actsnoblemartin
06-17-2008, 01:44 AM
http://www.sarasotaspeaks.com/node/22761
Former substitute teacher accused of 'wizardry'
A former substitute teacher in Land O' Lakes claims he was fired by the school district because he was "accused of wizardry."Jim Piculas has only been teaching as a substitute for the past year. He was working at Charles Rushe Middle School back in late January, when he performed a magic trick in class. That trick was costly, though, and it ultimately cost him his job, and maybe his livlihood.Piculas told WMNF today what the trick was that led to his demise with the Pasco County School District (roll tape#1 o.q.”has a good time”)But in the letter sent by Pat Sinclair, who manages the substitute teacher program in Pasco schools, ‘wizardry’ was not the only negative accusation that Piculus stands accused of. He was also charged with not following lesson plans, and allowing students on computers even though they had been instructed not do so. Piculus denies that, saying it was for 2 students to go on computers to study F-Cat spelling words (roll tape#2 o.q.”everything’s fine”)He was also charged with allowing a 5th period student peer to be in charge. Piculas says he can’t get before the Pasco County School Board, or with other officials responsible for hiring. He says they won‘t even meet with him now because of his ‘status’ now.He says he’s written to Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who he says then contacted the state about the issue. He says they wrote back to Bilirakis saying that education is a state, not federal issue, and therefore his request for information had no merit.Later he says, Governor Crist’s office wrote back saying each school district’s office is responsible for their own hiring practices, and they could have no input.Jim Piculus says he’s not sure what he’s going to do next. He’d prefer not to pursue legal action, because (roll tape#3 o.q.”very frustrated”)WMNF contacted the Pasco County School District today, to speak to somebody about Jim Pick-u-lus. They did not get back to us
Former substitute teacher accused of 'wizardry'
A former substitute teacher in Land O' Lakes claims he was fired by the school district because he was "accused of wizardry."Jim Piculas has only been teaching as a substitute for the past year. He was working at Charles Rushe Middle School back in late January, when he performed a magic trick in class. That trick was costly, though, and it ultimately cost him his job, and maybe his livlihood.Piculas told WMNF today what the trick was that led to his demise with the Pasco County School District (roll tape#1 o.q.”has a good time”)But in the letter sent by Pat Sinclair, who manages the substitute teacher program in Pasco schools, ‘wizardry’ was not the only negative accusation that Piculus stands accused of. He was also charged with not following lesson plans, and allowing students on computers even though they had been instructed not do so. Piculus denies that, saying it was for 2 students to go on computers to study F-Cat spelling words (roll tape#2 o.q.”everything’s fine”)He was also charged with allowing a 5th period student peer to be in charge. Piculas says he can’t get before the Pasco County School Board, or with other officials responsible for hiring. He says they won‘t even meet with him now because of his ‘status’ now.He says he’s written to Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who he says then contacted the state about the issue. He says they wrote back to Bilirakis saying that education is a state, not federal issue, and therefore his request for information had no merit.Later he says, Governor Crist’s office wrote back saying each school district’s office is responsible for their own hiring practices, and they could have no input.Jim Piculus says he’s not sure what he’s going to do next. He’d prefer not to pursue legal action, because (roll tape#3 o.q.”very frustrated”)WMNF contacted the Pasco County School District today, to speak to somebody about Jim Pick-u-lus. They did not get back to us