Report from Castle Park Elementary
teacher JoEllen Hamilton
teacher JoEllen Hamilton
Every day, kids in many schools are sacrificed to petty politics.
"I have loved Castle Park Elementary since I was six years old. The school board sent it
into a tailspin.
into a tailspin.
To some extent, what happened at Castle Park Elementary was a fluke.
But it would not have happened if the teachers and administrators involved
had possessed a belief in, and understanding of, the principles of American
justice, and a culture of open communication and respect for people who
are different from them.
But it would not have happened if the teachers and administrators involved
had possessed a belief in, and understanding of, the principles of American
justice, and a culture of open communication and respect for people who
are different from them.
Questions for the future:
If problems were actually fixed, school attorneys wouldn't have as
many billable hours, would they?
many billable hours, would they?
Is something more serious than a crime being covered up?
Such as incompetence?
Such as incompetence?
If this is how they treat adults, how safe are the kids in the
classrooms controlled by these teachers?
classrooms controlled by these teachers?
J. H. screamed over and over (in front
of children playing at recess) as Maura
Larkins walked away, repeating:
"I did not do anything inappropriate to
you!"*
of children playing at recess) as Maura
Larkins walked away, repeating:
"I did not do anything inappropriate to
you!"*
J. H. admitted UNDER OATH that she
confronted Maura Larkins on February
6, 2001 because she feared that she
might get in trouble for harassing
Maura Larkins.
She admitted that this was the reason
she contacted Asst Superintendent
Richard Werlin.
confronted Maura Larkins on February
6, 2001 because she feared that she
might get in trouble for harassing
Maura Larkins.
She admitted that this was the reason
she contacted Asst Superintendent
Richard Werlin.
Maura Larkins' complaint was never investigated, making it easier for Jo
Ellen Hamilton and Linda Watson to pull off their hoax.
Ellen Hamilton and Linda Watson to pull off their hoax.
This type of behavior is surprisingly common among administrators. Maura Larkins did not belong
to a protected class, but many administrators do not bother to protect victims of racial or sexual
harassment, either.
to a protected class, but many administrators do not bother to protect victims of racial or sexual
harassment, either.
| February 10, 2001 |
Some lazy administrators prefer to let bullies, both adults and students, run schools while those
administrators look the other way. If victims complain, the administrators solve the problem
simply by silencing them, using smear tactics and intimidation, rather than fixing the problem.
administrators look the other way. If victims complain, the administrators solve the problem
simply by silencing them, using smear tactics and intimidation, rather than fixing the problem.
Two teachers, J.
H. and L. W.,
called Asst
Superintendent
Rick Werlin's
home within
minutes of each
other on a
Saturday night.
Rick Werlin
testified under
oath that this
alarmed him
deeply because it
was so unusual
for a teacher to
contact him at
home. This was a
false statement
(perjury).
Teacher J. H.
testified that MR.
WERLIN
SUGGESTED to
her that she call
him at his home!
H. and L. W.,
called Asst
Superintendent
Rick Werlin's
home within
minutes of each
other on a
Saturday night.
Rick Werlin
testified under
oath that this
alarmed him
deeply because it
was so unusual
for a teacher to
contact him at
home. This was a
false statement
(perjury).
Teacher J. H.
testified that MR.
WERLIN
SUGGESTED to
her that she call
him at his home!
In her deposition, L. W. said she never feared for her life, nor called Asst
Superintendent Rick Werlin on February 10, 2001.
But she changed her story when Maura Larkins asked her if she would
mind if her telephone records were subpoenaed. She said she had called
Mr. Werlin, but she couldn't remember when or why.
Superintendent Rick Werlin on February 10, 2001.
But she changed her story when Maura Larkins asked her if she would
mind if her telephone records were subpoenaed. She said she had called
Mr. Werlin, but she couldn't remember when or why.
January 23, 2001
Dr. Donndelinger:
One year ago I first tried to report to you a
problem with inappropriate behavior toward me on
the part of a staff member. You dismissed the
matter as insignificant. I have endured in silence.
During the past few weeks, the problem has
escalated into constant harassment. Please set up
a meeting time to discuss the problem.
Sincerely,
Maura Larkins
It's never too late to fix CVESD's and
SDCOE's mistakes! It's time to end
the culture of secrecy at Castle Park
Elementary, CVESD and SDCOE.
Nothing good can come of it.
(UPDATE Jan 2007: Rick Werlin
caused similar problems in
Richmond, California, where a teacher
was handcuffed in front of her second
graders and led away by police for
demanding that the school put an end
to bullying. Rick Werlin, I'm afraid,
has no appreciation for the perfect
irony of the situation.
SDCOE's mistakes! It's time to end
the culture of secrecy at Castle Park
Elementary, CVESD and SDCOE.
Nothing good can come of it.
(UPDATE Jan 2007: Rick Werlin
caused similar problems in
Richmond, California, where a teacher
was handcuffed in front of her second
graders and led away by police for
demanding that the school put an end
to bullying. Rick Werlin, I'm afraid,
has no appreciation for the perfect
irony of the situation.
| Saturday Night Phone Calls |
Teacher J. H. told Richard Werlin that she feared for her life. Or did she?
She swore under oath that she didn't. Richard Werlin swore that she did.
Who is lying?
EITHER J. H. NEVER CLAIMED
TO FEAR FOR HER LIFE,
OR SHE COMMITTED PERJURY.
Either way, it is clear that her allegations should never have caused Maura
Larkins to be removed from her classroom AND DISMISSED.
Did Chula Vista Elementary School District apologize to Maura Larkins or
her students? No.
She swore under oath that she didn't. Richard Werlin swore that she did.
Who is lying?
EITHER J. H. NEVER CLAIMED
TO FEAR FOR HER LIFE,
OR SHE COMMITTED PERJURY.
Either way, it is clear that her allegations should never have caused Maura
Larkins to be removed from her classroom AND DISMISSED.
Did Chula Vista Elementary School District apologize to Maura Larkins or
her students? No.
What if L. W.'s claim
that she feared Maura
Larkins might kill her
HAD BEEN BASED ON
REALITY?
The district never
investigated!
The district did not
make sure to prevent
either:
1) a tragedy;
or
2) the descent of an
entire school into a
frenzy of hysteria.
To this day, the district
has never investigated
this case.
Maura Larkins was
dismissed for NOT
COMING TO WORK
because she eventually
stopped returning to
work after the district
demanded on three
separate occasions that
she leave without ever
documenting or
investigating the
allegations against her!
Maura Larkins
demanded an
investigation before she
would return to work a
fourth time. The district
refused to investigate.
But the district did not
take action to dismiss
Maura Larkins until a
year later, AFTER Maura
Larkins sued the
district.
Dismissing someone for
filing a lawsuit is a
violation of Labor Code
1102.5.
School attorneys
advised the district to
violate two separate
sections of the labor
code.
SDCOE JPA lawyers
also advised the district
to obstruct justice and
commit perjury, each of
which is a felony.
A lawsuit for
subornation of perjury
has been filed.
that she feared Maura
Larkins might kill her
HAD BEEN BASED ON
REALITY?
The district never
investigated!
The district did not
make sure to prevent
either:
1) a tragedy;
or
2) the descent of an
entire school into a
frenzy of hysteria.
To this day, the district
has never investigated
this case.
Maura Larkins was
dismissed for NOT
COMING TO WORK
because she eventually
stopped returning to
work after the district
demanded on three
separate occasions that
she leave without ever
documenting or
investigating the
allegations against her!
Maura Larkins
demanded an
investigation before she
would return to work a
fourth time. The district
refused to investigate.
But the district did not
take action to dismiss
Maura Larkins until a
year later, AFTER Maura
Larkins sued the
district.
Dismissing someone for
filing a lawsuit is a
violation of Labor Code
1102.5.
School attorneys
advised the district to
violate two separate
sections of the labor
code.
SDCOE JPA lawyers
also advised the district
to obstruct justice and
commit perjury, each of
which is a felony.
A lawsuit for
subornation of perjury
has been filed.
The claims of these
teachers were never
investigated by the
district.
They were simply acted
upon in an extreme and
irresponsible fashion by
lazy administrator Rick
Werlin.
teachers were never
investigated by the
district.
They were simply acted
upon in an extreme and
irresponsible fashion by
lazy administrator Rick
Werlin.
Copyright © 2006 San
Diego Education Report.
All Rights Reserved.
Diego Education Report.
All Rights Reserved.
| Exhibit R-25 from Maura Larkins Administrative Hearing |
| Text of note at right: "Maura and I were both in the lounge doorway and I said, "Gretchen told me that you submitted a written complaint about me." "Maura said, "Gretchen lied. Would you like to see the letter that I wrote?" "I've already seen it." "You saw the letter that I gave to Gretchen?" she asked. "Yes, I saw the letter." "Then she said, "You are part of the problem." [Side insert] I said, "What is the problem?" and "That's your perspective." [Maura] "You have done many inappropriate things." "When I started to respond, she turned and walked away." |
Note to Reader
from Maura Larkins:
Yes, this is a story
about small-minded
people and petty
behavior.
Unfortunately, this
happens to be the
situation out of which
felony obstruction of
justice and other
violations of law arose
in San Diego County.
Anyone who wants to
address the problem of
the felonies needs to
deal with the situation
from which they arose.
from Maura Larkins:
Yes, this is a story
about small-minded
people and petty
behavior.
Unfortunately, this
happens to be the
situation out of which
felony obstruction of
justice and other
violations of law arose
in San Diego County.
Anyone who wants to
address the problem of
the felonies needs to
deal with the situation
from which they arose.
Why on earth would she think that?
A guilty conscience?
A guilty conscience?
The principal NEVER scheduled a
meeting with Maura Larkins about
this problem. Instead, she picked
up the letter Maura Larkins placed
on her desk, and went straight to
J.H.'s classroom during instruction
time, to get instructions on how to
deal with the complaint!
meeting with Maura Larkins about
this problem. Instead, she picked
up the letter Maura Larkins placed
on her desk, and went straight to
J.H.'s classroom during instruction
time, to get instructions on how to
deal with the complaint!
Castle Park Elementary was NOT
controlled by its principal. It was
controlled by J. H. and other
powerful teachers, including former
Castle Park teacher Gina Boyd, the
President of CVE.
controlled by its principal. It was
controlled by J. H. and other
powerful teachers, including former
Castle Park teacher Gina Boyd, the
President of CVE.
Did lawyers Daniel Shinoff and Mark Bresee advise CVESD to keep lying
so that the attorneys COULD KEEP MAKING MONEY?
so that the attorneys COULD KEEP MAKING MONEY?
Four days after the above incident,
according to Asst. Superintendent Richard Werlin, Jo Ellen Hamilton called
him at his home and said she feared for her life because Maura Larkins
walked away from her.
(At first Werlin also said that another teacher also called him that night,
but a month later he changed the story, saying that only Mrs. Hamilton
called.)
The following Monday, Mr. Werlin placed Maura Larkins on administrative
leave, but did not tell her that this incident was the reason.
The district NEVER MADE ANY written record of the reasons Maura
Larkins was placed on leave on February 12, 2001 until November 21,
2001.
Barbara Abeyta, Terry Olson, and James Ahler at the Office of
Administrative Hearings found that the district was right to place Maura
Larkins on administrative leave because of the above-described incident.
according to Asst. Superintendent Richard Werlin, Jo Ellen Hamilton called
him at his home and said she feared for her life because Maura Larkins
walked away from her.
(At first Werlin also said that another teacher also called him that night,
but a month later he changed the story, saying that only Mrs. Hamilton
called.)
The following Monday, Mr. Werlin placed Maura Larkins on administrative
leave, but did not tell her that this incident was the reason.
The district NEVER MADE ANY written record of the reasons Maura
Larkins was placed on leave on February 12, 2001 until November 21,
2001.
Barbara Abeyta, Terry Olson, and James Ahler at the Office of
Administrative Hearings found that the district was right to place Maura
Larkins on administrative leave because of the above-described incident.
Teacher union
president Gina
Boyd said to
Maura Larkins,
when Larkins
was placed on
administrative
leave on Feb 12,
2001, "He
(Werlin) has no
choice."
Later Larkins
learned that
Boyd wanted the
truth hidden to
protect her close
friend Robin
Donlan.
president Gina
Boyd said to
Maura Larkins,
when Larkins
was placed on
administrative
leave on Feb 12,
2001, "He
(Werlin) has no
choice."
Later Larkins
learned that
Boyd wanted the
truth hidden to
protect her close
friend Robin
Donlan.
Why did CVESD put
Maura Larkins on
administrative leave? It
was because the district
believed Robin Donlan's
false allegations that
Maura Larkins was
violent and had a gun.
Robin Donlan reported
(as fact) the allegations
that a mentally-ill,
substance-abusing
woman had made to
police in an effort to
deprive Maura Larkins
of her inheritance from
her father. (Yes, it
sounds like a soap
opera. Truth is just as
strange as fiction.)
Donlan was guilty of a
crime for illegally
obtaining that allegation
from police files with the
help of her brother,
Michael Carlson. The
district and CTA violated
a different subsection of
the same statute that
Donlan violated.
Maura Larkins on
administrative leave? It
was because the district
believed Robin Donlan's
false allegations that
Maura Larkins was
violent and had a gun.
Robin Donlan reported
(as fact) the allegations
that a mentally-ill,
substance-abusing
woman had made to
police in an effort to
deprive Maura Larkins
of her inheritance from
her father. (Yes, it
sounds like a soap
opera. Truth is just as
strange as fiction.)
Donlan was guilty of a
crime for illegally
obtaining that allegation
from police files with the
help of her brother,
Michael Carlson. The
district and CTA violated
a different subsection of
the same statute that
Donlan violated.
This problem doesn't just concern Castle Park Elementary. The entire California education
establishment is involved.
establishment is involved.
I am happy to be out of Castle Park Elementary's sick culture.
If you worked at Castle Park Elementary, with people like these, and these, once you got over the
initial shock, you wouldn't really be sad to be out of there! But I want this school, which I loved since I
was a first-grade student there, to become a law-abiding and education-centered place again.
If you worked at Castle Park Elementary, with people like these, and these, once you got over the
initial shock, you wouldn't really be sad to be out of there! But I want this school, which I loved since I
was a first-grade student there, to become a law-abiding and education-centered place again.
People who probably would not have been hired as teachers in the old days.
These candidates can take teacher education classes while they are on the job.
Many readers might not care about Maura Larkins personally, but they care about their kids. Her
students were treated with shocking disregard by the principal and the school district. They fared
so poorly that a very large number of them were urged to opt out of state-wide standardized testing
at the end of the 2000-2001 school year. The following fall, the district tested them off the record.
What were the results?
students were treated with shocking disregard by the principal and the school district. They fared
so poorly that a very large number of them were urged to opt out of state-wide standardized testing
at the end of the 2000-2001 school year. The following fall, the district tested them off the record.
What were the results?
Castle Park Elementary School culture was dysfunctional
and lawless, and the last thing Shinoff wanted was to allow
it to be fixed.
and lawless, and the last thing Shinoff wanted was to allow
it to be fixed.
Many people believe it is important that people who are successful in other fields should be allowed to
go into teaching without FIRST going through a teaching program.
go into teaching without FIRST going through a teaching program.
Every school that I know of has some excellent teachers, and some who need more education to
help them understand what their job is and how to do it.
help them understand what their job is and how to do it.
Student test scores have gone down.
But is the drop in teacher ability even more precipitous?
Many women, who in the old days would have become dedicated teachers, today become doctors,
CPA's and CEO's. Who has replaced them?
But is the drop in teacher ability even more precipitous?
Many women, who in the old days would have become dedicated teachers, today become doctors,
CPA's and CEO's. Who has replaced them?
I suggest better evaluation of teachers, including non-subjective testing, and using master teachers
to guide beginning teachers until they have mastered their job.
to guide beginning teachers until they have mastered their job.
A Few Bad Apples--
Or Normal Human Behavior?
Concluded Massachusetts therapist and author Lauren Slater: "We have
to judge the individuals who committed the horrible deeds, but we can't
judge them through the lens of saying, 'I would never have done that,' ...
because the Millgram experiments show that under orders, most of us will
do that."
Or Normal Human Behavior?
Concluded Massachusetts therapist and author Lauren Slater: "We have
to judge the individuals who committed the horrible deeds, but we can't
judge them through the lens of saying, 'I would never have done that,' ...
because the Millgram experiments show that under orders, most of us will
do that."
The deposition of the Castle Park principal
was kept under wraps by Elizabeth Schulman,
the lawyer Maura Larkins had the bad fortune to hire. It is, however, a
exhibit in a current subornation of perjury case.
was kept under wraps by Elizabeth Schulman,
the lawyer Maura Larkins had the bad fortune to hire. It is, however, a
exhibit in a current subornation of perjury case.
*"Everything I said was totally appropriate...[and] totally legal."
Enron founder Ken Lay, regarding the $66 million in profits he
made by selling stocks secretly as his company collapsed. He
was convicted of fraud.
Enron founder Ken Lay, regarding the $66 million in profits he
made by selling stocks secretly as his company collapsed. He
was convicted of fraud.
(Exhibit R-25 is below)
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Teacher JoEllen Hamilton waited
outside the teacher work room at
Castle Park Elementary for Maura
Larkins on February 6, 2001. When
Maura Larkins tried to leave the
building,
Hamilton blocked her exit,
and verbally confronted
Maura Larkins about the
letter at the top of this page.
outside the teacher work room at
Castle Park Elementary for Maura
Larkins on February 6, 2001. When
Maura Larkins tried to leave the
building,
Hamilton blocked her exit,
and verbally confronted
Maura Larkins about the
letter at the top of this page.
| Exhibit R-19 from Maura Larkins Administrative Hearing |
The balloon
boy hoax
Balloon saga parents
emotional during [hoax]
911 calls
Dispatchers were calm while
Heenes explained son, 6, was
‘in the air’
Sheriff calls balloon saga a
‘hoax’
Oct. 18: Larimer County Sheriff
Jim Alderden tells reporters
that the ordeal was staged to
generate publicity for a reality
TV show and that the parents
could face multiple charges.
NBC’s Lee Cowan reports.
By Mike Celizic
TODAYShow.com contributor
Oct . 21, 2009
The voices on the 911 tapes
sound distressed, and
sincere. First a man, then a
woman, in near hysteria telling
a dispatcher about their 6-year-
old son, who has taken flight
on a homemade helium
balloon shaped like a flying
saucer.
The tapes, released by the
Larimer County (Colo.) Sheriff’
s Office, show that the boy’s
parents, Richard and Mayumi
Heene, repeatedly mentioned
the age of their son, Falcon,
and are heavily larded with
emotional and dramatic
pauses and repetitions.
If it sounds like an act, law
enforcement officials say that
should come as no surprise.
They believe the whole
incident was a staged publicity
stunt...
boy hoax
Balloon saga parents
emotional during [hoax]
911 calls
Dispatchers were calm while
Heenes explained son, 6, was
‘in the air’
Sheriff calls balloon saga a
‘hoax’
Oct. 18: Larimer County Sheriff
Jim Alderden tells reporters
that the ordeal was staged to
generate publicity for a reality
TV show and that the parents
could face multiple charges.
NBC’s Lee Cowan reports.
By Mike Celizic
TODAYShow.com contributor
Oct . 21, 2009
The voices on the 911 tapes
sound distressed, and
sincere. First a man, then a
woman, in near hysteria telling
a dispatcher about their 6-year-
old son, who has taken flight
on a homemade helium
balloon shaped like a flying
saucer.
The tapes, released by the
Larimer County (Colo.) Sheriff’
s Office, show that the boy’s
parents, Richard and Mayumi
Heene, repeatedly mentioned
the age of their son, Falcon,
and are heavily larded with
emotional and dramatic
pauses and repetitions.
If it sounds like an act, law
enforcement officials say that
should come as no surprise.
They believe the whole
incident was a staged publicity
stunt...
She wanted Maura Larkins to be fired for writing this letter below.
How hard is it for teachers to pull off a hoax?
In OAH testimony, principal Gretchen Donndelinger explained
the Jo Ellen Hamilton theory of perception and "perspective."
(Donndelinger was very much under Hamilton's sway.)
Perhaps Hamilton has reasons for not trusting her own
perceptions, but it is worrisome that a school could be held in
thrall to someone who seems to believe that there is no
empirical reality.
the Jo Ellen Hamilton theory of perception and "perspective."
(Donndelinger was very much under Hamilton's sway.)
Perhaps Hamilton has reasons for not trusting her own
perceptions, but it is worrisome that a school could be held in
thrall to someone who seems to believe that there is no
empirical reality.
Why This Website
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz v. Maura
Larkins defamation
SDCOE
CVESD
Castle Park Elem
Law Enforcement
CTA
CVE
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz
Silence is Golden
Schools and Violence
Office Admin Hearings
Larkins OAH Hearing
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz v. Maura
Larkins defamation
SDCOE
CVESD
Castle Park Elem
Law Enforcement
CTA
CVE
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz
Silence is Golden
Schools and Violence
Office Admin Hearings
Larkins OAH Hearing
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| February 6, 2001 |
Clearly, this letter does not mention
any names, but teacher J. H. stated in
her deposition that she was afraid it
might go into her personnel file.
any names, but teacher J. H. stated in
her deposition that she was afraid it
might go into her personnel file.
Why did teacher Jo Ellen Hamilton plan a hoax at Chula Vista Elementary
School District?
School District?
The complaint in this Jan 23, 2001 letter by Maura Larkins was NEVER
INVESTIGATED by Rick Werlin or Chula Vista Elementary School District.
INVESTIGATED by Rick Werlin or Chula Vista Elementary School District.
San Diego
Education Report
Education Report