Two schools caught up in WSFCS investigation

Wiley Middle School and Parkland High School are the focus of an SBI investigation of whether or nor Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools promptly reported allegations of teacher misconduct.

Wiley ESL teacher Jason Ford has been suspended with pay over allegations he took indecent liberties with a student, supposedly touching the student’s leg. At Parkland, computer tech teacher Steve Wiley was fired after being arrested on charges of taking indecent liberties with a student and misdemeanor sexual battery.

But the SBI investigation is focusing on a 2006 incident in which Waddell was never charged, ostensibly because school officials never reported the alleged incident to law enforcement officials.

The Winston-Salem Journal editorializes, noting that former school system attorney Doug Punger once told a teacher accused of fondling a student “if he didn’t contest his termination, school officials would do their best to keep the matter quiet,” according to court files.

The Journal also notes the SBI investigation could have political consequences for school board members seeking reelection in November. Too bad Superintendent Don Martin will not be directly held accountable by voters as well.

Bonds and sales tax hikes: The big disconnect

I just now caught up with this Yes!Weekly editorial endorsing Guilford County’s proposed quarter-cent sales tax hike.

The editorial has an interesting suggestion:

What should happen is that tax increases be paired on the ballot with bonds, so that voters can make the connection between borrowing and paying back — but that’s probably not going to happen.

Good idea, except that’s exactly what happened during the May 2008 primary, when the sales tax hike first appeared on the ballot along with more than $500 million in bonds. Voters rejected the sales tax increase, but approved the bonds.

This is why we constantly urge citizens to vote ‘no’ on bonds referendums.

Albright obstructing Justice?

The Department of Justice says Alamance County Attorney is possibly obstructing its investigation of alleged “racial profiling, and unconstitutional search and seizures” by sheriff’s deputies.

Albright says he’s simply providing counsel to his “clients,” which include county commissioners and Sheriff Terry Johnson.

Interesting that Fairness Alamance’s visit to an ESL class at Alamance Community College comes up again. Albright says Fairness Alamance, a pro-illegal immigration group, was looking for witnesses to “manufacture” a case against the sheriff.

They wouldn’t do that, would they?