McComb school superintendent Therese Palmertree testified on Tuesday that she tried to give fired Higgins Middle School teacher Willie Jenkins the opportunity to tell his side of the story during a meeting, but he left before she could do so.
Palmertree was one of two witnesses to speak in the second day of testimony that resumed this week in the hearing requested by Jenkins after his October 2008 dismissal. Also under oath was deputy superintendent Levander German, whose primary testimony was given on Monday.
Jenkins was fired following a Sept. 17 incident in which principal Kelli Little said she walked into Jenkins’ classroom to have him sign a referral. When she entered the room, Little testified that all three of Jenkins’ students had their heads down and appeared to be sleeping and that Jenkins was on his cell phone, which is a violation of school policy.
Little testified that her visit took place during what should have been math instruction time, and that Jenkins told her he was on the phone with school liaison officer Brad Miller trying to find the whereabouts of one of his students. Little testified that she told Jenkins it sounded like he was talking to a woman, a statement she later admitted was inappropriate, and for which she received an official reprimand from Palmertree.
“I said to (Little), ‘You are going to learn through experience to restrain impulsivity,’ ” Palmertree testified on Tuesday.
Palmertree said the student in question had thrown his food tray that morning, and personnel suspected he may have been under the influence of a drug.
Jenkins’ attorney Edna Stringer disputed the timing of the cell phone call, saying it happened just before lunch, which was not instruction time.
Palmertree countered that classroom time is “bell to bell,” and that every minute of teaching is precious.
The superintendent noted that administrators drew up a performance improvement plan and presented it to Jenkins, but he refused to take part in it on several occasions, prompting his dismissal.
Palmertree noted that Jenkins sent her a written request on Sept. 18 to investigate what happened between him and Little. The superintendent said other administrators — German, Ruby Husband, Betty Wilson and Becky Morgan — met with Jenkins because she was taking care of one of her ailing parents at that time.
When efforts to have Jenkins participate in an improvement plan failed, Palmertree met with Jenkins in her office a week later, on Sept. 25.
Attorney Jim Keith, who is representing the school district in the hearing, asked why Palmertree didn’t ask Jenkins to tell his side of the story when the meeting began. Palmertree answered that, as superintendent, it was her meeting and she set the agenda. She said she wanted to go through the letter with him and he would have the chance to address his concerns.
“It was a very uncomfortable meeting to begin with, and there was some underlying anger,” Palmertree said. “I could not have any true conversation on those matters.”
Palmertree acknowledged that there have been times when letters of reprimand are discarded when administrators are satisfied that a questionable situation has been properly handled.
“Why not this one?” Keith asked, referring to Jenkins’ letter.
“We never got to a civil discussion,” Palmertree said.
At a later meeting with Jenkins that day, Palmertree said he told her he wanted to talk to her about this letter of reprimand.
Palmertree said she told Jenkins the letter didn’t mean he was fired.
“He jumped up and get very loud and said, ‘If you want to fire me, fire me.’ I had wanted to give him the opportunity to explain. … We all have the opportunity to improve,” Palmertree said. “He would have no part of an improvement plan. I must be able to hold employees accountable.”
She testified that Jenkins’ ultimate firing had nothing to do with the Sept. 17 incident, but because of his refusal to take part in an improvement plan. She said she was concerned that Jenkins “showed general disrespect to all our administrators. I was looking for accountability.”
Asked how many opportunities administrators gave Jenkins to acknowledge his shortcomings, Palmertree said he had at least four chances in separate meetings.
On cross examination, Stringer pointed out that Palmertree had already written the letter of reprimand when Jenkins met to talk about the situation with her. Stringer said that indicated punishment before he could tell his side of the story.
Palmertree said she had every intention of listening to what Jenkins had to say.
“He looked at the first paragraph (of the reprimand) and asked, ‘Do I need an attorney?’ ” Palmertree said. “He refused to go through the issues point-by-point.”
She said his actions amounted to insubordination, first by his demeanor in refusing a request for the improvement plan, and second, by not taking part in discussion.
“Discussion is two-way. We were on two separate agendas,” Palmertree said. … “I was not the person refusing. … I’m a listener. He got to the first paragraph and quit.”
Palmertree testified that she felt comfortable with the way she handled the situation.
Jenkins’ hearing will continue on April 22 and 23, with Palmertree returning under oath. Stringer will then present her case to hearing officer Terry Caves.Jenkins that day, Palmertree said he told her he wanted to talk to her about this letter of reprimand.
Palmertree said she told Jenkins the letter didn’t mean he was fired.
“He jumped up and get very loud and said, ‘If you want to fire me, fire me.’ I had wanted to give him the opportunity to explain. … We all have the opportunity to improve,” Palmertree said. “He would have no part of an improvement plan. I must be able to hold employees accountable.”
She testified that that Jenkins’ ultimate firing had nothing to do with the Sept. 17 incident, but because of his refusal to take part in an improvement plan. She said she was concerned that Jenkins “showed general disrespect to all our administrators. I was looking for accountability.”
Asked how many opportunities administrators gave Jenkins to acknowledge his shortcomings, Palmertree said he had at least four chances in separate meetings.
On cross examination, Stringer pointed out that Palmertree had already written the letter of reprimand when Jenkins met to talk about the situation with her. Stringer said that indicated punishment before he could tell his side of the story.
Palmertree said she had every intention of listening to what Jenkins had to say..
“He looked at the first paragraph (of the reprimand) and asked, ‘Do I need an attorney,’ ” Palmertree said. “He refused to go through the issues point-by-point.”
She said his actions amounted to insubordination, first by his demeanor in refusing a request for the improvement plan, and second, by not taking part in discussion.
“Discussion is two-way. We were on two separate agendas,” Palmertree said. … “I was not the person refusing. … I’m a listener. He got to the first paragraph and quit.”
Palmertree testified that she felt comfortable with the way she handled the situation.
Jenkins’ hearing will continue on April 22 and 23, with Palmertree returning under oath. Stringer will then present her case to hearing officer Terry Caves.
