Paul Vance, Superintendent, DC Public Schools
Announcement of suspension of four employees
August 5, 2003

DCPSWatch Home

Major Areas
DC Public Schools
Mayoral Takeover
Special Education

State Education Agency
State Education Office
Vouchers
WTU
Wilson S.H.S.

Calendars
Board of Education
School Year

Columns
Elizabeth Davis
Ron Drake
Erich Martel
Nathan Saunders

Directories
Schools

Letters

Links

Organizations
DC Education Compact
Parents United
Proposition 100%

Press

Search

DCWatch Home

District of Columbia Public Schools
News Release

Dr. Paul L. Vance, Superintendent

DCPS SUPERINTENDENT SUSPENDS FOUR (4) SPECIAL EDUCATION OFFICIALS ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH COURT ORDERED ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT
"Computer Equipment and Software Order for Visually Impaired Student Delayed"

Washington, DC - This afternoon Superintendent Paul L. Vance suspended four special education officials who failed to appropriately handle a court ordered compliance agreement to provide a visually impaired special education student with the necessary learning equipment specifically designed for the student’s disability. Those suspended included an Assistant Superintendent, the Director of the Office of Mediation and Compliance, an IT Specialist and a Supervisory Computer Specialist – all in the DCPS Office of Special Education.

"We are determined to permanently change a culture that permits the needs of our students, especially our most vulnerable, to go unattended. We will not allow employees to neglect and treat our students in a less than acceptable manner," said Vance. "Employees must understand that at DCPS, it is not business as usual."

The four suspended employees will be on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation and internal review of the facts and circumstances related to the compliance failure. The results of the investigation will determine what, if any, further action will be necessary.

The employees have been directed by Vance to make themselves available for the investigation. They also have been advised not to report to the Office of Special Education or be on school property unless cleared by the appropriate school authorities. Other suspensions may be imminent.

NOTE: The four employees mentioned in this press release are Anne C. Gay, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education; Judith Smith, Director of the Office of Mediation and Compliance; Ronald Jenkins, an information technology specialist; and Alan Patterson, a supervisory computer specialist.