Walnut Grove PTA Board Elections

The reason why you saw so many teachers there was because they did not want any parents on the board that supported JV. They even went so far as having a teacher call people at home to see if they wanted to be on the board next year. It is very said that teachers retaliated against parents just because they stood by JV. Not a single person on the Ezecutive Board said anything about bad teachers on any school board meeting. Very sad that parents are being blackballed from PTA.

JV? It's called the PTA for a reason...duh...
Corrections: "said" = sad "Ezecutive" = Executive...duh...
"on" = at... "from" = by the...

It seems to this one that it's time to sign up for a spelling class...BUSTED!

tee hee...

Any Parent Volunteer that was "Blackballed" by a teacher, or called at home, or e-mailed, or harassed, or intimidated in anyway about supporting JV should file a Harassment Complaint with PUSD HR. This behavior from "Mean Girl" teachers is unacceptable

It seems to me that certain accusations will have to be proved.

Yes...from another WG source that the parents who were on the original slate were harassed by non-JV supporters until the stepped down and removed their name from the slate. Then the nominations from the floor were all parents that the teachers selected based on who stood up for JV and who didn't.

Very sad...it just feels like a landslide over there. Is there anyway to help???!!!

Dumb question but where's the leadership for the district? This seems like a bad situation getting worse!!

I thought something was odd when a friend of mine told me that all the original people slated on the board for the elections had withdrawn their name. Then I heard that teachers were campaigning to get parents off the board because they supported the principal at was removed not too long ago. At first I didn't think it was true and I questioned it, however after Thursdays meeting and an entirely new board was elected, it confirmed my suspicion. I am very disappointed with what is happening at Walnut Grove and am planning on moving my kids to another school come fall. It is bad enough that the teachers had a principal removed from his position, but now they are turning away perfectly good volunteers because they didn't side with the teachers regarding Mr. Vranesh's removal. Shame on them. I will not give another dime to PTA given this information.

The allegations against JV didn't have to be "proved". Those teachers weren't even under oath. PUSD should use the same standard...Any teacher that gets a harassment, intimidation etc. complaint from a parent to PUSD HR... should be removed from Walnut Grove.

Dear Small # of the Teachers,
If you don't want to look like you are making things up and being bullies because you didn't get your way under JV's leadership, then stop acting that way. Bringing your husbands (or significant others) to PTA meetings is a bit extreme. Having them stand up and survey the room during intermissions and/or laughing with them during the vote is possibly what is causing your reputation to tarnish a bit. In fact, it is being the exact person that WOULD rally to get a man fired. First to go- JV. Second- some kind moms who give their spare time to the efforts of raising funds for YOUR classrooms. Way to teach those Pleasanton values, ladies. You hit it out of the park this time. As we increase our number of classrooms we will now need these exact fundraising moms even more. They were, in fact, the hand that fed you.

And I'm sure this thread is going to lead to needing more therapy sessions. Great- the JV financial tally is on the rise.

The PTA a Walnut Grove oversees a lot more than 50,000 more like 130,000 plus.

What does it get us? A higher API? Nope, Fairlands has a higher API and their PTA raises about 23 percent of what that WG raises.

Does the PTA funds make for happier teachers? Obviously not.

PTA funds got our kids some new computers and a birthday ice cream. I don't think they will be hurt without either.

The only way that parents can have their voices heard is not to donate any $$$ until the school is a healthier place for students. The toxic atmosphere is not a good place for kids. Staff that cannot act professionally are not good for kids. Someone needs to get in there and clean it up.

In the meantime voice your opinion in the only way that will be heard, hold on to your $$$$.

At the last school board meeting the union reps spoke of a non-confidence vote by the teachers at Hart Middle School against the principal there. I think we need vote on how people feel the current administration is running the school district. I think that will be a true non-confidence vote.

The current administration destroyed WG when they let the union make the decisions for the school. We know from last weeks board meeting that the Hart Principal is now the focus of the union...who's next? Your school?

So let me get this straight, as I sit at sports fields with you, hang out at neighborhood gatherings etc. and listen as you bash the WG teachers inside and out, nonstop since this issue started....now you feel the need to call them mean girls?

The PTA- parent TEACHER association is a partnership, a team connecting both groups. No wonder you stand by JV, you continue to do the same behavior and see nothing of it. Is this how your place of business functions? I watched one day as JV mocked and made fun of a certain parent group- the irony is endless!

After spending many occasions listening to your hateful talk against your children's teachers and now to hear you say how unfair it is when you're called on this behavior is deplorable. This used to be a community that supports its teachers.

Walnut Grove is in the control of a small bunch of "[removed] Little Women"! Thanks PUSD! That's the LAST thing any school in this "community of character" needs. I guess character traits have replaced with new ones? Which on is it this month? Irresponsible (Responsible)? Tyranny(Compassion)? Mismanagement(Self-Discipline)? Dishonesty(Honesty)? Dishonor(Respect)? Deceit(Integrity)?
Have the new signs been made up for the schools yet?
Other than Valerie Arkin the rest of the board and superintendent NEED TO GO! How can this happen before the next election?

Would you all please look at yourselves and what an embarrassment you are to this town? Everybody is talking about the crazy parents at Walnut Grove. Unfortunately it's just a bunch of bored, miserable housewives over there who have nothing better to do than cause trouble. I have three words for you: GET. A. LIFE.

WG Parent. MOST of the teachers at WG are wonderful, It has been established that there were only a few teachers involved in the allegations against JV. Their interviews with the investigator should have discredited them. PLEASE for the love of all that is good don't make me think of go-gurt smeared whistles! You are suggesting we support that idiocy just because they are teachers? SAD!

@WG Parent, not sure who your hanging out with, but there are many parents who supported the teachers without any questions. It wasn't until the documents were released and there were several discrepancy. Now to hear that there were teachers that were refusing to let people on the PTA board because they spoke up against the district in support of JV is just ridiculous. Yes, it is a parent/teacher group but that doesn't mean the teachers can gang up on parents to get there way. This use to be a community that supported teachers- we still are, we just don't support those teachers who feel they are entitled, make up lies and retaliate against people who don't agree with them.

WG Parent

That's exactly what some of the people who made complaints said in their statements: "He said mean things about people." All the while they were saying mean things about him and other people. You're correct the irony is endless.

If you don't like what people are saying to you at a sports park, tell them you don't like it. I am sure they will stop complaining to you. It's not very nice to let them complain to you in person then complain about them later on the internet.

I just love the indignation that follows when WG parents are called out on their behavior. Nervous Im going to post your names next like you all insist the district does to the teachers? And you call me mean that I let them complain to me- are you serious? Oh I dont need to tell them anything- Im taking notes, names, details, times. This is really happening in this neighborhood, Im just in shock as the twisted logic continues- now Im the mean one! Haha! This is definitely Swankville part 2. Coincidental that it's the same neighborhood? Oh, but Im sure that wasn't true either.

(Comment removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff for containing unverified or personal information

Who has ever asked the district to release teachers names? That's ridiculous.

My children went to Walnut Grove, it's a wonderful school with hardworking teachers and supportive, involved families. The PTA there has done so much to support the kids, families and teachers at the school. No one can force someone to withdraw from an election, maybe those people just felt it wasn't a good fit for them. Whatever happened under the last principal it's really too bad- it's a shame for the school, for the teachers, for the families and for him too. But we can all make the decision to move forward with kindness and respect in our hearts for the sake of our kids and our community and each other.

Lee, you would feel very differently if it was your daughter being harassed for exercising her free speech right, and you would feel even more compelled to report all the corruption, and coercion taking place at Walnut Grove among the teachers...if you had to send a sweet grandchild into this toxic environment.

Looking the other way has empowered the "Mean Girl" gang of Walnut Grove teachers, and I am writing today to the PUSD Board and copying everything to the State Education Office. The "Mean Girl Teacher Gang" keeps Coercing the good teachers to participate in their "witch hunts", Harassing parents for exercising their free speech rights, and Intimidating the rest of us to keep quiet for fear they will turn on us parents and subsequently, our children.
And for all you teachers who are not familiar with the word Coercion, Look it up in your PTA paid for computers. It is a crime. So if you felt "Lead" or "Intimidated" to take part in JV's removal or thought there would be a backlash from your fellow teachers for not going along with them, or the removal of our PTA slate, or to take part in any Intimidation of a parent at Walnut Grove -Please Report it! Teaches should not be talking about any parent or child that is not in their class! This has to end and the teachers that took part, even if it is a small part-Removed from Walnut Grove!

Given the ongoing "Situation" at our school, all Walnut Grove teachers should be removed from the "Principle Screening Comity" due to "conflicts of interest" and or possible involvement. It was a ridiculous idea given the way they removed the last principle! It's like the Foxes Watching the Hen House over here at Walnut Grove!...out taxpayer funded Hen House!

I have been following your community's plight since the principal removal. I have nieces and nephews in the district and I grew up in pleasanton and attended Pleasanton schools.

Your school district is being devasted by the Walnut Grove debacle. Do you realize that any teacher or group if teachers can "pick off " any administrator without even a complaint or charge? It was easy with JV, so the Hart principal is next. Why stop there? You don't have a strong superintendant who will prevent this from happening. Now these teachers have moved on from controlling who is and isn't principal to who runs the PTA?

A good and effective Superintendant would break up the Walnut Grove clique of teacher perpetrators so that they were individually moved to different schools and would be less harmful, at least in theory. That same effective administrator would establish some sort of union type of protection for principals too. Without protection, no principal is safe. Without safety, how can a principal truly effectively lead? NO ONE will want the principal job at Walnut Grove if they know what is happening and has happened there. Poor kids and parents and poor good teachers there.

Sadly Superintendant Ahmadi is not that good and effective Suoerintendant. She is being tested and is failing. I hope and pray that when school board elections come up, the newly elected members take action to find that effective Superintendant elsewhere. He or she is out there, I am sure. You'll probably have to pay Ahmadi off for the rest of her contract for time on the job that is not completed, but it will be worth her early exit

The state of the school district is at critical mass. On the local level, misdeeds are being allowed to continue. The county and state now need to know what is going on here because you citizens are not being taken care of locally.

Please contact the Alameda County Superintendant of Schools and the State Board if Education with an email or letter regarding your concerns. This is the proper chain of command as I understand it.

Your children's education is at stake. It's this serious now!

Thank you

Unfortunately Lee, this school is no longer what it use to be. There are still many great and wonderful teachers at the school, but there is also a small group of teachers who feel entitled and want things done their way and it seems they will do whatever they have to to make that happen. You are correct in saying that no one can force someone to withdraw from an election, but they can however, intimidate and harass someone enough to make them withdraw and that is exactly what has happened. It is very sad and disappointing that this is happening at our school. I will no longer donate money to PTA given these new circumstances.

Oh let's be true ladies, that is not what you're saying behind their backs, this new 'indignation' comes from the fact that you are being called out for YOUR behavior. You support a principal who is completely unprofessional, even mocks you! You then harass the teachers for attempting to stop this behavior. Now cry intimidation because the teachers show vested interest in stopping the continued parental harassment.

Unfortunately Lee the neighborhood is no longer what it used to be. Im not sure the parents that I hear around this neighborhood have it in them, to move forward with kindness and respect like they did when you were at WG.

@WG Parent, Please explain to all of us how teachers are being harassed and what behavior exactly are they trying to stop? How exactly are parents harassing teachers? Just because there are parents that don't believe the accusations against JV and they are speaking out regarding the situation. There was never anything proven that JV said or did anything that he was being accused of. It was proven that there was indiscretions on the reports (i.e. board meeting where Mary Snell and Linda Pipe spoke) which has lead many parents to question the truth behind many of the accusations. You comment that you don't feel that parents can move forward, but it is really this group of teachers that aren't moving forward with kind ness and respect and they have proven it with how the PTA elections were handled.

Why can so few of you use your real names when posting? If you have something to say, own it, and speak it out in the open. All this behind the scenes back stabbing and gossip is ridiculous and an embarrassment. The only way we can heal as a community is to communicate openly & honestly. So far, the majority of what I read here on the forum is opinions and misinformation. Also, what kind of an example are we setting for our kids??? If we behave this way, what kind of a model are setting? What happened to "treating others the way we would like to be treated"? Let's please behave like mature adults and treat each other with the respect & kindness we would like to see happening in our school environment.

I'm sure there are several people afraid of using their real name because those teachers will retaliate against them just like they did to those who have stood up in support of JV.

Julie, I would love to use my real name, but then the mean/unprofessional teachers at Walnut Grove will devise a campaign against me and my child. Wake up! I have seen with my own eyes.. what is going on at this school. This election is just a symptom of a very sick school. I will be filing anonymous reports this week to stop this and protect my child. You think parents and teachers that witnessed or experienced Harassment, Slander, Intimidation should just continue to be quiet? Look at where that has gotten us! Are you "friends" with some teachers at Walnut Grove? That may be why your blinders are on and you feel the need to defend this unprofessionalism. If teachers at the school can't handle the innate "conflict of interest" with regards to being a teacher and PTA member, and that teacher resorted to harassment because someone used their free speech right in a public format(6 months ago) or had a different opinion, the district should transfer that "intimidating" teacher(s) out of Walnut Grove. Housecleaning at Walnut Grove is an understatement. The district should also look into the "involvement" of the PTA Pres, Vice pres and "Interim Principle". I believe there are VERY strict bylaws the PTA Pres and teachers have to follow regarding NOT solicitation nominees once there is a slate. How much did they know about what was going on? Did they say anything to any of the nominees? What was said to the nominees that stood up from the floor at the election, in the weeks leading up to this election? If PTA Pres, Vice Pres or "Interim Principle" were involved, they should not be able to hold any other Board positions in PUSD. It may be difficult, and we may only have half the existing staff left, but the staff employment next year will be based on quality, knowledge and understanding of Ethical Behavior, and Professionalism...not corruption and Union Politics.

Wow! This is insane! Where is the leadership at the District level? No wonder people moving to the are are wanting to move into the San Ramon school district.

Shame on all of those "mean/unprofessional" teachers at Walnut Grove. How dare they complain about a principal who reportedly:
(1) called teachers bit@hes, crazy-bit@hes, and f*ing bit@hes;
(2) called female teachers the "c-word";
(3) dropped 'f-bombs' in referring to teachers;
(4) threatened to "bludgeon", murder and go after teachers; and
(5) created an atmosphere (at an elementary school) where teachers were afraid of the principal, his conduct, and his threats.

And double-shame on those same teachers for taking exception when they are called liars, rather than victims. And to make matters worse, teachers are now taking an interest in the PTA elections?!?

What's next?...will teachers actually expect to work in an elementary school that is safe and free of harassment? Oh, the outrage of it all.

Note to those of you complaining about these teachers: what do you expect?must long for the 'good-old days' when people would just hush-up about claims of harassment. After all, it is so much more convenient to have things swept under the ru g.

It's amazing to me how easily a story can become twisted. The first person tells a rumor, (like...let's say...the teachers bullied the parents who were on the nomination slate for next year's Executive Board) and then the community runs with it as if it were the gospel truth. The truth is, there was a slate presented by the nominating committee, someone chose to nominate someone else from the floor for the one of the positions because she felt she could better represent the parent community going forward next year. The truth is simple and uncomplicated: There was another person interested in holding a position on the executive board that she wasn't originally nominated for. So she chose to be nominated from the floor and see what her chances were. Are we living in a democracy? What is so wrong about someone choosing to run against someone else for the same position? Let the people vote for who they want to represent them! It's good to have choices when we vote for elected representatives. We should ENCOURAGE more people to run, not criticize them and create drama where there doesn't need to be. The teachers are allowed to have their opinion and vote for who they want to, just like any other members of the PTA. The ladies on the slate who dropped out did so of their own free will. That is their choice to do so, and let's respect that just like the people who stepped up to run for the empty positions should be respected. And let's stop making the teachers the bad guys. The Town Square is making things so much worse than it really is at Walnut Grove. We have a wonderful school with wonderful teachers, parents and interim principal. Let's move forward!

Reality Check,
You are exaggerating and embellishing what was stated by the very few complaining few teachers in their own words.

Fact- not one of the teachers complained until their union came looking for trouble. Same thing is going on at Hart now.

Fact - no one believed the stories of threatening words they weren't even mentioned in the superintendents findings, nothing was done to protect students from a violent principal because the allegations he was violent because of phrases like out of "my hands are tied" were completely outlandish.

Fact - some teachers at WG use colorful language themselves so have past principals.


Fact - the complaining teachers have now created a atmosphere at the school where if you have a different opinion at the school, you are harassed, banned and told you can't serve on the PTA or even worse you'll have a fiancee send threatening text and phone calls.

How outlandish is it that parents as well as the other teachers at the school demand that a professional atmosphere and conduct be found at the school. It's not a family, its a work place.

What's next? Will we expect people not to engage in malicious gossip while working with children?

Hi Reality Check, let me guess... you are a job share and off today, or are you on your union provided lunch break, using your PTA provided computer? Yes, some of you teachers did take an interest in in PTA-You submitted your checks before the cut off last month, unlike the rest of us parents that pay when we register our children so the money can be put to good use-NOT TO CONTROL AN ELECTION.

Did you know that a similiar thing is happening at Hart right now? Many parents showed up at the school board meeting last week to defend the principal, just as they did at WG.
That's right...another principal holding some less than useful teachers...accountable. And..all of a sudden...those teachers are also on a witch hunt...trying to get rid of Ms. Conde- the principal.
Those are the same teachers, that many, many parents have complained about for years! One= a math teacher there...where more than half of his students have math tutors at home, to compensate for his lack of teaching. Something is wrong...when something like this can happen twice, within months. Its a new form of bullying in Pleasanton...adult bullies. Perhaps we should focus more on teaching the community characters to the adults.

@ Mom, I fully support any parent that wishes to be on the PTA board and if a parent stepped forward and ran against another parent, I fully support that. You know as well as the others posting on this board know that isn't what happened. The truth is not simple and uncomplicated. I fully support teachers having a say in who is on the board. What I don't support is a teacher telling parents that they don't want them on the board because they supported Jv and then to have a teacher calling parents at home asking them if they want to be on the board is completely inappropriate. Parents only stepped up to the plate when their teacher friends came to them and solicited them to be on the board in place of parents that supported JV. The ladies on the slate who dropped out did so of their own free will after they were beaten down by the teachers that did not want them on the board. NOT ACCEPTABLE! Stop trying to downplay what happened.

I should have said this more while growing up, but now seems like a good time.

THANK YOU, Mom!!!!! Good Post!!!!

I agree with "mom" that most of the teachers at the Grove are fabulous. However a negative few were given the run of the place when the good teachers were busy doing their jobs.

I can understand how some felt the withdrawals were the only way to protest what was going on behind the scenes but I still wish I would have known ahead if time. Can't have a fair election when people drop out and others are nominated at the last second. It is impossible to make an informed decision.

Dear Taking Action

All parents have a right to file complaints and the district encourages it if there is complaint-worthy behavior/circumstances. From the outside looking in, your post begs the question: how will filing an anonymous complaint "protect my child?" Complaints are investigated. How will they investigate on an anonymous submission if you cannot be interviewed? How can your child be protected if he/she is unknown/invisible?

As an experienced PUSD complaint filer, I would caution you to have realistic expectations. A single complaint may not create the behavior change you hope will "stop." Hart has a veteran bad teacher who has had numerous complaints filed against them (dating back to the late 70s) who is still gainfully employed, still flipping the bird at administration/doing whatever they please, still influencing children with their negative behavior/actions.

Hmm, wonder if the teachers at Hart have contacted the teachers at WG to see how to efficiently lie and so they can get rid of their principal too. This district is a joke and the leadership at the district level is what is failing this system. The union is running the district and I will bet the teachers love it! I think we should do a non confidence vote regarding the teachers and see how that turns out. Get rid of the union and see what happens. Web Link

The fact that the majority of the Walnut Grove slate chose to remove themselves from the election should prove to the residents of the WG community that a new slate is just what was needed. I say thank goodness we have MANY caring and capable parents willing to step up on the night of the election to fill those empty seats, ensuring our PTA survives.

I'd also like to acknowledge that those outgoing board members who rescinded their nominations, are all amazing women who serve our PTA and continue to volunteer tirelessly for our school. I know and respect parents both outgoing and incoming. Don't worry kids, WG is in good hands.

To Janelle: Your juvenile and judgemental posts reveal the emptiness of your life. I hope you find some happiness.

Dear "A" -- If we are going to list the reported facts, let's do so honestly: Six or seven teachers collectively reported that the principal:

(1) called teachers bit@hes, crazy-bit@hes, and f*ing bit@hes;
(2) called female teachers the "c-word";
(3) dropped 'f-bombs' in referring to teachers;
(4) threatened to "bludgeon", murder and go after teachers.

You characterize the (six or seven) reported victims as "very few." Really? How many complaints are enough to be taken seriously? Eight? Ten? What is the trigger for you?

You also write that "no one believed" the complaints. How about the six or seven teachers themselves? How about the independent investigator who found the complaints corroborated? How about the district which apparently agreed and was forced to take action?

And finally, you conclude by blaming the reported victims because they somehow -- in complaining about harassment -- created an atmosphere where somebody can be harassed. Seriously?

Walnut Grove is more than just a work place; it is an elementary school. We entrust its teachers to teach our children. How about if we create a safe and secure environment for them to do so? And when the teachers take an interest in working with the PTA, let's celebrate that fact.

"Mom" asked if we are living in a democracy It doesn't appear that the removed Walnut Grove principal benefitted. . Presumed guilty and removed before having a chance for defense

It worked once, so why not try to remove another principal?

As mentioned before, please contact the Alameda County Superintendant and the State Superintendant of schools to bring attention to you community's plight

Thank you

I created an account because I had to respond to the false statements made in your post.

Dear Reality Check,

No where in any report did any teacher claim that JV threatened to murder anyone. That is a lie
.
One of your many many lies.

My count was 5 teachers complaining of bad language, with one repeatedly saying she had hard time remembering things that happened so long ago.

The allegations of violence were not believed. Superintendent didn't even mention them in her report. No security measures taken at the school. I think the first place a person would go with real concerns of a violent principal would be the police. Not credible to wait two years for a site survey to complain.

If teachers themselves were victims of bullying and harassment you would think they themselves would out out of their way not to harass or bully anyone else but I know many many parents that feel both bullied and harassed because they simply stated their experience with JV was not what was being reported.