School superintendent, teacher under investigation
An angry crowd flooded Monday night’s Colfax Elementary School Board meeting to demand that Superintendent/Principal Jon Ray and seventh grade teacher Michelle Heimann be placed on administrative leave. After waiting close to five hours for an answer, the crowd left the meeting feeling frustrated and dissatisfied. Many vowed to keep their children home from school, while others threatened to recall the school board. Following the first of two closed sessions, the board announced that an attorney had been retained to investigate allegations of misconduct. Several parents had submitted letters to the board last week outlining what they claimed was inappropriate behavior between Ray and Heimann, the former school board president hired as a long-term substitute teacher last year. When the meeting was opened for public comment, several people – parents, grandparents, teachers and a former school board member -- questioned how the investigation could be conducted with Ray and Heimann on campus. Others expressed concern about the safety of their children. “I fear retaliation for my wife and children,” said Brandon Bean, whose wife works in the office. “I’m speaking on behalf of those who established this school. I believe the school board should stand up and take note of our community’s concerns.” Shelly Duarte, the mother of five school-age children, directed her frustration at the board – asking them to maintain a “learning environment and prevent retaliation.” “I was personally (verbally) attacked by their friends in the presence of my 8-year-old,” she said. “There is a lack of professional behavior on the part of Ray and Heimann. I expect a full investigation and ask for their suspension while the investigation is being conducted.” Others who agreed with Duarte expressed concern for their children’s education. “My son has been coming home telling me the principal is sitting in Heimann’s science class all day long,” said Robin Rollins. “And another student is teaching her math class.” Still others alleged excessive texting and cell phone calls throughout the day. “I don’t want to send our kids to school in that environment. We’re begging for our children’s sake so they will feel OK to walk into that school,” said another parent, who vowed to keep her children out of school if the board did not take action. “What is the board going to do when all these parents pull their children out of school,” Bean asked the board. “You need to think about that.” Third grade teacher Pam Adams voiced her support of the superintendent. “It has never felt as loving and as accepting (here). Mr. Ray has brought that to our school,” Adams said. “It is not school-wide. It makes me feel very disturbed to hear parents say their children are going to be harmed when they’re going to be in my class all day. ” Rollins agrees that Ray has been a positive influence on students in the past, but is disappointed with what she believes is happening on campus. Now a sophomore at Colfax High, Rollins acknowledges her son needed some motivation to finish his studies at Colfax Elementary. “Mr. Ray talked to him. He gave him some incentives and my son graduated because of him.” In the end, the board voted 4-1 to hold a second closed session to consider the audience’s request. Board member Brant Hoffman cast the dissenting vote. At 11:15 p.m., the board returned with their decision. “The board has determined to continue with an independent investigation,” stated Scot Yarnell, a partner with the Sacramento law firm retained by the Placer County Office of Education. He then spelled out the board’s direction to the two under investigation. “In the meantime, they will refrain from cell phone use and texting during school, refrain from contact and communication with any person regarding these allegations and refrain from contact that would constitute retaliation to students, staff or parents.” Although Jon Ray confirmed Tuesday that he had attended both closed sessions, he had not returned return calls or e-mails asking for further comment by press time. Heimann could not be reached for comment. District Secretary Terri Smith indicated the school had verified the absences of 34 students on Tuesday. “That’s fairly normal (absence) for this time of year,” she said, adding there was no indication the absences were connected to Monday night’s board meeting.
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Jon and Michelle's alleged immature and inappropriate behavior is an insult to the education profession and to their spouses and children.
I apologize in advance for my ignorance. Are these two flirting with each other all day? Is that what this is about? I don't see any reference as to what their crime/misconduct actually is.
This is more than just simple flirting; when students are sidetracked daily seeing them behind locked doors for lenghts of time and texting daily it distracts them from learning. It is a problem. It has been going on since last spring.
Sounds like they need to take the cell phones away from the teachers too?
So are they using school phones/equipment? Maybe they need to check the emails/texts to see what all the 'communicating' is about.
These are all crazy accusations. Please do not draw conclusions based on hearsay.
sounds like much ado about nothing. reprimand them and move on.
If kids can't have cell phones during school, why can people who are EMPLOYEES of the school district have cell phones?
Come on, grow up or get a different job.
I can't believe the Auburn Journal would print something like this. This is ridiculious. How about the families/the innocent kids now have to listen to there peers speak about there parents. Especially if these are just rumors and are proven not to be facts. Just suspend the two teachers until the investigation is complete, spare these families and their children anymore embarrassement. I'm stunned Brandon Bean has commented about this story. I guess we all live in a perfect community, and live life perfect. Were adults we set the example for our children. I hope the kids of both of these families are fine.
I don't think our childrens "safety" is the question.
I think that their (Mr. Ray/Mrs. Heimann) personal affairs, IF ANY, should be conducted off campus. If they are conducting personal affairs on campus , then that will come out and they will be disciplined. As a graduate of schools in Colfax,I believe this Princiapl has made a loving, caring and wonderful enviroment for the children of Colfax, which was few and far between before his arrival. He is an awesome person and deserves then innocent until proven guilty notion. Both my children attend the school and I have no question if they are safe or not when I drop them off.
What is the real problem here? Are they making out during school hours? Are they touching each other in a non principal/teacher way? Or are they just friends as well as co-workers and people are making up stories as they go? Have they been convicted of "inappropriate behavior"? Have you seen it? How do the students know they are texting each other? Dont ruin people and their careers until you have all the facts. We do set the example for our children. But all I hear is hear-say. No solid facts or evidence. This has been going on since last spring, according to a comment above, but it comes out now? Why? If you were so concerned then, why didnt u speak up?
I will stand behind Mr. Ray and the staff of Colfax Elementary School.
Personally, I do not feel putting pictures were necessary and were uncalled for. Parents asked for administrative leave pending investigation of school funds, emails and phone usage. The Board of Trustees had the opportunity to address many of these issues before it escalated to this point. We have a serious breakdown of our governing body and that should be the primary focus!!! They had the opportunity to act upon requests on many of these issues last April and chose to overlook them. Now,things are out of control and it is ultimately their fault for not doing their jobs properly or taking them seriously.
In response to KEVIN123 - How will they be disciplined when Jon Ray is the highest of authority on campus and he and Michelle are "friends" off campus? Did you know Mrs. Heimann created Gossip Hour for the girls? When they can gossip about boys and other students while listening to music and relaxing for an hour of CLASSTIME? Ya, that's really an environment I want my kids in. And in response to your statement "This has been going on since last spring, according to a comment above, but it comes out now? Why? If you were so concerned then, why didnt u speak up?" You must not be aware of the School Board minutes which state that in April Mrs. Heimann verbally attacked another a parent/yard duty in front of students on campus during school hours. When this parent took her complaint to Ray, he said it would be taken care of. Their "taking care of it" consisted of the School Board dismissing the parents during the meeting, claiming that Michelle is a great asset to the community and that they don't beleive there was any wrong done. People have TRIED to speak up...
So tell me this, when the School Board is corrupt, and the highest up in authority (Ray) is in the wrong, who is there to discipline anyone? That's great for you that you think your kids are being treated wonderfully at CES. You're clearly just one of the few left whose eyes are still covered by Ray's skilled con personality.
But is there anything for the school board to look at?
What "pictures" are you talking about?
What have they done and what CONCRETE evidence is out there that shows "misconduct"?
Ok so what was the argument between Mrs Heimann and the yard duty regarding?
I'm not saying I agree with what is going on , I'm saying that all the evidence needs to be out on the table before judgements can be made. Did anyone(parents) talk to the teacher regarding "gossip hour"?. Was it a "free time" since the kids got all their homework done and some students precieved it as a gosip time?
so lets just say she a crumby teacher and lets just say he has googly eyes for her. wheres the scandal and corruption? where the "drag your name through the mud" sort of reasoning. sorry, i feel the "perpetrators" are now the victims and if you all wanted results it should have been gone about different. and for gossip time, are you telling me that the childs teacher getting to know the children is a problem? that teacher heard more honesty in that hour than the parents did all week.
We should not be feeding the gossip monster anymore. This is a very sad situation for everyone involved. Mr Ray has made numerous positive changes at CES and does deserve recognition for them. At the same time...we cannot sweep unprofessional and inappropriate behavior under the rug..this is not a situation where we make a list of positives vs negatives. This is a small community...and unfortunately inappropriate behavior even off school hours is not acceptable--that goes without saying considering the position he is in. He is a huge role model for the children--on and off campus. We, though, need to focus on the facts: According to the Board Meeting Notes from last April--Parents did voice concerns regarding the appointment of Mrs Heimann to permanent status due to rumors and unprofessional behavior in the class and toward another CES staff member. There is no further discussion in subsequent meeting notes about whether or not the incident or parents concerns at that time were investigated. Possibly if they had, we would not be dealing with this issue at this time.
One thing is certain--as a community--we as residents and/or parents need to attend the CES Board Meetings to keep informed. These are elected officials making decisions about he CES teachers, salaries, budgets, etc. It is our DUTY to get involved and participate in these matters and decisions and to stay informed!
My response was to everyone who is attacking Mr. Ray & Mrs. Heimann. If there was a problem with her last year in her teaching abilities, then it should have been dealt with then. My comments are based on the article above and that what is being said now. I agree that Mr. Rays behavior is a role model for children. What he does outside of school on his personal time is his business and hopefully isn't viewed as "questionable" by anyone who sees him. But the article states that there is texting, phone calls, meetings in dark corners, etc. Well provide the evidence to back up those claims or drop the matter.
"Concerned5874" claims that it doesnt state in meeting notes wether this was looked into(April incident regarding Mrs. Heimann). So if it was and she was cleared by the board, then that issue was dropped. I guess we might never know unless things come out later. Also you state we can't promote unprofessional and inappropriate behavior and sweep it under the rug by Mr. Ray, but nothing shows that except hear-say.
Parents voiced their concerns regarding Mrs. Heimanns appointment to a classroom this year, are those the same parents who allow their kids in her classroom if she is such a "bad influence?"
In response to getalong--while I agree somewhat with what you are getting at--I am not sure you are aware of all of the facts. Parents did try to approach this and handle it appropriately--beginning last spring. They were ignored at the Principal level. There is no Superintendent to go to because he is also the Superintendent as well. (which is a conflict?)..When another staff member voiced concern...she was confronted by Mrs. Heimann in front of students while performing her duties. There is no bias in my statements...these are factual events that occurred. It should not at all matter what the argument was about. Mrs. Heimann should not have approached the CES staff member in public. Another parent was approached in public on Friday night at a school function and aggressively yelled at by a mutual friend of Heimann and Ray. There are several eyewitnesses to this event. Unfortunately..these incidents of public humiliation have brought this into the light. I urge you to attend the next board meeting
HI Kevin 123--I believe if it was looked into (the April incident)..it would have been documented in meeting notes from the meeting notes to follow--or at least it should have been. Also--it is not hear-say what happened at the school function on friday night. A parent was verbally attacked in public at a school function by a mutual friend of Mrs. Heimann and Mr. Ray. There were several unbiased witnesses standing nearby.
I will be there at the next board meeting. When is it?
Mrs. Heimann was in the wrong for confronting the staff member the way she did. I agree with that.
But , when acusations like this are made, are they being made because someone is upset that the "staff memebr" was embarrassed by Heimann and Ray did nothing?
Did the "parent" who was approached and yelled at on Friday night at a school function make false acusations like the ones in the Journal article, and is defending Heimann & Ray? ( I agree this was the wrong palce and time to start that argument at a school function)
Sounds like more to the story and agian a lot of hear-say.
I believe the next board meeting is Nov 9..unless they call a special meeting. There is a lot of hear-say...that is why people need to come to the board meeting...no matter what "side" they are on.
I feel like I am reading something from a tabloid magazine. All this is is DRAMA and all you parents that think there child is in danger can shove it! Let your kids go to weimar and become druggies if your so concerned about their "health and welnesss". Because let me tell you they will not be better off their.
Mrs. Heimann is a professional lady and is not afraid to tell it like it is. At least she is not being fake and standing up for what she believes in. Also, I have heard nothing but good things about Mr.Ray and I believe he has turned Colfax Elementary around. If you would like Garbolino-Mohika to come back or have some other horrible principal to run the school then keep running your big mouths and making false aligations and being the typical hick from colfax that you all are. In other word, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!
i thought this was a space to post your thoughts about an article, not play Judge Judy. ....so small town.
Call me crazy but didn't we almost impeach a President over something like this? These people are examples to children. This is not harmless flirting. This is only one of many things that speaks to the ill character of Jon Ray. In my personal experience he was immoral, untruthful and I am glad his true character is being revealed more and more. I moved my children out of the school long ago because of this man. Colfax is not an over reactive hyped up community so for the community to be this charged, it must be big. So sorry for the families involved and harmed by this man. I am glad that the school board is finally noticing who he really is and I hope they will have the strength to follow through, do the right thing and heal this situation. Best of luck to Colfax and it's community.
camp, thats EXACTLY the point i was making - tabloid reporting; but apparently someone didnt like my comment therefore "reported" it. LAME.
In response to BethMadesn, what flirting are you refering to?
All hear-say, no evidence.
People are making their own stories up without evidence. So until some proof is shown, this is America, Inncocent until proven Guilty!!!!
heres a plan! unless you are one of the kids seated in her class everyday or you are an adult that witnessed with your own eyes inappropriate behavior...shut your mouth. thats how gossip goes away....
Campb321,
If memory serves my correctly, last year a Colfax youth sports group had an issue with illegal drug use and all of the kids involved were Colfax Elementary kids, not Weimar. The organization did a great job in providing training and assistance to all involved. Your trashing of Weimar was uncalled for and assinine! If you want the DRAMA to go away, don't drag innocent kids into it, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS and quit acting like a hick!
Unfortunately, the article posted in the Auburn Journal made it sound as if all the parents are trying to spread gossip. That was not the intent. Parents are unhappy with classrooms not being conducted professionally and in an educational manner. Parents are upset that matters that have been addressed in the past were not taken seriously. Much of this article was based on "heresay" and did not stick to intelligent, appropriate facts. That is sad and unfortunate that the paper did that, but that is what the media does. Parents do have ligitimate concerns to be looked at that are not based on gossip, hence the hopefully unbiased investigation. I do not believe anyone wants people slandered and are sick over the fact they are. The way this article was written put things in a negative light and innocent people in a negative light. It is unfortunate.
My Husband and I try to support all activities involving Colfax. Mr Ray has been applauded for his upgrading of Colfax elementary and Mrs Heimann went to school in colfax, taught and coached at Colfax HS and has been involved with kids in Colfax many years. Until I see myself the things these two are being held accountable for now all your doing is destroying both of there families and maybe costing them there jobs, but tainting there image in their kids and friends eyes. Until the rest of you come clean with your moral mistakes it is truly wrong that we are ripping these two. Our law states a person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by other citizens. But this has become a trial in the press started by the Auburn Journal-with pictures of the two and know faces we will never forget and people who will be accused whether they did something wrong or not.
sm8989, thats the most intelligent thing said all day. very well put! :) i wonder if the auburn journal is hiring?! LOL
Sounds like the best course of action would be to check out their emails & text msgs, investigate his expenses, etc. If there's nothing there, move on. If there is, take the appropriate action. BTW, isn't there a moral clause in his contract? If he is having an inappropriate relationship with a teacher under his supervision, the district would be open to legal liability - sexual harassment, a hostile & intimidating work/learning environment for students, staff, teachers not to mention favoritism toward her (is that how she got the job?). Whether it's conducted on OR off campus - it would be inappropriate and probably illegal. As for the school board being corrupt, it just may be they are BIASED toward Mrs Heiman since she was the board president until last spring. Also, just curious, but why was Mr. Ray in the closed door session when his conduct was the issue?...hmmmm, doesn't appear to be an an unbiased investigative body. At this rate, how will the truth EVER come out?
Since when has the AJ started reported facts as they are? Its a newspaper, entertainment, nothing else.......
Auburnite, et al; The article was written by the editor of the Colfax Record so I would assume she spoke with all these folks directly, except Mr. Ray, which she wrote "had not returned phone calls and e-mails" and also that Mrs. Heimann as not availabe.she mentioned the meeting ended at 11:15pm so I'm assuming she got this information at the above-mentioned meeting.
I concur with FalconBooster's comment regarding the board being "corrupt" as Bella90 wrote above. That is a very strong statement bordering libel--especially if Bella90 does not have DOCUMENTED FACTS supporting that allegation. I also wonder why the board allowed Mr. Ray in the closed door session since he was topic of discussion.
Regardless, understand that there are probably a lot of the CES student body reading these posts as well. I will weigh the overall good for the students against the errors in judgement in personal conduct. I am not privy to ALL THE FACTS so I cannot comment furthe and neither will I 'pile on'! . I am just very sad that this has come to light.
It seems to me it is our duty as parents to behave as adults and not fuel the fire with drama and gossip. The school should be operating as normal for the sake of our childern. This doesn't involve them and it shouldn't be made to affect their daily lives at school. This matter should be dealt with quickly and quietly.
The appropriate course of action will take place. To leave this blog available for children/students to respond is not appropriate. Whoever is monitoring should remove this.
Oh wow, this is getting crazy. AJ - Colfax Record....whoever is in charge, you need to take this article down, or at least take the comment box down. Now the students are chiming in. Why do the kids even have to be exposed to something even remotely like this?
small_town,
What reporting? After my wife and I read the article we both asked the same question...What was that all about? So what happened?
I find it irresponsible to print something like that and not have all the information. Perhaps waiting a few days would have made a world of difference..either way.
So I came here to get the scoop, and what do I read? Gossip, he said, she said, personality issues, adults not getting along. Wow. I have to agree with Kevin123. Leave it for now. Heck, I've had no children in the Colfax school, but I might just have to attend that meeting too.
lol cgslane, my point exactly! THE ARTICLE WAS BRUTAL!
As a parent of children that went to Colfax Elementary I can understand why the parents are upset, it's not that we like to think that we live in a perfect community, but that we have the right to expect our community leaders, teachers, business owners and such that have an influence on our children to act with good grace. By allowing bad behavior, behavior that these two adults have brought to the attention of kids & parents they have opened themselves up to this kind of media. They are adults they knew what they were doing was wrong on so many levels, the back lash they should not be surprised by. What they are doing right infront of those kids is wrong, we need strong role models for our kids, this is not a good thing for our kids to be seeing. There is already so much wrong and so many bad role models out there I can see why these parents are mad. If they did not want everybody and there spouses & kids to know then I guess they should not have done something SO wrong. They are the ones that hurt their own families, but I do think that everyone should remember that their families are innocent victims too. Get those bad role models out of our school system, there are plenty of other great teachers out there that I am sure want a job to take serious.
Rainbow7-
What did they do? Your comments state they are doing all these things in fornt of the kids?
What are they doing? What evidence do you have to support your claims ro comments?
Sounds like more hear-say.
I am not going to fight with you kevin123- thats my opinion and I stick by it. If this was something that never happened then it would not be front page news and if they did not do any of what was said then I am sure that the people that commented on this like me will comment their apologies if that head line comes out.
Honestly, this is by far the most ridiculous article i have ever read. It sounds as if it belongs in a gossip column rather than the auburn journal. I am completely oblivious to why anyone would print this without the absolute facts. These parents are basing this off of their childs comments. These are children that are eleven or twelve years old! I am a former student of Colfax Elementary and now attend Colfax High as a sophmore. I was at CES the year John Ray was given the superintendents job and I truly believe that that school has improved an enormous amount since then. Now, I personally know Heimann and her family. There is not even a possibility that this family could be any more loving and generous. For years they have been putting together fundraisers, working for the community, helping our schools, and volunteering wherever needed, whenever they could. I also have come to know Ray, his wife, and children. Yeah, i wonder if anyone stopped to think about THEIR children, and their spouses. These two families have contributed numerous years to bettering the community of Colfax and I cannot believe that these wild rumors have become 'hard-hitting news'. My younger sister is a part of Mrs. Heimanns 7th grade class and i have heard the story from a students eyes. Friendship. Plain and simple, and if you're going to trust 7th grader, why not this one, right? I'd like to know when befriending your co-worker called for destroying the reputation of truly outstanding people.
The Emperor Has No Clothes! A high school sophomore, at last, calls out the "hard-hitting news" of the AJ and eloquently states an insider's view reminding us about the children. Thank you Nicole, for your articulation and advocacy of the families who are rocked by this "scandal". Couldn't have said it better, in fact, no one has. . .
Where is the journalistic integrity??? The Auburn Journal is now no better than the National Enquirer!! Outing its local citizens!!! What a joke!!! Whether or not what is being alleged is true I don't want to know about it!!! If he isn't doing his job or she is a crappy teacher than complain.....these individaul's families must be devastated!!! Whose next??? I won't even line the bottom of my bird cage with the AJ now!!!
This is a very disrespectful accusation, Where are the grounds for this? so your kid received a poor grade and now Mrs.Heimann is behaving inappropriately and is a bad teacher? come on folks get real, what are your kids telling you this as an excuse for the poor grades? Mrs.Heimann a college graduate who chose to do what she loves "teach" is now a poor teacher? hahaha seriously she has forgotten more than most people know.
So you slander her and Mr.Ray, for what? two co-workers being good friends? So your kids are texting you in class that their teacher is texting Mr.Ray? or that the superintendent is spending to much time in their class and its disrupting there educations? okay understandable.
So address that issue, but to make accusations, and slander two good peoples names and integrity is just wrong.
In conclusion, none of these claims hold any water. This is all speculation and hearsay, i cannot believe this was printed. Slandering someone in this way can easliy result in civil court. Think before you act, i know its much easier said than done by a nation that a couple of days ago watched a balloon float around on T.V for 2 hours.
Sincerely
-AJ
can the poster who mentions Weimar Hills please verify what you are talking about. "Weimar hills is a druggy school". My kids attend there and WE LOVE IT! Please leave Weimar out of this mess. Also, people need to move on. Remember, you kids are listening to you weather you thinks so or not. NEXT!
I wish everyone would proofread their comments before sending them, because you are not only losing a lot of credibility but legitimacy as well when you do not know how to properly spell words or use basic grammar. As a current college student I am embarrassed to say that I have graduated from Colfax High School and reading comments from the community about a topic of this sort if people do not know how to re-read their statements before sending them.
We'll ignor your run-on sentence and punctuation errors.
^^^ Kill yourself
That was random.