Katy Citizen Watchdog$

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An E-mail From A Concerned Parent On The Silva Matter

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Dear Reader:  The following is an e-mail that the Watchdog$ received on Radio Free Katy (www.radiofreekaty.com) regarding the Jennifer Silva matter.  We also ask that you please see the news item entitled “Watchdog$ Respond To Lack Of District Due Process.”  This open letter to Dr. Merrell and the Board from the Watchdog$ was sent to the press, our membership and other concerned parents/taxpayers in our community.  The open letter is dated April 5, 2006 and can be found under the “In The News” tab on this Web site.

Dear Katy Families,

There has been a recent underhanded twist to the Jennifer Silva case. We just found out yesterday that the KISD Board has scheduled a special meeting TOMORROW night for the sole purpose of discussing the non-renewal of Jennifer Silva's contract.

Let me briefly explain what that means. As you know Jennifer was originally proposed for termination. She was never given due process or allowed to tell her side of the story prior to being handed her termination papers. She filed for a hearing with TSA (the state). The hearing date has been set for May 1st and 2nd. Depositions had begun, both she and the KISD police officer handling this case were deposed by attorneys for both sides just last week. Elisa Farris and others were slated to be deposed as well. Jennifer was finally going to get her chance to tell her side of the story in front of an impartial Hearing Officer. The Board would then be able to agree or disagree with the findings of the Hearing Officer.

Well evidently the depositions gave the District some cause for concern. The attorney for the District realized this case wasn't quite the slam dunk they thought it was. In other words, it started to appear the Jennifer's case was mistreated and overblown. So what does the Katy Administration and Board decide to do? Do they reconsider their mistreatment and over reaction? Do they allow Jennifer to have her day in court?

No! They quickly and without telling anyone schedule a non-renewal meeting for Jennifer. That means they can decide not to renew her contract with the District. Their plan was to do it without anyone knowing and simply serve Jennifer with non-renewal papers. They could then drop the termination proceedings and it would be too late for anyone to do anything about it. A teacher is not allowed to have the same type of hearing for non-renewal as for termination. So it is much easier for the District to get away with non-renewal proceedings than termination proceedings.

I bet you never realized that you lived in and supported with your tax dollars such an underhanded and cowardice District. I didn't. I'm furious to know that when it appears the District made a poor decision, instead of stepping up and admitting their mistakes they meet in back rooms behind closed doors to figure out how they can maximize damage control. They think this meeting is going to take place without anyone knowing about it.

Please I urge you to not let that be the case. We're not asking you to attend the meeting. We are asking you to simply pass this email on to everyone in your address book and send an email to the Board members. It doesn't have to long and eloquent, just something quick and to the point. I have given you the email addresses for each of the Board members. Just cut and paste their addresses into a message and tell them you don't approve of their behavior. Tell them they will not not get away with this type of sneaky, underhanded mistreatment. Tell them Jennifer Silva deserves her day in court. Board elections are coming up and we must implore our Board members to think for themselves and vote their conscience.

Dr. Merrill’s office bjalvarez@katyisd.org

Joe Adams joeadams@katyisd.org

Rebecca Fox rebeccafox@katyisd.org

Jackie Birkel jackiebirkel@katyisd.org

Eric Duhon ericduhon@katyisd.org

Judy Snyder judysnyder@katyisd.org

Robert Shaw robertshaw@katyisd.org

Joe Kimmel joekimmel@katyisd.org

 

 

A Concerned KISD Parent

Date: 04/04/2006