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A Desire to Trust Schools: But Parents Worry About Score and Finance Allegations

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 June 2006, 03:00 CDT

By Jan Hefler, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Jun. 20--Though they love the schools, some parents and relatives of children at Wilson and Wiggins in Camden said they worried their children might not be getting the education they deserve.

Their fears arise from investigations at both elementary schools into unusually high state test scores and allegations that the principals and others put in phony expense vouchers.

"My God, if it's true, that's something to worry about... . Come on. It's the kids' education. They're our future," said Carmen Rodriquez, whose 9-year-old granddaughter is an honors student at U.S. Wiggins.

Math and reading scores at Wiggins and H.B. Wilson dramatically dropped from 2005 to 2006. At Wilson, 23 percent of fourth graders passed math this year, down from 100 percent last year, according to results released Thursday. At Wiggins, 56 percent passed, compared with 99 percent in 2005.

The Inquirer raised questions about the 2005 scores in February. Fourth graders at Wilson posted the highest average math score among about 1,300 schools in New Jersey despite being in one of the poorest and traditionally most underperforming districts.

The state launched an investigation and beefed up security for testing in March. The state Department of Education declined to comment yesterday.

Michael Hailey, principal at Wilson, and Juanita Worthy, principal at Wiggins, were suspended with pay last month on allegations they submitted vouchers for attending after-school meetings that were not held, according to sources familiar with the district investigation. The requests totaled $28,000.

The board also suspended Patricia Johnson, Wilson's literacy coach; reprimanded nine others; and opted not to renew the contracts of two employees. The board did not give reasons for those actions.

According to sources, district investigators found all were involved in the alleged expense scheme.

When asked about the allegations, Rodriquez, 48, of Kaighn Avenue, said she was troubled. "Who are they thinking about -- them or the kids?" she asked.

Hailey and Worthy filed retirement papers with the district Friday, as did Johnson. They require board approval to take effect.

Hailey and Worthy, both longtime principals, are paid $112,402 annually. Hailey, 65, of Delran, has been with the district 40 years. Worthy, 59, of Marlton, has worked there for 35 years.

But some parents dropping their children off at Wilson yesterday morning said they doubted there were improprieties.

"I don't think they are rigging test scores. There's just a different breed of children coming into the school," said Toyale Sharp, 28, who has a child in kindergarten and one in second grade. "The teachers are working more with discipline than academics."

Sharp had high praise for Hailey. "He has a genuine love for children," she said. "He shouldn't have been taken out of the school."

Camisha Conquest, 34, also had no complaints about Wilson or the administration.

"I love the school. The teachers in there are teaching the kids and are doing a lot of activities with them," said Conquest, who has four children, including a child in second grade.

"I heard some things about the principal, but he was wonderful. When kids went on field trips and certain parents didn't have the money, he would pay for them right out of his own pocket," she said.

But the district is also looking into allegations from some parents who said they had been asked to pay for trips that the district paid for. They want refunds.

As for the state probe into test scores, Conquest said this year's steep drop may have been the result of students not working as hard.

Reta Ball, a crossing guard who has a 6-year-old granddaughter at Wilson, said she trusted the validity of the school's scores.

She also said Hailey was a "good leader" who would notify parents if students cursed at Ball in the crosswalk.

Louise Good, 46, was strolling near Wiggins with her 5-year-old, who will attend kindergarten there this fall.

"I heard this school was the second-best in Camden," she said, happily, when asked her opinion of the school. When told of the investigations, she became concerned.

"If there's a problem with the scores, that would worry me," she said. "Why would you want your kid to go all through school to sixth grade and then they can't read? These kids are our future, and we should do anything for our kids."

Contact staff writer Jan Hefler at 856-779-3224 or jhefler@phillynews.com.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

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