PHOENIX, AZ-- Today at the Executive Tower of the Arizona State Capitol, the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind Board held a special meeting to elect the new board president and secretary of the board to prepare for the June 20th Board Meeting. Governor Jan Brewer came in at 1:30 and gave a brief and prepared speech to the audience, among other things explaining her expectations and goals for the Board to follow her wishes. She noted that Arizona is spending $3,000 dollars per student, and is the current education system satisfactory according to the money spent on those students. Governor Brewer also mentioned that she wanted all students to be able to graduate from the ASDB system with the ability to continue directly into college education—in direct disagreement with embattled ASDB superintendent Robert Hill’s stated goal to the parents of Chad Kennedy and Lydia Bennett-Fraychineaud ASDB student of merely meeting the standard 3rd grade level education averaged by deaf students nationwide. The parents of Chad Kennedy are currently suing the state over the quality of education the student received from ASDB. (DNN Raw Footage: Governor Brewer’s statement via sign interpreters) During the comment phase, a bit of drama unfolded. Dr. Nancy Amann, the suspended Assistant superintendent, after praising the new board members and sharing her hopes for the future, mentioned that the investigation into the actions by Superintendent Hill has not contacted Dr. Amann, 6 weeks after the previous board meeting concluded. Mr. Williams, the point man of the investigation, said that the office of Attorney General has recently interviewed an investigator to be appointed to this issue, and more details will be announced at the next meeting—in another words, up to this point aside from the interviews of potential investigators, no actions or investigation has been taken. (DNN Raw Footage: Dr. Amann’s Comment & Response by Mr. Williams) Danny Voreck, brother of Rob Voreck, the parent responsible for asdbreports, recommended that the board appoint a temporary caretaker to fix the mess within ASDB, and recommended Dr. Hank Klopping – the retired superintendent of California School for the Deaf System – as the temporary caretaker, for a term of one year. Since it was not on the agenda, the board could not comment nor act on the suggestion at this meeting. Dr. Alan Schussel voiced his support for newly-seated board member Dr. Kathy Jankowski to be elected as the board president, listing her accomplishments and qualifications. (DNN Raw Footage: Dr. Schussel’s Comments to the Board) In what felt like a shocking turn of events to the deaf community in the audience, when Sherri Collins nominated Dr. Jankowski for the board presidency, she turned down the nomination. Dr. Jankowski then turned around and nominated Ms. Sherri Collins for the board presidency—which was met with another rejection. This left Mr. Williams, one of the three board hold-over (including Ms. Collins) from the previous term and the only member to step forth to accept a nomination, to claim the Board Presidency. The secretary position was again met with shock from the audience when Dr. Jankowski declined yet another nomination. The secretary position fell to incumbent Sherri Collins, current Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing director. DNN will attempt to contact Dr. Jankowski for her reactions and comment. The board concluded without further drama or action. The next board meeting will be held on June 20th, with the date and location to be announced within the next few days. Reporting by R.J Kidd
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:51:47 +0000
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