Charles Sellers and the Hostile Work Environment

Below is a copy of a letter I sent to the Personnel Commission for the Poway Unified School District, the Board of Education as well as the Acting Superintendent, Dr. Mel Robertson. If you have been following, you know I spoke at the Board meeting on the 13th of September, detailing an incident that occurred, where Charles Sellers made a baseless complaint of harassment against my daughter. This complaint was in support of Kimberley Beatty's husband. I do not hold out much hope the Board will address these issues, but it is time people are made aware of the actions of Charles Sellers and Kimberley Beatty. These two work in concert, involving the likes of Keith "JOBBY" Wilson and the Gobshite Garniers. 

The Board of Education, Personnel Commission and District Administration is now put on notice, the actions of Charles Sellers have created a hostile environment for their employees.  

September 15, 2016

David Little, Chairperson

Personnel Commission

Poway Unified School District

15250 Avenue of Science

San Diego, CA 92128

Subject: Notice of Hostile Work Environment

Dear Mr. Little,

I am writing this letter as a follow up to comments made before the Board of Trustees, on September 13, 2016. I spoke before the Board during Item C of the agenda, putting the Board and District on notice that Charles Sellers has created a “Hostile Work Environment” for one of its employees. By way of this letter, I am requesting action be taken to ensure the conduct of Mr. Sellers, be addressed.

By way of background, my daughter is a tenured teacher with Poway Unified Schools. Last week she contacted me and was extremely upset. She  communicated  she had just been told one of the School Board Members, Charles Sellers, lodged a complaint against her, saying she had harassed Ned Beatty, Trustee Kimberley Beatty’s husband. My daughter was extremely upset by this allegation.

During Back to School Night (BTSN), Ned Beatty, Trustee Kimberley Beatty’s husband, was placing political flyers on vehicles in the parking lots of the school. He was observed by several employees of the site, as he bobbed and weaved his way through the parked cars. The Athletic Director was headed to his classroom when he saw a person weaving in and out of cars in the lot. He wondered what this individual was doing and started to walk toward the lot. At the same time, the campus supervisor and a male Assistant Principle drove up in a golf cart and the Assistant Principal made contact with the individual, who identified himself as Ned Beatty. The Assistant Principal asked what Mr. Beatty was doing. Mr. Beatty said he is placing flyers on vehicles. The Assistant Principal asked if Mr. Beatty has permission to do this. Mr. Beatty indicated that he in fact does have permission. The Assistant Principal asks if Mr. Beatty is going to come back after BTSN is over and pick up the flyers left on the ground (we all know many people simply remove these papers from their windows and drop them on the ground). Mr. Beatty walks away, but returns and asks the Assistant Principal if he is going to tell the other 4-5 people leaving flyers to pick up flyers. The Assistant Principal explains he (Mr. Beatty) is the first person he has seen doing such an activity. Mr. Beatty presses this issue, repeatedly asking the same question of the Assistant Principal. During the exchange between the Assistant Principal and Mr. Beatty, a female Assistant Principal approached and stood by the golf cart, as did the Athletic Director. Mr. Beatty left and the two AP’s, campus supervisor and AD went about their business.

My daughter was in her classroom, interacting with parents and performing her job. At no time was she in the parking lot during any interaction with Ned Beatty. My daughter is confident Ned Beatty does not know, nor has he ever met my daughter. There would be no reason for my daughter’s name to be uttered by Ned Beatty, as being a participant in his contact with staff at the school site, during BTSN.

So, how did it come to be that my daughter’s name appeared in an e-mail to Dr. Robertson, sent by Charles Sellers, alleging my daughter had harassed Ned Beatty. It is my understanding my daughter was the only person to be identified by name. The others were identified by their position, not name. My daughter was not present in the parking lot during the encounter with Ned Beatty. I don’t believe Charles Sellers was present during the encounter either. So, again, how is it that my daughter, a teacher in this district, was named by name, in a complaint by Charles Sellers, on behalf of Ned Beatty?

There is a process in place for members of the community to file complaints. Article 4, Section 4.106 of Board Policy, which was modified as recently as May 31, 2016, states in its first sentence; “It shall be the policy of the Board of Education to manage complaints from parents, students, or patrons, against employees of the District through a well-conceived and defined procedure.” I will assume Section 4.106.1 is that “well-conceived and defined procedure” which spells out succinctly the process for filing a complaint against a district employee. Mr. Sellers violated Board Policy in the manner he lodged his complaint. 

The fact Charles Sellers penned an e-mail for the purpose of filing a complaint, on behalf of Ned Beatty, is egregious in and of itself. It is also a clear conflict of interest and abuse of power. But to besmirch a teacher, whose name Charles Sellers pulled from who knows where, and file a baseless, unfounded and libelous complaint is deplorable and unacceptable. These actions have created, in my daughters mind, a hostile work environment. To be attacked, defamed and besmirched by a Trustee, without justification or merit, has had a profound effect on her physically and emotionally.

At the conclusion of the August 23, 2016, school board meeting, Charles Sellers verbally attacked Director Tim Purvis, without provocation. Mr. Sellers left the dais and approached Mr. Purvis in a hostile and aggressive manner, yelled at and berated Mr. Purvis who was standing in the audience. A community member, Brian Epperson, stepped in front of Mr. Sellers and told him to stop. There were several other Directors and District staff present who witnessed this event. Many were extremely upset and at least two were crying they were so upset by what they had just witnessed.

I highlight this incident because staff has expressed fear of reprisal for speaking up. They do not believe there is an avenue in place to address the hostile, threatening and bullying actions of Mr. Sellers. These actions have created and continue to create a Hostile Work Environment, not just for my daughter and Mr. Purvis, but other District employees. You have a duty and an obligation under the law to ensure employees of the Poway Unified School District are provided a safe and hostile free environment to work in.

This letter is placing you on notice the actions of Mr. Charles Sellers are unacceptable and have risen to the level of creating a “Hostile Work Environment” for District employees. I trust and pray the District will take appropriate actions to protect its employees and ensure a safe and hostile free environment.

Steve McMillan

Cc:          Daren Keenaghan, Commissioner, Personnel Board

                Margaret Wyatt, Commissioner, Personnel Board

                Dr. Mel Robertson, Acting Superintendent

                Michelle O’Connor Ratcliff, President, Board of Education

                T. J. Zane, Vice-President, Board of Education

                Andy Patapow, Trustee, Board of Education

                Kimberley Beatty, Trustee, Board of Education

                Charles Sellers, Trustee, Board of Education

What the Board of Education, Personnel Commission and District Administration do from this point is any ones guess. I do know the law is clear in this area and action must be taken to protect employees. 

If you are one of the many who have suffered at the hands of Charles Sellers from bullying, yelling, threats or any other means, it is not too late to make your feelings known. Talk to your union representative and share with them your encounter. They will know what you can do and how to handle the issue.