The Tucson Weekly was going to press during today’s Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind board meeting. Look in Thursday’s issue for a story on student demands and staff concerns.
The board of directors of the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind decided today to hire an independent investigator to look into all complaints against its administration.
The special meeting was held at the capitol in Phoenix to address five formal complaints from staff members and the community from ASDB. More than 80 people filled the small conference room, with a dozen spilling into the hallway rendering the governor’s conference room standing-room only.
A main concern was the recent decision to not renew ASDB administrator Nancy Amann’s contract, an issue which has sparked student-led protests calling for the resignation of Superintendent Robert Hill and board president Bernhardt Jones and to reinstate Amann. Staff members are fearful of being put on administrative leave when standing up for students, Amann’s administrative assistant and interpreter Jessica Boof Sizemore told the Range at the meeting.
Throughout March and April, according to all of the speakers, their questions have not been answered by any board member and since April they have not seen or heard from Hill. Today was the first time he had been seen in weeks, they said.
At the end of the meeting, Jones provided Hill with an excuse, saying that the superintendent’s mother has been ill.
Several ASDB staff and community members were able to speak to the board. Jones made it clear to only comment on the issues explicitly on the agenda — which did not include the students’ demands to reinstate Amann. Hill did not speak and Jones thanked each speaker at the end of their three minutes.
The requests and comments from speakers including a request for a neutral mediator and the resignation of Hill. Parent Rob Voreck said he supported Hill five years ago but did not recognize the man sitting in front of him.
“He used to bend over backwards and now he is only interested in himself,” Voreck told the board. “I don’t understand what’s happened but I know he isn’t wanted anymore.”
A spokesperson from the National Association of the Deaf told the board this is affecting the students’ futures and she recommended an independent party to address the issues. “This isn’t to be taken lightly,” she said.
Parent Becca Bailey asked through an interpreter to revisit Hill’s contract and the board’s because their terms are currently expired. “Nancy is leadership, we need to renew her contract,” Bailey said.
Student body vice president Sabrina Shysh came from Tucson with three other students, including student body president Juliana Apfel. Shysh took the floor first and was initially told she could not be heard because her request and reasons to reinstate Amann were not on the agenda.
Immediately, the room grew tense. Apfel, sitting in the last row, stood up and demanded to let her and her fellow students be heard.
Jones allowed the students to continue, starting with Shysh.
“Nancy has always been available to talk. Robert Hill has not, where have you been?” said Shysh.
After two hours the board went into a private executive meeting. Audience members shouted for Hill to not attend, but he did.
Before the boards’ decision, Voreck said he believes that Hill and Jones’ conflict of interest is intentional (that they run a business together that certifies American Sign Language interpreters), but that Hill originally portrayed the students’ outrage as a deaf community versus hearing community issue.
After 45 minutes, the board returned and said they would now look at bringing in an outside investigator for the allegations of conflict of interest. They did not comment on Hill’s status. Board member G. Michael Williams said he will lead the search for an investigator who will work as a neutral party.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 20 in Phoenix.
This article appears in Apr 25 – May 1, 2013.
Nothing in here says WHY Nancy Amann’s contract was not re-newed. Selective journalism. The student protesters did not seem to understand the underlying issues other than their “nice” former assistant supt being put on LOA “for apparently no reason” and their beloved teacher dismissed and escorted off campus “for no reason.” That is all they know. They are being coached by school faculty what to say. Some students even think the board wants to close the school which is far from the truth. That idea was implanted by a group of people who are close friends of Nancy Amann and her husband because of the association between Jones and Hill back in Nebraska where a state school for the deaf there closed. This group believes Jones was responsible for closing the school there in Nebraska – the key word is “believe.” Not fact.
The fact is Amann is facing nine separate charges including misuse of state funds, altering job descriptions and pay scales to hire preferred people, allowing the said people start work without proper authorization and illegal search of a vehicle. These are serious.
What this group of people fail to disclose is the board DOES NOT answer to protests or community. They answer to the GOVERNOR’S office. The board members are appointed by the Governor’s office. With the type of charges Nancy Amman is facing, it is very properly expected that the Governor’s office will require Amman to respond to those charges. The board is NOT going to allow Amman get her job back until those 9 charges are responded.
Basically the people protesting are wasting their time and energy. Board will require Amman to present her case to the board and they will deliberate upon her responses before deciding whether to allow her back to work.
As for Hill, like they said – all things said about him have been hearsay without any evidence whatsoever. The community is basically angered that he charged Nancy with these 9 violations when in reality, it was not entirely Hill who came up with all those 9 charges. Some of them came from outside agencies that were independent of ASDB agency and some of them came from parents (Literacy Camp) and apparently an employee (illegal search of vehicle). Many of them came from two state audits.
This group of pro-Amann orchestrated a very clever strategy of diversion by upsetting the community over Layton (the teacher) dismissal and kept the community focused on Layton, Hill and Jones rather than Nancy Amann. Folks, Nancy Amann is the real problem as far as the board and the Governor’s office are concerned. Layton is Human Resource problem. He did not complete his probation and could be dismissed at any time for any reason so he is really non-issue. If the Agriculture program is back up, he can re-apply and get his job back.
This group also recruited Facundo Element – a community page on Facebook – whose adminstrator was instrumental to Gallaudet’s second protest to remove the newly appointed president by go after the board and finally delivering the petition of “no confidence” in the new president. This group dipped into using his experience and strategies in their attempt to get Amann back. FE has a strong deaf community and Deafhood fan base….and these fans are considered as deaf militants and extremists which is to say they will do ANYthing and at any COST to get Amann back – the truth is not important….getting back a DEAF person is more important. Unfortunately the Phoenix and Tucson deaf communities resorted to typical sheep behavior, listening to one-sided information feed to them by this group without understanding or knowing all the facts. This is a very typical behavior in a minority group – blindingly accepting words of their so-called leaders.
Very typical? All I see is Superintendent Hill isn’t admitting that ASDB/PDSD needs help. He needs to see that he does not have control over students’ feelings of desperation. This is his students’ desire to address ASDB/PDSD matters TOO. However without recognizing the system at the school is broken, this cannot be achieved. As ASDB/PDSD got a large number of people of good will, the Supt needs to see the real goal to change things so these good people have the necessary institutional support. As Supt is not seeing it is his duty to see such direction is in place, this is the Board’s obligation to see to changes in dire need. I am seeing good name and functioning of ASDB/PDSD is at risk. The damage is done when well meaning and hardworking people have to work in an environment without direction. ASDB/PDSD students deserve better top to bottom. They deserve staff with high morale, communication between staff and parents and administration. It is hard for parents to keep on sending their children to school, when they know how much turmoil they are witnessing on a daily basis. And, their children can sense it. ASDB/PDSD needs decisive action to establish a strong and improving educational environment for the children. With all the parties, Board and staff members, teachers, and students they can only work effectively when there is solid leadership of the school. ASDB/PDSD matters.
paige.
how much time did Hill give Amann to respond to the charges?
what are the procedures to put one on an administrative leave?
were the procedures followed prior to Amann’s admin. leave?
and yes, facundo element is taking this seriously.
justice long delayed is justice denied. – mlk, jr.
bernhardt jones and robert hill will be held accountable for their actions.
fe
p.s. “This is a very typical behavior in a minority group…” … This is historically a very typical response coming from oppressors everywhere.
Tina Jo – you know how? You live in CA. You are getting second-handed information. You are hearing all this from FE, the deaf leaders, Voreck group, etc. Without bothering to look at the real problem. Those who know Nancy say she was the one who was promoting hostile climate there. She is not called Queen Bee for nothing. She stings. Outsiders need to keep in mind they are not HERE in AZ and need to stay neutral unless they KNOW the facts. You are focusing on the STUDENTS? What I have SEEN, they are so clueless. They are puppeteered. A DIVERSION. The real issue is Nancy herself. Nobody else. Do not use others to hide the real issues. Nancy has to face the music and answer to all those indictments. They did not appear by themselves as if magic. There is evidence to back those up. Of which the deaf leaders choose to look the other way because of her family reputation. That is no excuse. Hill is clearly not a good leader, yes, but the least of the problems at the moment, really. He will be addressed at a later time, I imagine. Forgive me for not being a SHEEP!
It only takes one to figure out the connections. Facundo Element has two board members who are in the same sorority as Nancy Amann is- PKZ. Once someone said PKZ, PKZ comes in and do anything they can to cover up their wrongdoings. ASDB and PDSD has tons tons of PKZ connections. Nancy for one, Layton’s wife, PDSD principal and its staff, and Facundo Element. Just google up PKZ sorority directory and you will see tons tons of the names connected to this and that.
Facundo Element and PKZ sorority together.. equals social injustice. 2 PKZ out, and more to go!
We are minority group only because e behave like one.group think rather than being an intelligent group capable of independent thinking and not oppressing others who are not falling into their lines of thinking. FE….you are sending the distress call to call all the sheep to fall into your line and do your bidding. Nancy already has time to prepare her case and is doing that as we speak unless you don’t realize it? She was given time to respond and present her defense to the board within 60-90 days. I’d she is able to give a good defense and case I’m sure she will get her job back.
Any claims that Dr. Amann had adequate time to respond to the allegations made against her are false.
She had been placed on administrative leave for nearly two months, pending an “investigation” into her conduct. It wasn’t until the board was presented with her contract renewal that Hill suddenly dumped a nearly 20 page document of allegations against Dr. Amann.
She had only 15 minutes to read the allegations and defend against such allegations as such and yet the board voted along “hearing vs. disabled” lines 4-3 to not renew her contract.
Even after the vote, one of the board members who voted in favor of not renewing her contract approached her after the meeting and apologized after seeing the reaction from every one in attendance and wanted the Board to reconsider its vote.
The Board’s agenda is controlled by the Board President, Bern Jones, with collaboration of the Supt, Robert Hill, who happens to be a close friend of Jones and is personally engaged in separate business matters with Jones as well, in a clear conflict of interest.
The board meeting on Tuesday was a farce as President Jones willfully and intentionally disregarded requests from the community as well as other board members to include additional agenda items, among which one that would have resulted in a vote of Hill being placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.
Jones refused to do so in an act of intentional conflict of interest, which is a Class 6 felony, under Arizona law, in order to save his relationship with Supt. Hill.
I am so tired of the good people in the deaf community being called deaf militants!!! What is that??? They are not militant they are proud!!!! They do not want or need hearing people to “help” they are capable!!! So I guess Dr MLK was a militant too…..NO he was not!! He was a proud black man tired of the oppression!!! As are the wonderful people over at FE!!!! Idle NO MORE EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL!!!! I myself am a hearing person born to deaf parents with a deaf son of my own!!! I have seen the oppression and I for one am tired!!!! GET EDUCATED PEOPLE!!! See the issues through deaf eyes!! STOP with the Deaf militant BULLS&*%#!!!!! They are proud educated people who are tired of being treated as second class!!! I will always Support my deaf community and APPLAUSE HANDS WAVING to FE for not putting up with this ANYMORE THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW!!!!!!
You know the popular quote, “if it is not broke, don’t fix it.” Hill was absolutely wrong to change culture, just to satisfied his needs and not putting SCHOOL priority first. Board ignoring students’ voice are calamity of EDUCATION.
Paige – Although it may be more convenient to state that the ASDB issues are “Deaf vs. hearing” that is simply not the case. The current administration has failed to communicate with the students and parents. Without us the administration would not have a job. I take offense when you say the students are “sheep” and “clueless”. They have seen first hand the opportunities like the AG program and summer camp being taken from them by Hill Et al. The students are the ones who have been suffering from the admins decisions so they are voicing their concerns. Why is it so easy for you to attack them? Wrong on so many levels. Let’s put the focus back where it should be. On the kids. Instead of attack mode let’s communicate…….. Sincerely – a hearing parent of 2 Deaf kids that will never EVER be clueless sheep. Notice that in my communication I am not slandering the administration although I could say a few choice words but I believe we should respect each other and work for a common goal. That approach seems rare these days. Look at my profile pic and try to say what you said before to him. Not easy when they are staring you in the face, is it?
Be sure the investigator has background in disability, be familiar with deaf culture and sensitive to communication needs between BOTH hearing and deaf people.
How come governor is not involve qqq .
Did you know…Cliff Rowley, board member on ASDB is father to Nancy Amann’s childhood best friend Amy Rowley…who were involved in a federal lawsuit in 1982- same sorority.
Did you know Harvey Goodstein is Alan’s uncle? and Harvey’s wife is also PKZ.
Did you know the woman from CA commenting here is also PKZ
FE board members are also PKZ.. Kristen Weiner and Lauren Simms.
Just google Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority Directory. Use it as your reference every time someone objects to an independent voice.
Notice FE’s facebook cover has owl eyes? PKZ’s mascot is an owl.
where is the neutrality?
truth will prevail.
PKZ OWLS flying all over ASDB and PDSD.
To Natalie do you realize there are only 2 Deaf soroities in the country so ummmm yeah You will see alot of connections..thats inevitable there are only 2 to get involved with……Again EDUCATE YOURSELVES!!!!!! This has nothing to do wth PKZ this has to do with The rights of these students as a whole!! EDUCATION IS KEY PEOPLE!!!
I am so disappointed with the secrecy that makes this so difficult to completely understand. I am also disappointed with the deteriorating system that my daughter and my family should have available to her/us but doesn’t. Clearly, there is something wrong with a system that can create such confusion, distrust, and upset. It seems to me we need a complete flush and start-over that includes and involves the students, families, and community that are affected. I am curious to know who’s responsible for the ASDC conference that was supposed to be this summer but has been postponed until next year (that’s the claim anyway). Another example of administrative failure at ASDB.
Just a FYI, the annual ASDC (American Society of Deaf Children) conference was to be on ASDB campus in June. Because of the on-going dilemma the ASDC conference planners felt it was best to reschedule to next year at a different location, The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, MA from June 27 to 29, 2014.
Sarah Houston,
Only two sororities? How about taking Research 101 again? Gallaudet, NTID and CSUN have more than 20 Deaf sororities and fraternities. Not two. Check your facts before assuming. Ditto with FE followers.
Smart move by Hill and Jones to suspend the farming program because it aint sending deaf students to college, they will be indentured servants. and of course,obvious when u visit school- 90 percent white teachers dominating over over 50 percent of hispanic students.
See the Fall 2012 state audit report? AIM scores suck, their reading level is even much lower than the national average of all deaf students. 3rd grade reading level by hs graduation. national average is 4th grade.
audit also says low numbers of qualified certified teachers and too much focus on sports, out of state trips and entertainment trips.
So Natalie – we need to DO something to fix that. Hill and Jones could care less about the kids. Literacy Summer Camp – cancelled!!!!! Nancy was the force behind that camp and it was fabulous. That was helping the kids…. Hill won’t manage the camp himself. Laziness despite his 100k annual salary. Disgusting.
Colleen,
You know why camp was cancelled? Amann did not run it properly last summer along with her assistant Jessica Sizemore. They allowed younger students to stay overnight yet the official overnight camp application clearly stated only students from age 10 and up can attend. However, Amann and Sizemore didn’t follow policy by allowing two specific students, 6 and 8, and did not notify all parents of this, , thus denyinq equal access to all 6, 7, 8 and 9 year old students to the literacy camp except for two preferred students. Fortunately, another parent discovered this before camp began, contacted both, yet still they would not let her child attend. It was then realized that Amann and her assistant had been playing favoritism all along. That parent filed complaint thru US Dept of Education, Office of Civil Rights, and according to the parent, she also filed other complaints against both schools for not addressing immediate concerns of her child being sexual harassed and bullying for a whole year. PDSD is still on probation with the sexual harassment case.
As we all suspected, Amann and Svenninsven (both PKZ) had always been playing favoritism to specific students (such as their own children, staff’s’ or anyone they are very close with) and not others. Thus, camp will not be run by those unethical people ever again. Make clear sense now?
Well Scum Devil 666, maybe it has something to do with the fact the article is not linking to this site. Most sites will just reproduce the article, as was done in this case. It’s actually quite typical for sites on the Internet to do this. I am sure it was nothing personal towards you.
You have heard of the Internet and how it works right?
Rob Voreck and FE Butterfly have manipulated the URL addresses on their websites to block all society from reading debatable comments from real, local people who work at the schools.
An ethical entrepreneur for the deaf?
Their goal is to create an angry MOB from out-of-state deaf readers who are blocked from ALL facts in order to fulfill their mission of creating a deafhood “unity” to run the AZ state schools.
Rob Vorcek fingers the work of Superintendent Robert Hill and Dr. Bernhard Jones with EIPA, the Educational Interpreters Professional Assessment program, and their association with TASK12, with Jones as Director. It remains unclear whether these associations are professional, financial, advisory or fraternal. Apparently, by mentioning test fee costs and requirements that interpreters at ASDB must take these tests, Vorcek wants everyone to believe that there is a “conflict of interest.”
But really, whose interests?
Vorcek has his own interpreting business empire that includes his own family members, stretching from Arizona, Nevada and California at least. Perhaps Hill and Jones are his competition. Meanwhile, ASDB Board member Sheri Collins is the head of the Arizona Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which maintains a business relationship with Vorcek through contracts. This stinks more of “quid pro quo” than the Hill-Jones arrangement.
Kelly Murphy’s info. is accurate on the Literacy camp. There were other issues, including jeopardizing students’ well-being in the extreme heat. The price was over $35k, which ASDB does not have this year, but ironically Nancy Amann approved the spending of “trust funds” for Ms. Mazza’s “International Studies” to France with an ASL specialist friend and her elite chosen students (including her son). Large amount of monies was also provided for ongoing remodeling and long distance traveling expenses for Sports, which highly-paid Mr. Decker (no P.E degree) accrued in 8 mos. alone.