Posted By: head shaking parent
Funny how hush hush the community has been on the Deb Duncan Disaster. Just what is the district afraid of here? It IS the Okemos way to sweep any controversy under the rug, hoping it will all be soon forgotten...but this is just beyond BAD and curiously, some people seem to think that even if she took it, it was ok because she was "paying it back".
Incredulous.
The alleged "pay back" should have no bearing on the fact that this creepy and mentally unbalanced woman stole money from children. If she took one penny, it is WRONG and she should be prosecuted. I am really dismayed (but not surprised) that our school board hasn't come out and made a responsible statement about honesty and values and how it will NOT tolerate thievery...even from it's stable of "professional" volunteers. Considering that this is a district with smart and impressionable children it would seem the perfect opportunity for a lesson on what will happen to you if you take it upon yourself to steal from others. We are looking for the new superintendent to show some leadership by strongly stating a condemnation of this crime against children. Even if Deb is found to be the "victim" here, a statement is in order to establish something other than the "run amok" glad handing and 'fuzzy math" that runs rampant in this district.
The only honest one is my mind is John Hood who blew the whistle. We need people running our schools with THAT kind of ethical compass. I am proud he had the guts to do it, despite many who probably advised him differently. Apparently, he has a backbone and is a REAL man, so unlike our leadership on the board.
We must continue to demand excellence and honesty from our schools here in Okemos. Don't be afraid to speak out. The people who defend this woman's actions are as guilty as if they dipped their own fingers in the cookie jar and buying into their "don't ask, don't tell" mentality will only serve to perpetuate a climate where is appears safe to take a little on the side.
From CHILDREN no less.