I was planning on waiting until I had more concrete information on what is going on at Pencader Charter High School before writing a post, but information on the school’s fate is slim on the ground. So, forgive me. This post will ask more questions than provide answers. Basically, it’s going to be a bit of a mess. Try and bear with me.
First, what we know. As usual, Kilroy and John Young, Transparent Christina, have been all over this story from the beginning. I’d suggest clicking on their links and start reading. Also check out Children and Educators First. Excellent Blogging on there as well. Today they have a post up called “What is a Forgery? A Felony, of course…” – not sure what that means.
Side Note to Kilroy and John: Tags are your friend. Please use them. Writing this post would have been so much easier if you guys had a Pencader tag. Still love you.
Nichole Dobo of the News Journal has also done an excellent job of reporting on the situation. You can read her story about the School Leader’s PhD problem here (Sorry, can’t access that story – which is really idiotic since this is an ongoing saga and people might want, you know, to read the entire thing). Click on this link to Ms. Dobo’s blog and you’ll find the PhD summary:
Note that on the agenda below Ann Lewis is now being referred to as “Mrs.” rather than “Dr.” So far, I have not yet seen the documents Lewis said would prove she earned a Ph.D. from Westfield University, a school that had a website that became defunct after The News Journal wrote about it. The state Department of Education removed her Ph.D listing from DEEDs, and has been awaiting transcripts that Lewis told me had a “ship date” of June 28. I put in a request today to the state DOE to see if those transcripts from Westfield ever arrived at the DOE, and I will update accordingly.
(UPDATE: The state has not received any transcripts regarding Westfield, said Alison Kepner, the department spokeswoman.) The state DOE only accepts degrees from accredited universities for listing within the DEEDS system. No accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education has accredited Westfield University.
From that paragraph I assume the PhD wasn’t a PhD.
There’s a lot of history to go over, but it looks like (and someone correct me if I’m wrong) the “bitch” incident set the ball in motion. This is the incident where the school leader’s husband and Pencader teacher, Bob Lewis, was caught on video telling a student she was acting/behaving like a bitch. This video seems to have triggered an avalanche. It also appears to have divided the school (School Board, teachers, parents and students) into two teams: Team School Leader, Ann Lewis and Team… anti-Lewis?
Mr. Lewis was fired over the bitch incident, but the hoopla surrounding the story seemed to attract the notice of State Pension Office who thought Mr. Lewis, and others, had already left Pencader. Take it away, Ms. Dobo:
School leader Ann Lewis instructed those working under her to remove the teachers, including her husband, Bob Lewis, from the state’s payroll system in October. The three teachers were transformed into independent contractors. Ann Lewis’ husband collected about $6,500 a month from the school while continuing to draw his state pension.
About six months after the termination letter, Lewis’ husband made headlines. Bob Lewis was fired after a Pencader student recorded him using the word “bitch” while admonishing a teenage girl in a math class.
Pension Administrator David Craik said the school told his office the teachers had been terminated. Craik believed the school no longer employed the teachers. But in March Craik realized this wasn’t the case when he read in The News Journal about Bob Lewis’ remarks.
Uh oh.
And, believe it or not, it gets worse. Kilroy writes on Pencader not reaching it’s enrollment financial threshold.
Pencader May 1 numbers 410 needs 500 to meet the 80% financial threshold. May 1 numbers put them a 66%. Some other charter schools struggling. Moyer OMG!
No good news on the Pencader internal conflicts that appears to be at a stalemate. The adults can’t find a way to put their pettiness aside and think of the students.
Now… during all this, Pencader Board Members are dropping like flies until only two are left. Those two then appointed six other board members and Kilroy and John Young debate on whether, or not, that vote was legal.
Is your head spinning yet? And I’ve left a out a ton.
Now I’m going to jump ahead… Transparent Christina posted this video. I would suggest you make time to watch it and read Transparent Christina’s explanation/summary of why all this matters.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHs2QpHg6SE&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
Click here for a snippet of the video showing the School Leader, Ann Lewis, (the blonde sitting at the table) laughing and behaving in a totally unprofessional manner. Dear Ms. Lewis, there’s nothing remotely funny about what is going on at Pencader under your leadership.
After watching these videos a Pencader parent asked me what I would do if my child attended this school. My answer? I would yank them out of that school so fast their head would spin.
And while I would yank my child from that school my response wasn’t very compassionate. As of now, these parents and students of Pencader are left hanging. Add to this that Kilroy is now reporting that “Pencader Board Is becoming Subject Of Concern For Someone In A High Place.”
What’s a Pencader parent to do?
And that’s the main point of this post. I am calling on Pencader leadership, the DOE, politicians and the Governor to give these parents answers. Will Pencader open in a few weeks? If it does, will it stay open through the school year? Given the low enrollment what educational programs/teachers, if any, will the school lose?
Pencader parents have a right to these answers. How can they possibly make an educational decision concerning their child without having these, and other, questions answered. It’s past time for those in charge to break their silence.
UPDATE: After writing this post Kilroy posted this comment on his blog. Everyone, pay attention!
Sadly the negativity falls back on Pencader the school when it should remain on the leadership. No doubt there are issues with the school leader however, the board is failing to take action. School leader’s contract is expired and the board needs to end the relationship. What is really missing is the voice of the parents. The PTO needs to make a public statement as to where they stand.
Its obvious the school leaders rather see Pencader implode to nonexistence. This way any evidence of $$ wrong doing is buried.
The concept of Pencader business and finance is wonderful..But one must question the old saying lead by example. Ethics and morals go hand and hand with business and finance and the current events is sending a bad message to students. DE DOE reported to the state board they meet monthly with Pencader and no “red flags”.
As each day goes by Pencader sinks and might not be saved. I see nothing going on that suggest “its about the kids”! Pencader parents best hurry and demand leadership change or they’ll be scrambling for a new school.
Sad, but true.