Teachers fear retaliation for complaining to board about Santa Clara County Alternative Schools

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Santa Clara County alternative schools have long been troubled places.

Their mission is to educate incarcerated students, truants and kids who have been expelled from other schools. But alarmed by growing violence and frustrated with their administration, teachers are crying out for help.

"Staff has had property stolen, been struck by students in the breaking up of fights and cussed out daily," read a letter that nearly the entire staff of one school, Calero, sent the board in December.

However, by going directly to the trustees—rather than through Superintendent Charles Weis — teachers fear that their boldness could cost them their jobs.

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The board's heightened interest has spurred action. It ordered prompt reports of fights on and off campus and of attacks on teachers. The director of alternative schools has been reassigned, principals have been moved and new people hired. Campus safety plans have been drawn up, and staff members finally received walkie-talkies after begging for them. Breakfast appeared at schools for needy students.

But trustees have limited control: Under state law, Weis is responsible for hiring and firing the staff and running the county office of education, while the seven-member board has authority only over its sole employee—Weis.

Teachers say they fear retaliation after the most vocal critic was abruptly transferred to another site, then informed she would not be rehired after June.

Weis said flatly that his office will not retaliate against employees who speak out. He also said that while campuses have room for improvement, "We see positive changes going on at each site."

In their previous jobs in Ventura County, he and his deputy, Cary Dritz, were successfully sued by a former Juvenile Hall teacher who claimed he was fired in retaliation for criticism. The teacher won $627,000, court documents show.

The Santa Clara County Office of Education uproar comes as the county office is seeking to win accreditation for its 11 alternative schools, and nearly two years into the tenure of Weis, whom the board hired in part for his reputation for improving the Ventura County alternative schools.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14758277