Carter's Speech Before Thursday's Meeting

Statement of Release

With a sense of regret and bewilderment, I stand before this audience awaiting my fate in closed session, which almost assuredly spells my removal from this District.

This is what we were supposed to do this afternoon. Under the guidance of a nationally recognized mediator, Dr. Harry Wineberg, we were going to establish protocol, procedure, roles and responsibilities of how we would perform as a team. This process is much-needed, and the sign of a district that is trying to work in harmony for the sake of children. This of course was irretrievably altered Monday morning when President Addonizio changed the agenda to include my evaluation, which is not due for another 6 months, and of course dismissal, release or discipline of the Superintendent.

For the past few weeks, even before the elections were held, I regularly heard from very reliable sources that this newly seated group of trustees would have to remove me from my position, a role that I have grown to love in this superb school district. The obvious question is why? What have I done that is so egregious, so felonious in nature that I have to involuntarily dismissed, and above all, without any dialogue or discussion, without an opportunity to improve, and as a side note…the week before Christmas? Further, what have I done to deserve this demeaning treatment? Nothing comes to mind. I asked this very question of board president Addonizio yesterday when she gave me my 24 hour notice that the trustees may hear charges and complaints in closed session today. For the sake of keeping my own decorum, I will not share the responses she provided me. Suffice to say that I anxiously await the “charges and complaints” which I am about to receive. Also of particular note, I discovered last night to my amazement that my firing was originally being planned over the holidays, while I was on vacation. This can only be characterized as a cold, calculating and unfeeling act.

For the second time in a 4 month period these same agenda items have been put forward. It is in fact a ruse, an opportunity to ruin my reputation, to force me out of the district, and to bring in someone to run the district that has the same agenda, whatever they may be, as the new majority of trustees. Even if you do not vote to fire me today, you have made me a lame-duck; you have mortally wounded the position of superintendent in this District. You have shown a clear contempt and disregard for the office, have violated civility and courtesies, and done so in a classless manner. My comments do not apply to every trustee on the board, just those who are determined to micro-manage and usurp the authority of the office, and ultimately preside over the ruining of this district as we know it today. I am only the first to go. Administrators and other staff are vulnerable as well. No matter what the vote is today, you have created a hostile work environment that no single administrator in this district can endure. The unbearable stress that you create in the daily course of our duties is unlawful, and I have repeatedly reminded trustee Addonizio that these actions deteriorate working conditions, and ruin morale of this entire 4500 hundred person district, but to no avail. I have tried to not take this personally, but that is difficult. Here is why. I have formed strong bonds and friendships with many of the employees in the district. Not only do I have a strong admiration for the administrators I serve with, but also the support staff and especially the stellar teachers who day in and day out move student achievement unlike anything I have witnessed in my 8 ½ years as a superintendent. I have observed, admired, and even participated with them in countless hours of ACE time and collaboration. Their dedication will continue regardless of what you do to me. They are that good!

A superintendent must work in an atmosphere where he has freedom of thought and action, not constrained, nor told what he can or cannot say in public, or constantly criticized for the most minor of issues. I handle dozens of issues, make decisions constantly, and need the support of a helpful and constructive team in order to meet the challenges we have. To the contrary, I am sad to say this support has been non-existent since June, and I have been subject to demeaning comments and behaviors at board meetings as well in daily exchanges with some of these trustees. Your actions have undermined my authority and ability to run this district. Dead man walking comes to mind. But this isn’t about me. I knew it was highly political when I took the job, but this is ridiculous. I am merely a pawn on the chessboard that has to be removed.

To those who have shown up this afternoon to support me, I apologize for my shortcomings, for my inability to harmonize this group of trustees into a cohesive unit that will support student achievement. The administrators present today will remember my caveat at our professional development retreat in August this year…”adult-centered issues will continue.” Little did I know how prophetic those words would become. In an era of state-wide, nation-wide, and even world-wide economic crisis, you trustees have chosen to create yet another crisis, a personnel matter that is totally unnecessary.

Finally, since you have chosen to discredit the position and me in the process, and to tarnish my reputation as well as my ability to pursue my passion to be a superintendent, I now respectfully request you honor my contract and other reasonable requests that I will make to minimize the damages I will suffer. I urge you to take control of your district, and keep it the number one academically achieving large district in the state. Do the right thing for kids, the children of these communities, and avoid the adult-driven issues that are so divisive. As for me, I depart with my integrity intact, with fond memories of watching our students, our teachers and staff, represent our district in such a commendable fashion. You can question my integrity, you can challenge my integrity, but you cannot take my integrity. Only I can surrender it, and I refuse to do so to this board of trustees. To those of you who care for children, I will see you on the high ground. Merry Christmas.

Comments

[Curiouso Jorge]

I am standing here hot and tired after to climbing to the higher ground. Funny thing is that Carter is nowhere in sight. Oh that's right he is in the board room, sheepishly trying to redeem himself after his tirade.

Carter over-reacted today, threw down the gauntlet and demonstrated that he has no desire or ability to work with the trustees who were elected to determine the direction of CUSD. He spoke of his departure as an accomplished fact. Seems like maybe it was ... for him. BTW, remember he had to emphasize what his priorities are - honor his contract.

So much for his leadership - Carter is an embarrassment.

[Disappointed Taxpayer/Parent/Citizen]

So Superintendent Carter will reluctantly leave his dream job, but with his usual class, and with his integrity intact.

The actions of this Board of Trustees are, to say the least, unconscionable, classless, devious, and dishonest. We voters have only ourselves to blame for electing them, and allowing them to implement their secret but purposeful agenda.

I fear what comes next, but if they install a political puppet instead of an experienced education administrator as our next Superintendent, they will surely trigger a recall more angry then the previous one that brought them to power!

Open and honest indeed! How dare they act in such a two-faced manner?

[Stevie92675]

Wait,

did he get fired?

[meb]

Trust me Jorge, these trustees will never determine the direction of CUSD. The parents, students, and teachers will chart the course. I've never met you, but I have met Carter and his career in the military and as a Superintendent were not an embarrassment. If you've accomplished half as much, you should be proud.

Capofirst

[keep it simple]

What we should ask next is how much CUSD wasted (Carter wasted because it was his plan to get them all there) in paying administrators, therpists and employees (not only top paid employees from the taj but others including the District nurse to attend the meeting instead of putting our children first and attending to them. It was all about Carter! It always has been and always will.

[howard]

Thank God we have Superintendent Carter. The 300 plus people in the room loudly and clearly demonstrated their support and confidence in the Superintendent. That can only come from the heart. I am proud of our community and our leadership!

[an employee who wish he had spoken]

Sherine Smith showed a lot of moxy( at the risk of losing her own job, by representing all of us cowards that are so fearful of retribution from the trustees and the entire Recall crowd)....thank you for saying the words we wish we had said. As to Howard's comment...what was wasted with these 300 people elegantly and clearly letting the trustees know they back the superintendent and believe him to be commander and chief? I look at it as all in a day's pay...including this taxpayer! How much money did they save the district by cancelling the removal of Carter? Not only do we save buying out the old contract, and possible liabity suits- we are not paying the head hunters, or down time during these trying financial times. Think how much time is invested from the CUSD Recall group educating Carter on some of the messes of CUSD (especially SJHHS) that would have to be retaught to another newbie. And honestly, if you are planning to cut the pay to $225K and show that you do not honor contracts, and have no problem dragging someone's name through the mud publically.....who would be willing to even apply? My guess is someone so green, zero experience, willing to risk it for the brass ring and do whatever this board tells them to do....putting us at more legal risks with the state, unions, Special Ed groups, etc.....

[Chris Bernal, San Clemente (3 kids in district schools)]

Why, oh, why would anyone want to take this job if Carter is dumped? I can't believe we were even so lucky as to snag a guy as good as he is! I suggest this new "board" consider studying what leadership is all about before they make one more public comment or take one more "behind closed doors" action.

It is truly sad that the CUSD board has become so political. As if that would fix any past wrongdoings. Our state is mere months away from bankruptcy and this is the crap the trustees are up to? They ought to be seriously ashamed of themselves! Do we need to recall the "recall crew"? They only been at the helm for a few precious weeks and have already have shown their true colors.

Is this how they put our children first? Can they not see beyond their own egos and into the innocent eyes of those they are affecting? Apparently not! Note to the board: Get your collective act together. And very quickly. You were voted in to serve the children and parents of this district only -- not your own political agendas. We parents are watching and are putting you all under review (and not behind closed doors). Don't think you are immune to "charges and complaints". If you think Mr. Carter is something to deal with, just wait 'til you get a load of us! How's that for a 24 hour notice?!

[Save CUSD]

Hey "keep it simple". The parents, teachers, and staff that were at the meeting today were there by their OWN CHOICE. Superintendent Carter did NOT set the attendance up. We came because we respect his leadership and needed to be sure our new board heard what we thought - they somehow seem to think they need to take direction from the Bealls and Mr. Russell. WRONG! The new board did the right thing today by not firing him but the meeting today should never have happened in the first place.

[SICK OF STUPID PEOPLE]

RIGHT ON CHRIS BERNAL - I ECHO YOUR SENTIMENTS, AS WELL AS SAVE CUSD!!! THE BOARD WORKS FOR THE TAXPAYERS NOT THE BEALLS AND MR RUSSELL. CURIOUSO JORGE, I THINK YOU TO THE WRONG ELEVATOR TO HIGHER GROUND, YOU MUST HAVE TAKEN THE ONE DOWN! DIDN'T YOU NOTICE, YOU STATED YOU WERE HOT AFTER YOUR TRIP....IT'S NOT HOT WHEN YOU ARE IN THE HIGHER PLACE, YOU APPERENTLY GOT DUPPED WHEN YOU GOT ON THE WRONG ESCALATOR. DID YOU SELL YOUR SOUL TO SOMEONE?
CARTER IS FAR MORE OF A HONEST, CARING MAN THEN YOU CAN EVER STRIVE TO BE, AND THIS IS ONLY BASED ON THE PATHETIC BLOGS YOU POST! FACE IT, EVERYONE IN THAT BOARD ROOM WAS BEYOND HAPPY CARTER STAYED!