Mishka Zena

Readers,

I’ve contacted both NAD and CEASD. NAD responded promptly, assuring me that the NAD Board members are in close contact with the involved parties, providing assistance and resources as well as monitoring the situation. CEASD had also replied that they have also offered assistance to the former Director of OSD, Ms. Muholland

From reading the reports and e mails,  an ODE official, Ed Dennis decided he knows more than the Oregon State School for the Deaf personnel what is appropriate for the school despite his lack of knowledge on both OSD and deaf education.  Posted below are two letters, one regarding Ed Dennis and one a letter to Governor, asking for his assistance.

I would suggest for those concerned about this unfortunate situation to contact Mr. Ed Dennis and Governor of Oregon to express your displeasure over the firing of OSD Director. It is imperative that they hear from you.  

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:

Ed Dennis: ed.dennis@state.or.us

GOVERNOR OF OREGON:

Ted Kulongoski: http://www.governor.oregon.gov/Gov/contact_us.shtml

Thanks

elizabeth

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A LETTER ABOUT ED DENNIS:

I went to the public meeting hosted by Ed Dennis, Deputy Superintendent of ODE, last Friday.  Before I went, I naively believed that there must be some compelling reason that Jane Mulholland was relieved of her duties.  Now I am convinced that there was no such thing.  Ed Dennis made this decision without much thought for the consequences of his action.  Here is what he said publicly:1.  He has been in his position for only four months.  He has worked for ODE for four years.
2.  He has no educational background in deaf education, special education, or regular education.
3.  He was the campaign manager for Susan Castillo’s campaign and, up until four months ago, was her Chief of Staff.
4.  He has done no research into deaf education or schools for the deaf nationwide.
5.  He has done no research into what the search process would entail for a new Director.
6.  He has never looked at Jane Mulholland’s personnel file.
7.  He is solely responsible for the decision to dismiss Ms. Mulholland after consultation with Susan Castillo, Mark Hunt, and Nancy Latini.
8.  He has been to the school for the deaf 4 times in the four years that he has worked for ODE.
9.  He put Jay Gense into the position of Director of Special Schools and, seemingly, temporary director of OSD (that is where his office will be starting Monday), yet Dennis has no knowledge of Mr. Gense’s ability to sign.  (Btw, I know Jay Gense.  I feel confident that he will do what is best for OSD, but I have no faith in the person who put him in place or the ODE leadership with whom Dennis consulted.)
10.  He did not tell parents, teachers, staff, or students until after the new year.
11.  Many parents still do not know.  (He doesn’t have all of their “email” addresses.  This is the kind of decision/announcement that requires the decency of something a bit more formal than an email, don’t you think???)I know Jane Mulholland.  I have been to OSD numerous times, I have been involved in deaf education, ASL, and the Deaf community and culture for over 25 years (I am hearing).  I would not make this kind of far reaching decision in a matter of months without consultation with TRUE experts, parents, students, alumni, staff, teachers, and administrators.  My belief is that Castillo and Hunt have no expertise in this field.  My guess is that Latini has very little if any.  In that room on Friday there were decades, if not hundreds of years, of personal experience, research, and knowledge about deaf education.  Yet, Ed Dennis adamantly declared that he knew what was right for OSD.My sense is that the reason Jane Mulholland did not resign when given the choice was because she knew that the decision would have grave consequences.  Has anyone spoken with Jane Mulholland?  What does she want us to do?I am appalled, shocked, bewildered.  I plan to take action and I hope that many of you do the same.  There will be another meeting at OSD on Martin Luther King’s Birthday from 6-9 p.m.  (I can’t think of a more appropriate day or better way to honor MLK than to show up at OSD on his Birthday)  I plan to attend and I hope to see you all there!

Reprinted with permission by Elisa Maroney

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LETTER TO OREGON GOVERNOR:

January 11, 2007

Governor Kulongoski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon
97301-4047 Dear Gov. Kulongoski,             By this time you probably have heard about the dismissal of Jane Mulholland as the Director of theOregon
School for the Deaf by Ed Dennis of the Oregon Department of Education.             In several meetings with Ed Dennis he has said he did it (it was his decision alone) because he KNOWS he can find a better person to run the school. He has told us that he did not do any research on this and that he has no knowledge in Deaf education or Deaf culture. He has had his position in ODE for only 4 months.             There is no better person in this whole
USA that knows how to run a School for the Deaf than Jane Mulholland.  She has over the years brought theOregon
School for the Deaf up to a nationally recognized school.  She took over as the Director of the School at the request of the Oregon Department of Education (she was working in the department at that time) when they could not find a new Director for two years in a national search.             I am asking your help in bringing Jane Mulholland back as the Director of theOregon
School for the Deaf.             I am also asking you and all Legislators to come to the meeting on January 15, 2007 at the Peck Gym at OSD from 6-9 pm when Ed Dennis is to answer questions from Deaf community, parents and other stakeholders in the school.             Attached to this email are some of the emails that I have gotten lately on this issue. Sincerely                                                                                                  George Scheler                                                                                               

sen.benwestlund@state.or.us ,sen.dougwhitsett@state.or.us ,sen.jackiewinters@state.or.us

Reprinted with permission of GallyL-Net moderator

Email contact: mishkazena@aol.com

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