DCF Exonerates Former Principal Patricia Girard of Abuse Allegations

BOE Chairman Dr. Gene Nocera has released the DCF report clearing former Farm Hill Principal Patricia Girard of abuse or neglect of a child (or children) in connection with the "Scream Room" allegations of January 25, 2012.

According to a State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families Report dated 3/30/2012, an investigation found no substantiation of abuse.

Girard left her position as Principal on January 30th, and Interim Principal Mark Proffitt stepped in until a new principal can be hired. That search is underway, but complicated by the subsequent departure of Superintendent Michael Frechette and Assistant Superintendent Barbara Senges last month. At this evening's Board of Education meeting, Interim Superintendent Dr. David Larson specifically mentioned the importance of finding a new Superintendent before vacancies at the building level are fulfilled so that the new head administrator has input on two new Elementary principals (Farm Hill Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson Middle School) and an assistant principal at Middletown High School.

Interestingly, the BOE also voted this evening to modify Policy 4111 (Personnel - Certified). Specifically, the old policy regarding the hiring of Administrative Staff allowed the Superintendent to override the interview committee's candidate selection. The new policy calls for a slate of finalists to be recommended to the Board of Education for interviews, with the Board and the Superintendent interviewing candidates together.

The Board of Education has hired Cooperative Educational Service to assist in the search for a new Superintendent, and is hopeful that the search will be concluded by the end of June.

Farm Hill Interim Principal Delivers On District Promise

On Thursday, January 12th, 2012, then Superintendent of Schools Michael Frechette told the parents gathered at the Farm Hill PTA meeting that he was "committed to turning this around...we need to be transparent with our outcomes and clear with parents, clear with students, clear with staff, and we need to talk about the issues we face. Communication here really needs work....Quite frankly, it has gone on too long." Frechette's comments were of course made in the context of the "scream room" controversy, and by Monday, January 30th, Farm Hill Principal Patricia Girard had stepped out on an indefinite leave of absence.

Girard's replacement, a former principal at both Spencer and Lawrence Elementary Schools, was called out of the classroom and back into the principal's office. Citing a need to better balance his work/life responsibilities, Mark Proffitt had previously stepped out of administrative duties with an eye toward retirement along side his wife, a veteran teacher of 35 years in the Torrington School District.

So when Dr. Frechette called and asked Proffitt to step in as interim principal, Proffitt was very upfront about his plans to retire this summer: "If I were in a different place in my life, I would love to stay here. I'm having a great time working with teachers, parents and children here at Farm Hill." Because he agreed to stay only though the end of the year, Proffitt hopes a new principal is found before the end of the year so there is time to begin the transition process while students are still in school to see what's happening.

In the meantime, in just five short weeks, parents and PTA President Apryl Dudley agree that Farm Hill is "a completely different school." Dudley commented,

I have been at the school all morning. I find it hard to leave because it is now such a happy, positive environment. I can't stress to you how much happier the staff and students seem to be now that Mr. Proffitt has been here! I just met with him this morning about more exciting and fun events he is planning for the school and our 5th graders. I look forward to working with him for the remainder of this school year and hope his positive behavior and great ideas continue next year with a new principal. The school which once had a "Black Cloud" lingering over it now has "sunshine."

Mark Proffitt obviously is excited about the positive direction he sees the school moving in. “My big issue and primary focus at this point is to gain as much positive press about the school as we can.” His secondary focus is to reach out to parents to engage in a meaningful dialog, and a third priority is to maintain open communications. To accomplish these goals, Proffitt has turned to some "old school" techniques to build community:

[Author's note: I say "old school" because it's stuff I remember from my elementary school days, and I'm fairly old, so that counts as a legitimate descriptor as far as I'm concerned.]

• There's a new white board in the main hallway at the foot of the stars that lists all the events/important information happening at the school in one place.
• All the school events between now and the end of the year are posted on the school's website.
• Morning announcements occur each morning over the intercom, including the Pledge of Allegiance*, a time for silent meditation, updates on activities, student reminders (including behavior expectation reminders), and acknowledgement of student accomplishments outside of school functions.
• Mr. Proffitt gets on each bus every morning to greet students and gets back on at the end of the day to say good-by.
• Mr. Proffitt is very visible during the day in the cafeteria, the playground, the hallway, and even in classrooms.
• On Fridays, Mr. Proffitt's Reflections go home with students, and all of the weekly letters are posted here on the school's website.
• A DATTCO bus has been arranged to pick up families from Traverse Square and Green Street for all PTA activities through the end of the year.
• The Partnership Committee has met and is ready to roll out a new Social Compact at parent conferences during the week of March 28. Parents will also get a fridge magnet listing the STARR behaviors (Safe, Trustworthy, A+ Attitude, Respectful, Responsible) the school teaches and enforces in the social curriculum.
• Mr. Proffitt personally visits Traverse Square and the Green Street Art Center as part of his after school routine to conduct parent outreach and to support the after school programs in those locations.
• The student survey on school climate, set into motion by the Superintendent's Farm Hill Support Plan, has been conducted and is awaiting final review.

While concrete evidence of changing attitudes satisfies even the most serious doubters, also noticeable was a language change: Mr. Proffitt used words like positive, caring, responsive, pro-active, vigilant, firm, respectful, and visible to describe his job and his focus. He also spoke confidently of his "menu" of choices to address student behavioral issues as they arose, and easily rattled off more than half a dozen options available to him when students act out. Not coincidentally, no phone calls have been made to the police since Proffitt's arrival more than five weeks ago, and he insists that the atmosphere on the buses has changed for the better.

"When you expect kids to misbehave, of course they do. When you expect a high standard of behavior out of kids, then they rise to your expectations and behave well, " Proffitt explained. This pro-active focus, instead of a reactive one, seems to have won over the hearts of Farm Hill students and parents, and many are already wishing Proffitt would stay. Assistant Superintendent Barbara Senges confirmed that the search for a new principal is underway, with the "in-house" posting closing this week. This means that by contract, Senges has to post the job opening to district administrators first. Senges also talked about the selection process itself:

There will be parents on the Committee and the plan is to have finalists meet parents and staff prior to the Board making its choice. It is also our hope to have someone chosen before the end of the year, so that there will be an opportunity for the community to meet the new principal.

In the end, Proffitt admitted that a school is "only as successful as our parents' involvement," meaning that he needs parental wisdom, support, and thoughts on how to challenge and support all Farm Hill students. He went on to say, "I need to let parents know 'we need you,' and if we have their unconditional support, that's key!" Proffitt also credited Donna Merino, the District's Parent Resource Coordinator, as a key player in the effort to reach out and engage parents in the school's mission.

Now, if only Public Works could make some headway on the parking lot situation, Farm Hill might just be well on the road to sunnier days!

*In case you're curious...

I'm from the Midwest originally, and I've never experienced a school that didn't have morning announcements and a collective Pledge of Allegiance to start the day. Eighth graders at my school had the honor of reading morning announcements and leading the Pledge. It was a nerve-racking rite of passage, but an awesome one at the same time. I have to admit I was a little shocked to hear that the pledge wasn't part of the morning routine at Farm Hill. Here's what I found out after a review of state law and BOE policy:

C.G.S. Sec. 10-230. Flags in schoolrooms and schools. Policy on the reciting of the "Pledge of Allegiance".

(c) Each local and regional board of education shall develop a policy to ensure that time is available each school day for students in the schools under its jurisdiction to recite the "Pledge of Allegiance". The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to require any person to recite the "Pledge of Allegiance".

Middletown Public Schools Policy 6115 (a) Pledge of Allegiance

Each school within the district shall provide time each school day for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Such recitation is voluntary.

I'm not trying to start an argument about whether or not the Pledge forces religion on those not wishing to have it, I'm simply trying to point out that simple rituals have immense power to create community. I suppose someone could also call it brain-washing if he or she were really anti-government, but please try in good faith to see what I'm after. There was no magic used at Farm Hill to make a huge difference in a small amount of time...no pixie dust, nothing in the water, no secret formula. It was simply good customer service, plain old common sense, and a man who loves children and teachers leading in a job he absolutely adores. So let's replicate those efforts everywhere we can! We can get behind all the other fine teachers and administrators in our town, collectively expect the leadership that brings the results we desire, and push hard in the direction of the change we want [and yeah for the Pledge of Allegiance too]!

Farm Hill PTA Meeting Attracts A Large Crowd

Last night's regularly scheduled PTA meeting at Farm Hill Elementary School drew way more than the normal "ten or so" parent attendees. In fact, the media contingent alone easily passed that benchmark with at least five camera crews and several print and internet reporters there as well.

PTA President Apryl Dudley conducted the beginning of the meeting as she normally would have, talking about upcoming events such as the sale of candy roses for Valentine's Day or the box top collection. When she finished, she turned the meeting over to Superintendent Michael Frechette, who was joined by BOE Chairman Gene Nocera, Assistant Superintendent Barbara Senges, Farm Hill Principal Patricia Girard, and other central office staff. Five current BOE members were also in the audience (Sheila Daniels, Ed McKeon, Ava Hart, Bill Grady, and Mitchell Wynn) as well as former member Sally Boske. Mayor Dan Drew was present, although he had no official involvement with the proceedings.

Dr. Frechette began his presentation by confronting the "untrue rumors" he said were circulating around town. In particular, while some special education students (less than 10 at Farm Hill) might use a time-out room as part of their individual behavior plans, no one has ever been seriously injured as a result of being in such a room. Frechette confirmed that some students had banged their heads on the wall, another wiped blood from a cut finger on the wall, and a few students had urinated in the room. Currently the rooms in question have a door that can be locked from the outside (with the principal and building super holding keys), but that lock is scheduled to be removed today. Since the beginning of school in September 2011, police and/or emergency medical staff have been summoned to the school 9 times (6 medical, 3 behavior), but there is no direct link to students being in the time-out room who then need an ambulance. "In fact," Dr. Frechette clarified after the meeting, "one of the ambulance calls was for a bus driver and it had nothing to do with the students."

Citing communication, climate, and student management as the three main "issues" facing Farm Hill, Frechette said that the central office had been aware of problems at Farm Hill since the fall, and had been "working at the lowest level" to resolve those issues. Admitting that this approach hadn't worked as it was intended, Frechette then resolved to take a more aggressive approach: "I'm committed to turning this around...we need to be transparent with our outcomes and clear with parents, clear with students, clear with staff, and we need to talk about the issues we face. Communication here really needs work....Quite frankly, it has gone on too long." His comments were met with loud applause, and then it was Principal Patricia Girard's turn to talk.

Girard thanked parents for coming to the meeting, commenting that it was the first step in addressing the concerns facing the school. She acknowledged that it was her responsibility to have clear communications at the school, saying "it's lacking." Girard went on to say that there would be two opportunities for parents to be directly involved: first, as the parent compact is being re-written to focus on the school's climate, and secondly, on the Climate Committee itself. There were sign-up sheets available outside the meeting area, but parents can contact the school office as well if they are interested in participating.

Girard then turned her comments to address the rumors and accusations she had heard: "The rumors are scary and unfounded. There is a perception the school is out of control." She went on to explain, step by step, how the "time-out" room is used:

• A student is monitored at all times in the time-out room
• The child can't lock him or herself in
• The child is never left unattended
• The staff member may be in the room or just outside the door
• There is a window in the door to see into the room
• A staff member who uses a time-out room has received de-escalation training
• Only students who have the use of a time-out room as part of their personal behavior management plans (approved and signed by the parents) use the room in this fashion
• The time-out room is used as a last resort
• If a student requires more restrictive action to control his or her behavior, more accountability procedures are activated including parental notification and other required documentation

Laurie Slade, Supervisor of Special Education & Pupil Services explained further:

• Students who have Behavior Management Plans are those with serious emotional disturbances, not just random regular students
• These students also have a very specific educational plan
• State law governs how and when students can be restrained as well as when parental notification occurs
• Intensive Case Management (ICM) does not refer to a program but rather a student who requires additional support services or is more seriously disabled
• If a time-out room is used to de-escalate a student's behavior, a documentation report is generated that covers what happened, including who was involved, what time it happened and how long it lasted, a nurse's assessment of any possible injury, and the frequency of the event.

Board of Education Chairman Gene Nocera spoke next, saying "The Board of Education is deeply concerned by the comments made at Tuesday night's meeting, and we will look into all allegations to be certain we are following best practices and state guidelines." Nocera then commented that "mistakes have been made, and we're here to correct those mistakes." Before opening up a general Q&A session, Dr. Nocera asked the crowd to "be respectful with your questions...we'll stay here as long as we have to."

It would be the understatement of the year to say parents were upset. More than 30 parents got up to ask questions, some more than once. Many of the questions centered on use of the "time-out room" and who could be placed into it, who monitored it, why it was located at Farm Hill, did other schools have one, and why wasn't it padded. There was much confusion over terminology as the same room is used for "time-out" for students with behavior management plans as well as an "alternative learning environment" for the general school population.

Some parents asked about their child specifically, wondering who determines if the room is used as a "time-out" or an "alternative learning environment," stating that their children reported being in the "scream room" without any parental notification it had happened. Others expressed frustration at previous attempts to bring issues to the attention of the administration, feeling ignored and unheard. In particular, PTA President Apryl Dudley said that after she had sent her letter on January 6th, she was told by several BOE members that the Superintendent would contact her directly. "It's been 7 days now, and I haven't heard a thing." At that moment, Dr. Frechette apologized directly to Dudley, but the crowd's reaction was not kind to his response.

Two young Farm Hill female students (both about 10 or so) waited in line to speak. The first cried during her comments, saying it was scary to come to school and that she didn't know what to do. The second girl echoed her classmate saying, "I don't know how to do my homework...how did this happen to our school?" Principal Girard responded to both girls with an apology: "I'm sorry, I will do whatever I can to make it better. We care about you and we promise to make it safe."

Other parents were concerned about the lasting impact on their child's psychological well-being. Several mentioned that their children were afraid of school and that the continual disturbances weren't fair. One parent said that "if these kids are so disruptive and need that room, then maybe they shouldn't be in our school at all." Loud applause followed this comment. A follow-on question asked about the DEAL program, noting it had been very successful and well-liked. Ann Perzan, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education, told the audience that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act changed in 2004, and the DEAL program was no longer in compliance with the requirements of the law. [Author's note: At Tuesday night's BOE meeting, Asst. Superintendent Barbara Senges told the board that when the DEAL program dissolved, programs were set up at both middle schools, the high school, and then at the elementary schools nearest the largest concentration of the student population needing those services. Last year, Bielefield Elementary housed the special education program, and this year it moved to Farm Hill to follow where the students were actually located.)

Several very dramatic moments occurred during the more than two-and-a-half-hour long meeting. Parents yelled at each other ("you don't understand what my child goes through." "No, YOU don't understand what MY child goes through."), parents yelled at the principal and superintendent ("We have no confidence in this system...you've done nothing to make me feel comfortable or to give me confidence..."), and parents yelled comments while another parent was trying to ask a question. More than one parent tried to offer a positive comment or to suggest that working together might be more effective than finger-pointing, but those comments were few and far between. Local 466 Union President Jeff Daniels got a standing ovation for his comments that the administration needs to let teachers and staff do their jobs without fear of retribution. Daniels also suggested that he had specific evidence to prove the whole truth wasn't being told about what was happening in the "time-out rooms," noting, "I feel bad for my community and I'm here to help in any way I can, but if people are scared to do their jobs, then we're going to have a problem."

Another particularly tense moment occurred when a parent commented to Asst. Superintendent Barbara Senges, "your noticeable silence is offensive." Senges replied that she had not been asked a direct question all night, that most of her work is behind the scenes, that lots of work had gone into putting a response plan together, and that "we came here tonight in a very honest way. We care about every child. We heard you, and I've kept silent because I've worked with these very dedicated educators for six years and I can't believe the very offensive, rude comments I've heard tonight." Senges was immediately interrupted by BOE Chairman Nocera, who said, "I'm sorry, but I haven't heard anything offensive or rude tonight. People are entitled to their feelings and we can't heal if we don't stop arguing."

BOE Chairman Gene Nocera finally called a halt to the questions at 9:15pm, saying that there were several students in the building who needed to "go home and get to bed" since tomorrow's a school day. Nocera offered parents with additional questions the chance to talk with staff for as long as they needed. Principal Girard asked parents to write down their questions or concerns on the notecards provided for that purpose, and she promised to review them and address them in the coming weeks.

After the meeting concluded, many parents stayed behind to ask questions and to continue conversations between various groups of people. Several meetings were taking place in the morning (today, Jan 13) with staff, administration, and the board of education.

UPDATE: The Board of Education announces a 3pm press conference at the Central Office at 311 Hunting Hill Ave. in Conference Room A (room #7)

Election Day Report - South District Firehouse and Farm Hill

“Change” was the theme at District 11, Farm Hill Elementary School on Ridge Road, the major force bringing voters out to the polls. For many, it is a change in the economy they crave. One gentleman, when asked exactly what about the economy brought him out to vote, answered simply, “It sucks.” Another said that he, despite the sentiments of many financial analysts he has heard, believes strongly that the nation is in a recession. “I’m just looking for some change,” he said. “Put the money back where it belongs.” In his pocket? I teased. He smiled. “Exactly.”

Despite the negative feelings regarding the current state of the country, the atmosphere was jovial at both the Farm Hill and Randolph Road fire station voting sites earlier this morning. Perhaps it was the presence of PTO bake sales at both locations?



Lori Salazar, Keigwen Middle School PTO Co-President, who had manned the bake sale at South District Firehouse, expressed amazement at the line of “60 or 70 people,” when she arrived to set up before 7 AM. The flow of voters had been steady since then, and Salazar and her team of student volunteers, earning volunteer hours towards qualification for student of the month, remained in high spirits about the economy of their sale. Said Salazar, “We’re making good profit.” At least someone is!



The scene at Farm Hill was a bit more politically charged, with campaign volunteers lining the pathway to the school, staying well beyond the 75 foot mandatory boundary. Molly Nolan, a volunteer with Love Makes a Family, chose to pass out fliers asking voters to “Vote No to Question #1” in Middletown rather than her own voting site in Durham, due to the accessibility to voters. “Here I can be available to interact directly with voters and answer questions,” said Nolan, who warned that reversing the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality in Connecticut would reduce gay and lesbian residents to “2nd class citizenship.” A straight, married woman herself, Nolan has been working with Love Makes a Family for years because, “It’s the right thing to do.”

Other campaign volunteers at the site included Bob Fox, a 27 ½ year member of the Connecticut Employee Union Independent and a Connecticut Valley Hospital employee, who held a tall sign indicating the union’s slate of endorsed candidates but hid when I took his picture. “I’m not photogenic,” he claimed.

Josh (who requested I not use his last name), an organizer for Service Employees International Union out of Hartford, posted outside of the school in order to support candidates he believed would support union negotiated collective bargaining agreements, which he says will guarantee certain rights to union members, including layoff and pay rate protections.

Other volunteers were a bit less partisan. Dashaun Outlaw and Tony Woolard, both 11th graders at Middletown High School, had been at Farm Hill since 5:45 AM checking names of voters. The students were volunteering at the site through a school project for Ms. Adams’ American Politics class, which requires all students to work a certain number of hours for a political campaign, or involved in the voting process. Outlaw and Woolard began originally volunteering for the campaign of Matt Lesser, and then were given the opportunity to work the voting site.



The response to the new voting system, paper fill-in ballots rather than levers, was fairly even, with most voters saying that they preferred the levers, but understood the reason for the change. Craig Nenninger, who voted with wife Donna and 6-year-old twins Nicole and Matthew, said he liked the idea that the paper ballots kept a record in the event of a problem.




In all, turnout was higher than ever at both sites, and all present seemed hopeful that elections results would create a much needed change on both a local and national level.

Late afternoon vote update: Farm Hill, William Street Senior Center

By 4 pm, voting at Farm Hill had just inched past 50%, or some 2000, registered voters who had already cast their ballots. Inside, just past the Farm Hill election bake sale, which has been profitable due to the large voter turnout, there were no lines, but a steady stream of voters to privacy booths. Moderators declared the turnout as "unprecedented."

Outside, Democratic candidate for state representative, Matt Lesser, greeted voters, while on another corner voters were urged to vote "No" to a state constitutional convention.




Downtown, there was a virtual parade of Wesleyan students making the trek down the William Street Hill toward the polling place at the Senior Center. Outside candidate for state representative Catherine Johnson engaged the students in lively banter about alternative transportation solutions.

Potential voters stood in a line which stretched out the door of the senior center.

Inside, the moderator was clearing a tabulator filled to bursting with votes. Voting had reached more than 1600 ballots cast, or 60% of the registered voters.