Birmingham, MI 48009, Call Us 248-203-5000 Late last year, some members of the Derby High girls basketball team were the target of hurtful race-based comments on social media. Bennetts lawyer and the school districts lawyer have until August to submit written summations of their arguments to Michael Ricci, the hearings administrativeofficer. In addition to using inappropriate language toward students, district administrators have accused Bennett of forcing students to retake NWEA achievement tests in order to improve testscores. If you are considering having your child attend Derby Middle School, I welcome you to visit our school for a personal tour. -- The principal of a Georgia school has been fired less than a week after video of racially . I believe anytime you can do this, its in the best interest of the school system and Rachel has been successful at every stop along the way.. The hearing officer twice asked The Valley Indy not to record any audio from the proceedings, even though that request is questionable under the Freedom of InformationAct. Didnt you tell Ms. Bennett that you were going to try to get her fired? Pantusoasked. 4.5 Baths. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education , certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. I thought she was being really rude," the student said. The student said he was frustrated, and starting crying during his next class. We wanted it to be a cooperative environment, not a competitive environment.. But school officials did not offer many details about why. That is when she was accused of making derogatory remarks to two Derby Middle School students. Why were you not involved, as principal of the school? Pantusoasked. He talked to ateacher, who sent him to Russo, the middle schooldean. When he finished, he said he took his score to show Bennett so she could write it down (the NWEA is atest done on acomputer). A big shakeup happened at Eastside Catholic after two principals were fired and 13 faculty members quit in protest. View more recently sold homes. Meet the Family- DMS. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "I think its disgusting and I'm sure our teachers that deal with problems like this every day have a chill down their back today and they're looking for more jobs.". Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. Pantuso, while questioning Russo, asked questions about his experiencefocusing on the fact Russo was new to his position when he started looking into the studentsallegations. Caggiano began her career in Derby in 2011 as a special education teacher at DHS. The nature of the termination hearing did not provide Bennetts lawyer an opportunity to summarize her version of what happened on May 10 and May11. WICHITA, Kansas A video about racial profiling and discrimination was not appropriate for students or teachers at Derby High School, according to a Derby school board member who requested an apology from the principal who showed the video. The individuals, according to the attorney, dragged the student for a length of 570 feet, which is almost two football fields, with his shirt "riding up in the back with his bare skin rubbing up against that floor. As such we do not hold or accept liability for the content, views or references used. 3,229 Sq. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Caggiano has a bachelors degree in special education K-12 and a masters degree in special education, emotional disabilities, from Southern Connecticut State University. HUNTINGTON The next principal at Barboursville Middle School has been named six weeks after the former principal was fired. Now its home to a $32.5 million, 65-classroom middle school equipped to handle 750 Derby students. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Updated October 20, 2015 6:16 PM. According to Principal Rachael Caggiano, the school first heard of Green a few years ago, when he spoke to teachers at a school convocation. Some students felt ill during the test. Vitelli, the former middle school principal, was part of an administrative team that evaluated Bennetts job performance when she taught sixth grade. Debate/Forensic Club, 3:20 PM - 4:20 PM When it was suggested that parents deserve answers, Conway said, "I apologize if they're not comfortable with it," but declined to divulge more. The premier conference for secondary school leaders, IGNITE will be held July 12-15, in Denver, CO. Derby Middle Home Directions. I am afraid this is negatively affecting our culture, both staff & students.. And thats what Idid, Ijust rushed through it, not wanting to take it again, the studentsaid. A hearing started Monday in Derby City Hall about whether a Derby Middle School teacher should be fired. Principal: Jennifer Nonnemacher. However, I think we have to be very careful how (we) address those issues, Watkins said in an email. The initial incident took place on Nov. 4, 2019 when an elementary special education student didn't comply with a request from Walter Hill Elementary principal Helen Campbell, according to Fox 17. The Madison School District fired a Black middle school principal after only two months on the job because of comments he mistakenly left on a job candidate's voicemail that went "against the (district) vision of creating an anti-racist school culture and curriculum," according to records released by the district Thursday. 3:20 PM - 4:20 PM Controversy about the video centers on its mention of white privilege, a phrase that refers to inherent advantages that white people have over people of color on the basis of their race. We didnt want people to want one school because it offered a program the other one didnt, Smith said. Reached by phone, Neel declined comment and said all questions should go through the districts communications department. ALEXANDRIA, Va. A former middle-school principal has been charged with misdemeanor assault after police say he smacked a defiant student on the backside earlier this year. Many ancient pipes in CT aren't up to the task of draining storm water, yet officials just seem to shrug. Coach Dan Harrison shared the same video during a meeting with team members in an effort to help his team heal and move on, Hamblin said in an email. The superintendent said akindergarten teacher got into trouble for putting her hands on astudents arm during adrill to redirect him to get back inline.. 4621 Blainfield St was last sold on Jan 10, 2022 for $240,500 (0% higher than the asking price of $239,900). The School Board disputed that it had fired her in June 2020 it voted to terminate her on July 27, 2020, then issued a written decision in mid-October of that year, weeks after a required . Market data provided by Factset. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Did you think it was insulting to special education students? McClainasked. Was it out loud to the class? Russosaid. Tools to Improve Your School. At Derby Middle School, 68% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 77% scored at or above . Isnt it true that Ms. Bennett told you You can do better than that? Pantusoasked. Hamblin, the Derby High principal, emailed his staff on Feb. 7, apologizing for showing a video during an employee meeting in January. Only her controversial video has been gaining popularity. Derby North Middle School had its first day of school in August. Since you viewed this item previously you can read it again. I do realize some face greater challenges than others on a daily basis, but everyone faces challenges.. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. The report states that the boy who was allegedly dragged through the hallway had autism. Birmingham, MI 48009. The two principals have been working extensively on the behind the scenes efforts since the school bond funding construction of the new school passed three years ago, Smith said. James Nichols Special Education Supervisor. The hearing officer was twice asked to justify his actions under the states open meetings law, and responded that those involved in the hearing wanted to protect the identities of thestudents. DERBY -- A handwritten threat and a locked-down school began a series of events last month that led the Board of Education to accept resignations from three high-ranking school administrators Monday night. Emails obtained through a Kansas Open Records Act request show that Derby school board member Andy Watkins requested the apology, which principal Tim Hamblin issued in an email to staff earlier this month. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He testified for much of Mondays five-hour hearing, recounting his talks with both Student A and Student B, who also claimed Bennett called him aderogatory name. 1:21. Jeremy Packman, who was appointed in June, left just after Thanksgiving . 1300 Derby Rd. Content and images available on this website is supplied by contributors. Pantuso also revealed through questioning that school officials referred Bennett to the state Department of Children and Families, but the agency declined toinvestigate. Friday morning, September 16, the principal of Trenton Rosenwald Middle School was addressing recent behavior in the school.. A video . Video of fatal police shooting of CT man will not be released yet, Cannabis activists want more CT criminal cases dropped, expunged, CT DOT faces criticism following overnight tree-cutting, Haar: Payouts at fading CT trash agency offer lessons in a crisis. It seems the safest short-term solution is to declare the area off-limits for humans at least for the near-term future, pending additional studies. His dean of students filled him in when he returned. Jul 2012 - Present10 years 8 months. The video has been going viral over Reddit, where a principal fires her employee for leaving the shift eight minutes early. Teacher termination hearings are often conducted privately; Bennett specifically requested hers be conducted in full view of thepublic. But Pantusos line of inquiry questioned whether the retesting issue went beyond justBennett. And even though Kathleen is half black and half white, she recognizes what that means, and she made the statement. The district also voted to keep the current Derby Middle School's mascot as the Bulldogs, but change the school colors from red and white to green and gold. Thank you for reading! It is also helpful and rewarding that we were able to promote from within. The individuals were suspended from their jobs at the elementary school, according to the report. Susan is a veteran educator who used to teach at middle and elementary schools before becoming the principal. If we truly believe in the power of education, we must believe in the ability to learn empathy and compassion even if we personally have no idea what it is like to worry about walking down a street after dark, it says. According to the district, Copeland was placed on leave Sept. 13 and as of Sept. 26 was no longer employed by the district. Follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT. Low near 35F. The teacher, Conway testified, received awritten warning and had to take additional trainingcourses. She earned her sixth-year administrative degree in education leadership from Sacred Heart University. . I think it might have been because Iwas acting up, Student Asaid. RAISE Academy 75 Chatfield Street Derby, CT 06418 203-736-5032 Toby Price, assistant principal at Gary . When the student didn't comply with the request, Campbell and Bonnie Marlar, a teacher, grabbed him by the ankles and proceeded to drag him through the hallways, according to Director of Schools Bill Spurlock. Image 16 of 80 from the April 27, 2017 publication of The Detroit Jewish News. Susan Offerman is the principal of the Webb Bridge Middle School. The fundamental goal of Derby middle school is to develop confident, compassionate, intellectually curious young people, who are well prepared to excel throughout their high school years and beyond. Legal Statement. Gone are Sean Morrissey, the Derby Middle School principal; his assistant, Matthew Spar, who also served as the school's dean of students; and Derby High School Principal Greg Gaillard. by Conway never confirmed that placing Morrissey and Spar on paid leave was connected to the bomb threat incident. Students were locked in their classrooms for several hours while police and a State Police bomb squad investigated, and school was canceled the next day. Superintendent Heather Bohaty has not commented publicly about the video or subsequent apology. She has also been one of the reasons the American workers are standing out for their rights. However, neither Morrissey nor Spar attended that meeting. The cashier then checks DeGruys license against a list of people who have written bad checks. I do believe that racial issues exist, not only at DHS but in our community. CNN values your feedback 1. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Retired Woodland Regional High School Principal Arnold Frank was named interim administrator, and former Irving School Principal Paul Landolfi was named interim security specialist. The 2,098 sq. The school board's attorney shared still images from a recording of the incident, which show the student being dragged through the hallway. The staff that I spoke with explained to me that they felt like it was harassment in the workplace, & a push of biased propaganda, Neel wrote. Aseventh-grade student testified Monday that aDerby Middle School teacher compared his test score to scores achieved by special needskids. Here he received his public school educa tion, graduating from the high school in 1882. A week after that incident, Conway placed Morrissey and Spar on paid leave, and the Board of Education voted Dec. 3 to name interim administrators from Derby High School to lead the school for two weeks, while personnel investigations took place. You have permission to edit this article. Russo testified that when he met with Student Ait looked like he had been crying for sometime.. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. I think Derby is a unique place that can look past the color/race of an individual and not discount those people by their race, but rather, encourage integrity, academic achievement, community and treating others as they want to be treated., In the email, Watkins writes, My request was only a request of one board member, and not a requirement.. A former principal of Metzger Middle School in the Judson Independent School District has sued in state district court over her 2016 firing, adding fresh arguments to an earlier lawsuit that she . or redistributed. Regardless of what, the viral video has outraged the workers who got fed up with their bosss attitude. Under cross examination, Pantuso, Bennetts lawyer, started off by asking whether he knew the purpose of the hearing and whether he remembered the class he had just prior to Bennettsclass. Stalburg Kasoff attended a school board meeting to voice her concerns. Ochoa said she was with the student for the duration of the drill. From left; Derby parents Kelly Ferguson, Diane Wald, and Christina DiMartino attend the meeting of the Board of Education at Derby Middle School in Derby, Conn. on Monday, December 15, 2014. She had this look, like upset at me, and then she said special needs kids do better than this grade, Student Asaid. Included among the board emails were several from Derby High School employees voicing support for the principal. An accrediting agency is scheduled to explore the high schoo Student Bis scheduled to testify under oath when the hearing continues April11. Bradley DMS Paraeducator of the Year. The teacher was disciplined within two days of the incident, Conwaytestified. Homes similar to 8181 Nesbit Ferry Rd are listed between $485K to $2,850K at an average of $215 per square foot. "This is absolutely disgusting that this would be put on TV and Mrs. Campbell would not be given opportunity to defend (herself)," Sharp said. Another letter was signed by 75 teachers and staff members. CYPRESS FAIRBANKS - Parents of a Cy-Fair ISD middle school student are calling for a coach to be fired after they say he made racist remarks to their son. The middle school students grabbed her heart and she fell in love with middle school students. Despite Bennetts request to keep the matter public, the hearings were much less transparent than the routine governmentmeeting. Instead, the questions on July 1centered more on Bennetts job performance, how she administered astandardized test, the initial steps of the investigation into her conduct, whether she acted properly during afire drill, and whether there were other teachers who got into hot water in the district but were not subject to beingfired. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Pantuso then asked questions about when Student Ashowed Bennett his testscore. 3,815 Sq. Although not much information is available about Susan to the public, she has become one of the subjects for the workers to express frustration on the work. (248) 203-5003. Suzanne Perez is a longtime journalist covering education and general news for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. Whether it is through classroom activities such as writing letters to wounded soldiers, to students volunteering as Links to our special needs students, to school-wide community service projects, our students demonstrate their good character every day. KMUW submitted a request under the Kansas Open Records Act for all emails between Derby school board members and Derby High School principal Tim Hamblin from Jan. 1 through Feb. 10. One of the studentsidentified only as KKsaid Bennett had called Student B a retard earlier in theday. Korva Coleman Diversity in Journalism Internship, KMUW 89.1 FM | 121 N. Mead, Ste. Nearby homes similar to 2704 Golf Ct have recently sold between $610K to $610K at an average of $160 per square foot. Michelle was promoted to assistant principal in January of 2009. A man secretly took the video of his boss, who was inflaming towards him. In another surprise move this week, Derby High School Principal Greg Gaillard tendered his resignation this week, with no explanation other than saying it was for personal reasons.. If the employee disagrees with the supervisors decision, he or she can appeal to the superintendent, whose decision shall be final.. It was at Labay Middle School where the parents of a 14-year-old boy say his coach made a derogatory comment about Black-on-Black violence. Pantuso asked whether his seat had to be moved during the test to aspot right next toBennett. Susan Offerman is the principal of the Webb Bridge Middle School. Some students felt that their testing environment didnt help them take the test. We are happy to have you visit and learn all you can about our school and district. That woman's 13-year-old daughter was violently pushed by a man . All rights reserved. Another Derby parent, Nessa Feller, met with Derby Middle School principal Celeste Nowacki to express her dismay and offer to help with solutions. Child abuse charges were filed against both Campbell and Marlar, but were later dismissed by a judge. During this time, you will not report to work and will not attend school functions, Conway wrote in the letter. No, she called me special ed, basically, the studentsaid. Get Fired Up for IGNITE 2023! The claim of biased propaganda is nothing more than a deliberate orchestrated attempt to create controversy within our school, district, and potentially the community at a very difficult time.. Many ancient pipes in CT aren't up to the task of draining storm water, yet officials just seem to shrug. Do you know the student whom Ms. Bennett allegedly called aretard? Pantusoasked. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. I thought she was calling me, like, dumb. The Superintendent will designate compliance officers and develop and implement regulations for the reporting, investigation and resolution of complaints of discrimination or harassment. I apologize to anyone that felt the video or its content which referenced white privilege made them feel uncomfortable, awkward, harassed, or that it created a hostile work environment.. A Tennessee school board on Thursday voted to recommend the termination of a principal who is now on unpaid suspension after allegedly dragging a special education student by his ankle through a . McClain read part of Vitellis email into the record: I cant change what she (Bennett) did, but if the rest of the staff did as they were supposed to, then she (Bennett) is theoutlier.. 3D Printing Coding Club, 3:20 PM - 4:20 PM Derby Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway listens as the Board of Education votes to accept the resignations of the Derby High School principal, Derby Middle School principal, and Derby Middle School dean of students, at the board's meeting at Derby Middle School in Derby, Conn. on Monday, December 15, 2014. We have issues with the way this whole process has gone about, Bennetts lawyer, Anthony Pantuso, told The Valley Indy. DERBY >> Derby Middle Schools principal and assistant principal were placed on paid administrative leave, and told not report to work or attend school functions while an investigation occurred into a written bomb threat allegedly made by a student was discovered last month in a school bathroom. Phone: 316.788.8408; Fax: 316.788.8497; Connect With Us . Watkins, who was first elected to the Derby board in 2017, did not return emails or phone calls asking for comment. Warning and had to take additional trainingcourses to testify under oath when the hearing continues April11 members... Families, but were later dismissed by a man secretly took the video has been fired than. Was appointed in June, left just after Thanksgiving Iwas acting up, student.... Questioned whether the retesting issue went beyond justBennett be very careful how ( we ) address those,. Was part of an administrative team that evaluated Bennetts job performance when she taught sixth grade a fires. By phone, Neel declined comment and said all questions should go through the hallway teacher was disciplined within days! For humans at least 15 minutes he received his public school educa tion, graduating from the high student. To want one school because it offered a program the other one didnt, Smith said to the... 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