McKinney Cheerleaders
The McKinney Cheerleaders are a group of five high school cheerleaders who basically went mad with power. They weren’t disciplined for abusive behavior towards teachers, coaches and fellow students. The football coach was allegedly... [more]
The McKinney Cheerleaders are a group of five high school cheerleaders who basically went mad with power. They weren’t disciplined for abusive behavior towards teachers, coaches and fellow students. The football coach was allegedly afraid of them and they were called “real life Mean Girls.” The McKinney Independent School District has hired an independent third party to look into the McKinney North High School cheerleading team and student body after several students were accused of inappropriate conduct. Share McKinney Cheerleaders pics, blogs, and videos here.
Three of the notorious "Fab Five" that terrorized suburban Dallas, TX with their wild, often times downright hateful behavior.
64%
30%
"It was a stupid mistake. We will never live it down, but we never thought about that at the time."
- Elizabeth Griffin, 18, one of the cheerleaders, on the The Dallas Morning News
"This is conduct nobody is proud of, ...seventeen-year-olds are not supposed to have adult judgment yet. They almost never do. They have to learn from their mistakes."
- Bob Hinton, lawyer for Karrissa Theret, the cheerleader and daughter of former principal Linda Theret
Excerpts from Dallas attorney, Harry Jones’ report (source: DallasNews.com). The excerpts are verbatim and include some redactions.
I was retained to investigate whether Administration at McKinney North High School ("North") abused its power vis-a-vis discipline of cheerleaders (hereinafter, I will use "CL" to denote "cheerleader[s]" or "cheerleading") due to the fact that Principal Linda Theret's daughter was a member of the varsity squad.
I was chosen, in part, because I am independent. I have remained independent. When I began my investigation, I knew no-one at McKinney I.S.D. (the "District"). I did not know the names of the three high schools. I did not know there was a "cheerleader controversy." When I set out to inform myself about North and the District, I had no pre-conceived notions about the school, its populace, and its administration. No-one at the District prescribed the manner or order of my inquiry; I chose how to proceed, who to interrogate, what documentation to review, and focused on the issues of my choice. The District, as an entity, did not attempt to influence my conclusions.
Of course, I was "lobbied" by almost every individual I met.
One exception was Superintendent Tom Crowe. Mr. Crowe did not tell me how he hoped the investigation to end; he merely invited me to report to the Board this evening. During my investigation, Mr. Crowe and I had only four conversations: (1) my interview with him about North cheerleading discipline issues, (2) a conversation about the logistics for me entering North to see documents and interview whomever I wished--how to set those interviews up without prejudicing the investigation, (3) Mr. Crowe wanted to know if I had finished in-school interviews, so that he could have Linda Theret return to campus, and (4) Mr. Crowe informed me about the date and time of the Board meeting.
______________________________________________________
… I am not too old to remember the confusion of being a teenager, of feeling grown up, but lacking wisdom, of doing things that mortify your parents (mine were easily mortified), and awaiting the punishment of your community. Kids will be kids. But adults have to be adults. Sadly, in this saga, I was struck by the reticence of many adults to accept the role of "being the grown-up." Whether it was ad hominem attacks on each other via email, the lack of shame
or embarrassment when "girls ran wild," the lack of confidence to be disliked for levying appropriate penalties for inappropriate behavior, or the obsession with image over substance, there were far too many adults operating only set out of shrewd self-interest, not the common good or principles higher than themselves.
North can do better for its kids.
________________________________________________________
Failures Galore:
Lest anyone believe this report will be easy reading, I have summarized some of the failures I have identified:
* The District failed to write and amend a coherent Constitution.
* North failed to recruit and keep a qualified CL sponsor with longevity.
* Some parents failed to transmit solid values, beyond "success" and "individual rights."
* Most teachers failed to take a stand on principle, preferring career advancement.
*Administration failed to implement and assess discipline equitably.
* Many students failed to understand how the rules could get so twisted.
* A small group of "ultra-cool" CLs at the top of the North "food chain" resisted all authority (legitimate and hypocritical) and failed to recognize how they were hurting their community.
*A few parents failed to see discipline as a loving instruction about life--instead they enabled children to a profound degree.
*The media failed to get the story straight:
broadcasting its as a sensationalized battle between an upright crusader and "girls gone wild" and "teasing" with a risqué photograph.
(Item blacked out.)
(Item blacked out.)
*Previous CL sponsors at North failed to give the real reason they quit.
*The most recent CL sponsors at North failed to give the real reason they quit.
*The most recent CL sponsor failed to embrace or thoroughly follow the Constitution-and quit in very untimely fashion.
(Item blacked out.)
(Item blacked out.)
(Item blacked out.)
(Item blacked out.)
(Item blacked out.)
* The principal failed to properly juggle two of the most important responsibilities in her life: principal and mother. She must be held principally accountable.
___________________________________________________________
I reviewed the Photographs that were sent to Linda Theret. It would be an overstatement to describe any of the Photographs as pornographic, but it would be an understatement to describe them as harmless high jinks. Quite frankly, I personally found it "creepy"
to look at the Photographs. Yes, the Photographs depict what teenagers have been doing for decades (usually outside of the view of the lens). But it is also true that the young girls in these Photographs are putting themselves in extreme risk, tarnishing their reputations, and damaging their future high school reunions, their self-esteem, and yes, their community.
It is inconceivable to me that anyone would contemplate a lack of consequences, or inconsequential punishment, for (1) participation in the activities depicted, (2) tacitly agreeing to pose for at least some of the Photographs (where applicable), and (3) posting them on the internet. A brief synopsis:
* Some of the Photographs are from a party or from parties where alcohol is being consumed.
* Bottles of liquor are evident in some of the Photographs--sometimes in the hands of girls who appear to be teenagers.
* Beer bottles or cups of unidentified liquid are depicted--either in the possession of one North cheerleader-or in the Photograph in the possession of someone else--with a North cheerleader present.
* Some of the girls are recognizable as North cheerleaders from this year or years previous.
* In some of the Photographs, girls are dancing very close to each other, or straddling (clothed) on a couch or floor.
* In a few of the Photographs, girls are being held upside down by (in one case) a male North student to consume beer in an accelerated fashion ("bongs").
* In a few of the Photographs, girls are posing suggestively with other girls--in some cases, the outfits
are skimpy, but there is no total nudity and none of the girls is ever depicted topless.
* In one Photograph, a North cheerleader appears wearing either a bikini top or bra--sharing a bottle with another girl.
* In one Photograph, four girls are depicted with their pants pulled down, enough to reveal their panties--two of the girls are positioned together in a suggestive way. One was a North cheerleader.
* Unidentified men are in many of the Photographs--at least one man appears to be significantly older than a teenager.
The "Condom" Photograph:
There was only one Photograph that showed any girl in a North cheerleader uniform. Evidently, it is taken in a "condom" store. There are five North cheerleaders, each smiling and holding large candles shaped like male genitalia--in at least one case, the positioning of the candle suggests fellatio. This Photograph certainly creates an issue about the definition of "what it is." It is an appalling thing for a District to have "out there," and one day, it may haunt these girls.
Tom Crowe's Rationale for Reducing the Penalty for the Photographs:
Superintendent Crowe reviewed the initial decision (the process for the initial decision will be described herein below). He explained to me why he reformed the punishment for the Photographs:
"When Linda Theret and Michaela Ward called me about the Photographs, I was in Austin. So, I wasn't looking at the Photographs. But they described them to me. My initial reaction was to say we should suspend any and all cheerleaders in the Photographs. But I let the proper decision team make the decision. Roy Renzenbrink, Tawn King, Joe Miniscalco, and Donna Rother were the people I thought were involved in the initial recommendation. They came up with 30 days for the 'candle dildo' photograph, 15 days for any drinking photograph, and 45 days if you were in both type of photograph. There was one girl in both. There was a right of appeal. Everyone on the North squad except XXXXXX appealed. The appeals landed on my desk. The
basic argument was that it was too strict, and it didn't make sense that the 'nasty'
picture was more severely punished than the drinking.
That second argument made sense to me. So, I modified it to 15 days for being in the 'candle dildo' Photograph and 15 days for being in the drinking Photographs--30 days if you were in both. I also put them under probation--any major violation and they'd be off. I made this decision myself. I did not get input from Linda Theret."
I find it credible that Mr. Crowe made this decision alone.
_______________________________________________________
The Appealed Decision:
Since the Condom Photograph involved a unique situation for which there was no precedent, Mr. Crowe was in a "black hole" of administration. An argument could be made that the original (stricter) punishment was more appropriate. A better argument might be that immediate removal was the only appropriate penalty (I share this view: the loss of privilege would create a lasting lesson). Another argument could be that no matter what was decided, it should have been undisturbed. Oddly enough, XXXXXXX’s punishment was reduced despite not appealing, and despite the fact that even under the District's own logic (condom store versus alcohol party), XXXXXX should have been considered to be in both categories. I am not sure if this was an oversight or intentional.
Nevertheless, I am convinced that Mr. Crowe was trying in good faith to be fair. He did institute probation, which he intended to be very strict. Unfortunately, the meaning of the probation was never clarified and some of the girls in question did not seem to get the message.
_______________________________________________________
Should the Constitution Survive?
Sober thought should be given to scrapping this Constitution and starting fresh with a very simple list of major roles - eligibility, selection, and expectations. The Student Code of Conduct and UIL requirements would still govern, of course. Beyond that, empowerment of the sponsor is the key. Just as in any program, the coach or sponsor must exercise discretion, be willing "not to be liked by everyone," and must be supported as long as she is acting appropriately and reasonably; a CL program is handicapped by a gargantuan 31-page document that changes every year.
Will any new sponsor be able to digest and apply this often counter-intuitive treatise? By presuming to "cover every eventuality" (impossible), the Constitution poses pitfalls to the sponsor and invites controversy and debate over the simplest of activities.
The Constitution claims that to be a cheerleader is an honor, a special privilege, a role model of wholesome good spirit, and that these representatives of the school should exemplify suitable behavior. However, in reality, the Constitution does not read like a noble document that will inspire this spirit of excellence.
It speaks, instead (for far too long), of chewing gum, correct grammar, laundered uniforms, earrings, bus drivers, and outfits. Thus, the Constitution aims on the first pages for greatness, and devolves in latter pages to a Byzantine system of demerits and "merits"
___________________________________________________________
Linda Theret and I also spoke without her lawyer present, with his approval. She is a very likeable person; I empathized with her struggle to change lives and rescue troubled kids. However, my finding is that (perhaps with the base of intentions) she failed to build a common vision for North vis-a-vis student management, resulting in negative student behavior, seriously damaging the climate of the School, exasperating and frustrating qualified staff, and bringing into existence (and perpetuating) an unfair, non-uniform and inconsistent student discipline.
Discipline became inequitable under Ms. Theret's leadership.
_____________________________________________________
Clearly, Ms. Theret was supposed to be the Campus Disciplinarian, but could delegate authority to Mr. Brunner. I find that any such delegation was sporadic in nature, that Ms. Theret remained the authority at North, and that she failed to assess and implement discipline fairly and equitably, which led to less compliance by students, fear and uncertainty by teachers, and vehement parent dissatisfaction.
Ironically, her discipline implementation may have been more equitable in the Fall of 2006 than in previous semesters. The culture of privilege was too entrenched by then to unwind it easily. Subordinates (including primarily Richard Brunner and secondarily Matt Audette) had already acquired and honed the habits and skills of protection for Ms. Theret's daughter and friends. Sadly, none of this really truly helped (her daughter) be happy or learn that consequences delayed are often harsher.
In a "vacuum," Ms. Theret clearly has the ability to supervise the cheerleading program and interpret standards. I find that she did not simultaneously parent and principal a child (who is acting up) in an effective manner that was fair to students, faculty, and the wide community. She had a blind spot, and there was only so much of her to share.
_______________________________________________________
This is sad.
Ms. Theret led North to Recognized School status (a top 10% academic status even with over 20% of its populace economically disadvantaged). It is my understanding that North is the 12th largest Recognized School: a very tough task. Her instructional leadership has not been seriously questioned. Ms. Theret describes herself as a "Level 5 Leader," with great capacity to withstand change.
Personally, Ms. Theret strikes me as strong; a survivor.
She graduated from Texas Tech in 1982, taught 4th grade on the border in El Paso, spent time in Austin and Lubbock in classrooms (and with "one foot in central office"),and moved to McKinney I.S.D. in 1996 as a middle school teacher. She was one of ten hand-picked for administration by a previous superintendent.
As an assistant principal, Ms. Theret says she "loved the frequent flyers - the dirty thirty" (kids frequently referred for discipline). Her philosophy:
(1) hammer them, (2) listen to them, (3) repair them, and (4) send them on their way. "I explained things - taught lessons."
As an associate principal at North in 2000, under Principal Jason Smith, Ms. Theret oversaw discipline and often handled appeals. She had "some input" into the CL Constitution, but "not much."
Due to the departure of Jason Smith, and after a brief tenure by veteran administrator Danny Bryan, Ms. Theret took over a North in 2003-2004. "I wanted to go to Boyd, actually. I would have been in a different school than my kids." However, MISD has no "rule"
against someone being a principal and parent at the same time. She cited MSH Principal Donna Rother as an example.
Ms. Theret is (justifiably, it seems) proud of many of her accomplishments at North. Besides achieving "Recognized" status (for her, the most important element to judge her performance), Ms. Theret points to the fact that she has exceeded the expectations set by her boss, Joe Miniscalco (Director of Secondary Services), as well as the "non-chaos in the halls, bell-to-bell teaching, high level instruction by teachers who are masters of their craft, and the high expectations we have set." She mentioned that there used to be fights in the halls. "I walk the halls between bells. I talk to the kids. I'm available and accessible."
_ _____________________________________________________
Conclusions & Recommendations
1. North has lost five CL sponsors in the last three years, because North is tainted by ineffective, inconsistent, and inequitable discipline.
2. Linda Theret bears ultimate responsibility for this problem--at times she was the problem. She did not exercise sound judgment in administering discipline at North.
3. The greatest failures in discipline by Linda Theret occurred before this school year. She allowed a culture of unaccountability for a group of girls to grow, metastasize and fester. She did abuse her power--by allowing her feelings about her daughter compromise her job as principal.
4. The worst failure in the current school year was not the punishment for the Photographs--it was the failure to remove four senior CLs for skipping school right after the punishment for the Photographs was reformed. Linda Theret and XXXXXX both bear responsibility for this failure.
5. (Blacked out)
6. Teachers and sponsors were put in an unacceptable
dilemma: to either go with the (inequitable) flow or fight the system (which put them in the ring against Ms. Theret).
7. The latest sponsor, Michaela Ward, made a series of errors, some of which were important, but she sincerely wanted to improve North's CL program.
8. Unless the responsible employees at North are held accountable, no fresh start is possible, and North's CL problems will continue, and may spread to other programs.
9. (Blacked out)
10. (Blacked out)
11. Linda Theret should no longer serve in any capacity at North. I see no reason why she could not serve in a curriculum or instructional capacity elsewhere in the District. She is highly talented in situations that do not relate to her own children.
I was retained to investigate whether Administration at McKinney North High School ("North") abused its power vis-a-vis discipline of cheerleaders (hereinafter, I will use "CL" to denote "cheerleader[s]" or "cheerleading") due to the fact that Principal Linda Theret's daughter was a member of the varsity squad.
I was chosen, in part, because I am independent. I have remained independent. When I began my investigation, I knew no-one at McKinney I.S.D. (the "District"). I did not know the names of the three high schools. I did not know there was a "cheerleader controversy." When I set out to inform myself about North and the District, I had no pre-conceived notions about the school, its populace, and its administration. No-one at the District prescribed the manner or order of my inquiry; I chose how to proceed, who to interrogate, what documentation to review, and focused on the issues of my choice. The District, as an entity, did not attempt to influence my conclusions.
Of course, I was "lobbied" by almost every individual I met.
One exception was Superintendent Tom Crowe. Mr. Crowe did not tell me how he hoped the investigation to end; he merely invited me to report to the Board this evening. During my investigation, Mr. Crowe and I had only four conversations: (1) my interview with him about North cheerleading discipline issues, (2) a conversation about the logistics for me entering North to see documents and interview whomever I wished--how to set those interviews up without prejudicing the investigation, (3) Mr. Crowe wanted to know if I had finished in-school interviews, so that he could have Linda Theret return to campus, and (4) Mr. Crowe informed me about the date and time of the Board meeting.
______________________________________________________
… I am not too old to remember the confusion of being a teenager, of feeling grown up, but lacking wisdom, of doing things that mortify your parents (mine were easily mortified), and awaiting the punishment of your community. Kids will be kids. But adults have to be adults. Sadly, in this saga, I was struck by the reticence of many adults to accept the role of "being the grown-up." Whether it was ad hominem attacks on each other via email, the lack of shame
or embarrassment when "girls ran wild," the lack of confidence to be disliked for levying appropriate penalties for inappropriate behavior, or the obsession with image over substance, there were far too many adults operating only set out of shrewd self-interest, not the common good or principles higher than themselves.
North can do better for its kids.
________________________________________________________
Failures Galore:
Lest anyone believe this report will be easy reading, I have summarized some of the failures I have identified:
* The District failed to write and amend a coherent Constitution.
* North failed to recruit and keep a qualified CL sponsor with longevity.
* Some parents failed to transmit solid values, beyond "success" and "individual rights."
* Most teachers failed to take a stand on principle, preferring career advancement.
*Administration failed to implement and assess discipline equitably.
* Many students failed to understand how the rules could get so twisted.
* A small group of "ultra-cool" CLs at the top of the North "food chain" resisted all authority (legitimate and hypocritical) and failed to recognize how they were hurting their community.
*A few parents failed to see discipline as a loving instruction about life--instead they enabled children to a profound degree.
*The media failed to get the story straight:
broadcasting its as a sensationalized battle between an upright crusader and "girls gone wild" and "teasing" with a risqué photograph.
(Item blacked out.)
(Item blacked out.)
*Previous CL sponsors at North failed to give the real reason they quit.
*The most recent CL sponsors at North failed to give the real reason they quit.
*The most recent CL sponsor failed to embrace or thoroughly follow the Constitution-and quit in very untimely fashion.
(Item blacked out.)
(Item blacked out.)
(Item blacked out.)
(Item blacked out.)
(Item blacked out.)
* The principal failed to properly juggle two of the most important responsibilities in her life: principal and mother. She must be held principally accountable.
___________________________________________________________
I reviewed the Photographs that were sent to Linda Theret. It would be an overstatement to describe any of the Photographs as pornographic, but it would be an understatement to describe them as harmless high jinks. Quite frankly, I personally found it "creepy"
to look at the Photographs. Yes, the Photographs depict what teenagers have been doing for decades (usually outside of the view of the lens). But it is also true that the young girls in these Photographs are putting themselves in extreme risk, tarnishing their reputations, and damaging their future high school reunions, their self-esteem, and yes, their community.
It is inconceivable to me that anyone would contemplate a lack of consequences, or inconsequential punishment, for (1) participation in the activities depicted, (2) tacitly agreeing to pose for at least some of the Photographs (where applicable), and (3) posting them on the internet. A brief synopsis:
* Some of the Photographs are from a party or from parties where alcohol is being consumed.
* Bottles of liquor are evident in some of the Photographs--sometimes in the hands of girls who appear to be teenagers.
* Beer bottles or cups of unidentified liquid are depicted--either in the possession of one North cheerleader-or in the Photograph in the possession of someone else--with a North cheerleader present.
* Some of the girls are recognizable as North cheerleaders from this year or years previous.
* In some of the Photographs, girls are dancing very close to each other, or straddling (clothed) on a couch or floor.
* In a few of the Photographs, girls are being held upside down by (in one case) a male North student to consume beer in an accelerated fashion ("bongs").
* In a few of the Photographs, girls are posing suggestively with other girls--in some cases, the outfits
are skimpy, but there is no total nudity and none of the girls is ever depicted topless.
* In one Photograph, a North cheerleader appears wearing either a bikini top or bra--sharing a bottle with another girl.
* In one Photograph, four girls are depicted with their pants pulled down, enough to reveal their panties--two of the girls are positioned together in a suggestive way. One was a North cheerleader.
* Unidentified men are in many of the Photographs--at least one man appears to be significantly older than a teenager.
The "Condom" Photograph:
There was only one Photograph that showed any girl in a North cheerleader uniform. Evidently, it is taken in a "condom" store. There are five North cheerleaders, each smiling and holding large candles shaped like male genitalia--in at least one case, the positioning of the candle suggests fellatio. This Photograph certainly creates an issue about the definition of "what it is." It is an appalling thing for a District to have "out there," and one day, it may haunt these girls.
Tom Crowe's Rationale for Reducing the Penalty for the Photographs:
Superintendent Crowe reviewed the initial decision (the process for the initial decision will be described herein below). He explained to me why he reformed the punishment for the Photographs:
"When Linda Theret and Michaela Ward called me about the Photographs, I was in Austin. So, I wasn't looking at the Photographs. But they described them to me. My initial reaction was to say we should suspend any and all cheerleaders in the Photographs. But I let the proper decision team make the decision. Roy Renzenbrink, Tawn King, Joe Miniscalco, and Donna Rother were the people I thought were involved in the initial recommendation. They came up with 30 days for the 'candle dildo' photograph, 15 days for any drinking photograph, and 45 days if you were in both type of photograph. There was one girl in both. There was a right of appeal. Everyone on the North squad except XXXXXX appealed. The appeals landed on my desk. The
basic argument was that it was too strict, and it didn't make sense that the 'nasty'
picture was more severely punished than the drinking.
That second argument made sense to me. So, I modified it to 15 days for being in the 'candle dildo' Photograph and 15 days for being in the drinking Photographs--30 days if you were in both. I also put them under probation--any major violation and they'd be off. I made this decision myself. I did not get input from Linda Theret."
I find it credible that Mr. Crowe made this decision alone.
_______________________________________________________
The Appealed Decision:
Since the Condom Photograph involved a unique situation for which there was no precedent, Mr. Crowe was in a "black hole" of administration. An argument could be made that the original (stricter) punishment was more appropriate. A better argument might be that immediate removal was the only appropriate penalty (I share this view: the loss of privilege would create a lasting lesson). Another argument could be that no matter what was decided, it should have been undisturbed. Oddly enough, XXXXXXX’s punishment was reduced despite not appealing, and despite the fact that even under the District's own logic (condom store versus alcohol party), XXXXXX should have been considered to be in both categories. I am not sure if this was an oversight or intentional.
Nevertheless, I am convinced that Mr. Crowe was trying in good faith to be fair. He did institute probation, which he intended to be very strict. Unfortunately, the meaning of the probation was never clarified and some of the girls in question did not seem to get the message.
_______________________________________________________
Should the Constitution Survive?
Sober thought should be given to scrapping this Constitution and starting fresh with a very simple list of major roles - eligibility, selection, and expectations. The Student Code of Conduct and UIL requirements would still govern, of course. Beyond that, empowerment of the sponsor is the key. Just as in any program, the coach or sponsor must exercise discretion, be willing "not to be liked by everyone," and must be supported as long as she is acting appropriately and reasonably; a CL program is handicapped by a gargantuan 31-page document that changes every year.
Will any new sponsor be able to digest and apply this often counter-intuitive treatise? By presuming to "cover every eventuality" (impossible), the Constitution poses pitfalls to the sponsor and invites controversy and debate over the simplest of activities.
The Constitution claims that to be a cheerleader is an honor, a special privilege, a role model of wholesome good spirit, and that these representatives of the school should exemplify suitable behavior. However, in reality, the Constitution does not read like a noble document that will inspire this spirit of excellence.
It speaks, instead (for far too long), of chewing gum, correct grammar, laundered uniforms, earrings, bus drivers, and outfits. Thus, the Constitution aims on the first pages for greatness, and devolves in latter pages to a Byzantine system of demerits and "merits"
___________________________________________________________
Linda Theret and I also spoke without her lawyer present, with his approval. She is a very likeable person; I empathized with her struggle to change lives and rescue troubled kids. However, my finding is that (perhaps with the base of intentions) she failed to build a common vision for North vis-a-vis student management, resulting in negative student behavior, seriously damaging the climate of the School, exasperating and frustrating qualified staff, and bringing into existence (and perpetuating) an unfair, non-uniform and inconsistent student discipline.
Discipline became inequitable under Ms. Theret's leadership.
_____________________________________________________
Clearly, Ms. Theret was supposed to be the Campus Disciplinarian, but could delegate authority to Mr. Brunner. I find that any such delegation was sporadic in nature, that Ms. Theret remained the authority at North, and that she failed to assess and implement discipline fairly and equitably, which led to less compliance by students, fear and uncertainty by teachers, and vehement parent dissatisfaction.
Ironically, her discipline implementation may have been more equitable in the Fall of 2006 than in previous semesters. The culture of privilege was too entrenched by then to unwind it easily. Subordinates (including primarily Richard Brunner and secondarily Matt Audette) had already acquired and honed the habits and skills of protection for Ms. Theret's daughter and friends. Sadly, none of this really truly helped (her daughter) be happy or learn that consequences delayed are often harsher.
In a "vacuum," Ms. Theret clearly has the ability to supervise the cheerleading program and interpret standards. I find that she did not simultaneously parent and principal a child (who is acting up) in an effective manner that was fair to students, faculty, and the wide community. She had a blind spot, and there was only so much of her to share.
_______________________________________________________
This is sad.
Ms. Theret led North to Recognized School status (a top 10% academic status even with over 20% of its populace economically disadvantaged). It is my understanding that North is the 12th largest Recognized School: a very tough task. Her instructional leadership has not been seriously questioned. Ms. Theret describes herself as a "Level 5 Leader," with great capacity to withstand change.
Personally, Ms. Theret strikes me as strong; a survivor.
She graduated from Texas Tech in 1982, taught 4th grade on the border in El Paso, spent time in Austin and Lubbock in classrooms (and with "one foot in central office"),and moved to McKinney I.S.D. in 1996 as a middle school teacher. She was one of ten hand-picked for administration by a previous superintendent.
As an assistant principal, Ms. Theret says she "loved the frequent flyers - the dirty thirty" (kids frequently referred for discipline). Her philosophy:
(1) hammer them, (2) listen to them, (3) repair them, and (4) send them on their way. "I explained things - taught lessons."
As an associate principal at North in 2000, under Principal Jason Smith, Ms. Theret oversaw discipline and often handled appeals. She had "some input" into the CL Constitution, but "not much."
Due to the departure of Jason Smith, and after a brief tenure by veteran administrator Danny Bryan, Ms. Theret took over a North in 2003-2004. "I wanted to go to Boyd, actually. I would have been in a different school than my kids." However, MISD has no "rule"
against someone being a principal and parent at the same time. She cited MSH Principal Donna Rother as an example.
Ms. Theret is (justifiably, it seems) proud of many of her accomplishments at North. Besides achieving "Recognized" status (for her, the most important element to judge her performance), Ms. Theret points to the fact that she has exceeded the expectations set by her boss, Joe Miniscalco (Director of Secondary Services), as well as the "non-chaos in the halls, bell-to-bell teaching, high level instruction by teachers who are masters of their craft, and the high expectations we have set." She mentioned that there used to be fights in the halls. "I walk the halls between bells. I talk to the kids. I'm available and accessible."
_ _____________________________________________________
Conclusions & Recommendations
1. North has lost five CL sponsors in the last three years, because North is tainted by ineffective, inconsistent, and inequitable discipline.
2. Linda Theret bears ultimate responsibility for this problem--at times she was the problem. She did not exercise sound judgment in administering discipline at North.
3. The greatest failures in discipline by Linda Theret occurred before this school year. She allowed a culture of unaccountability for a group of girls to grow, metastasize and fester. She did abuse her power--by allowing her feelings about her daughter compromise her job as principal.
4. The worst failure in the current school year was not the punishment for the Photographs--it was the failure to remove four senior CLs for skipping school right after the punishment for the Photographs was reformed. Linda Theret and XXXXXX both bear responsibility for this failure.
5. (Blacked out)
6. Teachers and sponsors were put in an unacceptable
dilemma: to either go with the (inequitable) flow or fight the system (which put them in the ring against Ms. Theret).
7. The latest sponsor, Michaela Ward, made a series of errors, some of which were important, but she sincerely wanted to improve North's CL program.
8. Unless the responsible employees at North are held accountable, no fresh start is possible, and North's CL problems will continue, and may spread to other programs.
9. (Blacked out)
10. (Blacked out)
11. Linda Theret should no longer serve in any capacity at North. I see no reason why she could not serve in a curriculum or instructional capacity elsewhere in the District. She is highly talented in situations that do not relate to her own children.
This is how they do it in China!
Professionals showing us all how to Ra Ra Ra
