OSD: A Frustrated Deaf Community
Ore. deaf Community frustrated by dismissal of school director
1/6/2007, 1:00 p.m. PT
The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Members of the deaf community say they are
frustrated with the recent dismissal of Oregon School for the Deaf’s
director Jane Mulholland.o
About 40 people, including parents of students, recently met with state
officials to discuss Mulholland, who was dismissed last week from the
job she held since 1999.
George Scheler, a member of Oregon Association of the Deaf Inc., said
Mulholland was respected and supported by those involved with the
school. He said the Department of Education’s decision to terminate
Mulholland broke trust in the deaf community. “You have one big battle
on your hands,” Scheler said to Deputy Superintendent Ed Dennis.
Dennis said he could not comment on specific personnel issues regarding
Mulholland, which angered many.
Others questioned whether the decision to fire Mulholland stemmed from
ongoing discussions in the Legislature to move the Oregon School for the
Blind onto OSD’s campus in Northeast Salem.
Dennis said the decision was not related to any discussions to combine
the schools. He said his staff was looking into whether that option
would be feasible and will have more information by mid-February, but
made his decision to fire Mulholland separately.
Dot Johnson, an OSD alumni and deaf advocate, said she worked for the
Texas School for the Deaf, which was considered its own school district
with a separate board. Johnson said a similar structure should be
considered in order to allow more sensitivity toward deaf culture.
Dennis said interim director Jay Gense hopes to become actively involved
in communicating with parents and members of the community.
Gense will also spearhead efforts to hire a new director. Dennis said he
hoped the public would take part of the search process.
“I’d like to try to work together through the transition,” Dennis said.
Commentary: Ms. Jean Muholland received a MS from CSUN and had trained many fine teachers to work with the deaf K-12 graders. Her credentials are impressive and apparently there is no justification for her firing. Are the state supts and directors expendable to the whims of their Department of Education officials with no accountability? It sure sounds like it! It looks like we may need to set up a proactive team to help the deaf schools in trouble. Who is interested in joining this group?
How can you help?
You can 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. Â
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
email contact: Mishkazena@aol.com
Update: There is a website where concerned stakeholders of OSD discuss their concerns: http://p068.ezboard.com/The-OSD-Support-Board/btheosdsupportboard
Ore. deaf Community frustrated by dismissal of school director
1/6/2007, 1:00 p.m. PT
The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Members of the deaf community say they are
frustrated with the recent dismissal of Oregon School for the Deaf’s
director Jane Mulholland.o
About 40 people, including parents of students, recently met with state
officials to discuss Mulholland, who was dismissed last week from the
job she held since 1999.
George Scheler, a member of Oregon Association of the Deaf Inc., said
Mulholland was respected and supported by those involved with the
school. He said the Department of Education’s decision to terminate
Mulholland broke trust in the deaf community. “You have one big battle
on your hands,” Scheler said to Deputy Superintendent Ed Dennis.
Dennis said he could not comment on specific personnel issues regarding
Mulholland, which angered many.
Others questioned whether the decision to fire Mulholland stemmed from
ongoing discussions in the Legislature to move the Oregon School for the
Blind onto OSD’s campus in Northeast Salem.
Dennis said the decision was not related to any discussions to combine
the schools. He said his staff was looking into whether that option
would be feasible and will have more information by mid-February, but
made his decision to fire Mulholland separately.
Dot Johnson, an OSD alumni and deaf advocate, said she worked for the
Texas School for the Deaf, which was considered its own school district
with a separate board. Johnson said a similar structure should be
considered in order to allow more sensitivity toward deaf culture.
Dennis said interim director Jay Gense hopes to become actively involved
in communicating with parents and members of the community.
Gense will also spearhead efforts to hire a new director. Dennis said he
hoped the public would take part of the search process.
“I’d like to try to work together through the transition,” Dennis said.
Commentary: Ms. Jean Muholland received a MS from CSUN and had trained many fine teachers to work with the deaf K-12 graders. Her credentials are impressive and apparently there is no justification for her firing. Are the state supts and directors expendable to the whims of their Department of Education officials with no accountability? It sure sounds like it! It looks like we may need to set up a proactive team to help the deaf schools in trouble. Who is interested in joining this group?
How can you help?
You can 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. Â
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
email contact: Mishkazena@aol.com
Update: There is a website where concerned stakeholders of OSD discuss their concerns: http://p068.ezboard.com/The-OSD-Support-Board/btheosdsupportboard
January 13th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Ed Dennis’s latest letter to the families of the students:
http://www.osd.k12.or.us/~outreach/pdf/osd_today/updated_osd_parents_letter.pdf
Linsday Dunn’s impressive letter to Ed Dennis:
http://blog.deafread.com/dsammy/2007/01/13/oregon-l-m-dunn-letter-to-mr-dennis/
Ed makes a defense of himself the reason why he dismissed Jane, making a lot of excuses in finding the best person to replace her. He kept saying there is a personal matter why she was let go, of course he can’t share the real reason with the public. Wondering why Jane has not spoken up quietly?? Was she guilty about something that we don’t know?
January 13th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I don’t know Ms. Muholland, but I think if I am in her shoes, I would be trying to figure what’s going on and exploring my options. I am sure she feels supported by the outrage the OSD and deaf community express about her firing.
Dennis is very obtuse, not explaining exactly what new direction he wants OSD to take and that is an omnious sign. He needs to tell his OSD stakeholders what his plans are. From what I understand, he has ZERO knowledge of deaf education. That’s scary and so typical of hearing people to gamble with the education of deaf children. It’s time for the Deaf Community to stand up for what they know works best for deaf children as they have a lot of experience.
January 14th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Jane better has some plans in the works to surprise her former bosses.
She was fired in the middle of the school season. That is a stupid move by the school administration. He would be a big time loser if he has nothing to prove the real reason of firing her.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:33 am
The State is perfectly within its rights to terminate any administrator at any time for whatever reason. Governor Kulongoski and Mr. Dennis have performed their duties appropriately. The school is a part of the State of Oregon. It does not “belong” to the Deaf community. It is a state school with a mission to educate deaf children. It is not an instrument of the Deaf community. The State would surely like to maintain cordial relations with the Deaf community. However, the Deaf community does not reserve any rights or powers to influence policy at the school.