MIHS Teacher on Witch-Hunt for Cheaters

By Robert Brown

At Mercer Island High School, Algebra 2 Honors teacher Grant Edgar Weed alleges that multiple students have formed a “cheating ring” for his final, with his first and fourth period classes “leaking” information about the test to his seventh period students. Parents contacting us but wishing to remain unnamed said that he has been harassing and intimidating students for more information in his investigation, and that he will implicate anyone that is named by another student. According to sources, he has sent a letter to parents and students demanding they write down all their knowledge on possible suspects and sign it. He asks that it be returned after school ends, when most are leaving for vacation.

Click Here For The Letter to Parents —>

Two students, wishing to remain confidential for fear of reprisal, say that on June 11 he said that anyone not returning the signed affidavit would be considered suspicious and subject to investigation. They stated that Weed intends to nullify suspects’ scores, effectively giving no credit for a final worth 15-20% of their grades.

Three other students also asking for privacy each independently told us that student Daniel Song is suspected of leaking information to Kira Newell. Two of these students claimed that Weed said that multiple people came forward with information in person, emails, or anonymous letters.

UPDATE JUNE 14th, 2013:

Our sources have followed up the above summary by stating that Grant Weed has allegedly forced student Daniel Song into admitting guilt (regardless of actuality) and is doing the same to other students now.

MIHS Teacher Grant Edgar Weed, shown above in his college education.

According to data from the Kitsap Sun, Weed has worked for a total of 6-7 years, and is now making $56,029, not including bonuses.

MISD Board Watch is seeking the Mercer Island School District for comment, and is filing a public records request for documents including returned affidavits.

UPDATE JUNE 14th 2013:

TO: Gary_Plano@misd.wednet.edu

FROM: NoMISchoolsBond@gmail.com

Hello,

We would like to make a public records request for : 

1) All returned copies of the letter that MIHS teacher Grant Weed sent regarding the collection of information on alleged cheating, (http://misdboardwatch.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/img2.pdf)

2) Any emails, letters, handwritten notes, phone records, or other documents, sent, received, or created by, Grant Weed regarding alleged cheating in the year of  2013,

3) Any emails, letters, handwritten notes, phone records, or other documents, sent, received, or created by Gary Plano, Vicki Puckett, Jeff d’Ambrosio, Craig Olson, Jamie Prescott, or Kim Schjelderup, regarding alleged cheating in any of Grant Weed’s classes, including any communication about this request,

4) Any document regarding policies on handling alleged student cheating,

5) The tests of those students alleged to have cheated on.

From, 

–
Robert Brown

MISD Board Watch

www.misdboardwatch.wordpress.com

___________________________________________________________

If you have any further  intelligence on this issue  information on this scandal, please contact us below.

Name ( Unless You Wish to Remain Confidential)

Comment(required)

Police Investigate MIHS Track Coach on Administrative Leave

BREAKING NEWS –

Erica Hill assumes control as new coach

By Robert Brown

One coach of the Mercer Island High School Track Team, Elliot Tremor Powell, has been placed on administrative leave after an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct, the Mercer Island Patch reports. The MISD placed him on administrative leave on May 16th, one day after hearing the allegations, and Powell resigned on May 23rd. Powell was responsible for 110 athletes.

The following are press releases from Superintendent Gary Plano, and a letter from MIHS Principal Vicki Puckett to MIHS Track families:

–

Superintendent Gary Plano wrote:

The District received information on May 15, 2013, warranting an investigation of Mr. Powell for alleged inappropriate personal conduct. District administration placed Head Track Coach Elliot Powell on administrative leave from his head coach and other employment duties with the District on May 16, 2013. To insure student safety and to protect the integrity of the investigation, Mr. Powell was placed on leave until this investigation is concluded. Mr. Powell has resigned effective Thursday, May 23, 2013 from positions he held with the District.

MIHS Principal Vicki Puckett wrote:

It is unfortunate that I have to share with you that on May 16,2013, the district administration placed Head Track Coach Elliot Powell on administrative leave from his head coach and other employment duties with the District. The reason for this action is we received information warranting an investigation of Mr. Powell for alleged inappropriate personal conduct. To insure student safety and protect the integrity of the investigation, Mr. Powell will be on leave until this investigation is concluded. We do not believe any further public comment regarding this situation is appropriate until the investigation is complete.

–

Erica Hill assumed control of the team as it headed to this year’s state competition, May 23rd-25th.

District documents show that he was hired as Track Head Coach last November 15th.

The following is staff data obtained by the Kitsap Sun:

 

Staff Record For: Elliot Tremor Powell

View Specific Year: 2011 – 20122010 – 20112009 – 20102008 – 2009

Mercer Island School District

 : Washington Schools

School Year: 2011-2012
Salary: $23,318 Insurance: $9,601 Mandatory Benefits: $7,080 Classified FTE: 0.572	Status: Continuing Individual Reporting District/ESD: Mercer Island School District in King county. Present Age/Sex: 32 / Male

Basic Education - Pupil Management and Safety - Aides - Non-time based pay	Islander Middle School in Mercer Island School District	Assignment Salary: $417
Basic Education - Teaching - Aides - Base Contract	Islander Middle School in Mercer Island School District	Assignment Salary: $13,627 0.371 Assignment FTE 772 Hours per Year
Basic Education - Teaching - Aides - Non-time based pay	Islander Middle School in Mercer Island School District	Assignment Salary: $834
Basic Education - Teaching - Aides - Base Contract	Islander Middle School in Mercer Island School District	Assignment Salary: $567 0.015 Assignment FTE 32.12 Hours per Year
Basic Education - Pupil Management and Safety - Aides - Base Contract	Islander Middle School in Mercer Island School District	Assignment Salary: $6,813 0.186 Assignment FTE 386 Hours per Year
Basic Education - Extracurricular - Professional - Non-time based pay	Islander Middle School in Mercer Island School District	Assignment Salary: $1,025
Basic Education - Teaching - Aides - Non-time based pay	Islander Middle School in Mercer Island School District	Assignment Salary: $35

 

Just four days before being placed on administrative leave, the Mercer Island Reporter quoted him in an interview saying “The support I’m getting from families, the booster club and the administration at the school has really made this transition for me a lot smoother and allows me to really focus on coaching.”

BREAKING NEWS: BOND SET FOR EARLY 2014

By Robert Brown       —– THIS JUST IN —–

From the Mercer Island School District’s website:

“Special edition of District News – Finding a solution for our overcrowded schools

Following more than a year of extensive outreach, the school board has reached a consensus on a solution for a school bond measure. Total cost: $70.3 million. Mercer Islanders will find this special print edition of District News in their mailboxes around May 15th, but you can read it online now! “

The bond’s total cost: $70.3 million.

Board Meeting Tonight

By Robert Brown

Date	Link to Agenda
May 2, 2013 Regular Board Meeting 7:00 p.m.   Location:  City of Mercer Island Council Chambers	Agenda 5 2 13   Partial Governance Process Monitoring 5 2 13   Board Action/Discussion    Consent Agenda   Full Board Packet    Proposed Press Box with Concessions  (new)

Breakfast Of Losers: MISF Corruption

By Robert Brown

Community School Facilities Meeting

By Robert Brown

Paul Bergman, Ralph Jorgenson and Rob Spalding will be hosting two meetings to discuss possible future school bonds:

7:00 PM April 23rd and May 7th at the Mercer Island Community and Events Center.

Plano Produces Propaganda