who else are you gonna run out of town?

How do ppl know that the texts and calls were to each other?

The truth always comes out eventually. Innocent people don't resign.

I don't care what the reason is, this is an answer to my prayers and the prayers of several other parents whose children have been consistently subjected to bullying at CES with no support from Mr. Ray and no action taken. I removed my children from CES last year after my son was sexually harassed and beaten by four other boys on a school field trip. Mr. Ray denied my son the opportunity speak about what happened, demanded that he apologize for things he never did, tried to force him (in front of me) to agree with the other boys version of events, told me in front of my son that I had a messed up kid who should be seeing someone. My son came home with bruises on his face, arms, chest, back and legs. Mr. Ray refused to look at both the bruises or the pictures of the bruises. My son was diagnosed with PTSD as of result of this attack and after several months of weekly EMDR therapy the most serious issue that had to be addressed was his rage over the injustice he experienced at the hand of Mr. Ray. The man is the most arrogant person I have ever met. He destroyed pictures of the actual attack before law enforcement could see them, he defended the boys who battered and sexually harassed my child and vilified an 11 year-old boy whose only crime is not being cool enough to thrive in the gangland environment fostered by Mr. Ray. My son is not the only student bullied, there are others and it is a severe problem for these kids. Thank God I say, what goes around, comes around

Are you realated to Chuxxr?

So, what I'm hearing Joan Griffith say is things have vastly improved at this school under the direct supervision of Jon Ray.

It also appears that the pitch-fork and rake mob has prevailed.

I am not related to anybody. While "things" may have improved at the school, they have not for the students who are daily tormented as part of their "education". Admittedly, they are small percentage, so I suppose they don't figure in the grand scheme of things ....but since it was my child that was damaged by him I think I'll hold to my own, low, opinion of the man.

Mmmm I agree with falconbooster, innocent people do not resign. He may have improved things educationally, however he made some huge personnel mistakes. Unfortunately, great leaders sometimes get arrogant and self-righteous and think they will not get caught doing unethical things.

Concernedperson, falconbooster,

"Innocent people do not resign".

You know, a few years ago when then Sierra College President Kevin Ramirez resigned from his post I said the same thing. Innocent people don't resign!

Of course his apologists stepped all over themselves trying to pin the blame for his departure on newly elected trustee, Aaron Klein.

Has the power of A. Klein reared its ugly head again here in Colfax. You talk about a powerful dude! We're talkin' mega-power! Woo!

gregcalac: Call me crazy but if I was being accused of the things Jon Ray has been accused of and I was innocent...I'd DEMAND they spend taxpayer money on me to PROVE my innocence. I wouldn't be 'run off' as suggested by 'getalong' and I wouldn't want to be stuck paying back $50,000! But, on the other hand, if I wasn't confident of the outcome of the investigation, I'd resign before they fired me so I could say the allegations were never proved thus I'm not guilty...clever, huh?

KARMA.

Greg, I had to laugh at your comment. Colfax is my hometown, but I don't know Jon Ray nor have I attended a CES board meeting. So I'm definitely not as powerful of a dude as that. LOL. :)

I will say -- as a local citizen -- that it has been concerning to see some of the tactics that were employed by the former superintendent. He actually went so far as to try to use district funds to sue a group of taxpayers opposing the school's bond measure in a specious attempt to keep opposing arguments from reaching voters. It was the ultimate "ends justify the means" argument and CES spent a lot on legal fees suing its own citizens.

I don't know the facts of this case, but I will say this: many of these management positions in local government get filled by people who exercise absolute power without much accountability. I would have to hold Sierra College President Leo Chavez as a clear example of the opposite: a leader who holds himself accountable to his board on a regular basis, does quarterly evaluations with the board, and has maintained a level of transparency that has allowed Sierra College to begin dealing with massive budget cuts in a calm and collaborative manner.

We need more leaders like that in public education and local government.

Aaron Klein

530-830-2040

ak@aaronklein.com

Aaron,

I don't know what this Jon Ray has been up to but it feels a lot like trial by innuendo if you ask me.

Sorry to interject your name into this mess, but it makes me smile when I hear people dismiss a private personnel matter by saying, "innocent people don't resign", as if that proves everything they're trying to prove.

I'm sure you remember how much credit you received from his supporters for ousting Mr. Ramirez? That's the invisible power you hold my friend! ;-) When all practical solutions are failing I can always invoke your name as the "higher power" that comes in and makes it all happen! Wosh, shazam!!!! Poof!!! GONE!!!!

Maybe KCRA can interview Mr. Ray to see why he quit?

falconbooster,

You're probably right. That's likely what Mr Ray is doing and I can imagine that most people who want to work again might consider doing the same thing if they found themselves in similar circumstances. But that doesn't prove he's guilty or innocent.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not supporting or condemning him. I just have to laugh when I hear anyone suggest that the actions taken in a case like this are a clear sign of what is truly going on.

By the way, I don't think you're crazy. ;-)

Well maybe we might never know the whole story here, but my grandfather taught me long ago that 'Sometimes things in life are just not worth it, and one must take a measured eye of the situtation and make a reasonable decision' Maybe that is what Mr. Ray did here, or maybe there is something to this story.. We may never know.

Falconbooster, and never has a innocent person been convicted of a crime or sentence to death row have they?

As an outsider to Colfax, this seems so simple and rediculous.......

I have seen no real allegations of wrong doing. All I have heard about is text messaging and emailing......ohhh wow!

I have heard alot about what this guy has done for the school. Now people are saying things about "innocent people dont resign"

I would resign from my current job if there was a lynch mob outside saying i sent too many text messages and emails......i dont get paid to do my job and deal with a lych mob....

I hope the town of Colfax is happy with this....it is their town, and I am glad to not be a part of it.

I think that now that Mr Ray has resigned, a major healing process needs to be undertaken and the community should support the staff in whatever way would help heal the wounds. Because of the size of or town and the interaction between staff, parents and non CES citizens whose paths cross in community events, many more people are hurt by this than one may imagine. Hopefully the interim and new prinicipals will have the vision and energy that Mr. Ray has so that staff and students can get back to the business at hand.

Mr. Ray has resigned....I believe the stone-throwing should cease.

Superintendent accused + superintendent denies allegations + school initiates investigation + superintendent resigns = COWARD

No way would I want to stay in a job with a mob at my door. How in the world could any work get done? I know nothing about any of this except what I have read here - but to say that an innocent person wouldn't resign is sure a leap. I know that I would leave if everyone hated me, even if I were innocent. Life is too short!

Well, this morning Mr. Ray addressed HIS students and explained in a way they could understand that he has to "move on".

I'm disgusted in some of these parents at CES. Including you Mr. Bruce Nissen. All your worried about is if a loan to Mr. Ray, part of his hiring package, will be paid back. Really? Not worried about how his departure will effect the children? What if people started not to show up to your business and ran you out if town? Make accusations reagrding your business practices? How would you feel?

I think these parents who accused Mr. Ray need to come out publically and show us their evidence as to why the they have just ran the best principal Colfax Elementary School has ever seen, out of town. You have taken something away from the majority and need to answer for it!!!!

All of you are idiots. with no ounce of common sense obviously. Extremely involved in these two faculty members lives than even your own, or your children. How about mind your own business? What happened to who cares. I highly doubt any of these children have been affected by these two individuals. Not even in a minuscule way. A resignation is and was inevitable and left this principle with NO option. Coward? by no means. If he would have continued to fight for his innocence , you all would have continued on with your pettiness and the heinous allegations. And considering the insignificant lives you lead, you would have all the time in the world to put effort into this, and that, being common sense, would make it a very difficult fight to win. And if by chance he won, the trust and support of the whole community has already be tainted. Grow up people.

I agree, Mr. Ray is no coward. It takes alot of guts to resign. He could have stayed and fought, but he probably knows he would have

always had to deal with the "Harper Valley PTA." Quality of life should always be considered whether it is a job or bad marriage.

Sometimes it is better to just walk away and go somewhere where you are appreciated. Good luck to you Mr. Ray.

Well, I hope the self appointed morality police are happy. Great job, well done. Now what are you going to do? Pick out a new rope, a proper tree and a new victim? Karma, exactly. I hope you know it's coming.

kevin123,

I believe that Mr. Ray and the board worked out a resignation offer simply so that the evidence you speak of would not be brought into the public. It would be disrespectful to Mr. Ray and the others involved to bring out information now. On the one hand the parents are accused of dragging people through the mud throughout this process. Now you demand that, outside of the investigative process, you want to see evidence. I recommend you come to the next board meeting and demand evidence, or maybe reassurance that their was credible evidence from the board of trustee's.

I too, was at the Bulldog blast this morning. I was moved by Mr. Ray's interactions with the students. I left wondering how this situation got to this point. I think that the board of trustee's needs to put a more active oversight program in place for the next administrator. Had the board heard about and responded to concerns earlier, I think we would have been able to handle this differently. With the positions of vice principal, principal and superintendent rolled into one person, it is easy for information not to make it to the board level. It is a significant consolidation of power. I hope this is addressed, and will take my request to the board at it's November meeting.

Maybe I'll see you there. I would highly recommend it. If you had attended recent meetings, rather than get your information entirely from the paper, I believe you would have a different outlook.

The emotion and anger expressed by you last few people sure sound like you're related to Ray or Heiman! Parents have a right and a DUTY to protect their children when they perceive they are being affected by the very people who are responsible for their daily well-being at school. The children were obviously affected if they even THOUGHT they were seeing behaviors of an inappropriate relationship then went home and told their parents about it. It takes alot for children to become aware of such actions. Educators, coaches, Cub Scout/Girl Scout Leaders, etc who are entrusted with our children must be held to a higher standard than those who are not. BTW, I believe it would take more 'guts' to wait until the investigation is completed, be vindicated THEN resign.

I have to say that I think the parents that caused all this in the beginning should be ashamed of their actions and what they have caused! I am a former student of CES, and back in the day it was nothing like what it is now with Jon Ray running the show. I moved back up here after living out of state and in the bay area to put my kids in a good school, THIS SCHOOL! You all have your heads in the clouds if you think that Jon Ray's personal life has any effect on his abilities as an educator. The parents of CES (who mostly support Mr. Ray) are thankful to have him and not to have to deal with other worse things. Worse things like guns in school or gangs. Those are important things that kids now-a-days have to deal with in other parts of the country, but thankfully not in Colfax! Mr. Ray's personal life is NONE of ayone else's business but his own! As long as your children learn and thrive THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS! This school will never be able to be the same, unfortunately. Mr. Ray gave CES a spirit that no one else can ever attempt. He fit right in to this school, and I am saddened at the thought of losing him! And if any of you who have had plenty of time to sit on your computer to slander him, had gotten off your asses and gone to the Bulldog Blast this morning to support your childrens school, you would have witnessed a grown man (Mr. Ray) crying as he explained to HIS kids that he had to leave. I'm sorry but THAT'S not a guilty man!

“A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.” -- Thomas Jefferson. Of course, Jefferson and the other founding fathers probably hoped that the 51% were educated, logical thinkers and not prone to knee-jerk reactionary behavior. But human nature is what it is. And some of the parents of CES, with their agendas and Glen Beck mouth frothing, have once again brought us all down to the lowest common denominator. Pearls before swine...... So sad.

What exactly does Glen Beck have to do with what Mr. ray was accused of doing? You sound like a left wing socialist nut job. Mind you, I said "sound Like", I wouldn't want the crazies accusing me of calling you names.

No, no relation to either. I just recognise an angry lynch mob fueled by hearsay when I see one.

lotusblossom: I couldn't agree with you more!

Roaring: I think you make comments you can't back up!

To all commenting on the $50,000: Did it ever occur to anyone that that was a part of the deal when he took his posiion? And how would anyone know how he was spending that money, if it were inappropriate?

To all commenting on him resigning and calling him a "coward": I think he didn't want to waste the tax payers money to pay for a legal battle. No one wins from this type of argument! Not even the person who wins. So why waste the money? He knows enough about that to know that it would do no one any good and just waste money.

auntie_laylay: Your comments lead me to wonder what "the whole story"is? Because in just the few short months of me being here, that doesn't sound even remotely like something that Mr.Ray would do! Which leads me to ask: Is your son messed up? Does he need help? Maybe Mr. Ray was trying to ask these questions to better asses the situation and try to get you and your son help that was needed?! Not in the derogatory way in which you took it. Did your son do something to cause the retaliation that he got on that field trip? I have a hard time believing that a group of kids just jumped your son for no apparent reason. Where were the teachers and parent volunteers on that field trip when it happened? You can't tell me that no adults witnessed it and can prove what your son says is really what happened. Are you even sure you're getting the whole story from your son? How would you know for sure? You can't make allegations like that against smeone with no proof! I'm sorry, there has to be more to that story!

Wow! You people are nuts...accusing the victim? Asking what he did to invite the beating? This reminds me of the old days when rape victims were accused of dressing inappropriately therefore just "asking' to be raped.

FalconBooster, If the child was attacked on a school field trip and the parent felt the principal wasn't handling the situation, she should have called the police. Oh wait, she says that she did. Auntie laylay states that Mr. Ray " refused to look at both the bruises or the pictures of the bruises ", but yet she also claims that Mr. Ray "destroyed pictures of the actual attack before law enforcement could see them." So which is it? So if he refused to look at them, how could he "destroy" them?

Sounds like to me there is more to the story also. I mean, if your child had made these claims, wouldn't you proceed further with law enforcement, take it to the media, or something? Sue the district?

What goes around does come around, and the parents who have started this "witch hunt" against Mr. Ray & CES better get a reality check.

I'm not accusing the victim by any means! I'm sorry for what happened to him. But the fact remains that this story doesn't add up all the way. What happened prior to the attack? Was this boy causing a problem? Because some people think that their child can do no wrong, but something had to cause these 4 boys to attack him, what was it? And where are the adults who were on that field trip? Why weren't they questioned? All I'm saying is that there is more to this story that we aren't gettng.

I would like to point out there is ALOT more to the story above with the fight on the field trip. The sheriffs office did a proper and thorough investigation and found the "victim" was just as much involved and actually instigated the incident. The sheriffs department came to this conclusion by interviewing EVERYONE involved..including the "victim"--the parent as well as adults and witnesses to the "victims" behavior. The Sheriffs department came to the conclusion that "all" involved were to blame and equated it to nothing more than a wrestling match that got out of hand due to lack of supervision--Ray had little to do with the outcome either way. While I support the parents who came forward with concerns...this issue has NOTHING to do with what is going on now and is best left alone.

Concerned 5874: thanks for your insight on that. I understand these things have little to do with the current situation. But these parents have to stop and think before they continue to bash Mr. Ray. Two weeks have gone by and still no "evidence" has been brought out. I will not sit here and keep quiet why this man's reputation continues to be destroyed.

kevin123: I couldn't have worded it better my self!

My question then is this: Why do these few parents with the few issues keep comming out to make things that are already bad, worse? KARMA is comming their way, if not a law suit for slandering Mr. Ray which is totally un-necessary at this point!

Kevin123...please come to the next board meeting and voice your concerns. Call on the board to give the results of the investigation that they did do..maybe that would clear up alot of the confusion and hear-say. The kids are the ones hurt by all of these..regardless of guilt or innocence.

Your right concerned 5874, the kids are hurt by this. Mr. Ray didn't hurt the children of CES, oh wait he did that this morning when he told them he wouldn't be back. In this country a man is innocent until proven guilty. I have seen posted comments on here slandering Mr. Ray and find out that he had nothing to do with some of these incidents. I think some of these things have been blown way out of scope in reagards to what is going on.

Funny, how the teachers support him, even though he is accused of all this? So are they all guilty? Kick them all out of the classroom? All you ever have to say is "come to the board meeting". Are you a board member? parent? police officer? or part of the lynch mob who wants everyone to stop defending this man?

When is the next board meeting? How do you fnd that out? I want to go also.

ProudCESmom: I agree when is the next meeting?

Falconbooster:Can't speak for the others, but I don't even know parties involved.As for the definition of the meaning of "guts",.15-20

years ago I would have shared your feelings, that "guts" means stay and fight. But believe me, more harm than good can come

from that to the people you care about; the children you are responsible for,the good of the community. The easy temptation is to fight

and win. But at what cost?Is the pride of winning, and the desire for a continued paycheck worth the damage to others that can be done

in the long run? Although you think it is easy to just "walk away"and knowing it might imply some sort of awful guilt, consider this.When you are dealing with "mob mentality"(which I believe this is), nobody wins.I think it take "guts" to choose not to participate.Financially,

the stakes are high. The emotional impact is high.But in the end, you have the responsibility to do what is best for all. Ony Mr. Ray

can decide this.I see it as he has given up his right to defend himself. The "mob" may continue their slander, their need to humiliate,

need to punish another human being.I hope they feel better about themselves now. Mr. Ray, go live your life. Be happy and proud

of your accomplishments, learn from this experience. To the angry mob, good luck to you also. Somehow I think Mr. Ray will come

out of this experience much better than you will, but only time will tell.

sandysue:

WELL SAID!!!!!!

sandysue: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT HUGE BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Kevin123 - The investigation was stopped by the board due to his resignation. How do you propose to gather & show the evidence if the board doesn't proceed with the investigatation? I for one feel cheated that the truth will not be coming out after all. Mr. Ray sabbatoged his own exoneraton by resigning to halt further inquiry. I can only conclude he did not want the 'evidence' to become public knowledge.

Falconbooster: I guess I feel the most sorry for you.

I only said Karma because I have had my own personal problems with him. I've known this was comming for a year and a half.

Well Falcon, according to some posting comments here and over the past few weeks, these are already public in the courts somewhere. So if they are I say bring them out, if any exist, and prove me wrong.

Its funny how a past principal/super of CES for many , many years was never challenged or had severe accusations regarding his conduct brought to light and as soon as someone shows up and does good and get involved, Mr. Ray, everyone is quick to find something wrong.

i find this rather amusing, all of it, all of these people pointing the fingers

most of you miserable people despise your own life and lack the character... to suck it in and admit that you are wrong, in turn you opt to take the easy way out and point the finger at someone, sounds like maybe some of these parents against mr. ray may themselves be guilty of something inappropriate within this school district.

Just a little FYI, these children are FINE this is nothing that they don't see in their own homes or in public. Get off your high horses and find a way to use this energy you waste on fighting Mr. Ray, and put it into something useful for this community. As far as I'm concerned, any one of you against Mr. Ray shouldn't have a say anymore in this community, for you have abused your privileges thus far.

Kevin123 - I've never questioned the fact Mr Ray made significant, positive changes at CES. They were sorely needed - totally agree! But at what cost to the CES students, parents, teachers and the Colfax community as a whole? You have requested evidence many, many times here. How do you propose to gather that evidence now? How are you connected to Mr Ray that you absolutely KNOW he has not committed any of the actions/behaviors he and Mrs Heiman are accused of? I have experienced the total shock of thinking I absolutely KNOW someone then have found out quite differently. It is a very hard thing to bring yourself to understand and digest, believe me! You may think you know him well enough to believe he could not have exhibited the behaviors he's accused of, but I do not. Now many of us are left to wonder and may never know the truth - was he innocent or guilty?

InquiringMind: I find your name calling very immature. And BTW, ALL the children are NOT fine and mine certainly do not see their parents exhibiting of that sort behavior in our home or anywhere else!

If so many people are in support of him then they need to come to the next meeting--Nov 9. Maybe if he realized how much support he had he would not have resigned or would consider coming back That is why I encouraged you Kevin123 and everyone else to come to the meetings. Realistically, a handful of people would not persuade him to resign. He portrays himself as a much stronger individual than that. I really wish more teachers would have shown up at the last meeting as well if they truly do support him..not just the two that spoke. It may have made a world of difference.

Falcon:

I understand what you are saying. I'm not related to Mr. Ray, just a parent of 2 children of CES.

My point here is that many parents said they have proof that he has done wrong things, or acted in a unprofessional way with Mrs Heimann. I say to them, show me your proof! They make accusations, back them up with evidence. If they were sending text or email, that is not a crime, unless there was some nudity envolved, then I could understand the outcry on a moral level. How do these parents know they were texting each other? Emailing each other?

What is your PROOF that he has done anything worng?

What have you seen to make you think he is in the wrong?

All that has happened is that parents have voiced concerns. Accused Mr Ray of being unprofessional on school grounds. I think this is far from over.

"behavior" that you can't prove actually took place. Other than simple communication using cell phones or in person. Maybe more communication amongst the two than with other teachers. But if recall, being in school, wherever the principal was our attention was. Its not rare or unlikely that these students would express when their principal is around them. It just all goes back to common sense, and i apologize for name-calling however, if you were intelligent individuals my actions wouldn't be reputable

Inquiring mind,

I'm glad you find this amusing. We just lost a very well respected member of the community in a very important and serious set of deliberations. I don't find it amusing at all.

Pertaining to your condemnation of those who "fought" Mr. Ray, I'm confused. The board decided in closed session to look into issues brought before it by parents. They had a right to do this. The board could have decided that the claims were without potential merit and dismissed them. They did not, but chose to hire an investigator.

As evidence was presumably collected the board met to discuss this evidence. Nobody knows what was collected, as these discussions happened in closed session, where no minutes were kept.

Wednesday the board met with Jon and after a five hour meeting, the decision was announced that he resigned.

Take away all the garbage from these blogs and the narrow media reporting and these are the facts. Note every discussion by the board and every decision was the result of a closed session. All that parents did was sit in a largely empty library for about twenty hours over a ten day period to see what the board had to say.

Accept for the parents raising a set of concerns for the board of trustee's to examine (which is an absolute right and necessity in a public school district), the parents were bystanders to this process.

The two parties to this decision were the Board and Mr. Ray.

My only question is how does anyone know who was he texting to and who was he calling. Sounds like a lot of assumptions and some sour grapes from parents of a minute segment of the student body. Someone posted that his kid had been damaged by Mr. Ray. My question is what did he do to the kid? Make him behave? quit bullying other kids?

I don't live in Colfax but a person's life has been turned upside down. In the meantime a real crime, committed by a person wearing the Sheriff's Department uniform goes on unpunished, unpublished and apparently fully covered by our politician Sheriff, Mr. Bonner.

Placer County sure is turning to be a great place, specially for those with membership in the Good old Boys Club.

There is proof that these two were having an affair. The accusation is true that Mr. Ray and Ms. Heimann "met up" during school hours. These two have been seen all over town together for a long time. Using school time to engage in such immoral conduct is why Mr. Ray is gone. These two two were completely stupid to think they could engage in such behavior in a small town.

ProudCESmom...you're awfully defensive!! Your posts read like someone either related to or sleeping with Jon Ray. I guess because you're a former student you have the low-down on everything that happens at that school? Question...you mentioned that Jon Ray's personal life is none of our business and "You all have your heads in the clouds if you think that Jon Ray's personal life has any effect on his abilities as an educator". ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? So, for the sake of argument...if the next principal is a crack dealer you don't think that would have any effect on our children or the ability of that person as an educator? Maybe you want your children in a school where affairs are commonplace and principals aren't held accountable for their actions DURING WORK HOURS, that's fine...you and Jon should form your own school! As for me, I prefer to have someone in place that will guide our children with honesty, integrity and the ability to mold our children into productive members of society. Jon Ray has proven to be none of these things...he's a snake in the grass and as such he should slither off, swallow his coil and choke!!

The final straw was when he went into Safeway to get flowers and a bottle of wine...no wait, wrong story!!!

No, it's the right story, but you left out the part about his pit bulls

Maybe next time they shouldn't get a principal who is on his 3rd wife. I'll grant that divorce happens to good people, but two? Plus now he has hurt his 3rd wife! Maybe that should have been a sign, that's all I am saying.

I don’t know if they had an affair or not, but what I do know is there are plenty of people, evidence by these comments, who should be ashamed of themselves. So many were so quick to throw mud & work themselves and others into a feverish pitch and damn the consequences. I hope that your lives are so free of mistakes that you will never have to worry that the person standing next to you, with their pitch fork at the ready, will ever point it at you.

I agree with your comments to a certain extent lotusblossom, but these people worked around kids. They have kids of their own! Kids learn from their elders and this behavior exhibited by these two stunk. Kids should be brought up in moral enviroment. Isn't that why so many of these parents live in Placer County? However, I agree that such moralistic thinking is also a problem in the area. Like I said though, this involves children and because of that we need to make sure our children are around moral leaders. Mr. Ray was not a moral man. I just feel sorry for these two people's spouses and kids.

Lotusblossom,

You state that you don't know what happened, but all four posts you have made recently condemn others for taking action. Maybe, as you admit to having no knowledge, you should refrain from condemnation. Spend a few hours at meetings, look at some of the information available, form a valid opinion. I know it's much easier to just sit back and bitch, but it's so much less attractive.

17spike,

I never condemned anyone for taking action, I just pointed out my dissapointment in the direction it was going. I too have a student at CES and was/am concerned over alleged behaviors. But that doesn't give me the right to publicly humilate anyone. I am also deeply saddend that my daughter had to witness a grown man reduced to tears saying his final goodbye, a man that she respected no less. Maybe you should go back and read my comments because you seem to be the one bitching.

Lotusblossom,

Just remember, your daughter saw a grown man reduced to tears who had resigned. It was his choice, not the parents or the boards.

I was at the blast today and witnessed Mr. Ray's comments as well.

Please understand that the parents that brought these issues to the board didn't publicly humiliate anyone. For that you need to redirect your anger to the press and the bloggers.

And believe it or not we agree in many ways. I am truly angry that the board didn't recognize the potential for problems by consolidating so much power in one individual and then providing no mechanism for feedback to be given above him except for a public board meeting. We need to stand together and correct this during the coming hiring process. If this had been structured better a couple of years ago, my guess is that we wouldn't be having these debates now.

TrueBlueEmmyLou: I can barely bring myself to comment back to you with those kinds of alligations toward me! Something tells me YOU are one of those rotten parents that started all this. Some of what you said about me is slanderous, and I think you should re-consider your wording. By being a former student I have a better perspective on the way the school used to be and the dramatic change that has taken place since Jon Ray has taken the reigns. What he did does not even compare to selling crack! And I think it's absolutely ludacris that you compare the two! It's not like he had a relationship with a student for God's sake! Don't get me wrong, I don't think that having an affair with someone while you're married is right by any means. But we are not to judge anyone or their doings, it's not our place! "IF" he did have an affair with Mrs. Heiman, it didn't cause a rift in the education at CES! The kids probably had no clue until now, and if they did it was only because their busy body, trouble making parents were gossiping about it at home! And this so called affair has yet to even be proven for that matter! And for that matter WHY DOES IT EVEN MATTER? What Jon Ray does on his own time in his own life is NONE of our business! He may not be making the best moral decisions, but how many people can say that they always do? That's part of life, making decisions, and no one ever continually makes the right ones! Is everyone's home a perfect nurturing environment for children?

I have to write and say that the “torch mob” CES parents really changed my mind on this story. At first I wanted to believe that the parents had some legitimate concerns, like Mr. Ray and his “conquests” were creating a hostile educational environment for the children- perhaps this affair was enabling cronyism at CES, the formation of contentious cliques, and maybe even degenerating into menacing yet theatrically entertaining dance-offs a la “West Side Story”. Now, after reading the comments it has become transparently clear that Ray was a victim of hypocrites and pseudo-moral crusaders who arbitrarily assign guilt (“he must be guilty if he text messages and resigns amid stressful circumstances”), equate an alleged affair with slinging crack and even suggest that vetting a qualified educator should consist of checking on how many failed marriages they’ve been a party to (which consists of hiring discrimination in the State of California and is illegal).

Even if Mr. Ray decided to resign out of concern for the detrimental impact that a long inquiry would have on the school and community, I still think he should lawyer up and pursue his options. If CES is bankrupted by Ray suing the bejesus out of the school district, perhaps it will teach the ridiculous Colfax parents a lesson. Even if it turns out that Ray is the notorious Colfax Don Juan that he is being portrayed as- I think that CES’ students have a lot more to learn from him than their …

...pharisee parents

Having no skin in the game(no children in the school , do not live in Colfax), I have a question:

Is it possible for two things, mutually exclusive, to be true? Answer: Yes.

It can be true that Mr. Ray did improve the school as many who have stated. Morale, organization, leadership and more all started or increased under his watch. Can it also be true that this man, who brought all of this good to the school and district, made a series of bad personal decisions that were also mentioned?

Mr Ray obviously did many good things but also made bad choices that now have consequences. Those who want to focus only on his results are myopic as are those who only want to focus on his bad choices.

saddusee commentators...

Well said Flatlander

ProudCESmom - I'm neither a parent or a resident of Colfax, I'm merely a concerned citizen that is very familiar with Jon Ray and his numerous "indiscretions". Granted, selling crack and sleeping with a co-worker are not in the same ballpark...however, the point I was trying to make (that clearly went over your head) is this; what someone does in their personal life DOES affect their public life. Point in case, you don't think that the afternoon romps and numerous texts didn't take time away from students and other issues that required his attention? If this was an affair that happened after work hours in their OWN TIME that would be one thing. But, these two decided to engage in this activity during work hours while they should have been caring for YOUR children! If you don't see anything wrong with that perhaps you are the "rotten parent". In closing, I agree with you that not everyone makes the right decisions all the time however, when you place yourself in a public position being responsible for the well-being of several hundred children you better damn well make the right decisions at work!

vuforu:

As far as your first paragraph in you latest comment.... All are a good reason NOT to live in Colfax. If you work in Colfax in any capacity, shees, don't go to the store and talk to your neighbor of the opposite sex in the store aisle. The moral police patrol of Colfax will have reported your 'Affair' to others before you even get home to your significant other. To bad Colfax is so filled with the personal politics of destruction, the community where rumor reigns as truth. And facts are not required to formulate a opinion of guilt.

TrueBuleEmmyLou: Do you have any evidence of the afternoon romps during work hours? Or are you just one of the members of the Moral Police Patrol of Colfax?

kma123/falconbooster/true blue: Best friends, or the same person?hmmmm........the hysterical/angry tone read very similar

to each other! Hmmm......I can only speculate

True Blue, if Ray was indeed engaging in extracurricular romps during work hours at school, potentially to be discovered by children and staff- I don't think ANY of us would argue with severe disciplinary action in that case. But that's just it- no one has given us any indication (besides vague innuendo) that he did anything besides disagree with some parents and be on his cell phone a little too often. Maybe he just started a Facebook account and was playing Farmville? It's addicting you know. Do you know of a child who caught him "in the act", do you even know of a friend who has a friend who knows a person who's child walked in on them? Doubt it, as you're the one who had a problem with CES hiring a divorcee in the first place.

Wow, I'm impressed at how many expert opinions we can get when the whole story isn't even out yet. I wonder how many of the people here have actually attended the board meetings regarding this.

I have read these post and I'm just amazed how,now the "angry crowd" is being attacked and "witch hunted" just like we are accused of doing to Jon Ray. I have seen the IN CLASS EMAIL AND TEXTS exchanged between these two individuals , these are available to anyone at the Placer County Court public record, have any of you that have written such uninformed comments looked them up or any info besides what is in the paper ? Please people , don't be fooled by these attackers, they are friends, relatives and a small groups of supporters of Mr. Ray and Ms. Heimann who also do not like that fact that they should be held accountable for thier own actions in society. Where was all this support at the board meetings when deciding the fate the BOARD decided was just?Although a few teachers spoke up on behalf of the positive things brought to CES by Mr. Ray, Not 1 person stood up for his character, Curious ? Jon Ray has lied,minipulated and used his authority to HIS every advantage with little reguard for the consiquences .He has compromised his reputation, his wife and children and while Ms.Heimann lacked his power, betrayed her family. Was it worth it ? of corse not. No one wanted this public.The families who publically voiced concerns to the board just wanted validation.This could all been avoided if the board would have seen past his charisma and questioned his motives with the hiring of Ms.Heimann. Get informed and as we are, patiently wait for the facts of this resignation to come.

To those who have professed an interest I am happy to give further details. The chaperone was absent from the boys cabin for extended periods both nights my son was there. The first the other boys broke the lock on the bathroom door while my son was in the shower and came into the bathroom, mocking him with sexually explicit and derogatory comments. The second night, there was a "play fight" in which everyone participated. After that wound down my son went outside. When he came back in he was attacked by four other boys with a fifth boy taking pictures. The next afternoon, as the pictures were being passed around an adult saw them, confiscated them and Mr. Ray was brought in. All the boys were suspended and sent home. The four boys who assaulted my son claimed that he had been making comments regarding their family members and they were "pushed too far". I am a reasonable parent, I have five children and am all too aware that complete innocence on anyone's part is rarely the case...I came to pick my son up thinking that I would be disciplining my son for his part. Until I saw the pictures of him being attacked. He cried all the way home. When we got home I told him to go take a shower and get to bed, that we'd talk about it in the morning. I went to the bathroom to get his dirty clothes and saw his chest was covered in bruises, he had bruises on his face, arms, legs and back as well. As it turns out Mr. Ray accepted the other boys story.

He refused to allow my son to give his side and tried to force him to apologize for the things he was accused of saying...repeatedly. My observations while picking up my son from the camp is that other boys were being given condolences and sympathy. Once I saw the bruises on my son, coupled with the pictures of the actual assault I did call the sheriffs department, and I scheduled an appointment with Mr. Ray. When I showed up to the appointment the sheriff deputy was already in conversation with Mr. Ray. It was then I found out that he had destroyed the pictures of the fight, after I'd told him that I wanted copies and before the sheriff could see them. That is destruction of evidence. Period. Also, Mr. Ray, with his superior skills in manipulating the truth, had already convinced the deputy that everything the other boys said was true and that they were truly wonderful kids with no history of this type of behavior. He went so far as to say that they'd "never even pulled a card"...which is patently untrue as at least one of them had pulled a red for jumping on my sons back and saying "I'm gonna do you fat boy" earlier in the school year. My son is not among the popular kids. Every day he sat at a table in the cafeteria with the other outcasts who were daily the target of bullying...verbal, sometimes physical, always ostracized and ridiculed. In a word, victimized. Concerned - you don't know my son at all.

He is just not the kind of kid who would ever say those things...in fact I had to explain the meaning of several of them to him. In the two room cabin they shared, all the other boys were in one room and my son was made to sleep in the other room with the chaperone. I did take my son to a therapist and at no point in his treatment did she doubt his veracity. The reason the investigation ended the way it did is that investigating officer was influenced by Mr. Ray and his stance that my son was the problem and the other boys were "good kids". My son has no track record as a "bad kid". When I suggested to Mr. Ray that the other boys story seemed pretty convenient, considering that not one of them mentioned these alleged comments prior to being caught he said that in his experience sixth graders don't have that kind of sophistication....however one of the boys told the deputy that he in fact never heard my son say any of those things...that another boy told him he did. I look at the facts that are provable. My son came home covered in bruises from a beating he received at the hands of his peers...that is indisputable, and unacceptable. And nothing was done about it other than putting all the blame on the victim...a heavy load for an 11 year-old boy who's already constantly demoralized by his peers.

It's easy when your kids are accepted by their peers, as my other four kids are...but my son is nearly a year younger than most of his classmates, he's serious, thoughtful, gifted, kind-hearted, generous ...and socially awkward. None of that justifies what was done to him, by the other boys or by Mr. Ray. I have ground to sue the school, but chose not to for two reasons. First, my son is in a much healthier environment at his new school (where bullying of any kind is absolutely not tolerated) and I see no reason to make him relive this experience. Secondly, after twenty years of parenting I know that kids will be kids...even when they are spoiled, rotten, violent little #*&%@s with poor parenting and no accountability (not one of those boys parents ever contacted me, not one of those boys ever apologized...for the record if one of my kids ever treated another person this way I'd march them straight over and make them make it right! If you're the parent of one of those boys then shame on you, you don't deserve to be a parent)...but I digress, secondly, a lawsuit would affect the school districts resources and ultimately the other kids....suffice it to say I am very, very, very happy with this outcome. Resigned in a cloud of shame and speculation? Good. He deserves it. in case you missed it, the pictures of the fight and the pictures of the bruises were separate things and the reason nothing came of the investigation is that the kids are too young to be prosecuted

Concerned5874 - sounds like you're one of the parents of the animals who hurt my child. who is under the delusional belief that their child can do no wrong now? My son DID NOT deserve to by attacked by four other boys, he did not deserve to be bruised and battered and you should be ashamed of yourself that you can so easily shrug off your child's demonstrable bad behavior, mob mentality and lack of self-control as being the fault of the victim. The sheriff determined that my son was "involved" primarily because of Mr. Ray and the way he chose to handle it and secondly because he felt my son was "hiding something"...the something he was hiding? He was too ashamed to talk about what happened in the shower, where he was sexually harassed so badly that he quote "Mom, I just stood with my face in the corner and blacked out. After several months of EMDR therapy, months of nightmares and emotional devastation, I am telling you....He never said those things and if you want the truth perhaps you should consider questioning your child with the same degree of skepticism with which I questioned mine. Those boys were unsupervised and they did what boys do....they reverted to a Lord of the Flies mentality and decided to attack the weakest link...then they played cover-up with their story. If any serious investigation had been done the truth would have come out. But being interviewed while sitting on mommy's lap and crying, in a room where everyone believes you doesn't cut it.

true blue - perhaps a bit over the top, but you make a valid point. I especially appreciate the snake in the grass comment, it's particularly apt. The problem here is that while he may have been an effective administrator he should not be working with children. I don't know whether he had an affair or not, but according to one of Ms. Heimann's students he was present in the classroom for extended periods of time on a regular basis and further, and much more damning to my way of thinking, they were locked in the classroom during lunch periods with the door locked and the blinds closed....another student told me that she saw them at a local restaurant having drinks and knew that they were doing something wrong. When told "you're just a kid, you don't really know what you saw"...she calmly replied "I know what I saw." You all can pretend that his personal life has no effect on the kids, but clearly, he crossed the boundary when he brought his personal life onto school grounds. I find it interesting that Mrs. Ray was let go at the same time that Ms. Heimann was hired...I mean why fire a teacher (and your wife) only to turn around and hire another teacher (your alleged mistress)....hmmm, I think it bears consideration. I know there are those who will say the two things are unrelated...and I honestly don't know the specifics. But it still makes me scratch my head.

Aunti Laylay--I am very sorry that your son was involved in this--but I felt I needed to post a comment regarding your posts. I feel you are crossing the line calling the other kids involved animals. I was VERY upset as you were that our kids went on a field trip without adequate supervision. My daugher came home and told us about the fight and the lack of action on the part of the counselors/teachers on the trip. She says that they were left alone for about an hour before anyone came to check on them. She said that the girls were upstairs and could hear the boys wrestling. Unfortunately, I was more upset at the things she told me she heard your child say the day before while waiting in line and the fact that the counselors did not do anything about it. She heard your son several times use inappropriate sexual language--which I will not post on here. She told us that she and her friend told a female chaperone--who then "supposedly" reported it to his cabin dad. She also heard him use a racial slur calling one of the boys on the field trip "schwarze-nigger". She has no reason to make anything up and I called the office and never got a return call regarding the trip as a whole. I was very upset at the judgement of the counselors who could have put a stop to this when students complained. They should have contacted you immediately and it is very upsetting that they did not and it escalated into a fight.

On a further note--I understand your anger towards the way Mr. Ray handled the situation and in no way want you to think that I am defending what happened to your child--or defending Mr. Ray for that matter. I just want you to be aware that there were other children (2 girls) that I am aware of that confirm hearing your son use inappropriate sexual language and they did complain to a female chaperone.

I saw Ms. Heimann and Mr. Ray once out with Ms. Heimann's friend from her Colfax days. I happen to know that the friend is married too. The friend was with another guy and getting very close! I knew something was odd about it when I saw it. I've seen them at the Red Frogg too--same group. These people are sick. This town is small and everyone seems to know everyone else. To be that stupid to cheat on your spouse in such a public way is ludicrous. I hope the other people in town cheating on their spouses take note of this wrecked ship!

OK, THANK YOU,THANK YOU,AUNTIE LAY LAY, FINALLY A LEGIMIATE GRIPE. You finally brought forward something that

warrants something solid that should be addressed. Kids shouldn't be picked on. We all agree.I was picked on too as a unpopular

child. It is rotten.It taught me something though. Although I never ended up with bruises I sure cried alot, until I learned,how to get along.

It is part of growing up.You must be a great mom to want to defend your kid and right the nasty world. The world is nasty. and if you happen to be blessed with a kid who isn't popular,it is a bummer. But kids have to find that out for themselves. Or at least that was

how it was when I grew up.Now, it seems like no kid should ever experience what we used to have to endure. BUT....and it is a

big BUT...to confuse the right to defend and protect your kid with the right to slander a person and jepordize a person's career

is two different things.If you want revenge,you can dig,dig until you find something, but that doesn't make it right. Better to work to

find somethow to teach your kid how to get along in the nasty world we live in. Your kid will thank you later.

sandysue - I have not slandered anybody. I have stated facts regarding my experience with Mr. Ray.

Craig - I wish I would have been notified prior to the escalation as well - however, I mark a very, very big distinction between what you've quoted my son as saying and the things he's been accused of. If he was making inappropriate comments I'd like to know as that is something that needs correcting. Feel free to email me at auntie_laylay@yahoo.com. In the meantime though I have to say, I don't believe he said the things he's accused of, and regardless of whether he did or did not you are absolutely correct about the lack of supervision. I just think if those boys were so offended they're old enough to know there are better ways to solve their problems - as my understanding of the timeline of events is that there were several hours between whatever was said and what ultimately happened. (which leads me to doubt that they were all that upset)

Auntie Laylay--I do not know what other things your son has been accused of. I can only verify what my daughter told us she heard and what she experienced and thought you should know. She did come home with alot of hearsay and gossip about the incident--but I will not post that. It is up to you to decide if your child is being completely forthcoming in what happened and his bahavior during the trip. You know him better than anyone. I agree that even if he did say the things my daughter claims (which I do believe her)--that it should not have escalated into a fight and the other boys should have let it go. Again, the focus should be on the lack of supervision on the field trip--which Mr. Ray should have been aware that there were not enough chaperones (which I believe was the case and why I was angry with the school) before sending our children. In any case, if the chaperones were aware the tension was rising prior to the incident, and I am only assuming this because you stated earlier your son slept in a separate room with the chaperone, then they definitely should not have left the children alone for extended periods of time. It should not have happened at all had there been adequate supervision. It might have done everyone on both sides good to meet after the incident, which it sounds like that did not happen or was not encouraged by your above blogs. That may have cleared up misconceptions that both sides are having or had about the other.

Oh-no I didn't mean you slandered-sorry I didn't make myself clear-but there has been slander on this comment section, which has

probably caused the resignation of people who we didn't need to lose for personnel issues and has ruined their reputation,

which has probably caused just as much damage to their kids as to your son. I also didn't say-which I wish I had. is when you have a problem with the kids, I think it is sometimes helpful to call the other parents and discuss the situation with them, instead of relying

on the school to do it for you. Sometimes the old fashioned way in dealing with these things are better than the modern method.

Also it doesn't get the whole community involved.

Quirky-You are downright quirky!You must be trying to lighten up the situation,if so ok, otherwise--quit being so quirky!

Craig and Sandy, none of the other parents ever tried to contact me and the school would not contact them for me. They would not give contact info either (which is as it should be). Mr. Ray refused my suggestion that we get all the boys together and try to get to the bottom of things and help them find a workable resolution. The problem that I have is that despite the fact that my son was physically and emotionally damaged by this experience Mr. Ray chose to exonerate all the other boys at my sons expense. There were several incidents regarding inappropriate conversation that all of the boys participated in. My son was not in the other room as a result of any building tension or as a punishment, he was there because the other boys excluded him deliberately. This was just more of the same as far as he was concerned. Let's not forget the shower scene (which was repeated both nights) which Mr. Ray and the deputy completely disregarded but which has had a profound effect on my son's self-esteem. To my mind this was a major breach of the trust inherent in the position of Principal...and Mr. Ray is the biggest bully of all. Kids will be kids, but when parents and educators not only fail to protect, but further victimize a child they are not worthy of that trust. The manipulative tactics Mr. Ray employed against my son, in my presence, were an unconscionable display of arrogance and disregard of a student in his care.

Regardless of who the student is, or whether or not they need "help", to say the things he said about my son, in his hearing, was completely unprofessional, unacceptable and unpardonable. I am sure that any parent in that situation would recognize this and remove their children immediately.

Also, Craig, I was serious about the email thing. If my son said offensive and inappropriate things I do want to address that with him.

If you wish to understand the story its all over town as usual and the kids from Colfax are talking. I heard three completely different stories just yesterday at a sports practice and anohter twenty on this page. What's being said is Ray got caught having sex with Heimann in one of the classrooms; Mr. Heimann beat up Mr. Ray for having sex with his wife, Mrs Ray left her husband because he was having sex with anohter teacher and so on. The rumors are out of control and maybe the truth will never be fully understood but one thing is clear. This has created a division that we don't need. The kids think that the adults are breaking the same rules we teach them not to break, the values we teach them to live by. What matters is how we handle this disaster and how we intend to move forward from here. Life will go on for everyone invoved and most importantly the children of all involved including ours (what about the kids) why would any of these folks put the kids in such a position? Maybe they didn't and maybe they didn't but lets deal with the disaster at this point. Sometimes adults do the stupidest things! In any case stop throwing mud and get back to what matters (the Kids) we teach them to be honest and forthright then we perform like idiots! Look at the mud you guys are throwing back and forth. How do you think that looks to the kids? Great example people!

You do have a choice. Don't go to that school if you are not happy with it. Move away! or do something positive.

sandysue--I was not being Quirky. I am serious. Heimann and her friend (both Colfax grads) are both cheating idiots. My point is that you can't do that in this small town because surely you will get caught.

Sandysue - As you say, I am sure that Mr. Ray's kids are devastated by what's going on, and they and their mother have my sympathy...but just as the damage done to my son, the blame lies with Mr. Ray for his choices and behavior. Just because the truth is unpleasant doesn't mean it's not the truth. As for his reputation, many of us saw through the sparkle. It's a matter of priorities. It seems to me that the community of Colfax has sent a pretty clear message as to what matters...the fault is not with the people who demand accountability from those who are responsible for the education and well-being of our children. It's reassuring to know that there are still some places where people believe in right and wrong rather than embracing the convenience of intentional obtuseness and the habit of looking the other way. I applaud the parents who stood up for what's right, that takes courage and conviction. They deserve appreciation and respect, not this inane criticism as though they were the ones at fault. It was Mr. Ray's actions that created this situation, not the other way around.

BOARD MEETING TODAY AT 12:00. STATES SOMETHING REGARDING DISMISSAL/DISCIPLINE, ETC. ABOUT AN EMPLOYEE. IF ANYONE HAS AN OPINION...PRO OR CON...COME TODAY.

Hope you will be at the meeting.......I need all parents, staff, and students of Colfax Elementary School who are interested in getting Mr. Ray back to where he belongs to speak up........we need your support to get him back !!!!!!

It's a brilliant idea to have a board meeting in the middle of the work day. I am sorry that I will not be able to make the meeting, as I would like to meet kevin123.

One of the challenges I will address with the board of trustee's at their next scheduled meeting is meeting notification. I'm sure that the legal requirements were met, however if the goal is inclusion of the community the board is to serve, than I think a better job should be done. At least post it on the school kiosk.

I'm sure I'll hear what happened but really do prefer to invest the time to form my own opinions.

I also would like to meet 17spike......not to argue or fight reagrding this issue, but to discuss and debate. I feel everyone has a right to their own opnions. I do agree with the meeting happening during the day. Makes it hard when some of us have to work

It is obvious that Kevin123 is Mr. Ray or someone in his inner circle. Why don't you just come out and say it. Or perhaps it is Ms. Heimann or one of her aggressively defensive friends.

what I don't understand kevin is how you can continue to think well of him...I realize we haven't seen "proof", but what are you expecting? graphic photos shot from the cover of shrubbery with a telephoto lens...in a position such as his the appearance of impropriety is as damning as the actuality. He works with our kids! Do you really want your kids in the charge of a shameless philanderer? Where there's smoke, there's fire....that's just a fact of life. If this were a matter of one or two parents with an ax to grind that's one thing, but when you have a community that's saying they've seen inappropriate behavior, both on and off campus you really should stop and think. It is possible that he can be a brilliant administrator at the same time that he is a moral reprobate and completely unsuited to working with our kids. Sorry, if a man doesn't honor the most important commitment in his life why would anyone want to trust him with the most precious things in ours.

17 spike, I don't think the goal this time was inclusion of the community. That seems fairly obvious, although i did make it to the meeting.

auntie Laylay

What happened?

Four parents, including myself spoke against Mr. Ray, one parent definitely sided with Mr. Ray and wanted more information (which was not forthcoming), two teachers spoke for Mr. Ray by pointing out "lack of evidence" and his skills as an administrator...however, it was a "disciplinary/dismissal" meeting, so I can only assume that the board knows more than we do and went into "closed session" with the intention of disciplining and dismissing Mr. Ray. I sincerely hope they follow through, and I hope that they share whatever information they've gathered so everyone has a clear understanding of what happened. And then I hope the wind blows through Colfax, taking even the memory of Jon Ray with it. :)

I'll be going back to the school within the hour to see what, if anything, transpired in the closed session.

auntie_laylay: I understand that you may not agree with the way he handled the situation regarding your child, but just because parents walk in and say something is going on , doesnt mean it is. If the board investigated and found no wrong doing, then why are we still here discussing this? The only thing handed to me today were papers showing email between Mr. Ray & Mrs. Heimann. I saw 10 emails over a 45 minute period during an afternoon after school lunch. Do some look questionable, sure. Some parts are hard to read due to "copy machine" issues. Missing email addresses. These are part of a divorce proceding, not a school issue.But Really, fire a man and destroy his reputation over these "oh my god I cant believe he said that" emails? These were G rated emails at best.. Noting to write home about. No inappropriate talk, maybe suggestive at best, but thats it.

As for the graphic photos, yes if this were to be a court trial (which may go to that if someone decides to go after people for slander), you better have evidence (photos taken etc) to show this man is guilty. So I could say something about anybody and demand they are fired? Just on what I said? Yes you need proof. Your in America, dont forget that!

Just remember Kevin123, people talk about their affairs to others. This thing is all over town.

The thing is Kev - I do believe that Mr. Ray is, by far, the most arrogant person I've ever met. I can easily believe that he would conduct himself without regard for the kids, without regard for their parents, without regard for his staff, or the school. Everything I have experienced indicates a seriously narcissistic personality type. Do I have proof that he did what he's accused of doing? no. BUT, and it's a big "but", I'd be a moron to assume that the observations of a great number of people were some mass delusion or misinterpretation. People are not completely stupid, nor can we all be duped. The issue is not so much whether or not he had an affair with a teacher, but whether he behaved inappropriately DURING SCHOOL TIME. Time, I remind you, that he is compensated for for the purpose of running the school. Compensation he receives for his ability to guide, protect and educate our young. I, for one, would not let my kids within 10 feet of the man. Do you not understand that he, intentionally, damaged my child in an effort to disguise school liability and his own culpability regarding destruction of evidence? He lied to me and at least three other parents that I know of. This man has no conscience, no shame and no accountability. Is that the kind of man you want in charge of your kids? really? I'm warning you, he's a wolf in sheep's clothing; and you're trying to make him a shepherd...not a good scenario for the lambs, is it?

auntie_laylay:

did we find out what the school board voted on?

UPDATE: MR. RAY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS CONTRACT, HAS RESCINDED HIS RESIGNATION. THE BOARD HAS NOT YET MADE ANY DECISIONS, SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MORE EMERGENCY MEETINGS. THEY HAVE TO BE POSTED 24 HOURS PRIOR ON THE CES WEBSITE.

Everyone should make it a point to show up and speak...

PS - I really don't mean to be offensive Kevin123 - it's just that I'd really hate for any child or parent to experience what we did. There are many others that have been treated similarly...and they will either come forward or not as they choose. But when I became aware of this situation I knew that it was time to add my voice to those who seek his removal. There are so many reasons he should be gone that it is hard for me to understand why the board has not acted before now.

auntie_laylay:

I understand what you are saying. I'm not trying to say what happened to your child was a good thing. There are always 2 sides to every story. If the PCSO did an investigation and found nothing, or that all parties had an equal level of involvement, and closed the case, then there is more nothing that can be done. There are always situations which come up every school year that all parents dont agree with. But for the four families that were there today, their are and equal amount that support Jon Ray.

Like a teacher had said today, they weren't ever asked what they had seen, if anything, during school hours. And honestly, if you dont watch TV or read the paper, you might not know this was going on. The community needs to speak out and voice their opnion, as well as the staff.

Personally, I think that there are parents who feel they have been wronged by Mr. Ray, and you have a right to that opnion. But to bring up other personel issues without proof and slander his name is wrong. Just to try to "get back at him" is not right.

For me, this is not about revenge...this is about justice and doing the right thing. I honestly believe that he is a terrible choice to have anywhere near children. I don't know how else to explain to you...I don't hate the man, I just want him removed from that position. The fact is that he has created this situation through his own actions...I'm sure you teach your kids about accountability and consequences and that's what we're talking about here. He made some very poor decisions and now it's time to pay the piper. If, by relating my experiences with him to the board I can help them see a fuller picture on which to base their decisions then that's what I'm going to do. If, by advocating for his termination and talking about what happened to my son I can encourage other parents with similar horror stories to step forward then I will do that as well. As it turns out, I'm not the only parent that he lied to about the incident my son was involved with...he lied to all of us. I've had to ask myself: what kind of man is not above manipulating the mind of a child for his own ends? what kind of principal/superintendent/administrator lies to students and parents to protect his own interests? What kind of man destroys evidence?

these are not the actions of an honorable man. these are not the acts of a person who has integrity. And most importantly, this is not the kind of person that I want in a position of influence or authority over my children.

Auntie laylay,

I'm not sure your correct on the topic of the meeting. I realize I was not there, but what I've heard does not support your assertion. Are you guessing, or did one of the board members actually say that Jon had taken this action?

this was what I heard from the office staff. that there was a clause in his contract that allowed him to reverse the resignation within 7 days of submitting it. I could be wrong, but that's what I was told.

Also Kevin, the Board is not saying much of anything, one way or the other...which sends it's own sort of message. If these "rumors" were in fact baseless wouldn't the board act quickly to reassure parents and staff that everything was okay? The fact that they have not done this stands out. You heard the other parents there today, they tried to address this in April but it was obviously not handled satisfactorily. I don't have a vested interest in the outcome as I removed my kids in March...but I live in this town and I care about kids. My sole motivation in doing this is that I believe it's the right thing to do. I've never been one to get too involved in gossip, rumors or drama...but this is too important to stand aside. Also, becoming aware of the fact that so much authority is vested in one person is pretty disconcerting...one person is not intended to fill three separate positions, it creates an imbalance in the administration. So now, if he does leave, we have no superintendent, no principal and no vice principal....no doubt this complicates the decision making process for the board. I think there need to be some significant changes in school policy to prevent this situation from rising again.

Ray better not be coming back. There are some really juicy tidbits that will come out if he fights this.

Wow Kevin 123 ! you really have your head in the sand ! That as 45 Minutes of instructional time when Ms. Heimann should have been instucting our childern not having personal conversationas with Mr. Ray. By the way since niether of your children are anywhere close to these upper grades, you would not hear all the things that our kids have come home saying about what goes on in that classroom. Anyone would love Jon Ray by only looking at his Bull DogBlast persona, Most of us parents in favor of his removal have been at Colfax a long time and have seen through his smoke and mirrors ! Question... Do you really think 20 parents could remove him from his postion if NO wrong doing was found ? and Again, Where are the people speaking for his great CHARACTER ? The board has More proof , be patient Kevin 123, you'll get it !

Kevin - What you do not seem to understand is that parents brought up concerns about how time was being utilized in a classroom. That is our job as parents to bring that to the attention of someone in authority when nothing is being done about it. We would be irresponsible parents if we did not do anything and stood by and allowed our children to continue with so much free time. Of course the kids in that classroom enjoy the free time, but our job as parents is to help ensure they get the education they deserve and are supposed to receive. If we stood by and did nothing...it will set our kids up for difficulty in the years to come with other curriculum and other serious teachers.

By addressing our legitimate issues, other items were brought to the table and this became larger than expected. Many of those people have disappeared from the board meetings. But now, other things are being looked at and is the responsibility of the Board to follow through. They are doing their job! Colfaxtruth is correct...if no wrong doing was ever found they would have stood by their administrator and told us that! Mr. Ray would not be intimidated by just a handful of people. Since you seem to know him so well, you should already be aware of that.

Now, there is a bigger issue: the governing system at Colfax Elementary. We would not be in this present situation if we had a checks and balance system. One person should not be allowed to hold 3 positions. You should not have to go to a Board Meeting to address your issues where the media is present and can take your words out of context and make a "story" out of legitimate concerns. And, now, many parents are afraid to even go to a meeting because of that!!! All parents should be involved in this process to ensure this doesn't happen again. With or without Jon Ray every parent should be concerned and want to be involved in doing what is best for the school and that is making sure we have a system where their is accountability. Making sure parents have somewhere else to turn besides the Board where the setting is a public forum.

By the way, Kevin, those emails are questionable....you are correct....at least the content of them. However, the emails are on a weekday during instructional time. 45 minutes when our children were supposed to be receiving an education. It was not DURING lunch. It was DURING class time. You should be concerned with that.

I understand everyones concern reagrding the emails during class time, I dont agree with instructional time being used for such things. But if this was a trial, questions would be asked. Were kids in the classroom? We they are PE? Were they taking a test and time was had to send emails?

I'm not agreeing that sending them during school time was the smartest thing to do. There are some things in these email which I have noticed that are questionable. So then I ask , what about the content and times, could they have been doctored by someone to fit and support their cause? Not saying anyone is lying, but if this does go further, other people might be in trouble if they are fabricating information since these emails are VERY vague.

So now we have more juicy tidbits? Pictures of inappropriate things on school grounds? Remember you may not agree with what he does morally, but his personal life is just that, personal.

Kevin, his personal life is not personal when ethical and moral behavior is breached on school grounds and the example our children see is compromised. I don't really care what he does on his own time, but if they were doing the things they've been accused of they should both be removed from their positions. What kind of role model can a morally compromised 7th grade teacher be? If your daughter were that age, becoming interested in make-up and boys and more mature things would you really want her teacher to be behaving in the manner that's been called into question? Kids may be innocent and naive, but they are not stupid. If enough of them were uncomfortable with what was going on that they brought it to their parents attention, then something was going on...because at that age kids also become more prone to keeping secrets from their parents and this is undoubtedly something most kids would be uncomfortable having to deal with. Imagine it was your kids that brought this to your attention...would you really still say everything was copacetic and his private life is not your business....or would you stand up and demand accountability as these parents have done?

oh - and I am aware that I will be criticized for using the word "moral"....however, when it comes to people who hold influential positions in our children's lives you're damned straight we have the right to police their morality as it effects the kids. so swear me in, give me my gun and badge....or just a citation notebook, because in a situation like this we have the right to be moral police. Not everyone is bringing their children up with no value system...some of us still believe in such antiquated ideals as "right" and "wrong" and are raising our children with morals, character and integrity. And why that's a bad thing according to some of you, I just cannot understand.

I would stand up and look into what was going on. But when a story gets to the "he said she said" talk, there is no point in continuing because neither side will win, unless there is concrete evidence of misconduct. Kids reported to their parents they saw sone unusual behavior between the two. OK. When theres no proof, what can you do? Nothing. Try to move on and teach your kids the best you can. Can the kids be lying because thier parent already have their own issues with either Mr. Ray or Mrs. Heimann? Possible. We may never know. If it is going on it should never be at the school, I agree with that. But just jumping right to the "break out the rope and pitchforks" is crazy.

Also from what I understand , Mr. Ray has NOT resinded his resignation as of yet to the board.

So, if you question the direction in which things are moving and/or the motivation of the person(s) seeking to have Mr. Ray removed you are then a parent who doesn't teach your kids right and wrong, morals, character or integrity??? That's a pretty offensive deduction.

I thought you were at the meeting Kevin???? I was there and I did not hear a single person bring up anything about an alleged relationship.

I remind all of you chatters that this is about the kids. How we deal with the disaster at hand will have a profound outcome in the kids ability to believe in forthright and honest behavior. None of us will know the entire story because much of this is protected information hence the closed meeting. If you wish to judge without all the evidence you should expect the same when it comes your turn. Legal council is advising the school board and they are not about to make the mistake of worngful termination so stay tuned for the end result but know that whatever it is we need to be confident that it was arrived upon in the correct way through legal means. I have little respect for those that cheat on their honor and family by having an affair if in fact its true and our kids are so disapointed in this which is sad to see. People they respect letting them down in so many ways; teaching honesty and integrity and then all of this! This town has a lot of affairs and there are a lot of home wreckers (you know who you are) this story is just more public than most. We teach our kids to be honest and believe in the system of justice and honor then we want to get a rope and find an oak tree at the drop of a pin! By the way, Auntie and Kevin, you guys need to exchange phone numbers or go have tea and hash this out. Maybe there's a chat-room you guys can go work your differnece out in? Stop the maddness people and let the school board do its job!

colfax2005 - point taken. So I'll say this one last thing and leave it alone. What the school board has not done is exonerated them. That in itself says a lot. I'm sure they are legally constrained as to what they can and cannot release to the public, but if were an all clear it wouldn't be an issue.

First of all this whole scandal places a sad moment in CES history. These parents with the pitch forks should be ashamed of what they've started over their own personal agendas. Its ridiculous that the worst thing that they may have done was to have an inappropriate relationship which is the business of their spouse's and not ours. I'm disgusted that you were supposedly concerned about your kids education & safety. I hope that you re happy now, regardless of how great a teacher that Hiemen is, how can she possibly give 100% with what has happened. It's sad that people like her who spent years volunteering for the good of the school are ruined so easily. Worst case they should have been told to spend their texting & e-mailing time more appropriately & move on! It's really sad that it has come to this. Jon was a great asset to this school, & I really hope that we can find a comparable replacement. On another note, I wonder how many of you self righteous people have spent any of your personal time VOLENTEERING to do anything for THE GOOD of this school. I'm guessing that you the type to stand back & criticize rather than praise any thing any one else has done! I personally would like to praise all of the people who volunteer so much of their time. Whether they have made right or wrong decisions at least they volunteered & tried.

These scumbags cheated on their spouses during school time and in front of the kids. They did it to themselves. I personally saw Heimann out with Ray twice along with her friend who also appeared to be intimate with someone (not her husband). This behavior should not be performed where impressionable kids can see it. I feel terrible for Mr. Heiman and Ms. Ray. They are the true victims. To behave this way in a small town is so stupid it is beyond words. I am guessing they won't be partying tonight at the local bar like they have in the past. They ruined their own reputations!

Like I said, PERSONAL AGENDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This has nothing to do with our kids education, or personal safety. Go to church and complain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe you should home school your kids & shelter them from the real world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to you people the changes at CES are really hurting the kids now!!!!!!

Laylay, you are really misinforming the public, you are blind, or your kid is one heck of a liar. I personally know of this incident very well. All of the kids were wrong for what they did. Your son has a sick & foul mouth. This does not justify physical abuse but he continually fed the fire with his language. The VOLENTEER parent in his room went WAY out of his way to help your kid fit in & have a good time. As for being put in separate sleeping quarters, there was only four beds in each room. As for being left alone, they were checked on EVERY 10 MINUTES, but the devious kids had a lookout. The parent in that room should been thanked for VOLENTEERING his time instead of it being emphasised that the kids were left alone. What happened to your kid was wrong but he needs to accept responsibility for his part. Also he should be ashamed of him self for not thanking the parent that went WAY out of his way to help him enjoy the week. He even used the parents phone to send his own parents pictures and to call & tell them about some of his accomplishments, you had his phone # at that point so if your son was so innocent why didn't you call and ask him about situation. Mr Ray handled this in a very proper manner & you should accept responsibility for your child. Also I am glad to hear that he is getting sociological help he is a good kid, but he does need help.

What kind of person posts a message on a public site saying that a child if receiving "sociological help." You should be ashamed of yourself CommonSense. You are completely out of line.

How is that out of line when that was mentioned at the board meeting on Wednesday? That makes it public. Also commonsense123 was not reffering to it in a bad way, just repeating what the parent has said in the public meeting.

I agree that this has torn this community apart. There is a lot of rumor and gossip right now. The kids are even talking and making up their own stories. I

Like what? What are the kids saying?

All I can say is that they are making up stories regarding why Mr. Ray is no longer there. Things that do not even relate to why he truly isn't there.

One parent commented during the school board meeting that she had "10 months of evidence" against Mr. Ray. I say bring it out and lets get it over with. If the parents who have so much against him, besides not agreeing his style of discipline, put all the evidence out there and let the public decide. I might change my view if the "WHOLE STORY" was brought out, not just bits and pieces. Let get it over with once and for all.

Thanks, Kevin. You are right Quirky, It may be out of line to mention that he is or was receiving therapy & I am sorry!! But if you took the time! to look at the facts, Lay is the one whom brought this to light earlier in these comments. Maybe she should be the one to be ashamed herself!!! Maybe you should be ashamed for being so quick to criticise my comments!!!!

Common sense (really?) Love how we now have "personal agenda" because we don't want our kids expose to the "real world" of public adultery in their ELEMENTARY school, not to mention the abuse of power, financial misdeeds and plain bad judgement ! It's called integrity, personal responsibility and accountability. NO ONE should be immune. Thats the world I want my kids to grow up in and it IS my familes agenda ! Whats yours ? No matter what you all "think" you "know" I am proud of our group of parents who had the courage to stand up and be heard by a school that many have felt has been corrupted by Jon Ray for some time now. We honestly thought they would not act. Hmmmm..... they did, I wonder what they "know" .......

Kevin; BTW - to say something is "doctored" without any proof, suggesting that they are fake or cut and pasted as I'm sure Ray told you, is obstruction of justice and it's a felony. Who knows if they are or not but that is not your or my desicion to make or state . You should leave that to the Placer County Court , it was your DESPERATELY needed "SOMETHING" it's only 1 day of many according to the students in the class , oh yeah, you would'nt know. You have no kids in this grade. you have no clue .

It is not just because he has a style people don't agree with. He lied to everyone. He lied to his wife. It is not too bad that these people have been outed. When you cheat on your spouse you should be outed and shamed. He is gone because he did all this around kids, who trusted and looked up to him. The good thing is maybe some of the people in town who were thinking of having an affair will decide differently after seeing what Michelle and Jon have endured as a result of their poor decisions. Maybe the lesson to teach these kids is that lying catches up to you. It's called KARMA.

commonsense123 - obviously a misnomer. You don't know my son and are basing your information on hearsay. There were no adults there to witness what happened. What you think you know about this situation doesn't make a dent in what you obviously don't know. As I said - even one of the other boys admitted that he never actually heard my son say those things. If you're talking about inappropriate language I am aware of exactly what my son said, and what he did not. None of which is relevant when discussing Mr. Ray's unacceptable handling of the situation. For you to be so defensive of him, even to the level of criticizing and condemning an eleven year old child indicates a substantially unstable mentality on your part. You are misinformed as to the chaperones periods of absence, in fact you're misinformed about just about everything. It's far better, when ignorant, to keep one's opinions to ones self. Perhaps Mr. Ray's lack of integrity, honesty and professionalism is of no concern to you. Perhaps you are lax with what your children are exposed to, considering it all so much "education"....I, on the other hand, do not send my children to school to be victimized, or to have their innocence eroded by the conduct of their teachers. Mr. Ray is gone, gone, gone....and I sincerely hope that the school board does discipline him, leaving a permanent mark on his employment history. I hope, and pray, that he will never again be in a position of power over any child.

just for the record - my son was never disciplined for language, nor, to my knowledge, did any person complain about his language prior to the other boys being caught with the pictures, the day after the fight. It seems a bit too convenient to blame the obvious victim for inciting the violence he was subjected to, after the fact.

Aunt Laylay - Were you at the camp? I heard plenty of complaints from other kids that your son had a very foul mouth. I think some girls reported it to the counselors. I don't know what was done. But I think your son was very sneaky about what and when he said. It was very horrific what I heard happened to your son. I was ashamed of the parent HELPERS who were in charge of that group of boys. We made a vow to not leave the children unattended esp since this was a christian camp that wanted no children unattended. It was camp POLICY. I never saw the video but know people who did see it. I found it very QUESTIONABLE that Mr. Ray erased the video and then handed the camera back to the student. You would think that he would want to show it to the parents of all the involved students.

These boys have moved passed this science camp episode in the best way possible. Leave the topic of our boys out of these blogs. All of the boys, including Trenton, are great kids. Sometimes we make poor choices. With poor choices are consequences. All of these boys received quancequences and are moving on. The main point is the poor choices Jon Ray made in regard to this incident. Destroying evidence, lying, making kids feel invaluable..... Please just talk about the adults, but NOTHING more about any of the children!!!!!!!

Thank you Colfaxres5 - Perhaps I should have not gone into such detail to make my point, which is, as you point out, that Mr. Ray handled this unprofessionally, in a destructive and deceitful way that negatively impacted everyone involved, especially my kid. I think any parent in my situation would advocate for his removal.

Topaz7 - I was never notified of any inappropriate language outside the context of the fight. If you personally heard him say inappropriate things then I invite you to email me so that I can address that with my son. auntie_laylay@yahoo.com. Thanks.

It is obvious that Kevin is probably Mrs. Heiman, who else would spend so much time defending two people that obviously are acting inappropriately during instructional time. All the board needed to do was request archives of their school email for the past year. The emails are there and I am sure there are more emails during instructional time than most people would have time to read. I am sure Mr Ray also knows what the board would find if they requested the archives and that is why he resigned. Hopefully everyone can move on and we can find a great replacement for Mr. Ray.