Updated Master SEEC Log of Ethics Complaints

CITY OF SEATTLE ETHICS & ELECTIONS COMMISSION ETHICS COMPLAINT LOG MASTER LOG from June 2011 Complaint
Number Allegation/Subject Complainant Date Received Received By Referral Date Reported to SAO/Risk Pool SAO 7/26/11 Responding/Handling Tickle Date Resolution/Result Date Closed
1(a) &
1(b)
Complaints that the gym is being used by a private party who is not paying and who is making money off the use. Complaint that the principal is complicit and is putting money into a secret account. Overtime Abuse Custodians are claiming overtime for time not worked. Elementary School Retaliation & Hostile Work Environment by Principal Inappropriate Contracting Practices for a District project. Conflict of Interest with respect to use of a vendors offices. Lying regarding building materials. Inappropriate donation of District money.
Anonymous Netclaims #115098452 & #115102917
4/14/11 & 4/15/11
SPS
6/27/11
SEEC - CT
6/30/12
SEEC found a violation of Whistleblower Policy by Principal and Parent Volunteer Coordinator.
3/5/12
Anonymous Netclaims #115202203 & Call Anonymous Teacher
5/13/11 & 6/22/11
SPS & City
6/27/11
SAO 6/28/11
SEEC - CT
10/1/11
6/20/11
SPS
N/A
NA
SPS - Phil Brockman
12/1/11
District Employees and 2 Community Members
6/22/11
SPS
7/22/11
SAO6/26/11
SEEC CT
12/1/11
Investigation led to finding 6/15/12 of Ethics Policy violation at second school by V. Principal. SEEC-Finding of Ethics 9/19/2011 violations by two employees and Whistleblower violations by one employee. Staff surveys indicate 12/9/11 double digit gain in positive climate, so SPS closing complaint. SEEC found a violation of 12/16/11 Ethics Policy regarding request for private use of a vendors offices. SEEC found no other violations with respect to other allegations.
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
ARRA /SpEd funds being used for General Education teachers at Ballard HS.
Anonymous Netclaims #115088569 & Employee caller
4/11/11 & 8/16/11
SPS & City on later date
8/16/11
Reported to SAO/Risk Pool 12/22/11
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SPS Andrew Medina referred to SAO
6/30/12
Elementary School Allegation of Whistleblower Retaliation & hostile work environment by Principal and Vice Principal and HR.
Anonymous Netclaims #115206037` #115106175 #115105885 & Two employee callers Anonymous Call
4/15/11 & 8/9/11
SPS & City on later date
SEEC notified SPS it would investigate. SPS had contacted outside investigator.
NA
SPS Outside Investigator Cristin Kent, who is investigating related complaints. Monitored by SEEC-CT to ensure there is investigation. SPS Pegi McEvoy/Doug Nichols SPS Andrew Medina, Internal Auditor/ Monitoring-SEEC -CT
6/30/12
Pay Issues in Capital Management Requiring Work out of class without compensation. A subcontractor company was hired to be primary contractor when it should be a subcontractor, resulting in huge expenditures for management fees.
8/3/11
City
8/11/11
NA
6/30/12
SAO found that SPS did not comply with federal time and effort documentation related to its SpEd programs and incorrectly allocated SpEd funds for portions of some teacher salaries. Complainant notified by SEEC. Investigation found no retaliation against whistleblowers. School administrators dishonesty led to HR investigation of teachers and policy of never accepting resignation retractions led to refusing complainants resignation retraction. Person no longer works for SPS
6/27/12
3/16/12
7/23/12
Anonymous
8/16/11
City
8/16/11
NA
6/30/12
Investigation by Internal Auditor determined that there was no evidence to support the allegations.
6/13/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
10
11
High School Athletics A counselor is recruiting ineligible students for Basketball team and helping them secure SAT scores and better grades. Employee complained to someone in the General Counsels office, who was also interim HR director, about gender bias in C&I training materials. The HR director failed to address the claim and the training materials remained in place. Complainant believed the HR director had a conflict of interest due to her dual position. A teacher complained about the hiring process for new Literacy/Social Studies Manager
Anonymous Call
8/15/11
SPSSEEC consulted.
8/15/11
Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SPS-Outside investigator Lyle Tenpenny
12/1/11
Investigation did not support complainants allegations. SEEC informed Complainant.
10/20/11
Employee Emailer.
8/22/11
City
8/22/11
NA
SPS HR & SEEC-CT
10/1/11
SEEC-Found no ethics violation. SPS-Found no institutional discrimination or harassment purpose in disseminating the material but found the material should be excised and staff reminded to vet training materials.
8/22/11 9/12/11
Employee caller.
9/2/11
City
9/2/11
NA
SPS HR (Demetrice Lewis)- Amy Valenti
10/1/11
12
Levy Funds Improperly Used for Student Allocation Work. (General Counsels office allegedly involved)
Anonymous Call
8/25/11
City
8/26/11
NA
SPS-Duggan HarmanFinance
10/1/11
SPS- Investigation Found Improprieties in Hiring Process. Process will be redone. Employee provided with copy of report by SEEC. SPS- Investigation revealed funds are being used properly. SEEC contacted Parties with results.
9/29/11
9/27/11
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
13
Complaint of Retaliation Lost position at preferred school for complaining of bullying by another employee. Principal is away from school more than she is at school. She is irritable due to being behind on work. Bullying at school-includes principal doing all evaluations. Also retaliation by principal for complainer requesting copies of emails. Also a complaint of physical assault by the principal. Directors are hiring family members to work in District- Gave as examplean Executive Director over schools and a former HR Manager. Principal requesting that teachers volunteer to work in summer.
Employee caller.
6/29
City
6/29
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
HR
08/1/11
14
Anonymous Call
8/10
City
8/10
NA
ED of Dunlap
09/01/11
SPS-Complainant was offered and accepted alternate position she wanted by ED. SEEC closed case with complainant. ED spoke with principal. SEEC reported results to complainant. Physical assault claim determined to be unfounded. Bullying complaints against principal acted on by School Board.
7/22/11
8/12/11
15
Anonymous & Employee Caller
8/11 & 9/13 & 9/14
City
9/16
NA
SPS-Outside Investigator Cristin Kent
6/30/12
10/17/11
8/27/12
16
Anonymous
8/15
City
9/6
NA
SEEC-CT/ SPS-Ron English
10/01/11
17
Anonymous letter writer
8/17/11
City
8/19/11
NA
SPS-Nancy Coogan (ED)
6/30/12
SEEC-No ethics violations under current Ethics Policy. Noted that Former HR Manager violated nepotism policy. Executive Director did not. ED spoke with principal to address this.
9/14/11
8/23/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
18
Parents give false addresses so kids can attend wrong schools. Some teachers do this for their own kids as well.
Anonymous
8/17/11
City
8/17
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SPS-Tracy Libros
09/01/11
19
Bullying by principal at elementary school. Teacher put on performance plan. Made ill by harassment.
Anonymous
8/22/11
City
Not referred initially. Referred 10/11 to Cristin Kent
NA
Outside investigator Cristin Kent
9/1/11
SPS used to investigate this when more funding was available. SPS employees are allowed to bring their children into the school district so this is not a violation. No complaint, only a witness as to bullying.
8/17/11
8/22/11
20
21
Teacher asked for advice on his taking donations from parents for his free online tutoring services. His online site, where he directs kids and parents, also advertises his tutoring business. Activity continued despite our advice. Teacher at McClure is assigned too many students and one teacher got a job through questionable means.
Teacher with business
8/26/11
City
Not referred
NA
SEEC-CT
10/01/11
SEEC found an Ethics violation but treated as request for advice. Sent letter to that effect to teacher and Ron English
9/15/11
Anonymous caller
9/12/11
City
9/14/11
NA
SPS-Sarah Pritchett and Harvey Deutsch
10/01/11
SPS found no hiring violations with the teacher in question. SPS reassigned students so that distribution would now be in compliance with union rules.
9/15/11
9/16/11
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
22
Parent complained that a Head BBall Coach is making kids practice out of season, taking them away from homework time. Staff member complained of staff being told a donation can would be available to donate to reimburse supervisor personally for cost of facility for off-site staff meeting.
Anonymous Netclaims #115657789
9/14/11
City
9/15/11
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SPS- Eric McCurdy
23
Anonymous Letter
9/01/11
City
9/19/11
NA
SEEC advised this was a violation of ethics code, asked that employee be apprised of problem and asked to refrain from doing this again. SPS- Becky Clifford, OT supervisor said she would address this. SPS-Outside Investigator Eddie Hill SEEC will monitor SPS Investigator Cristin Kent
24
Gardeners Using District Equipment for Private purposes on District Time
Employee.
9/07/11
SPS
9/07/11
SAO
25
Teacher called to report on environment at school. Said she could substantiate some of Sharpes earlier complaint. Teacher called to report he resigned due to bullying behavior of principal.
Anonymous
9/19/11
City
9/20/11
NA
11/01/11 SPS investigation found no violation of athletic rules. A TV special was being filmed and kids volunteered to play on one occasion. 11/01/11 The SEEC advised this was a violation of ethics code. The supervisor was counseled. The retreat fee was submitted for reimbursement and the money received by the supervisor went to a sunshine fund for staff. 12/31/11 Outside investigator found there was evidence that two employees were misusing District resources. 6/30/12 Bullying complaints against principal acted on by School Board.
10/19/11
10/11/11
4/11/12
8/27/12
26
Anonymous
8/15/11
City
9/19/11
NA
SPS- Investigator-Cristin Kent
6/30/12
Bullying complaints against principal acted on by School Board.
8/27/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
27
28
29
OT/PT staffer complained Anonymous that OT/PT openings were not being advertised as required by the OT policy and procedure manual, staffers are given more caseload than allowed by their contract, the District is requiring PTs to perform OT work in violation of their licensing requirements and the IDEA requirements, and the District is providing single service evaluations when law requires two separate evaluations (by OT and PT professional). Teacher inquired as to Anonymous legality of principal using Letter school/Title 1 funds for IPads for staff rather than students/classroom Teacher resigned after being Anonymous made ill by bullying from call principal.
9/15/11
City
NA
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Complainant has taken the complaints to supervisors and union and will keep SEEC informed of results.
12/1/11
Anonymous says that OT/PT issues are now being addressed by the supervisor, though not fully satisfactorily. Complainant feels the seniority and placement issues are being addressed by the union and the District, but unsatisfactorily. SEEC told complainant it was closing out this matter.
11/08/11
9/27/11
SPS
9/27/11
NA
SPS-Kevin Corrigan / Duggan Harman Inform SEEC if ethics issues arise. Outside Investigator Cristin Kent
10/01/11
9/27/11
City
9/27/11
NA
6/30/12
SPS found that Title 1 Funds were not used for this purchase and that the purchase was proper under all relevant guidelines. Bullying complaints against principal acted on by School Board.
9/29/11
8/27/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
30
31
Parent complained of principal engaging in a tirade against her at a May 2011 BLT meeting and knows of bullying by principal. She had complained earlier to ED and never got a response. Teacher wanted to talk about bullying by principal.
Anonymous email
9/28/11
City
9/28/11
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SEEC emailed contact information to Anonymous for outside Investigator Cristin Kent
6/30/12
Bullying complaints against principal acted on by School Board.
8/27/12
32
Ex-teacher from Nova claimed she was wrongfully terminated when she was made to resign for engaging in behavior others also engaged in. She also claimed that teachers there are not teaching the students, that truancy is not tracked, and that attendance is a problem but is not addressed. She also complained the District has not sent her records to her.
Anonymous email and phone message Anonymous Netclaims #11549441
9/21/11 & 9/30/11 8/02/11 & 8/16/11
City
9/30/11
NA
City
8/16/11 Verbally referred to John Cerqui with conclusion that anonymity prevented response. 10/27/11Forwarded Truancy issue
NA
SEEC emailed contact information to Anonymous for outside Investigator Cristin Kent Nancy Coogan addressed the truancy complaint.
6/30/12
Bullying complaints against principal acted on by School Board. SEEC emailed response to Netclaims advising Anonymous that it does not cover wrongful termination claims and suggesting other avenues for those claims. Nancy Coogan determined that attendance is taken every day and every period.
8/27/12
11/1/11
9/30/11
10/31/11
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
33
Teacher at a school that is not achieving AYP says the principal is under great stress and is evaluating staff and pressuring them all, making them feel that they will get the blame if the school continues to fail. Principal is alleged to have sent anonymous letters to some parents informing them that their kids are drinking and driving. Complaint is that this is not normal method of communication and the principal used his access to addresses to do this. Complaint about staffing anomalies at Lowell/Capitol Hill with special education that violates the CBA as to the number of staff needed and advertising of positions. Complaint about OTs being asked to teach PTs how to do OT work.
Anonymous
9/29/11
City
10/01/11
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Bree Dusseault- Ed Director.
11/01/11 Ed Director and principal discussed instructional strategies and supports that are in place in the school and how to problem-solve concerns the staff may have about the new evaluation plan. 12/1/11 Could not determine who used student information to send anonymous letter or where they got the information. No action to be taken.
10/31/11
34
10/03/11
City
10/03/11
NA
Ron English
10/12/11
35
Anonymous Letter
10/03/11
City
10/03/11
NA
Ron English
6/30/12
36
Anonymous Letter
10/03/11
City
10/03/11
NA
Ron English
6/30/12
The special ed teacher did not show up and no subs were available. District believes that this small classroom was covered but with no more information cannot give specifics. Investigated by District Counsel and Executive Ed. Director and found no violations but will work with the group to find the best service model.
8/27/12
8/23/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
37
38
Complaint that School Board, and members of the General Counsels office knew of Sutor Report and covered it up, resulting in a loss of the RSBDP program when Silas Potter engaged in further wrongdoing. A SPED supervisor who is supposed to get paid on the elementary principal pay scale is being paid on the High School principal scale which is higher. This is disproportionate. A high school principal and assistant principal were having an affair very openly. Asst. principal was married at the time to another employee. This was demoralizing to staff. Caller said this happened two years ago and questions the principal supervising the assistant under such conditions.
Citizen Email
9/26/11
City
Not Referred
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SEEC
11/01/11
SEEC determined this was not an ethics or whistleblower issue. SEEC informed complainant and District of this determination.
10/03/11
Anonymous Caller
10/07/11
City
10/07/11
NA
Ron English
6/30/12
39
Anonymous Caller
10/07/11
City
10/07/11
NA
HR Director
11/01/11
The facts of the complaint are true and the result of an agreement to maintain the employees previous salary though the employee was reassigned. Not able to inform anonymous. City determined this is not an ethics issue. HR director conducted a review and has taken such action as deemed appropriate.
1/5/12
11/9/11
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
40
41
42
Principal complains that Legal Department is unethically handling his complaints against others and others complaints against him by referring the matter to an outside investigator. He also claims that the Legal Dept. has shared privileged information about him with SEEC and that the complainants are partially complaining due to his race. Complaint about former dept. head throwing a Christmas party with District funds and inviting staff and also friends. Anonymous call that school security guard at High School goes over to a hamburger restaurant frequented by students for two and a half hours, around lunchtime presumably in response to complaints by the business. The caller believes the guard is also receiving pay from the business.
Principal
10/07/11
City
Not Referred since not given permission to do so by complainant.
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
On 10/11/11 SEEC informed Principal that it had not received privileged information from the Legal Dept. about him. SEEC referred him to the outside investigator who is looking into all of these matters.
6/30/12
Principal chose not to pursue this further.
8/27/12
10/11/11
City
NA
NA
SEEC-Kate Flack
12/1/11
SEEC determined that Dept. head did not throw a Christmas party, so there is no ethics violation. SEEC investigation showed that having a security guard present is a valid District purpose and that while the business gave the guard occasional free lunches, that practice ended two years ago. SEEC concluded there is no ethics violation.
12/14/11
Anonymous Call
10/27/11
City
NA
NA
SEEC-Kate Flack
12/1/11
12/14/11
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
43
Letter highlights part of an email from Coordinator from 10/21/11 stating that a new training is mandatory. Another email from another supervisor says it is not. Letter writer thinks this is inappropriate. Complainant objects to Teacher asking students to fill out surveys of political preferences. Complainant found the survey to be offensive and out of line. Teacher has been very vocal about his political views, and he posts his political propaganda around the school. Complainant feels teacher is pushing his political agenda around the school. On 11/17/2011, caller saw teacher bringing in protesters from 'Occupy Seattle' to speak to his students. Caller feels teacher is using his class as a way to push a political agenda.
Anonymous Letter
10/25/11
City
10/27/11
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SPS- Ron English
6/30/12
Handled as Management issue and addressed by Education Director.
8/27/12
44
11/4/11 & 11/17/11
City
11/7/11 & 11/22/11
NA
SPS- Michael Tolley & Bree Dusseault
6/30/12
Handled as management issue by Education Director and addressed.
7/21/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
45
Caller complained that on Nov. 2 there was no certificated teacher for half of the day in one of the rooms at his school. Also, on Nov. 7th there was no certificated teacher all day in one of the rooms. The assistants ran the room all by themselves. The ED and Principal have a responsibility when no subs are available to make sure that the rooms are staffed properly.
Anonymous Caller
11/8/11
City
11/8/11
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Nancy Coogan
12/01/11
Nancy Coogan stated that the matter has been resolved.
12/9/11
46
47
Caller complained there was Anonymous no certificated teacher in the Caller special ed room at Lowell. Caller says the administration is responsible, including Spec Ed supervisor and ED. Complaint that principal Parent Letter and/or her assistant manipulated school elections so that principals own daughter was elected.
11/14/11
City
11/14/11
NA
Nancy Coogan
6/30/12
11/10/11
SPS
11/10/11
NA
Michael Tolley, ED, investigated. SEEC is reviewing and has contacted the parent.
12/01/11
The special ed teacher did not show up and no subs were available. District believes that this small classroom was covered but with no more information cannot give specifics Staff person wrote a report explaining the circumstances. The City reviewed and did not find an ethics violation. Unable to contact the parent due to lack of phone number.
3/6/12
12/14/11
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
48
Complaint about unlawful misuse of Special Ed funds
Anonymous caller
11/15/11
City
11/16/11
Reported to SAO/Risk Pool 12/22/11
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Referred to Andrew Medina
6/30/12
49
Complaint that the school is not fully staffed. On Dec 7, an announcement was made at an elementary school that there would be no instruction in the resource room because of staff being unavailable. Complaint about unfair selection methods for staffing for an arts grant committee. Complaint that Speech Pathologist was not scheduling children to receive federally mandated services and that no one was doing anything about this despite numerous complaints. Principal is absent a lot and hires substitutes to do her jobs at school. She also inappropriately contacts parents to write bad reviews about teachers and is racist and culturally insensitive.
Anonymous Letter
12/09/11
City
12/14/11
NA
Nancy CooganEducational Director
1/01/12
SEEC reported to complainant that SAO is handling. See #5. Complainant informed of final outcome. SPS determined there were a lot of subs that day in the school district and that allowances at times must be made for lack of staff so there was no violation of District policies. SPS determined that the selection process was fair and the complaint is unfounded. Problem reviewed and address by Cathy Thompson.
6/27/12
12/19/11
50
Netclaims # 115988578
12/9/11
City
12/14/11
NA
Ron English
6/30/12
1/13/12
51
Anonymous Call
12/9/11
City
12/14/11
NA
Ron English/Cathy Thompson
6/30/12
12/19/11
52
Netclaims #116005705 & #116005550
12/16/11
City
12/16/11
NA
Phil BrockmanEducational Director
6/30/12
Handled as management issue by ED and addressed
7/21/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
53
Complaint that a manager filed an anonymous ethics complaint against the complainant, which the complainant believes is unethical. Complaint that Principal is bullying a teacher and misusing funds by hiring a substitute principal who is there two to three times a week, sometimes at the same time the principal is there. Complaint that employee in a leadership coaching program cannot keep information confidential and that this is affecting the people in the program adversely.
Netclaims #116016658
12/20/11
City
NA
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SEEC-CT
1/01/12
SEEC conducted an investigation and found no ethics violation.
12/21/11
54
12/20/11
City
12/20/11
NA
Ron English
6/30/12
Handled by ED as a management issue and addressed.
7/21/12
55
7/19/11
City
7/19/11
NA
SPS- Paul Apostle
1/01/12
Paul counseled the employee on confidentiality
8/3/11
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
56
57
58
Complainant had filed a Netclaims complaint in March stating that he had been forced to retire in exchange for money as part of a settlement. The District had investigated his claims of age discrimination and harassment, but he was told the matter was now closed. His current complaint is that he is not satisfied with the outcome of that investigation. Supervisor called employee who was on FMLA leave and wanted to know what was wrong with her. Someone on the committee to select a third party administrator has a conflict of interest because she had worked with a bidder several years ago.
Employee Ottinger Netclaims #115442045
7/19/11
City
7/19/11
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SPS
6/30/12
The same complaint had been raised earlier in another Netclaims complaint, had been investigated by SPS, and had been closed.
7/19/11
Union Rep Email
1/10/12
City and SPS
NA
NA
SPS
6/30/12
District resolved matter with employee and restored sick leave hours. SEEC had earlier answered a question on this matter for the District finding that the appearance of a conflict existed requiring written disclosure to the Superintendent and to the Ethics Officer. After that time, it would be a management decision.
2/5/13
Emailed Complaint
1/10/12
City
NA
NA
SEEC
6/30/12
1/10/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
59
60
61
62
There is an ongoing campaign to constructively discharge an employee who has complained about another employees treatment of Local 609 employees. Payment to compensate the employee for this has been delayed. Complaint that a sexual assault of a very young student by another young student has not been fully addressed by the Districts safety plan and that the District has instituted a communication plan that feels retaliatory and prevents the parents from protecting their child from further problems. Parent complaining of poor treatment of her child because staff does not like her. Complaint on OEC form. Teacher complains that he cannot get a full time job at the District despite numerous interviews.
Union Rep Email
1/10/12
City and SPS
NA
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SPS
6/30/12
Letter from Parents of child
1/6/12
City
1/10/12
NA
Noel Treat/Safety and Security
6/30/12
Sexual assault charges were dropped by the parents. On 2/6/12, the District found that there had been no bullying but decided to update the safety plan for the two students.
1/28/13
Fax from Parent.
1/9/12
City
1/13/12
NA
HR Dept.
6/30/12
Letter from Teacher.
1/18/12
City
1/23/12Complainant requested that we forward to the Office of Civil Rights
NA
City
6/30/12
SEEC forwarded to Office of Civil Rights
1/23/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
63
64
Non-renewed teacher believes he is being discriminated against for having ADHD and believes his supervisor lied on his evaluation and believes retaliation occurred because he challenged sp ed referrals. The District is not following its union agreement to cut wages by 1.9 % by taking just 1% out of paychecks and taking the other .9% out in furlough days. Principal called in, with Districts knowledge, an outside contractor to perform cleaning work that should have gone to custodians under the union contract. Ethics allegation that principal might have a relative in the cleaning business. Complainant says principal is retaliating because ethics complaint was brought against principal.
Email from non-renewed Teacher.
1/13/12
City
N/A currently
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
City
6/30/12
After reviewing the documents submitted, the SEEC determined that this was not an ethics or whistleblower complaint. It was not referred to SPS.
5/10/12
1/26/12
City
1/26/12
NA
Ron English
6/30/12
65
Emailed Complaint
1/30/12
City and SPS (SPS not included in Ethics portion)
N/A
N/A
SEEC
6/30/12
Complaint stated or inferred that both the union and payroll said the deductions were appropriate so facts do not warrant further investigation by SPS Principals relative is not in the cleaning business. There is no ethics violation.
1/30/12
2/20/12
66
Emailed complaint
6/30/12
City and SPS
N/A
N/A
SEEC- Kate Flack investigating
6/30/12
SEEC found that the principal did not violate the Ethics policy as there was no credible threat of retaliation.
3/30/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
67
Complaint that Principal is accusing staff of racism and is charging students $150 to attend science camp during school, excluding some kids. Complaint that teacher leaves children unattended at times and only with an unsupervised paraprofessional at times in her classroom, that the paraprofessional is emotionally abusive to the children, screaming in their faces and threatening them unprofessionally. Complaint also that the principal does not respond to these kind of complaints, does not return calls or emails frequently and is away from the building frequently and uses staff for her own childcare. Complaint that Principal was pressured by Board member to terminate football coach so that Board members relative could be coach.
Anonymous Phone Call
2/6/12
City
2/7/12
Reported to SAO/Risk Pool N/A
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SPS- Nancy Coogan
6/30/12
68
Netclaims #116206757 (1&2)
2/10/12
City
3/01/12
N/A
Michael Tolley
6/30/12
SPS determined the camp is sponsored by the ASB and no child is turned down for inability to pay, and that discussions on race are intended to encourage discussion. Tolley addressed the issues with the principal of the school. There are no paraprofessionals at the school. Others in the classroom can be probation officers or Boys and Girls Club volunteers. The failure to respond to the door is a problem which is being worked on. The principal has many sites to visit and explained her brief use of childcare.
2/20/12
4/18/12
69
Netclaims #116313859 Anonymous
3/13
City
N/A
N/A
SEEC investigating
6/30/12
SEEC determined that Principal, on his own, decided to require Coach to reapply for position and then deemed him most qualified.
3/14/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
70
71
72
Complaint by teacher that he was disciplined for something he did not do and that the investigation by the principal into the matter was flawed. He felt this was bullying. Complaint that School Board member who sits on another Board that is under contract with SPS had a conflict of interest and incorrectly advocated for that organization with SPS. Hourly coach says he was not paid his final check, because he missed one day of coaching. He believes the real motivation is racial.
3/13/12
City
Not Referred due to complainant request.
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SEEC
6/30/12
SEEC determined this was not an ethics matter. Complainant had already pursued this unsuccessfully with the District. SEEC determined that SPS Board member was serving on other board in his official capacity as SPS member so his only duty was to SPS, and there was no conflict. Complainant wished to drop his complaint.
3/15/12
Emailed complaint from citizen
3/15/12
SPS
3/15/12
N/A
SEEC- Director
6/30/12
3/19/12
4/3/12
City
Not Referred due to request of complainant
N/A
SEEC
6/30/12
4/10/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
73
Group complained that Anonymous OT/Pt work was being incorrectly lumped together in a single service model last year and was told the duties were interchangeable. This year OSPI said the duties were not interchangeable so Head of Spec Ed is running a panel of OT/Pts to work out scope of work. Complainants feel this process is flawed as it will not include OT/PT or law experts. The process is also stressful and is creating a divisive environment. Group wants professionals and lawyer advising on scope.
4/18/12
City
4/18/12
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Ron English
6/30/12
Investigated by District Counsel and Executive Education Director and found no violations, but will work with the group to find the best service model.
8/23/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
74
75
Complaint that principal and vice principal are discriminatory against minority employees. Principal falsely accused Vietnamese custodian, African American son of the lunch attendant and other minorities of theft. They were cleared of the theft, but the African American son and other minority parents continued to be banned from the school because they were deemed to be security threats due to the principals racism. Principal and VP falsely accused a minority employee of sexual harassment. Principal has allowed the Somali School to have unrestricted access to the school on the weekend without paying.
4/30/12
City
5/10/12
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Kim Whitworth
12/31/12
Principal never accused custodian or son of lunch attendant of theft but had some issues with son of employee due to his presence at lunch. Principals supervisor says there is no substance to these complaints.
1/31/13
5/01/12
City
5/22/12
N/A
Bruce Skowyra
6/30/12
The Somali School has a permit but is exempt from a fee due to District policy. It does pay for two hours of custodial.
5/22/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
76
77
Principal hires friends to be long term subs without going through the District process. In 2010/11, Principal hired a friend to teach who did not have a teaching certificate. Principal relays confidential information to a friend who is a long time sub. Employee is not showing up for work as scheduled. Complainant has complained to Principal and meetings have been held but behavior continues.
5/18/12
City
5/22/12
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Kim Whitworth
6/30/12
Supervisor finds no merit to the claim. Principal was not friends with long term sub who was hired, who was hired through SPS hiring process and was qualified for the position.
1/31/13
5/20/12
City
5/23/12
N/A
Ron English
6/30/12
78
Employee was not renewed for coaching position and then was denied position at another school in retaliation for raising an earlier concern about wrongdoing at the school
Employee Call
5/10/12
City
N/A
N/A
SEEC
6/30/12
SPS determined this IA is frequently pulled out of his class to translate for parents. The principal will let the IA know he needs to communicate with teachers so they know why he is not in the classroom at his scheduled time. SEEC determined that employee was retaliated against for his whistleblower complaint.
6/13/12
10/8/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
79
School Board members daughter got a paying position with a school without an interview. Nepotism is a concern.
Anonymous Complaint Form
6/11/13
City
N/A
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SEEC/HR Amy Valenti
6/30/12
80
81
82
Parent upset that teacher videotaped students as example of bad classroom behavior and showed video to other kids. Assistant Principal said this was just a spoof and the kids were in on it. School gymnasium is being used by private group without a permit and has been for the last week and weekend. New teacher hired for 2012/2013 once had a relationship with a student at a private school when she was student teaching at SPS. She was 22, he was 17 or 18. Caller is concerned she will do this in the future.
Parent Netclaims #116723322
6/18/12
City
6/20/12
N/A
Ron McGlone Ombudsman
6/30/12
No Nepotism or Ethics violation. Daughter was a Family Services Worker and was given new assignment based upon need at school, as are all FSWs. Decision was made by FSW manager. Ron McGlone identified the parents concerns and worked with the school to address them to parents satisfaction.
6/15/12
6/30/12
Employee Emailer
7/10/12
City and SPS
7/10/12
N/A
SEEC/SPS-Kathy Johnson (SPS primarily handling)
12/31/12
Citizen Caller
7/12/12
City
7/12/12
N/A
Sue Means for SPS
12/31/12
District Investigation did not support that the law had been violated.
9/6/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
83
Principal is rude to parents, children and staff, is unapproachable, misses IEP meetings, and keeps shorter hours than staff.
Employee Caller
7/30/12
City
12/31/12
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Ron English
12/31/12
84
85
86
Employee filed a complaint with HR about harassment by principal. Now he is being transferred to another school and believes this is retaliation. State Auditor Related Finding-Employee gave out a gift card and flowers to volunteer parents from ASB funds. Employee reimbursed funds when questioned. State Auditor Related Finding- District approved reimbursement for Employees self approved expenditures.
Employee Emailer
8/24/12
SEEC
N/A
N/A
SEEC
Supervisor found that IEP time was split sometimes due to other obligations, that principal worked things out with an upset parent, and that the school was performing well. 12/31/12 Employee has contacted his union. SEEC and union advised him to contact HR. He will do so.
1/23/13
8/27/12
State Auditors Report.
6/2011
SPS
6/30/11
N/A
SEEC
12/31/12 SEEC determined the issue had been addressed with the employee.
9/17/11
6/2011
SPS
6/30/11
N/A
SEEC
12/31/12 Since Auditor determined these expenses were for a valid public purpose and since SPS approved them, SEEC determined no need for action. It cautioned that self-approval would violate the current ethics code.
9/17/11
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
87
88
89
90
91
92
State Auditor Related Finding- District reimbursed employee for larger than normal fees for transportation to and from airport. State Auditor Related Finding- Machinist used an SPS credit card to purchase custom orthotics and get an overhaul of his transmission. State Auditor Related Finding-Employee extended approved travel for personal reasons, so 1 day of extra parking should not have been charged. Also, a meal receipt was not itemized State Auditor Related Finding- Employee extended approved travel for personal reasons, charging extra air travel and per diem to SPS. Employee sent an email encouraging employees to sign up for working on the governors campaign. School office employee is using SPS funds for her personal needs.
6/2011
SPS
6/30/11
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
SEEC
12/31/12
SEEC determined this is not an ethics violation as it was approved by the District.
9/17/11
6/2011
SPS
6/30/11
N/A
SPS/Bruce Skowyra SEEC Monitoring
12/31/12
SPS had already obtained repayment for transmission. Other issues still pending.
6/2011
SPS
6/30/11
N/A
SPS/ Nancy Coogan and Misa Garmoe SEEC Monitoring
12/31/12
6/2011
SPS
6/30/11
N/A
SPS/Sue Means and Terry Meisenburg SEEC Monitoring
12/31/12
Netclaims 117091954 Anonymous Anonymous letter
9/19/12
SEEC
9/19/12
N/A
John Cerqui
12/31/12
10/01/12
SPS
10/01/12
Yes by SPS
SEEC
12/31/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
93
94
95
96
Equipment planned and budgeted for two classrooms has not shown up. Employee wonders if equipment has been misplaced or mishandled. Employee had complained about how a custodian reacted to a child misbehaving and reported him. Employee is now fearful for her safety, believing custodian has done things that may indicate he will retaliate. Coach was terminated by his supervisor coach. He felt this was because the supervisor coach had used a program the coach created to get a full-time job with the District. Coach raised other problems in athletic program. Complains that his supervisor harasses him and that before the supervisor left on administrative leave he claimed two hours of overtime that he did not work.
Employee Caller
10/2/12
SEEC
10/2/12
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Phil Brockman
12/31/12
Employee Caller
10/10/12
SEEC
10/10/12
N/A
Bruce Skowyra/Principal
12/31/12
District determined that equipment had been ordered but not received and this was a time management issue. SEEC informed complainant. District let SEEC and employee know that the safety issue is being addressed and employee should feel safe. SEEC informed employee.
10/17/12
10/10/12
Employee Caller
9/18/12
SEEC
N/A
N/A
Caller decided to try to work things out with District manager.
12/31/12
Caller took his concerns in athletic program to a District Manager.
9/26/12
Caller
10/19/12
SEEC
10/19/12
N/A
SPS-HR
12/31/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
97
98
99
Parent complains that Head Coach inflated her own childs stats, nominated her child for a league award, pays two assistant coaches stipends even though they rarely show up. Parent has raised these issues with the District A.D. and principal. Grant funds are being used by the Safety and Security Dept. to fund positions and this is an improper use of the grant funds. Complaint about athletic violations were raised but not answered as were complaints of harassment. (See #95) The District promised to work things out and provide recommendations but did not. Complaint that school is letting an outside organization use its gym without proper rental or custodial payment to the District.
Emailed Complaint
10/03/12
SEEC
10/23/12
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Outside Investigator Curman Sebree
12/31/12
10/03/12
SEEC
10/30/12
N/A
Internal Auditor
12/31/12
Caller.
10/31/12
SEEC
10/31/12
N/A
Outside Investigator Curman Sebree
12/31/12
Investigation found: The pay issues were resolved during the investigation. There was no evidence of WIAA violations. There was no harassment of students or coaches. There is no evidence of retaliation by District employees.
3/22/13
100
Caller.
11/26/12
SEEC
N/A
N/A
SEEC
12/31/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
101
Complaint that Principal has been illegally parking in the handicapped parking space and continued to do so after an injured teacher needed it.
Emailer.
11/9/12
SEEC
11/28/12
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Bree Dusseault
3/31/13
102
103
Complaint that vendor believes he has been blacklisted from participating in bidding on contracts in his field because he suggested possibility of asbestos. Would like assurance he can be on vendor list and to see work order for removal of old equipment. Employee complained to supervisor and OSPI that a school activity was discriminatory. Employee now says removal of the program from the school is retaliatory because it makes him look bad and he believes that supervisors email to him is threatening.
Caller. NCR.
12/4/12
SEEC
12/6/12
N/A
Ron English
Bree spoke with the 1/18/13 principal. The area is being restriped with new signage and the principal parks angle in next to it. 12/31/12 District has not debarred 12/6/12 firm from participating in contracts. District had already received public disclosure requests for documents questioned that it is working on.
Emailed complaint. NCR
12/5/12
SEEC and SPS
N/A
N/A
OSPI/ Paul Apostle
12/31/12
OSPI is investigating whether program violates the law. HR had already received a complaint of threats and harassment.
12/07/12
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
104
HR revealed employees medical condition and never responded to employees complaint about that. Employee admonished for not copying textbooks twice though she complained this violated copyright laws.
Employee Caller. NCR.
12/13/12
SEEC
12/13/12
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Paul Apostle/Outside 3/31/13 Investigator Curman Sebree
105
106
107
Teacher accused principal of being untruthful about a PTA funded position in front of the PTA and now claims the principal is being retaliatory. Parent complained last year that coach bullied her son. School reprimanded the coach. The coach is bullying her son again. OT/PT Team Leader is getting paid to work full-time but is going to school program at UW as half-time student during work hours.
Employee complained about security guard talking down to him while questioning him while he was on the job.
Employee Caller. NCR.
12/17/12
SEEC
12/18/12
N/A
Paul Apostle/HR investigator Jason Dahl
3/31/13
Investigation found HR 3/26/13 did not violate employees rights to privacy of medical information. It also found that the supervisor did not use employees objection to making copies to lower her rating or retaliate against her. Investigation found no 2/19/13 evidence of retaliation.
Caller. NCR.
12/18/12
SEEC
12/18/12
N/A
Kim Whitworth / Ron McGlone
3/31/13
The school and Ron McGlone worked with the parents to resolve the issue to their satisfaction.
1/8/13
Employee Caller.
1/11/13
SEEC
1/15/13
N/A
HR
3/31/13
HR determined that Leader 3/26/13 was approved by previous supervisor to attend school one day a week during work times through the end of this year.
108
Netclaims #117566488 NCR
1/18/13
SEEC and SPS
1/24/13
N/A
HR/ Outside Investigator Curman Sebree
3/31/13
Complaint Number
Allegation/Subject
Complainant
Date Received
Received By
Referral Date
109
110 111
112
Employee saw a holster and bullets in a drawer in a room in the school building. Says others know of this sighting. Employees with contract decision authority accepted box lunches from vendors. Employee believes grade level reassignment is retaliation by Principal because of employees earlier complaint of harassment. Citizen Complaint about Districts SEPA review process.
Employee caller.
2/13/13
SEEC
2/13/13
Responding/Handling
Tickle Date
Resolution/Result
Date Closed
Pegi McEvoy/ Bruce Skowyra
3/31/13
Immediate check of area did not find items. Investigation ongoing into other facts.
Emailer.
2/14/13 3/18/13
SEEC SEEC and SPS
N/A 3/19/13 to SPS
N/A N/A
SEEC Ron English
3/31/13 3/31/13
Ethics Complaint Form Mailed. NCR Letter. NCR
3/5/13
SEEC and SPS
N/A
N/A
SEEC
3/31/13
SEEC let complainant know that this process is regulated by Dept. of Ecology and that this does not fall under our jurisdiction.
3/19/13
Summary of Status of Cases of July 2011 through March 31, 2013. For All Complaints: 1. 2. 3. 4. Number of Complaints Received by the SEEC: Number of Ethics/ Whistleblower Matters Investigated, Closed, and Reported by the SEEC: Number of Active Ethics/ Whistleblower Investigations by the SEEC: Number of Ethics/ Whistleblower Complaints Handled by Outside Investigators for SPS and Monitored by the SEEC: 5. Number of Complaints Referred to SPS by the SEEC: 112 22 (#s 1/2/4/10/16/20/23/37/41/42/47/53/58/65/66/69/71/78/79/85/86/87) 3 (#s 92/100/110) 02 (#s 6/24) 69 (#s 7/9/11/12/13/14/15/17/18/19/21/22/25/26/28/29/30/31/32/33/34/35/36/38/ 39/43/44/45/46/49/50/51/52/54/55/56/60/61/64/67/68/73/74/75/76/77/80/81/82 83/88/89/90/91/93/94/96/97/98/99/101/102/104/105/106/107/108/109/111) 03 (#s 5/8/48)
6. Number of Cases Referred to the Internal Auditor and Monitored by the SEEC:
7. Number of Complaints Not Investigated or Referred to SPS (due to request of Complainant or related reason) For Open Matters: 1. All Current Matters Open: 2. Number of Open Ethics/ Whistleblower Investigations by the SEEC: 3. Number of Open Ethics/ Whistleblower Complaints being Handled by Outside Investigators for SPS and Monitored by the SEEC: 4. Number of non-Ethics related Matters being handled by outside investigators: 5. Number of Open Cases Referred to the Internal Auditor and Monitored by the SEEC: 6. Number of SPS Review Matters Open: Other Information: 1. Number of Matters Closed by SPS:
13 (#s 3/27/40/57/59/62/63/70/72/84/95/103/112)
16(#s 59/61/81/88/89/90/91/92/96/97/98/100/108/109/110/111) 3(#92/100/110) 0 0 0 13 (#s 59/61/81/88/89/90/91/96/97/98/108/109/111)
63 (#s 3/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/17/18/19/21/22/24/25/26/27/28/29/30/32/33/34 35/36/39/43/44/ 45/46/48/49/51/52/53/54/55/56/57/60/64/67/68/69/73/74/75/76/77 80/83/94/99101/102/104/105/106/107) 43 (#s 1/2/4/5/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/18/20/21/22/27/28/32/33/37/39/40/48/53/62/63 65/66/68/69/70/71/72/82/83/84/93/94/101/102/107/112) 6 (#s 1a/1b/2/4/66/78) Referral process
2. Number of Closed Matters Reported to Complainants by the SEEC:
3. Number of Formal Investigative Reports by SEEC:
1.
All complaints go to SEEC- Currently Received: 43 Phone Calls to SEEC (25 Anonymous , 18 Self Identified), 14 Letters (9 Anonymous), 12 Referrals by SPS, 24 Netclaims Complaints, 19 emails. Referrals back: Fiscal related to Internal Audit, but may be declined. See Step 3. HR related (retaliation, hiring, work environment) to H.R. Others Discretionary
2.
3.
4.
SEEC communicates results to Complainant

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CITY OF SEATTLE ETHICS & ELECTIONS COMMISSION ETHICS COMPLAINT LOG MASTER LOG from June 2011 Complaint

Anonymous Netclaims #115098452 & #115102917

4/14/11 & 4/15/11

Anonymous Netclaims #115202203 & Call Anonymous Teacher

5/13/11 & 6/22/11

SPS & City

SPS - Phil Brockman

District Employees and 2 Community Members

Anonymous Netclaims #115088569 & Employee caller

4/11/11 & 8/16/11

SPS & City on later date

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool 12/22/11

SPS Andrew Medina referred to SAO

4/15/11 & 8/9/11

SPS & City on later date

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA

SPS-Outside investigator Lyle Tenpenny

Investigation did not support complainants allegations. SEEC informed Complainant.

SPS HR & SEEC-CT

SPS HR (Demetrice Lewis)- Amy Valenti

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA

Anonymous & Employee Caller

8/11 & 9/13 & 9/14

SPS-Outside Investigator Cristin Kent

SEEC-CT/ SPS-Ron English

Anonymous letter writer

SPS-Nancy Coogan (ED)

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA

Not referred initially. Referred 10/11 to Cristin Kent

Outside investigator Cristin Kent

Teacher with business

SPS-Sarah Pritchett and Harvey Deutsch

Anonymous Netclaims #115657789

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA

SPS- Eric McCurdy

Gardeners Using District Equipment for Private purposes on District Time

SPS- Investigator-Cristin Kent

Bullying complaints against principal acted on by School Board.

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA

Bullying complaints against principal acted on by School Board.

Anonymous email and phone message Anonymous Netclaims #11549441

9/21/11 & 9/30/11 8/02/11 & 8/16/11

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA

Bree Dusseault- Ed Director.

Anonymous Netclaims #115723883

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA

Not Referred since not given permission to do so by complainant.

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA

Principal chose not to pursue this further.

Anonymous Netclaims #115760314

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA

SPS- Ron English

Handled as Management issue and addressed by Education Director.

Anonymous Netclaims #115853369

11/4/11 & 11/17/11

11/7/11 & 11/22/11

SPS- Michael Tolley & Bree Dusseault

Handled as management issue by Education Director and addressed.

Reported to SAO/Risk Pool NA