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Sperry Superintendent Battles Lawsuit

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Updated: 12/15/2009 8:40 am

Published: 12/14/2009 8:40 pm

More problems for former Broken Arrow Superintendent Dr. Jim Sisney. School board members he is suing over his dismissal now want to counter-sue him. Fox 23's Douglas Clark has more.

Sisney has been the superintendent here in Sperry since April. He inherited a host of problems when he took over and also brought with him some problems of his own. But some care more about the job he’s doing, rather than his personal problems.

“I actually think he’s doing a great job here,” says parent Jennifer Hagan.

Hagan has four kids in the Sperry school system. She says she’s noticed a difference in the district since Superintendent Jim Sisney took over.

“They listen to the kids better. Things seem to be going better. Financially, things seem to be going better,” says Hagan.

Over the past two years, Sperry has dealt with controversy, including allegations of misconduct against High School Principal Tim Weaver that were later dismissed.

But Sisney has brought with him problems of his own. He was terminated as Superintendent of Broken Arrow Public Schools amid controversy, following a dispute over a school contract with an air conditioning company. Sisney also filed a defamation lawsuit against the B.A. school board. Now two current and one former B.A. school board member want to file a counter-suit for abuse of process and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

When asked if the lawsuit concerns her at all, Jennifer Hagan replied, “No. I think what he did in Broken Arrow was right. If he found out the school board was doing wrong, then I think he’s right.”

According to court documents, officials found e-mails on Sisney’s computer, threatening board members. One e-mail said: “If he did not receive a good evaluation from the district and did not have his contract extended, he would “create a public relations nightmare for these defendants and the school district.” Another e-mail said Sisney would: “bring hell down to bear on those who would dare to cross him."

“I’ve talked to Mr. Sisney and he just doesn’t seem like that kind of man. And I don’t think he would do that,” says Hagan.

In August, the Sperry school board voted to make Sisney the permanent superintendent. He has a one year contract.

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of KOKI FOX23 - Tulsa

Jolie - 12/30/2009 2:20 PM

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The deleted emails that were forensically recovered from Jim Sisney's work computer in Broken Arrow are in the hands of the attorneys representing the defendants of the defamation lawsuit filed by Sisney, as well as the BA school district's attorney. Some have been reproduced and attached to the counterclaim lawsuit filed by three of the defendants against Sisney on 12/11/09. These are public records available from the Tulsa Co. district courthouse or from the Broken Arrow Forum website, which has copies of many of the court documents from both of Sisney's lawsuits, plus much, much more. Wesley, the minutes of the Sperry Board meeting minutes specifically state that two new positions were created and approved during Sisney's administration: assistant superintendent and director of operations. What is the point of denying something that any person can look up online through the district's website? Sisney was recently forced by the court at the end of this month to attend his own deposition on the lawsuit he filed in federal court. He has been extremely reluctant to provide any evidence to back up his claims and states formally in his response to a motion to compel to answer to interrogatories that he has no further evidence to provide, including a statement that evidence he said existed in earlier court documents does not exist (recordings of conversations between plaintiff (Sisney) and defendants). Those documents filed are available to read at Broken Arrow Forum.

Wesley - 12/24/2009 11:35 PM

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Where are these alleged e-mails from Sisney's computer? Why does him creating a new position matter? (Jerry Burd wanted to bring the Assistant Sup. job back and everyone complained when the board wouldn't approve it) The only "new" position is Director of Transportation; considering there have been no records kept on any of the school vehicles and the fact that the buses have caught on fire twice in recent years, I can understand the reasoning behind the creation of that position. Besides, the money saved (hopefully) from having exectutive oversight for the maintenance personnel will warrent that position. Selvidge and Wilson are running the school?? What about Brian Wedlake, Darrel Morrow, and Jeff Carter? They are on the board as well... If they are running the school, then what have they done all by themselves? What has the entire board or administration done that is so bad? It is not fiscal irresponsibility (at least recently), the entire state is looking at a 10% or more reduction in education... Tulsa Public is already suffering (as well as Police and Fire).

Aroundtown - 12/15/2009 11:28 AM

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Well I live in Sperry and my kids go to school there. I haven't seen much change at that school. And for as the Hagan woman Fox23 really needs to look at who they interview. She is a felon and her kids are kicked out of the school more then they are in school witht he exception of her oldest who does not live with her. Great interview to talk about Fox23.

Jolie - 12/15/2009 10:47 AM

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I also suggest that Fox23 speak to many more residents than Ms. Hagan and you'll find there are many who are not pleased with what is happening in their district. Since Jim Sisney began working as the interim Superintendent of Sperry in April of this year (and was subsequently hired for a one-year contract for a permanent position at the end of August), two NEW administrative positions were created for the district: Assistant Superintendent (in May) and Director of Operations (in November). He has hired, with the Sperry board's approval, two of his former coworkers that were both with him both in Broken Arrow AND Bartlesville school districts: Brian Beagles (Asst. Super) and Brent Core as Middle School Principal. Roger Snellgrove (Beth Snellgrove's husband) was hired to fill the newly established Director of Operations position, even though, allegedly, he doesn't have any prior experience working in a school system. Roger Snellgrove's wife, Beth Snellgrove, is treasurer of the Broken Arrow PTA. She was also an outspoken opponent of the board majority when Sisney's employment was in jeopardy. She also was the campaign manager for Trish Henley, who unsuccessfully ran for BA school board member representing Zone 4. Ms. Henley also spoke out against the Board majority at that critical time. Both Beth Snellgrove and Trish Henley are members of the BA Parents for Truth group, which was formerly called BA Parents vs the BA BOE, which has its own website, which refused to include a link to brokenarrowforum dot net, even though they claimed to be interested in the truth. Like the Ledger, they were not interested in finding or disseminating the truth at the time, only one particular side of the story.

Jolie - 12/15/2009 10:45 AM

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I don't think Ms. Hagan read the damning evidence that was recovered from Jim Sisney's work computer and available for the public to read. Forensic computer specialists were able to recover emails Sisney that he wrote and received orchestrating a plot to use false allegations of corruption as a weapon to coerce Broken Arrow School board members to extend his employment contract (he was currently in year 1 of 3 on the existing contract). One of the emails published with the court documents is one from August 2008 to board member Stephanie Updike instructing her how to help him with his plan to undermine the board and providing her. Some people in the district assumed that Updike was the one with the integrity, when she in actuality was well aware of what Sisney was doing and was one of his accomplices. This information and court documents related to both lawsuits and the pleading filed for a counterclaim suit against Jim Sisney, and so much more detailed information on the controversy is available at the website: BrokenArrowForum dot net

marlboroman - 12/14/2009 9:03 PM

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Sisney keeps his door shut as much as possible, the staff can't stand him, he has no idea as to what is going on within the schools, he lets Selvidge and Wilson make the decisions, the district is in financial turmoil and Hagan says everything is honky dory. Where did they find this woman.

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