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New hearing panel eyed to resolve Hopwood woes
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Posted on Apr 27 2000
The Public School System may be asked to form a new hearing panel to resolve the growing conflict at the controversy-ridded Hopwood Jr. High School, if the mediation committee fails to come up with a decision that will be acceptable to the warring groups.
The petitioners can appeal their case before the Board of Education if the decision of acting Deputy Commissioner of Administration Louise Concepcion failed to satisfy them.
A notice of appeal may be filed in writing including the signatures of the petitioners with the Board of Education Chair, within 3 days of the Commissioner’s decision, according to PSS legal counsel Timothy Connor.
The BOE Chair will then appoint three BOE members to serve under a hearing panel for the case. The hearing will be held within 45 days of the petitioners’ request for the hearing.
Mr. Connor said the petitioners aiming for the ouster of Lourdes Mendiola as Hopwood Junior High School principal walked out of the mediation meeting, indicating refusal to face the principal and formally air their grievances.
Hopwood Junior High School teachers and staff refuse to accept the conclusion of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that the problem was based on lack of communication, as noted by the nearly-complete investigation.
EEOC has reported the investigation was 90 percent complete.
Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos earlier recused herself from the case and appointed Ms. Concepcion to take on the administrative decision.
Mr. Connor added Ms. Concepcion has 14 school days to come out with a written decision, after she receives the completed copy of the EEOC report.
