The DOE and the State Board, and even the Secretary of Education have been advised multiple times and in multiple ways regarding the leadership AND governance problems. All they do is cite the narrow band of conditions for their formal review and ignore what is obvious. It’s like the fire department not coming to your house when it’s on fire,and telling the insurance company and investigators that the last time we were in the neighborhood the house was not on fire so we did not have reason to believe the dozens of 911 call when it WAS on fire.
Charter oversight is clearly beyond the capability of the DOE, the SBE, the Secretary and the Governor at this point.
32 thoughts on “@DEStateBoard betraying taxpayers by ignoring pertinent and known facts regarding the scams at Pencader High School.”
It’s signs of some terrible things going on at both the school and state level. They hide behind walls so that they do not have to address the foul play. It is just horrible. I think your video about the news reporter was perfect fit for our state and Pencader. For the first time in my life, I really resent having to pay taxes to this state.
I wish I had just a dime (oh, wait, I was a volunteer….make that a couple of thousand $$) for every time I asked a question about something that seemed fishy. The answer I often got was, “Oh, there is just so much you don’t know about high school.” Yeah… well, in perfect hindsight it looks like I knew plenty but nobody wanted to open their eyes…..
My only problem with you Ms. Minnehan is your treatment of parents that did come to you (not about these specific issues), but other issues with Lewis.
Like so many others, and as I’ve said before, in the beginning I was conned. Ann Lewis can be very charismatic, very charming and appears often times, particularly in initial meetings or if she needs you for something, very knowledgeable. I have always thought I was insightful and intuitive about people and their motivations and I will admit this lady caught me. Not for long, but she did in the beginning. Once she realized that I was not a “follower” Team Lewis reorganized and set out to destroy me and anyone in their way (that means anybody who didn’t ask for seconds from the Kool-Aid pitcher.) Did DOE know? I told folks there a million times, by email and in person. I guess they didn’t believe me out there crying “Wolf!”
So is that an apology? Just checking because I am not sure.
I am sorry that I didn’t see through this lady a lot sooner….a lot!
How about that photograph in Dobo’s story that showed Lewis sitting at the head of the table for the Board meeting. She should have a secondary seat. The Board CAN NOT BE LED by the person they are responsible for hiring, firing and evaluating.
saw that!! Accidental, I’m sure!!
As the Board MUST monitor and assess the school leader, the questions you asked shouldn’t have been avoided by such a statement. That should only have led to a polite, ‘well please let’s take the time for you to educate me with the particulars.’.Not to say in hindsight. But going forward, every charter and district board should be on notice to get the facts they are legally responsible for getting.
By the way, Terry Schooley said her task force would be up and running by the end of July. Anyone heard ANYTHING?
Regarding comments from Susan and delawareway: the school board president is in a delicate position when presented with a parent’s view of a situation and the school leader’s view. In the beginning Harrie Ellen Minnehan may have given more credibility to Ann Lewis, and her comments, than to one parent with a complaint, as Harrie Ellen knew Ann from working together at Pencader. With enough complaints the balance of judgment might favor the complaints of several parents. Harrie Ellen taught for over 31 years, in seven school districts, even in a Convent school in New York City and a Protestant School District in Montreal plus inner city schools in Wilmington, DE and Richmond, California. Plus she was a teacher’s union officer for multiple years and heard many complaints from teachers! She has heard a lot of complaints from parents, so she does not avoid listening to complaints.
The situation has been complicated at Pencader because Ann Lewis was trying to control the flow of information and did not welcome any questions about school affairs from Harrie Ellen or other board members. Ann Lewis was determined to keep the school board as uniformed/ignorant and powerless as possible; probably to hide/conceal the pension situation that today’s newspaper describes, as well as other problems like the Lehane’s bus contract and some issues that have not been publically discussed to date. Hence Ann’s comments to Harrie Ellen that she doesn’t understand how to run a high school are indicative of an arrogance that makes Ann difficult to work with at times. According to the the Ann Lewis resume at Pencader she was a classroom teacher from 1985 to 1992 at Gerorge Read Middle School and then from 1994-1997 at Concord High School. She was in (private business) school curriculum related consulting type positions from 1997 through to 2009 when she began the Pencader job as Dean of Instruction. Note that Ann Lewis had no actual experience as a school leader/administrator until she arrived at Pencader.This undated resume lists a “Doctor of Management, Organizational Leadership” degree in September 2010 from The University of Phoenix School of Advanced Studies – a claim which was not supported when Nichole Dobo contacted the University of Phoenix for her first article about the Ann Lewis claim of earning a Ph.D. degree.
But there is a hidden issue/problem in quickly dealing with this Pencader situation: if you terminate Ann Lewis then who is a replacement? Not the current assistant school leader who has very limited experience. Probably no one else on the Pencader staff either. So the Pencader school board has a big complication if they were to terminate Ann Lewis, and this has made them cautious about dealing with Ann Lewis.
The summer may be the best time to terminate AnnLewis – by not renewing her contract. A qualified school leader, perhaps a temporary school leader, and an assistant school leader, could be found soon.
I bet Maurice Pritchett would run the school temporarily. The Board should at least ask him.
Yes, I bet he would. Temporarily and well because he probably already knows a bunch of the kids and their families.
Maurice Prichett is the best idea and the very most positive suggestion I have seen on this blog for weeks! Let’s give the students and teachers back the school they deserve and one they can be proud of. You want to see enrollment go up? Here’s a good place to start. Pencader Board? DOE? Let’s go!
No need for the backhanded compliment. This blog is one of a very few places willing to confront the mess at Pencader. I have NEVER wished it ill, ever.
Please accept my rewrite:
Maurice Prichett is the best idea and the very most positive suggestion I have seen regarding the Pencader mess for weeks! Let’s give the students and teachers back the school they deserve and one they can be proud of. You want to see enrollment go up? Here’s a good place to start. Pencader Board? DOE? Let’s go!
“AndAnotherPencaderParent” if you still have a kid at this school, I urge you to organize and rally this change to save this school. A great place to start is your child, and have them spread it on facebook.
I can understand how Harrie Ellen was sucked in and blinded. I can understand and forgive that. However, you have missed my point. She was extremely rude to parents over simple issues that she would not even take the time of day to discuss with them. She did listen to Lewis lies, and in the end it cost the school a lot of money in legal fees! If she had of listened, perhaps she would have seen the light a lot sooner.
Can you be specific and tell me who??? minnehanh@comcast.net I have been wracking my brain and I cannot recall an incident or incidents but I obviously need to apologize.
Yes, that is right, most likely. However, I submit that there are a good number of retired administrators (in DE, PA and NJ and MD) who would gladly come and help (within the allowable guidelines per pension requirements!) while the Board launched a very thorough and dedicated search for a good match. That would be a 6-8 month task probably, but well worth the “complication,” I believe. Match that against the very real “complications” of doing nothing, status quo….and do you really want to be standing up and justifying that stance to the taxpayer public? good luck!!
Does anyone know if anyone has contacted him? And does it matter anyway? Has the board elected/appointed/however that works, Ms. Lewis already anyway? Would the state let a school crumble if it crumbles in September or October or would they step in and take over the school? Will kids get the education they deserve and need this year if they stay? I am so confused I don’t even know what questions to ask anymore, or even who to ask them of.
I have no idea, I just threw it out there.
lol, not sure why but that just hit me so funny. I think I have yet to see you with ‘no idea’ and was not expecting that reply. H. Minnehan, do you have any ideas? About anthing that can be done?
This is quite an extraordinary situation. Mr. Pritchett served CSD with distinction for 30 years.
Actually, I know Mr. Pritchett well because he was my principal in Christina for 16 years. One of the most highly principled people I know. I know he now runs an organization called Pritchett Associates which is comprised mostly of retired teachers and admin who go in and do exactly what Pencader needs. Whether or not he’d do something like this I don’t know and I can’t speak for him. Something really major needs to be done, however. If this new Board just sits back and rubber stamps the current situation that will be, I believe, disastrous given the press coverage and the community “knowledge” of the shanangians at Pencader. They have to be swift and bold and show that they are going to redesign the school leadership and give it a whole new face. I believe the school is definitely worth saving and can be saved but it has to look like a “new” school at this point. In other words, Mrs. Lewis and her team have to go someplace else to play their games.
Have you talked to him about this?
I haven’t.
Only in general terms about the situation. As a lifelong and highly honored educator he is very disturbed by the whole situation and is watching it closely, hoping the Board will do the right thing Thursday. I have no idea what he has on his professional plate right now but I can tell you he is a man (and is wife is just like him) committed 100% to kids and giving them the best. For him it is not a game.
Sorry to bother you Ms. Minnehan, have you talked to anyone on the current board, do you know what they might do on Thursday? Is that when a decision about Ms. Lewis is to take place?
It certainly is not on the agenda.
From what I hear they are to make several decisions: their new board should elect (NOT appoint as the Agenda says) officers. I would think that they’d make a decision about Mrs. Lewis also. They must act, in my view, to quiet the uproar in the community. Lewis is requesting teachers to come out Thurs night, I guess as character references for her “side” of the story. I think as many people as possible who care about the school, its reputation and its future should attend. Several current board members think all decisions “have already been made by Ms. Kennedy and Mrs. Lewis.” Shocking, huh? We know Lewis has a new definition for “volunteer” so I guess there’s a new one for “democracy” and “public institution” as well.
What do I think they will do? Probably the wrong thing! The entire board except one is conflicted and by that I mean they are not neutral, they are either teachers or parents so their objectivity/neutrality is questioned. Teachers are afraid of losing their jobs, parents are afraid of retribution against their kids, etc. However, the right thing has to be done for the kids, all the kids not just the kids of the board members or the kids of Team Lewis. I want desperately to believe in the integrity of people. Let us hope they do the right thing. It is time to rebuild Pencader. You rebuild with new materials. Right down to the base.
It’s signs of some terrible things going on at both the school and state level. They hide behind walls so that they do not have to address the foul play. It is just horrible. I think your video about the news reporter was perfect fit for our state and Pencader. For the first time in my life, I really resent having to pay taxes to this state.
I wish I had just a dime (oh, wait, I was a volunteer….make that a couple of thousand $$) for every time I asked a question about something that seemed fishy. The answer I often got was, “Oh, there is just so much you don’t know about high school.” Yeah… well, in perfect hindsight it looks like I knew plenty but nobody wanted to open their eyes…..
My only problem with you Ms. Minnehan is your treatment of parents that did come to you (not about these specific issues), but other issues with Lewis.
Like so many others, and as I’ve said before, in the beginning I was conned. Ann Lewis can be very charismatic, very charming and appears often times, particularly in initial meetings or if she needs you for something, very knowledgeable. I have always thought I was insightful and intuitive about people and their motivations and I will admit this lady caught me. Not for long, but she did in the beginning. Once she realized that I was not a “follower” Team Lewis reorganized and set out to destroy me and anyone in their way (that means anybody who didn’t ask for seconds from the Kool-Aid pitcher.) Did DOE know? I told folks there a million times, by email and in person. I guess they didn’t believe me out there crying “Wolf!”
So is that an apology? Just checking because I am not sure.
I am sorry that I didn’t see through this lady a lot sooner….a lot!
How about that photograph in Dobo’s story that showed Lewis sitting at the head of the table for the Board meeting. She should have a secondary seat. The Board CAN NOT BE LED by the person they are responsible for hiring, firing and evaluating.
saw that!! Accidental, I’m sure!!
As the Board MUST monitor and assess the school leader, the questions you asked shouldn’t have been avoided by such a statement. That should only have led to a polite, ‘well please let’s take the time for you to educate me with the particulars.’.Not to say in hindsight. But going forward, every charter and district board should be on notice to get the facts they are legally responsible for getting.
By the way, Terry Schooley said her task force would be up and running by the end of July. Anyone heard ANYTHING?
Regarding comments from Susan and delawareway: the school board president is in a delicate position when presented with a parent’s view of a situation and the school leader’s view. In the beginning Harrie Ellen Minnehan may have given more credibility to Ann Lewis, and her comments, than to one parent with a complaint, as Harrie Ellen knew Ann from working together at Pencader. With enough complaints the balance of judgment might favor the complaints of several parents. Harrie Ellen taught for over 31 years, in seven school districts, even in a Convent school in New York City and a Protestant School District in Montreal plus inner city schools in Wilmington, DE and Richmond, California. Plus she was a teacher’s union officer for multiple years and heard many complaints from teachers! She has heard a lot of complaints from parents, so she does not avoid listening to complaints.
The situation has been complicated at Pencader because Ann Lewis was trying to control the flow of information and did not welcome any questions about school affairs from Harrie Ellen or other board members. Ann Lewis was determined to keep the school board as uniformed/ignorant and powerless as possible; probably to hide/conceal the pension situation that today’s newspaper describes, as well as other problems like the Lehane’s bus contract and some issues that have not been publically discussed to date. Hence Ann’s comments to Harrie Ellen that she doesn’t understand how to run a high school are indicative of an arrogance that makes Ann difficult to work with at times. According to the the Ann Lewis resume at Pencader she was a classroom teacher from 1985 to 1992 at Gerorge Read Middle School and then from 1994-1997 at Concord High School. She was in (private business) school curriculum related consulting type positions from 1997 through to 2009 when she began the Pencader job as Dean of Instruction. Note that Ann Lewis had no actual experience as a school leader/administrator until she arrived at Pencader.This undated resume lists a “Doctor of Management, Organizational Leadership” degree in September 2010 from The University of Phoenix School of Advanced Studies – a claim which was not supported when Nichole Dobo contacted the University of Phoenix for her first article about the Ann Lewis claim of earning a Ph.D. degree.
But there is a hidden issue/problem in quickly dealing with this Pencader situation: if you terminate Ann Lewis then who is a replacement? Not the current assistant school leader who has very limited experience. Probably no one else on the Pencader staff either. So the Pencader school board has a big complication if they were to terminate Ann Lewis, and this has made them cautious about dealing with Ann Lewis.
The summer may be the best time to terminate AnnLewis – by not renewing her contract. A qualified school leader, perhaps a temporary school leader, and an assistant school leader, could be found soon.
I bet Maurice Pritchett would run the school temporarily. The Board should at least ask him.
Yes, I bet he would. Temporarily and well because he probably already knows a bunch of the kids and their families.
Maurice Prichett is the best idea and the very most positive suggestion I have seen on this blog for weeks! Let’s give the students and teachers back the school they deserve and one they can be proud of. You want to see enrollment go up? Here’s a good place to start. Pencader Board? DOE? Let’s go!
No need for the backhanded compliment. This blog is one of a very few places willing to confront the mess at Pencader. I have NEVER wished it ill, ever.
Please accept my rewrite:
Maurice Prichett is the best idea and the very most positive suggestion I have seen regarding the Pencader mess for weeks! Let’s give the students and teachers back the school they deserve and one they can be proud of. You want to see enrollment go up? Here’s a good place to start. Pencader Board? DOE? Let’s go!
“AndAnotherPencaderParent” if you still have a kid at this school, I urge you to organize and rally this change to save this school. A great place to start is your child, and have them spread it on facebook.
I can understand how Harrie Ellen was sucked in and blinded. I can understand and forgive that. However, you have missed my point. She was extremely rude to parents over simple issues that she would not even take the time of day to discuss with them. She did listen to Lewis lies, and in the end it cost the school a lot of money in legal fees! If she had of listened, perhaps she would have seen the light a lot sooner.
Can you be specific and tell me who??? minnehanh@comcast.net I have been wracking my brain and I cannot recall an incident or incidents but I obviously need to apologize.
Yes, that is right, most likely. However, I submit that there are a good number of retired administrators (in DE, PA and NJ and MD) who would gladly come and help (within the allowable guidelines per pension requirements!) while the Board launched a very thorough and dedicated search for a good match. That would be a 6-8 month task probably, but well worth the “complication,” I believe. Match that against the very real “complications” of doing nothing, status quo….and do you really want to be standing up and justifying that stance to the taxpayer public? good luck!!
Who is Maurice Prichett?
http://www.connecting-generations.org/pdfs/Awards/Maurice%20Pritchet%20bio.pdf
Does anyone know if anyone has contacted him? And does it matter anyway? Has the board elected/appointed/however that works, Ms. Lewis already anyway? Would the state let a school crumble if it crumbles in September or October or would they step in and take over the school? Will kids get the education they deserve and need this year if they stay? I am so confused I don’t even know what questions to ask anymore, or even who to ask them of.
I have no idea, I just threw it out there.
lol, not sure why but that just hit me so funny. I think I have yet to see you with ‘no idea’ and was not expecting that reply. H. Minnehan, do you have any ideas? About anthing that can be done?
This is quite an extraordinary situation. Mr. Pritchett served CSD with distinction for 30 years.
Actually, I know Mr. Pritchett well because he was my principal in Christina for 16 years. One of the most highly principled people I know. I know he now runs an organization called Pritchett Associates which is comprised mostly of retired teachers and admin who go in and do exactly what Pencader needs. Whether or not he’d do something like this I don’t know and I can’t speak for him. Something really major needs to be done, however. If this new Board just sits back and rubber stamps the current situation that will be, I believe, disastrous given the press coverage and the community “knowledge” of the shanangians at Pencader. They have to be swift and bold and show that they are going to redesign the school leadership and give it a whole new face. I believe the school is definitely worth saving and can be saved but it has to look like a “new” school at this point. In other words, Mrs. Lewis and her team have to go someplace else to play their games.
Have you talked to him about this?
I haven’t.
Only in general terms about the situation. As a lifelong and highly honored educator he is very disturbed by the whole situation and is watching it closely, hoping the Board will do the right thing Thursday. I have no idea what he has on his professional plate right now but I can tell you he is a man (and is wife is just like him) committed 100% to kids and giving them the best. For him it is not a game.
Sorry to bother you Ms. Minnehan, have you talked to anyone on the current board, do you know what they might do on Thursday? Is that when a decision about Ms. Lewis is to take place?
It certainly is not on the agenda.
From what I hear they are to make several decisions: their new board should elect (NOT appoint as the Agenda says) officers. I would think that they’d make a decision about Mrs. Lewis also. They must act, in my view, to quiet the uproar in the community. Lewis is requesting teachers to come out Thurs night, I guess as character references for her “side” of the story. I think as many people as possible who care about the school, its reputation and its future should attend. Several current board members think all decisions “have already been made by Ms. Kennedy and Mrs. Lewis.” Shocking, huh? We know Lewis has a new definition for “volunteer” so I guess there’s a new one for “democracy” and “public institution” as well.
What do I think they will do? Probably the wrong thing! The entire board except one is conflicted and by that I mean they are not neutral, they are either teachers or parents so their objectivity/neutrality is questioned. Teachers are afraid of losing their jobs, parents are afraid of retribution against their kids, etc. However, the right thing has to be done for the kids, all the kids not just the kids of the board members or the kids of Team Lewis. I want desperately to believe in the integrity of people. Let us hope they do the right thing. It is time to rebuild Pencader. You rebuild with new materials. Right down to the base.