ASD Teacher Suspended for Threats Against Elderton
A teacher has been suspended at the Kittanning Junior High School for making terroristic threats on a Facebook page about Elderton Junior-Senior High School.
Armstrong School District Solicitor Gary Matta told the Kittanning Paper this morning that the incident falls under their personnel policy and is being handled according to procedure. Matta would not comment further on the issue.
Both Kittanning Borough Police and Pennsylvania State Police said they were not contacted about the incident and that the school district handled the situation internally.
Armstrong School District, Local News | KP NewsDesk September 2, 2010
By cherok29, September 2, 2010 @ 8:27 PM
So who was it?
The KJHS website lists the following as science teachers (KDKA is reporting it is a science teacher).
Mrs. Fullerton
Mr. Szymanski
Mr. Ursiak
Anyone know?
By DANBOY, September 3, 2010 @ 6:02 AM
Please tell me there is more to this story than what is reported on the KDKA web site.
If not this is a GESTAPO ( the NAZI Secret Police for all you non-history buffs) type tactic. Please do not consider this a terroristic threat, I am a lover not a fighter.
This breaking news ranks right up there with the naked guy in the car wash!!!!!
By DANBOY, September 3, 2010 @ 6:19 AM
One other thing. If what is reported on the KDKA web site a terroristic threat many posters of this paper should be alerted. Comments made about DR Kerr seems much worse!!!
By reed619, September 3, 2010 @ 9:02 AM
I agree with you Danboy.
By bweitzel, September 3, 2010 @ 9:55 AM
Thank you Danboy. I totally agree with your posts.
By Citizen64, September 3, 2010 @ 11:05 AM
The KDKA report seems to have some conflicting information. The written report says “Maybe somebody will blow it up.” The graphic says “….blows” There is a big difference between the two. I’m not up on current slang, but that sounds as though the person is saying Elderton isn’t good. The big question here is who stirred the pot and reported what was on Facebook and why did that person report what was written? And another big question: If the district though this was a serious threat then why didn’t they contact the police? JMO, but the school district should have immediately contacted the police if they though there was a threat involving people or school district property. Somebody needs to do some serious explaining about this situation.
By Jan, September 3, 2010 @ 11:26 AM
I only have one comment to make regarding this situation.It is a personnel matter. I resent very much the tone and words Lori Harris made on the radio talk show this morning. It was totally unprofessional of her to prompt Croyle on who the teacher was. Again, a personnel matter! I found her rude in interrupting Croyle as he attempted to bring the discussion back to where it needed to be. As per bullying and opinions- well let me say this- it’s an open forum for debate and emotions have run very high on the issue of Elderton, etc. but I would hardly call it bullying; and if she sees it as such- who is the bullier? The one who has a different opinion from hers? Ms. Harris stated that her “opinions count for something”- yes indeed they do, but so do the opinions of everyone who posts here. And for the record- this issue is not an issue between Elderton and Kittanning- where did you ever get that idea! This is a district wide issue. Please, if you are going to report, get your facts straight.
By ToddAshbaugh, September 3, 2010 @ 11:37 AM
We all know that this was probably a benign comment taken out of context. Feels like a witch hunt to me.
By Citizen64, September 3, 2010 @ 4:01 PM
Wasn’t it a simple matter to just read what was posted on Facebook? I agree with Mr. Ashbaugh, sounds like a witch-hunt. However, I would like to know who is hunting witches and exactly why. Someone may have a lawsuit on their hands, especially if names have been mentioned.
By srm, September 3, 2010 @ 4:44 PM
I read your articel, and also watched KDKA news. I don’t under stand. If she just posted “Elederton blows”.
Then how is that terroistic threat. Those words could be taken many different ways. On KDKA they also report that it said, ” someone should blow up Elderton”. If this is true then please tell me why the Identy of the Teacher is not public knowlege. If my Child at that school would have said this he or she would be charge and removed from that school for Terroistic Threats. Why is it not the same for the Teacher. They should be held to a high standard. Do you Honestly think three day off with pay is acceptable.
Thank You
By FORTHECHILDREN, September 3, 2010 @ 6:03 PM
I am amazed that people are in support of this type of behavior from an adult teacher. If this was a student or parent I’m sure the punishment would be greater than a paid three day vacation.
By ASDpayer, September 3, 2010 @ 6:05 PM
A question.
If this was a personnel matter and did not involve the police, why was it released to the press? Witch hunt, or retribution? I smell a rat.
By Jen16226, September 4, 2010 @ 10:21 AM
I have waited to see if more information has come out regarding this, but since it hasn’t, this is what I think so far…..the whole thing is fishy, in my eyes.
A- you can’t really read everything on that kdka piece, but I can plainly see that it is not a print screen of a facebook page. It looks like a cut and paste job to me. So who did that? Why? Since it is cut and paste, is the conversation taken out of order?
B- The “maybe someone will blow it up” comment seems to me that it is taken out of context just from the few other things I can read on there. No more harmful that wishing my ex would drop off the face of the planet. LOL It’s a wish in one hand and spit in the other….which one fills up first?
C- I find it curious that the police are not involved if this indeed is a threat. If this really were a threat, that school would have been locked down and bomb sniffing dogs would have been involved. Unfortunately, we have had that happen before.
D- How did kdka get a hold of this if it is a personnel issue? Sounds like either a person with connections in pittsburgh for the TV station Or someone that knows a reporter from kdka since he is from the area? Either way unethical.
By Jan, September 4, 2010 @ 10:55 AM
This is throwing this conversation off a little bit, but while everyone seems to wonder who the teacher is, what was written, etc. we all need to remember that at this point in time, as a district, none of us has seen any news regarding the school board member who resigned and is suspected of some negative activity. Don’t know about you folks, but I for one feel this is something that should be reported on. It concerns me that this person voted on some really big issues within this district and is now currently being investigated. Just sayin….
By rudytuesday, September 4, 2010 @ 10:58 AM
Well srm, while you are asking why this teacher’s name hasn’t been made public ask yourself this….. MJM was fired by the board of directors of FC Ambulance, why has that not been reported in the papers or on the news? He was an elected official and he resigned, he has now been fired. This is NOT newsworthy and an offhand remark by a teacher on FB is? Someone’s got their priorities messed up in my honest opinion. Maybe they will just all jump off of a cliff…….hmmmmmmmm is that a terroristic threat that I am going to push someone off of a cliff? Give me a break.
By Mike Fichthorn, September 4, 2010 @ 4:41 PM
I was talking to one of the Leader-Times reporters. She was saying that they can’t find any official proof that MJM has gotten into trouble and that she has put calls into the FC Ambulance Service to ask if he was fired but that nobody will return her calls.
Hopefully this will come out sooner rather than later.
MJM strutted around with arrogance oozing out of him. He helped Solak and Rose Stitt screw the taxpayers for years to come.
He needs to be held accountable for his actions.
By Jan, September 4, 2010 @ 4:51 PM
“Forthechildren”
First of all, I think that you need to put things in perspective before chastising other people. “If” what was said was terroristic and said to students or in a building- that would be one thing- but according to what many people have viewed, it stated “maybe someone will blow up the building” and it was posted on a personal page of FB. Do you suppose that whoever gave this information to the admin. could have ( and forgive the use of the word) blown it out of proportion? Along with that, KDKA showed us a copied/pasted version of a remark- it could have come from anyone- and my thoughts mirror those who have posted above– I smell a big RAT. I believe that those in admin are running scared and need a scapegoat and apparently this teacher is the target. Ya know- Kittanning played Ford City last night and I believe that I may have posted in FB that “I hoped Kittanning killed Ford City”- now, did I literally mean that? I don’t think so. If this teacher had made a statement that said “I’m going to blow up Elderton high school”, then perhaps the police would have gotten involved- but that wasn’t said.
I truly don’t believe that anyone posting here p would ever condone a real threat- but since it wasn’t a threat, the police deemed it as non-terroristic. Personally, I think that people ought to be wondering how KDKA got a hold of this news, and why admin. would allow it to be publicized when it is a “personnel matter”.
I seriously doubt that the teacher who was suspended for three days feels like he/she was on vacation- I’m sure that it’s been a real nightmare for that person. Shame on the Admin. for the way they handled this!
By Bolt Upright, September 4, 2010 @ 5:49 PM
Jen16226: This passed week KDKA TV had a reporter in Elderton covering the reopening of the EHS. Just throwing this out there but maybe one of the good people in Elderton told this reporter about the Facebook page and that’s how the story broke.
Did you happen to see the story on KDKA-TV about the reopening of EHS? Ken Rice, the anchor, introduced the story and said …”the school board closed down EHS for COST SAVING REASONS, but the people of Elderton weren’t going to have any of that…”. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
By VerySpecialPerson, September 4, 2010 @ 7:09 PM
I think you all are missing it!
1. Obviously a teacher violated school district policy regarding Internet usage or whatever policy governs a teacher’s cyber conduct. I support the administration here.
2. Do I believe for a minute that this was a terroristic threat? Absolutely not. However, I think this should serve as a wakeup call for everyone… stick to your subject and not your emotions on a post!
3. This shows the length the anti-Elderton side has gone… to where they can disagree over the dollars and cents (it doesn’t make dollars and sense to keep the building open) but then they beat up a kid who puts his comments on here that he liked a principal, the balloons, or even the first day of school. Perhaps that was his first light-bulb moment where a school official won his respect. Let’s allow the children the opportunity to enjoy their school and keep the dollars and sense where it belongs… at the school board meetings!
4. Ken Rice, Croyle, Harris, or whoever… they are all out there to stir it up and get people watching, listening, or reading. Obviously they did a good job cuz you’all are doing it.
By Jan, September 5, 2010 @ 8:26 AM
VerySpecialPerson:
1. The teacher in question did not violate internet usage as per school policy. Again, if this person did indeed make these postings, it was not on school time.
2. I think those of us who are posting are concentrating on the real issues- that of a board who has consistently made bad decisions regarding this district and taxpayers money. You have stated that you agree on this score. Granted, emotions have been high- it’s a bit hard not to get emotional when you see the actions of this majority board. They are messing with educational standards and fiscal irresponsibility. No one should stay silent on this!
3. I think something needs cleared up. There is no anti-Elderton faction. While Elderton is the school in question, it is the actions of this majority board that we are “anti”. If it had been any other school in the district, we would all be reacting the same way. It’s so wrong in many different areas.
4. Reporters are reporters. However, it is their responsibility when reporting to get the facts straight. And like the rest of us, you also have joined the debate on this.
By Jen16226, September 5, 2010 @ 10:57 AM
Veryspecialperson….
Hold on a second. You agree that an employer should be able to govern it’s employees off time? Do you feel it is appropriate for a boss to dictate what an employee does at home or who they can be friends with or what websites they visit?
A district down in Pittsburgh just went through that very thing and lost in court over it. The teacher was suspended for a picture that was posted on her facebook page of her with a stripper at a bachelorette party. They suspended her because they deemed it inappropriate.
Censorship at its finest!
Boltupright…..actually no, I did not see the story because typically I am not home during the newscasts in the early evening and by the time the night ones are on, I am asleep! LOL Such an exciting life I lead!
By Adam Scaife, September 5, 2010 @ 1:37 PM
The School District is handling this internally and they have not contacted the State or Local Police on the incident as per the KP. That speaks volumes about this alleged “incident.”
This whole thing smells bad. Is this as Mr. Ashbaugh says, a witch hunt? If you read what was written and posted on KDKA, this alleged incident is being taken out of context. The alleged writer did not make any threat to the school or the school district. This transcript was not sent by the alleged writer to the school or to the school district with any intent of threat. This was not called in to 911 emergency services. This was not a note that was sent or left on school district property by the alleged writer, nor was it called in by the alleged writer to the school district. Was it a cut and paste? The person that “obtained” this didn’t think it was a real threat as they didn’t take this to the police. If they did take it to the police, the police did not think it was a real threat as they have not proceeded with any investigation. The district didn’t take it as an actual threat and felt that there was no intended or impending harm to employees or students as the building was not locked down nor were they removed from the building so that the facility could be checked and verified as a safe environment to continue education in. Did the district’s solicitor actually confirm this potential internal personnel matter to the media? Should ASD School Board Representatives be commenting at this time to the media? ASD Supt. Dr. Chapp has not commented.
Is the following a supposition? There was a district student that made a potential threat, via 911, to a district school within the past year. How did the school district handle this? We believe it was handled appropriately. Was this merely a cry for help from the student? We think that it was. There was no actual intent and there was not the means to make good on such a threat. The child is still in school and hopefully they are more happily going about their education. It is very sad that such “threats” have become relatively common within the overall school system. We should not become complacent, but it appears that the school district administration has had a relatively good handle on managing these occurrences in the past.
It is NOT obvious that a teacher violated “district policy” regarding internet usage or some cyber conduct policy. It is not known to be so. Perhaps the district’s administration is reviewing this as a potential possibility. But it is not obvious. If the ASD makes this potential claim, the ACLU and teacher’s union will probably wish to review the potential claim. Recently there was a potential internet incident involving a Brownsville Area School District teacher. How did that turn out?
Is the following a supposition? At a PUBLIC school board meeting several months ago, one of the school board representatives was invited to step outside by a very vocal private citizen that wants a community High School to be open. Did the person say that they would like to step outside with the board representative or did they ask the board representative to step outside? Was that a terroristic threat that was made? Was it a personal threat of potential physical harm toward the board member? Was it a form of intimidation? Was it bullying? What was the context of the invitation to go outside? Did it make the news? Did this even really happen? I don’t believe any charges were filed nor were any PFA’s issued. I’d like to think that perhaps someday, these two passionate people could be seen having coffee together and discussing how they worked together and helped to advance educational opportunities while being fiscally responsible within the district.
We are going to continue to openly disagree on the district’s closure/consolidation/re-opening issue. It can be done in a civil manner. Passion is running high on both sides of this fence and has been for the past several years while it’s been a topic. This is NOT an anti-Elderton thing. This is not against Elderton, nor is it against the people of Elderton. It is a nice community full of nice people. People want to make this an “us vs. them” thing. It is not so. This is an “us for ALL OF US” thing and Elderton is part of all of us. If Elderton attendance area does not want to be part of all of us as a district, they have secession options available to them. That is for Elderton attendance area to decide. Just because you are a community, does not mean that you deserve to have a school. Ask the people of Worthington, East Brady, Shannock Valley, and Dayton. Ask the municipalities within Ford City and Kittanning attendance areas about closures and consolidations of the elementary schools. All of these closures and consolidations were due to fiscal responsibility and enrollments. Closures and consolidations are distasteful but digestible and needed for the long term health of education within the ASD.
By phoenix, September 5, 2010 @ 3:53 PM
VerySpecialPerson,
With all due respect, how do we know it was a student who made that post? I mean, we have heard from many people how it is terrible to pick on a kid, but how do we know it is a kid? By your screen name, you are a very special person, but who exactly are you? I think many people are special people, but I am sure that the people I think are special are not the ones posting on here. Just a thought….
And furthermore, if giving out balloons and pencils wins a kids respect, then the board is paying way too much for teachers and administrators. I mean, the Wal-Mart greeter does these things. I guess this is a way to save all of you money, hire teachers and adminstrators at minimum wage and give them blue vests to wear.
As far as the topic of this article, absolutely crazy. How did KDKA get this information? Was there a leak in the districts admin office? If so, every teacher should have something to be concerned with. No one knows the context of the comments. I could probably find words in everyones posts above and put together one heck of a sentence to incriminate someone, the evils of the internet.
I would caution everyone not to talk ever again. Imagine next Sunday when your favorite football team is playing and something bad happens and someone posts it on the FB site….the {insert your team here} BLOW! Will the FBI be at their house in a matter of minutes? No one would think anything of it. Or if an announcer says “The {insert your favorite team here} should blow up their roster.” Would this person be suspended from their job? I think people here said witch hunt, just like the old days in Salem. Get a life and let’s get on with it!
By scott_starr, September 5, 2010 @ 10:58 PM
Good Heavens I take a vacation and the Malleaus Mallificarum has been drawn out of the Elderton Public Library! ( The ink is still drying on that there moveable printin press).
Speaking of Witch Hunt, I am reminded of Monty Python and the Holy Grail scene.
“What do you use to burn witches?”
“More Witches”.
What ever fool let a personnel issue out in public, I think should also be investigated, Hey teachers Union, you hear this?? Are you going to sit back and take this? No wonder I have little love for Unions.
The ASD Board deserves another lawsuit.
By VerySpecialPerson, September 6, 2010 @ 2:03 PM
@ all supporters of this “teacher” – obviously some policy was disobeyed. This is obvious since the Union has not filed a grievance over the District’s actions. Now I ask the question: WHO escorted this teacher out of the school?
@Jan – I agree with you. No one should stay silent when it comes to fiscal responsibility. I disagree with you that there is not an anti-Elderton sentiment. Look at the comments! It has moved past the fiscal responsibility issue and there are many attacks on the town’s people themselves… even down to the negative comments over a fire hydrant.
@jen16226 – Yes I do believe a person in a public profession has a duty to conduct themselves in ethical conduct in their private life as well. Ethical conduct is not interacting with students in a venue where parents are not involved (i.e. social networking sites). While this teacher has every right to express a political viewpoint, it must be framed with ethical conduct. School board members INCLUDED in that statement!
@Adam – You wrote the long version of my #2 point! Actually too long for me to read and keep my attention.
#phoenix / Jan – Who knows if it is a kid or someone pretending. Bottom line… Phoenix, you can’t separate the fiscal part from the balloon part. Whatever motivates a child, I encourage it. It doesn’t change the job description of a principal… it just shows his ability to go over and above it trying to relate to the students on every level. I applaud him for that.
Finally KDKA… no mystery how they found it out. It was the same way we all did. Croyle strikes again an LT picked up on it so not to be outdone. Everyone rushes to a fire just to watch it burn. Sad, but true.
By pa.hick, September 6, 2010 @ 6:46 PM
I betcha don’t have to look too far from the teacher tree and you’ll find it’s another union member giving a little aid and comfort to some on the board. It takes more than 2 apples to make a pie. But that’s just my opinion.
I agree with Scott Starr…..where is the teacher’s union??? Haven’t heard a stinkin word from them. Incredible!
I would surmise that some of our board members, in particular(one lacking a soul), has a hand in this witch hunt, cause an opposing vocal opinion is NOT WELCOMED and WILL BE MET WITH STIFF OPPOSITION!!!
As long as you keep your mouth shut and don’t cross the “little rascals”…”YOU BE FINE!!” “YOU BE FINE!”
By Modest_Citizen, September 6, 2010 @ 7:12 PM
@ srm
You are wrong about all kids being suspended for making threats. It is all too common in today’s schools for verbal threats (and occassionally physical threats–aka bullying) to happen without any intervention. Nice try though.
Teachers do sign a technology agreement, but it is only valid during the workday. Contrary to what some of you think, teachers DO have a life outside of school…and have the exact same rights and privileges as any other citizen, including first Amendment rights of free speech.
This incident COULD NOT have happened on school time because the distict blocks access to certain sites, including facebook.
What I read and saw was NOT a threat. Whoever the teacher is, I hope you take the district to the cleaners and claim “hostile work environment.” It’s hard enough to educate today’s uninterested and unmotivated kids (thanks to parents) without grief from the supervisors and administrators who are supposed to support the teachers. (Yes, take them to the cleaners—they have enough money to open a school for 200 kids, grades 7-12….)
By reed619, September 7, 2010 @ 7:02 AM
@VerySpecialPerson
Since you brought up your feelings regarding the Anti-Elderton sentiment, may I point out that it’s equally disturbing that there’s also members of our county that have Anti-Kittanning, sentiments, Anti-Ford City sentiments, etc.
This is obvious from the comments on here as well, especially in some of the advertorials written by one of our recently resigned school board members. Personal attacks have been made by both sides regarding the EHS closing/reopening issue.
I agree with Mr. Scaife in saying that the “us vs. them” mentality, which has been going on in this school district for many decades, needs to stop.
It’s time for our communities to stop competing against each other so they all can work together towards the same common goals.
By cherok29, September 7, 2010 @ 7:57 AM
“This incident COULD NOT have happened on school time because the distict blocks access to certain sites, including facebook.”
Aaaccctuually, it could have. FB is blocked at my work, too, but I can still access it via my cellphone…
By Jan, September 7, 2010 @ 8:28 AM
@Veryspecialperson:
I will still have to disagree with you on the sentiments of many people I talk to. This is not about the people of Elderton or its students- it’s about a school board and a building. Granted, when one makes the statement that “Elderton….”, it may appear that it’s a slam against them, but truly, it is merely a comment about the building. I will only speak for myself though. I am not “anti” anyone- I don’t care where one lives in this district. I do care about how this district is be conducted though. I do care about fiscal mismanagement and I do care about the education of our students.
What I see happening now is not a bad thing. I see that people are awakening to what is going on and have decided that it’s time to become pro-active and be vocal about what we want and don’t want, and in being vocal, there are those who have taken it a little further than they should ( Is this human nature?) probably.
We all need to stick to the topic at hand and that is : Has this school board acted in the best interest of the entire district. Have they taken it upon themselves to spend our money in a wasteful manner. And lastly, is it time to rid ourselves of any board member who is not acting in the best interest of all.This is what we want.Apathy has gone on way too long and the sleeping giants have awakened and will do whatever is possible to alert the public that we are being sold down the river in order to fulfill the personal agenda of some of these board members. To all that post here- let’s stay focused on what we need to do. We have all provided our thoughts and now it’s time to act.
By Jen16226, September 7, 2010 @ 8:57 AM
Veryspecialperson:
“Ethical conduct is not interacting with students in a venue where parents are not involved (i.e. social networking sites).”
Now what if such a person does not have students on their page and has only friends on their friends list?
By scott_starr, September 7, 2010 @ 10:44 AM
I have a few questions:
1. WHEN was this alleged posting actually posted? What was the DATE?
2. IF this alleged post was done after the vote to re-open Elderton, then WHY is there an uproar months after the fact????
3. IF this alleged post was done recently, WHY does the new Regime NOT take this very seriously?
Hey, KDKA, I think we know what’s going on, send letters to KDKA protesting their treatment on this issue. Journalisim ( ie the press) is protected under the constitution, but Journalisim usually requires checking of sources, and verification, none of which was done in this case.
By Ron Townsend Jr., September 7, 2010 @ 3:41 PM
@Modest_Citizen
By taking the “district” to the cleaners, you mean us, the taxpayers. It’s our money that would be used!!! Stop and think. Haven’t they wasted enough of our money? Most people seem to forget where our district and our various levels of government get “their” money from. It’s off of our backs. So let’s figure out how many other frivolous lawsuits we can come up with. Good plan.
By scott_starr, September 7, 2010 @ 5:18 PM
@Ron Townsend:
Sir, I think perhaps you need to re-think.
Spend $100 K on a lawsuit or $75MM to build up 4 uneeded highschools.
Until we can institute a regime change, I’ll take 100 lawsuits and still be ahead of the game.
By phoenix, September 7, 2010 @ 5:21 PM
Mr. Townsend,
While I agree with you wasting taxpayer money is wrong, what about this teacher? What about the ability to educate now? What if this person has a family? Perhaps the taxpayers should elect officials who would realize what is serious and what is not and handle it approriately. Do you think this is being handled appropriately? Was this person back in the classroom today? Are they still suspended with pay? Have not heard a word. So before we say something is frivoulous, we should examnine all of the facts. If it is a “Witch Hunt”, then this person deserves their day to set the record straight.
By Ron Townsend Jr., September 7, 2010 @ 6:18 PM
First of all, no one has any hardcore facts on this matter. Not KDKA, not any of you, nor myself. Only this teacher and apparently the board members of ASD. So before we starting yelling witch hunt and calling for a lawsuit why don’t we get the facts first? This teacher’s name has not been made public, granted there is some speculation out there on who it is but no concrete facts. As usual everyone goes off half cocked on here before thinking anything through.
And no Scott, 100,000 or 75 million, neither is justifiable to be placed on us unless it serves a better purpose. I don’t see either one serving a better purpose. If it harms this individual, so be it, they should file a lawsuit. Don’t place the cart before the horse. And Phoenix, I’m with you on electing more responsible board members. But like I said above, let’s wait and see how it affects this individual first. None of us truly knows how it was handled. Unless somebody knows somebody that heard from so and so what really happened, then that would make it all true…right?
By phoenix, September 7, 2010 @ 10:10 PM
You are correct Mr. Townsend, no one does have hardcore facts. So why are we on a blog talking about it then? It should not have been reported until there were actual facts.
By Modest_Citizen, September 8, 2010 @ 8:38 PM
@ Ron Townsend
Yes, I know what my “take them to the cleaners” comment meant (regarding it would be the taxpayers burden). If we can open a school for 250 kids in 6 grades, we must be doing well financially. (And, in case you are not understanding, it is all meant to be sarcastic.) While I admire your attempts to be fiscally responsible and reasonable, it is impossible with an organization as large as ASD. There will always be those who have personal agendas and will stop at nothing short of complete and utter stupidity.
@ scott_star…I tend to agree with you.
@ phoenix…exactly!
By woodie, September 8, 2010 @ 11:21 PM
I don’t agree with any of you. I do know that after the election losing candidates, write in hopefulls and former directors criticize the newly elected board even before they were sworn in or even had a meeting.
In our society we elect people to give direction to our ideas, however, the person elected may not have been our choice,but he or she was elected by the majority and must carry out the wishes of that majority. The next step, if we are unhappy with the elected official, find a candidate who has your thought and presnt the candidate and his or her’s ideas to the voters for consideration.
The Armstrong School District Board of Directors has a over heated issue concerning the opening of Elderton High School.
Addressing the statement on facebook:
Recently an educator stepped over the bounds of that said thought and made a suggestive statement on facebook that could endanger Elderton High School Students, Employees, and a public building should that hint reached a dementia person who wants to get his or her 15 minutes of fame.
My thought for what their worth.
By dee, September 9, 2010 @ 10:12 AM
I think Mr. Markilinski’s KP article, “Pascal the Rascal” contained a terroristic threat…”So Hey! You better check your business liability insurance and also your home owners insurance. Your buddies better too!”
IMO, the most this teacher may be guilty of is an exercise of poor judgement. I can’t see how the statement can be seen as a terroristic threat. …and the accompanying escort out of the building and the leak to the press? Sounds like a witch hunt.
By dee, September 9, 2010 @ 1:31 PM
@woodie. I assume that you would agree that leaking the incident to the media was a very bad thing to do.
By Jen16226, September 9, 2010 @ 2:17 PM
What I would love to know is, if deemed not a threat, will the board issue a retraction to the story?
Will they say “sorry there was no threat”?
I think we know the answer to that, but it would be a nice thing. We try to teach our children to apologize when they are wrong…….just saying.
By FORTHECHILDREN, September 9, 2010 @ 5:59 PM
Just saying……..when will this teacher apologize for making the comment..threat or not! Wrong is wrong and right is right.
By phoenix, September 9, 2010 @ 8:32 PM
Exactly what is wrong? Exactly what is right? Guess it all depends on your perspective, which how can anyone have a perspective on this since no one knows what was actually said…..
By Jan, September 9, 2010 @ 9:13 PM
oops- let’s try this again. Forthechildren, you are assuming that the teacher in question has something to apologize for. If you looked at the copied version of what was televised on KDKA- anyone could have done that. What ever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”…just sayin…
By brandy_m, September 10, 2010 @ 8:21 AM
@Jen16226….of course they won’t apologize. Because they are arrogant idiots who are always right ;o)
By batman, September 11, 2010 @ 12:09 PM
@pahick: BINGO! seems you are either in the know or an excellent judge of character. Loose lips sink ships. The rat smell is reaching the heavens.
By riddler, September 11, 2010 @ 9:01 PM
Riddle me this, riddle me that! Who is afraid of the BIG GREEN RATS?
Did I tell? Do I know? Will you say those questions BLOW?
We love to cook, we love to look, at all of the teachers pages on facebook.
Am I a teacher, Am I a student? Am I even an ASD resident?
Am I a drone? Am I alone? I will tell you I am hard as a Stone…..
Good night all, the truth will come out, just be patient and please don’t pout!
By sickofitall, September 12, 2010 @ 12:50 PM
Can someone be thrown out of a union for such anti-member behavior. My goodness, what lenghths will that crew go to, to keep that money pit open? Who will be the next target, how much fabrication is going on, would this also be a hostile work environment.
By Jan, September 12, 2010 @ 1:09 PM
@riddler,
Nice mysterious riddle- but isn’t that what a riddle is? I say, whoever believed that it was the right thing to do by copying/pasting an FB message ( God knows where it came from) then come forward and take ownership of it- after all, whoever did this must have felt it was their “duty” to turn it in. Have the courage to come forth and defend it.
By mcfee, September 12, 2010 @ 11:23 PM
The same might be said about the author of the comment – have the courage to come forth and defend his/her words. And if it all is a fabrication, then the author could say “I never typed those statements on FB. They are a lie.”
By Jan, September 13, 2010 @ 7:54 AM
McFee,
At this point in time, the teacher “in question” is probably not at liberty to discuss this issue- again, it is a personnel matter and not up for discussion. Perhaps the people who chose to make this a public matter need to come forward and apologize to the district for once again, putting the ASD in an embarrassing situation and televising it on KDKA. After all, how did they learn about this. I can see that there are many vindictive people out there willing to sell one of their own down the river. The person in question has nothing to apologize for. And perhaps you should consider this question- if the person in question were to do what you suggest- would you believe it? I doubt it- you’ve already formulated your opinion. It is another example of how this district operates- shame on all of them!
By mcfee, September 13, 2010 @ 11:04 AM
jan: you presume too much of me – I have formulated no opinion other than: IF the author truly typed something to the effect that someone should blow EHS up, then shame on him/her. Even though I don’t believe this person would actually do it, there are enough crazies out there who might think that it would be a grand idea and attempt it or find someone who would.
By Jan, September 13, 2010 @ 7:24 PM
Mcfee- I’ll concede to your last post. I should not assume that you think that the accused party is responsible for the FB posting.Like you, I don’t feel that this person is responsible for the controversy- which is going to be a really big issue for this district. Perhaps it’s all a smoke screen to take the attention away from the needless spending occurring; along with the upcoming vote for replacing MJM’s seat on the board. That vote will probably not be a shocker to any of us….. and the saga continues.
By phoenix, September 13, 2010 @ 10:44 PM
Isn’t this over yet? Might be the slowest investigation ever…..wonder why???
By batman, September 14, 2010 @ 9:25 PM
Do tell mcfee. You seem to know more than the rest of us so please share. What specifically was typed, or cut and pasted? Perhaps you are so in the know because you were the “concerned citizen” that started this witch hunt, on the taxpayers dime no less. Seems like the fascists are again in power. Everybody duck or run. If the “glove” fits etc.
By mcfee, September 15, 2010 @ 1:47 PM
mr/ms batman – methinks ye doth protest too much – you are someone who evidently “scans” what is written and puts their own spin on it. I said “IF” and perhaps it was you who enjoyed stirring the caldron.
By Student001, September 16, 2010 @ 9:55 PM
What happened to the first amendment???? Does freedom of speech mean anything anymore!?!