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SMUSHD: Suspensions Avoided, Litigation Continues

We have another page in the long-running saga of what happened between a Mills teacher and her student over a test and alleged threats to the teacher.  The focus shifted mainly to what the school and district administration did or didn't do about it.  You can read, and read, and read some of the background here starting last August.  The DJ is reporting on the maneuvers that go all the way to the Attorney General's office

Former Superintendent Dr. Kevin Skelly; Dr. Kirk Black, deputy superintendent of Human Resources and Student Services; and Pamela Duszynski, Mills High School principal, faced suspensions of their education credentials due to mismanagement claims brought by a Mills High School teacher.  Following an investigation, the Committee on Credentials, the investigative arm of the state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing, recommended suspensions of 120 days for Duszynski, 30 days for Skelly and 14 days for Black.

But an appeals process that went all the way up to the Attorney General’s Office reversed that decision. In short, district spokesperson Laura Chalkley said in an email, Attorney General Rob Bonta referred the matter back to the CTC that then opted against prosecuting the administrators.

That's all a bit interesting.  The state's investigative arm finds cause for suspensions, but the AG picks up the flag and punts it back to the CTC.  Perhaps we will get some more details about that call.  If I were the investigator, I'd be feeling miffed right about now.  But the story isn't over

While the case before the CTC may be complete, (Mills High School teacher Patricia) Peterson said she is still pursuing her legal battle against the district, noting the core of the matter is the well-being of students.  “I’m disappointed and still seeking justice through litigation,” Peterson said. “I’m bummed that the AG’s decision condoned such practices perpetuated by the administrators. … It’s disappointing but we’ve got another case.”

With a lot of litigation moving at a snail's pace in the County, who knows how long this might go on?

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53 responses to “SMUSHD: Suspensions Avoided, Litigation Continues”

  1. Skelly-Gate- Public Record Request Ignored- Again

    If you can’t follow the law then resign as a Trustee.
    The Public Record Act was created to
    “facilitate more accountability within the government to the public, and to promote the disclosure of governmental operations to the public.”
    So what are you hiding Trustee Land?
    You are Burlingame’s Single District Representative
    A document that was suppressed for over a year, dated September 10, 2021 was recently disclosed.
    There is no record of an agenda, public disclosure, or published minutes, yet the letter sits on Board Letterhead, contains a “Unanimous” vote, and was sent via Federal Express using the public’s money.
    That is the public’s business.
    The contents of the SMUHSD Trustees Letter has been shown to be false and that the solicitors intended (and succeeded) to defraud the Trustees to lie to the CTC Investigation. The objective- to lodge known false statements and evidence with the commissions investigation.
    According to law, the Trustees letter is submitted under the penalty of perjury.
    The September 10, 2021 document,
    “Letter of Support for Ms. Melissa Murphy from Governing Board of the San Mateo Union High School District” is a fraud as was the intent of those who secretly solicited the Trustees to produce it.
    -A public record act request has been filed- and ignored- for the PUBLIC INFORMATION used to produce this document.
    1. Who solicited the SMUHSD to produce the letter?
    2. Who provided the information that was used to construct the letter. The information is FACTUALLY false as the SMUHSD actually holds the documents to prove the letter FALSE.
    3. Who provided the legal support and writing for the letter. The SMUHSD’s Legal Advisor, San Mateo County Counsel John Nibbelin was strategically removed from the process, yet he was CC’d on the letter.
    4. Where is the public agenda, recording of procedures and votes, and listing of minutes of this document? This is required under the law.
    A public board is not to be “hired out” so that its actions and the public’s authority and tax dollars can be used to cover up local, state, and federal crimes.
    A Public Record Request of the Public’s Business is the law.
    Trustee Land should model a lesson in ethics and civics by setting an example for his Middle School Students to promote honesty, ethics and transparency in public leadership.
    “Sunlight is said to be the best disinfectant.”

  2. Cassandra

    Remind us what this is all about?
    Maybe three sentences…

  3. OneManginiWay

    Three points rather than three sentences… (and a few additional words)
    1. The defrauding of the public by the SMUHSD, its Trustees, and Superintendents.
    2. The Misappropriation of public funds of (estimated) almost $1 million in tax-payers money for fraudulent investigation and legal expenses.
    3. The destruction of the history and traditions of Burlingame High School by the (internal) Carpetbaggers who literally hate the town, its parents, (and their public standing) and the values of the community. (But love the money the parents give to put in their pocket)
    The BV has been the literal (and intentional) roadside billboard to document these actions.
    Why?-So the SM County Grand Jury can (once again) revisit the facts of what has transpired.

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