THE MERGEDel Mar’s Missing Money, Mysterious Politics
By Ian S. Port
Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008 | Sometime in the middle of January, an envelope containing about $8,000 in cash and personal checks disappeared from a drawer at Del Mar Heights Elementary School.
The money was proceeds from a book fair the school held in December to raise money for new library books — and no one knows what happened to it. The locked drawer where it was kept showed no signs of forced entry. The money didn’t turn up in a massive search of the school office.
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| Ian S. Port |
Days after the envelope was discovered missing, the police were called. They have no leads.
The incident is obviously embarrassing for the staff of the school, members of which admit that they broke with district policy by not keeping the money in the school safe when it wasn’t being counted.
"Mistakes were made," said Heights Principal Wendy Wardlow. "There should have been better oversight."
The errors were magnified by a news story about the missing money appeared in The San Diego Union-Tribune. In a short Feb. 8 piece, Wardlow was quoted as being regretful and Superintendent Tom Bishop as disappointed -- with him also noting the amount of the loss as unprecedented.
Everyone acknowledges that losing track of over $8,000 is a pretty big bungle.
But the appearance of a story about the missing funds in the Union-Tribune has raised the suspicions of many in the Del Mar Heights community, who wonder if the story was pushed to the Union-Tribune by someone in the district who might not mind seeing the school embarrassed in the region’s biggest paper.
True or not, such paranoia is commonplace in the district these days. While schools in Del Mar manage to produce some of the highest test scores in San Diego County -- and absolute adoration from many parents -- the politics of education in this affluent and successful community are frequently vicious, vindictive and sometimes nearly violent.
The U-T story raised eyebrows partly because the paper writes barely at all about mid-coastal elementary schools. Besides fluffy features, the only hard news that makes it to print is truly major: bond measures, board elections and major curricular crisis.
Moreover, the story was published before many in the district -- even many of those on staff at Del Mar Heights School -- had heard about the missing money, leaving a very limited pool of potential leakers.
After Superintendent Tom Bishop was informed of the missing funds on Jan. 24, he issued a gag order for everyone who knew of the incident, including staff and the school board.
Two weeks later, the story appeared.
Burglaries, thefts, narcotics violations, vandalism and other crimes are regularly reported at schools in the area, so it’s hard to see why this report would stand out. According to the crime-mapping website Arjis.org, at least five similar crimes were reported at DMUSD schools between November and January. Does the U-T check them all out, or did something else draw the paper’s attention to that January incident at Del Mar Heights?
School board member Katherine White said the circumstances -- the leak of an embarrassing story when only a few knew about it -- "are something."
"I didn’t read about it in the paper when there was a principal drunk in a school event," White said. "And I didn’t read in the paper when a school employee was using drugs on campus. And I don’t read about the principal that screams at his employees. And I don’t read about the other thefts that have happened in the schools this year ... I don’t understand what makes this such a reportable event when those other things I’ve never even been officially told about."
The view of the Heights School as a target of the district administration -- specifically Superintendent Tom Bishop -- is widely (though not universally) held among the school’s parents and staff.
None that I contacted would speak for attribution on the subject, but the story they tell is the same. Critics from all over the district have long said that Bishop does not tolerate disagreement from employees. And Wardlow, the Heights principal, has earned a reputation as a straight-talker.
"He hates Wendy and he hates the Heights and he’s been trying to get rid of her for years," one parent said. "And why is that? Because Wendy speaks what she thinks. She’s not diplomatic."
Bishop told me he was "disappointed" about the missing money. He did not return calls Friday seeking further comment.
The spat between Bishop at the Heights has old origins, according to those who describe it, but the conflict has heightened recently. In 2006, a brand new, three-person school board majority was elected on a message of reform, implicitly criticizing the superintendent and a school board that they said had long given him everything he wanted. Their election came amid a mass evaporation of faith in various divisions of the district, especially in the nonprofit foundation that supports Del Mar classes with private money. Many of the most vocal supporters of the "slate of three" reformers were Heights parents. Two of the new school board members sent their kids to the school.
Since the election, the Superintendent’s professional life has been significantly less predictable. Board meetings are no longer smile-a-thons held to ratify Bishop’s desires. When oddities occur -- and there have been too many to list here -- Bishop is brought into line by his board.
Last year, parents from another DMUSD school nearly erupted into a fistfight over the district’s plan to start a pilot Spanish immersion program, partly because the district didn’t bother to tell parents of its plans until after the decision to go ahead was made. The principal of the school herself learned of the immersion program minutes before the school board voted to approve it. But after parents revolted -- complaining that no one told them what was going on -- the plan had to be canceled.
Two months later, Heights Principal Wardlow appeared in front of the school board asking to start a different Spanish language program at the school. Her proposal for a smaller program was developed entirely by the school staff and had its support.
Despite that adding foreign language education has been a longtime stated goal of the district -- and that the Heights curriculum was an obvious chance to atone for the blundering of the earlier immersion program -- Bishop and an ally on the board rode Wardlow through a two-hour hearing on the proposal, bringing to bear their full arsenal of nitpicking on the principal.
The message was clear: the district can do what it wants, and it might mess things up horribly. But even an obviously competent and heavily supported proposal from the Heights is going to get the toughest scrutiny from the district.
One wound between the Heights and the district goes to the very existence of the school itself. Rumors have persisted for years -- heard by teachers and school board members -- that Bishop has plans to close the Heights, sell the extremely valuable land it sits on, and use the money to build a new district office.
The superintendent always denies this. Of course, Heights parents and staff still find such talk incredibly disturbing. And in other matters, not a lot of love rains down from the district to dissuade parents and staff of the notion that their school is looked upon less than favorably by it.
The very thing that allegedly pits Wardlow against Bishop -- her forthrightness -- is what many parents say they like most about her.
"Wendy Wardlow has all of my tremendous support, as well as everybody in the community that I’ve ever talked to," said parent Ralph DeMarco, who sent five kids through various Del Mar schools, and says he likes Wardlow the best of any principal. When DeMarco heard about the missing $8,107.18 in book fair funds, "I went over there and I said I want to write you a check right now."
With a tone of suspicion that has become all-too-common around Del Mar schools lately, he admitted finding the U-T piece a bit weird.
"Is that somebody’s PR plan there? Why this article like that? Is somebody feeding that for the purpose of their overall agenda?" he asked.
It could be nothing. But in Del Mar these days, you just never know.
Ian S. Port is assistant editor of the Rancho Santa Fe Review, Carmel Valley News and Del Mar Village Voice. Contact him at iansmithport@gmail.com. Or send a letter to the editor.
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Comments so far on this story: 1. Non-parent wrote on February 20, 2008 10:36 AM:
"Well, whether it was 'leaked' or not -- it is an interesting and newsworthy story. Someone screwed up and a lot of money was lost/stolen. It seems beside the point to be upset about the fact that it was reported in the first place. (PS, let's hear about the drunken principal, too! Bring it on!!!)" 2. Del Mar Parent wrote on February 21, 2008 6:02 PM:
"It's amazing to me the amount of hearsay and rumor in this "article," opinion or not. I felt like I was reading a transcript from a sorority meeting. I can attest that the rumors printed in this article are completely untrue. Sell the Heights property for the new district office? False. Parent revolt about the Spanish immersion program due to it being "last minute?" Untrue. Many Del Mar parents thought Spanish speaking kids from other districts would be bussed in. This is what caused the "revolt." Snobbery. Before spinning a rumor web, Mr. Port should consider that the negativity he propagates in his article is not so much hurting the superintendent, whom he very obviously does not like, but the very children who make up the Del Mar School District." 3. Wow! wrote on February 22, 2008 2:24 PM:
"Perhaps, more alarming than the lack of journalistic integrity this writer and his article show, are the disturbing comments Ian included of one Katherine White (Board Member); where she airs out rumors, hearsay, and lies as though they are indisputable, documented facts about administrator and teachers. Has it been lost upon her that part of her job responsibility is to choose her words wisely, strive to represent her constituents and the district itself in a positive light, and move to creating solutions for students, staff, and all personnel of this district that put education and educational policy at the forefront of the agenda? To be so public with comments that deserve no more attention than a gospel column in the National Enquirer, should be alarming to anyone who voted for this board member? This all far too eerily remeniscent of one Mr. Michael Aguirre (San Diego City Attorney)." 4. Heights parent wrote on February 22, 2008 3:38 PM:
"Having being at the Heights for a long time now, all that was said regarding the Heights is true and good for you Ian for reporting it. I know of teachers who were frightened to allow their names to be used hear for themselves that Mr. Bishop would love to sell the Heights. In fact he said it at a staff meeting. If noted, none of the improvements except for the update for the school some years back were supported by the district. The science lab, both playgrounds benches and shade cover were all parents own money. The district did not want to put too much into improvemening the school cause when the census dropped they could close the school. Yes it is sad that there is so much animosity going around, but if everything was above board and presented honestly there would not be this"hostile"enviorn" 5. Rat Patrol wrote on February 23, 2008 1:36 PM:
"To Del Mar Heights Parent (aka Corinne H.): You continue to show us your true colors." 6. newcomer to the area wrote on February 26, 2008 9:27 PM:
"Having worked in a major metropolitan area school district plagued with poverty and violence, it simply amazes what silly things wealthy, educated folks fight about in this area. It is a shame. Understand that there are people who find that putting food on their table is a priority, not worrying about petty squabbling. Understand that worrying about getting jumped on the way to school (or while in school, for that matter) is a valid concern for some. Understand that there are districts where the superintendent is actually being investigated for embezzlement of funds by the FBI -- especially in impoverished districts that do not have the means to "bounce back." What I do NOT understand is silly spatting over who-said-what or who-did-what (I agree, this article is a lot of hearsay)in a economically thriving, academically excelling school district. Get your priorities straight, people." 7. DMUSD parent wrote on February 27, 2008 3:05 PM:
"Bravo newcomer! Thank you for reminding people about priorities. As a parent of a DMUSD student I am outraged at the recent tactics of the "3" board members! I cannot believe that during a time of "fiscal crisis" for our district, we have 3 individuals carelessly spending $288K to oust Tom Bishop! This couldn't wait for the remainder of his term? Where is the money coming from and what is going to happen to our programs as a result of this ridiculous and financially irresponsible move? Our kids are the priority here and this latest fighting and firing has resulted in tremendous harm to our district, staff and students. It is embarassing and I urge everyone to consider a recall effort to remove these board members. 86theboard.blogspot." 8. Concerned Community Member wrote on February 27, 2008 5:38 PM:
"Price to buy a board majority: $50,000 Cost to force out an effective superintendent during a fiscal crisis: $288,000 86theboard.blogspot.com: Priceless" 9. concerned voter wrote on March 2, 2008 1:49 PM:
"It seems I am not invited to view the blogspot. Who is in charge and how can I get access?" 10. concerned voter wrote on March 2, 2008 1:49 PM:
"It seems I am not invited to view the blogspot. Who is in charge and how can I get access?" 11. concerned voter wrote on March 2, 2008 1:49 PM:
"It seems I am not invited to view the blogspot. Who is in charge and how can I get access?" 12. DM Heights voter wrote on March 2, 2008 11:21 PM:
"When Bishop first came to DM schools, it was obvious there was going to be little "dissent" or opposition opinions being aired or discussed. I was on a school committee planning group with Board, staff and parents the first year or two of Bishop's tenure. Each planning committee was required to issue one and only one consensus report. I tried to bring up the idea of severing the original schools west of I-5 from the coming juggernaut of domain building to the east. My ideas were summarily dismissed because there would never be a consensus with a Board member sitting on each committee and drooling at the prospect of creating an eleven-school monster district all the way to the hills of Rancho Penasquitos. With each new school, there have been more problems and less representation for those of us that have lived here for 20 years..." 13. DMUSD CV Parent wrote on March 3, 2008 1:39 PM:
"My children started at the Heights and attend Torrey Hills. I did not always agree with Tom Bishop, Wendy or Gary W. BUT, they have all been VERY SUCCESSFUL. It is no simple task opening 1 new school; Mr Mr. Bishop has managed to open 6. Most important, ALL 8 schools are in the top echelon of performance. Hopefully you realize that the biggest reason Carmel Valley & Del Mar have managed to maintain property values while the rest of SD including other coastal communities have suffered is because of the success of the schools. Tom's forced resignation smells of "back room" politics. As I parent, tax payer and homeowner I will push for a full investigation of the board. If it proves to be a personal vendetta or a reckless decision then I hope we can recover the $288K from the board." 14. DMUSD CV Parent wrote on March 3, 2008 1:39 PM:
"My children started at the Heights and attend Torrey Hills. I did not always agree with Tom Bishop, Wendy or Gary W. BUT, they have all been VERY SUCCESSFUL. It is no simple task opening 1 new school; Mr Mr. Bishop has managed to open 6. Most important, ALL 8 schools are in the top echelon of performance. Hopefully you realize that the biggest reason Carmel Valley & Del Mar have managed to maintain property values while the rest of SD including other coastal communities have suffered is because of the success of the schools. Tom's forced resignation smells of "back room" politics. As I parent, tax payer and homeowner I will push for a full investigation of the board. If it proves to be a personal vendetta or a reckless decision then I hope we can recover the $288K from the board." 15. DMUSD CV Parent wrote on March 3, 2008 1:39 PM:
"My children started at the Heights and attend Torrey Hills. I did not always agree with Tom Bishop, Wendy or Gary W. BUT, they have all been VERY SUCCESSFUL. It is no simple task opening 1 new school; Mr Mr. Bishop has managed to open 6. Most important, ALL 8 schools are in the top echelon of performance. Hopefully you realize that the biggest reason Carmel Valley & Del Mar have managed to maintain property values while the rest of SD including other coastal communities have suffered is because of the success of the schools. Tom's forced resignation smells of "back room" politics. As I parent, tax payer and homeowner I will push for a full investigation of the board. If it proves to be a personal vendetta or a reckless decision then I hope we can recover the $288K from the board." 16. Reality Check wrote on March 3, 2008 4:48 PM:
"DM Heights Voter: You said "I tried to bring up the idea of severing the original schools west of I-5 from the coming juggernaut of domain building to the east". Isn't that really at the heart of this issue? The current Board majority is looking out for the interests of the schools and community west of I-5, wheras the Superindendent has to look out for the whole district. The low ball sale of the Shores property to the city (who still does not have the funds) is one example. The Spanish language program at Wendy's school is another. How about the Board's changing of foundation policies so that donations can be allocated to specific schools rather than district-wide? This also benefits Katherine's and Wendy's interests disproportionately. Just watch and see if Wendy or someone like-minded becomes the interim or next Superintendent. This trend towards elitist policies and favoritism is not beneficial for the district as a whole." 17. Another DMUSD Parent wrote on March 4, 2008 4:52 PM:
"I agree with number 16. With all of these decisions, just ask yourself how White or the McDowells will personally benefit. Since they were elected, the board's policies are showing favoritism for their own neighborhoods and kids' schools. Not sure if Wardlow is a part of this or just "lucky" to have such friends on the board, but her interests do seem more aligned with White and the McDowells than the other district schools."
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