Former educator and school board member
Lee Evans (left) says Dr. Rizzo (seated on bench against wall) "Needs to the crucified"
Newly hired Arnoldsburg school principal Dr. Gene Rizzo walked out of a community meeting last night after angry parents shouted accusations, frequently spoke over top of each other and often did not allow the educator to answer questions directed to him.
About 40 community members ignored the instructions of organizer Brenda Holcomb to conduct a civil meeting, which lapsed into angry venting.
Brenda Holcomb (center in yellow) lead the meeting
When Rizzo (pictured left) stated that his primary focus is what's best for the kids, a man who declined to identify himself said, "Well, if it is, then you need to be somewhere else."
The man, when asked to state his name, answered "Don't have one."
He told Rizzo "It's a common fact that anybody who's been involved with the criminal system, as I was for 10 years ... starts out small, and continues just like I did. I went from little misdemeanor, minor, stuff because I had an anger management problem, until I killed somebody."
The unnamed man said "Mister, my son is going to that school next year, and you will not be there, do you understand that?"
At that point Dr. Rizzo chose to leave the meeting, and declined further comment.
Former Calhoun educator and school board member Lee Evans told Rizzo that throughout life "You make a good choice and you reap the rewards. Make a bad choice and you suffer the consequences," referring to Rizzo's 2001 conviction where he entered his former girlfriend's house and discovered her in the shower with another man. "Dr. Rizzo has made some bad choices in his life and now must suffer the consequences," he said.
Rizzo said, he had suffered the consequences of his actions and served the sentence the court handed down to him.
Rizzo received a 4th degree burglary charge, which is a misdemeanor not related to burglary, but indicates trespassing or unauthorized entering without breaking. He spent 30-days in jail.
(See earlier Herald stories)
Evans told the group Rizzo has a pattern of bad choices. Evans concluded, "We now have choices to make. Should Dr. Rizzo stay or go? I say go."
Rizzo, who openly discussed his personal problems at Monday's school board meeting, said his problems have not interfered with his mission as an educator.
Superintendent Ron Blankenship said Rizzo's 27 year educational career has been exemplary, widely defended by parents, teachers and the PTA when he was having troubles.
He was honored for his work by the Washington Post.
Evans asked, "How would you handle a discipline problem in school, when the parents and children know you're just as guilty as they are?"
Rizzo responded that he had dealt with children and discipline issues for many years with no problems. "I totally understand your concerns, but I think the discussion we had after the Board meeting was pretty intense and a lot of people were understanding," he said.
One of the meeting participants replied, "Only two parents were understanding."
Evans asked Rizzo about an earlier incident in 1996, where charges were dropped.
Rizzo stated that he would prefer to discuss the matter without children present. Some children were taken outside, while others remained. Rizzo attempted to answer questions, but appeared reluctant as children were still present in the meeting.
How Rizzo was hired was brought to question by several citizens, saying only a resume was used without a formal application, and a background check was lacking, blaming the school system.
"A simple procedure of asking if you have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor would have solved this problem," said Evans.
Evans said people are asking, "How could this happen, how could the Board of Education hire someone without an application. how did you get by that process?"
"You seem to me like the type of person who likes to be in control, can't accept rejection, and you don't understand what 'no' means," he continued.
Evans then said, "Dr. Rizzo, why don't you do us all a favor and just move on?"
He continued by saying, "I tell you what sir, this is the consensus of Calhoun County, not just Arnoldsburg." His statement was followed by applause from attendees.
At Monday's meeting, it appeared that a number of parents felt Rizzo adequately answered questions regarding his history.
Brenda Holcomb said, "The problem I have with this man is not that he was arrested. It's not that he was charged, or that he had problems with women. It's his anger management problem, that I have a problem with," referring to counseling he received as part of his sentence.
Rizzo said such counseling is to help people.
Holcomb continued "This man isn't at fault for this situation, he has to live and make a living. It's the school superintendent and the school board's fault he's in this situation."
Ms. Holcomb said, "We cannot crucify him for being put in this position." Evans disagreed, saying "He needs to be crucified."
Holcomb said, "We were told if this man stays at our school and we cannot control that, we can go to the Board and request our children be transported from Arnoldsburg to the Pleasant Hill School, at the expense of the Board of Education."
Ms. Holcomb proposed "If we band together and keep them out of school, the system will lose a lot of money for each kid, everyday they aren't there - sooner or later they will run out of money."
Holcomb reported she had talked with Del. Bill Stemple about the problem.
"Stemple told me, if we band together and get behind each other, there's hardly a chance we're going to be prosecuted, because they can't afford to prosecute all of us," she said.
"They can't arrest us all because there's no place to put us."
Hur Herald Articles regarding situation:
8/18 Holcomb Organizes Meeting Over Rizzo Hiring
8/17 Dr. Rizzo "Answered Our Questions With Brutal Truth"
8/16 Dr. Rizzo Bares Personal Life
8/15 Arnoldsburg Parents Want Answers
8/13 Arnoldsburg Parents Upset Over Principal's Hiring
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