Rita Weaver in the St. Mary’s County Fair Parade

Leonardtown, MD — St. Mary’s County Board of Education candidate Rita Weaver (Dist. 1) strongly criticized the President of the Education Association of St. Mary’s Anna Laughlin during the public comment section of the school board’s Oct. 29 meeting.

During the comments Board Chairman Dr. Sal Raspa attempted to stop Weaver from speaking by banging his gavel and saying her comments violated board policy regarding negative comments. Although Weaver continued to read her prepared statement, the taping of the meeting at that point was shut off, according to Weaver.

The following are Weaver’s comments during the meeting:

“Good evening.  I am Rita Weaver and I am here with my husband Greg. We are parents of a SMCPS student.

“First, I would like to thank the Interim Superintendent Scott Smith and Special Education supervisor, Marcie Hough for overseeing and following on a regular basis our son’s educational needs at a private school. This school within our own community was identified as the best educational placement by the IEP team, an environment in which our son is thriving. And Yes, our son remains a SMCPS student.

“On October 15, Anna Laughlin, EASMC, teacher union president sent an email to all union members.  

‘Board of Ed. Race. Attachment 3 is a snap shot off Rita Weaver’s Face book. When she decided to run for the BOE she took it down. Do you want this person as your boss, making decisions about your profession?  I would hope not! Spread the word!’ Taken from the email sent to SMCPS Union Members School email accounts.

‘Spring of 2013 our son was bullied by a special ed. teacher. It was swept under the carpet by the principal, numerous special ed. administrators, and past Superintendent Mr. Martirano.

‘Due to the frustration which we experienced, Greg posted comments on his FB. This was taken down well before I announced my candidacy.

‘Along with Ms. Laughlin’s speculations and distorted information is my son’s picture, though small it is attached to her message which is being sent across SMCPS email. According to SMCPS Policies EDB, GBF, IJR Ms. Laughlin has jeopardized every teacher, staff member, and employee who received this email.

‘The culture of bullying from teacher to student, administrators to staff, coworkers, board members amongst each other and the public, with the exception of Ms. Crosby and Ms. Washington, has been condoned and covered up for way too long.

‘Our son has been the recipient of wonderful teachers, special ed teachers, para’s, bus drivers, and others but this school year our son experienced another bullying incident by a different special ed teacher. But this time things were handled professionally and correctly. The para came forward to report the incident, Mr. Bowling and Mr. David O’Neill took things for action per instruction.

‘Acting upon this incident and other matters Marcie Hough, Mr. Scott Smith, along with the IEP Team from Chopticon High School identified and agreed upon the most appropriate educational placement for our son was at a private school within our own community. The par educator, Mr. David O’Neill, Mr. Bowling, Marcie Hough, and Mr. Scott Smith demonstrate the goals and vision of the school. They have placed above all else the best interest of the child and the child’s education. They have displayed a commitment to an environment of learning for all students.”

After the meeting Weaver, on request, sent an email to the Bay Net outlining her objections to her treatment at the meeting:

“The policy which the BOE set forth is: ‘The Board takes this time to listen and consider, but not to comment.  This is not, however, the appropriate forum for negative comments or criticisms of individual staff or students.  Concerns about individual staff members that cannot be resolved at the level closest to the situation should be directed to the Superintendent.  This Board will not permit comments criticizing individual staff or students since this is outside the scope of public comment.’

“The BOE key responsibility is to involve the community in the life of the school system & maintain open and honest communication.

“I inquired about Anna Laughlin sending this information out to SMCPS emails.  It was established by SMCPS attorney on 23 October, 2014, she is not a SMCPS employee and the school administrators have no jurisdiction or control over her behavior.

“Mr. Martirano is also no longer a SMCPS employee. Therefore I abided by the policy set forth. 

“I was censored by BOE. Sal Raspa banging the gavel, speaking loudly over my comments, commotion and talking going on in the room, l was continually interrupted during my 3 minute speech, my microphone turned off,  and the taping of the meeting for the public to see was stopped.

“They did not abide by their own policy.”

Weaver said her comments to the Board of Education were “as a parent.”

Weaver and John Alonzo Gaskin are facing each other in the Nov. 4 General Election.