Sunday, June 7, 2015

Teachers Allege Favoritism and Bad Management



            Is MacArthur Elementary a case study in how a superintendent's favoritism can harm a school? Several present and former teachers and staff say it is.   

            Soon after Kathy Adams, Superintendent Stan Rounds's fiancée, was hired at MacArthur, Terry Stuart, MacArthur's very capable principal, moved to Central Office, and  inexperienced Karla Ragan (then Ruiz) replaced him.  

            Ragan had briefly been an assistant principal.  Often it takes an assistant 2-3 years to become Principal.  Rounds says there's no set requirement.

            Once Adams started there, Rounds frequently visited MacArthur.  (“Day and night,” said one person.  Another added, “Mr. Rounds said, 'I love this school.  It's my favorite school.' Then the day she left, no more.”)

            District employees spoke similarly of Rounds's presence at the LEAP Program when Ms. Adams ran that.  “He was there pretty much every day, unless he was traveling on business,” said one source.  Staff and students even complained about public displays of affection, including hugging and kissing. 

            Rounds notes that he helped in designing the program, and that “my frequenting the school may have been more likely because of the design elements.”  He declined to comment on student complaints, but said “It could be that I might have held her hand on occasion as we walked from place to place, but I don't think that's inappropriate.

            Rounds confirmed reports of an investigation of LEAP, but said the Board hadn't advised him of the precise subject.

            Of MacArthur, I heard two very different portraits.

            Numerous sources say Ragan bullied and harassed experienced staff into leaving and that complaints or grievances were “swept under the rug” by Rounds.  Another said a grievance against Ragan would be “professional suicide.  Even if you won, you lost.”  

            The school experienced high turnover.  “The year I left, thirteen of us left.  It was scary being there.  I knew I could lose my job for nothing,” said one teacher.  During Stuart's ten years, few teachers left except to retire.  “We were a family,” one said.  Another said stability is particularly important to a school in a lower socio-economic area.  A third said the school “just fell apart.”

            However, Rounds says that under several objective measures, notably student academic performance, MacArthur has improved significantly under Ms. Ragan's leadership.

            Was the principal jettisoning teachers whose experience made her nervous -- or spotting serious flaws other principals had missed?   She viewed some people who had lengthy and good records, including national board certification, as very bad teachers.  When one teacher remarked that she'd never been evaluated so low, Ragan reportedly said Stuart hadn't known what he was doing.

            There's certainly discontent at MacArthur.   Teachers allege extreme favoritism and “just plain meanness.”  They say that Ragan, perhaps because of her inexperience, felt intimidated by more experienced teachers; and several said, in various ways, that she lets her favorites get by with things but lowers the boom on folks she doesn't care for.   A grievance letter from former teacher Maribel Villalobos accuses Ms. Ragan of “threatening and/or bullying tactics” and of insulting and biased conduct.  Others say Ragan made insulting remarks or demeaned them. 

            Villalobos (who'd taught for thirty years “with never even a 'needs to improve'”) was suddenly placed on a Growth Plan in May 2013.  (“Usually improvement plans come in the fall, when there's time to help someone improve,” one teacher said.)     

            Others dared not speak up publicly about alleged mistreatment.    Others left because they felt that working under Ragan was unpleasant.  Several said she'd let her favorites get away with anything, and lower the boom on non-favorites for trivial offenses or asking inconvenient questions.

            Based on what I'm hearing, I'd urge someone to take a closer look at MacArthur. 
                                                            -30-
[The column above appeared in the Las Cruces Sun-News this morning, Sunday, 7 June, and will appear later today on KRWG's website.]

23 comments:

  1. This is a typical example of John Dalberg-Acton's remark, "Power tends to corrupt..." http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Tends_To_Corrupt_and_absolute_Power_Corrupts_absolutely

    Personally, I hold no grudge against Supt. Rounds for stonewalling me regarding my request he and the board take a proactive stance regarding the revelations by Edward Snowden. My request was that middle and high school students should be warned that the National Security Agency was violating their right to privacy. Video of my request here... http://youtu.be/dcJFIvTuY-A

    Recent history has shown my concerns legitimate. You may ask, why do I continue to beat this particular drum? Because, in my view, an omission is the same as lying if you withhold something relevant that the other person needs to know. Students need to know that their online, personal activities are being monitored and stored for possible future reference.

    I hope the newly installed school board will see fit to do the right thing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The story here is fairly directed toward a corrupt leader and abuse of power in Stan Rounds and Kathy Adams. The press has surely had knowledge have they not, but why wait to publish now? Mrs. Ragan, however is a causality in the press however in this game, and a gross misinterpretation of the real story. Please, I urge you to dig a little deeper into the pattern of abuse that has occurred in using schools that are ridden in poverty like Macarthur, LEAP, JUMP, and Valley View Elementary where the student population or voter population is so marginalized that parents could not make the noise needed to stop his removal and firings of effective administrators in order to to promote his girlfriend while the corrupt board allowed it even extended his contract on their way out. Why do you think he didn't do it at Desert Hills or Tombaugh or Hillrise? Because those populations nor the board would have allowed it. This is a travesty, and so many have known about it, yet have been silenced, punished, driven out of the profession, and the most devastating of all students have been affected while Stan Rounds and Kathy Adams have been awarded.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gabriella -
    Thanks for your comment.
    I do the research I can do. And keep people's confidences. If you have information that can help, please feel free to call or email me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am happy to email you. What is your email address?

      Delete
    2. I have too seen the bulling not only by Mrs.Ragan but by assistant principal that sided with her.....

      Delete
    3. Peter, thank you for bringing to light what educators as well as community members know as "common knowledge" regarding Stan Rounds "ethical" practice in our school district.

      Delete
  4. "The mean girls group" is a very popular term for Ms. Ragan's circle. I've heard it from quite a few people. email is my first name "at" pgoodmanphotos.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have tried several times to email to this address.

      Delete
    2. Gabriella, let me try again: email is peter
      then @pgoodmanphotos
      then .com
      if still doesn't work, try calling me: lc area code +521
      +zero-4-2-4

      Delete
  5. Hello Mr. Goodman, it is my advice to you that if you are to post supposed information that you actually do research before posting. Karla is actually spelled Carla. Also as to this so called "mean girl group or also rumored as " favoritism" is apparently coming from teachers no longer associated with the school. Let's take a look at why these teachers are disgruntled. First of all in the last couple of years PED has implemented a new evaluation procedure to rid schools of incompetent teachers and teachers that are no longer really interested in doing the work to be great teachers. Two of the teachers I believe are commenting on the MacArthur issues are no longer teaching for a reason. I am a teacher at MacArthur and have worked with these teachers and know for a fact that they could not manage their classrooms, had other teachers complete their work for them, never did lesson plans or if they did had same lessons for over a month. One of the teachers you quoted in your post was not only evaluated by Ms. Ragan but several other administrators before her and each year her teaching practices declined as did her evaluations and her interest in teaching. If being part of this "mean girl group" or on the" favorites team" means doing your job and being dedicated to your students, their parents and the school, I so want to be part of this amazing clan. These are the teachers who do not call in sick every time they need a mental health day or are tired of teaching that week. These are the teachers that do not leave school every day at 3:15. These are the teachers who volunteer their extra time to plan and hold events that foster good relationships with parents and community. These are the teachers who care for their students and strive to create the successful environments for this inner city school. I have taught at this school both under Mr. Stuart and Ms. Ragan and have learned the dedication I have for this school from them both. Mr. Goodman maybe you should ask these teachers for the truth about why they are really gone from MacArthur and if they are still teaching go observe their teaching methods and you will understand more before you blast the others who have remained silent to avoid this Middle school mentality " The mean Girls". I am proud to be a MacArthur teacher in the LCPS school district.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment, Proud -- and the spelling correction on Ms. Ragan's first-name. My bad, there.
      But I did talk to quite a number of people, teachers and staff, current and past. Naturally when one does what I do, writing sometimes controversial columns, one is quite on the lookout for the possibility that disgruntled teachers who got fired for good reason will draw an unfair portrait. Here, though, as I went along, I was talking to some people who weren't subject to that kind of impeachment and who spoke very convincingly. I understand you have a different point of view, and I'm glad things are going well for you, but quite a few people see it as portrayed in the column, and apparently with good reason. unfortunately, it's precisely because several sources are still employed in good standing that they requested I not use their names.

      Delete
    2. Dear Proud, I would like to commend you for your loyalty and your ability to hang in there and put a very positive spin on a very difficult situation. I suspect from what I am reading in your reply, that you are one of the people who are either deluding themselves about the loss of genuinely excellent staff members, the decline of morale at MacArthur and the massively adverse effects the school climate has had on the wonderful students and their progress…. Or perhaps you are a part of the problem. I WAS a very proud staff member at MacArthur for over 10 years, and if you were there when Mr. Stuart was there, you and I were co-staff members. I had the opportunity to observe first hand the bullying and “mean girl” clique that grew once Mr. Stuart’s departure promoted Carla. I first heard the label “bully administrator” and “mean girl clique” not from other MacArthur staff members but from LCPS district human resource personnel and district NEA representatives. Let me take the opportunity to clarify the “disgruntled employee” stigma that has been assigned by your response. There is a huge difference between disgruntled and choosing to no longer being in a negative situation. I was one of those MacArthur teachers who came early, stayed late, and spent weekends working and planning the implementation of diverse and meaningful lessons that would maximize learner success. I always (even from Carla) received excellent evaluations that included consistent commendations for my effective and positive classroom management. My lesson plans were detailed, current, and aligned with the curriculum. I maintained good communication with my student’s parents. I participated in and often helmed community/school events, and brought grants into MacArthur to help supplement learning opportunities for the students. I am appalled that you would imply that the only staff members who left/transferred/retired early/quit or moved away from MacArthur were “losers” who are now unemployable. You don‘t actually believe that do you? Contrary to the “loser” label, many of us, like myself, found teaching positions in other school settings with positive educational opportunities. We are people who are extraordinary educators who could no longer be part of a hostile working environment. Based on some of the employment “facts” you quoted on one of the former teachers whom Mr. Goodman interviewed, I am left to wonder how YOU are privileged to cite private personnel matters? You say you are a teacher, which means you are not part of the personnel evaluation process. It makes me speculate that you have participated in the administrator gossip which is not only unprofessional but the very foundation of the “mean girl clique”. You would only know about another staff member's lesson plans, sick leave, or personal matters if it had been gossiped about. Anyone who has worked at MacArthur lately is well aware of Ms. Ragan’s unfortunate habit of “chatting” about her staff when professionalism would dictate discretionary silence. “Proud”, I am delighted that your experience at MacArthur has not included being harassed, bullied, berated, humiliated, gossiped about, underappreciated, and lied to by it’s administrators. That makes you a very lucky staff member. Or .. perhaps it makes you part of the clique. It takes observers and those who do nothing for evil to prevail, and if you aren’t being part of the solution, you are part of the problem. There are, indeed, amazing staff members at MacArthur, and they, as well as the students, deserve a great administration. I left not because I had to or was forced to, but because I believed I would not find great leadership with the current administrators.

      Delete
    3. Megan. glad you have found your niche. Just wanted to reply to couple of your comments. I do not belong to any type of clique what I am involved in is what we called grade leveled teams at MacArthur. I have had different opportunities to work with many individuals at different grades. So was not this idle gossip of which you speak but in working closely with teammates you can tell when a colleague is no longer interested. As for evals no sorry never was privy to any information from Administration but teachers talk and that is not just a MacArthur thing. NEGATIVITY runs across this district. Sad to sad there are unhappy people in every school again teaching is not alway easy or the most appreciated profession. I have learned just to try my best at being positive.Happy to have a career I love. Lastly I never said all staff leaving the school were disgruntled employees that were let go. I have watched some awesome coworkers find their home in different settings and am happy for them. I just remain content where I am so felt the need to express that.

      Delete
  6. Proud, I see that your blog is only recently minted. May I ask you real name?

    Peter, I apologize for my initial comment here, but, as I stated in my comment on your piece on KRWG, I consider the issue of intrusive mass surveillance by my government to be of such importance that I will use almost any public forum to shine a light. Having said that, the issue at hand here is certainly of local concern. I fear that, like the opening of the film Blue Velvet, there's a lot of hidden malfeasance yet to be discovered.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Let's refocus the issue at hand. What might have been disclosed or not is also common knowledge. While his fiancé was at Mac Arthur he conveniently moved the assistant principal to a different school with no explanation. What is also common knowledge is his standard practice. Let's talk about "the love trailer" that was parked in the parking lot behind central office. Standard practice was to visit, not only with fiancé but a former administrator as well. This trailer is re located and is being housed still on school property at the MVTC formerly LEAP building along with her personal vehicle. Tax payers dollars being used for personal storage. Common knowledge, he assigned Adams as a principal without having her administrators license! Question: Have they both viewed PED code of ethics? Why are they not being held by the same standards? All LCPS employees are, why are these two exempt?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry, again. Who is Proud? Who is Discovery? Someone please explain to me the rationale behind comments made by faceless people. I'm listening, help me understand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Never mind. Don't bother revealing your identities. I don't care anymore.

      As for my own identity, I apologize for my crappy Blogspot profile. I tried to update it (I was on Posterous until Twitter shut it down) but this platform is not user friendly so I failed. For the record, I am Jeffrey Michael Field, retired elementary school teacher now working with the New Mexico Pre-K program. My only allegiance in this matter is to the truth. I have difficulty believing some of your comments, whether pro or con, simply because you remain anonymous.

      Still hoping someone here can enlighten me. Use your words, persuade me that my worldview is wrong. Enlighten me. I'm listening.

      Delete
    2. Hohohohahaha! I just realized that the first and third graphs constitute an oxymoron. 😅

      Delete
  9. I am new at MacArthur Elementary and my experience has been very positive. I feel appreciated and supported by the wonderful staff that works there. This includes both of our administrators. I have not witnessed abuse of power or bullying by them in our building or elsewhere. I have observed their kindness and compassion towards doing what is best for students. I believe we are doing amazing things. I encourage people to take a closer look or maybe a more holistic look at the school I am proud to work at and the people I am proud to work with. Although we don't agree on everything, we do have professional discussions and accountable talk about what is best for our students. I personally feel comfortable approaching administration with concerns or disagreements and am certainly not scared of them.

    This has been my experience. I am in no way minimizing others' experiences, but I certainly don't see this blatant abuse of power. MacArthur is strong because of the amazing staff, students, parents and community partners. We are not falling apart, we are doing amazing things to build positive relationships with all stakeholders.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hopeful....be happy you not not bullied yet and if you are not then that only means you are in good with the mean girls....you have no idea how much MacArthur was a family before Stuart was taken out and Carla put in is place....I would look forward every morning to get to work and work with my students...I know and have witness these ladies (mean girls) collaborate in one of the teachers room to discuss how they can get rid of someone they don't like and have them booted out of MacArthur. There was also the fact that two staff members were being inappropriate and that was also hushed and swept under the rug...due to one belonging to the mean girls group...I cannot express how you cannot due anything because they do threat you and tell you they will block any opportunity to move schools,so most leave...I have to say that there was one male teacher that they did not like....and tried many thing to get him in trouble...and some how got fired....There was so many nights I cried seeing what once a happy family turn into a clan of mean girls....I have no negative evaluation so Proud cannot say I am bitter...or bad mouthing anyone...Proud was the beginning of the mean girl clan...I have a hunch who that might be...and of course the would only speak of good things...I was caught between both so I saw n heard things that should of never been discussed and some were approved by Carla...Anyways she should be moved to a high school as an assistant principal and put someone fresh and with more experience.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am not part of the mean girls clique, I want to say a few things about Proud. When we are allowed to have classroom parties she asks her students to bring enchiladas, tacos, rice, etc and give each students a sliver then takes the rest home. She is very demeaning to her students and always yelling at them. Anything she hears or sees she goes straight to administration. It is very sad state of affairs that MacArthur is in right now. When Carla says its what best for our students. Is it really? Getting rid of a 5th grade teacher 3 weeks before the end of school. These students had no closure with the teacher. We need to step back and look at what we are each doing so that each staff member and student are successful. Lets hope for a positive change. Proud, you need to look at yourself closely.

    ReplyDelete
  12. There is so much that has happen at MacArthur since Carla took place as a principal, I had a student labeled as a bully by a teacher. Carla was told by that student that they were being bullied by the teacher but teacher turned it around n blamed the student and that student received a write up. You have to say though that the real problem started when Rounds placed Adams there and moved Stuart out and placed two inexperienced people as principals. Then Carla decided to get the assistant principal moved and get a younger assistant to do things her way. Regardless of what has happened MacArthur is no longer a family setting place to work. I have heard it from students, parents, sub's, and others that have come a crossed this school. We have lost a lot of valuable, hard working, talented, heart warming, caring, and most of all honest brothers and sisters. Now you have only a handful of them against the clan

    ReplyDelete
  13. Just remembered a few things that happened that staff started to notice the bullying and the power Carla expressed. We had a Sped teacher that worked with students that could not even speak or talk. She was a great hard working teacher. Her license was due and needed to renew it. She did all the paperwork and when it was time for Carla to sign, she refused to sign it. Why? She refused so she could hire her best friend. Like someone mentioned people gossip but not carefully. While walking by one said that Carla was trying to only hire young people. That's why her friend was hired. There was also a thing where staff was supposed to sign in and out if they were late, well before she became principal, she was always late. There is no justice in that school. Hopefully someone does look at that school and others for the sake of our future generation.

    ReplyDelete