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Subscribe to RSSA principal’s intimate classroom encounter with his secretary, secretly filmed by a student, has cost the pair their jobs at a small Arizona charter high school, according to local media reports.
Stephen McClenning resigned earlier this week from his post as principal of The Scholars Academy in Quartzsite, Ariz., a town of 3,650 residents west of Phoenix, according to 3TV in Phoenix. According to ABC15, also, in Phoenix, the secretary was identified as Billie Madewell. There were conflicting reports on whether Madewell had been fired or resigned, according to local media reports. McClenning and Madewell both had spouses.
Attempts by msnbc.com to contact school officials and district officials were unsuccessful Friday.
The academy’s students told local media on Friday that they were upset to come across the couple kissing at the school, and during school hours. It was unclear from the reports when the encounter occurred.
Myranda Garber, 16, a Scholars Academy student told ABC15 she was the one to tape the classroom kiss.
According to ABC15, Garber said other teens had been in a classroom when they heard noises from the room next door. Garber said they went to check it out and when she couldn’t see what was happening, she pulled out her cell phone to record it.
“We saw their legs, so we knew something was going on, but I never thought I would see it personally,” Garber told ABC15. “It was crazy.”
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Quartzsite parents said they felt betrayed by their school’s leader.
“They're supposed to be role models for our students there," said Cindy Joans, a parent, 3TV reported.
"This is on school campus, with our children present, while they are there, while these two are being paid. They are supposed to be educating our children," said Erin Joslin, another parent, according to 3TV.
According to the school's website, McClenning was in his 12th year as an educator in the Quartzsite community. "I assure you that I will do my best to make sure your child will have the best educational experience possible," he wrote on the site’s “The Principal’s Corner.”
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Oh god, these parents need to calm down. Two adults kissed at school, big @!$%#ing deal. Obviously wasn't the greatest move on their part, but I don't think they should of lost their jobs.
Should they have been doing it, no. Should they be fired, probably, it shows pretty poor judgment for a married principle. Overreaction on the parents part, yes. The lady on the video acted as if the kids were going to permanently scarred from from seeing two people kiss. I'm guessing kids see a whole lot more on MTV.
Those rednecks just want a reason to sue! Grow up people. Were they in a private location in that school, where your children were not suppose to be in the first place?!?!
Um, if I were making out with my boss at work while I was supposed to be doing my job, I would be fired. Regardless of the fact that they were both married, this was during school hours. If they want to have an affair on their own time, fine. But on campus, during the day, they need to be professionals and save the whoopie making for another time. I don't have any moral outrage over this (although I'm sure their spouses do), but I think it is unwise to mess around with your co-worker, particularly your boss, and especially when you are supposed to be working. I'd be just as mad if they were filmed watching TV or taking a nap during school hours.
If it was on lunch break, is that better? Really, you think this took a significant amount of time? Smoking breaks usually take longer....
Seriously, the chubby chick needs to calm down...her daughter wasn't sitting in the class watching them make out...Also, no need to enunciate lady, I know you want to appear intelligent to America, but really you seem quite ignorant and over-reactive.
Did these two exercise some poor judgement, yes. Is this something they should lose their jobs over, no!!! I am sick and tired of these prudish, overreacting people getting all bent out of shape over something extremely minor like this. They were not intentionally making out in front of the students. They were in an unused classroom where they should have had privacy. If not for the fact that a few kids were snooping around where they had no business being, no one would even have known about this. About the only ones who have any right to be upset about this are the two people's spouses. Forcing the principal out might defensible since having an affair with a subordinate might violates policy. However, if the assistant was fired, she might have a case against the school for wrongfully discharging her, assuming she would even want the job back in light of what happened.
Too bad he wasn't filmed kissing a teacher. The union would make sure they both kept their jobs.
BINGO Skyler! Much to Do About NOTHING!
These two were not in full view of anybody,and they were not putting on an exhibition for the whole school to see. BIG DEAL!
This little Witch didn't have to go and Video Record it! THE WHOLE IS JUST STUPID AND SO ARE THESE PARENT'S OVER REACTION!
Get a Grip People,YOU MIGHT LIVE LONGER!
"The academy’s students told local media on Friday that they were upset to come across the couple kissing at the school, and during school hours."
Upset? Really? The students themselves never get frisky at school? Not to defend what these adults did, but the students had to spy on them to see something. That sounds like a fabricated outrage to me.
I have yet to have found a single 'Principle' in which I have any respect for. Kind hard to feel for them right now.
What they did was unprofessional and immature, but they do NOT deserve to be fired. A reprimand and a refresher course on professional behavior is really all that is order. The parents and students need to chill out. These were adults who kissed.
I love to see people get all pissed off over this happening "on school property" during "work hours!"
Unless you can prove to me that you spend 40 hours a week being obsiquious to your job you have no room to judge. Thinking about the girl in cube 12 or the guy in cube 97 is just as much of a waste of work hours as poking your assistant.
I wouldn't feel too bad. It's not like those jobs would be hard to fill right now. In an age where you could have lost your job for pretty much anything, those two should have looked a little further into the future.
And yes, your tax dollars probably did pay for that as well.
Looks like more going on than just a kiss. Looks to me like he's getting a good "feel."
So the need to feed the 24-hour news cycle beast, and our never-ending willingness to be titillated, results in yet another couple of poor slobs having their personal lives and local embarassment turned into a national story.
What sick f&#ks we are.
They knew better, and I don't disagree with her dismissal or his resignation, but jeez ... the parents are being ridiculous. It was two adults looking for a thrill, a small town scandal, and these drama mamas got all dolled up for their big interview. So dumb. I usually hate when people comment "why is this news?" ... but why is this news?
it wasn't like they were in flagrante delicto. Office romances are not UNKNOWN (maybe they were just Jealous - not ZEALOUS)
With all of the news about teachers and their students, here's one about two adults and the parents are acting like it's the same thing as catching a teacher and his student. Who hasn't worked with a loved one and sneaked a little kiss when no one was looking?
This makes the national news? I agree that this was not the time or place for these two adults to behave in this manner. They should have done this during their extracurricular activity time:) I also feel that filming them was inappropriate on the teens behalf. I personally do not want someone filming me with out my knowledge or permission. I thought cell phones were not allowed in school. This case could have been handled without all of the publicity. I chuckled as I watched the interview, those interviewed got their 15 minutes of fame.....
I like how the fat, inarticulate mother conveys her intelligence, arrogance, and ignorance.
Wow. The posts regarding this story pretty much sum up the problem with kids today.
It's okay to cheat on your spouse, it's okay for school administration to dress like and behave like teenagers, it's okay to grope your coworkers and even to make enough noise while doing it that you attract the attention of people in an adjoining room.
Definitely what I would want my kids to learn in school.
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It's too bad they weren't a gay couple so the ACLU could get involved....
We are our own worst enemies.
Some children should mind their own business. No crime was being commited.
Thank you Skyler1206.
Your comment couldn't have been made plainer.
Both the principal and the teacher are supposed to be teaching and emulating 'self control' AT ALL TIMES in front of these CHILDREN, at least while on school grounds! For one thing, they will be the purveyors of punishment for the children if the children, themselves, step out of line so they HAVE to keep their behavior above and beyond reproach while in their professional capacity.
It will be a sad day when a child will be suspended for making out in a closed classroom, but the teacher and principal will get a pass!
Just sayin...
I am so sure the high school kids who saw it were "upset" to see two people kissing. They must be so scarred! I bet they think the whole thing is hilarious.
Kathryne, first of all, kids don't get suspended for kissing, at least where I'm from. Also, the principal didn't get a pass. She got fired.
This made the national news? I agree that this was not the place for these two adults to behave in this manner. They should have done this during their extracurricular activity time:) I also think feel that filming them was inappropriate on the teens behalf. I personally do not want someone filming me with my knowledge or permission. I thought cell phones were not allowed in school. This case could have been handled without all of the publicity. I chuckled as I watched the the interview, those interviewed got their 15 minutes of fame...
Myranda Garber is no hero in this matter. I have no doubt that she has been on her knees and her back with a number of dudes in that school and town. No one simply hasn't caught her with their cell camera phone and put it on the internet. She is a busybody little snitch and deserved to be removed from the school. I have no doubt her popularity in that town is zero. Maybe someone should follow Miss Self Righteous around with a camera phone and put her business on the internet.
I'm not going to make any moral judgements about the cheating aspect since I have no knowledge of the marital circumstances of the two.
That being said, I kind of lean toward the opinion that the Principal deserves to be fired for being STUPID enough to dally with a subordinate behind an UNLOCKED door.
Who wants to bet that when Myranda Garber ends up an un-wed teenage mother that her mother blames the pricipal and school system for her doughter's plight. "It was so traumatic that my daughter had no choice but to end up in this situation."
Morally it's wrong because the two had spouses, but I think this is the only wrong thing about it. If you think kids aren't doing worse in school you're delusional. Mind you, this wasn't something the culprits were doing in public either. They were in a closed room that the kids couldn't even view without use of a phone.
It isn't about "doing worse". If the adults in this world cannot control themselves and be appropriate in life, how can the kids grow up to be appropriate in life.
Do you really think it is fine to have America just have no values, no integrity, do whatever you want, who cares about the kids? I am sick of our society right now.
Yes but some good could come out of it if they both just drop everything and run away together to someplace where they can find real happiness.
Someplace with less scumbags per capita.
The Prudes Strike Back!
Behind a closed and locked door? The teen using the camera to spy on them should be disciplined for invasion of privacy.
AMEN! the "KIDS" should be disciplined. two people just lost their jobs, these teens do way more these days. they were in private. whichever of these "moral parents" that say that they never stole a kiss somewhere, and act like OH MY GOD WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?! should be ashamed. GOD tells us in the Bible, Judge not.. correct? What if they are unhappy in their current relationship? what if they are being mistreated at home? does that give us the right to judge them? should they lose their jobs over this? they were being video recorded and audio recorded in a private setting ILLEGALLY, where is the discipline for that.
It doesn't matter how many locks are on the door, a classroom is not a private setting. The students didn't do anything wrong (well, at least not legally wrong). I don't see why anyone gives a crap about this story.
There's a kid in NJ who's going to jail for a LONG TIME for taking video of his room mate making out.
What's gonna happen to this student?
We live in a world with WAY to much hate, & not enough love. Give them their jobs back.
Jim....They were careless. The students should not have been able to film them. Dumb as hell, they were.
Those people who are getting all fired up over this and think they shuld be fired need to get a life. First they could have been on a break. It may not make it morally right if they were both amrried to someone else but morals do not make or break many jobs. If so think of all the teachers who have been abusing kids and having affairs with them. Some of them actually go back to work as teachers because it was deemed not to be so bad. I think abusing kids or carrying on with the kids is far worse then 2 adults kissing in a closed room. I think the people who were fired should get a civil case against the girl who video taped them. A lot of states have laws against that. They broke no laws so there is no reason for them to be spyed upon by teenage girls. If the powers that be want to write the adults up and put something in their file have at it. The parents who are outraged just want their 15 minutes of fame so they can go back and watch tv in their trailer before it gets blown away in the next tornado :)
Alex Le - - Where does it say in the article that they each were married to others? I don't quite see that in the article. do you have access to other information?
Second paragraph:
McClenning and Madewell both had spouses
Ahhhhhh-read the article twice but still missed that !:-) seems they'll have bigger problems than losing their jobs.
It said both had, past tense, spouses, anyway isn't love grand?
Hello, honey, guess what happened at work today?
By the way, I do not have to go to work tomorrow because I no longer have a job.
Things might get a little rough on the home front.
Dumb and dumber.
Big Brother is certainly out in full force this week.
I bet those kids who took the video, behind locked doors and using essentially a cell phone turned spy-cam, are doing a hell of a lot worse. No way these two should of lost their jobs, especially in today's economy. The kids and parents should be ashamed, not the man and woman who no longer have an income.
The kids should have their cellphones locked up during school hours. When I went to school I was supposed to be reading books and not spying and filming people. It is almost like North Korea except we are spying on each other instead of the secret police.
I agree. And now how is he going to feed his wife and 4 small children????
Hey, at least this isn't another article about a female teacher and some 13-year-old boy.
Consenting adults. After hours. Fired?? Really??? Secretly video taped??? Wow, our society is really messed up. Everyone is out there to "get" someone. People need to get off their high horse.
Article says it was during school hours.
You're right. Missed that.
Off with their heads.
Where do you read "after hours?" You have no problem with a boss and his secretary carrying on an affair during work hours while children are present? Maybe it just looks like a high horse from down in that gutter.
You know, I tried to be civil about this. Guess you had to be the first to take a personal stab at someone. That's alright, I know where I stand.
o'really didn't say anything more uncivil than what you said first. You told folks to get off their high horses without getting off your own.
And here's number two. Never claimed to be on a high horse. I just don't like it when armchair judges troll these pages and think they have the right to judge people as though they themselves are perfect. I don't even know why I even offer a comment here when people think it's OK to make snide remarks. But I can leave this conversation now with my head held high. Back to my gutter now...
Can't we all just get along?
The parent's reactions were priceless. I love how two adults kissing behind a closed door causes these parents such obvious emotional distress. Could a reality based program documenting these people be made so we can see how they react to real issues?
I would also like periodic updates of the 18 year-old as he struggles through life after his world was shattered. :P
There should have been two gay black Jewish dudes (extra points if one was a fat dwarf) and then it would have been all OK. Two normal hetero sexual people kissing behind a closed door, imagine the crime !
Sex Ed lab. What's the problem?
Hmmm and what's the penalty for eavesdropping/recording someone secretly?
I asked the same thing about the autistic child being bullied. Got smacked for it. Guess privacy is a thing of the past. Big Brother is here.
Arizone law -- http://www.womenslaw.org/statutes_detail.php?statute_id=2624
§ 13-3019. Surreptitious photographing, videotaping, filming or digitally recording or viewing; exemptions; classification; definitionsA. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly photograph, videotape, film, digitally record or by any other means secretly view, with or without a device, another person without that person's consent under either of the following circumstances:
1. In a restroom, bathroom, locker room, bedroom or other location where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and the person is urinating, defecating, dressing, undressing, nude or involved in sexual intercourse or sexual contact.
2. In a manner that directly or indirectly captures or allows the viewing of the person's genitalia, buttock or female breast, whether clothed or unclothed, that is not otherwise visible to the public.
doesn't sound like there was a problem recording it, but I am not a lawyer
Nowadays it must be nice to be a school janitor. They never become embroiled in such things.
Get a room ! Not a classroom
It was a kiss behind a locked door. Not like they were going hot and heavy in the hallway. Hard to see how this impacts the kids' educations. And parents, really - you think knowing that adults kiss is going to harm your wee bairns' education? Thank goodness most teens don't kiss?!?
Knowing that someone you admire -- your teacher, a principle -- is kissing another woman other than his wife can upset some kids. Cheating bothers kids that age. Go figure.
The USA is a nation that hates love.
Or loves to hate. Just look at responses to my posts here for additional evidence.
Really poor judgement... During school hours. Yeah, if I was a parent in that school I would be pissed too... Technology is everywhere. Can't hide any more. I'm pretty sure these two have more problems on their hands than just losing jobs...
How stupid can you be...?
I agree... get a room.
Why is this news? And especially, NATIONAL news? I hope the girl that posted the video is proud. She was secondary in the consequences but all the same, she contributed to the destruction of two careers and reputations, damage to two families, shame to her school and hometown. She should never have spied on this scene but since she did, this video never needed to be released to the public. The school board could have seen the video and taken action quietly. But then she wouldn't have had her 15 minutes of fame.
how are we supposed to have Civilized, Decent, Upstanding, respectful youngsters if THEIR AUTHORITY is nothing but Kaka????
Parents - WHY do you send your children to the STATE Institutions to be TAUGHT??? What really are they learning???? Do YOu even CARE??? Prison Day Care is more APT a name for State Schools!
Hate to interrupt your rant, but this is a charter school, not a "state school". In other words, it receives public monies to operate, but has much more freedom in how it does its budgets, staffing, curricula, and scheduling. It is not a traditional public school.
Kaka? Really?!? They were kissing, not kicking puppies!
Idiots. Complete and totally brain-dead idiots...the parents, not the school employees. These kids had to go completely out of their way to record this. It wasn't happening in front of them, or even in the same room. If you go looking for trouble, you'll usually find it.
"Shriek-shriek!! My hot-to-trot teenaged daughter was in the same physical structure as this!! Ahhhhhhhhgggghhhh!"
I used to live in Arizona, and for years have dreamed often of moving back ASAP. Not any more. Between the stupidity-elevated-to-an-art-form stuff like this, and the absolute wretch of a morally bankrupt governor, to say nothing of the rest of the oh-my-god-how-stupid-can-you-be lawmakers in that place, truly the lunatics have taken over the asylum.
It seems lately like Arizona is trying to overtake Texas for the most F***ed up place in the US.
Bad karma, Myranda.
There is no question the behavior of the principal and secretary was inappropriate but what about the student who did the filming? I was always taught "2 wrongs don't make a right". "when she couldn’t see what was happening, she pulled out her cell phone to record it" which was obviously done at ground level, perhaps under a door. I call that snooping and an invasion of privacy. The student needs to be reprimanded as well for her obnixous behavior.
America, the land of the prude
If this had been away from school, I don't think there'd be quite the outcry and if they hadn't been married to other people. The latter would've been frowned upon, but the principal and secretary would have kept their jobs if this had been during off-hours.
Congratulations...we have now become a nation of prudish busy bodies. I am more disgusted by the actions of the student taking pictures of them than I am by the actions of the principal and secretary. Who needs big brother when we have 1000 little tattle talers, busy bodies and prudes running around. What are we teaching our kids that they think this behavior is acceptable.
Blaming the students? Ridiculous. If this boss and his secretary hadn't been making out on the taxpayer's dime, they wouldn't have been in a situation where recording them was necessary. I have no sympathy for them at all -- in just about any company, they'd be fired if they were caught doing this.
I applaud the kids for their investigative instincts, even as it occurs to me that if they had enough unsupervised time to do this, that in itself says something about the way this school was run. Clearly the principal had other things on his mind.
exhibit A of the new American busy body.
ridiculous! did they use your dime? did the girl allow to use cellphone? did they kiss when they were working? did a kiss change a kid's mind? f@*# bull@!$%#!
Investigative Insticts????? Please!!
She was being nosy and wanted to better spy on them. Then went after her 15 minutes of fame acting so falsely outraged.