| Maura Larkins was fascinated and amazed as she watched a man in a position of so much responsibility and being paid as much as Rick Werlin (over $150,000 during his final year), behaving in a manner completely bereft of any emotional control or sense of appropriate professional behavior. Shamefully, not only the school board, but also current CVE President Jim Groth and current CTA President Barbara Kerr defended and supported this behavior by Mr. Werlin. |
| Maura Larkins' Safety Grievance triggered retaliation |
Grievance Report Form Level 1
To be used only after informal conference has been held and grievance is not resolved,
or in cases where the grievance is initiated at Level II.
Type Only
or in cases where the grievance is initiated at Level II.
Type Only
Last Name First Name M.I. Date
Larkins Maura H. Nov. 13, 2001
Larkins Maura H. Nov. 13, 2001
School/Department Position
Castle Park teacher
Castle Park teacher
Principal/Supervisor
Rick Werlin
Rick Werlin
Dr. Gil refused to acknowledge that teachers have a right to immediate
protection from physical danger according to Contract Article 14. On October
5, when she turned the meeting over to Rick Werlin, Dr. Gil again made clear
that she would support any action Rick Werlin might have taken (or might
take). She dismissed my concerns in a gesture by handing me a thick
pamphlet clearly marked as intended for parents and members of the
community.
protection from physical danger according to Contract Article 14. On October
5, when she turned the meeting over to Rick Werlin, Dr. Gil again made clear
that she would support any action Rick Werlin might have taken (or might
take). She dismissed my concerns in a gesture by handing me a thick
pamphlet clearly marked as intended for parents and members of the
community.
Dr. Gil refused a request by CTA that Werlin’s actions against me be
investigated by someone other than Werlin himself. Tim O’Neill’s
request and Libby’s refusal are enclosed.
On October 5, 2001 Dr. Gil and Rick Werlin further endangered my
safety by directing me to go to Loma Verde School on
October 8, 2001 without publicly retracting the serious charges
against me, or even lifting the ban on my setting foot on other district
property.
Transferring me involuntarily is in itself a message to everyone in the
community that the accusations against me were justified.
Why would I be transferred involuntarily if I had done nothing wrong?
Werlin made it clear on August 13 that I am forbidden to talk about
“the past.”
His words were, “Maura needs to forget the past before she is ready
to start over at a new school.”
For my safety, I know I do need to forget the past before I start over
at another school.
It is not safe for me to go to any school in CVESD until “the past,”
which includes five unresolved grievances regarding Werlin’s
behavior, is dealt with.
Werlin has made it clear that if I exercise my
legal rights, he will not be motivated to end
the attacks he has encouraged.
Also, I would not be allowed to alleviate fear
and anxiety and gossip and hostility among co-
workers at my new school by telling the truth.
The district has fully supported perpetrators of slanders against me.
In fact, two administrators, Gretchen Donndelinger and Rick Werlin
were among those who engaged in slander against me. My principal,
Gretchen Donndelinger, accused me of being a potential murderer.
There have been no apparent negative consequences for any of my
accusers.
The fact that actions against me have not even been investigated
sends the message that I am fair game, and anyone can say anything
about me without negative consequences from the district. Those who
have said good things about me, on the other hand, have been pointed
out by Werlin, and made to suffer.
investigated by someone other than Werlin himself. Tim O’Neill’s
request and Libby’s refusal are enclosed.
On October 5, 2001 Dr. Gil and Rick Werlin further endangered my
safety by directing me to go to Loma Verde School on
October 8, 2001 without publicly retracting the serious charges
against me, or even lifting the ban on my setting foot on other district
property.
Transferring me involuntarily is in itself a message to everyone in the
community that the accusations against me were justified.
Why would I be transferred involuntarily if I had done nothing wrong?
Werlin made it clear on August 13 that I am forbidden to talk about
“the past.”
His words were, “Maura needs to forget the past before she is ready
to start over at a new school.”
For my safety, I know I do need to forget the past before I start over
at another school.
It is not safe for me to go to any school in CVESD until “the past,”
which includes five unresolved grievances regarding Werlin’s
behavior, is dealt with.
Werlin has made it clear that if I exercise my
legal rights, he will not be motivated to end
the attacks he has encouraged.
Also, I would not be allowed to alleviate fear
and anxiety and gossip and hostility among co-
workers at my new school by telling the truth.
The district has fully supported perpetrators of slanders against me.
In fact, two administrators, Gretchen Donndelinger and Rick Werlin
were among those who engaged in slander against me. My principal,
Gretchen Donndelinger, accused me of being a potential murderer.
There have been no apparent negative consequences for any of my
accusers.
The fact that actions against me have not even been investigated
sends the message that I am fair game, and anyone can say anything
about me without negative consequences from the district. Those who
have said good things about me, on the other hand, have been pointed
out by Werlin, and made to suffer.
I discussed this with my principal/supervisor on
October 5, 2001
Date Signature of grievant
CVE/Level 1 Grievance
October 5, 2001
Date Signature of grievant
CVE/Level 1 Grievance
| EXHIBITS ATTACHED TO GRIEVANCES |
| In fact, Dr. Gil underlined her support of Rick Werlin's threatening behavior by having Werlin himself respond to my September faxes! |
Grievance regarding Article 14--Safety
On September 27 and 28 and on October 3, I sent faxes (which are
enclosed) to the district reporting my concerns for my safety.
Neither Dr. Gil nor Rick Werlin made any attempt to discuss or investigate
or remedy the problems I described. Not even temporary protection was
afforded me, such as permitting me to avoid a potentially dangerous
situation.
On September 27 and 28 and on October 3, I sent faxes (which are
enclosed) to the district reporting my concerns for my safety.
Neither Dr. Gil nor Rick Werlin made any attempt to discuss or investigate
or remedy the problems I described. Not even temporary protection was
afforded me, such as permitting me to avoid a potentially dangerous
situation.
Maura Larkins
turned out to be
precisely
correct when
she guessed
that Rick Werlin
must have
suggested to
teachers that
they call him at
home and report
that they feared
Maura Larkins
would kill them.
Jo Ellen
Hamilton
VOLUNTEERED
this information
during her
deposition.
turned out to be
precisely
correct when
she guessed
that Rick Werlin
must have
suggested to
teachers that
they call him at
home and report
that they feared
Maura Larkins
would kill them.
Jo Ellen
Hamilton
VOLUNTEERED
this information
during her
deposition.
(Exhibits attached for a total of 9 pages)
This grievance
was summarily
denied by none
other than Rick
Werlin himself.
The teachers
union refused to
demand
arbitration.
The Public
Employment
Relations Board
found that the
teachers union
represented
Maura Larkins
fairly!?
The Office of
Administrative
Hearings found
that Rick Werlin
made a sincere
effort to help
Maura Larkins
return to work.
Sincere?
was summarily
denied by none
other than Rick
Werlin himself.
The teachers
union refused to
demand
arbitration.
The Public
Employment
Relations Board
found that the
teachers union
represented
Maura Larkins
fairly!?
The Office of
Administrative
Hearings found
that Rick Werlin
made a sincere
effort to help
Maura Larkins
return to work.
Sincere?
Proposed remedy to grievance:
My physical security should be protected.
Someone other than Dr. Gil or Rick Werlin should be responsible for
protecting me.
Rick Werlin should not be allowed to further intimidate me with verbal
abuse or do further damage to my reputation, livelihood or health. CVESD
should repair damage done by Werlin.
The power given to Rick Werlin by CVESD to violate my constitutional,
legal, contractual and human rights should be taken away.
Rick Werlin should not be Superintendent's Designee for any of my five
grievances.
Rick Werlin should not be allowed to determine my payroll status.
The district should investigate and discipline perpetrators of slander and
libel.
The district should enforce the California State Education Code and the
Contract, and cease its support of administrators and others who violate
California State Law and the U.S. Constitution.
My physical security should be protected.
Someone other than Dr. Gil or Rick Werlin should be responsible for
protecting me.
Rick Werlin should not be allowed to further intimidate me with verbal
abuse or do further damage to my reputation, livelihood or health. CVESD
should repair damage done by Werlin.
The power given to Rick Werlin by CVESD to violate my constitutional,
legal, contractual and human rights should be taken away.
Rick Werlin should not be Superintendent's Designee for any of my five
grievances.
Rick Werlin should not be allowed to determine my payroll status.
The district should investigate and discipline perpetrators of slander and
libel.
The district should enforce the California State Education Code and the
Contract, and cease its support of administrators and others who violate
California State Law and the U.S. Constitution.
| "Those who have said good things about me, on the other hand, have been pointed out by Werlin, and made to suffer." |
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| Mr. Werlin attacked Principal Bill Hall so viciously that Mr. Hall suffered a mild stroke and an ambulance was called. |
| Maura Larkins responded more calmly to Mr. Werlin's attacks. |
There has been no effort by the district to dispel rumors about me among
staff and parents and children [at Castle Park Elementary School]. I need
protection from the further dissemination and amplification of old rumors,
and from the creation of new rumors.
In this environment of fear and ignorance and
hysteria and hostility I fear another call to police,
and possibly being arrested on false charges. I
fear for my safety. People are calling me a
potential mass murderer.
Our national media produces a regular stream of stories about innocent
people convicted of crimes. I’ve enclosed some information about
Wenatchee, Washington. Also, lives can be damaged without convictions.
Who can forget Dale Akiki? The damage done to Jim Wade and his family
and Stephanie Crowe’s family was even more tragic. At other times,
citizens have been known to take justice into their own hands, and
seriously harm people whom they believe to be guilty (but are not).
Recently one of my former students, who had always run to hug me any
time she saw me on the playground, stared at me in silence the first two
or three times we happened to meet. Finally she told me that she had
heard that the principal said I couldn’t go back to the school anymore, and
that the police had come.
I have been threatened both by Werlin and others who are joined with
him in this web of hysteria and hostility. Werlin has not only broken the
contract, but also engaged in verbal abuse, slander and libel. His false
accusations and calls to the police put me in danger of physical harm. He
has also encouraged hostile feelings against me among teachers and
maintenance workers and others, which puts me in danger of physical
harm.
This disregard for my safety is extremely ironic, since I was first taken
out of my classroom eight months ago immediately after two teachers
called Werlin on a Saturday evening and made the claim that they feared
I might kill them!
Oddly enough, the two teachers called during the same half-hour on the
same Saturday evening.
Stranger still, Rick Werlin had called and left me a message the previous
Thursday, when I was home sick, and I returned his call, but he did not
get back to me that day or the next. Since I was absent both Thursday
and Friday, there could have been no new incidents to report on
Saturday.
One wonders if Werlin did not suggest to the teachers
that they call him at home on Saturday. Update: this
guess by Maura Larkins turned out to be correct.
The administration’s disregard for the contract and the law is epitomized
by Werlin’s direction to Maureen Grove to record the week of April 16
through April 20 as administrative leave in my payroll records. He
apparently wanted to make the record show that I went directly from
administrative leave to sick leave, making it appear that the original
accusations had validity, and covering-up the events of March and April.
Werlin succeeded in making Maureen believe that my absence card was
incorrect. Maureen was shocked when I told her the truth on June 7.
staff and parents and children [at Castle Park Elementary School]. I need
protection from the further dissemination and amplification of old rumors,
and from the creation of new rumors.
In this environment of fear and ignorance and
hysteria and hostility I fear another call to police,
and possibly being arrested on false charges. I
fear for my safety. People are calling me a
potential mass murderer.
Our national media produces a regular stream of stories about innocent
people convicted of crimes. I’ve enclosed some information about
Wenatchee, Washington. Also, lives can be damaged without convictions.
Who can forget Dale Akiki? The damage done to Jim Wade and his family
and Stephanie Crowe’s family was even more tragic. At other times,
citizens have been known to take justice into their own hands, and
seriously harm people whom they believe to be guilty (but are not).
Recently one of my former students, who had always run to hug me any
time she saw me on the playground, stared at me in silence the first two
or three times we happened to meet. Finally she told me that she had
heard that the principal said I couldn’t go back to the school anymore, and
that the police had come.
I have been threatened both by Werlin and others who are joined with
him in this web of hysteria and hostility. Werlin has not only broken the
contract, but also engaged in verbal abuse, slander and libel. His false
accusations and calls to the police put me in danger of physical harm. He
has also encouraged hostile feelings against me among teachers and
maintenance workers and others, which puts me in danger of physical
harm.
This disregard for my safety is extremely ironic, since I was first taken
out of my classroom eight months ago immediately after two teachers
called Werlin on a Saturday evening and made the claim that they feared
I might kill them!
Oddly enough, the two teachers called during the same half-hour on the
same Saturday evening.
Stranger still, Rick Werlin had called and left me a message the previous
Thursday, when I was home sick, and I returned his call, but he did not
get back to me that day or the next. Since I was absent both Thursday
and Friday, there could have been no new incidents to report on
Saturday.
One wonders if Werlin did not suggest to the teachers
that they call him at home on Saturday. Update: this
guess by Maura Larkins turned out to be correct.
The administration’s disregard for the contract and the law is epitomized
by Werlin’s direction to Maureen Grove to record the week of April 16
through April 20 as administrative leave in my payroll records. He
apparently wanted to make the record show that I went directly from
administrative leave to sick leave, making it appear that the original
accusations had validity, and covering-up the events of March and April.
Werlin succeeded in making Maureen believe that my absence card was
incorrect. Maureen was shocked when I told her the truth on June 7.
| Since this grievance was filed, other employees and witnesses have reported that Richard Werlin screamed, used foul language, and demonstrated a complete lack of restraint when verbally assaulting employees. |
GRIEVANCES
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| Chula Vista Elementary School District was represented by Daniel Shinoff at the time of this grievance |
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| Rick Werlin, Libia Gil, Gina Boyd, and Jim Groth ruled by intimidation. Maura Larkins sought protection from the courts. |
| < < < Loma Verde School was Jim Groth territory. He was grievance chair of Chula Vista Educators at the time, and later became president of CVE. Maura Larkins knew that Jim Groth had no interest in protecting her rights. He had, in fact, perpetrated a hoax on her by pretending to file a grievance which was revealed during Superior Court discovery never to have been filed! |
| A top administrator was out of control. |
| Because of Shinoff's advice? The evidence shows Shinoff did indeed approve these actions, and the reason is obvious. He wouldn't have made $100,000s if he had simply told the district to stop violating the law. One day after receiving this grievance, CVESD threatened to dismiss Maura Larkins. The day after that, CVESD stopped Larkins' benefits. |
| How did CVESD manage to make such a mess out of this case? Why did CVESD defend its lawyer against obstruction of justice charges? Why would CVESD spend $100,000s to defend a bunch of teachers who apparently went nuts? |