Schools Superintendent May Face Criminal Charges
By Greg L | 8 February 2008 | Prince William County | 178 Comments
Prince William County Schools Superintendent Steven Walts’ life just got a whole lot more interesting, according to the MJM. Mismanagement of money, missing money, misspent money, it all sounds vaguely reminiscent of the County’s decision to invest in the “Math Investigations” curriculum, a program which the school system won’t even disclose to the public how much they paid.
This should be interesting.
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UFB!!!
Now, I’m really wondering about his top dogs he brought down here from NY with him. I wonder if they had any part in this. Well, back in the 80’s we were getting a new Super. of Schools on an annually basis before Dr. Kelly came to town.
We are facing fiscal shortfalls this year. Look how he cut and run once the guaranteed free health care for life!! I hope someone is watching this guy.
(rolling eyes) I see no connection between a math program and potential criminal charges stemming out of Greece, NY. Regardless of who likes or doesn’t like the new elementary math program, purchasing a math program is under the purview of the superintendant and the school board.
Pepé Le Pew must have really made some enemies in Greece, NY. I noted, with interest, that no remaining members from his tenure in NY remain on the school board there. They are all new. 2005 til the present? All new school board members? That speaks volumes to me.
Will wait for the final audit report. Preliminary findings include open issues where a final response has not be completed. A preliminary audit is generally released to meet a deadline imposed on the audit process and is not necessarily a report of complete findings.
What that says to me, Dolph, is that Walts really f****d up the school system there and anybody who had anything to do with allowing his glorious reign was unceremoniously canned by the voters. The rest no doubt followed after the new School Board took over. I hope our current School Board is taking notes.
Leapin Lizards…. Let’s get a final report!
Well, back in the 80’s we were getting a new Super. of Schools on an annually basis before Dr. Kelly came to town.
**This statement I’m sorry to say I was thinking about the principals at one high school during this time.
**********************
AWC,
I expect with all the egg on the respective faces of our school board members over the EEOC law suits and complaints out of Greece, NY, they are taking copious notes.
Meanwhile, I will be taking that wait and see position. Actually, I also might be basking in that glorious postion of it …it is not MY problem. ho ho ho.
~~splash~~
Good, my experience is that the preliminary report is ALWAYS much more exciting than the final. The process enables conspiracy theories.
AWC, please watch the language. Very unladylike of you.
Dolph, I agree that I don’t make the connection between the math program and these charges. It is your problem, seeing as we all pay for the schools and if there is a bad apple at the top we all are affected.
I edited that myself, Liela…and I seldom make such a strong statement. However, I made an exception in this case because I warned certain people that this man was not going to be suited for PWC, and that they would regret hiring him. I hate being right all the time.
Oh, and one more thing…I ain’t no lady (at least not in the way you mean)! I’m not “PC” either, unlike Medic’s take on me. I tell it like it is, exactly as I believe it to be, and if somebody doesn’t like it…well, that’s their problem, not mine.
Liela,
Well, a bad apple in Greece doth not necessarily make for a bad apple in Prince Willie.
From what I hear on the grape vine, Dr. Walts has many supporters. Hopefully, the Greece report will just be saber rattling and the good super can tend to his business here in the county.
There is no connection between the math program and what did or did not happen in Greece. I certainly hope that HSM will stick to immigration issues and leave the school system alone. I have 2 grandchildren attending Prince William County Schools. I don’t want them ’saved.’
~~splash~~
AWC,
Leila is alive and kicking today. She accused me of name calling on another thread.
“I hate being right all the time.” Good one!
Dolph, I’d be interested in hearing exactly who his supporters are. I don’t hear very much support coming from the teachers in this county for him nor from very many parents.
Well, I am for one. His plans include IB at all schools. That means I would not have had to send my son to the ghetto to get the program. That alone makes him okay in my book. I resent the “strategic” placement of specialty programs.
Besides, I have this thing about quality, I enjoy it and am willing to pay for it. i would prefer that only folks with similar desires lived here. I would rather pay more for local taxes than federal. At least I know what they do with them, at least I have some control over what they do with the, at least I don’t have to get on 95 to enjoy a park I paid for - if they don’t close them. I would like some cultural arts programs around here, non-discount shopping (I like to choose clothes that are on hangers not in bins), we finally got some decent grocery stores - I can only hope it continues.
Keep it up folks this talk and these actions are destroying this place and we aren’t illegal…….
Nobody said that Walts didn’t have SOME good ideas but just like the Math Investigations, there are so many that will do a better job without dragging our kids under the bus why would we want to settle with him.
After 7 years in Greece NY Walts proved he could spend money and raise taxes but look at their low test scores, low morale, lawsuits, financial problems and the general turmoil now still in that school district. You can’t blame the teachers and citizens for wanting better and demanding justice. If you think things will be BETTER if everyone just keeps quiet and lets Walts and his band of merry men that he brought with him from NY run amok here in PWC and do a repeat performance of NY, then you miss the big picture and deny the rights of citizens to demand accountability in government, have freedom from persecution and a quality education for all our children!
# AWCheney said on 8 Feb 2008 at 8:45 am:
Oh, and one more thing…I ain’t no lady (at least not in the way you mean)! I’m not “PC” either, unlike Medic’s take on me. I tell it like it is, exactly as I believe it to be, and if somebody doesn’t like it…well, that’s their problem, not mine.
_______________________
I do the same and you call me out on it, can’t have it both ways here.
Slightly off topic, but it does have to do with the Multi-Culture from PWCPS.
LOOK WHAT WE ALL SEEMED TO HAVE MISSED!!
Please join us for the first documentary of Mason Project on Immigration’s film festival. The directors of 9500 Liberty will be on hand to screen a full length version of their “interactive documentary” and lead a discussion. Directors/Community Activists Eric Byler (Award winning director for such films as Charlotte Someday and Americanese), Annabel Park, and Jeff Man posted segments nearly in real time on www.youtube.com where local residents and everyone else weighed in town hall style.
“9500 Liberty” is named after the Liberty Wall, the site of the half-destroyed banner in Manassas that reads “Stop Your Racism To Hispanics.” Every-day Prince William citizens and controversial characters like Chairman Corey A. Stewart and Help Save Manassas President Greg Letiecq star in the film. It documents the historic 12-hour Citizens’ Time on October 16 at the Prince William County government center, two months of ethnic tension and civic activism that led up to it, and the effects of “politicizing” the immigration issue.
Visit http://www.cssr.gmu.edu/immigration/immigration events.html for parking info.
Lafayette said on 8 Feb 2008 at 10:38 am:
Forgot this part.
Documentary: 9500 Liberty.
Screening and Discussion with directors.
Tuesday Feb 5, 7:30, Johnson Center Cinema.
Lafayete,
What happened at this screening?
M64,
I don’t what happened just that it happened and the above story, and I also forgot to put the source of the email.
Hello to all of PWCS Multicultural Representatives,
Irene Cromer, Supervisor for Community Relations asked that we pass the following information on to our school educators, students, and community.
Please make this information available at your site. Thank you.
Prince William County Public Schools
Multicultural Education
Lafayette said on 8 Feb 2008 at 10:48 am:
Kinda late isn’t it?
It seems that it wasn’t posted in conspicuous places so there would be decent turnout.
“I do the same and you call me out on it, can’t have it both ways here.”
The difference is, then you whine about it…I don’t. Like I’ve said before…everyone is equally entitled to their opinion.
*off topic**
I posted this on the open thread. We need to be on the look out.
Breaking news. Two fuel tankers stolen in Gainesville. One is a SW Rogers Truck. More here.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=5718743&version=7&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
We need to fire Walts! Send him and his insane “math investigations” back to NY where he belongs…probably in jail!
Now there’s a well thought out solution that will continue to add to the credibilty to PWC as a well run county and continue to attract hoards of businesses and the “right” people.
We should fire him because of preliminary findings.
AWCheney said on 8 Feb 2008 at 10:58 am:
Guess you didn’t read my post to you on that other thread.
I watched the school board meeting the other night. It almost reminded me of the marathon session of the BOCS meeting last fall. There were a lot of people upset over Math Investigations. According to the article in the Examiner looks like the Prince William County School Board is to re-examine the Math Investigations program. Parents had a petition with more than 1000 signatures. Looks like they took a page from HSM handbook so to speak (figurative).
If Walts gets charged, I think the PWC School Board needs to seriously look at these charges. They can’t be ignored.
Walts came here with his band of followers. Most School Board members who wanted Dr. Kelly out,jumped head first into this mess.
Loyal Staff at Independent Hill was shifted to make room for Walts and his merrymen.
There was at least two who wanted to take time and keep Dr. Kelly on,but the majority ruled.
It was a known fact that Walts was having problems at Greece and more time should have been used to investigate.
They talk about World Class,what is that? Is it that all children will be the same. Will we do away with the achievers,in order to make the underachievers look better?
When someone starts giving out alot of bull____,one has to be careful as it will come back and hit us in the face.
I agree with AWC,it was bound to come out.
Wonder if One Voice’s signature was on the petition? Hmm….
I can’t help but wonder, if you “have a thing about quality and are willing to pay for it”, why are you living in PWC? It would seem that Fairfax, Loudoun, or Montgomery counties might be a better fit to the person that can afford to live there.
Dr. Kelly was not well. He had extremely high approval ratings from the school board. He just got to the point where he needed to retire, with the dignity he had served the county with. No one was gunning for Dr. Kelly or wanted him gone. He was too ill to perform the daily duties of the job.
As for Dr. Walts….can we give it some time and let the process run its course? Why is it necessary to run down literally EVERYthing? Right now, to say more on the subject is nothing more than gossip. What happens in Greece, stays in Greece or should stay in Greece.
Superintendants are not hired and fired by popularity contest. The school board has hired this man and he is under contract. If you have a valid concern, contact your school board member and express your opinion. otherwise, stop gossiping.
one,
Firing Walts WOULD add credibility to PWC!
1 He was never properly vetted - the BOS didn’t even make a trip to NY to investigate him and that is standard protocol.
2 There were discrimination charges against him at the time he was hired. Who overlooked that?
3 A simple google search reveals MI has failed everywhere it has been tried (as if you need proof once you’ve seen the insanity of its methods) yet the school board was duped into voting for it.
These are three HUGE mistakes the BOS and PWCS have made. A hallmark of credibility is to admit when you have erred and to correct the mistake. Replacing Walts and removing MI is precisely what would give this community “credibility”.
I am beginning to wonder if today’s LIELA is the Leila who posts here occassionally. Liela does not sound like the Leila I know.
Slick,
The Board of Supervisors does not hire superintendants. That is the job of the School Board. Additionally, they do not go to the location to check them out. Good grief. Most people interviewing for a new job do NOT tip their hand to their current employer. A superintendant of any large school system is interviewed pretty much the same way any other CEO would be interviewed and vetted.
Unbeknownst to the county school board, there were several discrimination charges files with EEOC at the time Dr. Walts was hired. Could the PWCSB have done a better job of vetting, their candidate? Probably. Would they have hired him anyway? Who knows. They obviously liked what they saw.
Interestingly enough, the engine driving the train right now is test scores and how the county responds to the rigors on NCLB. Unless Dr. Walts is discovered to be an ax murderer, don’t look for his contract to be bought out.
Remember, for every parent who hates the new math program, there are probably 2 who love it. It will run its course like everything else has over the years.
I guess no one other than trans-gender posters are allowed to have an opinion here. Hmm….
Dr. Kelly was loved by principals and teachers for the most part.
Dr. Walts is tolerated but not loved by either. The only ones singing his praises are those who are gunning to move up. I have never heard or seen anyone devoted to him like they were to Dr. Kelly, except perhaps the staff he brought with him.
This recent news is awful for the county. They can’t very well dump him before they know what the final decision is, but that could drag out for months. If he is indicted, there will be months of court battles. If he is not indicted, he will always have the “I wonder if he did it” hanging over his head. Either option doesn’t bode well for our kids.
What is worrisome to me is that the article indicated that he had done whatever he could to get around the policies of the state and the board. Even if what he did is not found to be illegal, there is still no doubt that he did try to sidestep the normal system. What if he is doing that here?
“Remember, for every parent who hates the new math program, there are probably 2 who love it. It will run its course like everything else has over the years.”
So where are the 1,000 signatures of the parents who love the program? Hmm….
Oh Liela, the imposter…aka “not our leila,”
That isn’t the way things work and you know it.
Basically, school systems do not go around taking polls to decide which curriculum or which program they are going to use to support their curriculum. That is the reason the folks at the Hill are paid the big bucks, to make those determinations. Now, the fact that the parents can’t figure the math program out….well…I see nothing has changed in 40 years.
Rest assured, if the kids hear how horrible and confusing it is at home long enough, they won’t be able to add 1 + 1. That’s just how it goes.
The folks on the Hill were all set to foist an amnesty deal on the public last year. I guess by your logic we should have sat back, shut up, and accepted it. After all, they are smarter than we, and we certainly don’t know how the legislative process works.
Sorry to have to tell you dear, but just because someone is your friend that does not necessarily make them smart or right.
BTW, I am no imposter. I am the “original” Liela.
Liela,
Here are the 1041 signatures of those who hate Math Investigations:
http://www.petitiononline.com/123math/petition.html
I don’t know if there is a petition for those who love it.
Just thought I give you the info.
Liela - I am inclined to give Supervisor Walts a greater benefit of the doubt than you. I don’t like your style and I don’t like your tone. Change it a bit sweetie try for some sort of civility that would pass for some level of gentility. I rarely comment like this, but you seem to need this.
One Voice,
Are you grouchy too?
*regarding comment about me on another thread?
Slick
Don’t have a final solution in mind for Walts. We are already swirling through a perfect storm of a $51Million dollar revenue loss and a serious illegal immigration. Add to that at this time, unsubtansiated criminal charges against the School Superintendent and PWC looks dreadful.
ALL I am saying is that we should get the facts first. It’s in everyone’s best interest.
Never grouchy at you - not on BVBL anyway!!!
Where?
I just found out that someone here is posting and claiming to be me, Leila. Although the person apparently doesn’t know how to spell the name. However the behavior is unbelievably unethical.
I assume Greg can tell from the email address of the above “Liela” as compared to mine, who is who. I would invite him to write to me at my address below to check it out.
I also don’t think that anyone who pays attention to writing style would mistake this person for me. Finally the comments are coming on a thread on a local PWC school issue, not exactly my forte.
It is really nasty to do this. For the record, I have been too busy to post for a while now since my discussion with Mando, Medic, Mr. Anon on racial issues yesterday, plus the usual gratuitous insults from Batson.
Leila, from the People’s Republic of you know where and not someone who would know from your superintendant in PWC.
Liela said on 8 Feb 2008 at 1:36 pm:
Wonder if One Voice’s signature was on the petition? Hmm….
I can’t help but wonder, if you “have a thing about quality and are willing to pay for it”, why are you living in PWC? It would seem that Fairfax, Loudoun, or Montgomery counties might be a better fit to the person that can afford to live there.
Don’t recall seeing your answer, small voice.
Leila said on 8 Feb 2008 at 3:44 pm:
Thanks for the clarification. Did seem rather out of character.
Well, I’m going to put in a plug(advertisement) for homeschooling for those of you who may be inclined to give it a try. It is hard work, but you do have control over your child’s curriculum. Many parents in this area do homeschool. There are various homeschool groups to give you support. A tremendous amount of resources are available. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You the parent know your child better than anyone else.
Based on the comments from the online petition, sounds like the parents had to come up with lesson plans at home. Homeschooling by necessity I suppose. It’s interesting to read some of those comments.
I never claimed to be Leila. My name is Liela, spelled differently as anyone who cared to look closely could see. I don’t see why anyone would be so sensitive, since we are obviously at odds in terms of our opinions.
OV,
I don’t really think you are grouchy. My smart a$$ comment was in regard to this statement.
Please, hold you horses there little lady. (all in good fun)
One Voice said on 8 Feb 2008 at 3:31 pm:
I rarely comment like this, but you seem to need this.
Dolph,
Did you read some of those comments on the petition? Wow, I could feel the anger. I didn’t realize how big of an issue this was until I saw the school board meeting the other night.
Ok Liela, fair enough. I guess I will have to add something to my name. It isn’t a question of sensitivity. The problem is people were attributing your apparently intemperate comments to me here and on another thread.
Plus I get into enough skirmishes here on my lonesome. I don’t wish to fight your obviously strenuous battles as well.
How about Leila#1?
Liela - think it would depend on where you live. That would not be a healthy environment.
OV, my environment is just fine. And I don’t feel the need to whine about it as you do.
This sure does not look good for Dr. Walts. I do, however, take whatever reporter CHERYL K. CHUMLEY writes with a grain of salt. http://www.pwcs.edu/absolutenewsmanager/templates/?a=927&z=15
Liela - NOT LEILA said on 8 Feb 2008 at 5:15 pm:
OV, my environment is just fine. And I don’t feel the need to whine about it as you do.
OV does NOT whine. How long have you been lurking around bvbl anyways? Or did you change your name?
Get a grip!
Fake Liela,
If you knew what you were talking about…dear…you would know that when I say ‘the Hill’ I mean Independent Hill where the school system administration all works.
Why not pick your own name out rather than one someone else uses? You were given a chance to clarify by me, and you chose not to do it. I have a great deal of respect for the real Leila. Chose another name please.
Liela - expressing an opinion in the circles with which I associate does not make one a whiner. I do prefer those that are capable of thinking rationally and articluating with a certain regard and grace. Clearly you possess neither of those attributes nor unfortunately due to breeding, will you be able to learn them.
I will cease responding to you as my upbringing did not include exposure to those of your ilk therefore I do not possess the wherewithal to sink to your level of “conversation”. I am no longer interested in dealing with you as you appear to have mistakenly stumbled upon this group.
Maybe you can find a blog about Anna Nicole Smith and her - ah - type.
Ignore Button taken out of retirement and on!
Real Leila,
The chix are glad you are here. Thanks for clarifying. I trust you got my email;)
~~splash~~
One Voice: When ONE Voice speaks, all should listen.
It’s been I while seen I’ve seen the an IGNORE BUTTON unleashed. Way to go!
The issue is simple, Mr. Walts may or may not have knowingly or unknowingly done something wrong. We must wait and find out. Speculation is damaging and dangerous to all of us and to our community. Especially now.
So, everyone, lets not assume anything until we have the facts. Let’s keep our community in mind. It won’t kill anyone to be positive once in a while…
One Voice said on 8 Feb 2008 at 5:48 pm: So, everyone, lets not assume anything until we have the facts. Let’s keep our community in mind. It won’t kill anyone to be positive once in a while…
Well, it hasn’t killed me yet.
And thank goodness for that.
On the city side, Bass is running for re-election to the School Board and rumor has it Demaria is running as an independent for council.
I believe the school board members that were involved in the process of hiring Mr. Watts did their homework. They based their decision to hire Mr. Watts on the information that they were given by him, his references, and what was discovered by their own background verification. Unfortunately, they could have not known that Mr. Watts potentially violated the law in his previous position because it was not discovered until recently. While I think Mr. Watts should step down in order not to become a distraction, we can’t afford an empty seat during this upcoming budget session and updated CIP planning. However, we should start looking for another superintendent in case Mr. Watts gets indicted as he will most likely put on leave until the charges are adjudicated. In the meantime we should order an audit of our current system as a way to restore our faith in our superintendent’s fiscal stewardship.
Just my Thoughts-
Trent A. Barton
Trent,
Do you mean Dr. Walts?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE N.R. #212, 2/8/2008
Date: 2/8/2008
Contact: Ken Blackstone
Director, Communications Services
703.791.8015
Irene Cromer,
Supervisor of Community Relations
703.791.8720
Prince William County School Board Schedules Closed Session
Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 2.2-3707 (D) and 2.2-3711 (A) (1) and (7), the Prince William County School Board will hold a closed session emergency meeting on Monday, February 11 to consult with legal counsel regarding today’s reported allegations of misconduct involving the Division Superintendent. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the School Board closed session room at 14800 Joplin Road, Manassas.
The School Board Chairman, Milt Johns, has issued this clarifying statement:
The Prince William County School Board is holding a closed-session special meeting on Monday, February 11, to consult with legal counsel regarding today’s reported newspaper allegations of financial mismanagement involving the Division Superintendent from his previous employer. The Board wished to address this issue immediately, before the next regularly scheduled School Board Meeting. With the meeting scheduled with less than the three-day notification provision specified in Virginia Code of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act, it was deemed an “emergency” meeting with public notice required to be given contemporaneously with the notice provided to School Board members.
DR. WALTS is under contract with Prince William County. We need to chill and not let what happens in Greece affect what happens in Prince William County, unless it is absolutely necessary.
Mr. Barton, the guy’s name is WALTS. We sure don’t need to be buying out his contract over rumors.
Dolph, One Voice
Did you get to see the petition? Did you look at the comments? There is a lot of anger out there.
Some recent newspaper articles regarding Greece, NY and Dr. Walts:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802050337
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802060351
Make sure to read the citizen’s comments at the end of the above article.
Yes, I saw some of them Patty. I will respond in email.
“DR. WALTS is under contract with Prince William County. We need to chill and not let what happens in Greece affect what happens in Prince William County, unless it is absolutely necessary.”
If he is indicted, all hell will break loose, so it is better for the School officials to be prepared with Plan B in case the worse case scenario comes to pass and he is indicted.
Actually I think what happens in Greece does affect PWC. The absolute better predictor of future behavior is past behavior. There is no question that he was doing some unethical things in Greece. The question of the indictment only concerns if what he did was actually ILLEGAL. They know he broke things down in under $20,000 increments to avoid getting board approval, which I think most people would believe was wrong, regardless of whether or not it was actually illegal.
I’m not out to hang the man, but they’d better look long and hard at this situation before it comes back to bite us.
I do appoligize for my name error. Typing too quickly and not catching the name error has distracted a few. I agree that we need to wait and see the results of the investigation. However being prepared in case Dr. Walt’s is indicted is not only prudent, its what we should expect from our school board members.
Just my Thoughts-
I do not think we do KNOW that he did unethical things in Greece. Charges have been made. No guilt has been decided. Rather than run something else down in my area, I would prefer to wait and see what pans out. I just do not like this leap to judgement based on something being kicked about in Greece.
If you read between the lines, it sounds like some folks were asleep at the swtich the past couple of years up in Greece. All of the school board members are new. Important also is the ‘union’ factor in New York State. Definitely a more defined and distinct presence than what is here in Prince William County. From what I have heard, there was definite friction there also.
The School Board is meeting Monday night to do damage control and to form, in all probability, plan B. I prefer to evaluate the job Dr. Walts is doing here in Prince William rather than to Monday morning quarterback some Podunk school board in upstate New York.
Agree they should be prepared, this issue, if it becomes one, combined with a $51million dollar shortfall, collapsed CIP, lack of funding for public safety, looming doom with illegal immigration lawsuits - I think we are well beyond “the perfect storm” at this point. Or we have two swirling overhead.
The school board is acting responsibly and what they need now is community support and respect, not a barrage of criticism and negativism.
Actions and words over the past year have served to grind this community down so low that if this is true regarding Dr. Walts, the recovery will be painful and slow. What needs to happen now is for members of the community to change their negative slant which only serves to feed the sensationalism sought by the media.
This has been coming since the Honorable was leaving the BOCS chambers for sound bite opportunities about how awful PWC has come during citizens time.
There is a way to accomplish change without the unleashed anger that has become so prevalant. That’s what civilized people do.
Knock it off everyone. Knock it off.
corr…
This has been coming since the Honorable was leaving the BOCS chambers during citizens time for sound bite opportunities about how awful PWC has become on national and local news.
One,
You said we should all just wait and not pass judgment on Walts and that we should try to “be positive”. Well, as a parent it is very hard for me to be positive when I see the PWCS doing PERMANENT DAMAGE to the children of this great county through its insane adoption of the leftist radical math investigations. For any reporters reading this who may want a good scoop, I would investigate the “possibility” of kickbacks to our superintendent from the publishers of TERC. Ask yourself why he would, after creating a war in NY over the same absurd curriculum, try the same thing here???? In light of the many ethical and legal clouds hovering over this man, I think this is a reasonable question. Follow the money.
Some interesting statistics about schools in the 20109 zip. Look at the amount of FREE lunches that are being “provided.”
http://zipskinny.com/index.php?zip=20109&pagetype=schools
Dolph said on 9 Feb 2008 at 1:14 am:
I do not think we do KNOW that he did unethical things in Greece. Charges have been made. I prefer to evaluate the job Dr. Walts is doing here in Prince William rather than to Monday morning quarterback some Podunk school board in upstate New York.
The partial statement below is from the 8 Feb. MJM.
Even without this draft audit, Walts’ entrance to Prince William County’s schools was hardly untainted; five allegations of employment discrimination from teachers followed him.
Since then, several of those Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints were upheld, and another special education case has entered into consent decree, said Meaghan McDermott, an education reporter for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper, who has followed these issues closely.
I hardly think a Rochester, New York suburb school board can be considered “Podunk.” He has several EEO complaints against him that have been upheld so I don’t think he is ready for “sainthood.”
I have seen no proof that he did adopt TERC in Greece NY. I have asked to see links and so far, no one has provided any.
Slick, math programs are not political. They aren’t leftist. They aren’t radical. They attempt to prepare children for their adult future. None of today’s kids will graduate from high school to face a future that requires them to sit behind a desk and add long columns of numbers.
Yes, there is controversy how best to prepare children for a mathematical future. Math teachers themselves to not agree. However, to imply unethical behavior is a serious charge.
Anonymous @1:25
I find it amusing that the MJM is usually referred to on this blog as the URINAL MESSENGER unless of course they are printing some dirt on someone we should be vilifying. The question that should be asked is, what is his performance here in Prince William County, not how did he perform in a New York county that has a much stronger union presence than is permitted in Virginia. Greece also has very different demographics.
Greece, NY is no where near the size of Prince William County, thus Podunk, IMHO. Others are free to feel it is the bastion of all that is right and good, if they choose.
I choose not to jump on the self-loathing bandwagon that seems so prevalent here. I do not choose to run down my own community, my own police chief, my own superintendent, my own stores, neighbors, (have I left any stone unturned?). I question if there is anything some folks here do like, or at least find acceptable. If I disliked everything here that much, I would leave.
Slick
I have read your complaints, but I have not seen what steps you have taken to address them. I am sure you have, but you are not disclosing that.
Anonymous — have you been to Rochester?!!! I have relatives outside of the city and they live in little dinky towns that are scattered all over the place. Outside of Rochester the biggest place is where SUNY-Geneseo is located. It is podunk. Lovely, but podunk.
I’ve had issues with this guy from the beginning. Shortly after he was selected, my wife and I started corresponding with teachers and parents from Greece, NY about Walts. The information we received was both enlightening and disturbing. We’ve addressed this with the School Board, but they’re obviously in a very tough position. Walts wasn’t properly vetted, but the Board members selected him anyway when their first choice wasn’t available and they needed to make a quick decision with Kelly’s contract about to expire.
The bottom line continues to be: Walts is bad news. If they can do it legally, they should cut this guy loose immediately. If they can’t, they should reign him in, scurtinize everything he’s done to date, and by all means refuse to renew his contract.
Prince William County:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 348 square miles (902 km²), of which, 338 square miles (875 km²) of it is land and 11 square miles (27 km²) of it (3.04%) is water. It is bounded on the north by Loudoun and Fairfax counties; on the south by Stafford County; on the east by the Potomac River, across the river is Charles County, Maryland; and on the west by Fauquier County.
Prince William County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of Sept. 15, 2007, the estimated population of the county was 383,644. Its county seat is the independent city of Manassas6. It is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Monroe County (Greece is a town in Monroe County):
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 735,343. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester.
Monroe County is part of the Rochester, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Hardly PODUNK as the area is larger in size and population.
What up now son?
Well I did say lovely!!!
Will drop the podunk…..
Greece Central is the 8th largest district in NYS…you’re right that it’s nowhere near the size of PWC because it’s a centralized school district, not a county wide system like yours. There are 15,000 students in Greece and 21 schools and approximately 5,000 employees…hardly podunk but I can understand why you may think so.
Anyway, I worked with Dr. W for several years. I agree that there were things he did that were questionable and the morale issues that are spoken of here were (and remain) very real. HOWEVER, I do not believe, for one minute, that Steve was the ringleader in that. MKC, his second in command, was a cold bitch who wanted everyone to do things HER way. God help you if you offered a differing opinion to her about ANYTHING. She brought in central office administrators whom she had worked with in the past and whom she could control. And control they did. Now, I understand that as the Supt. the buck stops there — could Steve have taken action when he realized the cultural upheaval that was happening? Yes. Could he have been more accessible to the staff and public? Yes. Could he have been more personable rather than grandstanding during his “visits” to each school? Yes. Did he improve curriculum and assessment in Greece? YES. Did veteran employees like that? HELL NO. It’s a very long, complicated and complex story — what happened in Greece during Steve’s tenure. I was there for the entire saga. Please….let the truth come out before you harshly judge or demand his resignation. I would work with him again in a heartbeat — I would place my children in any school district he led. Can I say the same for his second in command…MKC? Absolutely NOT. SHE needs a higher degree of scrutiny than Steve does. Trust me on that one. And as for the financial debacle facing the district right now — the BOE did abdicate their complete authority and control to Steve without a doubt. A lot of responsibility and oversight for one person. He didn’t make the decisions in isolation, however. There were multiple committees and other hands involved in every detail. You can count on the veracity of that statement.
As for Math Investigations…yes, that was brought to Greece and remains the primary program to date. To say that it has failed everywhere is not true. Look up Penfield, Pittsford and Brighton school districts in NYS…high performers all. And ALL use Math Investigations as their primary resource and curriculum.
Mark,
Not your son by a long shot and I stand by my statements. Perhaps Podunk is not the most polite word, but definitely a smaller school system than PW. While many may disagree with my opinions, I don’t shoot off my mouth about facts unless I am on pretty solid ground.
Ravenangel,
Thank you for giving us a first hand glimpse from another perspective. I would guess that your experiences with Dr. Walts are ar more significant than those offering opinions here on this blog.
Dr. Walts had some mighty big shoes to fill here. He walked into a much larger school system and replaced a man loved by many, Dr. Kelly, who remained fairly ill the rest of his life.
I am all for giving him a chance and to judge him by his acts and deeds in Prince William rather than Greece. Sorry about the use of the term Podunk. That was rude on my part and you caught me.
Dolph is suddenly silent after she had the fact shoved in her face. Thanks for checking the FACTS Mark. Usually she gets away with spouting off a bunch of opinions and no one bothers to check.
The Taj Mahal of county buildings
http://belowthebeltway.com/2007/02/22/waste-in-the-prince-william-county-school-budget/
I wouldn’t call it the Taj Mahal. The Fairfax County Government Building still can claim that prize.
Even crummy local goverment workers should have a decent asbestos free work space - some even with daylight.
Liela - do you have anything of substance to say or do you just come here to snarl…?
Lie-la…you only wish I were silent. Apparently you are reading challenged.
Go back and check.
jfk said on 9 Feb 2008 at 4:31 pm:
I wouldn’t call it the Taj Mahal. The Fairfax County Government Building still can claim that prize.
Was refering to PWC building
You were wrong about the size of the county. Can’t even admit it, can you? PWC is podunk.
What’s wrong with Math Investigations?
Arlington Public Schools bought it 3 years ago. Of course they have now realized that you can’t just wish that students know their math facts, and at some point they have to know them cold. So some folks came up with the idea of math worksheets and flash cards to assist students and parents (oh really?). They got paid to come up with these over last summer. And were introduced as a grand new strategy this fall. But they have also discovered that Math Investigations does not work very well with ESOL/HILT students because it is so language (sic ENGLISH) intensive. The view is now being formed that this is biased against hispanic students and not politically viable. So sometime in the very near future the county will say bye-bye to Math Investigations and the millions that have been spent on textbooks and instructional materials.
Good thing Crazy Walter has an almost entirely Democrat School board up there with lots of residents who have money to burn.
Oh Lie-la you little annoyance. Do you not understand that Dr. Walts came to PW Co. from a smaller school system? Do you know the size of PWCS? There are over 70,000 students. Compare that to about 15,000 students in Greece.
And you are right. I am not going to admit I am wrong when I clearly am not. 70,000 > 15,000. Surely you agree with that FACT.
Isn’t it interesting that the quailty of education in a given county or school district is stated as because of the quailty of ‘ Superintendent”. Has anyone ever seen anyone other then the TEACHER do the teaching of a student? Superintendents are way over paid all over the country. Teachers have to give up everyting to move out of a state they are teaching in or out of a school district in some states. Superintendents and Adminstrative people get to move and take with them their retirements and such to any state they get hired in. We could sove this probem by making Superintendents and Adminstrative people get hired on the same retirment and benefit program that teacher have. This would also give us more to be able to pay teachers a real wage. We are lucky in VA and MD that we only have one school district per county. In Iowa which is rated first or second in education quaily for many many years they have 99 counties. They have over 300 school districts and each with a full Administrative over head. Their superintendents are not paid that much less then what we pay and a school district may only have 5000 students in total and that is a large school district there.
If Walts could not do the job without bring his cronies along then the School Board should not have hired him at all
999
Thanks so much for the link to www.zipskinny.com. That’s fascinating. When you check the percentage of free and reduced lunches remember that most schools provide breakfast too.
Dolph said on 9 Feb 2008 at 1:49 pm:
Anonymous @1:25
Greece, NY is no where near the size of Prince William County, thus Podunk, IMHO. Others are free to feel it is the bastion of all that is right and good, if they choose.
You were talking about the size of the area, not the county. Don’t try to change it. Your words show what you meant. You were wrong and won’t admit it. If I am an annoyance you are a wrinkled old windbag. And remember, you started with the name calling.
Correction: you were talking about the size of the area, not the school system.
Issue 1: Dr. Walts is beyond anyone you have ever encountered. The man is a sociopath. He thinks he is above the law. What is in the report should have been vetted three years ago. He left behind a toxic atmosphere in Greece that will take years to recover from. Administrators were given the task of targeting 10% of the teaching and support staff to scare the crap out of other staff members and bring everyone in line. So, each evaluation cycle produced teachers and staff members who were not meeting standards and put on improvement plans. This “mobbing” mentality came out of a European strategy to bring business employees in line for business owners. It was truly a reign in terror, so much so, that he was operating outside of the law and the EEOC had to intervene.
Issue 2: Walts wanted all special education students to be declassified. And if teachers thought a student should be classified for special programs, they were reprimanded. The WORLD CLASS school district theme became a joke. Special Education parents had no recourse but to pursue the issue legally and now the District is under a Consent Decree by the State of NY, and is being scrutinized closely and students are finally getting the modifications they need. However, there are 7 years of students that a disservice was done to and whose lives are ruined because Walts wanted to make Greece a WORLD CLASS school district. Many dollars have been paid to parents for compensation.
Issue 3: Money was spent illegally by Dr. Walts. There were so many misuses of his power with the bond issue it is too much to even comment here. Suffice it to say, that the report is mind boggling and for that alone, he should be resigning from his current position. However, he does not have the scruples to do that.
Issue 4: Math Investigations is a debacle. Do not allow this to happen to your students. Students in this program cannot do basic mathematical operations. You must know your facts in order to move to higher order mathematical operations and this program that is supposed to make students “feel good” has done exactly the opposite. Our math scores have tanked and this program has put an entire generation of Greece students at risk, some in jeopardy of not graduating because they cannot pass the Regents exams required to graduate.
This is a lengthly commentary, and for that I apologize, but having lived through the Walts years as an educator has been harrowing. We danced in the hallways the day he announced his departure only to be slammed four days latter that his Deputy Dog Superintendent Meg Keller-Cogan was taking his place before any kind of search was done. She lasted 40 days before the EEOC information came to light and was relieved of her duties only to be sent to some unsuspecting downstate district. She was his right hand gal who stated at the opening of school address that “Dr. Walts makes me a better woman.” The audible gasp from the audience went right over her head.
Take the time to rid yourselves of this toxic malady. Do not allow this to happen to a fine District. Especially do not allow Math Investigations to be ordered by the powers that be. You were sincerely regret it for years to come when you see the results.
Superintendent Met with DA’s Office
Greece Central School District Superintendent Steve Achramovitch met Friday with representatives from the Monroe County District Attorney’s (DA) Office to discuss potential actions as a result of the New York State Comptroller’s draft audit.
Achramovitch initiated contact with the DA’s office on Tuesday and has the support of the entire Board of Education in taking such action
“The entire board wants to see us follow through on the audit report and make sure its recommendations are carried out,” Achramovitch said.
Liela, if you have come here trying to pass yourself off as another regular commenter merely to criticize other commenters rather than debate opinions, may want to find another forum. You won’t find any people on either side of the issue who will tolerate you for long.
Sorry…dropped a “you” in that last comment.
It is relevant, not just a criticsm. She made the assumption that the people in Greece are small town idiots, implying that any problems he encountered there were because of the setting. It was shown that the area is larger than here, so it’s not necessarily podunk.
Well your comments seem ‘podunk’ to me considering the issue at hand. You can be right, really you can. Happy now?
Lie-la,
Actually you are making a horse’s rear end out of yourself. First off, you come on here posing as another contributor. Protest all you want.
Secondly, you have gone out of your way to spar with me. Was it because I admitted to alerting the real Leila of your actions or are you one who has an ax to grind with Dr. Walts?
I am going to say this one more time to you, and then you are going to be dismissed: I was speaking of the school system. It is smaller than Prince William. I am in the position to know this information and I don’t give a rat’s rear end about the geographical size of the region. It could be the size of Kansas for all I care.
Liela - said on 10 Feb 2008 at 10:26 am:
“Dolph said on 9 Feb 2008 at 1:49 pm:
Anonymous @1:25
Greece, NY is no where near the size of Prince William County, thus Podunk, IMHO. Others are free to feel it is the bastion of all that is right and good, if they choose. ”
These are your words Dol-ph. No where in this quote do you mention the words school or system. Why can’t you admit you made a wrong assumption?
I don’t care if you called Leila or not, and I don’t even know the good Dr. Walts. My issue is with your rudeness and pomposity. You can have all your friends gang up on me if you want; frankly I don’t give a rat’s rear end either.
Clearly not too bright.
Monroe County is almost double the size of Prince William County in population.
It is not a countywide school system, there are smalled centralized school districts. Greece is one of those districts. Actually it is a town of 110,000 people. On its own it is about a third of the size of the entire PWC.
By your definition of podunk you must live in a podunk neighborhood.
You know Mark, I already apologized to Ravenangel for calling an area where she lived Podunk. I had no idea ‘Podunk’ offended people that badly, although he/she wasn’t whining over it. I lived in a rather podunk area and it sure didn’t bother me to have it called that. It was.
If you are from Greece, NY, then I will apologize to you. If you aren’t, get over it. Now, speaking of bright…are you even aware of the issue I was discussing? School systems, not geography, not land mass. You can let me know if you are a resident of Greece, otherwise, you are dismissed also.
Found this on the podunk wikipedia. Seems to fit right in!
“The earliest citation in the Dictionary of American Regional English is from Samuel Griswold Goodrich’s 1840 “The Politician of Podunk”, apparently intended for the young. It begins
Solomon Waxtend was a shoemaker of Podunk, a small village of New York some forty years ago.”
So it does refer to NY!!!!
I love the logic here. Would make my Prof. Broussard’s head spin.
Good grief, you keep stepping in it even deeper! Can’t you just freaking admit that you were wrong? I’ve lost whatever small amount of respect that I had for you. The words are there for everyone to see. You were talking about the area, not specifically the school system. Mark saw it, and now you are attacking him. Who are you to tell someone to “get over it”? You need to get over yourself!!
Liela
I don’t think she cares what you think. Why don’t you just stop caring and move on.
Walts is certainly not the only superintendent to come under fire for something. Does anyone remember Chip Zullinger, former Sup. of Manassas City? He was hired despite of being fired from numerous Sup. positions elsewhere, ended up being fired by Manassas City, went on to head a teacher union in NC, got fired from that, and now has a new job as a Sup. of a school district somewhere in NC.
As for math investigations…I find it is good when it comes to teaching sorting, patterning, and 2 and 3D geometric shapes. However, I find no use for the program when it comes to teaching students addition. Instead of my son (gr. 2) learning his fact families, he ends up with weird, time consuming homework. Here is a homework example (and yes it is very language based): Susan goes to the sticker store and buys 27 rabbit stickers. Joe goes to the sticker store and buys 56 monkey stickers. How many stickers do Susan and Joe have altogether? Show your work. Write an equation.
My son then has to draw a group of 27 stickers, and a group of 56 stickers. Then he has to number each sticker in the first group from 1 to 27. Then the next group he numbers from 28 to 83. Then he writes an equation (horizontally) 28 + 56= 83. What has this taught my son? Drawing 83 stickers takes a long time. It’s a futile exercise in busy work. Not only is investigations difficult for ESOL students, but it does a huge disservice to students who suffer from such LD issues as visual motor integration deficits, dysgraphia, and dyslexia. Unfortunately many of the students that suffer from these issues (like my son) do not get diagnosed until late second or third grade. Until then, the constant picture/column drawing required by the investigations program becomes an insurmountable task at which they cannot excel. They end up hating math, not because they can’t understand 6+6, but because they cant draw 6+6. Many parents end up teaching their children basic math at home. But if you are one, you need to remember that we no longer “borrow” or “carry”, we “regroup”. Fractions are no longer “reduced” they are “renamed”.
Good Grief….!
I think I would show him cut and paste in word and then give him a book to read aloud while I made supper.
Then he could count place settings and move into multiplication while helping.
ateacher,
What a pain! That sounds like a waste of time. Does a text book come with this monstrosity?
A text book do NOT come with the monstrosity. Therefore a parent who is not actually sitting in class will have no clue what to do to begin to help their child. It is a horrible program.
My grandson says he has a workbook but no text. No one has ever seen it.
I will continue to ferret out information on the monstrosity. Now I have had the source confirmed, I am more skeptical.
Let’s just dismiss everyone we don’t agree with, or who proves us wrong. What a wonderful world it would be!
The question is still out there; will Dolph admit that she was wrong? I’ll move on when I hear it.
What an idiot!
Liela,
It’s not about what we don’t agree with. It is about what the county cannot prove as far as a high dollar math program is concerned. I am not dismissing the investigations program b/c I am I am a parent who feels the program is fuzzy math. I am dismissing the program as a teacher who has used it and found it lacking. I can dismiss this program b/c I have to teach it AND my children have to learn it. I am in the trench, so to speak. I’m not dismissing a program b/c I’m not there. You owe Dolph an apology, shes been there/done that/ seen it. It’s not about dismissing what we don’t believe in, it’s about doing something that we feel strongly about.
AWCheney - I agree, she definitely is that! And you are not far behind.
ateacher - I respect what you say, but you don’t seem to understand what has transpired here. I have never seen your name before, so I assume you are either new or posting under a new name. Please read the posts that appear before you started reading and then tell me who is owed an apology. In fact, go back and read several conversation threads. You’ll see a pattern.
Liela said on 10 Feb 2008 at 8:39 pm:
The question is what name have you been hiding under?
ateacher has been around since last summer. She’s far from a newcomer.
I never heard of WGW before either. Who are you?
Oh, I fly in from time to time.
WGW=West Gate Witch
BTW-The condensed version was from posters on bvbl.
I don’t think you’ve been reading as long you might some to believe or you haven’t been paying good attention.
I doesn’t really matter to me. This place is too brutal for even a witch, especially a “good witch” such as myself.
I’m outta here.
Bite me Liela I’ve been posting since the summer of “07, yet I’ve never heard or seen your name. Think I’m new? Review the BVBL posts and find out that you’re mistaken. I have only one name, have no need for another, nor do I have have a need to hide. If you really need to get in touch with me, let Dolph know, Dolph has my address. Right now you strike me as the most stupid person I have ever known. Curious? Why do you care about me?
ateacher,
afraid lie-la will have to contract Greg to get hold of you. I have my ignore button activated on him/her. And you know I rarely activate that bad boy.
I will be contacting you to ask more questions about the monstrocity. I didn’t get much out of the gson. He just said he didn’t have a math book, just a work book and he could not bring it home. Do you know if Sinclair uses MI?
—————————————————————————
WGW, careful where you fly…stalkers!!!
Liela said on 10 Feb 2008 at 8:39 pm:
“AWCheney - I agree, she definitely is that! And you are not far behind.
ateacher - I respect what you say, but you don’t seem to understand what has transpired here. I have never seen your name before, so I assume you are either new or posting under a new name. Please read the posts that appear before you started reading and then tell me who is owed an apology. In fact, go back and read several conversation threads. You’ll see a pattern.”
Now, what would cause ateacher to react to me the way she did, based on the post above? I see nothing negative written about her that would solicit a “bite me” comment. I’ve been reading this blog for about six months and never saw your name before. It was an honest question on my part. I have to conclude that my suspicion is true, and ateacher is either Dolph or both AWCheney. I say that because both have already insulted me during this exchange.
I have no desire to get in touch with you, as you appear to be a very nasty and negative person, quite passive-aggressive. Not a very good quality for a teacher. By the way, why am I stupid? I have not gone on this website and thrown out fiction as fact, then refused to own up to it when caught.
Liela said on 10 Feb 2008 at 9:33 pm:
This was NOT her first post and certainly was NOT her last either.
************
ateacher said on 20 Aug 2007 at 10:56 pm:
I live in Sudley Manor as well, and I too have noticed a serious decline of late. I’ve also noticed many homes are up for sale. Dublin Dr. from the upper portion of Sudley Manor to Copeland Dr. is pitiful. And as one drives down copeland nearing the bottom of Sudley Manor (toward the barn) there are many homes that HAVE THEIR XMAS LIGHTS UP!!!!!!!! Xmas lights that stay up all year looks trashier than corn. At least the corn eventually dies. I noticed that a home on Strasburg recently paved half their yard. Does one need a permit to widen their driveway? Are there no limits as to how wide a driveway can be? And whats the deal with the house on the corner of Fairmont and Lomond? The one with a car for sale on the lawn? And when did brick pilliars at the entrance to a driveway come into vogue? Maybe pictures should be taken, placed in an album, and given to individuals who have the power to do something. Just a thought.
As I said, it was an honest question. I had not seen her name prior to today. WGW, have you ever meet this person “in person” or talked to her on the phone? If you haven’t, then I still stand by my suspicion.
Liela said on 10 Feb 2008 at 9:49 pm:
I have not spoken to her in person. Several posters on bvbl offered her some help one night, and she wished to stay anonymouos, and this is pretty typical for teachers. I do know ONE person that has spoken to her. This is a very credible/reliable source. She has posted very specific things about stalkers in the area that were following middle school aged girls. People don’t make sh!t up. I can understand you still having suspicions. I know I have mine about several “regulars” on here.
I’m AW Cheney? Look at past posts when I went head to head with her. The girl hates me…get that? We are SO not the same. I can’t accept that the both of us be put in the same category. You suggested that I was a newbie on the BVBL network. For that I hold you as a IDIOT. Yes get in touch with me , I am kick ass teacher, all of my students make the NCLB standards. I teach at a title I school and My students make the govt. requirements ..ah ha!!!!!! I understand your fear, you don’t want to meet me I just may be stronger than you’re used to. I live in a high pressure situation, you do what????? I really don’t know.
Sometimes I think there are only about ten people that actually talk on this site.
OK, thanks for the info. Hope you have a good evening.
Liela said on 10 Feb 2008 at 10:00 pm:
Sometimes I think there are only about ten people that actually talk on this site.
You are not the “lone ranger” on that one!!
ateacher and AWC are most definately not the same person.
ateacher is right that do NOT agree usually.
Tell you what you unbelievers, come to my house tomorrow. I live at 7500 Castle Rd. Manassas 20109, in the Sudley Manor Subdivision. I ask WGW to come here and ask me why he thinks teachers need to remain anymous. This would be a perfect time for WGW to explain why he /she thinks teachers feel the need to remain anonymous. Let me step out from, my name.
Name : [redacted by editor]
BS degree in Child/Devel Psyc from MWC
Post Grad teaching courses: UVA
Va License certification: Early Childhood Certification Preschool -Grade 3
GMU: Currently enrolled in MeD classes. Grad date May 2008
ateacher said on 10 Feb 2008 at 9:59 pm:
“I’m AW Cheney? Look at past posts when I went head to head with her. The girl hates me…get that? We are SO not the same. I can’t accept that the both of us be put in the same category. You suggested that I was a newbie on the BVBL network. For that I hold you as a IDIOT. Yes get in touch with me , I am kick ass teacher, all of my students make the NCLB standards. I teach at a title I school and My students make the govt. requirements ..ah ha!!!!!! I understand your fear, you don’t want to meet me I just may be stronger than you’re used to. I live in a high pressure situation, you do what????? I really don’t know.”
Honey, you are SCARY. I’m not sure you should be around children with this type of attitude. I don’t know where your anger is coming from, I guess you had a bad weekend. Sorry to have insulted you by saying I had never heard of you before. I’d get in touch with you if I knew how, but I’m sure face to face you’d be a little pussy cat. That’s the way passive-aggressive people are.
I think you are scared of my education, I think you are invententing the whole passive-aggressive excuse because you’re not use to strong women. In the past 16 years of my teaching I’ve not once “scared” a single parent. You throw the passive aggressive on me b/c you are afraid. I gave you my address, I invited you to my house, therefore I’m the one who is open. Did my time in the schools in the Bronx…nothing scares me now. Please come visit me!
“AWCheney - I agree, she definitely is that! And you are not far behind.”
I was talking about you Liela…idiot!
I threw the passive/agressive on you because you attacked me, and then went postal on WGW for no reason. There is no sense to what you did. Maybe you need to speak with someone.
BTW, that was extremely dumb to put all of your personal info on the web.
ateacher said on 10 Feb 2008 at 10:20 pm:
Tell you what you unbelievers, come to my house tomorrow. I live at 7500 Castle Rd. Manassas 20109, in the Sudley Manor Subdivision. I ask WGW to come here and ask me why he thinks teachers need to remain anymous. This would be a perfect time for WGW to explain why he /she thinks teachers feel the need to remain anonymous. Let me step out from, my name.
Name : [redacted by editor]
BS degree in Child/Devel Psyc from MWC
Post Grad teaching courses: UVA
Va License certification: Early Childhood Certification Preschool -Grade 3
GMU: Currently enrolled in MeD classes. Grad date May 2008
I would ask you to reread my comments. I was defending you. I believe you exist, and I stated such. Teachers, police officers, Commonwealth’s Attorney, and any public servant should be very careful or revealing to much personal information. I really think you misunderstood me. As I’ve said before I am a “GOOD WITCH”. Please, I meant know harm. I was merely pointing out you were NOT new to bvbl or was I. I’ve commenting since November myself, but have been reading much longer.
Please, please think about what I’ve said here.
Peace be with you.
“I’m AW Cheney? Look at past posts when I went head to head with her. The girl hates me…get that?”
…Since when, ateacher? I don’t recall us ever going head to head and I certainly have never said anything disparaging about you. Perhaps you have some remedial reading to do.
And insofar as disparaging remarks are concerned ateacher, I reserve those for people such as this Liela who came on here implying that she was someone else (Leila) and has been attacking just about everyone around here for no better reason than her own ego. She seems to take particular pleasure in browbeating Dolph for no good reason, therefore I consider her an idiot!
Dolph, AW Cheney and ateacher all the same person???? That would be a serious case of multiple disorder!
No kidding, anon!
Funny thing is that I don’t give a crap. Thanks for your understanding. I’m not hurt. Rather , I enjoy truthful meetings. I give my address b/c I need the dialogue. It is was stimulates me.
I give my address for the fact that I have have nothing to lose. My education and experience is righteous. Where are the people that think the same?
ateacher,
Check your email.
Well ateacher, I’ve been commenting on the blogs under AWCheney for 3-4 years now…and my “sign-in” is essentially my name (first two letters obviously initials). I’ve always stood by every single comment I’ve ever made and, in fact, have myself been a victim of someone trying to get away with posting as me (I sympathize, real Leila). As far as openly posting my address and/or email on a site that gets hundreds, sometimes thousands of hits every day from all over the country, that is just a bit risqué for my taste. I get enough spam as it is.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
Schools Chief to Be Deposed in N.Y. Bias Suit
By Ian Shapira
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 11, 2008; Page B05
Steven L. Walts, the Prince William County school superintendent whose financial management of a New York school district is under investigation, is expected to give a deposition soon in a lawsuit alleging that he and his subordinates discriminated and retaliated against a teacher in the Greece Central School District, according to the plaintiff’s lawyer.
The lawsuit, filed by elementary school teacher Mary T. Donlon, 57, names Walts and several other former Greece officials as defendants. Donlon alleges that Walts recommended her dismissal in 2005 after she complained to him that she was unfairly evaluated and that less-experienced, younger teachers were hired over her for summer school positions. Walts was the Greece superintendent until mid-2005.
The U.S. District Court case in New York comes after a rare determination by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that Walts’s administration discriminated against Donlon on the basis of age.
His deposition has not been scheduled, but it could be as early as this month, said James Bilik, a senior counsel with New York State United Teachers, a federation of local unions that is representing Donlon. A trial could occur this year or in the first half of 2009, Bilik added.
Through a schools spokesman, Walts released a statement yesterday saying that he was aware he could be asked to give a deposition but did not know of a scheduled date.
The pending deposition comes at a sensitive time for Walts, who became Prince William superintendent in 2005, replacing the long-serving Edward L. Kelly. Since Walts’s appointment, he has been trailed by escalating controversies in Greece.
Tonight, the Prince William School Board is scheduled to meet in a closed emergency session with its attorney to discuss a recent New York state comptroller’s audit that determined Walts and his Greece administration used unauthorized funds to pay for building renovations and other capital improvement projects. Greece school officials have referred the matter to the state attorney general and the Monroe County district attorney’s office for investigation.
Prince William board members have declined to comment in detail about the audit.
Yesterday, Milton C. Johns, the School Board chairman, said he was not aware of the pending deposition. “Frankly, those are things that happened in another place and another time,” he said. “Steve is a consummate professional. I don’t see any reason to be concerned. This has a lot to do with New York state politics and union politics and less about job performance.”
Many parents and teachers like Walts’s outgoing style and ambition to increase the school system’s stature in Northern Virginia. Others view his problems in Greece as evidence that School Board members conducted a weak superintendent search in 2005. Board members did not visit Greece and had been unaware that more than a dozen teachers filed EEOC complaints against Walts’s administration there. The School Board picked Walts after its first choice, Charles Q. Lindsey, then a superintendent in Knoxville, Tenn., turned down the job.
Corey A. Stewart (R-At Large), chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, said he has confidence that the School Board will investigate the New York audit thoroughly. “But if things get out of hand and [School Board members] don’t take charge of the situation, the Board of Supervisors will have to do something,” he said. “The School Board needs to look at everything very critically and openly and shouldn’t take anybody’s word for it that nothing was done wrong.”
Wow, the hen house is a cacklin’ now.
What I suggest is everyone just stop responding to Liela and it will go away. As long as you respond, it has something to say.
/\/\3|)iç 64 (Winner of the BVBL 40k and 50k post award) said on 11 Feb 2008 at 9:26 am:
Wow, the hen house is a cacklin’ now.
Yes, it was and there weren’t any foxes around.
It was a spirited evening to say the least.
M64,
As you saw, my ignore button had to be activated. As you know, I rarely activate. Pssst…M64, CHIX, not hens. Snicker.
m64
~~splash~~
Sorry, I forgot.
News from the north country regarding Dr. Walts.
http://www.13wham.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=86b304cf-5b19-4485-9c39-ebe13ba6a3fe
Hey, LIEla when are you gonna take on AW? I want to have some cheese and crackers and wine ready to watch…. LOL
OV,
Now, now. You aren’t trying to start a “hen” fight are you?
Oh no, just want to be prepared.
Well Dolph, it appeared there were a few getting madder than a wet hen.
I was glad to be out of the hot seat for once
/\/\3|)iç 64 (Winner of the BVBL 40k and 50k post award) said on 11 Feb 2008 at 3:00 pm:
Well Dolph, it appeared there were a few getting madder than a wet hen.
I was glad to be out of the hot seat for once
Right, it was ALL “hens” and not a “cock” in site.
That reminds me there are no more chickens in West Gate/Sudley that I’ve heard of. There were several houses with them last year. Perhaps, they flew the coop with the illegals.
M64,
You never want to take on wet hens, thats for darn sure. I wonder why wet hens have such a bad reputation? I think wet cats are far more lethal and dangerous. They can make hamburger out of your arms in under 10 seconds.
Glad you are on the chill pad for once. Aren’t those neat little gizmos? I have one for every laptop.
~~splash~~
Old biddies is more like it. Dolph and her buddies tried to gang up on me, even creating false names like Podunk to attack me. Your better suited to knitting girls. Better get to the beauty shop before they run out of hair dye. WGW and ateacher, I am NOT referring to you.
As for Medic, go back to the rock you crawled out from under. Your a racist and a jerk who likes to pile on. What a wimp!
I am not responding to this thread anymore, so don’t try to goad me into commenting. I won’t. Just remember though that Dolph and her little clique are a bunch of blowhards that like to spout info and feel important, but in the end they really don’t know anything.
BTW, don’t try getting my email address; I have no interest in talking off-line.
I would thank Liela for not throwing me in the at 4:28 post, but she is ignoring this thread. Oh well I appreciate it none the less.
Oh darn, no off line chitty chats.
Medic -
WGW, well I guess HE who is being ignored by the Dolph doesn’t really realize who my buddies are. snicker.
Medic 64, just when you thought it was safe to go back on the beach….geeez!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE N.R. #212, 2/11/2008
Date: 2/11/2008
Contact: Ken Blackstone
Director, Communications Services
703.791.8015
School Board Expresses Confidence in Superintendent
Following the closed session of tonight’s Prince William County School Board meeting, Chairman At-Large Milt Johns issued the following statement:
The Prince William County School Board has been briefed tonight by Dr. Walts and legal counsel concerning reported allegations involving Dr. Walts’ tenure in New York. The School Board is satisfied with this information and will continue to monitor any ongoing developments.
Dr. Walts continues to have the confidence of the Prince William County School Board. The Prince William County community can rest assured that the School Board has long-standing and transparent policies and audit procedures assuring integrity and effectiveness of all Division operations.
The Prince William County School Board and Superintendent Walts remain focused on the business of educating the children of Prince William County.
One Voice,
Do we seriously think this will put the squealing, howling and gnashing of teeth to rest for a while. I am all for slicing him off at the knees if Walts does something wrong here in Prince William County. Greece,NY? Not so concerned.
Guess so. Well, I would consider it an issue if criminal charges were placed against him up there. From what I’ve read it sounds like he was given an underfunded mandate to complete in an impossible time period while his “bosses” focused on their personal gripes with each other.
We will see….. guess we need a new victim for today to howl about.
ISO New victim. Must be willing to be berated and ’spun.’ Gender irrelevant. Facts irrelevant.
One Voice, I have made up an ad. Let’s see who applies.
I agree, except I would not have an issue unless he were found guilty of charges. I keep clinging to that American tradition of innocent until proven guilty…..especially on ‘foreign soil.’
Who needs school?
http://www.10news.com/news/15274005/detail.html
In my view this is nothing more than a bunch of sour grapes in NY looking to get back at someone that held them accountable.
Sour grapes???
This was a regular audit by the State Comtroller’s office that audits every district in NY. This had nothing to do with the locals that hate him.
The money was misspent, policies and rules were broken and he and his cronies were responsible. So I’m guessing you believe the man could break multiple rules up there with his buddies, then come down here with his buddies and suddenly be an upstanding employees and not try to circumvent our school system’s rules.
Sorry but I’m not buying that.
anon….Right on! I am confounded that there are people in above comments that are so “trusting” of this man and think this is just “sour grapes” brought on by people who are mad at Stevie. This is, as you said, the State Comptroller’s office audit that occurs for EVERY school district in NYS. They are the ones who have uncovered what was suspected here in Greece.
So glad you are all ready to believe he is innocent. When all the dust settles, you may too learn of just how many laws this man circumvented. He knew the audit was coming, and coincidently decided to apply elsewhere to get out of Dodge after just dispelling “rumors” to the entire District staff in a speech that he was applying for positions outside of the District. Not two months later, he miraculously is leaving for a position in Virginia.
He left Baltimore under dubious circumstances prior to Greece. But, don’t take my word for it…do a little digging and listen to what happens with depositions and the final audit draft in the months to come. It will all come to light.
My wife does school tours for prospective families at a local private primary school. She spoke with three different families from PWC schools that were looking to get out specifially because of this math program. My wife didn’t mention it, these people did, and according to her they were livid.
This was in the course of one day….
I know that in The United States you are innocent until proven guilty, but I find it increasingly difficult to dismiss the numerous and documented complaints about unethical or, in some cases, illegal actions of “the wonderful wizard named Walts.” We are not in Greece, NY…but we are not in Kansas anymore either, to stretch a metaphor.
Independent Hill’s vote of confidence in Dr. Walts when confronted with this latest cloud of allegations means next to nothing to me as an active parent of 4 public school students. I have tried REPEATEDLY to share my concerns regarding Dr. Walts and many of his decisions and dealings here in PWC with School Board members and senior Admin staff….the Board circled their wagons in defense of their (Hasty?)decision to hire Walts within the first two months of his tenure, when problems IMMEDIATELY arose. Ironically, we have elected the majority of these folks again, so I have very little hope that they (the board) will suddenly open their eyes and their ears to the numerous independent sources of information they are increasingly bombarded with regarding our current Superintendent. As a long time resident of PWC, and a product of our public schools, I find it telling that there were mass retirements and/or exits of large numbers of staff on the Hill and in the schools after the first year under Walts. Even those who butted heads with Ed Kelly didn’t flee in mass numbers…our ES alone had a 27% turnover of teachers and staff in one year, directly attributable to Walts’ assumption of office, and these were professionals and master teachers with over 20 years experience in our schools!
My second grader is identified as gifted but struggles with Math Investigations. Heck! I struggle with MAth Investigations! As an enrichment tool or SUPPLEMENT to a conventional math curriculum, MI can be a fantastic classroom addition…but in my opinion, it doesn’t get the job done when it IS the primary curriculum. When reviewing the information that PWCS sent home to ES parents regarding the first year’s evaluation of MI, the amount that the students “enjoyed” math was given the same amount of weight as the comparisons to the Stanford Norms. The real chickens won’t come home to roost with MI until these same students have difficulty passing the extremely low bar set by the SOLs in 5th, 7th, 8th and the HS grades. By then, it will be too late for a generation unless prudent parents and educators look beyond preliminary PWC scores and look at what MI did to scores in California, Illinios, NY, Texas, etc. …and remain vocal in their demand for a HIGH QUALITY education…..not necessarily world class.
Don’t even let me get started on Walts’ “CLASSY AWARDS” which cost about 40,000 a year (lowball estimate pulled from financial reports) where students are “strongly urged” to attend (by HS and MS under duress in many cases) and are only allowed 1 “guest.” At the same time, the High Schools County wide are being required to raise the student teacher ratio each year and cut staff positions (consistently over the past 3 years.) What happened to sending the money and supplies to the trenches and the front lines? That stopped when Walts came to town. I have a horrible feeling that Ed Kelly is spinning in his grave over the new Admin building being built in his name….he spent his first 10 years in PW insituting site based management to get the money off the Hill and into the classrooms again.
Even if this Superintendent didn’t constantly have clouds of allegations and legal trouble surrounding him, I would still question why the School Board continues to express confidence in his ability to shepherd PWC Schools. I have always been a supporter of public education, but home schooling is looking more attractive if Walts re-ups for another 5 years without a second look at both his effect on PWC and his past record of service elsewhere.