Victim of Unprofessional Conduct

From: Robert Chandler
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2013 7:14 AM
To: SH Staff; Cynthia Elsberry; Neil James; Janet Graham; Janice Morreale; Jeffrey Garland; Jimmy Washington; Joe DeFeo; John Poston; Karen McIlrath; Kay Loftus; Pam Timms; Harvey Eisner; David Cox; cmurray@thesunnews.com;heather.gale@myhorrynews.com; vgrooms@thesunnews.com; skelly@ed.sc.gov;wcartled@ed.sc.gov; oig.hotline@ed.gov; fraudnet@gao.gov;2013.racetothetop.district@ed.gov
Subject: I Am A Victim of Unprofessional Conduct (Control # 61258)

To Whom It Should Concern:

 

I was the victim of unprofessional conduct by Superintendent Cynthia Elsberry on September 12, 2013.

My father used to tell me, “Son, do not ever sign anything, unless you know for sure what you are signing.” 

A person’s signature should mean something, especially on a document that holds the promise of producing $2.5 million.  If my signature, or consent of any kind, was required by Horry County Schools, in order for it to receive monies as part of a federal grant, then adequate time should have been allowed for me to consider the implications, pro and con. 

I was given less than one hour, during my workday, to consider and understand the contents of our district’s 1500 page Race to the Top application, before I was asked for my signature.  Interestingly, I was not given access to the application.  I was not even provided a summary.  I had no idea what was in it, and neither did most of the several thousand teachers in Horry County Schools who were all asked to sign off by the end of the day.  We were all victims, but as far as I know, I am the only one publicly challenging this unprofessional act on the part of our superintendent.

A number of teachers, who will remain nameless, told me that they were upset, dumbfounded, and disgusted that their signatures were required, in such a hurried manner, on something with which they were not familiar.  At least I knew why my signature was being required, for I happened to be one of a small minority of teachers to view a video pitch from Dr. Elsberry. It had arrived in an email, after classes had started that morning.  As of last night, there had only been 385 views of this on You Tube, many of those mine. 

Dr. Elsberry’s 2 ½ minute video was most teachers’ introduction to our participation in the Race to the Top competition.  We were supposed to be involved meaningfully in its development, according to the rules of the competition.  Our involvement could have taken place over a number of weeks, for the second round of competition began in early August.  Instead, the superintendent chose to involve us for less than eight hours, while we were teaching.

There was no time for questions, input, and concerns, unless one happened to be from Conway Middle School.  The superintendent made a personal appearance there, four days after the countywide vote, to address the professional staff who had given only 46% of its consent.  She had been under the impression that 80% was needed, in order for a school to receive grant monies.  A revote occurred, and the next morning was reported to be at 80%.

Conway Middle was given more time than the other participating schools, roughly 50, to consider the contents of the application.  I am certain that each professional staff member of Conway Middle had ample time to consider the content of the application and to give meaningful input, before making an informed decision and giving their consent.  How absurd!  I am sure they never saw its contents and were not even given an adequate summary.  They only got what the superintendent wanted them to have, and that was not sufficient.

Professional teachers should be outraged and speaking out against this travesty, but they will not.  They are afraid, as I have said so many times before, afraid of retaliation of some kind.  Some fear transfers, undesired schedules and workloads, and even job loss.

Dr. Elsberry’s conduct in this entire matter has been unprofessional.  Not involving the professional staffs of our schools, from the beginning of the process in August, in a matter that had tremendous implications for them, was highly unprofessional.  Involving them for less than a day is the height of absurdity.  The real clincher is her attempt to have a vote changed and to give preferential treatment to one school, allowing it more time to consider its actions.

Dr. Elsberry’s unprofessional conduct is quite clear.  Her actions and non-actions are evidence of intentional manipulation, desperation, or incompetence.  Whatever the motivation, the South Carolina State Department of Education should not shrug this matter off, as the rantings of a discontented employee, but should examine the facts of the matter and revoke the superintendent’s professional certificate.  It should do so, for the Horry County Board of Education seems to stand behind her, no matter what she does. 

Horry County Schools was NOT named a finalist for the FY 2013 Race to the Top - District grant, as it was last year.  Whether my protest to the United States Department of Education made a difference, I do not know.  Whether or not a criminal act, fraud, will be the conclusion of the Office of Inspector General at the United States Department of Education, to which I reported, I do not know.  What I do know is that irrespective of future findings, Dr. Elsberry has exhibited “unprofessional conduct” towards not only me but also the professional staffs of Horry County Schools and should be held accountable by our district and state, by the Horry County Board of Education and the South Carolina State Department of Education.

No matter what Dr. Elsberry has helped our district achieve in terms of test scores and recognitions, and despite the praise and honors she has received, the ends never justify the means.  How one achieves something is more important than the achievement itself.   

Dr. Elsberry does not deserve the professional certificate she holds in the state of South Carolina.

Teachers deserve an apology and assurances that they will never again be treated as toy soldiers.

 

(Government Accountability Office in Washington, DC - Please reference control number 61258.)

 

Professionally,

Bobby Chandler

 

International Baccalaureate History Instructor

Socastee High School, Myrtle Beach, SC

Phone (843) 450-0962