Debra Vinson. From a 2014 Herald file photo.

By Allen Payton

A two-month investigation by an outside consultant into accusations by two Antioch Unified School District employees against Board Vice President Debra Vinson of bullying, intimidation and unethical conduct, concluded that they were valid.

According to the Executive Summary by Deborah Maddux of the Van Dermyden Maddux Law Corporation, the accusations were made in a letter dated February 21, 2017 regarding an incident involving Vinson and two unnamed staff members over an intra-district transfer, which was witnessed and corroborated by other staff members.

The investigator made multiple attempts between March 28 and June 1 to contact Vinson but was unsuccessful in getting a face to face interview with her, which delayed the completion of the report. Vinson responded by phone and email a few times.

“Despite extensive efforts to provide her with an opportunity to provide her perspective, by her actions, she declined to do so,” Maddux wrote regarding Vinson.

Vinson finally scheduled an interview for May 25 but according to Maddux, when she called in Vinson for the first time informed Maddux that she had retained legal counsel and wanted her attorney to participate in the interview. That interview with Vinson and her attorney never happened.

Finally, Maddux completed her investigation, without Vinson providing her side of the story. D. Vinson Investigation Exec Summary

The Findings Summary by the investigator is as follows:

“First, the versions of the interactions provided by the witnesses were consistent, credible and corroborating.

Second, despite every opportunity to do so, Trustee Vinson did not provide any information to the contrary.

Third, Trustee Vinson’s conduct in this investigation tended to support the overall allegation that she considers herself not bound by policies and processes. This is troubling for someone serving as a Trustee. Trustee Vinson was asked to participate in this process, which is required by policy, but she did not do so.”

The conclusions of the investigation are as follows:

“Trustee Vinson engaged in intimidating conduct toward two District employees.

Trustee Vinson improperly attempted to exercise administrative responsibility and commanded the services of two school employees.

Trustee Vinson used her position to pressure two District employees into making a decision that was contrary to Board policy.” (See pages 7 and 8 of the Executive Summary for the complete Findings Summary).

The accusations against Vinson are in addition to those that are the basis for a third recall effort against her. The first two efforts began, last year.

“This is the first time this information was public,” said Board President Walter Ruehlig who was the first to receive the Executive Summary from the investigator, according to District staff.

When reached for comment and asked to respond to both the allegations in the investigation, as well as the accusation of not participating in the investigative process, Vinson said “I have not yet read the Executive Summary. But, I received in the Board packet a copy of the Findings on the 11th. I have not had the chance to review the Findings. I will definitely give a response as soon as I do.”

Vinson is up for re-election in November 2018

The Executive Summary is dated June 13, but was just released this week as part of the agenda packet for the next Antioch School Board meeting on Wednesday, August 23. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Offices at 510 G Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

600 Cities Could Participate in the Largest, Organized Back-to-School Effort in U.S. History

(Antioch, CA) – “Education has become a matter of national security.  Because we cannot control our schools, we cannot control our economy.  And because we cannot control our economy, we cannot control and protect our quality of life in America,” says Phillip Jackson, Executive Director of The Black Star Project, U.S.A.  The Black Star Project is organizing the Million Father March 2017 on the first day of school in nearly 600 cities across America.  The Million Father March has become a special day that fathers and men use to make a commitment to their children, their families, their communities and their country with their dynamic presence at a school.  This is the real Father’s Day.

The March in Antioch will take place on August 16th in front of Marsh Elementary School at 2304 G Street Antioch, CA 94509.

Research shows that children whose fathers take an active role in their educational lives earn better grades, score higher on tests, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college.  Additionally, children have fewer behavior problems when fathers listen to and talk with them regularly and are active in their lives.  A good father is part of a good parent team and is critical to creating a strong family structure.  Strong family structures produce children who are more academically proficient, socially developed, and self-assured.  Such children become adults who are valuable assets to their communities.  “Better parents produce better communities, better schools, and better students with higher academic achievements,” says Jackson.

Participants in the event include fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers, mentors and family friends.   Although this event is created by Black men, people of any gender and ethnic identification are also encouraged to take their children to school on the first school day.  Businesses are asked to give fathers and men two hours off that morning, with pay, to take their children to school.  Participating men will also be encouraged to volunteer at schools throughout the year.

The 2017 Million Father March is sponsored in part by G.R.I.O.T in association with P.O.W.E.R.  For more information about The March in Antioch, please email power_1906@yahoo.com or call Dr. Lawrence A. Rasheed (925) 726-6162.

The deadline for purchasing a ticket to the 40th reunion off the Antioch High Class of 1977 has been extended to September 1. So, for the classmates who were always late to class and have waited to purchase their tickets, don’t worry. There’s still time and you won’t be sent to detention.

The reunion will be held at the Antioch Community Center.  All information can be found at https://www.ahs77reunion.com/.  Classmates are also welcome to join the reunion Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AHS77reunion40/.

School supplies are a necessity not a want

Antioch High 16-year-old, Claryssa Wilson will host her annual Back 2 School Stuff The Bus School Supply Give-A-Way on Saturday, August 5, 2017. This event will enable students in the area an opportunity to shop for free school supplies at Somersville Towne Center at 2550 Somersville Road in Antioch from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on this Saturday, August 5th. The first 200 students will receive a signature Warriors backpack, donated by the 2017 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, in addition to some other Warrior fan favorites including additional mall-wide, back to school discounts.

“No student should not be successful due to a lack of needed school supplies,” said Claryssa, creator and host of the annual effort. “Schools supplies are a necessity, not a want.”

Many students have already benefited from the free school supplies. They attend school better prepared and ready to learn with free pencils, pens, calculators, notebooks and paper. The annual event enables students to have no excuses for not having school supplies.

Claryssa created her program the annual giveaway and School Supply Retention Program because she had peers who were disruptive in class since they did not have the basics, like a pen, paper or notebook. Some of the students she noted came from low-income homes like herself, and she just had to do something to help.

Founded by award winning principal, motivational speaker and activist, Theresa Everett the Speak Rivers Youth Outreach Project is meant to give to our community, our kids, and our families by sending messages of positivity.

The free event will be held this Saturday, August 5 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. at Williamson Ranch Park, corner of Lone Tree Way and Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch.

There will be a backpack giveaway, jumper, food, music featuring the premiere of Come & Spy, and fun activities for the kids.

Theresa Everett

Everett, principal of Skyview Elementary School in Riverside County, CA, was honored in 2016 as Elementary Principal of the Year by the Western Riverside County Association of School Managers. 

Her school was awarded a California Gold Ribbon in 2016 by State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Antioch’s own Tom Torlakson.

The Gold Ribbon Awards recognize California schools that have made gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education. These include the California Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, California English Language Development Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.

“These schools shine as bright beacons for others, putting forth an exemplary effort to ensure that every student is ready for 21st century college and careers…California teachers are developing an education model for the nation, training the students of today to be the problem-solvers, inventors, and pioneers of tomorrow,” said Torlakson.

Learn more about Everett, here. 

Connect with Speak Rivers online at www.speakriversyouth.com, Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/SpeakRivers/ or Instagram: speakrivers.

The new Antioch High School cafeteria is under construction. Photos from AUSD.

Antioch High’s modernization and renovation continues. Construction of the new cafeteria (where the original office was located) and the 1100 wing (former library and classrooms) is in progress.

The 1100 wing (the back of the school) is being transformed into a state-of-the-art Media Technology Center, and on target for a fall reveal. The area will feature green screen audio/video capability and modern technology classrooms.

In addition to a spacious cafeteria, this area (right before the 400 hall) will sport a wide open quad area with lush landscape. It is scheduled to be complete in the spring of 2018. The last phase of our Measure B Bond update includes the aquatic swim center, and updating the final three hallways and classrooms in the 300, 400 and 500 wings.

Artist’s rendering of what the new Antioch High cafeteria and quad will look like once completed.

Proud to announce that the Educational Results Partnership has named Deer Valley High School and Dozier-Libbey Medical High School as Star Honor Roll Schools. This distinction was given to 21 of the 287 schools in Contra Costa County.

Through the Honor Roll School program, the Educational Results Partnership identifies and recognizes higher performing schools in the state, particularly higher poverty schools that are closing achievement gaps and those with a focus on STEM proficiency. The Star Honor Roll is the only school recognition program in the state using only student achievement outcomes as the criteria and is a growing resource for all schools to learn about best practices that increase student achievement.

The Educational Results Partnership utilizes data from the largest longitudinally-linked, actionable school data system in the country. http://www.edresults.org/