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Controversy surrounds Troy teacher dismissal

by Bob Henline Western News
| May 20, 2016 8:04 AM

 

Members of the Troy Public Schools Board of Trustees voted Monday to not renew the contract of a long-time teacher, sparking a harsh reaction from some members of the Troy community.

The board voted 4-1 to support the recommendation of school superintendent Dr. Jacob Francom to not renew the contract of Cecil McDougall, who has been teaching in Troy since August 2001. Board member Mark Roesler-Begalke voted against the recommendation and board member Melinda Roach was not at the meeting due to other commitments.

Francom said he made the recommendation to not renew McDougall’s contract to the board based upon ongoing issues related to classroom performance, unprofessional behavior and unsafe conditions in the shop area.

Francom provided a summary, indicating 39 sources and 289 references of six different deficiencies in established classroom performance expectations. The deficiencies included failure to create an environment conducive to high expectations, failure to create an active learning environment, poor supervision of students, inadequate lesson planning, inadequate assessments and failure to hold students accountable.

Francom also pointed to 144 referenced safety violations in McDougall’s shop area and classroom. The reported violations date back as far as 2007 and were documented by inspectors from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry Occupational Safety and Health Bureau and from the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation Office of the State Fire Marshal. The inspection reports document more than a dozen occupational health and safety and health violations.

The superintendent also documented 90 references to various types of unprofessional behavior, including breaking professional confidentiality, spreading inaccurate statements and discussing inappropriate topics with students. One of the documented issues was an informal complaint from a then-13-year-old student dated Sept. 13, 2010.

“Today in P.E. we were down at the soccer field and [redacted], [redacted] and I were talking,” the student wrote. “Then Mr. McDougall asked us if we played football. And the three of us said, “yes.” Then he asked who was the best and I named several players on our team. He said, ‘that’s funny, I thought you liked to touch other men.’ It made me feel like I was not good enough or something.”

Francom provided documentation of several disciplinary issues in addition to the state reports, including performance improvement plans signed by both him and McDougall and several evaluations, observations and written performance warnings.

Before the meeting, supporters of McDougall rallied in a failed attempt to influence the board’s decision. Several letters were presented to the board in support of McDougall,  expressing their appreciation for a variety of community projects with which McDougall had provided assistance and for his caring and concern as an educator.

“As president of the Cabinet Back Country Horsemen I would like to support retention of Cecil McDougall as the shop teacher at the Troy High School,” wrote Deena Shotzberger. “Cecil and his students have been instrumental in our ability to acquire grants to improve recreational opportunities in south Lincoln County, and I would hate to lose this resource for our non-profit organization.”

A former student also wrote in support of McDougall.

“During my four years that I had him as a teacher I learned so much with hands-on carpentry, welding and working on small engines that has now helped me in my current career working for a large motorcycle dealership,” Shan Ramondelli wrote. “Cecil was also active in the community by coaching and helping out on projects.”

Another letter written in support of McDougall’s retention came from Troy residents Bob and Paula Rice, who categorized the complaints against McDougall as “very frivolous,” and told the board the move was a power play by school administration to push an unspecified agenda.

“From sources we have heard from, it appears this is a demonstration of power to push an underlying agenda to make changes to the educational system in the community which could be detrimental,” they wrote. “In addition, the sources see this as a reflection on how some students have been treated in the same manner.”

Several letters were also sent to the board in support of Francom’s recommendation to not renew the contract, including two from former Troy principals who worked with McDougall.

“Regarding Cecil McDougall, I am sorry to hear there are still concerns with his instruction and safety issues,” wrote former principal Dr. David Henderson. “I was extremely concerned about these 10 years ago when I was principal; I discussed these issues with him then and they were serious enough then that I should have formalized a process to begin his dismissal. I am sorry you are having to deal with this now.”

Former principal Rodney Smith also supported dismissing McDougall, citing a lack of supervision, safety issues and overall weak performance.

“Needless to say, I was not satisfied with Mr. McDougall’s work performance, however, due to the political structure at that time, I was not able to recommend his termination,” he wrote. “Mr. McDougall was a tenured teacher when I arrived and had he not been, I would have certainly recommended that he not receive that status. I do not write these letters unless I am absolutely certain that a teacher is negatively affecting the academic outcome of students. In my opinion, Mr. McDougall is a weak classroom teacher and the students at Troy High School deserve much better.”

Kelly Palmer, a guidance counselor at Troy High School, said the issue has become about something more than the dismissal of a sub-par teacher and encouraged the board to support Dr. Francom.

“While Mr. McDougall likely has some supporters on the teaching faculty, I believe that most do not hold him in high professional regard,” he wrote. “In closing, it appears that in many ways this has indeed become a referendum of sorts. Should the board vote to continue McDougall’s employment, it will send a very clear message to the community, faculty and students. Intentionally or not, it will undermine Dr. Francom’s authority and ability to lead effectively. It will convey that, if you’re popular enough with enough outspoken people, you don’t have to be accountable, productive or cooperative.”

McDougall did not return a phone message left for comment prior to press time.