Posted on 07/13/2008 1:57:22 PM PDT by NCjim
Grossmont Union High School District Governing Board President Larry Urdahl still can't believe that four Helix High School teachers violated students' trust by allegedly engaging in inappropriate relationships with them.
That's why the board wants the charter school to give them evidence it's curing these types of problems.
"This is not about the Grossmont Union High School District, it's not about the adults, it's about the safety of kids, and that is one of our prime concerns," superintendent Bob Collins said.
Specifically, the Grossmont Board is demanding Helix's governing Board address the four cases of misconduct, training planned or already provided, changes to employee and student oversight and supervision to prevent inappropriate relationships between staff members and students.
"We are going to fulfill our oversight responsibilities and we are going to ensure that Helix High School is a safe place for kids," district vice president Dick Hoy said.
Four teachers have been accused of sex-related crimes involving students since late 2006. In December 2006, former music teacher Frank Palumbo was accused of having sex with a 17-year-old female student and was sentenced to five years probation.
Earlier this year, ex-band director Jessica Kahal got three years probation after pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with a 17-year-old male student.
In May, geography teacher Garry Wilcox was arrested on suspicion of having sex with a 17-year-old female student. He pleaded guilty and has a July 22 trial date.
Finally, business teacher Jeff Wenham resigned after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with the same student allegedly involved with Wilcox. Wenham has not been arrested nor charged with any crime, and his case in being reviewed by the district attorney's office.
"We're in hopes that the investigation we've asked will bring this matter to conclusion so we can safely say to the community your kids are safe in our school," Urdahl said.
We tried to contact Helix High School Principal Dr. Douglas Smith to get reaction from him to the board's demands, but he did not return our messages.
Ping
The Alma Mater of Bill Walton, Reggie Bush and others...mine as well.
Specifically, the Grossmont Board is demanding Helix’s governing Board address the four cases of misconduct, training planned or already provided, changes to employee and student oversight and supervision to prevent inappropriate relationships between staff members and students.
Ten years in jail should send a message to the rest of the teachers
Not that I place blame on any students however, you have to wonder about the 17 year old female student who was ‘with’ two of the perv teachers!! I hope they get her some counseling... :o
or-————
8’S COOL SCHOOL IS...
Any K-12 school or class that has a special program to encourage learning & bring out the best in kids ... or ...
Any K-12 school or class doing something special in our community.
-——— per front KFMB-TV web page
What is this, the 167,234th reason to homeschool?
[He pleaded guilty and has a July 22 trial date. ]
If he pleaded guilty, he won’t have a trial. Someone know not of what he speaks!
When was the last time that a traditional government high school was threatened with closure because of a sex scandal? Personally, I don’t remembering that happening.
This is exactly what **should** happen when a school fails in it responsibilities. It should be shut down and the principal and *all* teachers should lose their jobs! In my opinion this proof that the charter school system is working! The failing charters get shut down!
Imagine how much better our traditional government schools would be if the teachers and principals worked under the same threat of closure as the charter schools? I’d be willing to bet that the government school teachers and principals would supervise each other a lot more closely if they knew they could lose their job if another teacher misbehaved.
If she does her hair and makeup right, I’d say not guilty.
Does anyone know if any of these incidents were precipitated by Internet access within the school in any way?
Guilty!
What a crater face!!!! She got more bumps than the Smokey Mountains.
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