Foi Batchelder Investigation Letters
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HARTFORD Public Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED. VIVIAN MERCADO
STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI SUPERINTENDENT
ASSOCIATE LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
August 18,2009 Norma Castro 93 Roxbury Road East Hartford, CT 06118 Dear Ms. Castro: As you are aware, recently an investigation was conducted regarding allegations ofyour inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, including but not limited to forging a signature on a document. This letter will serve as notice that a pre-disciplinary meeting to discuss the abovementioned allegations has been scheduled for August 21, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Hartford System of Schools' central office, which is located at 960 Main Street, 9th Floor Hartford, Connecticut. Jill Cutler-Hodgman, Interim Co-Director of Human Resources, will be conducting the meeting. Your attendance at this meeting is required. If you are not in attendance, we will proceed with decisions regarding disciplinary action without your input. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact me immediately at (860) 6958616. Sincerely,
Vivian Mercado cc:
\ I
J. Cutler-Hodgman, W. Moses, M. Bentham, J. Pappas, Investigation File
960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschools.org
HARTFORD Public Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED. STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI, PH.D.
JILL CUTLER HODGMAN INTERIM CO-DIRECTOR OF
SUPERINTENDENT
HUMAN RESOURCES
August 25, 2009 Ms. Norma Castro 93 Roxbury Road East Hartford, CT 06118 Dear Ms. Castro: Recently, our office concluded an investigation into your alleged inappropriate conduct on or about March 13,2009. Specifically, it is alleged that you forged a signature of a vendor on a document. After a thorough investigation, a pre-disciplinary meeting was held on August 21, 2009, in the presence of Willie Mae Moses, Interim Co-Director of Human Resources, you and me. During that meeting, you reaffirmed the accuracy of the statement you made through the investigatory process. You were also given the opportunity to provide any other information to the Administration you felt relevant before any disciplinary decisions were made. Based on the investigation and the information you provided, we find that you did sign the letter that authorized the $500 payment as Mr. Perez. Mr. Perez denies your claim that he authorized you to sign on his behalf. Please consider this document a written reprimand. Your decision to sign a legal document on behalf of a vendor was improper and constitutes poor judgment. You agreed during the meeting that you did not think it through but you understand what a significant mistake you committed. You indicated that you learned your lesson and would not put yourself in such a position in the future. Please be aware that future misconduct shall subject you to further disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Sincerely,
r^
JiTi Cutler Hodgman JCH/hmma / cc: J. Thompson, W. Moses, J. Pappas, M. Bentham, M. Dones, Investigation File, Personnel File
960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschools.org Tel. (860)695-8485 Fax (860)722-8083
Norma Castro, FRA, was interviewed on 7-7-09 and stated: This is my first year as the FRA. Barbara told me that I had to find 4 or 5 businesses and set up accounts for $500 for parent activities. I asked Barbara if she thought it was a good idea if I approached Epi at the Coolest Cow to ask if he wanted to participate. He said fine. I told him that he had to fill out the forms to become a vendor. Barbara said that he came by and everything was okay. He received a check for $500. He then told me that he could not cash the check. I asked him twice that I needed sandwiches and he said that he could not do it. He never said why he could not do it. I did bring Epi the New Vendor Request form and the W-9 paperwork. I brought it to him and to C-Town. When I spoke to Epi and his wife about them writing a note telling us that they were going to receive payment for catering goods at Batchelder, Epi and his wife said that they were too busy to do it and could Barbara write something up. Barbara wrote up a note and I called Epi and told him he had to come and sign it. He told me over the phone to just to go ahead and sign the note. I signed the note (Epifanio Perez) and passed it in to Barbara. I am not lying that he told me to sign the note. Epi was the PTO President. I would do most of the agendas for the PTO. I would make arrangements for speakers for the meeting. I would have the agenda prepared and I would try to give him the agenda and encourage him to lead the meeting. He would say no you do it. I do not feel comfortable speaking in front of the people. Mr. Pappas and I would end up running the meetings.
HARTFORD Public Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED. STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI, PH.D. SUPERINTENDENT
JILL CUTLER HODGMAN INTERIM CO-DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
July 30, 2009 Mr. James Pappas 49 Hightower Road Southington, CT 06489 Dear Mr. Pappas: Recently, our office concluded an investigation into your alleged inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, including failure to supervise staff, poor judgment in authorizing a payment, and action that created an appearance of impropriety. After a thorough investigation, a pre-disciplinary meeting was held on July 15, 2009, in the presence of James Thompson, Assistant Superintendent; Willie Mae Moses, Interim Co-Director of Human Resources; Paul Stringer, your Union Representative, you and me. During that meeting, you reaffirmed the accuracy of the statement you made through the investigatory process. You were also given the opportunity to provide any other information to the Administration you felt relevant before any disciplinary decisions were made. Based on the investigation and the information you provided, we find that you engaged in poor judgment and you failed to adequately supervise your staff in the execution of a payment for the PTO president. Further, you acknowledged, during the pre-disciplinary meeting, that you did not review all the appropriate documentation prior to signing the voucher but made assumptions that procedures were followed. You also acknowledged making a statement to the PTO president who was expressing his concerns regarding your leadership. You stated that you had included the community as the president had been paid $500 to cater for school events. You agreed in retrospect that this statement was not appropriate to raise in that context and that the comment created a perception of improper motives. You specifically noted that you would become more thorough regarding processing and be certain to avoid responding defensively to staff and community members. Please view this document as a letter of counseling. We appreciate your candor and reflection in how you can learn from your experiences as a first year principal. Please be aware that future misconduct shall subject you to further disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Sincerely,
nil Cutler Hodgman JCH/hmma ^ cc: J. Thompson, W. Moses, J. Pertillar, Investigation File 960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschoQls.org Tel. (860)695-8485 Fax (860)722-8083
HARTFORD PiMc Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED VIVIAN MERCADO
STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI
ASSOCIATE LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
SUPERINTENDENT
July 14, 2009 James Pappas 49 Hightower Road Southington, CT 06489 Dear Mr. Pappas: As you are aware, recently an investigation was conducted regarding allegations of your inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, including failure to supervise staff, poor judgment in authorizing a payment and creating an appearance of impropriety. This letter will serve as notice that a pre-disciplinary meeting to discuss the abovementioned allegations has been scheduled for July 15, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Hartford System of Schools' central office, which is located at 960 Main Street, 9th Floor Hartford, Connecticut. Jill Cutler-Hodgman, Interim Co-Director for Human Resources, will be conducting the meeting. Your attendance at this meeting is required. If you are not in attendance, we will proceed with decisions regarding disciplinary action without your input. You have the right to union representation. As such, it is your responsibility to notify your union representative to be present with you on said date and time. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact me immediately at (860) 6958616. Sincerely,
Vivian Mercado cc:
J. Cutler-Hodgman, J. Thompson, W. Moses, H. Marek, M. Dones, J. Pertillar, Investigation File
960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschools.org
HARTFORD Public Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED. JILL CUTLER HODGMAN
STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI, PH.D.
INTERIM CO-DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
SUPERINTENDENT
September 2, 2009 Ms. Barbara DeJesus 19HeimRoad East Hartford, CT 06118 Dear Ms. DeJesus: Recently, our office concluded an investigation into your alleged inappropriate conduct, including not following procedures and processing paperwork to pay money to a vendor on or about March 2009. Specifically, it is alleged that you failed to include the new vendor form or W-9 form as required when you produced the payment voucher for your principal's signature. After a thorough investigation, a pre-disciplinary meeting was held on August 28, 2009, in the presence of Willie Mae Moses, Interim Co-Director of Human Resources; Pat Mitchell and Jim Howe, your Union Representatives, you and me. During that meeting, you reaffirmed the accuracy of the statement you made through the investigatory process. You were also given the opportunity to provide any other information to the Administration you felt relevant before any disciplinary decisions were made. Based on the investigation and the information you provided, we find that you failed to follow procedures before processing the voucher. Further, you acknowledged, during the pre-disciplinary meeting, that you had suggested Mr. Perez as a vendor and the FRA followed up with him. You stated that you are responsible for confirming that the W-9 and new vendor form are complete before the voucher is processed or presented to the principal for signature, and you failed to do that in this instance. Please consider this document a confirmation of a verbal warning. You must take greater care in the future when processing payments and be certain that all procedures are followed and all paperwork completed. Please be aware that future misconduct shall subject you to further disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Sincerely,
J^J/Cutler Hodgman JCH/hmma cc: W. Moses, J. Pappas, M. Dones, J. Howe, Investigation File
960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschools.org Tel. (860)695-8485 Fax (860)722-8083
HARTFORD Public Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED. VIVIAN MERCADO ASSOCIATE LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI SUPERINTENDENT
August 24, 2009
Barbara DeJesus 19HeimRoad East Hartford, CT 06118 Dear Ms. De Jesus: As you are aware, recently an investigation was-conducted regarding allegations of your inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, including but not limited to not following procedures and processing paperwork to pay money to a vender. This, letter will serve as notice that a pre-disciplinary meeting to discuss the abovementioned allegations has been scheduled for August 28,2009 at 11:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Hartford System of Schools' central office, which is located at 960 Main Street, 9th Floor Hartford, Connecticut. Jill Cutler-Hodgman, Interim Director of Human Resources, will be conducting the meeting. Your attendance at this meeting is required. If "you are not in attendance, we will proceed with decisions regarding disciplinary action without your input. You have the right to union representation. As such, it is your responsibility to notify your union representative to be present with you on said date and time. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact me immediately at (860) 6958616. Sincerely,
Vivian Mercado cc:
J. Cutler-Hodgman, W. Moses, J. Pappas, M. Dones, J. Howe, Investigation File
960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschools.org
Barabara DeJesus, Executive Assistant, was interviewed on 7-7-09 and knowingly and willingly waived her right to union representation and stated: We had Title 1 funds for about $5000. Every year we will get a statement(bill) from local merchants and purchase food and supplies supporting the parents and students at our school. I was given a bill from Mr. Epi Perez a bill for $500 for services and goods he would provide through his business The Coolest Cow. I may have received the bill from Norma Castro. I did not sign Epi's signature on the bill that was submitted to me from the Coolest Cow. I did call him at one time to remind him to cash the check we had issued to him before the 60 days were up. He told me that he was not going to talk about it. I called him only once. I did fill out the Payment Voucher. I was given the bill from the Coolest Cow I believe by Norma. I did not sign Epi's signature to the bill that was presented. I do not remember Mr. Pappas being reluctant in signing the Voucher.
STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI SUPERINTENDENT
ASSOCIATE LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
August 18,2009 Norma Castro 93 Roxbury Road East Hartford, CT 06118 Dear Ms. Castro: As you are aware, recently an investigation was conducted regarding allegations ofyour inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, including but not limited to forging a signature on a document. This letter will serve as notice that a pre-disciplinary meeting to discuss the abovementioned allegations has been scheduled for August 21, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Hartford System of Schools' central office, which is located at 960 Main Street, 9th Floor Hartford, Connecticut. Jill Cutler-Hodgman, Interim Co-Director of Human Resources, will be conducting the meeting. Your attendance at this meeting is required. If you are not in attendance, we will proceed with decisions regarding disciplinary action without your input. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact me immediately at (860) 6958616. Sincerely,
Vivian Mercado cc:
\ I
J. Cutler-Hodgman, W. Moses, M. Bentham, J. Pappas, Investigation File
960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschools.org
HARTFORD Public Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED. STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI, PH.D.
JILL CUTLER HODGMAN INTERIM CO-DIRECTOR OF
SUPERINTENDENT
HUMAN RESOURCES
August 25, 2009 Ms. Norma Castro 93 Roxbury Road East Hartford, CT 06118 Dear Ms. Castro: Recently, our office concluded an investigation into your alleged inappropriate conduct on or about March 13,2009. Specifically, it is alleged that you forged a signature of a vendor on a document. After a thorough investigation, a pre-disciplinary meeting was held on August 21, 2009, in the presence of Willie Mae Moses, Interim Co-Director of Human Resources, you and me. During that meeting, you reaffirmed the accuracy of the statement you made through the investigatory process. You were also given the opportunity to provide any other information to the Administration you felt relevant before any disciplinary decisions were made. Based on the investigation and the information you provided, we find that you did sign the letter that authorized the $500 payment as Mr. Perez. Mr. Perez denies your claim that he authorized you to sign on his behalf. Please consider this document a written reprimand. Your decision to sign a legal document on behalf of a vendor was improper and constitutes poor judgment. You agreed during the meeting that you did not think it through but you understand what a significant mistake you committed. You indicated that you learned your lesson and would not put yourself in such a position in the future. Please be aware that future misconduct shall subject you to further disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Sincerely,
r^
JiTi Cutler Hodgman JCH/hmma / cc: J. Thompson, W. Moses, J. Pappas, M. Bentham, M. Dones, Investigation File, Personnel File
960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschools.org Tel. (860)695-8485 Fax (860)722-8083
Norma Castro, FRA, was interviewed on 7-7-09 and stated: This is my first year as the FRA. Barbara told me that I had to find 4 or 5 businesses and set up accounts for $500 for parent activities. I asked Barbara if she thought it was a good idea if I approached Epi at the Coolest Cow to ask if he wanted to participate. He said fine. I told him that he had to fill out the forms to become a vendor. Barbara said that he came by and everything was okay. He received a check for $500. He then told me that he could not cash the check. I asked him twice that I needed sandwiches and he said that he could not do it. He never said why he could not do it. I did bring Epi the New Vendor Request form and the W-9 paperwork. I brought it to him and to C-Town. When I spoke to Epi and his wife about them writing a note telling us that they were going to receive payment for catering goods at Batchelder, Epi and his wife said that they were too busy to do it and could Barbara write something up. Barbara wrote up a note and I called Epi and told him he had to come and sign it. He told me over the phone to just to go ahead and sign the note. I signed the note (Epifanio Perez) and passed it in to Barbara. I am not lying that he told me to sign the note. Epi was the PTO President. I would do most of the agendas for the PTO. I would make arrangements for speakers for the meeting. I would have the agenda prepared and I would try to give him the agenda and encourage him to lead the meeting. He would say no you do it. I do not feel comfortable speaking in front of the people. Mr. Pappas and I would end up running the meetings.
HARTFORD Public Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED. STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI, PH.D. SUPERINTENDENT
JILL CUTLER HODGMAN INTERIM CO-DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
July 30, 2009 Mr. James Pappas 49 Hightower Road Southington, CT 06489 Dear Mr. Pappas: Recently, our office concluded an investigation into your alleged inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, including failure to supervise staff, poor judgment in authorizing a payment, and action that created an appearance of impropriety. After a thorough investigation, a pre-disciplinary meeting was held on July 15, 2009, in the presence of James Thompson, Assistant Superintendent; Willie Mae Moses, Interim Co-Director of Human Resources; Paul Stringer, your Union Representative, you and me. During that meeting, you reaffirmed the accuracy of the statement you made through the investigatory process. You were also given the opportunity to provide any other information to the Administration you felt relevant before any disciplinary decisions were made. Based on the investigation and the information you provided, we find that you engaged in poor judgment and you failed to adequately supervise your staff in the execution of a payment for the PTO president. Further, you acknowledged, during the pre-disciplinary meeting, that you did not review all the appropriate documentation prior to signing the voucher but made assumptions that procedures were followed. You also acknowledged making a statement to the PTO president who was expressing his concerns regarding your leadership. You stated that you had included the community as the president had been paid $500 to cater for school events. You agreed in retrospect that this statement was not appropriate to raise in that context and that the comment created a perception of improper motives. You specifically noted that you would become more thorough regarding processing and be certain to avoid responding defensively to staff and community members. Please view this document as a letter of counseling. We appreciate your candor and reflection in how you can learn from your experiences as a first year principal. Please be aware that future misconduct shall subject you to further disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Sincerely,
nil Cutler Hodgman JCH/hmma ^ cc: J. Thompson, W. Moses, J. Pertillar, Investigation File 960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschoQls.org Tel. (860)695-8485 Fax (860)722-8083
HARTFORD PiMc Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED VIVIAN MERCADO
STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI
ASSOCIATE LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
SUPERINTENDENT
July 14, 2009 James Pappas 49 Hightower Road Southington, CT 06489 Dear Mr. Pappas: As you are aware, recently an investigation was conducted regarding allegations of your inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, including failure to supervise staff, poor judgment in authorizing a payment and creating an appearance of impropriety. This letter will serve as notice that a pre-disciplinary meeting to discuss the abovementioned allegations has been scheduled for July 15, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Hartford System of Schools' central office, which is located at 960 Main Street, 9th Floor Hartford, Connecticut. Jill Cutler-Hodgman, Interim Co-Director for Human Resources, will be conducting the meeting. Your attendance at this meeting is required. If you are not in attendance, we will proceed with decisions regarding disciplinary action without your input. You have the right to union representation. As such, it is your responsibility to notify your union representative to be present with you on said date and time. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact me immediately at (860) 6958616. Sincerely,
Vivian Mercado cc:
J. Cutler-Hodgman, J. Thompson, W. Moses, H. Marek, M. Dones, J. Pertillar, Investigation File
960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschools.org
HARTFORD Public Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED. JILL CUTLER HODGMAN
STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI, PH.D.
INTERIM CO-DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
SUPERINTENDENT
September 2, 2009 Ms. Barbara DeJesus 19HeimRoad East Hartford, CT 06118 Dear Ms. DeJesus: Recently, our office concluded an investigation into your alleged inappropriate conduct, including not following procedures and processing paperwork to pay money to a vendor on or about March 2009. Specifically, it is alleged that you failed to include the new vendor form or W-9 form as required when you produced the payment voucher for your principal's signature. After a thorough investigation, a pre-disciplinary meeting was held on August 28, 2009, in the presence of Willie Mae Moses, Interim Co-Director of Human Resources; Pat Mitchell and Jim Howe, your Union Representatives, you and me. During that meeting, you reaffirmed the accuracy of the statement you made through the investigatory process. You were also given the opportunity to provide any other information to the Administration you felt relevant before any disciplinary decisions were made. Based on the investigation and the information you provided, we find that you failed to follow procedures before processing the voucher. Further, you acknowledged, during the pre-disciplinary meeting, that you had suggested Mr. Perez as a vendor and the FRA followed up with him. You stated that you are responsible for confirming that the W-9 and new vendor form are complete before the voucher is processed or presented to the principal for signature, and you failed to do that in this instance. Please consider this document a confirmation of a verbal warning. You must take greater care in the future when processing payments and be certain that all procedures are followed and all paperwork completed. Please be aware that future misconduct shall subject you to further disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Sincerely,
J^J/Cutler Hodgman JCH/hmma cc: W. Moses, J. Pappas, M. Dones, J. Howe, Investigation File
960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschools.org Tel. (860)695-8485 Fax (860)722-8083
HARTFORD Public Schools CHOOSE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED. VIVIAN MERCADO ASSOCIATE LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
STEVEN J. ADAMOWSKI SUPERINTENDENT
August 24, 2009
Barbara DeJesus 19HeimRoad East Hartford, CT 06118 Dear Ms. De Jesus: As you are aware, recently an investigation was-conducted regarding allegations of your inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, including but not limited to not following procedures and processing paperwork to pay money to a vender. This, letter will serve as notice that a pre-disciplinary meeting to discuss the abovementioned allegations has been scheduled for August 28,2009 at 11:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Hartford System of Schools' central office, which is located at 960 Main Street, 9th Floor Hartford, Connecticut. Jill Cutler-Hodgman, Interim Director of Human Resources, will be conducting the meeting. Your attendance at this meeting is required. If "you are not in attendance, we will proceed with decisions regarding disciplinary action without your input. You have the right to union representation. As such, it is your responsibility to notify your union representative to be present with you on said date and time. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact me immediately at (860) 6958616. Sincerely,
Vivian Mercado cc:
J. Cutler-Hodgman, W. Moses, J. Pappas, M. Dones, J. Howe, Investigation File
960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 www.hartfordschools.org
Barabara DeJesus, Executive Assistant, was interviewed on 7-7-09 and knowingly and willingly waived her right to union representation and stated: We had Title 1 funds for about $5000. Every year we will get a statement(bill) from local merchants and purchase food and supplies supporting the parents and students at our school. I was given a bill from Mr. Epi Perez a bill for $500 for services and goods he would provide through his business The Coolest Cow. I may have received the bill from Norma Castro. I did not sign Epi's signature on the bill that was submitted to me from the Coolest Cow. I did call him at one time to remind him to cash the check we had issued to him before the 60 days were up. He told me that he was not going to talk about it. I called him only once. I did fill out the Payment Voucher. I was given the bill from the Coolest Cow I believe by Norma. I did not sign Epi's signature to the bill that was presented. I do not remember Mr. Pappas being reluctant in signing the Voucher.
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