Keys Fillauer, Oak Ridge Board of Education chair, left, and Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan reject allegations by City Council member Trina Baughn that, among other things, there is a “culture of terror” in Oak Ridge Schools and students are at risk.
The fiery debate erupted last week, with one Oak Ridge City Council member alleging drugs are rampant in many schools, students are at risk of being assaulted, and a culture of terror has saturated the school system.
It continued this week, with two school officials and the city’s mayor holding a press conference at the Oak Ridge High School to rebut the allegations. They were joined by a throng of several dozen administrators, officials, and teachers.
Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn sparked the debate last week in a letter to new school superintendent Bruce Borchers, who started June 18. Baughn told Borchers that countless parents, school staff, and students have shared stories with her that paint a picture of an “inner-city school system run amuck.â€
“I’ve heard so many stories of assaults occurring at the middle schools and high school that I am heartbroken,†Baughn said.
But a half-dozen other local officials—including City Council members, school board members, and teachers—said they haven’t heard many complaints, if any, from parents regarding drugs and assaults in Oak Ridge Schools. They called some of Baughn’s claims inaccurate, exaggerated, or untrue.
Some also rejected the use of the phrase “culture of terror.â€
“In my 15 years, I’ve never experienced one moment of terror,†said Kim Smith, who teaches fifth-grade math and social studies at Jefferson Middle School and has two sons who graduated from Oak Ridge Schools. “The climate in which I work and teach is a positive and supportive one.”
Steve Reddick
“We do not teach, and our students do not learn, in a culture of terror,” said Steve Reddick, who teaches American history to eighth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School and is co-president of the Oak Ridge Education Association. “This assertion is simply, utterly not true.”
The 4,400-student school system continues to exceed state and national expectations and that would not and could not happen if the schools and their classrooms were not orderly and controlled, Reddick said.
In a phone interview Sunday, Baughn said she first started hearing concerns last summer, when she was campaigning for a City Council seat. In the past two months, she said she has talked to at least 11 current or former school staff members or parent of students. Their concerns have been related to drugs and assaults, and children coming back to school after committing crimes and going through the court system, Baughn said.
“We have a school system in which the students are afraid of the other students,†she said.
Trina Baughn
She said she has received highly credible reports that drugs are rampant at many Oak Ridge schools.
“I think it’s pretty bad,†she said.
But Baughn said she doesn’t have statistics on the specific number of assaults and drug incidents in Oak Ridge Schools.
She hasn’t convinced other local officials that the problems are as bad as she alleges.
“I have taught in this school system for 30 years,†Reddick said. “I do not think that these problems have gotten worse over time. To the contrary, we have very focused students, excellent teachers, and a high-performing school system that continues to be a leader in the region and across the state. The vast majority of our students are learning, excelling, graduating, and moving toward a productive future. That doesn’t happen by accident, and it certainly wouldn’t be happening if things were as bad as stated in (Baughn’s letter).â€
During Monday’s press conference, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan said his two sons graduated from Oak Ridge High School, and he would enroll them today without fearing for their safety.
“Her allegations that children are at risk and that the school system has run amok are simply not true,†Beehan said. “I’ve lived in communities with ‘inner city schools’…and our schools are not inner city schools.â€
Oak Ridge Board of Education Chair Keys Fillauer said the school board would not be guided by an inaccurate portrayal.
“Ms. Baughn’s characterization of the Oak Ridge Schools has done nothing but hurt our community and hurt our teaching staff who work tirelessly to provide a quality education and learning environment for all our students,†said Fillauer, who spent 31 years teaching and coaching and has served on the school board for 11 years. “Our schools and students continue to achieve and progress by virtually every state and national measuring stick, and this could not happen if our school climate were anything like Ms. Baughn describes.â€
About 70 people attend a Monday afternoon press conference where the Oak Ridge mayor and two school officials respond to allegations by a City Council member that there is a “culture of terror” in the schools, drugs are rampant, and students are at risk of being assaulted.
Asked this past weekend whether they have heard many concerns about drugs and assaults at Oak Ridge schools, two school board members said “no.â€
“I just don’t hear a lot about this,†said Dan DiGregorio, Oak Ridge Board of Education member and retired science teacher and football and track coach who has been associated with the school system since 1971. “If there is a culture of fear, I don’t think it’s been an overwhelming concern. Otherwise, I would have heard about it.â€
“To be honest, I do not think the drug problem is worse today than it was when I was in school in the ’70s and ’80s,†said Angi Agle, an Oak Ridge Board of Education member whose youngest child graduated in May. But the problems are different, Agle said, citing more problems with prescription pills today than with marijuana.
Still, some local officials said they supported Baughn’s right to express her opinion and ask questions.
“I support the councilwoman’s right as a parent and citizen and taxpayer to bring up any issues at the schools, and I’m repeatedly puzzled by the degree of emotional defensiveness exhibited by the school board and others around town when anything is brought up suggesting that our schools might not be perfect,†Oak Ridge City Council member Anne Garcia Garland said. “I’m hoping that the furor will actually result in some good investigation.â€
In general, school officials said they take concerns seriously and try to respond professionally when they do hear them. They expressed optimism that city officials, including Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson and Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi, could resolve any issues with Borchers and school officials.
“We are all in this boat together,†Oak Ridge City Council member Chuck Hope said. “We can either row this boat together, or we can all row against each other and wind up going in circles.â€
Several officials pointed out that no school system is immune to the problems of drugs and violence.
“We do have the problems that any schools have, public or private,†Agle said.
Some local officials expressed concern with the effect that Baughn’s letter could have on the perceptions of Oak Ridge and its highly touted school system, which includes a high school ranked sixth in Tennessee by U.S. News and World Report. They suggested a more diplomatic and cooperative approach was needed.
“Allegations like that probably does more damage to the school system than anything else I’ve seen in 27 years,†said Bob Eby, Oak Ridge Board of Education vice chair, who has been elected to three separate terms since 1986 and has a wife who retired from teaching at Linden Elementary School. “There was no basis for the facts that she alleged.â€
After the press conference, Baughn, who has a son who graduated from Oak Ridge Schools and a daughter still in the system, said she was both encouraged and discouraged. She said she was discouraged by the minimization of the problems and the potential silencing effect it could have, but she was glad the community was discussing the problems, which could lead to solutions.
“This is actually a very positive thing,†Baughn said.
Baughn said she has had “amazing feedback,†including on Facebook and through e-mails and phone calls. She said some of the people communicating with her are sending her information but might want to remain anonymous and not share their stories publicly.
“They are so glad that someone finally said something,†she said.
Others weren’t so pleased.
“I think Ms. Baughn has significantly exaggerated the problem,†Oak Ridge City Council member Charlie Hensley said. “In my opinion, her approach is going to give Oak Ridge an unnecessary black eye with surrounding communities. It’s saber rattling and stirring the pot to the worst I can imagine.â€
Note: This story was last updated at 10:30 a.m. July 9.
maremartell says
Did she make the sweeping statements specifically at Oak Ridge? My son used to attend Clinton Middle School, Clinton High School, and The Learn Center. In that time he was busted for tobacco and marijuana as well as having his face fractured, numerous bruises from attacks and the like. Once he got to Oak Ridge, other than his residual fears from before, he only had a couple of incidents where safety was questioned. In both instances, the school made many accommodations to insure a safe learning environment for him. I do not agree with her statements.
johnhuotari says
Trina was discussing Oak Ridge Schools only.
CK Kelsey says
So it does happen in government schools maremartell? By your own admission. Then knowing this occurs you are suggesting that we should never consider that this problem of bullying,drugs and student attacks may just be confined to another part of the county.The Clinton Middle School is 1 block from the police station and yet these things occur. Now please tell me why Oak Ridge is so special that they can’t have the same issues. If it’s not reported then can we be satisfied that it didn’t happen? The fact that 1 council person cares enough to do her due diligence tells me that she is worthy of the oath she took to serve and believe she should be given the benefit of the doubt. But if Oak Ridge thinks they can never be guilty of the same “sins” as the rest of the county,please tell me just how this has been accomplished.
Philip W Nipper says
Ms Baughn loves to be the center of attention. She does a great job at finger pointing and making accusations without having the benefit of facts. True signs of a poor leader.
Markandna says
I’m confused. If she was repeating concerns originating from the chief of police and the city manager, how do you call that “making accusations without having the benefit of the facts”?
Andrew Howe says
Sigh…
When a nutjob shoots up a school, school systems across the country start shouting for measures to reduce risk. Even our own system has asked for an SRO in all schools.
Yet when residents approach a council member with issues of safety that aren’t being handled to their satisfaction, and said council member acts upon this, along with the city manager and chief of police, suddenly everyone back-peddles and starts expounding upon just how terribly safe our schools are.
Which is it folks?
People jumped on Baughn for using the word “terror”, so I’ll join in and jump up and down over split hairs, too. For one, I bet you five dollars the use of the word “terror” came not from Baughn but from one of the people that came to her for help.
Kim Smith says, “I’ve never experienced one moment of terror”. I’d hope not. I’d worry about our drinking water if there was a FIFTH grader out there that could instill terror. In other words, I’d rather hear that quote from of the middle or high school staff, where it might mean a bit more. How about the kids? If anyone’s going to know the score, it’s them. Go interview them.
City Council and other govt members certainly may NOT have heard about these issues. Baughn has a rep as someone who’ll act upon information. She’s an obvious ‘outsider’ in regard to the Old Boy / Country Club network, and if your system is rumored to be run by that network, who else IS there to contact? (Not MY opinion, just what happens to be a common belief around town)
Mayor Beehan said “Her allegations that children are at risk at that the school system has run amok are simply not true.†No, that statement is not true – there are ALWAYS risks. That’s the entire point of this whole debacle! The point in question is just what those risks are, and how to address them and lessen them. The obvious starting place is by examining the incidents that have already occurred.
My point wasn’t to give the mayor a hard time (love you, Tom) , it was to point out how easily nearly EVERYthing someone says can be argued and torn down, how easy it is to make someone look foolish by nitpicking them.
Regardless, here we are, already making progress. I’ve already seen numerous suggestions on improving the ORHS situation by simply replacing the current SRO with one that has shown favorable results in the past.
So everyone just keep on shouting how wrong Baughn is, so long as you also keep on giving advice that solidifies her point.
johnhuotari says
Andy,
I have talked to a handful of students and parents of students, but not enough for me to comment on yet.
Just to clarify, the fifth-grade teacher is at the middle school.
Kay Williamson says
if were told right I believe the CHIEF OF POLICE STARTED THIS, he sent a letter to the City MANAGER MARK WATSON, Then sent it to the ‘CITY COUNCIL’,, did she over state what he wrote or did he indeed say the things she pointed out…
Mike Mahathy says
Did the chief send a letter to the newspaper? No!
Sam Hopwood says
Oh come on Mike, Trina was stating that the chief’s memo to the city manager stated that the school system would not cooperate with the police but would obstruct them. The city manager backed him up. Is it really more important to protect the image of the sacred cow? Say it ain’t so. Beehan and the school board still haven’t learned that they can’t bully Trina.
johnhuotari says
I have asked the police chief and city manager about the memo. The police chief declined to comment. The city manager said it was written in the context of how to resolve differences and legal issues between the city and schools over the use of school resource officers. Here’s a link to that story: http://oakridgetoday.com/2013/07/09/police-chief-declines-to-comment-on-use-of-his-memo-in-baughns-letter/
Helen Standifer says
I think part of the backlash is for a combination of things Trina tried to change too fast too soon. Us old timer Oak Ridgers can trash this city but NOBODY else can. We’ll git you. Only half kidding. Remember my earlier quote “stuff happens”.
Kelly Callison says
The problem really is that she is an elected official writing an open letter to the BRAND NEW Superintendent. As an elected official she could have easily gotten an appointment with the Superintendent to discuss the issues. I am sorry, but the schools are currently the big draw for Oak Ridge. Whether the accusations are true or not how about giving the new guy a chance to address them before you tell the whole world.
If you are coming in from outside the area and need to decide where to live what would you think. I think you might want to live somewhere else.
David Allred says
Agreed. This could have been handled internally. However, the system must have a school safety board comprised of parents and professionals. That safety board should be publicized regularly.
Ck Kelsey says
This is what was written about the memo. Should we ignore it then?
“His May 9 memo to City Manager Mark Watson said school staff members have, in the past, too often neglected to report potential crimes to the Oak Ridge Police Department in a timely manner or, in some cases, at all. There has been a lack of communication between the ORPD and the school system, and the school staff has been reluctant at best, and in some instances obstructive, in their interaction with ORPD personnel, the chief said.”
David Allred says
She struck a nerve. People jumped. Whenever anxiety is provoked the immediate response is much like this.
Our solution should be to — Evaluate. Report. Improve.
No reason this should be as hard as we’ve made it.
School safety at ORS can be improved. I know this beyond a shadow of a doubt as an 8-year school safety veteran. I will stack my experience, training, and credentials against anything the city offers.
Sam Hopwood says
But you are not part of the school administration David. It does appear that their first priority is to protect their image. Everything else is second. That’s not good enough for me and it should’nt be for anyone…..
David Allred says
I do know that one of the most difficult things in school safety is the MoA with first responders. Schools have a particularly difficult time because they are dealing with minors and integrity of identity protection. Laws have made things hard for school systems and law enforcement to collaborate and share information.
All of that said, many systems and agencies around the country have been successful. Those are the best practices that should be laid on the table to evaluate & if they fit us, adopt.
School safety is a touchy issue; one of those things that it much easier to discuss behind closed doors because of the anxiety it produces. I don’t believe it has to be this way but the instinctual bonds between parents and children often stand in the way of risk assessment and feasible methods to deal with those risks. Let’s face it, by feasible, I mean $$$$.
Sam Hopwood says
Well written and I respect your views.
Helen Standifer says
David, Hi! We’ve never met but I used to work with your Dad. Martin is my oldest and dearest friend. Teri Wiest is my lifelong best friend. We are connect in many ways and I have read every letter and column you have written over the years. My point? Run for a municipal position. You have my vote. You are a careful and deep thinker. Just my 2 cents.
Mark Caldwell says
Recall Baughn!
BSSHipley says
ditto
Ck Kelsey says
Government schools are cesspools !
BSSHipley says
Here we are trying to bring in more business, sell more houses, increase retail all in an effort to make Oak Ridge a better place to live, learn and play and she is doing everything in her power to destroy all forward progress to satisfy her own agenda (don’t even try and tell me she doesn’t have one because its blatantly visible). In the one of the updates to this matter it stated that she had spoken with 11 families or teachers – That is hardly enough to call anything rampant. Also note that the ORHS campus houses the alternative school – which has its own inherent problem. TO say we have a rampant problem is just irresponsible.
David Allred says
I am sort of surprised by the backlash, not necessarily because it’s Trina and Trina can draw ire out from time to time, but mostly, the thing I am pondering is how each of the formal responses have focused on a handful of words and phrases in the letter rather than giving us hard data. I find this obsession with words fascinating & I think it probably spins from our familiarity and acceptance of shock speech.
So things like “culture of terror” are not only tossed out there for effect – but oddly enough – we respond to it knowing full well why it was phrased as such.
The word “rampant” that you refer to is also a fascinating word. It’s obviously hyperbole, but we toss it around anyway from time to time. Do we have a “rampant” problem? Rampant in comparison to what? Is what is “rampant” to me maybe not rampant to someone else?
Here’s the real question. How big is the problem? The platitudes that have been offered up as responses to the letter’s accusations are not of much interest to me. I want to know statistically how “rampant” or “non-rampant” the problem is.
When I was a school safety coordinator I had data. I could tell you exactly how we stacked up against national and state averages in drug use, teen pregnancy, anything really. I could give a pretty precise number and let people decide for themselves what “rampant” meant.
Where is the hard data from Oak Ridge Schools today? Why hasn’t it been presented in response to the accusation?
Sam Hopwood says
Would you consider running for school board at the next election? I mean that seriously. I believe you would give a very good point of view on a variety of issues. Think about it, really.
David Allred says
Thanks for the kind words. I like to hear myself talk way too much to be a politician. Best stick to preaching. 😉
johnhuotari says
David,
I have requested data. I’ll let you know when I have something to share.
Helen Standifer says
I agree. It is probably no different in school today than it was for me 43 yrs. ago. We had more students then. There were the jocks, the nerds, the “popular” and whoever. I got beat up in 8th grade. My parents never considered suing anybody. I think the fear of being sued is very prevalent around here. It always comes back to money, ALWAYS.
William Cramer says
If this latest publicity stunt was truly about the safety of our kids or improving our education system, then why didn’t she gather facts? Why didn’t she cite statistics, specific incidents, talk to teachers, talk to administrators, etc.? She shot from the hip based on stories, rumors, and allegations from who? Her kid’s friend’s parent’s neighbor? I graduated from Oak Ridge High School and I’ve worked for Oak Ridge Schools in the past and I never saw this kind of behavior that she talks about. Sure, I’ve heard about drugs, and sex, and fights, and bullying, and lazy teachers, but I challenge you to find a school system that doesn’t have problems with those things. They’re problems that EVERY school has and they’re not as pervasive as Ms. Baughn asserts. There are also some amazing students and teachers in Oak Ridge Schools that I’m sure have taken offense to her generalizing. And if Ms. Baughn truly cared about fixing issues instead of making a name for herself, why did she throw out these accusations a second time on a major Knoxville radio show? Why give Oak Ridge a black eye with the rest of East Tennessee if all you care about is fixing the system? If I wanted to help Oak Ridge, I would have dealt with these issues privately with the school system than making wild accusations public and giving those good people within Oak Ridge Schools a bad name. This is another publicity stunt aimed at making anyone who doesn’t agree with radical ideology look inept when in reality those people she is disparaging have done more to make Oak Ridge a better place than she ever will. Yes she has the right to voice her opinion, I fully support that, I also have the right to not take her seriously and say she’s hurting more than helping…and I think she knows it.
Jamie Olson says
Well said!
Denny Phillips says
I can appreciate why Trina went this route. Had the back room discussions that are being proposed here occurred, it’s likely that the powers that be would have marginalized her concerns in the same fashion that they are attempting to marginalize her with press conferences and blog posts.
I would hope that Dr. Borchers understands that this is a legitimate concern to many parents in Oak Ridge, to the Chief of Police and to the City Manager as well as Trina.
Markandna says
It’s so interesting to me that everyone is demonizing Ms. Baughn for simply repeating concerns already expressed by the Chief of Police, the City Manager and parents, teachers, and students. Nobody is actually addressing the issues brought up by the Chief, nor do they seem to be aware that she did not originate the accusations. Instead, they are just content to skewer Ms. Baughn because they can’t handle the fact that someone is not afraid to stir up a little controversy if it means getting things done. -Renee’ Van Druff (the “na” in Markandna)
Levi D. Smith says
Oak Ridge has had a ghost town for a mall for over a decade. Oak Ridge has also become known as the biggest speed trap in East Tennessee after installing the speed cameras. I seriously doubt anyone could think that Oak Ridge’s reputation would be any further damaged by one opinion of the school system. I’m just glad that there’s finally someone standing up to the “establishment” on city council.