Local Radar

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School Board upholds transfer of former STH Vice principal Martin

web posted June 22, 2007
Below: Paul Martin EdgefieldDaily.com Photo
JOHNSTON – After a grueling five hour meeting the Edgefield County School Board voted 5-2 to affirm the transfer and reassignment of former Strom Thurmond Vice-principle Paul Martin out of his administrative post at the school. Martin, who appealed his transfer asked that his grievance be held in open session, claimed that his transfer was “done for personal reasons” and he intended to prove his claim with documents. One of the contentions by the Administration with Mr. Martin was that he misrepresented his credentials at the time of his application for the job.

Human Resources Director Dr. Angela Cooper explained that at the time of application Mr. Martin submitted a Georgia teaching certificate, not one from the state of South Carolina. That was not an issue as some states have reciprocating certifications and once the credentials have been certified by South Carolina a new certificate is issued. However, in the case of Mr. Martin Dr. Cooper said, that process has yet to be completed.

Dr. Cooper said that Mr. Martin has a basic teaching certificate from Georgia for teaching chemistry for grades 9 – 12 but that alone did not meet the requirements of the advertised position.

Strom Thurmond Principal Greg Thompson stated in his opening statements that Mr. Martin implied that he had already received the required degree or class hours for the administrative position. Martin later challenged that position by exhibiting his application showing the degree he listed and the additional classes that had been taken. During the hearing the basic certification was never challenged, however, the classes Mr. Martin claimed to have taken could not be substantiated.

Mr. Thompson stated that he called one of the professors that Martin claimed to have taken a class from at Augusta State University and the professor had no record of Martin taking the class. Dr. Cooper submitted that she too could not confirm the “discrepancies” in the record and informed Mr. Martin requesting he produce an “unofficial” transcript. That too became an issue as time passed and Mr. Martin could not produce evidence supporting his claim to have the required credits.

Mr. Martin took the podium and presented his defense saying that one of the issues stemmed because he would not allow special treatment of a student in a disciplinary action that came about due to a fight on a bus. One of the students involved was the daughter of School Board member James Bibbs, Mr. Martin said.

Martin stated that he got a call from Mr. Bibbs stating his daughter had been in a fight the previous day on a bus and he began investigating the incident. Once it was discovered that the camera on the bus was not functioning that day he learned that a student had video taped that a portion of the fight. Martin said he brought the student to his office and was presented with the camera and viewed part of the fight. That tape, which later led to the arrest of Belinda Cooper of Trenton for abuse charges, became a focal point.

Sheriff’s Resource Officer Sonny Reel testified that when he viewed that tape he found the three recorded abuse incidents and his focus on the matter changed from one of a disciplinary to a criminal investigation. “The fight took a back seat at that time,” Deputy Reel said, adding he called investigators to begin the criminal investigation. It was later, Reel said, that Mr. Martin approached him and stated Mr. Thompson wanted the video erased and to cover up the abuse evidence.

“That really bothered me,” Deputy Reel said. After dwelling on the information Reel said he approached principal Thompson with the accusation a couple days later. Mr. Thompson called a meeting with Mr. Martin and Deputy Reel and confronted Martin with the accusations. Mr. Thompson said Martin did not recall ever making the statements but would never deny making them. Deputy Reel also testified that he had “trust issues” with Mr. Martin and that made his job difficult.

At issue as well were complaints Mr. Thompson said he began receiving about disciplinary actions taken by Mr. Martin towards students. Thompson testified that when he took over the disciplinary responsibilities (for grades nine and ten) that Mr. Martin oversaw he discovered that Martin was giving students half day in school suspensions when there is no approved policy to do so, only whole days.

Mr. Martin countered that a review of how many suspensions and disciplinary actions taken by him outnumbered those of the other assistant principal proved he was doing his job but implied the other assistant principal was not, yet he was being singled out. Thompson’s contention was that ninth and tenth graders are always a majority of disciplinary problems, “that’s just high school,” Mr. Thompson said, “all across America”.

School Board member Brad Covar asked Dr. Cooper later during the hearing, “Did he (Martin) have the credentials to apply for the job? (as advertised)” Dr. Cooper replied, “No.”

Mr. Martin claimed that the job of teacher / transfer specialist he was reassigned to do was one he is not qualified to hold. Mr. Thompson later said he agreed, “I don’t think he’s qualified for either job (the teaching or administrative position).”

The board continued their discussion by pelting all involved with various questions as to the hiring process, the claims of misrepresented credentials, and discrepancies in records, testimony, and documents. Mr. Martin made claims that part of the smear campaign against him came about by postings in the Wandering Minds of EdgefieldDaily.com naming him by name. Mr. Martin was corrected in that his name has never been published on EdgefieldDaily.com.

Martin continued his claims saying that personnel issues that were discussed between “five people” appeared on EdgefieldDaily.com’s Wandering Minds, although adding he did not read “that web site”.

Mr. Martin also claimed that the district did not do enough to mentor or aid him in providing the required documentation or support. Vice-chairman Scott Chitty stated that it was Mr. Martin’s responsibility to produce the required documents to support his qualifications, not the school district. Chitty pointed out that Mr. Martin’s contract stated that that he would produce the required credentials before taking the position actively and that was not done.

The board discussed corrections to the policy regarding such a situation reoccurring and member Brad Covar stated the next time it happens the applicant should be fired on the spot.

In the end school board member James Bibbs made the motion that the board approve the grievance and return Mr. Martin to the position of Vice-principal and was seconded by Chairwoman Sallie Cooks. During the discussion period Chairwoman Cooks asked all parties involved if they could “work this out” which drew the ire of a majority of the board. “Now you’ve gone too far,” Mr. Covar said. Most of the board agreed that Chairwoman Cooks was out of line for placing participants in that situation.

Board member Viola Jackson also interjected that once a trust or bond has been broken that it was inadvisable to force conflicting administration into jobs with such close contact. “It’s not going to work,” she said.

After discussion was closed the board voted 5 to 2 at 11:27pm to uphold the transfer and reassignment with Bibbs and Cooks voting in support of Mr. Martin.

The board then went into executive session to discuss Dr. Roberson’s contract as the upcoming superintendent. EdgefieldDaily.com will have those details listed on Saturday.

 

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