Keep in mind that whenever the Columbus Public Schools system determines that it needs our money, a theme central to nearly every campaign for dollars is safety. When the facilities bond issue was to go to ballot, it was safety. When the operating levy was to go to the ballot, it was how certain cuts could affect services and safety. Whenever they need our money, the theme is safety. With the most recent allegations of district employees using our children as their sexual playmates, where’s the issue of safety now?

In every superintendent’s administration comes a test of the character, cadence, register and resolve of its leadership. Columbus Public Schools has had no shortage of memorable opportunities that not only challenged the integrity and grit of the leadership, but defined it for those of us who were paying attention.

In my last effort to join the Columbus Board of Education as an elected official, I painstakingly defined my agenda/platform in terms that spoke to a broader concept of leadership, rather than a concise, specific, one-dimensional aspect. Oftentimes, I was surprised that many people would ask what this or that definition meant. In one situation, a middle school teacher exclaimed in the middle of my presentation, “Enough of the fluff, let’s get to the stuff.” One of those terms was psychological safety. I believed then, as I do now, that CPS must somehow create (where it doesn’t exist) an environment that is not only conducive to learning but also, psychologically safe for its students.

What do I mean by psychological safety? Though many might consider associating some vague references or (ed. school) theory to this definition, it is basically a very rudimentary concept. By psychological safety I mean to suggest an environment where students can feel safe, nurtured, protected, encouraged and supported to become the most productive achievers that they can.

The latest rash of pedophiles and sexual predators among some district employees who choose to use our children as sexual objects is certainly contrary to any concept of psychological safety for our students, both male and female. I am particularly challenged by the fact that not one of our elected officials has chosen to make this an administration issue….not one of them. They prefer to instead hide behind the veneer of due process when, in many cases, the evidence against some district employees is overwhelming, irrefutable and beyond question.

I mentioned earlier the latest rash of pedophilia among some district employees because this is not a new thing for this district. During the Rosa Smith administration, Smith was provided with direct evidence that at least three teachers had lied about their sexual relationships with students. In each case, the teachers were brought before a discipline panel and allowed counsel (which is appropriate). The evidence that Smith was provided never saw the light of day. As a result the union (CEA) negotiated sweetheart deals with the district to simply transfer the teachers to other buildings, with no mention of their alleged improprieties in their records. This type of political manipulation and deal making only served to transfer problem employees and perhaps sexual predators to another unsuspecting student population.

My question here is, why aren’t we outraged? Why isn’t the community demanding higher standards of ethics and professional conduct? Why is it so easy to sweep these allegations and situations under the rug until the powder keg explodes on the pages of the Dispatch? District officials and school board members cannot say that they didn’t know these things were going on. There have been too many examples. Additionally, why to date have there been so few employees disciplined for such actions in recent years? And guess what? In one such situation the district allowed an employee to let his certification expire, thus requiring his resignation, instead of filing criminal charges. Why? In other cases I have been told that the CEA lawyers and representatives have actually confronted victim’s parents in attempts to settle the matter “under the radar screen.” This often results in no record of the violation, and the employee continues his/her career as if nothing had happened.

I am only thankful that my child is a college student now and not subject to this type of physical and psychological battery. I can only say that if any of these situations had involved my child, I would probably be writing this from a jail cell, because under NO circumstances would I have tolerated, trusted or allowed a flawed system to police its own indiscretions. I would have taken what can only be referred to as decisive and final action, with little regard for collateral damages (read into that what you wish).

In any event, we have this issue before us today, and in my humble opinion there should exist some waiver of due process when the evidence is scientifically supported or otherwise irrefutable. Someone, at some time, in some place is going to have to serve as the example of the system’s intolerance of these actions. Our children should be able to enjoy an academic environment that is psychologically safe, free of sexual predators and sensitive to the cognitive and developmental needs of youth. Not people who prey on their vulnerabilities or inability to make responsible and appropriate decisions regarding their sexuality and sexual conduct. I know this is a difficult article to read. It’s a difficult article to write. But it is nonetheless an important article and issue if it sounds the call to awareness, responsibility and accountability for this district, and protects our children. We cannot possibly know what long-term affects or stigmas may plague our children who are victimized. The body of academic evidence about the psychological implications and affects of physical and/or sexual abuse on youth is staggering.

Along with proficiency tests, graduation rates, drop out rates, etc., the true test of this administration/system may not be whether they can prepare our children; it may be whether or not they can protect our children, from itself...the system.

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