever you want, here or anywhere, I really don’t give a fuck. Are you really suggesting that due process and being innocent until proven guilty are simply opinions? You, and everyone on here has an opinion, moron.
I know and since I’m not going to be part of a jury overseeing this incident (if it comes to that), I am entitled to having an opinion like everyone else.
“Innocent until proven guilty” doesn’t prevent me as a private citizen from having an opinion either way.
Cats are bisexual?
Y’see, there’s this thing called sarcasm… oh, never mind.
Thank you for spectacularly missing the point of this post. Which has to do with the way the thing (something, that is, nobody knows what, but there’s no evidence of anything and no need to be worried, and don’t confuse Beechwood with other schools, blah, blah, blah – gag) was served up to parents by Hovey & Co.
So how would you do it differently?
How about lay it out as they know it and what they intend to do about it. Pretty simple if you have ever been in a position to do it.
So if you’re a teacher, and a student decides they want to destroy you and your career (maybe you gave them a bad grade on a test they did poorly on), and you touched their shoulder while patting them on the back for doing well on another assignment, the folks who have to deal with the situation should tell everyone that the kid says you molested them and who you are?
How about not calling a damn parent emergency meeting and not explaining why or anything else, other than “we put a teacher on leave”. Then telling the parents that they can’t talk about anything, we have to protect the teacher and trying to feed the parents some bullshit about it has nothing to do with touching a child.
Huh? well, how do we know that? cause you said so? teacherlicker
And BTW, Hughs looks real ghostly.
teacherlicker, okay you get points for that one. lol.
“Hughs looks real ghostly.”
That’s because of all those closed-door meetings trying to figure things out. Kermit and Miss Piggy have a lot splainin’ to do, and it’s taking a toll on them. Poor things.
Hold on there! My comment simply referenced the fact my kids would know they been fooled around with and wouldn’t tolerate it. The accused deserves every right to defend themselves.
found nothing locally or county wide… hmmm… it’ll surface soon. bet on that.
Sounds like the parents already know who the teacher is.
Hmm a little adding and subtracting here.
I’ll be we have another child molestation in the works?
NO ONE calls a meeting asking for ALL parents to be present, if a teacher stole some crayons from the office.
Someone kid got touched or molested and this is these two administrators BRILLIANT approach to the problem.
Anyone taking bets??
with the amount of Sex offenders registered here in good ole Fullerton the odds are you’re right…
Now now, everyone knows the only registered sex offender in Fullerton is Antoine Dennell.
Hughes and that administrator said no student was involved.
My next question would be, then why waste the parents time and create this atmosphere?
That is the $60,000 question.
They seem to be falling all over themselves trying to be proactive.
I watched the whole video. Just reading between the lines of what they said, (and what they didn’t say), I’m thinking that pornography was found on a computer, or some other type of porn was found. It sounds like they are doing an investigation to make sure that no children were involved. They stress that there is no evidence of a crime involving any children, so far.
I wrote this comment
Justice, that’s the most plausible explanation so far.
This is my kid’s teacher. I will try not to sound like a typical parent who says “this teacher is completely innocent” but I DO think it’s important to realize that the chief said there is “NO EVIDENCE THAT A CRIME HAS EVEN BEEN COMMITTED” and yet many of the parents in the room had already “convicted” this teacher in their minds. It’s sad but also to be expected in the weeks following all that has happened in LA recently.
I will say as a parent that my daughter, yes daughter, really enjoys this teacher’s class and I feel has done very well. For the mother who was so upset because she has told her daughter to “trust your teacher” Who in their right mind would tell a child to trust anyone these days? I told my daughter from the first day of class that she should NEVER be alone with any teacher.
I do not believe that this incident directly involves any kids – they basically said as much.
How can they convict when they have no clue of what this teacher did?
Hell, Mark Berndt hasnt been tried. Are you seriously suggesting that parents live in la-la land until a trial has taken place when it comes to potential sexual abuse of their children.
By chance are you a teachers union rep?
One would think that they would have simply spelled that out during the meeting instead of scaring the shit out of parents and keeping them in the dark (if that were true).
Well an accusation has been made by someone about something, no doubt.
One should say so instead of dancing around the issue which always has and will create serious speculation and concern.
Yes accusations are found to be false in many cases.
When your dealing with kids, one must grab the bull by the horns quickly and accurately.
Calling the meeting, then handling it like this, did nothing but create more problems,suspicious speculation and distrust.
If some one has been accussed of misconduct and there is NO EVIDENCE of such, then SAY SO and deal with whatever is to follow.
How can they convict when they have no clue of what this teacher did?
When parents in the meeting say “if it is found that he did nothing wrong and you return him to the school, I want my children taken out of his class” I think it’s fair to say they have convicted him in their minds. I’m not a teacher union rep, I’m a concerned parent, but also someone who thinks this teacher has done a good job. But, I do believe that based on what they said in the meeting last night it seems like an (understandable) overreaction based on what’s happened recently in LA.
I think it’s a double edged sword, they want to overcommunicate to parents so they’re not accused of hiding information, but in doing so it seems like the teacher is guilty already…
You act like this is a bad thing but that’s their right as in individual and parent. If it were my kid I would do the same.
Children reported Mark Berndt decades ago but nothing was done by authorities so I’d be an awful sack of shit if I felt something wasn’t right but went against my better judgement and let my child continue to be taught by someone who exhibited bizarre behavior or was accused of sexual misconduct .
I figured you had a dog in this fight. I appreciate your honesty though.
I had a difficult time hearing what Hughes (he sounds like Kermit the Frog) had to say.
I think they scared everyone more than informing them.
Looks a bit like Kermit, too.
Touche!
I shook my head as I watched a little bit of this video. Public school teachers have WAY too many protections. If they were private sector employees and did the same crap, they’d be fired. Did you know they can take up to a year off in this state and still get paid?
Yes I did. And this is too much like the police unions and the Catholic church. MO is to move the perp to another department or congregation.
This meeting would have never been held a year ago. Thanks FFFF for forcing these secret-holders understand that coverups don’t work anymore.
Things are already looking a tiny bit better in Fullerton.
Send your kids to school w hidden cameras once in a while-Frys can show you how-real cheap.
Or they can also utilize the audio recorder feature on their cell phones when need be.
When I listened to the tape, I heard that it was a male third grade teacher who was being given administrative leave while being investigated. This URL is the list of the staff members of Beechwood Elementary. You’ll have to figure out the rest for yourself…
http://fsd.k12.ca.us/Beechwood/staff.html
Sounds to me like you are having a flashback to your fond memories of what happened on July 5th 2011 over at the transportation center except they didn’t give an invitation -THE WITNESSES WERE FORCED TO WATCH you poor soul.
Go ahead and delete this again. Thompson has been briefed on this situation. He is not talking, this is a cover up. Time for recall.
There is a vast difference between a bludgeoned, electrocuted brain dead human being left for dead lying the in the gutter and abandoned for the paramedics to take away at the hands of the FPD and a proactive measure to stave off a future event where no one was injured. Cindy do you have a water filter?
Truthseeker, On the latest blog Admin called out all of Cindy’s aliases. It’s pretty interesting about how many there are no to mention helpful in identifying who is a troll.
Good Call…
YOU are probably correct.
I hope this makes every parent with a child in public, private, and religious schools rethink about who are around their children for 8 hours a day. I’ll tell you what…this mother has, and is frightened. (And I come from a bloodline of educators.)
I agree La Roo. I think this meeting did more harm than good. I hope that we can start in Fullerton to change these state laws that protect teachers and do more harm than good to our society as a whole.
And it is not ask about molestation or child porn or adult relationships with minors…there are teachers who are not mentally right and take their personal life issues out on their students. I have heard one too many incidents including teachers flying off the handles because their spouse is cheating on them. And what blows my mind is when the principal doesn’t want to upset the apple cart and allows the teacher in the classroom as a ticking time bomb.
All not ask. Damn auto spell.
The fact they notified the FPD so quickly suggests it is of a criminal nature. And the fact they held a press conference this early suggests children could be involved, but not Beechwood School students.
At least they did something. This is vastly different than the Fullerton School District status quo of decades past where everything was swept under the rug. No police called. No parents notified.
I do not mind being held accountable. For clarity’s sake, I have NOT been briefed on any aspect of this story beyond the information which has been made publicly available in the meeting posted here. I have made it clear to Dr. Hovey that I believe that fact is inhibiting my ability to do my job as a trustee. Dr. Hovey informed me that he had been advised by the district’s law firm as to what information he could and could not give to the board members. He did confirm that he knows more than we do. As the law firm’s primary role is to limit the districts liability, there is no surprise there. Unfortunately, my role is to be 1/5th of an independently elected body whose job it is to ensure that our district does the right and smart thing, and I cannot very well do that if I am “managed” by the district’s lawyer. I believe that the theory is that if the board members are informed of the details of the investigation prior to the conclusion of the investigation that our impartiality will be brought into question if any decisions need to be made by the board as a result of the investigation. I don’t buy it. The people elected us to oversee this government entity and the entity itself is preventing us from knowing the details of what is going on within our own walls. At the risk of sounding self-important, I thought we were in charge.
Having said that, I would not personally use the phrase cover-up at this point. I will not quietly sit by uninformed for any extended length of time. This situation is three days old and we are talking about an elementary school. The individual who is the focus of whatever it is we are investigating has been administratively removed from the classroom and we are being told that there is zero evidence of any direct impact to children. My first step is really what I am doing here. Making it known publicly that I think it is a mistake to withhold the details of the investigation from the board.
Ostensibly, the board would be able to offer some comfort to the community…or some guidance to management about we believe we should proceed. I have no idea if I even agree that there should be an investigation.
As a final comment, I want make it clear that I believe it is exceedingly likely that both Mitch Hovey and Dan Hughes are doing what they believe to be best for the children and the community. I also believe that it is my job to review all of the knowable circumstances in order to determine whether I concur with Dr. Hovey’s actions. I have no way of doing that now.
First of all, thank you posting here and for continuing to being open and honest.
Can we now call you Dick Jones? Singing the same tune.
Wrong again. Dick Jones went out of his way to remain uninformed and shirk his responsibilities to the public. Thompson is doing exactly the opposite.
Chris –
I appreciate your comments, but with all due respect, since you also have a child at the school, it’s difficult to determine whether your comments are given as a true independent authority, or tainted by your thoughts of being a parent at a school with an accusation. Do you normally get briefed as a board member on things that happen in the district immediately upon action, or are they gathered and updated to you? Not sure how this is any different, even being something as controversial and charged as this is. Let’s let them get through their investigation and give you a more thorough update.
Well, here we go again. Hovey works for you! You represent the indivisible authority of the people. The District lawyer works for you, too.
Just as with Whitaker in the City, the FSD bureaucracy is exercising authority over you are permitted to see. This is not just about an individual case, either.
I would say that I made it clear above that I concur with this.
I think Chris has been clear and concise here and I don’t see any reason to criticize his role as a trustee given the information that is available.
anonymous – the mom you were referring to was an annoying mom. she brought her kids to the meeting and they were sooooo noisy in the back!
my daughter used to volunteer a lot for this teacher when she was 3rd grade at beechwood. she wasn’t in this teacher’s class,but she would help the teacher clean up the room after school.
the problem now is some kids in her grade level are saying that the teacher “molested” a student which is completely different from what hughes indicated yesterday , right?
at some degree there is a character assasination that is happening. however, if he is guilty he needs to go to jail.
Perhaps the concern is related to self-important loud mouths being given inside information regarding an ongoing investigation which would then be disseminated amongst political friends or blogs. The fact of the matter is, city councils and school boards don’t conduct investigations – professional staff trained in the legal aspects and ramifications of such investigations conduct investigations and policy makers are briefed on the results of said investigations. Truth is, politicians and trustees can’t be trusted to be discreet in such matters, especially self-important, puffed up loud mouths who time and time again torpedo sensitive investigations which often leads to lawsuits and big payouts. That’s why you’re lawyer is telling you to butt out for the moment. Listen to your legal counsel; they’re smarter than you are.
I have been reading alot of the responces and as a parent from Beechwood I fell that some are just mocking rather then giving constructive opinions. This is a serious matter because it affects our kids and some more then most. All this talk about hanging, get the nuse and the LOL’s, NOT FUNNY!!!
Do I believe the fourm could have been more informative and presented better, of course! but it wasn’t. I am glade to know that some action has been taken and that this person for what ever reason has been placed on administrative leave and is away from our kids. We are fortunate that the District has taken this action unlike other districts that we have heard on the news took months, due to an ongoing investigation.
I believe we need to work together as a comunity and as a family to be more involved with our kids and our school/teachers. The more our presents are known the safer our kids are.
I’m glade too.
This scenario with Chris Thompson seems similar to the unability to allow Whittiker to view the transportation depot tape.Do other cities opportate like this? It seems other schools are quicker to immeadiatly let the press know what is going on. This is a defensive move and being defencive will ultimitaly end in a losing situation
Jumping to conclusions is the only exercise most people get.
Chris, I handled this before in a more latino based community where I worked in public educ @ the district office.
Your sup’t did the correct thing in immediately removing the teacher from the classroom. Usually, we would place them in a temp position in the district office – away from kids. Most of the time the teachers were not at fault, but the removal cooled things down and then the decisions were made to transfer to another school or keep them in the same slot depending on what was found out.
Understand, paid administrative leave is costly, especially if the information is specious. However, we had one horrible case involving a principal and the district dragged its feet and was burned.
Now Chris, in other districts, the board meets “IN CLOSED SESSION”. Its a personnel matter thus it is not discussed in public unless criminal charges are made by the DA. People need to know that the problem was handled (teacher removed) and handled swiftly. If criminal charges are made, then the info becomes public.
And yes I was a union rep and board member before that and the union (whether they like it or not) has an obligation to support the teacher member (legal services) as long as they are dues paying. Our dues were $1000/year. Some teachers opt out under some arcane rule, they are left to twist in the wind!
In summary, the Fullerton elementary school district is handling this properly under state law and ed code, however, the board can meet in closed session and demand a certain level of info. That is privileged info though!
at some point the school district and FPD has to inform the parents the status of the investigation.
some kids are already spreading the rumor that the teacher “molested” a kid. this is a serious allegation.
i dont’t think it is fair to the teacher.
as a parent i think it is my responsibility to tell my kid not to engaged in rumor mongering.
i think some parents yesterday was feeding off the rumor mill. SAD!
this teacher is a great teacher. not the wishy washy type.
Kids are more discerning than we give them credit for. On the other hand, depending on their age, they might not understand what molestation entails.
I don’t think they would drag the Chief of Police up there for an emergency meeting if the rumor mongering had no substance. I mean, if the same kids were claiming the teacher belonged to Al Qaeda, would the police be involved right now? No. Would the meeting have taken place? No.
How can the School Board be kept in the dark on this? The School Board–not the Superintendent–is the client of the FSD Attorney. The FSD Attorney telling the Superintnentent to keep the board members ignorant betrays a complete distortion as to what their roles are.
With my 25 years as a councilman and supe., I was never denied information on any investigation. Sure, it wasn’t public information, but the electeds have a right to know, so as to provide ongoing advice.
As a Beechwood parent, I find this meeting surreal. Something was serious enough to call this emergency meeting, then parents are told it’s not serious, after all, not to worry–but you cannot tell them what not to worry about!
The elected board needs to step up and provide some leadership here.
People of Fullerton, I give you your courageous California State Assemblyman, Chris Norby. This is what leadership looks like.
The problem here it mr. Thompson can’t be trusted with confidential information, as with the Kelly Thomas case, inaccurate information will be posted on this blog before the investigation is even underway. This prevents successful prosecution or the ability to clear the wrongfully accused.
If he can’t be trusted with confidential information he should be recalled.
However he has never given a single reason for you to make that comment, which tags you as a rabid teacher’s union goon or a cop union goon.
I saw that the School Board members are expressly forbidden access to personnel records, however I see that “site administators”, which I’m translating to read as the Principal, are entitled to access of these records? To me that’s like saying the Supervisor is able to access any and all records, yet the owner of the business is told to M.Y.O.B?
p.s. Omar sounds more like a cop union goon. Hmmm…Omar spelled backwords is Ramo(s)?
Chris, are they denying you information on the basis of Article 22.3 of the union agreement which doesn’t explicitly list the board members?
http://fsd.k12.ca.us/personnel/PDF/FETA_Agreement1208.pdf (page 52)
I’ve heard of this happening in other districts, just curious.
So basically Chris Thompson thinks he can be the hero, and that other administrators don’t know what they’re doing. And he pats the police chief on the back. I guess if you’re Chris’s buddy, you’re a good guy!
Uh, no. He doesn’t want to be a hero. He wants to be an informed elected representative of the school district.
Hovey doesn’t agree that trustees should be informed unless he decides when, and what.
The District lawyer should be fired immediately and Hovey along with them. But that can’t happen because the majority of the Board are dyed-in-the-wool stooges.
True, Vernon. That section refers to who specifically can examine personnel files.
It certainly does not prevent the Superintendent for reporting to the board an administrative leave or the status of an ongoing investigation.
The files are confidential–not public information–but confidentiality does not exclude the Board from information it needs.
Yes, it has happened in other districts. It’s happened in cities. It happens with any elected Board that passively over-delegates too much authority to its appointed executive. The City of Bell is an extreme example.
It never happened to me, with 18 years on the City Council and 7 on the Board of Supervisors. We were always kept informed about administrative leaves and ongoing investigations.
Even on the OC Sanitation District, with 27 members, we would go into closed session and be informed re: suspended employees and ongoing investigations. CEO Art Leahy did this, too, with the OCTA Board.
Good CEOs, managers, administrators work with their elected Boards–they don’t keep them in the dark. Good public agency attorneys recognize their client is the elected Board, not an unelected administrator. But, then, it must be a Board that insists on this.
BTW, Norby thatnks for supporting Travis Kiger – and hopefully a new generation of accountable leadership.
WOW! REALLY! Chris Norby on the FFFF blog. I always liked you Chris. Keep up the fight.
Hopefully the recall election will start to turn the tides here.
I’m a Beechwood parent and my daughter, who is now in 5th grade, had this teacher in 3rd grade. I think this teacher is one of the finest teachers at Beechwood. I don’t believe for a second that this teacher would harm ANY student or behave in a manner inappropriate towards ANY student. After my daughter had this teacher for 3rd grade I really hoped the teacher would move up and teach a higher grade so she could have him again. In his class she had the best academic year that she has ever had! This is a man who clearly loves teaching. The kids adore him. He is funny, he inspires them, he meets them where they are and challenges them to accomplish more. He sees them as individuals and not squares in a peg board. Truly, I cannot say enough good about this man. He is simply one of the best! I am sickened by how this has been handled. If he is exonerated, which the evidence points to that, they have destroyed a man…and for what? To confuse and scare parents but act like they did the “right thing”. I am disgusted- by how our elected, overpaid officials have handled this matter. The kids will be the losers if this teacher isn’t allowed to return to BW when exonerated. Furthermore, the alarmist reaction may have destroyed a fantastic educator and really great guy’s life.
How do you know the evidence points to exoneration?
Thanks to cross eyed dumb ditzes like you, predators easily prey on our children.
“but but but he’s a nice guy”
“but but but he goes to church”
“but but but he’s a family man”
I heard ditzes like you using those tired cliches on radio and TV when mark berndt was arrested for feeding kids semen!
SNAP OUT OF IT!!!!!!! Just because kids like him or hes “a good teacher” doesnt mean he won’t fondle a child.
God I just want reach through this computer and slap some sense into your dumb ass. I feel sorry for your kid if she was actually abused but afraid to tell you because your own head is stuck so far up your own ass.
Its one thing to keep an open mind about this because children do lie but to form such a strong opinion of someone just because they appear to be “nice” or “good” or “a teacher” is just STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next you’re gonna tell me they did background checks before he was hired so he couldnt have done it.
By law, anyone (employed or volunteer) who is in a position of supervision or control over children in a public agency (school, city program) must have a background check done; that check includes fingerprinting.
That said, if the person has done something and never caught out, there will be no fingerprints; and, a background check is no guarantee that someone has never committed (or will not) commit a crime against a child.
Thank for saying that Jill. I am glad to hear a person come to this teacher’s defense. Jack-Why call her stupid because she knows this person a lot better than all of us bloggers? If he is guilty of whatever they are investigating–then he should be fired, go to jail, etc.–but what if he isn’t guilty? Jack–calling a parent names for defending someone without circumstantial or tangible evidence to is fatuous.
Are you saying that Jack needs circumstantial or tangible evidence to respond to another opinion expressed here?
Jack has a valid point whether you like it or not.
Whatever point “Jack” had (and I’m guessing Jack isn’t his real name rather a joke since my name is Jill) was lost when he resorted to name calling. According to Jack I’m a cross-eyed, dumb ass, stupid ditz with my head up my ass. Really? That’s a good point? Oh, and Jack feels the need to slap me around. Jack sounds like a swell guy.
I may be wrong about this teacher, but I don’t think I am. Until the chief of police can come up with some actual evidence I’ll stick to what I do know. I like this teacher- I don’t know if he goes to church- I don’t care. I do know that sometimes people are wrongfully accused of something. I do know that we live in a state where you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty and until the truth is determined he isn’t around kids which seems prudent.
Well said Jill.
Jill sounds more like a union buddy than a parent.
Her first post claimed the evidence against the teacher points to exoneration. I asked her to clarify and so far she hasn’t done so.
How the hell would she know anything about the evidence unless she was an insider?
Not a union buddy. Just a parent. Perhaps I should have phrased my words differently- the lack of evidence points to exoneration. I was at the 7pm meeting last night and it was repeated over and over-“there is no evidence, there is no evidence, there is no evidence”.
Jill, you’re being naive. Really naive.
If the rumors were totally unsubstantiated, they would have mailed a letter home and nothing more. No emergency meeting. No appearance from the Fullerton Police Chief. You need to read between the lines a little more. When Hovey says “rather than wait months” for answers, that’s a red flag. When the principal says a substitute teacher would be around “for some time” that’s red flag number two.
Mitch Hovey’s body language should not be overlooked. He looked absolutely terrified up there. Did you catch the comment about the district being in touch with legal counsel over liability issues? The no evidence claim was contradicted at times by “so far” or “not yet” so it’s hardly an absolute at this point.
FSD has covered up sexual misconduct in the past without notifying the police or removing the teacher from the classroom. So don’t be so quick to believe what you’re being fed.
It’s so cliché to respond with “Really?”. Now I feel like reaching through my computer screen and slapping you as well.
AMEN JACK!!!!!!
Jack, you are way out of line, and from what I can tell, pretty much an ass. You obviously are one that feels free to express a personal opinion, but are unable to allow others to express theirs. You are what make situations like this more difficult, and basically, make yourself look like an incredible moron. So, please go climb back under the rock you crawled out from under unless you’re able to find some semblance of a brain.
Jack brought up a good point. It’s always amazing how someone kills their entire family, goes ‘postal’ at work, etc. and when they interview the person’s neighbors, they respond with:
“I had no idea, he seemed like such a good person, a good dad…”
“He always waved…every single morning…”
His message could have been delivered a bit differently, but he has a good point.
Is the Superintendent elected or appointed? I can’t find any evidence in past election results that this is an elected position (though Superintendents are usually elected).
Anyone? Could you please post a supporting link if you have one?
Appointed.
Issue 2: Is this law firm hired by the Board or by the Superintendent? This is a VERY IMPORTANT distinction.
If the law firm was hired by the Board, then there needs to be a closed session emergency meeting demanding disclosure under threat of firing the law firm.
Hired by the Superintendent via a suggested board item and voted upon by the school board. Basically, the lawyers report to the school board since they can terminate the contract. If they were dumb enough to have a multiyear contract, then you can decide whether you want to retain the school board members as they ask for re-election. All board items are published before the board meetings and after the board meetings on a fairly precise schedule.
Yes, the school board members can demand a certain amount of information in CLOSED SESSION. That info is not provided to the public.
I find it interesting that none of the media outlets are reporting on this issue. This probably means they weren’t notified.
Second, nothing appears on the Fullerton School District or Beechwood School websites.
How’s that for transparency?
Just when I think Fullerton is moving forward, we go in the toilet, again.
Chris, I have been watching this effort by administrators and attorneys to keep elected board members in the dark purportedly to limit liability for 15 years.
It is bunk.
The administrators work for the board. The attornies work for the board. Even though there are decissions that can only be made by a majority vote of the board in due process pursuant to the Brown act, each board member has a right to all information required to make timely, informed decissions.
You have a right to know all information known by your administrators and lawyers. Hire your own attorney if necessary and petition a judge to order that the information be given to you. Then you can get re-imbursement from district funds when you win.
There was a long term substitute at Fern Drive this Fall who was EXCELLENT!
Even the 11 year olds on the Little League team liked her, young and vibrant, not yet corrupted by the poision that is the CTA.
Get her in there and the parents will be happy.
Brow is right on. The attorney is hired and works for the Board. the Board is his client. He’s obviously forgotten that and is working to keep his client in the dark.
The Board must remember they work for the voters, taxpayers and parents who elected for them–they do not work for the Superintendent.
Well I think we can all agree that this issue didn’t take a month to come to the public’s attention. Despite the lack of information, SOMETHING was said, an investigation is underway.
So someone is at least trying not to look like FPD. Or act like others did in the recent LA schools scandal.
Chris, nice response to all this.
I beg to differ with you Chris Thompson, IMO Mitch Hovey has NEVER cared about our children, not in the past, not in the future. The only person who would think this is the parent who has never had dealings with the DO. We have the war wounds to prove it and personal stories that would curl your hair. He is a lot like Silva; he hides in his office, makes others do his bidding and says all the right things to the parents faces. All the while knowing he is spewing half truths and stabbing families(and their children) in the back, at ever turn that benefits district…..no matter how bad it will hurt the child. Must be a Fullerton thang. I give him the King of Douchebags title. And that would be why my children no longer go to FSD schools. Every person we have dealt with at the DO over the last 6 years is evil, pure and simple….and all under the direction of Mitch Hovey.
I should add: most recently under Hovey’s direction. I do not beleive he has been there for 6 years, prior to him it was a different clown, same circus though.
Wow!!!!!!
Look at us, we are parents, family members, friends and most of all grown ups!! Yet we are all acting like children!!!
Parents of the kids spreading rumors must be ashamed of themselves!! Kids are only saying what was told to them!! Name calling and not understanding what we are all trying to say, jumping to conclusions befor all the facts are out, we are acting just like children who don’t know better!!
Remember we are all expressing our opinions wheather right or wrong, but that is one of our given rights, freedom of speach. Alot of us talk about the first thing that comes to mind not thinking of past situtations, like Jill giving the good qualities of this person not associating it with what we hear on the news. All that needed to be said was something to refresh her memory, also just may be a way for her to believe nothing happened to her child! Is that really so wrong?
Do I believe this person may have did something wrong, yes. But untill the facts are out I am happy he is out of the school.
We all need to be more constructive on listening and talking on how to deal with this situtation, by giving constructive opinions, finding out how we can better help our schools by being involved PARENTS, and most of all comforting and nurturing our childern in a positive way!
Thank you middle man. My father always said we should wait until all the facts came out. I grew up to be one of the ones who went out in pursuit of the facts.
Thank you, middle man, for being the voice of reason in this whole mess!
Fullerton teacher placed on leave
Published: March 1, 2012 Updated: 4:17 p.m.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/police-342749-investigation-school.html
“Fullerton’s acting police chief, Capt. Dan Hughes, said the teacher is not suspected of committing crimes against children.”
So the FFFF blog is banned but kiddie porn is accessible to school employees? Good job Hovey.
Fullerton school district board members need to consider their lack of transparency by Hovey as part of his review process. Yes the review on pay and whether to keep the Superintendent.
School Board members should have been apprised of the situation in a closed door session of the School Board.
For example, in my district, an employee was accused of stealing money. The school board had a closed door session and relieved the person of their duties pending a thorough investigation. That investigation took ONE YEAR. It resulted in a number of charges totaling $700,000 of theft of funds.
So since the Fullerton Sup’t feels its OK to treat the school board like MUSHROOMS and keep them in the dark, in return, the school board needs to consider this as part of his job evaluation.
It is possible, that school board members knowing certain vital info might compromise the police investigation (but somehow I doubt it!)
Here is an interesting article that just happens to mention Beechwood and the name Bushala…coincidence?
http://www.hesperiastar.com/articles/miaad-241572-ocregister-teacher-birthday.html
I think Tony knows this guy…
Looks like generosity runs in the family.
That was my thought exactly! and also, what a cutie pie that little girl is.
Travis has a brother in law on the FPD
Travis has a brother in law on the FPD & he is promising jobs to voters if they vote for him and the Bushalaboys
This is libel. Enjoyed getting sued a-hole.
And it’s my opinion that matters to me I believe the person who told me this information if it’s not true then it’s not true for the record
Kiger lost his run for Orange city council & will lose again here in Fullerton he can’t promise jobs for votes here just like he couldn’t in Orange
This is my opinion only
Free legal advice: Stating something is only your opinion doesn’t make it any less defamatory. Sorry, it’s just one of those rules.
If you’re going to put in writing that someone is offering jobs for votes, you better have something to back it up. Whomever is going to sue you doesn’t need to prove what you said isn’t true. By making the claim, the burden of proof is on you.
Again, enjoy getting sued.
Just to clarify – whatever anyone posts on here can be sued for anything they write? I will heed this advice and it should be a red flag for anyone else who leaves comments on here. So even the comments you posted about “I’m not calling anyone a fascist” could be used against you? Even though in a round-about way is the same thing as “in my opinion.” Or is this because someone heard a rumor and wanted to post it? Isn’t this the same thing when the bloggers post their opinions and malicious comments about other political figures? I want to make sure so I can put the word out to be cautious of what you post as an “opinion.”
If I were to post that For the Record is a fascist, that would not be libel. (Also, I didn’t call anyone a fascist. I made a comment that the line of reasoning that was being used by a blogger was a very slippery slope. It wasn’t, at all, tied to the mailer being discussed. The line/method of reasoning is what fascists used in the 30’s.) In this case, it’s really a casual insult.
If I were to post that For the Record is a fascist who participated in an orchestrated effort to intimidate voters and planned to keep them from the polls– they yes, that’d be defamation and posting it here would be grounds for a libel suit. In this case we’ve gone beyond well beyond the casual insult and materially damaged reputation. How material the damage is would be up for a judge and jury to decide. It could be a dollar (since I’m not running for anything) or it could be a whole lot more, provided I had some additional stake on the table, which I don’t.
Short answer? Yes, anything you post here– provided you meet other critical thresholds for defamation (and there are many) — may be grounds for a libel suit. “I heard a rumor” may be a grayer area. It would probably depend on the rumor.
Torts 101 at 12:15 AM probably isn’t all that accurate, but I don’t think this is too far off the mark.
OK, so I looked at this and made a mistake. It’s probably impossible to make a libel claim against an anonymous blogger ID, so using my ID is a bad example. You’d need to take the added step of attaching it to a real person (i.e., Mr Kiger as the unfortunate individual has done in this thread.)
So don’t use people’s real names is the way to beat the system, right? That was the mistake Jon and Ken made about Whitney. Damn…what a waste of peoples time with frivolous law suits (unless you are the lawyer getting paid.)
I’m not familiar with the J&K item, but the loop hole may not be as wide as you might think. You start to wade into what “a reasonable person” may be able to connect the dots . . . blah blah blah. If it were me– If I wanted to discuss a hypothetical item on a blog, I’d be very clear the item was hypothetical. If I wanted to cause material damage to a person’s reputation and get away with it, I’d hire a really good lawyer to give me really good advice.
If I have to prove it I can I’m not trying to get him in trouble but the person who told me that will admit that they said that to me no problem and thanks for your concern
All that really means is that when you get sued, and lose, you might be able to turn around and sue your friend, who also does not have proof to back it up. Someone telling you something isn’t proof. It’s hearsay, which isn’t a defense for defamation.
For example, if I said my friend told me you were cheating on your spouse, it doesn’t mean I’m shielded from liability and I can put up a billboard that says you’re a cheater and not get sued. If I did put up a bill board, you’d win. I’d be really pissed at my friend and you’d have a whole lot of my money.
Look man, I’m just trying to help you out. If you don’t value what you have, then fine. You’re opening yourself up to a lawsuit quite casually.
And for the record it is not illegal to promise a job if he wins to a voter I just hope there is enough jobs if he is saying that
That is awesome. I am relly looking forward to my new job at the Fullertown Police Deprtment. I can’t wait to start tazing mofos in the DTF And I heard they got all the best donuts and fresh fruit pies. Thank you Travis for giving me a chance to make something of my life and retire at 50. We all get iPads too, right?
Thanks for the record I get your point in all seriousnessand see what you mean I’ll let the guy who told me that know the same and ask him to stop saying that if he does not have proof because you’re right it wrong to say stuff like that about a person with out proof appreciate the help all this because I told him I was voting for Travis in the first place that’s how I heard the name bushala boys too some people have nothing better to do wow
I am the person who states this comment to the person above and it is not truth I did not know the person I told would repeatthis on this blog and I’m sorry for misinforming him Mr.k has no brother in law on FPD and has promised job$ to no voters whatsoever
The man I told this to stated he was voting for Mr.K and I made it up as a joke he took serious because he was heart set on voting for him and I did not have time to tell him I was kidding before he went on this site and yelled at me this morning calling me and telling me he would sue me if sued
Relax. Nobody is likely to be sued over anything on this blog. This is a Free Speech zone.
That being said I’m sorry for misleading this man to change his vote which he told me he is not changing his vote for Mr.K and asked me to stay away from him and his family which is my loss because he is a good person good enough to make sure I corrected myself for the record and Mr.K
Well Mr.K friend made my guy feel that way enough to have him ask me to do this on his behalf and he wonders why I tried to change his vote joke or not Mr.K and his
For the record is full of crap you can’t be sued & Travis is promising position to all his voters if elected the position they will all get is bent over if you know what I mean for the record and you’re the first one in line you have some nerve bra I’ll pay for a lawyer too I’m not worries I have deep pockets for my freedom of speech a hole
Rincon!
Who is the Insiders at the FPD