Thurgood Marshall Elem Principal fired, students' medical records, employee SSN put in dumpster

[Anonymous]

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/08/parents-say-fired-d-c-principal-trashed-school-documents--78530.html


Controversy is swirling at a D.C. school after its principal was fired.

But the actual dismissal of Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Principal Sharon Wells isn't what's causing the uproar, it's what she allegedly did after she was fired.

Parents at the school recorded video of Wells as she cleared out her office last Friday. They claim she and helpers she brought with her took more than just the personal property she amassed during her one term as principal.

"A computer and a printer that was there was school property that was taken out," said PTA President Vincent Short.

"I videotaped her putting documents from the school into the trash dump...," Parent activist Saymende Lloyd added. "...as they drove off, I went into the dumpster, and I got the documents."

Lloyd says the dumpster dive led to the discovery of children's medical records, special education information, test scores with names and employee tax forms with social security numbers. Parents say the items should have been shredded and question why they were in the departing principal's possession.

[Anonymous]

Ms. Wells was an awesome principal and brought resources and fresh new ideas to the school. Because of her work, I was considering the school for my child next year. This whole ordeal has been Saymende Lloyd's personal vendetta against Ms. Wells because she would not allow her to run a program for ex-convicts in the school. Ms. Lloyd is by no means a "parent activist" instead she is self serving and not at all interested in the students at Thurgood Marshall. I am appalled at Ms. Henderson's actions and the media for not reporting the full story. Ms. Wells has invested thousands of dollars of her own money into the school and I'm pretty sure that she was carrying her personal property out. Also, it's very interesting that Ms. Lloyd (who doen't even have a child at the school) made all of the dumpster "discoveries."I feel so sorry for the children at Marshall who have to deal with this crap and additional years without a strong neighborhood option.

[Anonymous]

^^ HAHAHA!!!! HI SHARON!!

[Anonymous]

Most people in Ward 5 know Lloyd and her buddies are always trying to stick their hand in the honey pot and stir up trouble. Her boyfriend is the crazy guy that tried to sue the dry cleaners for thousands for losing his pants. Lloyd was also close friends with Kwame Brown who appointed her to a commission before leaving his office in shame. I also heard all good things about the principal. Most parents actually liked her.

[Anonymous]

WHo has seen the videotape.

IS there proof that her boyfriend is the pants guy?

I know this blog is mainly hearsay -- but if we have a link to a report of the accusation, it seems there could also be hard evidence of the videotape and the boyfriend's activities.

[Anonymous]

and not just a videotape of the principal throwing things into the dumpster -- anyone clearing out would have things to throw away. It needs to be established that SHE was illegally disposing of school records.

[Anonymous]

More, more, more the gossip is getting good.

[Anonymous]

As another parent who lives in-bounds for Marshall, had been impressed with Wells' efforts to strengthen the school's programs and resources, and was hoping it would be a valid option (eventually) for my child, I second concerns that personal politics and vendettas have led to the dismissal of a principal. It's my understanding that Ms. Lloyd began asking people to join her efforts to have Wells dismissed ONE MONTH after Wells took the position.

I'm not saying that Wells was perfect or that she handled every situation perfectly, but she did manage to get what I believe was more than $200,000 more out of DCPS for the upcoming school year (in a year when nearly every school saw funding cuts) and her school received the Proving What's Possible Grant. Her efforts led to the re-opening of the school's planetarium (the only one in a DCPS school)(check out: http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/583421) and she was working to make it a STEM school.

I don't know her personally (I've met her at a couple school functions I've attended in an effort to support my neighborhood school) and I don't have a political dog in this fight. I'm just a neighborhood parent who was excited about what Wells was trying to do. She came into what was generally considered a failing school (at least beyond the early years Montessor program there) and tried to get some impressive things done.

[Anonymous]

I also was very impressed with Ms. Wells, but was contacted to Ms. Lloyd in October to help have her ousted. I was told by another neighbor that Ms. Lloyd should not be crossed, I guess she was right!

[Anonymous]

Its truly a sad situation. So many "community activists" and so many failing schools. All of the energy they put into getting rid of the principal should be put into student achievement and increasing enrollment.

[Anonymous]

You're absolutely correct 23:11. When will everyone be on the same accord?

[Anonymous]

I'm also a neighborhood parent who just stumbled upon this conversation when I was googling about the TMES principal. With the new school year fast approaching, I'm starting to get very worried about the students going back to THIS school. I believe Ms. Wells did a lot for the school, all in just one year. However, it's apparent she has some improvements to make professionally. She really should have been given a 2nd year to show growth in those targetted areas. Now I'm scrambling to figure out where to send my daughter when she turns 3. I have lost all faith in DCPS' commitment with regards to this school. They don't want our neighborhood to support the school. They want us to put our kids in Ward 3 or Ward 6 where the schools are actually performing the way they should. It's just sad!

[Anonymous]

Don't let Ward 6 fool ya!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm also a neighborhood parent who just stumbled upon this conversation when I was googling about the TMES principal. With the new school year fast approaching, I'm starting to get very worried about the students going back to THIS school. I believe Ms. Wells did a lot for the school, all in just one year. However, it's apparent she has some improvements to make professionally. She really should have been given a 2nd year to show growth in those targetted areas. Now I'm scrambling to figure out where to send my daughter when she turns 3. I have lost all faith in DCPS' commitment with regards to this school. They don't want our neighborhood to support the school. They want us to put our kids in Ward 3 or Ward 6 where the schools are actually performing the way they should. It's just sad!

THey probably want you and others to sign up for a charter so they can close TMES without an uproar.

[Anonymous]

I'm also very disheartened about this situation. My children attend the school and we are considering withdrawing them. Wells really put a lot of time, energy and money into making the school better- bringing in partnerships and resources that are necessary in order for a school to thrive. Its unfortunate that the true 'bullies' were given their way at the expense of the chidren. It is one week out from the start of school and there is still a lot of confusion and distrust that will be extremely difficult for anyone to assuage.