At the final Public Hearing for Odyssey Charter School’s formal review, public comment was given by Jennifer Ballas indicating a prominent member of the AHEPA organization publicly harassed her at Odyssey’s last public board meeting after she spoke out against AHEPA.
After I spoke at the last public board meeting, I was attacked by AHEPA member who threatened and tried to intimidate me, and things that Mr. Manny Kanas, who used to be AHEPA Board President, said, I was a loud mouth, disrespectful, rude piece of useless flesh that is a total puppet to Dr. Nick. He told me I was stupid. And he wanted me to go away. And that the cat had my tongue, even though I did not have the time to quickly respond to him. And that scorned women are the worst.
It can be tough to be a whistle blower. You put yourself in the direct path of those who don’t like change. Who don’t like the truth coming out. This Manny Kanas person who used his bully pulpit in an attempt to humiliate and intimidate a woman who is devoted to the success of children at Odyssey, is a coward. A pathetic man who is clearly all about control and holding onto a relic of the past that is not welcome in the 21st Century. I have nothing against the concept of AHEPA. I don’t have any issue with any group or culture formed to promote education. What I do take issue is what the Wilmington chapter of this organization has become. And their treatment of women is deplorable.
Even former DSEA President Mike Matthews gave public comment at the public hearing.
And the fact that so many have gotten up here tonight and said without the AHEPA majority, the school will fail, you just told those hundreds of teachers at that school they are failing. And I reject that on its face. This is arrogance and hubris that has led us to the point where we are today.
Today is the final day to submit public comment for Odyssey Charter School. All comments must be received by the Charter School Office at the Delaware Department of Education before 4pm est today. Public comment can be emailed to infocso@doe.k12.de.us and MUST be done today. If you are against the practices of an outside AND private organization controlling a tax-payer paid public school, please let your voice be heard urging Delaware Secretary of Education Dr. Susan Bunting and the State Board of Education to reject outside control of a public school board. I’ll be submitting mine!
In the meantime, all the public comments from the meeting Monday night are below. It is very easy to see who is cheer-leading for AHEPA and who is speaking out for the truth.
The final decision regarding the formal review for Odyssey Charter School will be at the July 18th State Board of Education meeting at the Townsend Building in Dover at 5pm. It will be a very interesting decision!
The Season Of Myths 