Resignations, Busting Bad Guys And Drowning In Paperwork: The Cape Henlopen School Board Round-Up
December 14th, 2007 by Maria Evans
The new seating arrangements for the Cape Henlopen School Board. (From left to right: Coveleski, Wray, Brittingham, Stone, Parker Selby, Redden, Conlon, Prettyman)
Ms. Stell Parker Selby in her new, maybe temporary position as Cape Henlopen School Board President.
As earlier reported, Cape Henlopen School Board President, Gary Wray, has resigned his leadership position, and Board Vice President Stell Parker Selby will be taking that seat until a new President is chosen.
“Remember that we are elected to serve our school community. That is my motto.” - Acting Cape Henlopen School Board President Stell Parker Selby AUDIO
Outspoken Board member, Noble Prettyman, called on Dr. Wray to resign last month after a particularly contentious meeting citing ethics violations:
“Dr. Wray’s actions last night give me no choice but to ask that he be removed as president of the school board,†Prettyman said during an interview Friday, Nov. 9. “As parents spoke, he put his glasses on his head and rolled his eyes in a degrading way. It is unacceptable behavior, and I absolutely feel he cannot be allowed to be the board’s president any longer.â€
In addition to inappropriate behavior to Cape’s parents and taxpayers, Prettyman said, Wray’s conduct in taking unilateral action, violating the trust of the taxpayers and soliciting unilateral action by the Stone violated the ethical requirements for board members.
After Wray’s resignation Thursday night, Prettyman had this to say:
“I know he did the right thing, because it’s not about Dr. Wray.” - Board member Noble Prettyman AUDIO
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Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation Mini grant Award Winners were on hand last night to tell parents, teachers, board members and the public how they are spending their grant money in the classroom. Milton Elementary School second grade teacher Jackie Shockley tells the crowd how she spends the money she received:
“I use the grant money to purchase sound systems for all of the second grade classrooms…to help at risk kids.” - Second Grade Teacher Jackie Shockley AUDIO
Cape teacher Robert Maull, Jr., (left) shakes hands with Detective John Miller of the Lewes Police Department.
Last October a young criminal broke into the home of a 72 year old Lewes woman, tried to rape her, failed, smashed her in the head with a hammer a few times, robbed her then made her drive him to Rehoboth Beach. Well, the nasty pig who allegedly committed that heinous crime was caught by police with the help of a Cape Henlopen School District teacher, Bob Maull.
“I called Bob and he was there in seconds….As soon as he looked at it he told me who these people were.” - Lewes Police Detective John Miller AUDIO
The alleged hammer weilding, attempted rapist, Devonaire Augustus Jones of Milton, was also identified as one of two young men who allegedly broke into the home of a Milton woman last January and raped her at gunpoint. Maull identified Jones and another man, Robbie Robinson, also of Milton, in that crime, too.
Way to go Mr. Maull!
From left to right: Dr. Ed Seibert, Superintendent George Stone, acting Board President Parker Selby.
Cape Henlopen Business Director, Dr. Ed Seibert, was recognized last night for his years of hard work for the Cape Henlopen School District. Seibert, who filed a complaint of “retaliation” against Superintendent George Stone this month with the School Board, was all smiles as Dr. Stone and Acting President Stell Parker Selby honored his hard work.
“…for six years and four months of outstanding service to the Cape Henlopen School District.” - Superintendent George Stone reading Dr. Seibert’s plaque AUDIO
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The historic Milton Theatre on Union Street in downtown Milton.
On January 12th, the Cape Henlopen School Board is invited to attend the opening of a time capsule from 1958. The event is open to the public and will take place at the historic Milton Theatre.
Holy teacher shortage, Batman! HO Brittingham Elementary School only has TWO 4th grade teachers. And, yes, this is the same school that had 12 out of the 14 violent felonies committed by students in the district last year.
Why the shortage? Well, apparently one 4th grade teacher requested to be sent back to 1st grade, and the open 4th grade position wasn’t filled, sound familiar?
While giving their presentation on the “H.O. Brittingham Elementary School Improvement Report,” 4th grade teacher Tracey van Rees took the opportunity to ask for…no, not another teacher…but an after school math program for at risk students.
Just thought I’d mention that little tidbit…it’s kind of funny since the district doesn’t seem to be hiring. See above.
Sarah Ross, a Cape Henlopen School Distrit teacher and a member of the Cape Henlopen Education Association, addressed the Board Thursday night about teachers “drowning” in paperwork from federal, state and local regulations and initiatives passed without input from teachers. Delaware State Education Association President Barbara Groff, attended the Board meeting Thursday night to show support for the Cape teachers and voice her concerns:
“They have more to do then they can possibly accomplish.” - Barbara Groff, President, Delaware State Education Association AUDIO
Groff also said that teachers around the state are, “worried about their Cape counterparts.”
Even though other board members seemed to share his doubts, Pete Coveleski was the only “no” vote on the Cape Henlopen School District’s new “Bullying Prevention Policy,” saying it would be “folly to approve this as written.” Coveleski’s reason for voting “no” is that the policy is written too broadly:
“They policy as it’s written now is really open to interpretation.” - Board member Pete Coveleski AUDIO
The School Board can re examine the policy at a future meeting.
This is apparently some kind of Beacon Middle School charity fundraiser. It’s lovely and greasy.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
FYI– The Fry Tree was a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald house. The children purchased the fry bags for 50 cents and the money was donated to RM House charities. I am not sure if your comments below the picture were sarcastic or not, but I certainly hope not. You spend so much time focusing on the negative aspects of Cape, maybe you and your friend Mrs. Brittingham should do like Dan and consider private school. I have 3 children in Cape schools…high school, middle school, and elementary school. All three are “A” honor roll students, musicians, and athletes. Just a tip, as a past PTO president, the more positively involved you are the better results you get.
December 15th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
First, I’ll focus on whatever I want to focus on whenever I feel like focusing on it. Period.
I cover the good aspects of Cape all of the time. Those stories are almost always about the teachers at Cape. Like teachers solving crimes, teachers using grant money to actually help children, teachers working to get kids to aspire to college, teachers caring more about kids learning than the long extra hours they work with no compensation, and coaches going to bat for their players.
Cape has great teachers. That’s a fact.
However, I don’t think it’s responsible to ignore the “negative aspects of Cape.” One elementary school where 12 out of 14 of the District’s violent felonies occur, the school board being in the red while not knowing where and how money is spent, and the board balancing their years of over spending on the backs of teachers by increasing class size, are not issues that any local news organization or any responsible parent should ignore.
I applaud every parent who attends school board meetings and goes to bat for the kids.
As a “past PTO president” I would expect you to appreciate parental involvement a little more than that. Did you start your PTO meetings like this:
Maybe you need to brush up on what the “public” part of “public education” means.
December 15th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I do believe that Cape, as well as every other school, has it’s share of problems. What I was trying to say is that making yourself a positive presence in the schools makes it easier to get answers to questions. When teachers or admin. feel that you are there to help and not an “enemy” they are much more willing to listen to you. I am very involved in the education aspect as well, not only “what color sweatshirts we wear”. I along with many other parents (working or not) volunteer in the school library, computer room , and classrooms when needed. I can’t stand parents that complain about everything, yet do Nothing because they are too busy or have other children.
By the way, my PTO meetings rocked!
skimmers rule!
December 15th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
No, actually, what you said was this:
The bottom line is that everyone in the District can put on a smile and say good things about the Board but it’s not going to fix the financial issues, the leadership problems, and the lack of confidence and trust that the community has in the Board.
December 15th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Okay, Okay, whatever… Dan has repeatedly said that he was unhappy with public school, so his children go to private school. I am suggesting that if you and Mrs. Brittingham are as unhappy with Cape as you both seem to be, that maybe you should consider private or charter schools. I know there are good private schools out there and many parents have gone that route and been happy. My kids have done very well in Cape thanks to many wonderful teachers and support staff, so we are staying put. No, I don’t always agree with the board or DO staff.
BTW When you “quote” the someone’s last post in your post it is very annoying. I can read what I wrote, just scroll a little bit to refresh my memory. I am beginning to feel like I am on the Cape school board.
I am done with this, so Merry Christmas.
December 15th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Want to know what I find “annoying?” Former PTO presidents who make parents and people in the community feel unwelcome when they try to get involved in their kid’s education.
December 16th, 2007 at 8:58 am
Amen Maria! They can hate me for all I care. Changes need to be made and concerned parents voices are what they need to hear.
December 16th, 2007 at 9:58 am
I think raising money for RM House was very thoughtful and considerate. What a wonderful thing to do for the community. However, the person who posted then takes away from his/her own community service by ragging on Laura Brittingham. Initially, all Laura wanted was another 4th grade teacher to replace the teacher who had retired. The opposition and unanswered questions from George Stone and administration left us all wondering just what was going on. Subsequently, so many more issues were found out and brought up for discussion. The community became involved and through public discussion, we are all much more informed. Laura Brittingham was the catalyst who made it all happen. I don’t think that was her intent. Again, all she wanted was a 4th grade teacher replaced. Laura was looking out for the educatiuon of her children. HELLO!!! Any good concerned parent would do the same.
I am happy the person who posted has three honor students attending Cape. Congratulations! Any parent would be so proud.
In my opinion, taking a cheap shot at Laura Brittingham was mean spirited and ignorant. Apparently your children don’t take after you. You should be ashamed of yourself.
May 7th, 2008 at 6:00 am
[...] Incidentally, the parents didn’t want to comment on Sussex Central principal Dana Goodman, either. In fact, the only thing the parents had to say was that they were there to, “support our school and our administration,” whatever that means. They could certainly learn a lesson from the parents in the Cape Henlopen School District who take the board to task on a regular basis. [...]