Ding Dong the Witch is Dead???
We wonder what was true??Interesting news coming out of the district office regarding the status of the DLC's employment with the district. Rumors have been flying about dismissal, reassignment, resignation, etc. None of the word is definite but what is clear is that the district has made a move, what remains to be seen is if that move is a positive step for the students of this district and financially responsible to the taxpayers as well.
Of course, this move would raise a lot of questions, most importantly:
- Is the district going to take further steps to incorporate the school back into the district?
- What is the employment status of the son?
- Is this an explicit acknowledgement that the district oversight has been lacking to let the situation get this far out of hand?
Additionally, where does this situation leave the litany of complaints already filed against the DLC's?
This move clearly was the right thing to do but raises more questions that those it resolves.
Keep the news coming...
posted by All of Us at
5:14 PM
29 Comments:
I am the parent of a former student of VAPAC. My child went to school there last year. She took the CASHEE tests and passed both the math and the English. VAPAC was sent two copies of the test results and one copy was to go into the students permanent folder and the other was to be sent to the parents. If the child is absent they send a copy saying that the student was absent and that is also to be put into the permanent folder and one copy sent to the parent. My childs teacher called me from the counselor's office and told me she had passed and was going to make me a copy when Ms DLC came in and took the papers from the counselor. I have not received ANYTHING. When I call and talk to Michelle the secretary she doesn't know what or where the results are either. No one has copies....Not even the CASHEE dept. So what happened to them??? Has anyone else not received their results??? I am pissed!!!!!! I also tried to get my childs transcripts and was unable to get that also. VAPAC needs to FIND the missing paperwork that shows our children have passed the CASHEE!!!
VAPAC Update--
1. SCUSD has placed Mike Young as the Interim Principal.
2. The DLCs plan to appeal any punitive measures to the county.
3. Pressure is being placed on teachers and students to sign or write letters of support.
4. The Tuesday night meeting might be a "parents" night instead of a "community" night.
5. The DLCs most effective tactic is to blur the line between their employment and the existence of the school. Many parents, teachers, and students fear the disappearance of the school and are consequently apprehensive about speaking out against the DLCs.
Have questions about daily operations at the school? Please post them. I'll try to give some straight answers.
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All along the DLC's have been rather successful at blurring the line between their employment and the continued existence of the school. What's worse is that they have cowed parents and students into believing that their is no distinction.
A simple solution... Have the district commit to the continued survival of VAPAC and ensure that the school can survive without the Mother and the Son. How? Make it a district school either through dependent charter or outright annexation through dissolution of the charter.
My sister goes to Vapac, but I got to another high school because when I started at vapac last year my schedule was messed up and things seemed really unorganized excpet in a few classes where teachers knew what to do. Now, my sister has no principal, her french class that she's been in since te beginning of school is being cancelled and she has no permanent english teacher. My mom is probably going to take my sister out, but I'm glad to see that the district is finally doing something to fix the problems that the principal and her son caused. My sister has been told that she has to sign a letter of support if she wants to still be a student there.
Any news on last night's meeting?
The DLC's never considered students, parents, staff and faculty's ideas or feelings in their decision making. Why come to them now? If they had run the school properly, maybe there wouldn't have been too many people filing complaints.
Does anyone have any info about the meeting at VAPAC last nite???????
YA know, it's almost like the dlc's are trying to form a cult. This crossed my mind when "the mother"began talking about her "circle of trust" and the "evil circle". Then throw in the students that she didn't want at "her school" because she considered them "dirty" because maybe they had behavior issues, were resource students, were mormon,wore black clothing, suffered from depression, were black, were low socio-economic kids, went to counseling (as she should have), had liberal parents, etc........ She stated that she just wanted "good kids' that had famlies that could afford a "private education".
More proof that the woman is sick. Rumor has it that she bathed her son till he was a teenager (thoughts of the movie "The Aviator" creep in to the mix) I think the district has found out facts that have not even been discussed in this blog.
I don't think the cult thing is out of question. Whatever you do, don't drink the koolaid.
I agree, there is something really creepy about "the mother" and "the son". I have already removed my kid from that place. I have spent energy spreading the word in the community that vapac is not a place to send your child. Most people I have talked with already thought it was closed. When I enrolled my child in a different school within the SCUSD , the counselor and admin we met with to enroll also thought it has been shut down at the end of the last school year.
I find it very sad that one or two individuals mismanagement could ruin this program for everyone. There are still a lot of parents, students and teachers that strongly support the VAPAC program and want to see it succeed and are putting a lot of time and energy to that goal. Obviously there needs to be some restructuring in the administration of the school, but I don't think the answer is to completely close it down. There is funding problems state wide in the school system and it's even more difficult for a small arts based school to start up right now. If the district could spend even a fraction of what they spent on the Rosemont school a good deal could probably get done. But sadly were talking about an arts school not a sports school. It's important for a school like this to exist and it can and will be a great school, hopefully soon.
Once again it's important that your info and opinions are heard by the district. The VAPAC administration is rallying the troops to contact the school board to tell them how great a job the DLC was doing. Call the school board members, email them from the district website or go to the school board meetings and let them know what's been happening at VAPAC. If you want to help the school act now to make sure that the DLC doesn't come back
Afer talking with several of the SCUSD board members on different occasions, believe me.... they want the dlc's gone!!!! Once the investigation is complete, the media will ensure all will know.
I heard that the DLC's brought their posse to the meeting. I would have picked a more creditable line up than Karen Ryan, Beth Lemons, New parent(who only has less than a months worth of feedback) and students. I mean Karen has proven that she will go as far as to lie to protect her friends. I believe if someone has to go, I rather see Mr. DLC go because he has accomplished anything aligned in his job description. All I ever heard was excuses on why he couldn't met any of his responsibilities. Ranging from playing administrator to his cat having cancer. His salary could be used to buy books, have a working cafeteria, to train new teachers or to add to the performing arts complex. Well, I'm at another school enjoying my new teachers and feeling sorry that a school I once loved is getting the shaft because a mother chose her son over the children she is responsible for.
My hope is that no amount of coerced testimonials can overcome years of criminal intent and neglect. What's worse is that her biggest allies are parents who care only for their child's well being and remain callously unconcerned for the success of other people's children. And the fact that an adult would shamelessly intimidate and manipulate students to support her
is just plain wrong.
I talked to various Board members and District Administrators and they were decidedly not impresssed with the testimonials. One comment was that VAPAC Administrators reacted very quickly to the wanted poster, why didn't they respond as quickly to complaints by parents and problems pointed out by the district.
I'm sure the DLCs and the VAPAC Board will now try to get their way through a lawsuit, hopefully they won't use student funds to do so. I think as many parents and teachers as possible should ask for resignations from the current VAPAC Board at every opportunity.
I can't even begin to understand why parents still have their students there. When the Fantastic Four left (Melchor, Siegert, Kapp, and Fox) that should have been a sign to anyone there to take their students and run. It's not that Stratton and Nead aren't doing a great job, because they are, and it must be hard for them to continue there without strong academic teachers. My daughter was lucky enough to have all four of the incredible teachers who left last year throughout her two years there, and she learned more from those four teachers than from any of the other teachers she's had in her entire educational life. In fact, it wasn't until my daugher knew that Kapp and Fox were gone that she decided to leave. Once she knew that Siegert and Melchor were going, she didn't want to stay, but Kapp was organizing the trip to Europe and Fox was the only reason that any production was held so she agreed to saty since she knew there were still good teachers there. Her best friend currently has no no english teacher, no permanent foreign language teacher, and wasn't even allowed to take Biology last year because of scheudling issues, so she's behind on her science since she couldn't take chemistry. Does anyone know if the district knows about this website? They should read everything that's here, all the way back to the beginning. What ever happened to the smart girl with the pink hair who got kicked out? Does the district know about her?
To answer questions brought up in the previous post:
QUESTION: Does anyone know if the district knows about this website?
ANSWER: Yes, in fact Amari Watkins pointed out this website to me. Ms. Watkins is in charge of Charter School Oversite. The problem is that Ms. Watkins started early this year (Jan. 05) and not the previous year when the District approved all the charter schools. Maybe if someone had been overseeing VAPAC in its first year and a half the DLC's would not been so dictatorial in their dealings with students, teachers, staff and parents.
QUESTION; What ever happened to the smart girl with the pink hair who got kicked out?
ANSWER: She (Ari) went to Independent Studies and attended Sac City JC part time last year. I know she is on the Sac City campus this year (with her pink hair) but am not sure of her status as a full or part time student. I would imagine she is still in Independent Studies.
QUESTION:Does the district know about her?
ANSWER: Yes, the district is aware of the situation and found in favor of VAPAC. I will point out that someone has mentioned to me (I haven't been able to verify this information) that the hearing officer turns out to be a friend of the "Mother" and is providing volunteer 'counseling' at the school since VAPAC surplused their previous counselor. It is my understanding that VAPAC can't apply for a counseling position without offering the position back to the previous counselor.
Last year when the pink hair issue came out, I told the DLC's in writing that they had a lot bigger issues to deal with. For example, the over crowded classrooms (more than 50 students in non PE classes). The lack of PE options, as well as others, for many students which quite often made it so that students had to change their entire schedule around. The previous letter points out this problem by mentioning how a student couldn't take Biology because of scheduling. This is probably occuring at the other small high schools as well, but I do not know that for a fact. Another problem that I became aware of is that Ms. Nish quite often teaches more than one subject (sometimes 3-4) in a class to try and get students classes that they need. This has proven to be very difficult for some students to handle.
In my experience when people are in over their heads, like the DLC's, they focus on petty issues because they are not capable of dealing with larger issues. They then complain that they can't take care of bigger problems because they are bogged down with all these minor issues. The dress code/hair issue was one of their own creation since they rammed it through without real approval from teachers, students or parents. It was announced during an orientation meeting the first day of school last year. The change didn't go out to parents until several weeks later. The girl with the 'pink hair' didn't think it applied to her she it wasn't completly pink but just a small portion which was ok according to the dress code. It then became a matter of interpretation which the DLC's got to decide. I saw many violation of the dress code (even the old dress code) by several students. The real problem with the DLC's came when Ari's mother stood up for her child and started asking questions of the DLC's about this new dress code and where was the parent, teacher and student involvement in the new dress code. The real lesson to be learned is you can break the rules as long as you don't confront the DLC's on it, the Mother just doesn't know how to deal with those that have different viewpoints (other than to get rid of them) and aren't afraid to state them
I suggested to the DLC's that they could make the hair color issue a learning opportunity for the students by telling the students that if they gather 10% of the VAPAC students signatures on a petition there would be a referendum on the issue. They wouldn't hear of it and when I pointed out that there were no problems the previous year. They said that some of the younger students were 'scared' and that VAPAC was a College Prep school which was news to me. Having been on campus most everyday the first year, I had never heard any student say anything on the topic of hair color. Also, when I asked them when the school and changed from a 'Arts' school to College Prep, they had no answer. I would also like to point out that if VAPAC is a College Prep school, it is failing miserably. Can anyone tell me of one student that is attending a four year college that graduated from VAPAC last year? There maybe some, but I certainly am not aware of any. Most of them seem to be attending local two year colleges. Some of this maybe due to finances, but many of these students are bright with unique talents. Why aren't they being helped to get scholarships?
I'm glad the district finally removed the mother, but it seems that the son is intent on undermining the new principal. Also after listening to the DLC's Koolaid Cult on Thursday night, we need to make sure that the VAPAC Board doesn't spend school money on a lawsuit to bring her back.
Ok folks, we can now look forward to the Grand Jury investigating. They do things in a very methodical way, be patient.( they will move in a public manner after the district completes their actions.) The SCUSD is almost on the 2nd wave of their investigation that will be noticible.
Does this mean that "the son" could have his US citizenship revoked? That would be great! We can just sweep the "trash" right out of the United States!
Just wondering...how do you know that there is going to be a grand jury investigation? Is it something that hasn't been publicized?
In-fucking-credible. We knew she was a wack job but never thought she was a theif. We trusted our kids and their futures to her and this is what we get. VAPAC should have stayed at Sac High then, maybe, both schools would be stronger. I know that Sac High has meager arts offerings and VAPAC is well, in majoy trouble.
Are we really surprised?
Who has contacted the Bee or the Sac News and Review?
Why isn't Allen Young taking over VAPAC? He's a VAPAC grad and he's just spinning his wheels in Natomas or something...
i heard allen young got caught with a student. shame shame.
If that were the case he wouldn't be teaching. Posting such garbage is simply wrong.
Grow up. He works in Davis as a principal. It was in the paper.
Got caught doing what? Teaching them? Laughing with them.? Be specific you ass.
when is this going to be in the paper? Did I miss it?
I recieved a meeting notice yesterday to be held in the VAPAC theatre at 6:30pm on Wed. Oct. 19th. SCUSC Board of Ed. president Roy Grimes will be meeting with parents to discuss parents experiences at VAPAC.
Once again this meeting seems to be by invitation only. Please inform anyone you know about this meeting. I just spoke to Roy Grimes and comfirmed that it is going to happen. I t was arranged after the last SCUSD board meeting. Mr. Grimes said the meeting is for parents only, no VAPAC administration or VAPAC board members or he will walk out.
Hope you can make it.
according to a sac charter school student friend of mine, Allan Young had no choice but to leave. Seems his health was at risk due to all the pressures of his former employer, KJ
Funny thing is that mr. young is now a principle at a Natomas school cite. Would this be a less pressured job or something else?
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