Central Administration of the Douglas Unified School District recently responded to criticism over the high school not rehiring teacher Ken Cormier this year under the ESI program.
 Former Soccer Coach Ken Cormier resigned after not being rehired as an instructor. |
Retired teachers are eligible to be rehired under the ESI program with no benefits and at 75 percent of their previous salary. This is a way to keep teachers in the classroom and not punish them because they have acquired enough points to retire.
According to the report filed by Superintendent Earl Pettit with the Board:
“In February, all ESI employees were informed of their need to apply as well as the intent to offer those recommended with employment with the District — this would increase the compensation package value for the employee but not cost more because it would eliminate the fees paid to ESI for that contractor.
“Mr. Cormier submitted his letter of interest which was required of him to apply for the position. There were other applications to consider which were forwarded to the High School.
“The high school conducted the screening and interviews, and made the recommendation of another teacher — the committee was unanimous in its recommendation. Besides very strong recommendations and very good interview, the recommended hire has a B.BA, MA, and experience in a secondary setting. Mr. Cormier was not selected by the committee. District-Level Administration had absolutely nothing to do with the establishment of the committee which consisted of: Dan Bates (Assistant Principal), Rob Doctor (CTE Director), Maria Figueroa (Support Staff/Parent), and Amy Paulmeyer (CTE Counselor). The District reviewed the hire recommendation and found the candidate to be qualified, with solid references, and clean criminal record so the recommendation was forwarded to the Board.”
Pettit said he is wants to discuss with an attorney allegations made by Cormier concerning unfair hiring practices.
In his note to the board, Pettit was confused about Cormier’s attacks on central administration, which did not have a part in him not being rehired.
In the report, Pettit states he has never met with Cormier about his status.
“He has never met with or made any complaint to the District. In the August 5 Douglas Dispatch, Cormier said in a letter about his resignation, “I am truly disappointed that after all the had work to establish our program as one of the most successful in the state, Central Administration would make such a callous and vindictive decision to not offer me a teaching contract for the upcoming school year. Because no professional reasons were given for the decision to hire someone who has no teaching experience over myself it is only logical to conclude that the ultimate intention of the superintendent for approving this decision was to force me to this resolution. It would have been very difficult for him to justify not hiring back a state championship coach.”
Comments
Del Arvayo wrote on Sep 7, 2009 11:17 PM:
BIG WOW to little wow wrote on Sep 5, 2009 10:46 AM:
Two, who cares what type of guy he is? He was not brought back and he cried to the joke dispatch. I understand the man needs to work to support his family (even though he is getting a state retirement and possibly social security), he quit being the soccer coach. Yes it was out of spite, but he said he was ready to leave because he had to work.
I know him and he is a great guy and has a great family. Bottom line is this showed us who he really is. The district is hurting for money but now they are going to create a position for him... Come on who are the loosers here? THE KIDS... Even less money for them.
OH and next time Mr. Cormier you have to go into an interview... Please take it seriously and dont have the attitude that the job is already yours. This new teacher blew your socks off with her interviewing skills. She may not have the experience you have, but she does have some skills you do not! "
wow wrote on Sep 4, 2009 7:59 PM:
alex G. wrote on Sep 3, 2009 6:55 PM:
Just heard the district invented a position for Mr. comier so when can have as a soccer coach. I just hope the district does not terminate the qualified teacher hired in place of Mr. Comier. What about Cardona? he was a coach and wasn't rehire. I hope it wasn't due to the color of his skin? "
WOW wrote on Sep 3, 2009 5:19 PM:
Everyone is wrong by taking this the joke dispatch. "
Rullys Friend wrote on Sep 3, 2009 11:10 AM:
WTF wrote on Sep 1, 2009 8:16 PM:
Alex G. agrees with Racial wrote on Aug 31, 2009 9:29 PM:
Dorothy wrote on Aug 31, 2009 8:49 PM:
I wish the leadership of our schools (Mr. Pettit) would stop creating havoc in the schools and create a network of teamwork in the intire district at all the schools including C.A.S. & alpha omega. all of our children could do much more for the economy and world if they could learn how to be healthy leaders for tomorrow. "
Oh please..... wrote on Aug 31, 2009 1:37 PM:
Racial wrote on Aug 29, 2009 7:01 PM:
Sick of Cormier wrote on Aug 29, 2009 6:56 PM:
The Truth wrote on Aug 29, 2009 2:07 PM:
So in the end is not about students, but more about cronyism, politics, and personal agendas. The fact remain that he was passed over for rehire, had a tantrum and resigned from his position as soccer coach (much to the detriment of his athletes). Of course if he really cared about his athletes this would have never entered his mind.
Another fact that seems to have been excluded from all the hype is that Mr. Cormier and two of his children work(ed) for DUSD and yet none of his children attend or ever have attended DUSD; you see the irony here: good enough to work for, but not good enough for his children to attend as students-to me something is really wrong with that.
Make no mistake about it-it's all about Mr. Cormier. The truth is that his athletes were prostituted for his own personal agenda and Mr. Keats, the School Board and Mr. Blaskey were duped and used as pawns in order for Mr. Cormier to regain a position within the district.
The truth is that it will be a sad day for DUSD when Mr. Cormier returns. "
To Seriously wrote on Aug 28, 2009 5:44 PM:
Give Me A Break wrote on Aug 28, 2009 12:52 PM:
Get it straight wrote on Aug 28, 2009 12:11 PM:
Mr. Cormier CHOSE to resign his coaching position. His resignation was simply him pitching a fit because he didn't get rehired. He could have easily chosen to sub in the district, keep his soccer position AND put out applications to wherever he chose to.
Chalk this up to learning and let's move on. "
old timer wrote on Aug 28, 2009 10:04 AM:
ESI Program wrote on Aug 27, 2009 10:26 PM:
Parfour Thecourse wrote on Aug 27, 2009 3:24 PM:
juan wrote on Aug 27, 2009 12:15 PM:
Seriously wrote on Aug 27, 2009 11:29 AM:
t wrote on Aug 27, 2009 11:19 AM: