Jake Romero speaks to MUSD board on superintendent’s re-assignment

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Editor’s note: This is the text of Jake Romero’s prepared statement to the governing board regarding the re-assignment of MUSD Superintendent John Flores as Santa Cruz Elementary principal. Romero intended to offer these views at the special board meeting Monday; however, public comments were not allowed at that time.

Mr. President, members of the board:

I had serious doubts about addressing this body today for fear of retaliation against my wife, who is a district employee. In the past, while exercising my right to voice my opinion through a legitimate political process, I saw how personal information was leaked to the public about not only my wife but other employees of the district who shared similar views as mine. We saw attacks online based on this information with countless lies and assumptions. Unfortunately, I don’t expect a much different outcome this time, but this fact has never stopped me and is not going to stop me from voicing my opinion.

Two years ago by a decision from this body and against the administration’s advice, a principal was kept at her post. Today that principal has been suspended from her post, but we, the taxpayers, are paying for her salary. Back then and within a very short time of the recommendation of non-renewal of some administrators, the voices of removal began. It is not a secret that some members of this board have been extremely public about their dislike for the Superintendent. During the whole process, a small handful of members of the public through their personal blogs were also calling for the Superintendent’s dismissal. Eventually one of those members was elected to the board. Today, and unfortunately for our children, the administration was proven to have made a proper recommendation. So, the reason for today’s meeting should come as no surprise to anyone.

Not long ago all of the employees of this district signed contracts with the contingency that their salaries could cut be cut by as much as 9 percent. Class sizes have gone up, programs have been cut and all of the employees have had to tighten their belts.

But before we proceed, let me dwell on this words.

“I think it’s important to look at where you have come from. In the last fours years, Maricopa high school’s population grew from 370 back in 2005 to 1,374 currently . You have the distinction of being a class that has endured incredible change. Even though the campus looked like a war zone at times, this graduating class has seen a lot of success earning scholarships, creating a strong school climate, rising above the unwarranted stereotypes that have been associated with the school in the past and participating in activities that have blossomed up during your tenure at MHS.

Sports teams have given blood, sweat and tears. We have seen you go to state championships giving every ounce you had. Shout outs:

These are huge successes that this graduating class helped to accomplish.
As freshman, you had 2 honors and 2 AP courses offered to you. Today you have 26 honors and AP class selections. There were 6 fine arts when you began and now there are 28 Fine arts classes. We have grown from 20 Career and Technical Education programs to 36 and can boast that 18 of you are leaving this school ready to start your career. Amazing! Many of you participated in and ran several of the clubs on campus or Student government.
I am extremely proud to say that 80% of this graduating class has been accepted to several different colleges. You earned 1.3 MILLION dollars in scholarship money! AIMS scores have gone up, AP testing numbers have gone up, and you have successfully competed in several academic competitions. You have accomplished so much. There is a billboard on Highway 347 advertising that Maricopa Unified offers a “world class education.” YOU are proof that this class is ready to commence from MHS as world class citizens, ready to take on the challenges you will face in the future, whatever you choose them to be.

Mrs. Vargas, this sounds to me like a performance review of the entire body at Maricopa Unified Schools led by the current superintendent.

Let me add a few more facts I just learned this past weekend: (Margaret Jackson editorial).

Under Dr. John Flores’s leadership the following has occurred:
· Promoted a workplace of trust and working together
· Implemented School Improvement Plans
· Started an Academic League (one of two in the country)
· Saved the district over $5 million on the water distribution facility on the high school campus
· Implementation of an outstanding Safety Plan
· Schools are now Performing Plus
· Built beautiful and functional schools
· State-of-the-art functional district/community facility, including maintenance and transportation
· Academic Hall of Fame
· Laying a foundation of entrepreneurship for students at the high school level where students will learn the basic application of retail business; examples: Full capacity Graphic Arts Center and a proposed Future Business Marketing educational facility for the Lakes Property
· Stabilized the district during a state mandated over $3 million deficit

All of this accomplishments in spite of the administration having had to play not only defense, but what it felt like in a different team with some members of this board.

You are ready to re-assign the superintendent the post of principal. My question to you is why? If you believe he is not doing his job, remove him. Don’t re-assign him. If you have enough cause for his removal, do it.

Even if you assign the superintendent to a principal’s position, contractually we the taxpayers are obligated to pay him the same salary. The salary of the superintendent typically is large enough to cover the salaries of one principal and two teachers. If the day comes that you have to cut the salaries of teachers and employees at the district, how are you going to face those affected when you are wasting tens of thousands of dollars with this decision that has no apparent reason.

Yes, Arizona is a right to work state. But Arizona is also one of eleven U.S. states that have recognized a breach of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing as an exception to at-will employment. You need just cause, and my gut feeling is that you don’t have one. If you did, we would be talking about removal and not re-assignment.

And what is going to happen if the next superintendent doesn’t comply with every little caprice of some in this board? Are we also going to re-assign? This opens a very dangerous door for all of the employees at MUSD. If we can’t fire you, we’ll re-assign you.

I am appealing to the reasonable side of the board. You were put in a position of power by us the people, but the power comes from a higher being you are going to answer to. And remember, that power can be taken away.

Having said all of that, a good friend of mine and a leader in the community reminded me that from our vantage point of view we can only see half of the moon. You are privileged to a full view in this matter.

Use this power wisely and DO what is right, not for you, not for the superintendent, but what is right for the children of this town. In my faith I am called to be like them!

Jake Romero

Photo by Jake Johnson

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