It troubled me greatly to read of the error on the part of the
Human Relations Department of the Gilroy Unified School District
that put the district in financial peril.
Dear Editor,
It troubled me greatly to read of the error on the part of the Human Relations Department of the Gilroy Unified School District that put the district in financial peril.
What troubled me even more was the cavalier attitude of the superintendent and the board president toward an error in the range of $2 million. According to Board President Rhoda Bress, “fortunately we didn’t have to address that … we didn’t have the opportunity or need to discuss the options because it all worked out.” Superintendent Deborah Flores said the administrative error could have been an issue had the budget scenario turned out differently. This seems to be a different approach than was expressed when the same administration made a $5.6 million error a few years ago by leaving a tax override off the property tax bills. It all worked out, too, except for the fact that a loyal, hard-working, 10-year plus employee was fired months later after being wrongly accused of errors, including the tax bill oversight.
Before that, due to a poor job of research, an HR administrator was hired, who had been accused of having workplace issues in another district. He was summarily fired. It was his fault for embarrassing the superintendent.
This brings us to the horrible handling of the Jack Daley situation, where it appears a different standard has been applied than for a $2 million error. Any reasoning person knows that background checking and license verification is a normal every day responsibility of an HR department. Yet the administration would have us believe it is the athletic director’s responsibility? Further, they expect us to believe that Jack Daley knowingly let a coach drive with a suspended license?
Anyone who knows Jack Daley would never believe that, as his whole life is dedicated to the growth and protection of kids – every waking hour. If the superintendent and Board knew Jack Daley they wouldn’t believe it for a second either. Unfortunately, this is an example of an administration and Board hopelessly out of touch with the people they are supposed to serve.
This administration would also have us believe that others have been punished as part of the Alvin Harrison episode. Then why do we not know who they are? They are protected due to confidentiality issues because it is a personnel matter, so they say. So then, why was Jack Daley publicly fired and humiliated?
There is a great risk that is undertaken when those who would rule do not respect the intelligence of their constituents. In another illogical quote Bress indicated, “No one but Mr. Harrison is to blame for his actions,” Really? Then why has a fine human being been put through this atrocity when absolutely no one outside the administration and Board agrees with this action?
Please join Jack Daley’s supporters by coming to the next school board meeting on June 16 to peacefully express that support and pursue justice for a wonderful human being.
M. Peterson, Gilroy
