We at
Justiceforkids.net and
KingCast.net have been posting, showing movies and screaming about corruption in Ohio and now we are being heard -- and Columbus School Board members are hiding for cover and notably absent from a recent town hall NCLB meeting sponsored by the Urban League and the U.S. Department of Education, held at the Kings Arts Complex.
Politicians whom this board knows and generally trusts, are involved but I cannot say anything more at this point. Loose lips sink ships -- pardon my double entendre because the Columbus School Board is already listing a-stern.
Significantly, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spelling was one of the Guest Speakers.
In this blawg entry I break it down for you; [More]
including a link to the Columbus Dispatch
story on the pending investigation, as well as a link to an ethics determination reflecting a
$235,000.00 swindle performed against Columbus taxpayers and students by former board executive Sherry Bird Long.
Here then, is the Press release:
JUSTICE FOR KIDS SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 PRESS RELEASE
Gene Harris and Board Members were suspiciously absent from the Town Hall Meeting and No Child Left Behind SES Provider Fair sponsored by the Urban League, and the U.S. Department of Education at the Kings Arts Complex.
Perhaps it had to do with the Columbus Public School's Internal Auditor's Special Review #06-SR-12SP - West High School: Allegations of Non-Reporting of Student Child Abuse. In a short two-page report from the Auditor's office dated September 6, 2006, Internal Auditor Harold Saunders stated "Our review included, but was not limited to, the examination of all documents on the Justice for Kids website, the Office of Customer Relations Notification and other information provided by you (mandated reporter) via fax and the above referenced statutes."
It appears after his review, Mr. Saunders came to the following conclusions in response to the attack on the girls February 14, 2006:
1. "Based on our (CPS district) examination of the documentation reviewed, the aforementioned statutes and the facts, no child abuse occurred. James Drennen, the adult, had no custodial (parent, legal guardian, etc.) relationship with the students subjected to the alleged physical injury", no child abuse occurred.
2. "Since no child abuse occurred. Policy 5161.8 does not apply."
3. "the act not to report an instance of child abuse to the required agency by District employees regarding this incident is appropriate."
4. "On February 14, 2006, the Columbus Police Department was onsite to investigate the events alleged and took police reports documenting the events of that evening."
5. "It is our (District) understanding the police have investigated this matter and forwarded their finding to the City Prosecutor."
6. "Further, the City Prosecutor found, through its investigation, no substantiating evidence to charge James Drennen with a criminal office, including child abuse in this matter."
Perhaps the reason for the Superintendent and Board Member's obvious absence from the event stemmed from the article by Jennifer Richards Smith in the Dispatch announcing the U.S. Department of Education Inspector General's office was conducting a federal audit with regard to No Child Left Behind and related programs.
However, we believe when Board Member Stephanie Groce received CD's containing conversations with Board President Dr. Terry Boyd, former Customer Relations Supervisor Carol Harper, CPD Strategic Response Bureau Supervisor Sergeant Lintz, Chief Prosecutor Steve McIntosh, and the accused "James Drennen" along with the "911" call made by the mother that night, she could no longer ignore the truth.
Armed with the information she received at the Board Meeting Tuesday, September 19, 2006 from Parent Advocates for Students in School, we believe she called a "Special Meeting" of the Board, which would explain their obvious absence at a pre-arranged event at which the U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spelling was one of the Guest Speakers; however, this is just our speculation.
Justice for Kids provided the only video coverage of the event. You will be able to view portions of this video on our website next month. For further details and a copy of the letter, contact P.A.S.S. at 614-471-4616 and/or view www.justiceforkids.net and Chris King's 1st Amendment Page.
We are officially launching KingCast at one of the largest art shows in New England next month; our installation will reference Columbus Public Schools and will be part of a larger installation with a theme of "working class."
Let's see how thrilled Columbus School Board Superintendent Gene Harris -- who actually garnered a first-ever "no-confidence" vote (13 April 2006 Clintonville News story) -- is about that. Well if she won't show her face at the damn Town Hall meeting I'll show it for her in an International Town Hall meeting:
Frankly, as someone who has received numerous awards and accolades from school districts in Cleveland and Columbus for my nonprofit motivational presentations over the years, I am appalled.
Peace.