Fred Was Special Ed?

A source from central office disclosed to parents and other attendees that Henrico’s Superintendent, Fred Morton, was a student with special needs when he was younger.  In addition, it was also shared that he failed the seventh grade.

This information was revealed during the most recent community meeting in which parents and educators expressed concern regarding Morton’s insensitivity and indifference to the needs of African-American students and students with special needs at Rolfe Middle School.

As one parent stated, “it is almost as though he purposefully is setting our children up for failure either out of ignorance or out of anger when he puts weak people like Mr. Amstrong, dangerous people like Kim Taylor, and lazy people like Sherri Little, Courtney Ellis, and Davina Johnson over the most important things to us.  They don’t do what is best for our kids and Morton supports them.  They are like educational child abusers and Morton is their leader.”

It was at that point that the central office staff member shared that they believed that Morton was neglecting and uncaring about black students and students with special needs because he, himself, was in special education and attended an all white school where he was not required to deal with blacks.

They also shared that Morton came from Montgomery county where there was not a diverse population of students and he was known to promote incompetent people there that were not good instructional leaders.   The records from Montgomery County indicate that parents and community leaders spoke out regarding his poor judgement and “good ol’e boy” mentality that did not act in the best interest of children then as well.

It was also shared that Morton had previous ties to Mycheal Dickerson, the county’s spokesperson and head of security from Montgomery County.  This would explain the motivation for Dickerson attempting to protect Morton by covering up, belittling, and discrediting the horrific conditions that exist at John Rolfe Middle School.

Further information from the central office contact also shared that Jean Murray, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, also had ties to Morton.  Days after being terminated from her previous school district, Morton reportedly hired her as the head of all curriculum and instruction….hmmmmmmm.

During the suspension hearing, Morton’s attorney, Bradford King, you remember the one that boldly stated that “IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER HE IS TELLING THE TRUTH OR NOT!” in response to Lucas’ statements that Morton’s documentation on his April 24, 2008 letter were inaccurate, (we wonder if King instills that within his own “rainbow children,” saying that it does not matter whether they tell the truth or not, if so, just like he said that he would not want Lucas over is child, no other person is going to want to deal with the children of an attorney that have no reverence for the truth)…..chances are they will not get the same white treatment as Morton or their father does by getting away with being a “professional deceiver” due to the fact that they will be viewed as “less than” by the same people that King is defending.

The fact is whether Morton is special ed or not, one thing is for certain, he is not the one to take Henrico County into the future.  Unfortunately, due to the school board’s preoccupation with their “good ol’e” boy system and protecting their own “white” power and standing, they are going to leave him there another year to make another mess, to destroy the lives of more children, to falsify documents and break laws for another educator, and to destroy yet another family…why?  ALL BECAUSE HE CAN.  We tend to think that it is the board members that have special ed issues, not just Morton.

More and more is being exposed about the corrupt ties that Fred Morton brought to Henrico County Public Schools that has lead to the district’s demise, blatant unethical behaviors, and constant violations of the law that have destroyed the lives of many children; all because of one incompetent, insecure, and ill-equipped leader that is permitted to continue his “reign of terror” for another twelve months with the blessings of an even more incompetent group of school board members.

KEEP UP THE NERVE!

 

Morton And The Board Hope That The Revolt Will Just “Die Down”

Central office staff shared that the goal of Morton and the other incompetent board members is to wait the revolt out that is choking the corruption, lies, deceit, and every other unspeakable act from hell out of their leadership.

They also shared that there has been talk of how to “settle” with Lucas in order to silence her not only as an employee, but also as a parent and up and rising community leaders.

Unfortunately, this is one instance in which things will not just, “go away” or “die down”.  The removal of those that sought to protect children against the corrupt and illegal bullies of Henrico Schools has resulted in even more public outrage and desire to remove not only Morton, but every school board member.  

During last night’s community meeting, an additional thirty parents came out and added their signatures to the removal petitions for the superintendent and the school board members that serve in their district.

As one parent stated, “if they thought it was bad before, then they are really in trouble now!”

Henrico Special Ed Teacher Jailed For Abuse After Administrators Did Nothing

See for yourself, Henrico has always been a district full of ignorant and insecure bullies like Armstrong, Morton, and Montgomery, that are so heartless that they would sacrifice the safety and well being of a child with special needs before they would follow the law to protect them.  There is definitely a special place in hell for them!:

“A few years back, the press reported my “whistle blowing” behavior in Richmond, VA. I, as a special education teacher, exposed the corrupt behavior of the Henrico County Public School administrators following the acts of an abusive teacher in their employ. I lifted the lumpy rug and exposed how they simply “hushed” the truth and quietly ushered the nasty and very guilty teacher out of their district with a nice letter of recommendation and her license intact. Shocked and outraged, I elicited the help of a co-worker and one of the eye-witnesses and together we reported the abuse to the authorities, supported the families of the victims and then went about the business of pointing a big, accusatory finger at our bosses. That was back in 2003. Betty Moore eventually pleaded guilty in open court to child abuse and was sentenced to jail. Having lost her license to teach, she is now a receptionist at an emergency care office in Richmond.

My Richmond story includes how the district bullies tried to shut me up by threatening to fire me. I hired a constitutional law attorney who actually, in turn, shut them up. When I received a certified letter at home one day, I quickly opened it to find that it contained all of their tried and true written versions of intimidation with a formal reprimand, to boot. I happily faxed it to my favorite newspaper reporter who ran quotes from it in the Richmond Times Dispatch within a few days with the heading, “Teacher Who Reported Abuse Reprimanded”. That went over real well for the shocked “suits” when the public outrage followed.

My daily mantra back then ~and forever will be~ is as follows: “Just because I am a teacher (doing all that altruistic and “near missionary” work with children) does NOT mean that I check my civil rights or civil responsibility at the door!”

Successful and satisfied in my efforts of surviving the wrath of a wide variety of Public School Administrators in Virginia’s capital city, I was still tired and disgusted by the time the dust settled. I felt like leaving but I stayed for another year, deciding that I would leave only after the bad guys did. That was to demonstrate that I had done nothing wrong. As it turned out, Henrico’s Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent, Principal and an assortment of other “good old boys” left well before I decided to resign under my own steam. While I can’t take full credit for the collective “Bully-Be-Gone” exodus, I can enjoy the fact that my efforts to expose their dark ways to the light of day did, indeed, play a part in it. It felt good but I put it all behind me, looking forward to the next phase of my life and career. So when I was good and ready and mostly for the pure adventure of it, I decided to move to the East Coast.”

This educators is said to be listed to testify in Lucas’ multimillion dollar civil action that is being formed against the district.   Several parents have also requested her as a witness for the class action suit.

*Retrieved from: http://www.whitechalkcrime.com/docs/What/Lightning.html

KEEP UP THE NERVE!

Rolfe Middle School and Henrico Schools Named In “Whistleblowing” Book

See:

http://books.google.com/books?id=BKpOMO0Owz0C

for more information about the book, entitled, “White Collar Crime: The REAL Reason Schools Fail.”  Everyone is encouraged to purchase this book as a means of obtaining a great deal of evidence to use against Henrico Schools, it board, and its superintendent regarding their incompetence and gross neglect that have resulted in the destruction of many children with no remorse from these heartless, callous, ignorant individuals like Morton and his cronies.

Well, John Montgomery, neither you, nor Armstrong are referenced in this book because of the “good job” that you are doing!  Now, others will know how corrupt, unethical, immoral, and just plain ignorant these men are when it comes to knowing what is best for children.

We can bet that more books, talk shows, and much more will be coming in the near future to expose them all!

 

 

KEEP UP THE NERVE AND KEEP EXPOSING THEM!

Parents Demand That Criminal Charges Be Filed Against Teacher, Administrators, And Board

The “White Chalk” criminals within Henrico County Public Schools continue to engage in their illegal activity.  There is a this story from a former educator that exposed an abusive peer, was reprimanded by administration, but fought back and had the teacher arrested for child abuse.

A parent of one of the students in Kim Taylor’s class, as well as two witnesses forwarded this story to us advising that they will file charges against Taylor, Armstrong, Rokenbrod, Royal, Jepson, Ellis, Morton, and the Henrico School Board.  The family has cited violations under the following Virginia Code that is being used by their attorney in order to have charges filed against all involved:

§ 63.2-1511. Complaints of abuse and neglect against school personnel; interagency agreement.

A. If a teacher, principal or other person employed by a local school board or employed in a school operated by the Commonwealth is suspected of abusing or neglecting a child in the course of his educational employment, the complaint shall be investigated in accordance with §§ 63.2-1503, 63.2-1505 and 63.2-1516.1. Pursuant to § 22.1-279.1, no teacher, principal or other person employed by a school board or employed in a school operated by the Commonwealth shall subject a student to corporal punishment. However, this prohibition of corporal punishment shall not be deemed to prevent (i) the use of incidental, minor or reasonable physical contact or other actions designed to maintain order and control; (ii) the use of reasonable and necessary force to quell a disturbance or remove a student from the scene of a disturbance that threatens physical injury to persons or damage to property; (iii) the use of reasonable and necessary force to prevent a student from inflicting physical harm on himself; (iv) the use of reasonable and necessary force for self-defense or the defense of others; or (v) the use of reasonable and necessary force to obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects or controlled substances or paraphernalia that are upon the person of the student or within his control. In determining whether the actions of a teacher, principal or other person employed by a school board or employed in a school operated by the Commonwealth are within the exceptions provided in this section, the local department shall examine whether the actions at the time of the event that were made by such person were reasonable.

They would also like to invite other parents and educators to join in this criminal charges effort in addition to the civil suit.  A one mother stated, whose child was in Taylor’s class, “it is not enough for me to take their money in civil court, I want to take their freedom, future, and security just like they took my child’s freedom, future, and security by refusing to protect my child from him.  They should not be over any children ever!  This is my way of fighting back.”

KEEP UP THE NERVE AND KEEP FIGHTING!

FEAR NO MAN! FEAR NO MAN! FEAR NO MAN!

John 4: 17-18

“GOD IS LOVE. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s.

THERE IS NO ROOM IN LOVE FOR FEAR!!!!  

Well-formed LOVE BANISHES FEAR!!!! Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.”

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Psalm 23:1

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I FEAR NO EVIL; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of The Lord for ever.

 

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UGOTNERVE has received countless emails from those parents and teachers that are fearful of speaking out.  You are fearful of loosing things and people that really do not matter in God’s eyes.  He only cares about our children, their destiny, and our part in ensuring that their destiny is realized.

While climates like Henrico County Public Schools, and other places like it are conducive to and efficient in cultivating FEAR at epidemic levels; GOD’S LOVE, when it is TRULY GOD’S LOVE, has the power to CAST OUT ALL FEAR. 

The bible describes exactly what is going on in these types of atmosphere, “yet at the same time many even among the leaders (principals, teachers, administrators, central office staff, and board members),  believed him.  But because of the Pharisees, (school officials), they would not confess their faith, (God’s truth about corruption, lies, and immorality), for fear they would be put out of the synagogue (school district).”  John 12:42

SO, IF GOD’S LOVE IS REALLY IN YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE IN GOD, THEN FEAR CANNOT CO-EXIST!

So, the next time that you hear some a teacher, parent, or others speaking FEAR into this earthly realm in regard to fighting for the lives, spirit, and souls of our children; then give them the weapon above to speak out in order to combat the FEAR.  

ONLY GOD’S PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR!!!!! NO MORE FEAR!!!!!  NO MORE FEAR!!!! NO MORE FEAR!!!!

THE ENEMY OF GOD’S PURPOSES AND WILL ARE FEARFUL OF YOU BECAUSE THEY KNOW YOUR ASSIGNMENT!

THE ENEMY OF GOD’S DESTINY FOR ALL OF OUR CHILDREN IS FEARFUL OF YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT!!!

ONLY GOD’S PERFECT LOVE WILL REMOVE THE FEAR THAT IS PREVENTING YOU FROM BEING THE WARRIOR THAT GOD HAS CALLED…….NO FEAR! NO FEAR! NO FEAR!

 

KEEP HOLDING UP GOD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE NERVE!!!

 

 

Children Pay The Price For Corrupt School Leaders

It validating to know that others feel the same way that many of us do and are working, just like us, to expose these corrupt leaders that destroy, forget, and abuse our children.  See below:

 

Children paying price for corrupt school leaders Karl Ziomek , Sidewinder Former River Rouge school Supt. Benjamin Benford II had an interesting way of reminding employees about dates close to his heart: He pressured them into giving him gifts.Now that’s management style. Whether it was his birthday, Christmas or Bosses Day, Rouge employees anted up to make sure that the guy whose name adorned the district’s brand-new athletic stadium was kept fat and satisfied. Last week, Benford pleaded guilty to extortion in federal court. However, as part of a plea bargain, he’ll likely avoid the maximum sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine by cooperating with federal officials in the upcoming prosecution of his longtime friend, Joseph Hudson. Hudson is a shady character who has bounced around the Downriver area for decades by doing all types of jobs, seldom without controversy. Both Benford and Hudson were originally charged with bilking the district out of some $160,000 worth of audio-visual equipment that was allegedly ordered and paid for, but never delivered. This story is a great made-for-TV flick waiting to be filmed. During Benford’s time as boss hog, he not only forced school employees to buy gifts to keep in his good graces, but also employed his son on the district payroll. The only problem was that young Ben was away at college while he was receiving a paycheck. Oh, and it gets better. Despite the fact that Supt. Benford was under contract, he was inexplicably being paid a salary tens of thousands of dollars per year over the contracted amount. How could that happen? Easy, by Rouge school standards. A flimsy paper trail led to a memo signed by school board Trustee James Hightower. Of course, the Board of Education itself did not OK the pay increase and, supposedly, knew nothing about it. Later, Hightower was arrested on cocaine charges — and, as unbelievable as it may sound, he still is on the board. According to interviews with school employees, while Benford lived the big life, his buddy Hudson had the run of the place. Hence, allegedly Hudson was able to bill the district for the audio-visual equipment that never showed up. Because Hudson was the superintendent’s pal, people were supposed to look the other way. This, of course, is all taking place in a school district where many children can’t afford winter coats and texts sometimes don’t exist or are seldom updated. None of this probably ever would have come to light without the help of George Ward, a former Wayne County assistant prosecutor. The Rouge school board, unable to fathom some of its own financial numbers, had Ward do an audit of the district. By the time he was done, so were the careers of several administrators. The sad thing, in hindsight, is the blind trust that many taxpayers put in people like Benford and “the system.” Confronted with the financial fraud and a general mess, the superintendent’s best retort was that many of the things mentioned were common practice, and that he himself didn’t know many of the district’s administrative guidelines. No kidding! But even as Benford and other administrators were being shown the door, residents would flock to board meetings to defend them. As ridiculous charge after ridiculous charge would be leveled, residents would cry out, “That’s just the way business is done in Rouge.” Well, now that Benford’s business is truly done inside the Rouge district, the best legacy he can leave is one of an efficient snitch. The more he cooperates with the feds in nailing his pal, Joey, the more he’ll save his own skin. At the end of the day, the snakes will devour each other. That, too, is the way business is often accomplished when dealing with lowlifes like these. (Karl Ziomek is the managing editor of The News-Herald, a Heritage Newspaper).  Click here to return to story: http://www.pressandguide.com/stories/020205/opi_20050202012.shtml

 

A “Recount” Analogy

Several members of The Community Council for Integrity In Education, CCIE, were invited to attend The Faith-based Initiative Conference in Washington, DC, as guests of the grassroots advocacy effort.  The team was recognized for their collaborating and unifying efforts in organizing parents, students, educators, and community leaders in order to confront the injustice within Henrico County Public Schools.

Several members of CCIE received community service awards for specifically advocating for children of color and economically disadvantaged families.  They were also commended for their continued efforts to bring community group together and educating the public regarding their rights and education as a whole.

In a debriefing meeting, comments were made on how to continue to strategize and promote justice in corrupt systems like Henrico County Public Schools.  One specific area that was discussed with the DC representatives and CCIE was the fact that Morton, Armstrong, and the board had pulled a “Recount.”

A “Recount Scam” is a term used when elections have been held or positions have been awarded through a corrupt and unethical means that violates all concepts of the democratic system.  As was shared, the movie “Recount” documents the level of deception, unethical behavior, and extreme efforts to cover it up that those in power will go to in order to have their way.

The parent that shared the analogy with the group referenced the illegal appointment of Armstrong to Rolfe, and all of the manipulation that had been done, since May 1, 2008 to ensure that he would get the position.  As a member of an advocacy group from New York stated, “then the same things still do go on in the South with whites in power.  Just like in the movie, they did not care whether George W was qualified, they did not even care whether he could meet the needs of the nation, they just wanted him in and so, no matter how many votes he actually received, he was going to get in.”  It is important to note that the advocate was a white male.

Many from all over shared their efforts in promoting accountability, holding leaders accountable, and ensuring that those that have no desire to do the right things are removed.

It was a time for revitalization, motivation, and proving that there are Mortons, Armstrongs, Royals, Jepsons, Montgomeries, throughout the nation that are destroying the quality, fairness, and integrity of our nation’s foundation.  There are also those that are fighting in direct opposition to these forces to restore quality, fairness, and integrity.

KEEP UP THE NERVE!

In All Fairness, It’s Really Not Armstrong’s Fault

UGOTNERVE, parents, educators, community leaders, teachers, and even other administrators have been very critical of Andy Armstrong, Rolfe’s alleged illegally appointed principal…who was allegedly illegally appointed twice by Morton and the school board.

One of our readers made an extremely valid point in stating that Armstrong “is just like a child who was too weak to turn down something that he knew that he did not deserve, had not earned, was not entitled to, and definitely could not handle.”

That is very true.  Not many people, black or white, can be ethical in the face of nearly a $100,000 a year carrot dangling in your face, even when you know that you are wrong for accepting what is offered as well as stealing the money because you have not done the job at a level of excellence to warrant the taxpayers of Henrico County paying you that money.  

As one community activist stated, “some people have their souls snatched away for a dollar, others freely give it away for a dollar.”

While Armstrong has as much accountability in his questionable appointment, that not only gave him an unfair advantage, limited the ability for others to apply, and permitted him to intimidate others, as the present acting principal, by telling them that he would be “throwing his hat in for the position”; knowing that if the teachers did not vote for him, he would probably take it out in their annual appraisals that he waited until after the selection process to complete for many of them; he does not have all the blame.

Now, we do want to know how he, Jordan, Montgomery, Morton, Royal, and the rest of them will be able to “lead by example” regarding ethical and moral behavior having engaged in such unethical and moral actions, not only involving Armstrong’s appointment, but in many other instances.

We also realize that if Armstrong were truly a man of integrity, he would NEVER have allowed the process to go on WITHOUT integrity, even if it meant that he was not chosen to receive the position.  How can any individual that has integrity accept something that he knows that he did not earn fairly, to the point that he deprived others of their opportunity to earn it fairly?  

We hope that he has some sense of morality left that bothers him to the point that he will eventually request that the process be done according to legal and ethical guidelines, because we know that Royal, Jepson, Morton, and the board will never correct their error.

We cannot leave the school board or the parents out of the accountability ring.  The school board is fully aware of the documented evidence that shows that the selection process lacked integrity, fairness, and equal opportunity, just by the fact that the position was posted for three days; then Armstrong was given an unfair advantage.  Many have said that along with the board’s behavior, lack of response, and indifference during school board meetings toward the public, this is what has lead to not trusting them and labeling them as “unethical,” especially John Montgomery, an attorney and elder of a church, who knowingly recommended Armstrong to the board under questionable circumstances that he refused to investigate.

Parents are just complaining about the appointment, feeling powerless, when in fact, they are not.  They have the power to remove Armstrong, demand that a new process be done, and demand that Morton, Royal, Kinlaw, Jepson, and the board operate in integrity for that process.

Groups like, CCIE, The Community Council for Integrity In Education, have organized parents to challenge Armstrong’s appointment as part of the class action civil suit, documenting failure to follow established practices, discriminatory hiring and selection activities, racial preferences, and much more.  The problem with Henrico County Public Schools is more than just an “Andy Armstrong” issue, it is a “Fred Morton”, “School Board,” and more issue where since there is no accountability, the immoral and unethical run rampantly, to the detriment of our children, unchecked and unrestrained.

So, it’s really not Armstrong’s fault completely Mr. Burns, you are right, but if Armstrong did have the integrity that one would expect of an true instructional leader, then he would have had nothing to do with a process that smelled to high heaven with corruption and deceit.  We tend to forget that what we allow to happen to others ALWAYS comes back to us, our family, and our children, it is God’s law of “sowing and reaping” that cannot be escaped, even when we think that we have gotten away with it.

When the questions of ‘is it the best thing for our children their families?” and “do they have a proven track record of acting in the best interests of children and their families?” are never answered, but more importantly never ASKED when making decisions such as who will be the new instructional leaders, then it really shows the real “heart” of school officials; a “heart” that is consumed with selfishness and corruption that has no regard for nurturing our children.

 

KEEP UP THE NERVE!

 

Lucas To Host Empowerment Talk Show

Ms. Lucas has just been chosen to host a weekly talk show entitled, “No More Child Left Behind,” which will begin airing on Comcast channel 95, beginning on Thursday, June 26, from 6-7pm. 

We know, that is not good english, but the point is that this is not a ”good program for our children”, as Lucas states.   When the government has to tell us, as parents, as church leaders, as community leaders, as edcuators, and as administrators that No Child Is To Be Left Behind…..then we have all dropped the ball.

Lucas will be part of a team that produces the segments within the show which will include special guests, commentaries, educational pieces, testimonials, best practices, and question and answers.  Educational services within the community will also have the opportunity to be promoted at no cost through the program.

Lucas states that the main purpose of the show will be to “educate, empower, and encourage aggressive and effective advocacy for the futures of our children and our communities.  This is no longer an option, it is now a matter of survival that parents advocate for the educational lives of their children.  We can no longer leave it up to politicians, administrators, or teachers to do it alone.  The village that took care of our children is broke and now, it is time to fix it through education, advocacy, and accountability. “

The format of the show will consist of thirty minutes of education, empowerment, and encouragement for parents, educators, administrators, and students.  The remaining thirty minutes will be dedicated to taking calls from the public in order to answer real life questions for real life concerns.

“No More Child Left Behind” will air live each Thursday from 6-7pm.  To call in to the show, share a concern, question, or resource, call 804-915-5202 from 6:30-6:45pm each week during the segment or you mail email questions for the show to lucaseducational@yahoo.com. Place “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” in the subject line.  All emails will be reviewed on each Monday for the show to be aired that week.

The tentative show topics for the next six weeks will be as follows:

 

• June 26, 2008, “Education 101:  Educating, Empowering, and Encouraging Parents as Stakeholders and Advocates for Public Education.”
• July 3, 2008, “Straight Talk About Special Education, Safe Schools, and Effective Educators”
• July 10, 2008, “What Our Children Are Saying About Public Education” 
• July 17, 2008, “Community Partners and Education: Getting Rid of The Politics”
• July 24, 2008, “Panel Discussion: Educators, Parents, Administrators, and Community Leaders”
• July 31, 2008, “Panel Discussion: Faith-based, Legislatures, Civil Rights, School, and Others Leaders On Collaborating For The Purpose Of Education”

 

Are you a parent/guardian, student, educator, school board member, or community leader that would like to join our roundtable discussion?  If so, please email Lucas with your contact information.  ”No More Child Left Behind” is also accepting emails regarding FREE educational resources that are available though out the metropolitan Richmond and surround areas in order to share them with our viewers.

KEEP UP THE NERVE!  WE TOLD YOU THAT THIS REVOLUTION WOULD BE TELEVISED!