New Haven Independent

posted by: robn on August 31, 2011  12:57pm

The principals failure to promptly report the sexual assault of a child may no the actionable by DCF, but is this the kind of person who should be running a school? Under what circumstances is this acceptable behavior? Doesn’t Dr Mayos decision to reinstate this principal seriously bring into question his own judgment and ability to carry out his job?

posted by: brutus2011 on August 31, 2011  2:31pm

While I do not know Principal Gatison, I believe that it is wrong to castigate her for the alleged incident. We simply do not have enough information about what really happened to destroy her professional reputation.

What concerns me is the arbitrary decisions made by senior management of NHPS when dealing with these kinds of issues.

I know for a fact that the same standard for disciplinary action is not the same at NHPS. NHPS senior management protects who he wants and also persecutes who he wants.

Basically, NHPS is the superintendent’s, and the mayor’s, own private fiefdom. They do whatever they want to whomever they want as long as they can.

What needs to happen is for all the employees of NHPS that have been the recipients of arbitrary action by NHPS to somehow coalesce and bring a prime reason of why NHPS has failed in its mission out into the light:

An extreme top-down and authoritarian management culture at NHPS and the BOE.

No one, except the insiders, really understands what goes on in the hiring, decision making, and funding at NHPS. NHPS is a virtual dictatorship that has lower-level people scared for their jobs. And, NHPS has the power to see to it that those who are identified as not being a “fit for the system” will not get a job anywhere else in Ct. either. Effectively, NHPS can and does arbitrarily destroy careers and the ability of people to provide for their families.

The key word here is “arbitrarily.”

This is why it is important for voters and citizens to really get involved and figure out for themselves what is really happening behind the scenes at our schools and NHPS.

We all have our opinions but virtually none of us have any idea of just how manipulated we are in the education of our children and the nearly fifty per cent expenditure (BOE portion of the city budget) of our tax dollars. The people who run the system have had a long time to perfect their propaganda.

This is a major reason why the current regime must be changed for the city to move to the next level.

posted by: RUjoking on August 31, 2011  5:41pm

WHO IS WATCHING OUR KIDS WHEN THEY ARE AT YOUR SCHOOL?WHO IS TO BE HELD LIABLE WHILE MY CHILD IS UNDER YOUR WATCH??? GIVE ME THE ANSWER, BECAUSE AS I SEE IT, YOU THE NHPS IS SAYING ....YOUR NOT…YOUR PRINCIPAL NOT…WHO IS RESPONSIABLE??? YOU APPOINT THESE PEOPLE AS YOUR LEADERS,AND NOW NO ONE IS RESPONSIABLE….THATS WHY YOUR LEADERSHIP SHOULD BE OVERLOOKED BY STATE OFFICALS, WERE THEIR IS NO CLICK, OR FRIENDS,OR FAMILY…SOMEONE BETTER LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BEFORE YOUR CHILD GETS HURT,RAPED..OR EVEN WORST.

posted by: LUDICROUS on August 31, 2011  8:24pm

All I know is, school is about to begin and while my colleagues and I ALREADY have been been told by five different “supervisors” what we should be doing in our own classrooms, I still don’t have enough chairs for students or supplies to carry out the mandates from said “supervisors”.  I am also missing key pieces of computer equipment—yet the district wants teachers to use computers as interventions and teaching tools for students. Gee, the district had only all summer to get its act together.  But, hey, at least Mayo got Gatison her job back.

posted by: The Truth on September 1, 2011  12:01am

First, I understand everyone’s outrage and concern; however, the student never told the teacher or the principal that there was an incident. It happened on a field trip and the principal was not on the trip. The girl told her social worker about the incident and the social worker reported it. It was never brought to the proper authorities so that it could be reported.

Now, with all of that being said don’t you think it is suspicious that the parents withdrew their complaint.  So,something in the girl’s story must not be true.

Also, anytime there is a charge of abuse or neglect and an adult from the school system is involved they are immediately put on administrative to protect the welfare of the child and the rights of the adult just in case the allegations are false which seems to be the case here.

Also, in cases with DCF the findings are confidential because children are involved.

posted by: chosen one on September 1, 2011  12:24am

please people well i’ll say it my black people! stop blaming everything your not doing on the nhps system! we have to teach our kids the value of a good education! we must teach them to sit their butts down and listen to their teachers! if the system the we go by found the principle cleared of any wrong doing and the family withdrew there claim! then you need to get your house in order and countrol your child’s behaivor! it’s not Dr. Mayo’s / our the teachers job to raise your children! teach them that the teachers have theirs and they most use the teachers to get theirs! lets stop having these kids and expecting others to raise them so you can party and enjoy yourself you carry these kids for nine month and throw them on others is not right!

posted by: Edward_H on September 1, 2011  3:33am

Is she being charged under Sec. 17a-101a. of the CT general statutes? She is a mandated reporter and failed to report an alleged incident within the time frame allowed by law.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/pub/Chap319a.htm#Sec17a-101.htm

What’s the problem here? Is this principal unable to understand this simple requirement of her job? Or are these types of allegations so commonplace in this school she has become immune to them?

posted by: FacChec on September 1, 2011  6:15pm

@ Edward_ H

It appears you did not read the reported story above correctly…

For the record:

“Superintendent of Schools Reggie Mayo said Tuesday that DCF concluded its probe and found Gatison not guilty of “physical neglect or abuse” of any students in the school. Other adults in the building were also found not guilty, Mayo said: “There were no charges from DCF.”

Nor did the New Haven police make a finding of criminal charge.

Therefore your reference to Sec. 17a-101a of the state statue is moot and your statement that…

“She is a mandated reporter and failed to report an alleged incident within the time frame allowed by law”.
Is unfounded and defiles Ms. Gatison’s good name and reputation.

You and the Board of Education owe Ms. Gatison an apology with the request that she accept it and remain in her position providing the excellent guidance to Lincoln Bassett school that it sorely needs.

Goodnite>>>>>>>>>>>>>out

posted by: lover of learning on September 1, 2011  6:46pm

It is disgusting to think of the lack of integrity on the part of the Board of Education to rehire this woman.  These children are at the mercy of so many adults who proved they do not know how to handle a serious and detrimental situation when it comes upon them.  If they can’t keep them safe on a field trip, what other sort of things are going on behind closed doors?
With this event, and the fact that NH BOE let go of teachers who raised district and state test scores, it begs the question; just who is running the show at 54 Meadow Street?  And, who’s purpose is being served here in New Haven, the children and their future, or the adults whom Dr. Mayo keeps in his back pocket.  It’s time to keep politics out of education and let the teachers do their jobs.

posted by: 1concernedparent on September 1, 2011  6:54pm

LISTEN UP PEOPLE!  SHE IS A STATE MANDATED REPORTER, AS ARE THE TEACHERS!  THE TEACHERS KNEW ABOUT IT THAT SAME DAY AND THE PRINCIPAL LEARNED ABOUT IT THE FOLLOWING DAY!  SHE FAILED TO REPORT IT AND SO DID ALL THE TEACHERS WHO WERE TALKING ABOUT IT TO ANYONE THEY KNEW IN THE DISTRICT.  WHEN YOU ARE IN GOOD WITH MAYO YOU ARE SAFE.  WHEN YOU ARE NOT, YOU ARE OUT.  THE PARENT WITHDREW THE COMMENT BECAUSE OF PERSONAL REASONS, NOT FOR ANYTHING ELSE.  MAYBE THEY DID NOT WANT THEIR DAUGHTER GOING THROUGH ANY MORE STRESS!  IT SICKENS ME, AND OTHER PARENTS WHAT HAS HAPPENED UNDER HER CONTROL.  PLEASE INVESTIGATE OTHER THINGS THAT GOES ON THERE.  DR MAYO HAS RUN THE NHPS INTO THE GROUND.  MANY TEACHERS DO NOT HAVE SUPPLIES, BOOKS, ETC., AND THE SCHOOLS LIVE OFF OF TITLE 1 MONIES.  THIS SICKENS ME AND OUTRAGES ME TO THE POINT I WANT TO SCREAM OUT LOUD!  HOW CAN THIS JUST GO AWAY WITHOUT ANYONE QUESTIONING IT!  COME ON NEWHALLVILLE, WE DESERVE ANSWERS AND WE DESERVE BETTER!

posted by: Edward_H on September 1, 2011  10:48pm

FacChec
Read the original articles. There was NEVER any allegation or concern that the principal engaged in neglect or abuse:
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/lincoln-bassett_principal_on_leave/

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/parents_react_to_sex_assault_probe/

In the case of mandated reporting the final disposition of the police investigation is irrelevant. ...

posted by: The Truth on September 2, 2011  12:20am

It really kills me when I hear or read about people making comments about the wrongdoings of principals or administration. If you know something document and reported it.

Why are you waiting for someone else to expose the ills and so called crimes of authorities.
my grandmother always told me the squeaky wheel gets the oil meaning the one that makes the most noise gets results.

Everyone wants to point the finger. What did you report when you knew or found out about a situation.

Also, to all you parents out there maybe you need to go on some field trips with your children so you can help the teachers monitor your child!

It takes a village to raise a child and not someone else’s. It is your problem and concern also.

We all need to be responsible, reflective, and proactive.
Wouldas, shouldas, and couldas, are not conducive to teaching or raising children.

posted by: brutus2011 on September 2, 2011  9:03am

I must respond to “The Truth:”

You stated that “Everyone wants to point the finger. What did you report when you knew or found out about a situation.”

What would you do if you knew that your principal had alcohol on his breath on the job, or that your kids saw liquor bottles in his office?

What would you do if a school security officer smelled of alcohol during school hours?

Report it? To downtown? One of the inner circle?

Good way to end up in the poor house.

Wake up and listen to the truth.

NHPS officals are smart and very well-paid and they know what is going on in our schools. They protect who they want and work to get rid of who they don’t want.

They don’t want YOU to know the truth. (Unless you are one of them then you do know the truth)

Plain and simple.

That is the truth.

posted by: FacChec on September 2, 2011  5:12pm

@ED_H

You just don’t get it..in your zeal to be right, you are incorrect. No need to read the earlier post on this story which you have attached, The bottom line is:

“The alleged victim’s family withdrew the report, according to police spokesman Officer Joe Avery”.

Therefore, there was no reporting necessary.

The entire question is mooted. Get it??

posted by: The Truth on September 3, 2011  2:08pm

@ Brutus2011
As a parent, I would report them to the higher ups. If there was no response then I would report it to DCF. If there was still no response, then I would go to the media and get a lawyer.

As a teacher, I would do the same exact thing.
A teacher’s job is to teach as well as protect their students.

If you allow fear to rule and guide you then you will continue to suffer the results of someone’s irresponsible behavior.

I love and value my job but it will not be at the expense of children.
If you do not stand for anything, then you will fall for everything.

Where would our country be today had the colonist decided to continue to allow the British to bully and terrorize them. You must stand up and fight for what you believe in at any cost.

I know this sounds idealistic and all but you have to stand up for your children.

Also, the NHPS system, the BOE, and the Mayor, have so much power because some of us have relinquished ours to them.

Stop complaining and put some action behind your words.
Our children should always be our first priority.
... .

posted by: brutus2011 on September 4, 2011  11:10am

Strictly as argument you are absolutely correct.

This is the media.

Remember how these kinds of internet communications toppled regimes in Egypt and now Libya and hopefully, Syria.

Additionally, recall that the rebellious colonists communicated via broadsides and newspapers. The revolution was born in the hearts and minds of the people (John Adams). One could say that the internet (like the NHI) is similar.

This is exactly what the First Amendment is about.

Freedom in the marketplace of ideas.

Regardless of the outcome here in New Haven, this kind of exchange bodes well for our collective future.

posted by: studly on September 11, 2011  7:18am

There has to be a sexual assault in order for the principal to report one.  There was none in this case.  She did nothing wrong.