It's difficult to watch new school board members combine forces with previously elected members to circle the wagons of the Iowa City Community School District and conceal damaging evidence.
Apparently, He Who Must Not Be Named continues as before. When Phil Hemingway, who ran, nearly successfully, for the school board brought up specific instances of physical plant director Paul Schultz's wasteful, unnecessary spending, carrying firearms onto school district property, and a sexist email of a large-busted woman at the physical plant, board member Sarah Swisher was quick to rebuke Phil for his "inappropriate . . . personal attack" on Paul Schultz.
Let's take a long look at how much has not changed at the physical plant and what needs to change. No-bid contracts are still in force, wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars the district can't afford to waste. Paul Schultz, who carried at least one gun onto school district property where a Home Building Program for high school students was based at the time, has not been fired. Nor has he been fired for creating a hostile work environment for women. He hasn't been fired for harassing any employees, male or female, even when the district settled out of court with at least one physical plant employee who sued Paul Schultz for harassment after the employee fell and hurt his back. When the employee came back to work, Schultz assigned him jobs beyond the scope of his physician-ordered work limitations. Then Schultz tried to fire him because he wasn’t qualified to do his job.
Absolutely nothing has changed. Maybe Paul Schultz has stopped bringing weapons onto school district property, a practice which is particularly troubling when you consider the fact that he supervises a hostile work environment. Maybe he has stopped posting sexist emails or directing other employees to post sexist emails.
However, Schultz is still wasting money. Schultz pays more than he needs to for motor oil. He pays more than he should for a lot of things. For example, he doesn't collect late fines when contractors have late fines guaranteed in their contracts if they fail to do construction work on time at City High. You're six months late finishing a job and you owe the district $9,700? Not a problem. The district will gladly absorb the delay and collect no fines.
Should we continue to sweep He Who Must Not Be Named's offenses under the rug when he's still unwilling to spare the school district unnecessary expense? Should Garner Elementary School’s $100,000 parking lot be done over again at district expense because the ground at Garner Elementary School wasn't properly prepared prior to paving it? Bob Porter, the district's former safety coordinator, personally explained to me how the ground should have been prepared for paving to stabilize the land prior to paving it so it wouldn’t have to be done over again.
Why pay the same dollar twice? Why fire staff who know what they’re doing and could have saved the district unnecessary expense?
Do you know that Paul Schultz verbally attacks local vendors when they do something that displeases him? Two vendors, both women, told me personally how Paul Schultz treated them. He swore at them, called them demeaning, sexist names, and generally behaved in a way that one businesswoman said she hadn't heard but two or three times in 30 years of doing business. Both vendors were at first willing to go public, but one later changed her mind, possibly because of her husband’s reaction to Schultz after Schultz verbally abused his wife.
Michele Freeman Crow of Freeman's Locks & Alarms is still willing to go public about how Paul Schultz treated her. She and her business currently do work for the Clear Creek/Amana school district. She reports a pleasant, no-hassle relationship with Clear Creek/Amana without the verbal abuse she experienced while dealing with Schultz.
So does feminist, Johnson County Democratic Party member Sarah Swisher not object to women being treated as objects instead of people? Does she not object to a supervisor creating a hostile work environment for women and men alike? That's an odd stance for her to take, especially if she still works for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a union that purports to protect workers from this kind of abuse.
Maria Houser Conzemius
POSTSCRIPT
Patrick Riepe, the Iowa City Press-Citizen’s online editor, removed the above blog post from the Press-Citizen’s website after it had been posted for several days and had received 23 recommendations. This is Maria’s first blog post to be removed since Jeff Charis-Carlson, the opinion page editor, fired her from the Press-Citizen’s Writers’ Group for refusing to accept his editing of her article, “Safety Violations and Firearms in the ICCSD” on the April 2011 section of this website.
Jeff deleted all references to ICCSD physical plant director Paul Schultz by name, and deleted a reference to Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness’ refusal to prosecute Schultz for carrying one or more firearms onto school district property, which is a Class D felony. Lyness’ specious reasoning rationalizing her decision at the time was that the district’s physical plant was not a “school” although a Home Building Program for students was located at the physical plant at the time. Students had access to home-building materials and bathrooms at the plant. If a student carried firearms into a school, he or she would be expelled.
Charis-Carlson also strongly implied in his edited version of Maria’s piece that Dave Gurwell, retired assistant physical plant director, was responsible for serious safety violations that occurred in Iowa City schools after Bob Porter, the former safety coordinator, had his position eliminated for doing his job too well. Maria refused to accept Jeff’s editing, which compromised the piece enough to say something she didn’t say and knew was not factually true. Gurwell told Schultz that he wasn’t qualified to take the job that was foisted on him to no avail. Schultz added Bob Porter’s safety coordinator position to Gurwell’s already significant responsibilities as assistant director. Gurwell soon took early retirement, as have other physical plant employees.
After arguing with Jeff about the inaccuracy of his excessive editing, Maria was then fired from the Writers’ Group in March 2011, but allowed to keep her blog and invited to write an occasional guest opinion.
We all got additional clues as to what the Press-Citizen wants in the way of news and opinion about the school district in senior day editor Tricia Brown’s 12/3/11 editorial, “Changes in the Press-Citizen’s coverage of school.”
“Our goal is to continue to provide Press-Citizen readers with good news about our schools and our students, while showcasing the talents of the young journalists . . . . We look forward to this new partnership with our high local schools [sic] and to continuing to provide quality coverage of K-12 education, including positive news about your schools and your students.”
Is it a newspaper’s job to publish nothing but good news about a school district with serious flaws? Is it a newspaper’s job to suppress criticism of the school district, including its Occupational and Safety Health Act violations and fines; Department of Natural Resources violations and fines; Internal Revenue Service violation and fine; a district supervisor carrying firearms onto school district property; the physical plant’s hostile, sexist work environment; mismanagement of funds; expensive legal fees to reduce fines and settle lawsuits by harassed and injured employees out of court, and the superintendent’s refusal to fire administrators who waste funds on no-bid contracts with their cronies in private business?
It would seem that that despite the fact that criticism brings serious problems to light so that they can be fixed, the Press-Citizen is unwilling to publish hard news and op-eds that are critical of the school district. Why is our local newspaper serving as a public relations arm of the school district and the current, completely unacceptable status quo? If the Press-Citizen is willing to fill that role, why is the district paying a public relations executive to elevate the district’s image?
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
IOSHA / Safe Response / Compensation / Timeliness
Please use the following documents for this timeline:
- (Sep 07, 2007) Conduit Leaking Water
- (Apr 23 - Jun 06, 2008) Conduit still leaking water (email exchange one, exchange two)
- (Apr 03 - Apr 09, 2009) Safety Precautions Finally Discussed
- (April 16, 2009) "Notice of Alleged Safety or Health Hazards"
from the Iowa Division of Labour Services - (Jun 11 - Jun 12, 2009) Electrical service rendered to conduits
Click each photo for larger versions.
(Conduit dewatering)
(drip rags and drilled holes)
(holes in electrical box)
(water from electrical box)
(rusty switch control box)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Trane Controls Major District Contractor Since 2006
Bidding on state funded projects is a highly regulated process. Trane has become a heavily entrenched in ICCSD schools since 2005. Ask yourself if they achieved this by consistently providing the best products and services. There are two documents associated with this post. 061005_Trane Design Info and trane special request.
From: Loehr, Michael J. [miloehr@trane.com] Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 10:10 AM To: Paul Schultz Subject: FW: Iowa City West High Paul, Just for your information. This is a summary of my evaluation of the design and how I will proceed with pricing. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks Mike ------- From: Kelly Harrer [mailto:KellyH@De-Pc.com] Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 10:07 AM To: Loehr, Michael J. Subject: RE: Iowa City West High I do not see any issues with Trane bidding the controls as described below. Kelly Harrer ------- From: Loehr, Michael J. [mailto:miloehr@trane.com] Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 9:23 AM To: Kelly Harrer Subject: Iowa City West High Kelly, Thanks for your help today. Summary of our conversation: Specifications call out for stand alone heat pump controls in the heat pump section – DDC in controls section. Response- Trane to provide DDC interface to heatpumps. Heatpumps to ship with safeties and water isolation valve that Trane will interface to. The Stats that were specified to be provided by the heatpump manufacture will need to be cancelled before they are ordered. (responsibility of the engineer to confirm) Specifications call out for all controls to be provided by ERV-1 Manufacture – DDC has elaborate points list. Response-ERV unit should ship with Dampers, VFD’s, Fans, Safeties. Trane to add all DDC controls, humidity, co 2 sensors, as noted on points list including a DDC Controller to meet the sequences as described. In the event the ERV unit comes BACnet or LON compatible, Trane will coordinate with the vendor to take advantage of these options before the unit ships. Trane will NOT be responsible for added fees required of the ERV vendor for BACnet or LON options. None was specified for them to provide. WEB Access is specified. Trane will have $ set aside for WEB access however, ICCS will determine which direction to head with the WEB server. This project may NOT have WEB access depending on the outcome. Chiller Relocation: Trane will assume responsibility of relocating the wiring as is. We will consider tying in the chiller to the Summit if the Chiller is compatible. The added costs is very minimal to do this. A PC Workstation was specified for the school. ICCS does NOT have PC workstations in any schools and all new expansions and schools are linked to the one primary PC at Facilities department. Trane will NOT include a PC workstation in our proposal. A portable device is specified. ICCS does not require such device, therefore Trane will exclude this from our proposal. 5 Year Warranty on valves. Not sure if Labor to replace the valve is to be included. This can be costly (Insurance Policy) Would be cheaper for the owner to handle the labor on a T& M Basis. Trane will provide Material Warranty on valves but NOT labor. This is to save $ - T&M direct with Trane will also minimize markups for a cost that may never happen. Kelly, If you could review and respond asap –make sure we are on the same page. Thanks for your help, Michael Loehr Account Manager Davenport Trane 109 West 55th Street Davenport, Iowa 52806 563-468-4914 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 563-468-4914 end_of_the_skype_highlighting phone 563 340 8168 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 563 340 8168 end_of_the_skype_highlighting cell phone 563-391-0277 fax miloehr@trane.com A Business of American Standard Companies
Mann Lead Report FAQ
Why did the Iowa City Community School District need to test for lead?
Circumstances were such that paint was noticed peeling off the wall in the north stairwell at Horace Mann. Additionally, when there is a preschool program within a school building, paint should be assessed for lead hazards prior to any repairs being preformed.
Concerns:
Federal law requires that contractors/ building owners performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 and in child care facilities and schools built before 1978, that a child under six years of age visits regularly, to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. See EPA's Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right.
Note: Beginning April 22, 2010 renovators must be certified and follow lead safe work practices.
What is the Horace Mann lead report illustrating?
Paint chips sampled from north stairwell were above the allowable levels for lead. Note: Risk equals the hazard (lead) times duration of exposure (approximately four weeks) plus individual sensitivity.
Why is lead dangerous?
Lead gets into the body when it is swallowed or inhaled. People, especially children, can swallow lead dust as they eat, play, and do other normal hand-to-mouth activities. People may also breathe in lead dust or fumes if they disturb lead-based paint. People who sand, scrape, burn, brush, blast or otherwise disturb lead-based paint risk unsafe exposure to lead.
Lead is especially dangerous to children under 6 years of age.
Lead can affect children’s brains and developing nervous
systems, causing:
• Reduced IQ and learning disabilities.
• Behavioral problems.
Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies.
Lead is also harmful to adults. In adults, low levels of lead can pose many dangers, including:
• High blood pressure and hypertension.
• Pregnant women exposed to lead can transfer lead to their fetus.
What are the requirements of preschool facilities with regard to lead?
Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 44-109 specifies minimum requirements for licensed child-care centers and preschools and defines those child-caring environments that are governed by the licensing standards. The licensing standards govern among other criteria health and safety within the physical facility. See excerpt on the following page from IAC 44 -Chapter 109 page 22.
Who do I contact if have I concerns of lead exposure in preschool?
You can contact your Child Care Consultant in your area.
What local agency can I contact if I want more information or have concerns of lead exposure to kindergarten aged children or building occupants?
You can contact the Iowa Department of Public Health
How do I get tested for lead?
The only way to test for lead-poisoning is have your health care provider perform a blood test. Note: Blood lead level testing is required in the state of Iowa before entering kindergarten. See this link for more information.
District contact - Facility issues:
Additional information:
Circumstances were such that paint was noticed peeling off the wall in the north stairwell at Horace Mann. Additionally, when there is a preschool program within a school building, paint should be assessed for lead hazards prior to any repairs being preformed.
Concerns:
- Repair area greater than 1.0 square feet [IAC 641-69.3(135)] was performed by district maintenance personnel which involved scraping of painted surface under the direction of the Physical Plant Director in a pre-1978 facility for a period of approximately four weeks .
- Work area (stairwell) was accessible by building occupants.
- No prior notice or distribution of pamphlets was given to building occupants before repair starts, nor were signs posted.
- District maintenance personnel performing the repair was not trained.
- Building occupants possible exposure to lead.
Federal law requires that contractors/ building owners performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 and in child care facilities and schools built before 1978, that a child under six years of age visits regularly, to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. See EPA's Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right.
Note: Beginning April 22, 2010 renovators must be certified and follow lead safe work practices.
What is the Horace Mann lead report illustrating?
Paint chips sampled from north stairwell were above the allowable levels for lead. Note: Risk equals the hazard (lead) times duration of exposure (approximately four weeks) plus individual sensitivity.
Why is lead dangerous?
Lead gets into the body when it is swallowed or inhaled. People, especially children, can swallow lead dust as they eat, play, and do other normal hand-to-mouth activities. People may also breathe in lead dust or fumes if they disturb lead-based paint. People who sand, scrape, burn, brush, blast or otherwise disturb lead-based paint risk unsafe exposure to lead.
Lead is especially dangerous to children under 6 years of age.
Lead can affect children’s brains and developing nervous
systems, causing:
• Reduced IQ and learning disabilities.
• Behavioral problems.
Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies.
Lead is also harmful to adults. In adults, low levels of lead can pose many dangers, including:
• High blood pressure and hypertension.
• Pregnant women exposed to lead can transfer lead to their fetus.
What are the requirements of preschool facilities with regard to lead?
Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 44-109 specifies minimum requirements for licensed child-care centers and preschools and defines those child-caring environments that are governed by the licensing standards. The licensing standards govern among other criteria health and safety within the physical facility. See excerpt on the following page from IAC 44 -Chapter 109 page 22.
109.11(7) Environmental hazards.
a. Within one year of being issued an initial or renewal license, centers operating in facilities built prior to 1960 shall conduct a visual assessment for lead hazards that exist in the form of peeling or chipping paint. If the presence of peeling or chipping paint is found, the paint shall be presumed to be lead-based paint unless a certified inspector as defined in department of public health rules at 641—Chapter 70 determines that it is not lead-based paint. If the presence of peeling or chipping paint is found, interim controls using safe work methods as defined by the state department of public health shall be accomplished prior to a full license being issued.
Who do I contact if have I concerns of lead exposure in preschool?
You can contact your Child Care Consultant in your area.
What local agency can I contact if I want more information or have concerns of lead exposure to kindergarten aged children or building occupants?
You can contact the Iowa Department of Public Health
How do I get tested for lead?
The only way to test for lead-poisoning is have your health care provider perform a blood test. Note: Blood lead level testing is required in the state of Iowa before entering kindergarten. See this link for more information.
District contact - Facility issues:
- Paul Schultz, Director of Physical Plant - Keeps current of new regulations regarding safety and training of employees and their implementation. Office: 319-688-1251
- Dave McKenzie, Assistant Director Physical Plant - Ensures district compliance with required Public Safety and Health Issues related to schools. Office: 319-688-1252
- Paul Bobek, Executive Director of Business Services - Public records keeper and oversees all physical plant operations. Phone: 319-688-1000
Additional information:
- EPA's lead hazard information pamphlet: Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF)
- RENOVATION, REMODELING, AND REPAINTING RULE (RRP) AMENDMENTS TO 641- CHAPTER 70, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- 641 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) Chapter 69
- Healthy Homes Collaborative, Lead FAQ
- asmalldoseof.org/lead
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Safety Violations and Firearms in the ICCSD
by Maria Houser Conzemius
During the last two years of former Iowa City Community School District Superintendent Lane Plugge’s tenure, a number of serious safety violations occurred on ICCSD property. And it appears the Iowa City school board and current superintendent are doing little to reverse this trend.
Dave Gurwell, who served as assistant director of the district’s physical plant from 1987 to 2010, told me of safety violations on school district property in which the district was in violation of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. During that time and before, Gurwell was the district’s designated person for ensuring compliance with the act.
Gurwell was also the district’s safety-committee chairman and primary contact regarding safety in the district. However, he was not allowed to control work conditions or procedures. Former safety coordinator Bob Porter said he was not allowed to control work conditions or procedures, either. To do his job, Porter had to drive around the district and ask for reports so he’d know what was going on. He, too, was left out of the loop.
In the fall of 2009, Iowa City Community School District physical-plant director Paul Schultz directed a renovation project in which asbestos was disturbed at City High, Gurwell said. Work was stopped upon discovery of asbestos contamination. Under asbestos-act requirements, the room should have been sealed. But instead, it was left open for more than a week, contaminating second-floor hallways. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources required an immediate wipe down of the second-floor hallways or possible shutdown of the entire school. The district failed to notify all City High occupants, as required by the asbestos-act, of abatement activities on the second floor.
Asbestos exposure usually occurs at a work site and can cause mesothelioma, a deadly cancer.
At Southeast Junior High, Schultz approved dangerous friable asbestos removal by plumbing contractors not certified for asbestos abatement. Contractors working under Schultz’s direction improperly contained and stored asbestos in the gym and then the loading dock, which exposed building occupants and the public to asbestos.
The Department of Natural Resources also identified violations and imposed fines after district staff at Lucas Elementary dumped caustic, floor-stripping waste onto the parking lot. Staff hosed down the area with water, and the runoff reached the storm sewers and Ralston Creek.
All three incidents took place after the school district eliminated Bob Porter’s safety-coordinator position. Porter was laid off in March 2009, ostensibly as a cost-cutting measure.
In the ensuing 19 months, without a knowledgeable safety coordinator ensuring district compliance with local, state and federal regulations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources identified numerous violations and imposed fines on the district.
The district’s attitude toward school safety was perhaps best illustrated when in early 2010, Schultz brought a gun to the school district physical plant to show staff in a work environment that at least 12 former and current employees have described as extremely hostile.
A weapons offense like this would get a student expelled immediately, but apparently Superintendent Plugge, Executive Director Paul Bobek, and the school board felt that no disciplinary action was required.
When Ed Stone, a concerned parent, asked school board president Patti Fields if a gun had indeed been brought onto school property by a district employee, she acknowledged that an incident had occurred but did not name the employee. It is a felony in Iowa to bring a firearm onto school grounds.
However, County Attorney Janet Lyness responded that the school district’s physical plant is not a school — despite the fact that Stone informed her that a home-building program for students had been based at the physical plant in the recent past, a fact corroborated by school district staff. Until June 2010, students had free access to the physical plant for materials and to use the bathrooms.
To date, the school district administration, the school board, and the county attorney have treated the firearm incident on school district property as a “private personnel matter.” Other serious safety violations also appear to be sufficiently acceptable to district leadership that they have left Paul Schultz at the helm of the ICCSD physical plant.
About the author and the article
Maria Houser Conzemius received her B.A. in English Literature in 1972 from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. In 1992, she received her Master of Social Work from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. She was a member of the Writers' Group of the Iowa City Press-Citizen from 2006 to 2011 and currently blogs for the Iowa City Press-Citizen and the Des Moines Register. Maria originally submitted this article to the Iowa City Press-Citizen who edited it to remove any mention of the firearm incident and all references to Paul Schultz by name or title. When she vigorously argued to have the article restored to its original form, she was fired from the Writer’s Group. She then submitted it to the Daily Iowan and it initially seemed that it would be published there. The editorial page editor sent her the final version of the entire op-ed virtually intact, and told her that it would be published the next morning. It wasn't published at all in the print edition but was published for a few hours "by mistake" in the online edition (you can see what the Daily Iowan online edition looked like here). Somebody pulled the article at the last minute from the print edition. Maria never got an explanation for why that happened. She then sent the op-ed to the Cedar Rapids Gazette editorial page editor, Jeff Tecklenburg, who acknowledged receipt and communicated with her about it in a timely, respectful fashion. Unfortunately, the Gazette showed little further interest in following up with the news department or publishing the piece. Finally, she sent it to Randy Evans, the Des Moines Register's new editorial page editor, who did not even have the courtesy to acknowledge receipt of the submission, much less publish it. Their loss is ICCSDLeaks gain.
During the last two years of former Iowa City Community School District Superintendent Lane Plugge’s tenure, a number of serious safety violations occurred on ICCSD property. And it appears the Iowa City school board and current superintendent are doing little to reverse this trend.
Dave Gurwell, who served as assistant director of the district’s physical plant from 1987 to 2010, told me of safety violations on school district property in which the district was in violation of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. During that time and before, Gurwell was the district’s designated person for ensuring compliance with the act.
Gurwell was also the district’s safety-committee chairman and primary contact regarding safety in the district. However, he was not allowed to control work conditions or procedures. Former safety coordinator Bob Porter said he was not allowed to control work conditions or procedures, either. To do his job, Porter had to drive around the district and ask for reports so he’d know what was going on. He, too, was left out of the loop.
In the fall of 2009, Iowa City Community School District physical-plant director Paul Schultz directed a renovation project in which asbestos was disturbed at City High, Gurwell said. Work was stopped upon discovery of asbestos contamination. Under asbestos-act requirements, the room should have been sealed. But instead, it was left open for more than a week, contaminating second-floor hallways. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources required an immediate wipe down of the second-floor hallways or possible shutdown of the entire school. The district failed to notify all City High occupants, as required by the asbestos-act, of abatement activities on the second floor.
Asbestos exposure usually occurs at a work site and can cause mesothelioma, a deadly cancer.
At Southeast Junior High, Schultz approved dangerous friable asbestos removal by plumbing contractors not certified for asbestos abatement. Contractors working under Schultz’s direction improperly contained and stored asbestos in the gym and then the loading dock, which exposed building occupants and the public to asbestos.
The Department of Natural Resources also identified violations and imposed fines after district staff at Lucas Elementary dumped caustic, floor-stripping waste onto the parking lot. Staff hosed down the area with water, and the runoff reached the storm sewers and Ralston Creek.
All three incidents took place after the school district eliminated Bob Porter’s safety-coordinator position. Porter was laid off in March 2009, ostensibly as a cost-cutting measure.
In the ensuing 19 months, without a knowledgeable safety coordinator ensuring district compliance with local, state and federal regulations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources identified numerous violations and imposed fines on the district.
The district’s attitude toward school safety was perhaps best illustrated when in early 2010, Schultz brought a gun to the school district physical plant to show staff in a work environment that at least 12 former and current employees have described as extremely hostile.
A weapons offense like this would get a student expelled immediately, but apparently Superintendent Plugge, Executive Director Paul Bobek, and the school board felt that no disciplinary action was required.
When Ed Stone, a concerned parent, asked school board president Patti Fields if a gun had indeed been brought onto school property by a district employee, she acknowledged that an incident had occurred but did not name the employee. It is a felony in Iowa to bring a firearm onto school grounds.
However, County Attorney Janet Lyness responded that the school district’s physical plant is not a school — despite the fact that Stone informed her that a home-building program for students had been based at the physical plant in the recent past, a fact corroborated by school district staff. Until June 2010, students had free access to the physical plant for materials and to use the bathrooms.
To date, the school district administration, the school board, and the county attorney have treated the firearm incident on school district property as a “private personnel matter.” Other serious safety violations also appear to be sufficiently acceptable to district leadership that they have left Paul Schultz at the helm of the ICCSD physical plant.
About the author and the article
Maria Houser Conzemius received her B.A. in English Literature in 1972 from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. In 1992, she received her Master of Social Work from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. She was a member of the Writers' Group of the Iowa City Press-Citizen from 2006 to 2011 and currently blogs for the Iowa City Press-Citizen and the Des Moines Register. Maria originally submitted this article to the Iowa City Press-Citizen who edited it to remove any mention of the firearm incident and all references to Paul Schultz by name or title. When she vigorously argued to have the article restored to its original form, she was fired from the Writer’s Group. She then submitted it to the Daily Iowan and it initially seemed that it would be published there. The editorial page editor sent her the final version of the entire op-ed virtually intact, and told her that it would be published the next morning. It wasn't published at all in the print edition but was published for a few hours "by mistake" in the online edition (you can see what the Daily Iowan online edition looked like here). Somebody pulled the article at the last minute from the print edition. Maria never got an explanation for why that happened. She then sent the op-ed to the Cedar Rapids Gazette editorial page editor, Jeff Tecklenburg, who acknowledged receipt and communicated with her about it in a timely, respectful fashion. Unfortunately, the Gazette showed little further interest in following up with the news department or publishing the piece. Finally, she sent it to Randy Evans, the Des Moines Register's new editorial page editor, who did not even have the courtesy to acknowledge receipt of the submission, much less publish it. Their loss is ICCSDLeaks gain.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
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