Board addresses concerns over teacher intervention in fight Joan ‘Tootzi’ Snyder bids farewell

  • By Kevin Lynch
  • January 4, 2010
  • 624
                        
After a spirited dialog between guests and Superintendent Kris Perone at the West Holmes school board meeting Monday, Dec. 21, in regard to the suspension of a teacher who intervened in a fight between students, the tension in the room abated as board member Joan “Tootzi” Snyder gave her farewell address after serving 16 years on the board. Community members voiced their concern about how the West Holmes School District handled the situation. “I just wanted to talk about the fight that took place here about a week and a half ago, and talk about the safety of our students, so it doesn’t happen again,” said Scott Miller, a concerned community member. “Are there any meetings for the teachers so they know what they are supposed to do or not do? I have a feeling there would be some teachers who don’t want to step in now and do anything because of what happened.” “I think it is important to know that, as educators, we are not only hired to educate the students, but to also protect them, and make sure they are safe when they are at school,” Perone said. “It comes down to, when do staff members step in? That is whenever the students are injuring themselves or someone else. We are going to provide a refresher course in our February in-service, and it will cover the proper way to do it. “If there is a physical confrontation, we do want staff to intervene,” the superintendent continued. “We will support that. Anytime something like this happens, it becomes a concern for us. As educators, we really don’t have the option to step back. “I am not going to talk about the employee, and we are not at liberty to talk about the students,” Perone said. “What I will tell you is that it was investigated. The parties involved did have representation. The students did receive discipline. As far as a judgment call, our job is to protect all students.” In regard to action taken against the students who were fighting, the superintendent said: “Discipline does not have to be immediate when we’re talking about a fight or something. It can come on the next day, on a Monday. If it warrants, we do call the police. “A lot of times, it comes down to a common sense reaction that you step in, and we as educators know right from wrong,” the superintendent said. “If that means we have to reach in and grab an arm to separate them, then we support that. If that child is no longer a threat or no longer confrontational, than we are not going to be either. We can put different things in place, but we cannot possibly think of everything in policy. We will protect kids and we will use good judgment when we are intervening with them.” One community member asked for a recap of what happened. “I can tell you there was a verbal confrontation between students. A teacher did intervene. At that point, one walked away. There became confrontation between the teacher and the student. That teacher tried to go to the office. This may seem vague, but I am not at liberty to tell a lot. The teacher got the student into the school building with the help of another; things were said, things were done by both sides,” Perone said. “From the students’ perspective, it was handled, and from the teacher’s perspective, it was supported. When it got to a certain point, it didn’t meet the guidelines that I said we follow. When it went a little bit further; that’s when the consequences came. So, up to a certain point, there was support. “In our language, I have two choices. I can do nothing, or I can terminate,” Perone said. “That’s what I am allowed to do. I chose to come up with a compromise in between. That’s what was agreed upon. Do I think there needs to be steps in between? Yes. I think the union will bring that when we negotiate. But my choices were those two things.” She pointed out that the union president, the building rep, and legal representation were there for the teacher. The outcome was the agreement (three weeks’ suspension). Another community member said, “I think we ought to be supportive of staff when they get involved in these kinds of situations. And there should be clearer guidelines about what they can and cannot do. When you say to use common sense, my common sense may be very different from someone else’s.” In other business, Todd Day, athletic director, gave his report of the fall sports season to the board, recognizing soccer player Logan Krukenberg for earning second team All-Ohio honors, and tennis players Mary and Rachel Nelson for their fourth-place finish at the State tennis tournament. The Nelsons were the first girls tennis players to qualify for State. Snyder donned her royal cloak to bid adieu. She asked Lori Robson to read her farewell address, as she didn’t think she would be able to get through her goodbyes without crying. “I am very humbled by the residents of the West Holmes District for their many years of support,” Robson read. “I thank the students for being polite, courteous and fun-loving, as well as decently human, and I respect them for their care in my remaining years. “I always said never underestimate a kid,” she continued. “As a kid myself, I knew who the best and worst teachers were; who loved kids and who loved the paycheck and insurance; who inspired me, even today at age 66.” Snyder looked back at 16 years on the board with great satisfaction. “They said a bond levy would never pass, and we never gave up,” she said. “This library is the center of our Camelot in our new high school, as well as a new middle school and new additions to our elementaries. “I’m still smiling about the architect and builders allowing my crazy idea of putting a 44-ton rock in the high school with a sword in it,” she added. “And I am annually amazed at the beautification of the high school by the artistically spirited Knights.” Snyder recalled the magical handshake of a graduating senior as “electric” and the hugs as “priceless.” “I replaced Dr. Huston 16 years ago, and it says a lot that a Dr. (Brad Welsh) is replacing me. I know that West Holmes is in good hands,” she said. “I thank you all.”


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