Willow Run school board reassigns Superintendent Doris Hope-Jackson
Doris Hope-Jackson is no longer Willow Run's schools superintendent.
Instead, Hope-Jackson - a controversial figure who was absent for six weeks - was reassigned to the position of director of information and assessment.
The school board unanimously approved that action Thursday while indefinitely extending the contract of acting Superintendent Laura Lisiscki.
Doris Hope-Jackson was reassigned to a new position Thursday.
The move came after Hope-Jackson failed to communicate with the board about her status during a six-week absence from work due to injuries from a car accident.
Board Secretary Mark Wilde said the board sent several letters to Hope-Jackson requesting she provide documentation of her injuries from medical professionals, as required by the Family Medical Leave Act, but never received a reply.
“Her indirect defiance clearly demonstrates that she does not have a good working relationship with the board of education,” board President Sheri Washington said. “So many people feel like she abandoned Willow Run in its weakened state, and you can't do that.”
Hope-Jackson, who returned to work Nov. 30, told the board at Thursday's meeting she neglected to reply to the requests because she thought she would recover quicker than she did.
Washington said she made several attempts to contact Hope-Jackson throughout the absence via e-mail and telephone, but never got a reply or call back. She added the only communication was through Rachel Plumley, Hope-Jackson’s administrative assistant.
“She chose to communicate through Rachel Plumley, and I made it clear that she doesn’t work for the administrative assistant, she works for the board of education,” Washington said.
Hope-Jackson came to the meeting with her attorney and presented the board with a letter from a physician stating she was injured and unable to work for the last six weeks.
“If any other employee in the district didn’t show up for even three straight days without calling, they would be terminated on the spot,” Wilde said.
The board began the meeting with an assessment of Hope-Jackson’s progress on district goals, though Washington underscored it wasn't an official evaluation. Hope-Jackson received poor marks in all areas.
“We’ve seen a steady decline in terms of her confidence rating from us, and that’s serious,” Washington said.
Hope-Jackson’s counsel, Diane Carr, admitted she made a mistake in not communicating with the board directly during her absence. She asked board members to move past it, but Washington called her failure unacceptable.
“We’re not going to budge on it,” Washington said. “This is a person who has been gone six weeks without so much as responding to a phone call from me.”
Washington said there were no objections to the move from the standing room only audience, largely comprised of Willow Run staff. And the extension of Lisiscki’s contract was met with applause.
Hope-Jackson will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data on student achievement, reporting it as necessary to state and federal government agencies and using the data to help the district make decisions in her new role.
Trustee Anglesia Brown said it is an important position given the data-driven decisions made in the district and government.
“She has quite a bit of curriculum and assessment experience in her background, so this job really fits her,” Brown said.
Washington added that she believes it's the best move for everyone involved.
“I felt like maybe Dr. Jackson bit off more than she could chew,” she said. “She couldn’t wear these 10 hats she needed to wear while moving us forward. We have to learn how to thrive again, and this position is very serious. I do believe she will be a big help in terms of supporting staff and students.”
Hope-Jackson has two years left on her contract and will receive her superintendent’s salary. Lisiscki, who was principal at Kaiser Elementary previously, will continue to receive her principal’s salary.
If the board fired Hope-Jackson, the district would have to pay the remaining two years on her contract. The board was able to change the contract because of a clause providing it with the right to reassign duties as it sees fit.
Washington said Hope-Jackson didn't react favorably to the change, but Washington is hopeful it will improve the district.
“We feel like we can get our bang for our buck with her in this position,” Washington said. “This is not a cream puff job. This is real work.”
Hope-Jackson called in sick for her first day of work in the new role Friday, but Wilde is hopeful that she will assume her new role today.
“The position we put her into is a position that we need,” he said. “We need this information from her, so from that standpoint, it wouldn’t be ideal for us if she up and quit.”
Washington said she hopes Hope-Jackson doesn’t view the change as a demotion.
“I look at it as a serious time out for Doris Hope-Jackson,” she said. “This is not about her. This about my students, my staff at Willow Run and how we begin to mend fences.”
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
mama247
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 8:30 p.m.
Dear "Light4theRUN"-- You call Hope-Jackson "the good doctor"? Obviously you've never seen her interacting with students or families. Her disrespect is blatant. And what do you think about longtime/returning BOE member Clifford Smith? And the overall negative review of "the good doctor's" job performance by the current board? The BOE HAS been revamped from the turgid stagnation of decades. For shame, Light4theRUN--do YOU care about the CHILDREN and FAMILIES? Sounds like you've got an axe to grind and a friendship with "the good doctor"....... If you're her friend, implore her to show some compassion for the CHILDREN and the FAMILIES of Willow Run. Somehow they got left out of your game plan. Sadly.
mama247
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 9:57 a.m.
Doris Hope-Jackson was a well-labeled package when she arrived in WRCS. She left many a mess in her wake. Is she the total problem with the district's woes? Of course not. Does she care about the district? If she plunders WRCS, and attempts to extort money (Mercedes, etc.) because she's been a "scapegoat".... well, that's business as usual for that gal but more financial distress for the district. Hmmm, we'll see.
Ryan Munson
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 10:28 p.m.
I thought we passed the climax...
Light4theRUN
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 2:40 a.m.
Here is some much needed LIGHT4those of Willow Run Community Schools, and those that are sympathetic to their challenges. I am a proud parent of WR Alumni. When I first enrolled my children into Willow Run Schools, "DR. Joe" was superintendent. When my oldest graduated from the high school "Dr. Gayle Green had the top post. I remember when Dr. Benit descended (like the Dark Knight) from Ecorse onto the unsuspecting Willow Run community and his current prison stay speaks volumes. What has plagued Willow Run Community Schools has been a two-fold pattern that continues to raise it's ugly head, like a recurring nightmare: the failure of the school board to maintain the utmost scrutiny and discernment with regard to their selected superintendents; and the failure of the voters of Willow Run to demand accountability and scrutiny of it's elected school board. The board passes the burden of responsibility and blame to the superintendent, and the voters shift the blame and responsibility onto the board. I have seen superintendents, teachers, students, principles i.e., R.Mellberg, M.Anglin, R.Williams,etc., A.D's, secretaries, board members, custodians, and even my family; enter, contribute, nurture, cultivate, grow, depart early, even those that passed away, and exited; either voluntarily due to graduation, promotion, attrition or with a swift kick...since the mid 1980's. The current controversy over Hope-Jackson is not unlike those battles of the past, between the board and the super. (Be very careful Laura L..they will praise you now & KICK YOU IN THE PANTS LATER..SO COVER YOUR A-- GIRLFRIEND!!! REMEMBER: A SMILE IS JUST A FROWN TURNED UPSIDE-DOWN) There has been a long standing pattern brewing for years, and spilling it's dark stain onto all that flows from it. Just ask the teachers union, who have been battling with the board for years, losing many a good teacher, in the process, or just rendering & reducing them to a standard that brings indignity to any individual, whose energies and efforts are not being encouraged. I remember what took place with S. Saunders, S. Maynard and what a loss to have S. Smith now at Robichaud. Or look at the decline in enrollment (although there are many contributing factors), the rise in red ink, or the falling graduation rate. I agree with someone who said that Dr. Hope-Jackson is being used as a scapegoat. In addition, due to the dirty politics, meager power plays, and alot of back scratching and stabbing, C.Braxton, A. Blakita are all being served up as scapegoats. There have always been those in the district that did all that they could to counter-work useful programs, undermine the efforts of good tried/tested/true working models, throw stones at those individuals that served so many, and served their respective positions, as best they could...with what (and who) they had to work with. I remember the day when Hope-Jackson was introduced to the Willow Run public, back in June 2007 (I was at that board meeting). I find it so strategically prudent that the current board president is now so critical of Dr.HJ, in an attempt to distance herself from the decision to hire the good doctor. TO: S. Washington...in 2007 you were just gleaming and glowing when you introduced Hope-Jackson to everyone. And yet, you are now disclaiming any past support, to allow C. Braxton to take all the heat, for the decision. REALLY??? Talk about political posturing! Why? Because of the horrible overthrow and take-over regime that is nothing more than talk, promises, and hot-air (stirring up the people with such divisive tactics, stone throwing, and now what?. Where do you go from here? Jenson/Brown may have intimidated S. Washington, M. Wilde, C. Smith from their ethical and moral center, but many of us now want to see the two of you "walk the walk" since you found it easy to talk the talk. Be the change that you want to see" or more to the point...change begins within! Yes..there was a storm-a-brewing, the winds were-a-blowing, and a witch hunt was in motion. The past board members saw a tidal wave coming but could do nothing but divest themselves from the very superintendent that they themselves had contracted. Then it was a matter of choosing the sides of the lions that roared the loudest, to protect their positions. The people had been stirred up. Why? Because they were comfortably asleep, leaving the running of their district to the school board, and the superintendent (like they always had): just as some parents within the community allowed the rearing, teaching, disciplining, nurturing and baby-siting of their children to be done by various teachers, coaches, and staff. C.Braxton was President and had to take the biggest hit. Not seeking another term was very wise and the best move for her. I believe that Harold saw the LIGHT and what he was really working alongside, and he wisely resigned from being board VP. Willow Run is a much larger community than you think, and we are watching, working with others to implement positive change...and waiting. The students, parents, and teachers are looking for more than just board members who now view themselves as "works in progress", or political promises gone mute, and finger-pointing that forgets who the other fingers are pointing toward. THE WILLOW RUN BOARD OF EDUCATION MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, and not allowed to just sit back, blame or judge others, and pass the buck (when the buck stops with you and it's covered with red ink)! Not only did Dr. Hope-Jackson realize the position of superintendent was more than she could handle, but the current board will soon realize that the needs of the district far exceed their abilities. An entirely re-vamped board is needed. With the times and trends in business, plant closings,unemployment and job opportunities, housing, media, repeated failures to adequately keep & compenstate good teachers, and the higher/more competitive academic standards; the present board is not equipped to identify or provide viable solutions to these ever-growing. THE NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT FAR EXCEEDS THE BOARD'S ABILITIES TO BOTH ADDRESS & MEET THEM. CHILDREN ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND AND TRAILING BEHIND A SCHOOL BOARD THAT IS "BEHIND THE TIMES." Don't just take my word for it...time will tell. AS IT HAS BEEN SAID BY SOME: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR (you may get it); BECAUSE THE CURE CAN BE WORSE THAN THE DISEASE! MORE LIGHT2COME...
stunhsif
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 11:57 p.m.
You get what you deserve, do your homework and don't get burned. It is time to put this broken school district out of business and stop the red ink from becoming a "raging red river"!!!!
Jay
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 3:10 p.m.
People need to understand that firing her would mean that the district would have to pay her and pay the salary of the incumbent superintendent. For a district that's $5M in the hole, that's not an option. WR's problems supercede Jackson's shortcomings. She's being used as the scapegoat. Don't forget that it's the same people who, two years ago, were praising her so highly that are now so adamant about getting rid of her. What does that say about their decision-making?
d obryan
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 2:14 p.m.
when you have done next to nothing,people catch on.someone needs to send her and her lawyer packing.people of the district wouldnt pass the mileage because of dopey jackson.members of our community refer to her as the stupid-attendent.please do the district a favor/fire her
Bill
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 1:43 p.m.
"Hope-Jacksons counsel, Diane Carr, admitted she made a mistake in not communicating with the board directly during her absence. She asked board members to move past it..." Why is it whenever someone is caught doing something wrong, their response is "let's move on". Kwame is saying the same thing this week. I am starting to think "let's move on" is equivalent to "I'm guilty."
Jay
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 12:22 p.m.
There are three sides to every story. The plaintiff's side, the defendant's side, then the truth. Jackson had serious communication issues, but this board has accountability issues. There has been a lot of misplaced concerns on issues in the WR district. So much bickering and arguing and personal attacks. There are personal attacks from board members during meetings, to reporters, and it's evident that people's personal feelings are interfering with the overall quality of education provided by the WR administrators. There's a reason the VP of the Board up and quits. There's a reason a man who's served the board for 24 years is replaced. And they are replaced by friends of the board who urged them to run for the vacant seats. Hopefully there will be some kind of change in the attitudes of these administrators. If not, some changes need to be made in the form of axing the people who make the decisions/changes now.
mama247
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 10:25 a.m.
Yes, Hope-Jackson "messed up" royally at her previous "superintendent" jobs and the WRCS Board of Education erred grievously when they hired her. Most of us knew at the time she was a flagrant mistake; we'd taken the time to read news accounts and reports of her incompetence. Maybe the board at that time eschewed reading. Fortunately, Claudette Braxton is no longer president of the board (but remains a Hope-Jackson defender!), nor is Andy (I'll-wear-a-stopwatch-around-my-neck) Blakita on the board. Two worthwhile changes. New members on the board actually seem to care about the kids-- Bravo, WRCS BOE! The new board is smart enough to recognize a person who truly cares and works hard for our students, Laura Lisiscki. She's not a whiner and bully as is Hope-Jackson-- Ms. Lisiscki has brains AND a heart!
jake
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 9:54 a.m.
If the Willow Run Schools were not so tragically flawed, this article would be a funny joke. This situation is not the fault of Ms. Hope-Jackson; the people who hired her and managed her should be accoountable. Willow Run, as we knew it, is dead as a school district and has been dying for some time now. This unfortunate situation is just one of a long history of (often good intentioned) horrible mistakes and mismanagement. It is very sad. I believe an outside body, possibly the state or another school district will have to step in and clean house and start over or consolidate. Please end the suffering for the students and the staff.
d obryan
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 9:47 a.m.
cant she work or do something called work in Illinois.what happened to those districts.i have emails that prove this person cant run a district,id love to post them.ban doris from michgan
d obryan
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 9:18 a.m.
this lady is like a decease,cant find a cure. she dont want to work.she wants the money. i vote to fire her and pay the Principe her salary.didnt anyone check this womans references,im sure she worked or messed up some where else.wasnt she on the Detroit city counsel,Detroit is in pretty bad shape too. just fire her.she is not worth a dime to willow run. Become the cure fire her.
mama247
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 8:52 a.m.
As stated in the article, Willow Run will be paying only ONE superintendent's salary-- to Hope-Jackson. Laura Lisiscki, who has been an exemplary teacher and principal in the district, will continue to receive her principal's salary as "acting" superintendent. Yes, there is much irony. Hope-Jackson tried to "act" like a leader and failed miserably; Lisiscki IS an educational leader and is doing it not for the money (or a Mercedes-Benz pay-off, as did Hope-Jackson!) but because she truly cares about the scholarship of EACH and EVERY student in Willow Run Community Schools. Hope-Jackson cares nothing for our children.
KeepingItReal
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 8:22 a.m.
This is a prime example why voters are fed up with the politics of schools boards in this county and elsewhere. That's why this last millage failed and its an excellent example why school districts find it hard to convince voters of their financial plight. How many of us as employees of any entity could behave the way Ms. Hope-Jackson behaved and still have a job or a high paying job. Willow Run is struggling financially but yet can find the money to pay two superintendent's salary. Go figure.
ypsilistener
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 6:11 a.m.
Wow. The irony is pretty thick. She will become the director of information and assessment when she has shown very clearly that she's not too interested in sharing information! I understand the decision the board made, and I hope it moves the process along, but it was a good morning chuckle nonetheless.