Wheatland High officials at odds about discipline
Comments 7 | Recommend 1May 07, 2010 11:49:00 PM
An assistant principal who wrote a three-page letter detailing what he sees as a lackadaisical approach to student discipline at Wheatland High School has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Helmut Skujins said Vic Ramos, superintendent and principal of the Wheatland Union High School District, told him he was on leave Wednesday morning — after Skujins' discussion the previous day with district trustees about student discipline issues.
"It does seem vindictive," said Skujins, 67, who turned over his school keys and district cell phone.
"I'm willing to go back to work," Skujins said. "It doesn't make sense for me to be sitting home getting paid."
Skujins said Friday that Ramos, 55, who began as principal in July, hasn't supported him on policies that include a ban on student use of cell phones and iPods during school hours.
In his letter, Skujins cited increasing attempts by some students to start fights so they can make cell-phone videos for websites.
Skujins said students have filmed a dozen videos of brief fights,