The recent retirement of Jackson Elementary School Principal
Garry Dudley
– under fire from parents, teachers and staff who filed more
than a dozen complaints – and the arrest of Live Oak High School
Assistant Principal Kim Lemos for allegedly stabbing her husband in
a domestic violence incident, has the community wondering what’s
going on at the district office.
The recent retirement of Jackson Elementary School Principal Garry Dudley – under fire from parents, teachers and staff who filed more than a dozen complaints – and the arrest of Live Oak High School Assistant Principal Kim Lemos for allegedly stabbing her husband in a domestic violence incident, has the community wondering what’s going on at the district office.
Residents are puzzled as to what it takes to remove employees who are not performing up to standards. Whether it was coincidence or not that Dudley retired 11 days after the Times printed a story outlining the complaints that ranged from sexually harassing staff to verbally abusing two Hispanic students by calling them “little banditos,” the perception that nothing is done until public pressure is applied is out there. During the reporting of the story, parents were afraid to be seen at the newspaper office and many wanted to remain anonymous for fear of retribution. That shows a lack of trust and belief in district leaders and school administrators. When multiple red flags are raised, the district needs to deal with the problem, as quickly as possible without violating the employees rights.
Why is Kim Lemos still interacting with students after she was arrested for the stabbing? She should be moved to the administrative offices while her domestic violence charges work their way through the legal system. She hasn’t been convicted, but the charges are serious enough to warrant her not interacting with students until they’re sorted out. The message to students is not positive: An assistant principal can stab someone and still keep her job. That’s not a good role model for high school students to emulate.
Why is the board and the district administration not reacting more responsibly to leadership problems? Again, it raises the specter of distrust.
It’s time for Superintendent Wes Smith, who come November will have served for one year, to hire competent school leaders and clean house when needed. And he’s already started. He’s hired Glen Webb, Lloyd Webb, Moira Barker (all moved up within the district). Plus the interim principal at Jackson Elementary School, Ray Jimenez. Also, he’s brought on Lisa Atlas (who was Barrett’s former principal) as director of student services and Socorro Shiels (who has worked at the Santa Clara County Office of Education) as assistant superintendent of educational services.
“It is rewarding to be able to promote qualified candidates from within our school district, and we are grateful to the employees and community members who gave of their time to assist us in this process,” Smith said when announcing the hires.
Now it’s time for the new leadership to regain the trust of parents, staff and students and work on improving our schools.
