Supporters rally to back beleaguered principal - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2015-05-09

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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, May 9 Jackson County deputies searching for wanted man after pursuit Medford schools still filling admin roles Amid the drought, Medford's water supplies still ample Nashville singer/songwriter with local ties dies of cancer Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, May 9 Jackson County deputies searching for wanted man after pursuit Medford man sentenced in machete attack Suspect in OSP meth stop will face federal charges Emergency services Politics and Elections Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Education Medford schools still filling admin roles Appeals court rules against Central Point schools on bus outsourcing Hedrick principal to take helm at North Medford High School More kindergartners vaccinated in 2015 Elementary students honor local police officers Environment Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Crater Lake may soon have China connection State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks Stopping fire in its tracks Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford State News Obama makes pitch on trade deal at Nike: 'Just do it' Forecast for 2015 predicts busy wildfire season Cheers and protest signs greet President Obama in Oregon Oregon Senate OKs bill banning 'conversion therapy' Police: Welsh man traveled to Oregon to have sex with girl Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Dorothy Evans Helen Nadine Sankey Dickie Miles Hayes Nita Day Layne Alan Battenfield Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Crater's Oshiro, Giles qualify for state tourney South Medford splits SWC doubleheader Rose's buzzer-beater sinks Cavs Trio of Raiders shine as CC meet opens Beavers' Moore shuts out Utah, 3-0 Varsity 541 College Sports Trio of Raiders shine as CC meet opens Beavers' Moore shuts out Utah, 3-0 Oregon clinches share of Pac-12 title Ex-Panthers Baldovino, Owirka earn honors In the zone Pro Sports Rose's buzzer-beater sinks Cavs Newman deals with penalties after appeal denied Kelly, Na share lead at Players Championship Four tied for lead at Players Many happy returns for Singler Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories People in Business Business briefs: Avista, Mcintosh, BOLI Blog: 1-800-Flowers.com SEC filing provides peek into Harry & David revenue and cost figures Blog: Mom is Our Hero! 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Most members of the board were among Fitzsimmons' supporters, as the board heard a report on the discipline controversy that erupted two weeks ago after a photo of a Lincoln first-grader serving detention during lunch for tardiness — his view of fellow students blocked by a cardboard partition — went viral on Facebook. The district has since changed Lincoln's policy — each school's policy is different and implemented by the particular school's principal — providing for a separate room to be used for students in detention. Superintendent John Higgins told the board he has asked Human Resources Director Dan Huber-Kantola to take a look at each school's detention policy, which school officials refer to as "attendance/tardiness catch-up learning protocol." "The matter was resolved in accordance with established district complaint resolution policy," Higgins said. "The parents met with Principal Fitzsimmons to share their concerns, and Director Kantola was there." Higgins went on to talk of the large volume of phone calls and emails received throughout last week. The nationwide attention disrupted access to both the district office and Lincoln Elementary, he said. "The vast majority of these responses were from uninformed, out-of-state respondents who used profanities, obscenities and threatening language directed toward our school and personnel," Higgins said. "The content of these calls made it clear that the callers had no knowledge of our district and the wonderful learning community Lincoln is and has become under the leadership of Principal Fitzsimmons." Fitzsimmons defended the policy, saying partitions are used in schools across the country and that the goal is for the student to catch up on classwork that was missed due to tardiness. "No way was this intended to be isolation," she said. Alyson Berg, a fifth-grade teacher at Lincoln, broke into tears several times during her public comment address to the board in support of Fitzsimmons. "Fitz is a valued and beloved principal," she said. "While the rest of the world is clinging to the (Facebook photo) we are moving on and doing what we do." School Board Chairman Cliff Kuhlman echoed Berg's "move on" philosophy. The board did not take any action on the subject. "I read a lot of emails. They were all from back East. I didn't answer them," Kuhlman said. "I'm not accountable to people in New Jersey or Florida. I am accountable to Grants Pass." Board member Kathy Luther also was moved to tears as she spoke. "This is my family," she said of the Lincoln elementary staff. "These people helped me raise my three kids … Missy you've been a great principal … You should all feel very proud of yourselves for what you do." By Ruth Longoria Kingsland Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Ruth Longoria Kingsland Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Mar. 11, 2015 at 4:56 PM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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