Lies and the principals who believe the lying liars
Marlene Whitby, principal of William Penn Elementary School in Elizabeth, Pa., submitted her resignation Wednesday, after parading an 8 year old girl around to all the classes in the school and denouncing her as a liar and a thief. The girl’s accuser, another student, later admitted she falsely accused the victim.
Whitby and the school’s administration came under fire this month when the parents of third-grader Katie White protested that Whitby had not been punished for the September incident.
After the classmate accused the girl of stealing the $5, Whitby took her from room to room, calling her a liar and thief. The other child later recanted the story.
The girl’s father, Ryan White, said that when he spoke to Whitby she acknowledged that she didn’t look at a school bus video or talk to the bus driver to verify the theft accusation. . . .
Police had to be called to Wednesday’s board meeting because some in the crowd of about 70 people became upset when board President Lowell Meek said there would be no public comment on a personnel and discipline matter. — Associated Press
Anyone who’s been around children for more than a few minutes knows they make things up. Especially if they’re being mean to each other, which they do frequently. Marlene Whitby, who should have known better, is therefore today’s Stupid Person of the Day.
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Danielle Elderkin
Cover Story Communications, Inc.
412-828-9976
412-874-9138 (cell)
danielle@coverstorycom.com
ALLEGHENY COUNTY FAMILY FILES CASE AGAINST
SCHOOL DISTRICT, SCHOOL OFFICIALS
Elizabeth, PA—March 13, 2007—On March 13, 2007, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Alan Perer, Attorney for Ryan and Jennifer White, filed a Complaint against the Elizabeth Forward School District, and Paul Mueller, Superintendent, and Lowell Meek, President of the Elizabeth Forward School Board, and Marlene Whitby, a former principal of the William Penn Elementary School. The case arose out of an incident that made national news.
The Complaint details the public shaming and battery of Ryan and Jennifer White’s then eight-year-old daughter by Marlene Whitby, the principal of their daughter’s elementary school.
Ms. Whitby falsely accused the White’s child of stealing money from a classmate and thereafter paraded the child through the school classrooms denouncing her as a “liar” and a “thief.”
When the child started to cry, Ms. Whitby slapped her face. The Complaint alleges deprivation of constitutional rights, unreasonable corporal punishment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
For additional information or to receive a complete copy of the Complaint, please contact Danielle Elderkin at 412-828-9976 or danielle@coverstorycom.com.
SPK—The Law Firm of Swensen, Perer & Kontos
SPK, the Law Firm of Swensen, Perer & Kontos, is located in Pittsburgh. The firm’s practice concentrates on medical malpractice, wrongful death and general personal injury litigation. Notable cases involving SPK have been featured on ABC’s 20-20, Dateline NBC and in USA Today. For additional information about SPK, please visit http://www.spkpowerlaw.com.
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Comment by Danielle — March 16, 2007 @ 7:28 pm