Goodman gets out
May 9th, 2008 by MLWith the help of a generous Court of Common Pleas judge and a good attorney, 38 year old former Sussex Central High School principal, Dana Goodman, is free on bail. Judge Rosemary Beauregard reduced Goodman’s bond from $331,000 to $125,000 dollars, which he was able to post Thursday.
He has been ordered to have no contact with the 17 year old victim, the Indian River School District or its employees and no contact - direct or indirect - with any children under the age of 18. Goodman is charged with 30 counts of 4th degree rape and continual sexual abuse of a child and endangering the welfare of a child. All are felony offenses.
On Goodman’s release the school district has this comment:
Statement concerning the posting of bond by Sussex Central High School Principal Dana Goodman:
“Mr. Goodman continues to be prohibited from having any contact with Indian River School District students or staff while his case is being adjudicated. The Indian River Board of Education has directed administrative staff to advertise the position of principal of Sussex Central High School, identify qualified applicants to be interviewed by the board and conduct background checks on all such applicants consistent with IRSD procedures.”
Susan Bunting, SuperintendentMay 9, 2008
Earlier this week the Indian River School District appointed former IR and Woodbridge School District teacher and administrator, Robert Powell, as the interim principal at Sussex Central High School for the remainder of the school year. Also Assistant IR Superintendent Gary Brittingham has been assigned to the school for the rest of the school year.
The school district has now announced a special meeting for parents and members of the community regarding Sussex Central High School:
BOARD OF EDUCATION TO HOST SPECIAL MEETING REGARDING SUSSEX CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
The Indian River Board of Education will host a special meeting on Monday, May 19 to address the future of Sussex Central High School. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. Parents and community members will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions during the meeting. A sign-up sheet will be available prior to the meeting for those who wish to address the Board. MEDIA INQUIRIES: Susan Bunting, Superintendent, (302) 436-1000
May 9th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I trully hope the judge can live with herself if something else happens or more girls come foward. I am not sure that the Sussex Central community would say that Goodman is not dangerous would you trust him with your daughter. Attention Easton lock up your daughters Papa Goodmans out of jail and he is coming home. In the paper his wife, family, and paster are by his side, what is she thinking. The pastor I understand he is a holy man and thats what they do. His family they have no choice we dont choose kids, but his wife what is up with her you think she would have learned after the cheerleading coach. Get a clue you and your children are victims also.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS -
Go to the meeting on the 19th and demand change. Elect NEW BOARD MEMBERS and VOTE NO for the referendum. The last thing this district needs is more of the taxpayer’s money. How about using what you have to better protect students from being sexually exploited by your employees.
Stop protecting the pedophiles and start protecting the students.
It is your duty!!!
May 10th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I feel I have to comment on this although I never throw my opinion into the ring for public scrutiny. Blogger boo says “Elect NEW BOARD MEMBERS”. That will solve absolutely NOTHING at this juncture. It really frustrates me as work during the day and listen to callers looking to purge the Indian River School Board based on this situation. I feel that Susan Bunting and the other School Board members have done a better then adequate job while seated in there elected office. Additionally I can understand why they may not want to comment on the behavior and actions of an employee who they hired and have supported up until the this very public incident occurred.
Now that all said as a parent of a graduating senior I would like to see some ACCOUNTABILITY when it comes to our ELECTED school board members. I have serious misgivings regarding the actions of the school board on several levels. I hear Dr. Hattier on the radio over the course of several days commenting on a situation that in all reality he can not nor should not comment on in any way shape or form. He stepped into the lime light and over the course of several interviews and calls, then basically said “no comment” while he grandstands trying to reassure us that the process will hold the employee accountable. He does all this using the radio format to remind us he is up for re-election and that he is a voice of REASON here….. I have also heard another school board member make statements indicating that the school board had heard “rumors” that they could not act on. The radio “interviews” and calls are Shameless and ALL the board members should not say a word regarding this and instead call for a fearless self evaluation of the entire situation conducted by an impartial party.
To this end I would like to see an independent investigation implemented. This investigation could be handled by the Attorney General’s office or better yet an independent authority appointed by our Governor. The investigation should encompass and include ALL the issues that relate to this incident and to Mr. Goodman while he was in the employment of the District. This would include a probe into the hiring of Mr. Goodman by the school board to insure that his back ground check was not as they say “pencil whipped”. The probe should ask who knew what and when as far as School Board members and SCHS faculty. Hopefully such an investigation would bring to light how many and what type of “rumors” the school board members were aware of before Mr. Goodman was hired and before the incident. Lastly I would hope the probe would reach into the administration at the level of the work place (SCHS). It would seem to me that “IF” this type of heinous activity was going on that at least some other members of the faculty would have been aware of it. “IF” so did they turn a blind eye or did they report it to a supervisor ???? God help us all if a teacher was aware of such activity and did not report it. Keep in mind it’s a great public service to be a member of the school board but to that end “if” they did not cross the T’s and dot the I’s with Mr. Goodmans hiring and as it relates to his conduct in the work place then they should be held accountable for that. “If” teachers or other staff in the High School knew Mr. Goodman was having relations with a student and did not report it they should also be made to answer for that. It is an outrage that we hear a school board member going on and on while on the radio while they really can not nor should not comment until all the facts are in the public light. The only way that will happen is if they allow an impartial party in for look at what they created when they hired Mr. Goodman.
May 10th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
IRSD PARENT — your frustration is well received, however, like you and many other parents your perception of what you think Dr. Bunting and her cabinet is doing to improve (and prevent) situations such as these is seriously misguided.
But, I understand it because that is part of the propaganda they sell you … parents and the community. This is not the first time an adult in the IRSD has had inappropriate relations with a student … wake up. This district just didn’t get as lucky with hiding it. Don’t let Dr. Bunting’s meek and soft demeanor fool you. She knows exactly what is going on … right along with Hattier, Bunting and the rest of them.
The garbage and dirt under this “rug” is unbelievable; and you would be singing a different tune if you knew any better.
Peace.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Ohh Boo Please,
You are a typical “know it all” whom I am willing to bet really has no grasp of what it is you are speaking of. You use the word “perception” in your post to which you are presuming I am some “sheepeople” type guy and you preaching from the moral mountain top need to wake me up. I am well aware that we have had other “incidents” in our school system. Additionally I (personally for me) believe that the school board is much more in tune to what is going on within our schools.
It is not a stretch to believe that the school board (or some of it’s members) may have received information about the inappropriate behavior of Mr. Goodman BEFORE the incident took place. If that is not the case then they ALL as board members should welcome an impartial investigation as to how an ADMINISTRATOR (not some trainer) was able to have relations with a student in his charge for months on end. I am to understand that Mr. Goodman was not the type of personality to stay in the back ground during normal operations through out the school day. He was by all accounts a very “take charge” guy. To this end I find it very hard to believe that a man with a type A personality (and the ego to go along with such) could keep this behavior a deep dark secret from his entire staff. To that end we have to add in the mix “rumors” and “gossip” that occur when we put a bunch of adolcent 16-17 year old girls together in room for a few hours. I find it very difficult to believe that know body….not one teacher or staff member had any clue as to what Mr. Goodman was doing. It truly boggles the mind to think that this was going on day in and day out right under the nose of so many staff members and nobody picked a phone or contacted a supervisor.
So to that end “boo” we really need to find out what is going on within the school itself before we drag the school board over the coals. If anyone comes forward with documentation that this activity was reported to the Board then they should all be held accountable and in the end maybe even be charged with a crime. Please don’t be so consending as you seem to believe that if Susan Bunting or Dr. Hatier where not in place this would not have happened. They say they did there job and screened Mr. Goodman’s application. They say they never received any formal complaints regarding Mr. Goodman’s Professional domineer as it relates to interacting with students. I’m POSITIVE they can back that up and would think they would allow and independent, impartial auditor or investigator to verify this and they should start there investigation right in the school………….don’t hold your breath “boo”.
May 11th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
This goes back to what I have been saying I know for a fact that Bunting was aware of complaints starting last year. I also know staff had told the current assistant principals and yet nothing was done. You say the staff should have known I cant talk about this last event but many complaints were filed and nothing was done, so the staff was very frustraited. When staff said something to an assistant at least 2 of the assistants ran to Goodman and that created more issues for that reporting staff member so now no one trusts the assistants. My issue with the board is that even after the complaints they renewed his contract and if they were not aware of the complaints they better get rid of Bunting because she knew. I also know for a fact that at least one board member sat in on a meeting with staff members last year when they had filed harassment complaints. I hope some outside group go in and investigate because im sure they will find out a lot. Many staff members would speak out but they are afraid if they speak to the district office they may have employment issues. I guess we can not blame them for being scared because it looks like the board and Bunting are in cover up mode.
May 11th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Your frustration is understandable. I encourage you to use it to facilitate change in a district that’s as crooked as a crook.
In all reality , it is the truth that we all seek. Put your ego aside, start asking questions and make sure you vote.
Peace.
YOU CAN’T TRUST THE CURRENT BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT.
GET THEM OUT, NOW … vote and be heard!
FIRST - Postpone the referendum. It is not logical to approve salary hikes and “operating expenses” (a fancy public school term that translates to — “We’ve mismanaged your money again.”). That’s the joke … the referendum money is not going to help kids; but rather it helps line the pockets of those who are asking for the money. Wake up.
SECOND - Clean house. Eliminate the Board (and the Superintendent) and start over. Many of the Board members have been there for too long and only spend time in the buildings they like or give support to the people they like. Replace the Superintendent. Her meek and shy approach doesn’t cut it; nobody’s buying it. Get a spine or get out.
THIRD - Establish sound procedures for the Board and the Superintendent to follow to protect our kids. If they fail, then there’s a consequence; just like there’s a consequence for Mr. Goodman.
FOURTH - Reschedule the referendum after new elections with clear cut guidelines, sound procedure for protecting our kids, and a brand new Board with fresh ideas and open minds to change; no more favors for brothers, cousins, and uncles. Get it together or get out.
Peace.