Should the Chartiers Valley school board open Dr. Tammy Whitfield's job?

 Dr. Whitfield does have a huge support base, as she should. The children of Chartiers Valley School District have always been her number one concern. Unfortunately, these postings voicing that support and talking within the community about that support just doesn't seem to be solving the problem. The board has fired her, and they really are not budging.

I don't believe the board is feeling that much pressure from the community - from the people who elect them. The community needs to go to the board meetings in mass and voice their opinions on this matter. When the board tried this with another employee several years ago, the community came out in such force that the meeting had to be moved to the auditorium to hold the large crowd that arrived. Considering Dr. Whitfield's position and all she does for the children and for the district, she too deserves that kind of support.

Not only does the community need to attend the meetings in mass, people need to be willing to speak up for Dr. Whitfield. At the last board meeting, one person spoke formally on her behalf. One.

It's also important that people stay until the end of the meeting when personnel issues are again addressed. Apparently, when the board voted to open Dr. Whitfield's contract back in May, they did so at the very end of the meeting when the great majority of people had already left the meeting. When they officially decided to fire her, they did so during the August Workshop meeting when very few community members attend.

I am so disappointed and saddened that this is happening to such a phenomenal employee in our district. If Dr. Whitfield's contract does indeed expire at the end of October, we will be losing an absolutely amazing administrator and person. She will be forced to move on. Such a loss for Chartiers Valley. Such a tremendous loss.

Board meetings in September:  9/8   and  9/22.

Go to them. Voice your opinions loudly and clearly. Show the board their behavior is not acceptable. I agree that as a voting public, we can do that in the elections. That'll be too late for Dr. Whitfield. Her contract expires at the end of October. We will have lost her by then.

Does anyone out there know if we as a community can legally do anything about this?  Can we take legal action of any kind to stop the board?

There have been instances when community members have obtained petitions which they presented to a judge to file an injunction against school board members from from moving forward on certain actions.  Specific instances that come to mind are cases where school boards have chosen to close a school in a district and injunctions where filed to stop this.  Ultimately, I think the courts have ruled that school boards have the right to make such decisions.  Nevertheless, these injunctions can serve to draw the attention of the community to band together whenever their school boards are acting irresponsibly or not truly representing the interests of the majority of the residents.  Many times, it also draws the attention of the media as well.

 I have 4 children in this district who have all been touched and affected (in a very special way) by Dr. Witfield.  I agree that she is one of many people who make our district special.  All of my children have problems and have been forturnate enough to have Dr. Whitfield on their side.  I have dealt with other districts where the people in the positions that Dr. Whitfield has held did not have half of the compassion, understanding, and leadership abilities of Dr. Whitfield.  Because I have four children, I am not usually able to attend the board meetings.  It seems to me that we should try to form a committee, or forum outside of the school board meetings where some people may be more willing to attend and show their faces.  We should get together and strategize to develop a plan to show the board that the community has built a united force, and that we 'the community and tax payers' need to have a larger say in this matter.

 I attended the Board meeting this evening and spoke in support of Dr. Whitfield and asked the Board to do the right thing and reconsider their decision.  The school district solicitor was present and indicated that they could not answer any questions regarding Dr. Whitfield's contract since it is in litigation.  I pointed out that there has been no resolution for 3 months, and how disappointed I was that the Board cannot resolve this issue.

I agree that there needs to be a large response by parents, collegues, etc to show the Board members that residents of this district hold them accountable for their actions.  I urge everyone to go to the September 22nd meeting and voice your opinion regarding this issue.  If you cannot attend, then go on the school district website and e-mail the Board members to let them know how you feel. 

 I also agree there needs to be a large response from the parents, and quite frankly all tax-payers in our district.  Since I am not able to attend the Board meetings I am emailing every board member on this matter.  My vote helped get them in, and it most certainly can work the other way!

The School Code provides for two methods to remove school board members from office if they "refuse or neglect to perform any duty imposed upon them by the School Code".  Any ten resident taxpayers can file a petition in the local county court requesting that one or more board members be removed from office for not following School Code.

Certainly it is quite clear to everyone that these board members are abusing their "power" and not acting in the best interests of the community that they serve.  They would rather risk a law suit (a case they will most likely lose) and waste taxpayer money than do what is right AND what the public wants - TO KEEP DR. WHITFIELD.

I am sure that some of you are or know attorneys in the community that would be more than will ing to take this on, pro bono.  We need to fight this blatant abuse of power.  If something is not done and we let these board members get away with this, who knows what they will do next with our tax dollars.

 In response to the last posting regarding the School Code. There is something we (the tax payers) can do besides attending monthly board meeting, emailing board members and putting our thought out there for everyone to see and discuss. Don't take me wrong, I think all of these are great and we need to continue with them. They need to know that we are outradged with their actions. There are more than 10 tax payers out there that would love to sign a petition and there has to be a attorney or two with children in the district (or knows children in the district) that would love to step up and help save our school district. So, let's do it!!!!  Time is running out and we need to take action like this to stop what is being done. We are about to loose the BEST thing that has ever happend to Chartiers Valley School District. If "WE the PEOPLE" don't stand up for what is right and take charge by showing the board what we really want for our district, our students and our tax dollars, you can only imagine what they will do next or who they will go after next. When you look at the past track record of employee's who have been targeted by the board, it is a shame they are the dedicated, hard working ones. One's who don't play the political game. I thought people got into education because of the children, wanting the best for our children. That goes for board members as well.  

 Now is the time for everyone who supports Dr. Whitfield to come to the School Board meeting on 9/22 to let the Board know how you feel.  It will be too late if you wait until Novemebr to try to vote out several Board members. We must all be visible and vocal ( in a civilized way) to let the Board know they are being held accountable for their actions.  We should also commend those Board members who have shown their support for Dr. Whitfield.  You can also e-mail Board members on the CVSD.net website to let them know how you feel, and to ask them to explain their actions to you.  See you on 9/22 at 7:00 at the Intermediate School. Time is running out so please come!!

 I was at the meeting on 09/22/09.  I was so disappointed in the community turn-out to show support for Dr. Whitfield.  

Please continue pressuring the Board to do the right thing!  Dr. Whitfield needs our support.

The best part of meeting was President Figorski "squirming" in her chair addressing an issue brought her attention by Board member Beth McIntyre.  It was a major blow for President Figorski's character.  She lied to her own Board members in front of the public.  A majority of this Board feels they do not even have to answer to their own Board members!  

Ms.McIntyre, Ms Frey and Ms Petronsky need to continue to support Dr Whitfield because concerned taxpayers will remember them in November. 

 What the public needs to realize at this point in time is that the only current board member who supports Dr. Whitfield who is up for re-election in November is Beth McIntyre.  Mrs. Frey and Ms. Petronsky are not up for re-election for two more years ...and sadly, neither are Figorski, Poletti or Ohliger.  The only board members who can be replaced in this election (besides Beth McIntyre - and you don't want that!) are Bridget Kelly, Jeff Choura and Tom Galluze.  Unfortunately, only one of them can lose....but it has to be one of those three.  The district cannot afford to lose Beth McIntyre in this election.  So pass the word to anyone and everyone you know...and do it often...In the coming election...ONLY VOTE FOR TWO - MCINTYRE AND RICE.  I'ts the only way to assure that Kelly, Choura or Galluze are replaced!!!  Sometimes the entire flavor of the board can be made by just one person so spread the word to everyone you know...loud and often!  The future of our district depends on it!!!  (Easy to remember - instead of mac and cheese - It's Mc and Rice!)

Just so that you are aware, I have tried to email all of the Board Members of CV.  How convenient that their email addresses report that my mail is undeliverable.  I can't even voice my opinion.  Tammy is a great asset to CV.  I just want the question answered....WHY.  Why are they ousting Tammy out.  She's here for our kids....not for her own gain

 It might get their attention if we all write letters to the editor in the Signal-Item.  They have not reviewed Tammy Whitfield's contract as they had stated at the 5/28/09 meeting, the Board has also failed to meet on 5 occasions regarding the CV teacher's contract, according to a faculty member I spoke to.  This may result in a teacher's strike due to their lack of action.  The teachers are under orders by the union to not make comment at the Board meetings since they are in negotiations, so the Board seems to have no accountability.  We all need to let them know that this is unacceptable. 

 You must be joking.   I believe that Dr. Whitfield was a good employee, WAS.  She crossed the line when she did not immediately report any and all discrepancies with her contract.  The fact that she knew a CV employee had "fraudulently" changed pages of her contract and did not immediately take action proves that she was out for herself.  Was she considering the children then?  What type of example does this send?  Whether this employee was directed by her superior or not it was still wrong.  She had a responsibility to report this and did not.  It will be very interesting to see what comes out of this lawsuit.  There is so much misinformation regarding this whole situation.  Clearly the public outcry is not what Dr. Whitfield and her cronies (bittter ex school board officials, and has been current board officials) have hoped for.  We teach our kids one thing and then have the administrators do something else.  This whole situation is an embarrassment for our district.

 You are correct...this whole situation is an embarrassment for our district.  But certainly NOT for the reasons you stated.  Again, you are correct...there is so much misinformation regarding this whole situation and obviously, you have been fed some of that misinformation.  Everyone involved in this is forbidden to talk about it because of litigation but the truth will come out when Dr. Whitfield is heard in court.  Members of the board chose to ignore the discrepancies with her contract when they were brought to the board's attention by Dr. Whitfield.  This all could have been handled and solved way before the deadline if certain members of the board had listened and done the job they were elected to do.