Alief Teachers Deserve Better!
RE: December 18, 2018 AISD Open Public Hearing for Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green; FNG (Local) Parent Grievance
I, Damon A. Barone, am requesting an open public hearing for my grievance(s).
I have owned my home at 3423 Cascadia Dr., Houston, Texas 77082-1441 since November 16, 1999. I have been paying property taxes in Alief since November 1999, and have been a registered Alief voter since February 24, 1992. I am an Alief parent. My son attended Alief Rees Elementary, Alief Miller Intermediate, Alief Albright Middle School, and Alief Taylor High School, where he is currently a senior. My daughter attended Mahanay Elementary, Rees Elementary, and Miller Intermediate, where she is currently a sixth grader. I graduated from Alief Hastings High School, attended Alief Albright Middle School, and Alief Petrosky Elementary School.
I was employed by Alief Independent School District (AISD) as a third grade math, science, and social studies teacher at Alief Mahanay Elementary School (MES). My first year as a teacher for MES was the 2013-2014 academic school year. On February 10, 2015 the Texas Education Agency (TEA) visited Alief Mahanay Elementary School regarding district wide special education concerns. TEA representatives toured Mahanay Elementary, visited teacher’s classrooms, and interacted with administrators and staff. At the conclusion of the all-day TEA visit, the representative randomly selected three Mahanay Elementary Teachers to interview with one on one after school. The three educators selected were Ms. Agnihotri, Ms. Roath, and myself. I received a Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) Guiding Star Award on May 20, 2015. My last date of employment with AISD as a teacher at Mahanay Elementary School was June 02, 2017, which concluded the AISD 2016-2017 academic school year. During my tenor at Mahanay Elementary School I served as the third grade math team leader for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 academic school years; in addition to serving as the third grade team technology leader for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 academic school years.
I have been a registered and cleared volunteer/mentor with Alief Independent School District for the following academic school years:
2011-2012
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
2016-2017
2017-2018
2018-2019
I have been an Alief Independent School District Recognized Business Partner for the following academic school years:
2011-2012
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
2016-2017
2017-2018
2018-2019
I served on the following Alief Independent School District Committees:
Alief Community Leadership Network
Alief Long Range Facility Planning Committee
Alief Bond Steering Committee
Alief Bond Referendum Committee
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Alief ISD’s School Board Trustees have three primary roles: setting the mission/vision which Alief Independent School District desires to go, including ensuring effective planning for the districts mission/vision; ensuring the necessary resources for the districts mission/vision, both financial and human; and providing oversight of the Superintendent, the districts assets, all programs and services.
A school districts mission statement is the focus of all academic efforts, and the fundamental duties of the school board; thus, Alief ISD’s mission should steer or direct every aspect of Alief ISD Trustee Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams), Rick E. Moreno, Lilly Truong (Dr. Truong), Darlene Elizabeth Breaux, Jennifer Diane Key, Giang D. Nguyen (John Nguyen), Natasha Butler, and Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr.’s actions and the intent of their actions.
· AISD School Board should be ensuring the creation of a shared vision that promotes and enhances student achievement.
· AISD School Board should be providing guidance and direction for accomplishing the districts vision.
· AISD School Board should be measuring and communicating how well the districts vision is being accomplished.
· AISD School Board should be promoting the districts vision.
· AISD School Board should be working with Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers) to lead the district towards its vision.
ALIEF’S MISSION:
The Alief Independent School District, in collaboration with parents and community, will provide an exemplary education for all students in a safe environment.
ALIEF’S VALUES:
Student Achievement and Development
Meaningful Relationships and Meaningful Work
ALIEF’S GOALS:
Closing the Achievement Gap
College and Career Preparation
Safe and Orderly Environment
Qualified, Effective Personnel
Positive Stakeholder Relationships
At the Alief ISD, December 18, 2018, School Board Meeting, Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green requested to have a public open hearing to discuss the TEA Certified Examiners Recommendation to the district regarding the termination of Mr. Green for alleged inappropriate conduct with a student at Alief Miller Intermediate School.
GRIEVANCE:
Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green’s hearing was unfair before either side uttered a single word. It is not equitable for Alief ISD to be advised by Attorney Paul Andrew Lamp whom is a coworker of Attorney Jon Erik Nichols, who represented Alief administration in Educator Greens open public hearing on December 18, 2018. Attorney Nichols and Attorney Lamp both work for the law firm of Karczewski Bradshaw Spalding, at 3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 560, Houston, Texas, 77098.
The efficiency of attorneys are based upon the number of cases which they win compared to the number of cases which they lose. Because Attorney Jon Erik Nichols and Attorney Paul Andrew Lamp are coworkers, and possibly friends, Attorney Paul Andrew Lamp has a conflict of interest being impartial to Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green’s defense of Attorney Jon Eric Nichols recommendations by Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers), and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell; more importantly both attorneys were paid by Alief ISD (authorized by Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers), and used the fact that Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green was representing himself pro se with no legal background or help. Because of these facts alone Alief ISD School Board members (Alief ISD School Board Trustee Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams), Alief ISD School Board Trustee Rick E. Moreno, Alief ISD School Board Trustee Darlene Elizabeth Breaux, Alief ISD School Board Trustee Jennifer Diane Key, Alief ISD School Board Trustee Giang D. Nguyen (John Nguyen), Alief ISD School Board Trustees Lilly Truong (Dr. Truong)), whom participated in open public hearing was not able to render a fair or impartial judgement regarding the matters concerning Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green’s hearing.
In July of 2018, according to Attorney Nichols, Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers), and Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell made a recommendation to the Alief School Board to terminate Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green’s employment contract, which Mr. Green appealed to the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
On November 12, 2018 the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Hearing Examiner had a hearing with Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green, Alief Attorney Jon Eric Nichols, and Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell. A decision was made by the TEA Hearing Examiner on November 29, 2018, sustaining Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers), and Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell’s recommendation to terminate Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green’s employment contract with Alief ISD.
According to Alief Attorney Jon Eric Nichols, and Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell, Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green had an ALLEGED incident involving an Alief Miller Intermediate student on May 10, 2018. Also according to Alief Attorney Jon Eric Nichols, and Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell, Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green had a PREVIOUS alleged incident involving an Alief Miller Intermediate student on January 13, 2016, that was also investigated by Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers), and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell. As a parent of children/a child that was a student at Alief Miller Intermediate School during both of Mr. Greens alleged misconduct incidents INVOLVING STUDENTS, why was I nor other parents advised of either incident if they serve as just cause to fire Mr. Green? According to Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green sworn statements, and with no objection from Alief Attorney Jon Eric Nichols, Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers), or Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell, Alief Independent School District NEVER concluded their investigation into Mr. Greens ALLEDGED misconduct. If the investigation was/is not concluded then there should be no recommendations made by Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers), or Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell on an open/active investigation.
Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell admitted under oath that she utilized an internet search to look into Teacher Robert Greens background to support her July 2018 recommendation to terminate Mr. Green’s employment contract with the district. Alief Attorney Jon Eric Nichols stated that Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell, “found a plethora of information on the Internet,” regarding Educator Robert Green. If a “plethora of information” was easily accessible on an internet search, regarding Mr. Green’s employment as an teacher, than that would affirm that Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell, and Alief Independent School District, under the leadership of Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr.:
Did not perform a background check on Mr. Green during the first time Alief ISD hired him as a teacher at Miller Intermediate School.
Did not perform a background check on Mr. Green during the second time Alief ISD hired him as a teacher at Miller Intermediate School.
Did not review Mr. Green’s previous Alief ISD employment files prior to hiring Mr. Green a second time as a teacher at Miller Intermediate School.
Did not contact Mr. Green’s previous employers to verify his employment history prior to hiring Mr. Green the two times Alief ISD hired Mr. Green to work as a teacher at Miller Intermediate School.
Did not perform an internet search on Mr. Green during the two times Alief ISD hired Mr. Green to work as a teacher at Miller Intermediate School.
Alief ISD School Board Trustees Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams), Rick E. Moreno, Lilly Truong (Dr. Truong) all voted to approve Mr. Green’s first contract to become a teacher at Alief Miller Intermediate School.
Alief ISD School Board Trustees Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams), Rick E. Moreno, Lilly Truong (Dr. Truong) all voted to approve Mr. Green’s first recommendation for termination, or resignation for his first alleged misconduct incident at Alief Miller Intermediate School.
Alief ISD School Board Trustees Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams), Rick E. Moreno, Lilly Truong (Dr. Truong), Darlene Elizabeth Breaux, Jennifer Diane Key, Giang D. Nguyen (John Nguyen) all voted to approve Mr. Green’s second contract to become a teacher at Alief Miller Intermediate School.
Alief ISD School Board Trustees Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams), Rick E. Moreno, Lilly Truong (Dr. Truong), Darlene Elizabeth Breaux, Jennifer Diane Key, Giang D. Nguyen (John Nguyen) all voted to approve Mr. Green’s second recommendation for termination, or resignation for his second alleged misconduct incident at Alief Miller Intermediate School.
https://youtu.be/rihIi1FF9yE It seems like the district’s teachers, students, and parents are being held to higher expectations then the school board of trustees, whom are responsible for governance and upholding the mission statement of Alief ISD. Alief Independent School District falsified their promise to parents, students and staff members because Alief ISD assures us that background checks are performed on all district employees, especially employees given direct access to our children. This constitutes a material misrepresentation by Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers), Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell, and the Alief ISD school Board.
According to Alief Attorney Jon Eric Nichols, Alief ISD administration would not have hired Mr. Green for his position as a teacher at Miller Intermediate School had administrators known the information which was gathered by Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell on her internet search of Mr. Green; thus it is actually Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers), and Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell whom willfully and intentionally breached their Alief ISD employment contracts. School board trustees Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams), Rick E. Moreno, Lilly Truong (Dr. Truong), Darlene Elizabeth Breaux, Jennifer Diane Key, Giang D. Nguyen (John Nguyen)breached their oaths of office, putting all 46,000 Alief ISD students safety at risk by the districts actions/lack of action. Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers) and Alief Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell’s employment contracts state that they will adhere to board policies, that they are supposed to adhere to the materials that are in the board policies, especially policies concerning ethical behavior, and if they violate those policies that is a violation of their employment contracts.
https://youtu.be/UME-NZjVTdE The Texas education code explicitly states that a school board may terminate a contract and discharge a district employee at any time for good cause as determined by the board. Because it was the determination by Alief ISD Board Trustees Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams), Rick E. Moreno, Lilly Truong (Dr. Truong), Darlene Elizabeth Breaux, Jennifer Diane Key, Giang D. Nguyen (John Nguyen), based on the facts presented that Alief Miller Intermediate Teacher Robert Fitzgerald Green’s district contract be terminated and Mr. Green should be discharged as a district employee, it is also substantiated by the SAME substantial evidence, SAME preponderance of evidence, and the SAME uncontroverted evidence utilized by Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell’s own sworn statements, and exhibits submitted by Alief ISD by default equally proves that Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell placed students, parents, and staffs safety at risk by not performing proper background checks on all district employees. The alleged May 10, 2018 incident which Andrea Veloz-Powell, and Alief ISD Board Trustees Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams), Rick E. Moreno, Lilly Truong (Dr. Truong), Darlene Elizabeth Breaux, Jennifer Diane Key, Giang D. Nguyen (John Nguyen) based their actions and justification for approving/upholding the termination of Mr. Green would have never ALLEGEDLY occurred had Mrs. Powell and Alief ISD performed proper background checks or utilized the same internet sources which they alleged they found a “plethora” of information concerning Mr. Green on, because according to Alief Attorney Jon Erik Nichols, Alief administrators would not have hired Mr. Green for his position as an educator at Miller Intermediate School.
https://youtu.be/DcYX5RbyzGc If Alief Attorney Jon Erik Nichols (Erik Nichols), Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr.’s (HD Chambers), Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell , and Alief School Board of Trustees openly acknowledge on legal record that they would refuse to hire a teacher who had ever been suspended with pay, or suspended without pay by an employer, regardless of the outcome of the said investigation, then why does Alief ISD School Board of Trustees rubberstamp and without proper investigation allow Alief Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers) and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell put Alief teachers on administrative leave with or without pay pending all “alleged” investigations by the district knowing ahead of time that no matter what the outcomes of Alief’s investigations are, the teacher has been handed a death sentence on their careers as educators throughout the state of Texas, by the educator merely being placed on suspension with or without pay?
https://youtu.be/9xFGbvhkUVI There is no relief for a teacher who may actually be found innocent of any and all allegations against them if the first step of all investigations by Alief ISD is to place a teacher on administrative leave (with or without pay), which ultimately results in the termination or the recommendation for termination of their employment contract and the teachers inability to be rehired in Alief or hired in any other school district because they have to check “yes” on their application if they were ever placed on administrative leave, as opposed to being asked if they have been found GUILTY of any wrong doing, which the teacher would be able to honestly answer that they had not been guilty of any misconduct. This does not seem equitable or fair especially when the U.S. Constitution states that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Because of administrative leave, being proven innocent is still a guilty verdict and a death sentence for a teacher’s career and their livelihood; all of which is sealed by the rubber stamping process of Alief ISD school board’s voting records. A person’s innocence should not require them to have to find a new career or give up their passion to educate our children.
CONCLUSION:
Alief Independent School District does not collaborate with our Alief parents.
Alief Independent School District does not collaborate with our Alief community.
Alief Independent School District does not provide an exemplary education for all of our Alief students.
Alief Independent School District does not provide a safe environment for all of our Alief students.
Alief Independent School District does not value our student achievement and development over the districts own personal and professional goals and agendas.
Alief Independent School District does not value meaningful relationships and meaningful work of our Alief students/parents/community over the districts own personal and professional goals and agendas.
Alief Independent School District is not closing the achievement gap for all of our Alief students.
Alief Independent School District is not properly preparing our Alief students for college or career readiness.
Alief Independent School District does not hire qualified district personnel.
Alief Independent School District does not hire effective district personnel.
Alief Independent School District does not promote positive stakeholder relationships with our Alief community.
https://youtu.be/HksYuJAK7GA Alief Independent School District’s chief executive, Superintendent Henry David Chamber’s Jr. (HD Chambers), and AISD’s school board President, Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams), and Vice President Darlene Elizabeth Breaux have failed to uphold the districts mission, its values, and its goals; as well as contributed to violations of the districts written policies and procedures, which Alief ISD set on behalf of our community, I am requesting the following resolutions:
RESOLUTIONS:
https://youtu.be/uOQpiNwwciI What Alief Independent School District does to/for one district employee, they must do to/for all Alief ISD employees. Require an independent and impartial counsel, whom is not affected by personal or professional relationships with Alief ISD, to reevaluate any and all violations expressed or implied in this grievance and render a recommendation after a fair and equitable hearing has been concluded for all parties.
Educator Robert Green not be recommended for termination.
Educator Robert Green’s employment contract be renewed with Alief ISD as an educator at Miller Intermediate School.
Alief ISD cease-and-desist all legal actions against educator Robert Green.
Terminate Alief Independent School Districts employment contract with Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers), effective immediately.
Terminate Alief Independent School Districts employment contract with Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Elizabeth Andrea Veloz-Powell, effective immediately.
Terminate Alief Independent School Districts employment contract with Alief Attorney Jon Erik Nichols, effective immediately.
Terminate Alief Independent School Districts employment contract with Alief Director of Human Resources Luis Olivas, effective immediately.
Terminate Alief Independent School Districts employment contract with Alief Executive Director of Human Resources Darrell Alexander, effective immediately.
Remove Alief Independent School District’s Superintendent Henry David Chambers Jr. (HD Chambers) from the school board, effective immediately, and replace him with an interim school board trustee appointed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Remove Alief Independent School District’s Board of Trustee Annie Joseph Williams (Ann Williams) from the school board, effective immediately, and replace her with an interim school board trustee appointed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Remove Alief Independent School District’s Board of Trustee Rick E. Moreno from the school board, effective immediately, and replace him with an interim school board trustee appointed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Remove Alief Independent School District’s Board of Trustee Lily Truong (Dr. Truong) from the school board, effective immediately, and replace her with an interim school board trustee appointed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Remove Alief Independent School District’s Board of Trustee Darlene Elizabeth Breaux from the school board, effective immediately, and replace her with an interim school board trustee appointed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Remove Alief Independent School District’s Board of Trustee Jennifer Diane Key from the school board, effective immediately, and replace her with an interim school board trustee appointed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Remove Alief Independent School District’s Board of Trustee Giang D. Nguyen (John Nguyen) from the school board, effective immediately, and replace him with an interim school board trustee appointed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Eliminate all exparte proceedings that directly or indirectly affect employment of district staff members.
Eliminate all exparte proceedings that the safety or wellbeing of district students.
Eliminate any day-to-day operation(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s mission statement.
Eliminate any day-to-day action(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s mission statement.
Eliminate any day-to-day policy(ies) that does not fully align with AISD’s mission statement.
Eliminate any day-to-day procedure(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s mission statement.
Eliminate any day-to-day operation(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s vision statement.
Eliminate any day-to-day action(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s vision statement.
Eliminate any day-to-day policy(ies) that does not fully align with AISD’s vision statement.
Eliminate any day-to-day procedure(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s vision statement.
Eliminate any day-to-day operation(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s goals.
Eliminate any day-to-day action(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s goals.
Eliminate any day-to-day policy(ies) that does not fully align with AISD’s goals.
Eliminate any day-to-day procedure(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s goals.
Eliminate any governance operation(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s mission statement.
Eliminate any governance action(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s mission statement.
Eliminate any governance policy(ies) that does not fully align with AISD’s mission statement.
Eliminate any governance procedure(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s mission statement.
Eliminate any governance operation(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s vision statement.
Eliminate any governance action(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s vision statement.
Eliminate any governance policy(ies) that does not fully align with AISD’s vision statement.
Eliminate any governance procedure(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s vision statement.
Eliminate any governance operation(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s goals.
Eliminate any governance action(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s goals.
Eliminate any governance policy(ies) that does not fully align with AISD’s goals.
Eliminate any governance procedure(s) that does not fully align with AISD’s goals.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to support their organized crime endeavor’s.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of federal laws.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of state laws.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of local laws.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of administrative codes.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of administrative code of ethics.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of education codes.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of education code of ethics.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of Alief district policies.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of Alief district procedures.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of Alief school board policies.
Alief Independent School District immediately cease and desist using Alief tax funds to provide a blank check for legal services and expenses to cover up the districts willful and intentional violations of Alief school board procedures.
Sincerely,
Damon A. Barone
Alief ISD Parent, Alief ISD Taxpayer, Alief ISD Alumni