Pubdate: Tue, 23 Dec 2003
Source: Ellis County Press, The (TX)
Copyright: 2003, County Press Group LLP
Contact:  http://www.elliscountypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3025
Author: Joey Dauben
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PUBLIC NOT BEING INFORMED OF SCHOOL DISTRICT INCIDENTS

Parents Creating Citizen Group to Demand Accountability

ELLIS COUNTY - With situations and events within local school districts now 
seeping out into the public, it has many taxpayers and parents alike angry 
- - and demanding more accountability.

Last week's drug search of 12 students at Waxahachie Junior High School was 
the third so far this school year, but parents "had no clue" they took 
place, according to Linda Gallegos, one parent who is now planning to sue 
the district because of it.

Her case is just one of a string of incidents to plague Ellis County 
districts, ones in which parents - and even some teachers - were not notified.

This has Gallegos and other area parents demanding more accountability, and 
has even spawned the creation of a parent/citizen group.

Below is a listing of a few unreported or underreported incidents to have 
been made public within the past week:

Ennis

After a string of suicides, the Ennis Independent School District held town 
hall meetings to concede that there has been for numerous years, gang and 
drug-related activity within schools.

Though many parents and taxpayers had known through rumors and 
word-of-mouth, it was the first time the district went full-scale in 
publicizing it.

Italy

At the district's only elementary school, parents complained about filthy 
conditions, including puddles of urine and fecal matter scattered around 
the gym floor.

Their repeated attempts to warn the school board were met with roadblocks, 
until finally, members of the school board witnessed the situation themselves.

One trustee reportedly told school administrators, "someone needs to clean 
this up now."

Midlothian

Midlothian's boys soccer team dominated their district the past four years, 
but it was overshadowed by the revelation last week that the head coach was 
let go after failing a drug test, reportedly finding traces of marijuana.

The incident occurred late last year, according to teachers at Midlothian 
High School, who jokingly talked openly about the situation.

Additionally, a Spanish teacher at MHS was forced to resign last year after 
administrators discovered an uncensored Jerry Springer video was shown to 
students.

Red Oak

A special education diagnostician was issued a warrant for possession of 
child pornography in November, but parents of children the suspected 
employee taught were not notified until recently.

Superintendent Kay Wag-goner said she made personal phone calls to the 
parents, and had only contacted the parents of the special education 
students the employee taught. The information about Bruce Largent's 
employment wasn't even made known until deep into a story in another 
newspaper last week.

Waxahachie

When last week's drug search of 12 Waxahachie Jr. High students came to 
light, school officials had told only one parent, Linda Gallegos, who is 
now suing the district because no drugs were found on any student.

She's citing an unconstitutional search and seizure as the basis for her suit.

It had been, according to WISD officials, the third search this school year 
so far.

In a separate series of incidents, the district's financial situation 
wasn't made fully known until two former maintenance workers came forward 
with 1,100 pages of documents two months ago, resulting in investigations 
and a request for a state comptroller's forensic audit. Those two employees 
have since been arrested on tampering with government record charges, and 
followed the resignation of Finance Director Dan Davis.

And in another unrelated incident, a local newspaper, as well as the head 
football coach, failed to mention the car wreck and arrest of Lane Rust 
hours before WHS' prom. Rust, a standout running back for the Indians and 
son of prominent real estate developer Joe Rust, was arrested and booked in 
the Ellis County jail on vehicular assault.

These latest revelations, some say, are proof that more accountability is 
needed from both appointed and elected leaders.

The parent/citizen group, as well as Internet activism in some towns, is 
one start, Gallegos said.

"These [school districts] will get the message if 1,000 parents pulled 
their kids out of school. I guess that's the only way to make them 
[accountable]."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager