School Board Shocker: Cheerleaders Bullied And Staff Does Nothing!
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Faced with tearful mothers complaining their daughters were being bullied in a cheerleading program, the School Board Wednesday took the unusual step of refusing to approve the hiring of the coach.
Although Coach Melissa Prochilo is already working at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, administrators hadn’t gotten around to asking for the required School Board hiring approval before Wednesday.
Board members not only blocked Prochilo’s hiring, but they ordered Superintendent Robert Runcie to investigate the program. They will make a final determination about Prochilo’s fate at a future meeting.
The Board acted after the Parkland mothers, some of them breaking down as they spoke, said their daughters had suffered from the program’s out-of-control bullying last year.
The mother’s also had a problem with the way the cheerleading program was funded. They said they were forced to pay thousands for each daughter to join the cheerleading team in violation of the anti-pay-for-play policies of the School Board.
Several of the mothers had a hard time controlling of their emotions. One woman took a minute to compose herself before she could talk about how the bullying affected her daughter.
“Its painful for me to see my daughters like this,” said another.
Others charged that despite their repeated complaints to Principal Washington Collado and other top administrators, nothing was done.
Kathy Silver said she went to Collado three times in the spring about the bullying of her daughter.
The principal not only did nothing during the last school year about the bullying. He rehired Prochilo for this school year.
“I feel nobody has listened to us at all…my daughters were retaliated against because I raised questions,” said parent Tammy Tornari, fighting back tears.
Forged Permission Slips
One of the questions raised by Tornari and others was why their daughters were pressured into forging parents’ signatures on field trip permission slips.
Eight girls gave sworn testimony to school investigators that the coach ordered them to forge the signatures and turn in the slips immediately or they wouldn’t be allowed to cheer.
Invesrtigators found “conclusive evidence that some of the studens did sign their parents’ name on the release forms and that this occurred while they were under the supervision of Coach Prochilo…contrary to Procilo’s statement that she did not know about the forms, the choreographer and a few of the students stated that Prochilo handed out pens or other writing instruments. The choreographer also started he recalled that Prochilo had searched for extra pens for two students. This would indicate that Prochilo likely knew that the students were preparing to write.”
Despite that, the Special Investigative Unit agents said they could not find probable cause to believe Prochilo was guilty of violating field trip policies.
The members, many of them mothers themselves, were clearly affected and shocked by the stories.
“My heart goes out to you,” said Chairwoman Ann Murray.
“You guys are very brave to have continued to fight. It shouldn’t happen to one kid,” said member Nora Rupert, who added that her child’s middle school experience was ruined by bullying.
Member Katie Leach complained angrily that “this employee is already in place. We haven’t approved this person for a position and she shouldn’t even be there…These girls need to be safe.”
Board members demanded Runcie immediately investigate the entire program. They will make a final decision about the future of the coach after they get the results of an investigation by Runcie. It could come as early as the next meeting.
September 19th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
I hope that investigation includes the principals actions
September 20th, 2012 at 12:23 am
Other news covicted BTU First Vice President is running for president!!! Stay tunned for more.
FROM BUDDY: Browardbeat.com wrote the first story on this.
September 20th, 2012 at 6:48 am
Washington Coillado can’t run a school. He called in 30 cop cars for a food fight. Douglas is out of control with favoritism.
September 20th, 2012 at 9:52 am
Unfortunately, this MO has been standard for too many, not all, schools for too many years.
I call it institutional anarchy, because no one in the past has done anything about either this or many other abuses.
I’m delighted to see the parents get together and demand reform and accountability, and the board and Superintendent agree.
Now let’s hope it’s a real investigation, and not a communal back-scratching exercise. SIU can’t find anything wrong with forcing families to pay to play? Please, spare me.
September 20th, 2012 at 10:36 am
I happen to know two of the girls that were bullied since the time they were born. It is a shame that the enormous, insensitive bureaucracy known as the School Board of Broward County took so long to act on this. They have been aware of what has been happening for a very long time and have decided to bury their head in the ground. What the children have gone through is unthinkable and unforgiveable. They will carry the scars of retaliation and bullying for the rest of their lives. Congratulations to the parents and activists such as Mary Fertig that had the backbone, courage and perseverance to stand up for the kids. Finally, contratulations to School Board Member Leach who took steps above and beyond.
September 20th, 2012 at 10:37 am
Principal Collado should be fired
September 20th, 2012 at 11:09 am
The Sheriff needs to investigate this because no one can trust the school “cops.” They are well-versed in covering up crimes .
September 20th, 2012 at 11:32 am
I’ve been to many Board meetings and I’ve never seen the two new SIU Officers, were they just hired or were they the investigating officers in this cover up? Bring in BSO.
September 20th, 2012 at 11:41 am
Hey Buddy has the district ever investigated the Pay for play as well as the school sponsored field trip expenses? Who wrote the checks and did it go throught the school or straight to the vendors?
September 20th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
This is disturbing. I can only imagine how gays and lesbians, the mentally challenged or anyone not in the All-Amnerican mold fare at Stoneman Douglas. The buck stops at the principals desk. Is he waiting for another incident where a bullied kid takes a gun to school. This Collado should be disciplined. Disciplining a principal for ignoring parents is never done and if Runcie and the School Board want to impress the public that change is on the way, they should do it.
September 20th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
This is not the first time for Collado.He should be fire.The security of the students is the school principal responsibility.
September 20th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Once again this is only one side of the story. It amazes me that these mothers have tried other avenues to get what they want and when each doesn’t pan out they try something else. It started out as money – couldn’t prove anything so it moved on to girls bullying girls – couldn’t prove that so now it has moved on to the coach. So sad these women have nothing better to do with their lives than cause others harm. The pay to play???? These women have more money than most of the others – hinse the time to sit around and make up stories. It all boils down to they want Cheer Florida coaches to come to Douglas so they don’t have to pay for both. Just go to Cheer Florida!!!!!!
September 20th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
This saddens me because the Washington Collado that I knew when he was principal at Lyons Creek Middle School did not behave in this way while my children were going to school there.
I am happy, however, that some one is finally taking this seriously and there will be a full investigation. This isn’t the first complaint regarding the Stoneman Douglas cheer program. Some of the problems date back to when Dan Traeger was principal there. Hopefully the district will get a handle on this.
September 20th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
A friend asked Shelly Solomon about this issue on her public Facebook page and she replied privately that
“It has been resolved in what I believe the correct manner..in favor of the coach and principal..Thank you”
September 20th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Actually …. These parents had a lot of evidence and showed it to the board members. Maybe you should get your story right before you want to publish this. ONCE AGAIN you want to drag CFA into this but this is what they are fighting for to get their daughters high school cheer experience back. They have a ton of proof so you should stop assuming. They are doing the right thing
September 20th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
This whole situation is sad. It is sad that these few women have become victims when in fact they are the bullies and they have used their “connections” to in fact try to bully the administration, the coach, and now the superintendent. It was very clear in the meeting last night that a few board members have gone outside the purview of their profession, and are trying to strong arm the superintendent. It has also been bought to our attention that their attorneys wife, who is a school board lobbyist, bought food for all school board members at which time these mothers were being greated with hugs. As far as the allegations of bullying, that mother wrote a letter to the principal thanking him for the way he expediently resolved her issues.
As for pay to play some of the women complaining did not pay from what we understand and their children still were allowed to participate.
The coach wasnt even allowed at tryouts, due to investigation. Squads were chosen strictly by scores from an independent panel of judges, one being from the main AD office.These girls made a squad, just not the squad they felt they deserved. They quit after 3 days.
This coach was cleared not by SIU, but by an indepentent review board.
Its amazing to me why the continue to say no one is listening. When one of the mothers cleary stated she presented a # hour power point. REALLY, NO ONE IS LISTENING???
The real issue is they are not getting their way and will stop at nothing. Just because they might disagree with what they are hearing does not mean they are not being heard!
FROM BUDDY:
Thanks for your comment. Just let me correct two accusations in this comment.
One, the wife of attorney Chris Fertig is Mary Fertig. Mary Fertig is not or has never been a lobbyist. As she told School Board members at yesterday’s meeting, Mary got involved in the cheerleading bullying controversy because one of the mothers is a long time personal friend of hers. Mary has been a school activist for more than two decades, has served on many School Board committees and was three president of the countywide District Advisory Council. Chris in the past has represented many parents, teachers and administrators who he believed were abused by the system.
Two, Mary bought dinners for the mothers. After the item was heard at about 7 p.m., she left the leftovers on the table at the School Board HQ and told staff they are welcome to have it. Perhaps School Board members ate some of the food, but it wasn’t bought for them and they would have eaten it after the item was heard.
September 20th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Whats sad is when a mom forces her child to cheer and do privates and the child cries throuhgh the whole thing . That’s crazy , living your life through your child .
September 20th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
This whole situation is sad. It is sad that these few women have become victims when in fact they are the bullies and they have used their “connections” to in fact try to bully the administration, the coach, and now the superintendent. It was very clear in the meeting last night that a few board members have gone outside the purview of their profession, and are trying to strong arm the superintendent. It has also been bought to our attention that their attorneys wife, bought food after the meeting at which time these mothers were being greated with hugs from some board members. As far as the allegations of bullying, that mother wrote a letter to the principal thanking him for the way he expediently resolved her issues.
As for pay to play some of the women complaining did not pay from what we understand and their children still were allowed to participate.
The coach wasnt even allowed at tryouts, due to investigation. Squads were chosen strictly by scores from an independent panel of judges, one being from the main AD office.These girls made a squad, just not the squad they felt they deserved. They quit after 3 days.
This coach was cleared not by SIU, but by an indepentent review board.
Its amazing to me why the continue to say no one is listening. When one of the mothers cleary stated she presented a # hour power point. REALLY, NO ONE IS LISTENING???
The real issue is they are not getting their way and will stop at nothing. Just because they might disagree with what they are hearing does not mean they are not being heard!
I also want everybody to realize Buddy is censoring and comments from the opposing side.
FROM BUDDY:
I have posted every comment on this issue that I received.
September 20th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
I am trying to understand why any of these moms paid any money? It is a public school. No one should pay for any sport while in a public school. It is not a question whether they have money or not, no one is supposed to.
Why does BCSB hire Coaches after 6 weeks of school? If she is not hired or at the try-outs, how is she a coach?
I think it is difficult to look at mothers asking questions regarded as bullies. Why did an investigation clear Mrs. Prochilo after one forgery and there were 8. Something sounds like it is one side. The Coach is there and no one was accountable. Athletic Director Kaufman lets this happen with all his sports clubs. I wonder how his wife working at the BCSB assists him??
More questions than answers. ???? Who is running MSD. You should ask the people in favor of the coach how much they paid, I’d in fact they did.
September 20th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Where does Mitch kauffmans wife work ???
September 20th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
What does Mitch Kauffman wife do at the School board ? What is her job
September 20th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Has anyone noticed that School Board Donna Korn who actually represents this District has done nothing to address this issue. Obviously she does not have the courage or character to stand up and take a position. I am voting for Rep. Franklin Sands.
September 20th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Donna Korn is a bright and professional woman! Most of the people that are on staff can’t even understand the questions she asks… I’m very disgusted by what I witnessed at yesterday’s SBBC meeting!
September 20th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
She is the director of all non instructional employees. ie bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and, oh ya, athletic directors. Wonder how he got the job?
September 20th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Just for the record…I don’t have anything anything against Cheer Florida I was just saying that these moms want them to coach at the high school so they don’t have to pay for both.
Also, everyone was told before they tried out for the competition team the estimated cost and we paid less than what was estimated.
September 20th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Korn may be all that and box of cracker jacks but this conflict is going on in her District and other Board Members are stepping up taking a position while she is out selling commerical real estate.
September 20th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
So did Mitch kauffmans wife hire Melissa Natasa Prochilo ?
September 21st, 2012 at 4:12 am
Good story, but you need a copy editor.
September 21st, 2012 at 8:06 am
While I don’t have kids that go to that school, I have heard about the Principal and the situation there for years from the parents. Actually the school has a very questioned reputation. Both very good and very bad. But the parents are wealthy and don’t care so much if they have to pay. Otherwise their kids would go to private school and pay even more.
September 21st, 2012 at 9:03 am
Hmmm, “athletics” program participants don’t have to pay to play? Maybe that rule should be changed. Students have to pay to participate in other clubs and extracurriculars, most notably marching band, yet participation in marching band satisfies the PE requirement.
Our country has too much of an emphasis on sports, athletes, and athletic supporters (because what are cheerleaders after all?)
September 21st, 2012 at 9:54 am
Unless your child is being physically assaulted or being threatened with violence, they’re not being bullied. They’re being teased. Stop raising a nation of emotional wimps. Teach your children how to deal with being teased. Hint.. lots of love and encouragement will help a child to deal with being teased.
September 21st, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Thank you, Duke for your comment and you are very close here except that these children are not being teased. They are being told “no” which is usually handled worse than teasing. The “no” in this case is being placed on the JV squad when they are entitled to be on Varsity whether they have the required skills or not. But it is equally important to learn how to handle failure/disappointment in life and these parents need to quit chop blocking through life for these kids.
September 21st, 2012 at 12:33 pm
franklin sands is garbage
September 21st, 2012 at 1:39 pm
To the people who make judgement of the women that are fighting for their children right’s . THEY WOULD HAVE STOOD BY YOUR SIDE IF YOUR CHILD WAS GETTING BACK LASHED BY COACH MELISSA . it’s not about you and them , It’s about the kids . Please if only you knew all that has happened , you WOUKD all be ashamed of yourselves . I WOUKD only hope this Never happens to your children .I will bet that when all is revealed you will say ” sorry I didn’t know “
September 21st, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Rocky has no clue what is going on with the kids . If you personally have talked to the children or the parents of the kids then please keep your mouth shut and talk only about things you do know about . Thank you
September 21st, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Hi
I just wanted to let everyone know that I just listed a wonderful office suite in Hollywood. 3 offices and cubicles, wifi, kurig coffee maker and a receptionist area.
Where is Parkland again? What is going on there?
September 21st, 2012 at 6:42 pm
Most only know what Coach Melissa and her few followers tell them , it’s so nice to be told by another parent to my face about what Melissa has told her about my kid . Please stay out of it if it doesn’t concern your child . Ask me and I will tell the truth .
September 21st, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Please refer to the Standard Practices Bulletin 1-101.
Page 4 of 9 II.G states:
“The Principal will not allow the school or an ISRO to charge parents a fee for instructional materials, equipment or supplies related to the school program or activities.”
Page 9 of 9, VI.D.2. States Independent School Related Organizations MAY NOT:
“Charge Parents a fee for instructional materials, equipment, or supplies related to school program or activities.”
If your child is being charged for participation in a course or activity, you should refer it to the proper authorities.
Fundraising efforts are one thing, required charges are another.
September 21st, 2012 at 9:11 pm
You people have no idea what this kids have been through. Say what you want but these parents are fighting for their kids. Its so disgusting that after girls being on varsity for their high school years get punished by being demoted. Its funny how people think this coach is a good person. well she’s not and the bullying is terrible and your sick if you don’t see it. I hope those girls get back what they deserve. I am so happy these mothers are speaking out like this, what a corrupt school system. Try to have something that you love ripped away from you no one deserves being demoted like that.
September 21st, 2012 at 9:13 pm
just because these parents may have a lot of money, they should at least know where it is going? Good for them
September 22nd, 2012 at 8:24 am
To Wow, it’s called freedom of speech. Why should only “certain” people be able to practice it?
September 22nd, 2012 at 8:38 am
Was risk management ever notified about the 50 mile deviation from the school sponsored field trip,and the fact that the minors parents did not give consent for this deviation? I’m referring to a practice at an undisclosed gym that my child was subjected to while under the supervision of Ms. Nastase Prochilo. The minors did not have the proper number of chaperones and the school and Ms. Nastase Prochilo did not have my consent to take my child there.
September 22nd, 2012 at 9:01 am
I am not referring to the forgery incident. This incident was AFTER the forgery incident.
September 22nd, 2012 at 9:46 am
22 of the cheerleader are not on the Douglas team this year because they didn’t make the team ,were demoted bullied or didn’t tryout a few did graduate . Most would love to be on the team but not unless a new coach is put in place . What’s shocking is they were the ones that paid into the Booster club last year and Coach Melissa gladly took their money . Each child was billed close to $800 for sideline cheer and another $500-$1,000 for competition , guess who is now using the equipment / uniforms that those girls paid for? .. Coach Melissa’s daughter , and the Booster clubs kids all new incoming Freeshman this year Are now using the things we paid for . . The people that are Melissa’s supporters are the ones that collected the money last year and on the Booster club or her past cheer kids from Chargers . Most Allstar cheerleaders were forced off the team . The moms that spoke up about the over charging , bullying or safety issues have had to watch the backlash to our kids from the Coach Melissa , Mitch Kaufman , assistant principal Reed and principal Colado . The backlash includes , bullying , stare downs and drive bys from their golf carts acting like they will run over our children . many who have listened said that this is so crazy that it will some day be a “Life Time movie “
September 22nd, 2012 at 10:45 am
Go to where the business is Huntington Centre Corporate Park.
Donna Korn
Taylor & Mathis, Inc.
3440 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 480
Hollywood, FL 33021
http://www.taylormathis.com/broward-county-office-properties/huntington-centre.html
Huntington Centre Corporate Park features two 4-story, 91,600 square foot Class A buildings in Miramar – the 2nd fastest growing city in Florida. Centrally located between Fort Lauderdale & Miami the Mediterranean revival-styled office complex was completed in 2000 and 2001 and offers marble and mahogany lobby finishes in a park setting with beautifully landscaped walkways, lake views & picturesque fountains; easy access to I-75, I-95 and the Florida Turnpike; highly visible I-75 frontage; adjacent to a Wingate Inn Hotel; and is within 30 minutes of two International Airports – Miami & Ft. Lauderdale. An investment of MetLife Real Estate. Leased & Managed by Taylor & Mathis. Major tenants include Starwood and General Motors. This building was awarded an Energy Star label in 2009 for its operating efficiency. This building was awarded an Energy Star label in 2010 for its operating efficiency.
September 22nd, 2012 at 12:33 pm
There is a lot of arm chair quarter backing and finger pointing but one of side of this story. I don;t know what the truth is but there are other MSDHS parents who do not view these women as victims but as bullies who will go to great lengths to get what they want. Two groups of parents disagreeing the over cheer program and who is the coach and how booster money is handled.
No one on this blog has heard about Mr. Collado for years at Stoneman Douglas because last year was the first year he was principal at the school. There have been on going problems with the cheer program for years. Maybe its time to get the two warring factions of parents to either stop or suspend the cheer program for a year.
September 22nd, 2012 at 2:29 pm
How about we get those folks from FAMU to bring some good old fashion hazing to the program? That will separate the wheat from the chaff and toughen these little bastards right up.
Hey Duke, can I get a praise the Lord and pass me Obama’s fake birthy paperwork from ya?
PS You don’t often hear the phrase “drive-by golf carting” in everyday usage. Kudos to the commenter!
September 22nd, 2012 at 3:20 pm
^^^^^Jeanne,
Suspending the cheer program would be like putting a band-aid over an infected boil!
September 22nd, 2012 at 5:03 pm
This article nor have the commenters given any examples of how these girls were bullied. From what I’m reading, it just seems like there are many frustrated cheerleaders that were demoted or didnt make varsity. I would be interested in reading some specifics from the parents, if there are any.
FROM BUDDY:
The specifics will be exposed soon.
I can sum up what was, and may still be going on, in that cheerleading program:
(1) There was a requirement to pay large sums of money to participate in the cheerleading program in violation of School Board policy. The pay-for-play requirement automatically excludes any talented public school students who can’t afford thousands of dollars a year.
(2) Large sums of money were collected from parents and handled without the financial safeguard required by School Board policies designed to prevent the misuse of funds.
(3) There were violations of the School Board and state’s anti-bullying policy which require a record of bullying complaints be taken and the complaint handled seriously by the administrators. At Stoneman Douglas, these complaints were brushed off.
(4) There was a failure to report injuries in the program as required by School Board policy.
(5) There was a serious violation of field trip rules.
In addition, when a parent complained about the program she was banned from the campus by the principal without any due process.
All this is documented with financial evidence, including cancelled checks and bank statements. Other documents I have seen include cell phone records, screen captures from Twitter and other computer information, an investigative report and letters from the school system and interviews with both sides of this dispute.
When confronted with this situation, school system administrators did what they are best at: Nothing, except to cover it up.
The school system’s inaction in this on many levels is irrefutable. This is not a he-said, she-said. This is not just a bunch of angry women arguing.
This is widespread violations of the School Board’s own policies by staff and administrators. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
September 22nd, 2012 at 9:38 pm
The mom that was banned from the school has been cleared of ALL ALIGATIONS . Could you imagine thinking all the things she did and question the cheer coach Melissa Prochilo and then get banned from the school ? It sent shockwaves and a message that if you question the Coach then the same would happen to you . The women that stood up for her then also saw the backlash not only to themselves but then to their children . THIS WAS AT STONEMAN DOUGLAS . . I vow to stick this out until my hometown school is a safe learning environment for future generations . I have such respect for her and standing up for what’s right , she has taught her daughter and us that sometimes it hurts to do what’s right . What an amazing women !!
September 22nd, 2012 at 10:05 pm
Kuddos!!! to Buddy. Finally there are facts to this back and forth questions, if you call that questions and answers.
How does the BCSB not know the facts and you do? How is the Cheerleading Coach employed at MSD, let alone in Broward County?
It must be nice to have Mitch Kaufmans wife employing their friends. I wonder how many other MSD sport programs are destroyed because of Mitch Kaufman and the Principal at MSD.
Public Schools should have sports programs for all students no matter how much money they have or don’t have. It should be open to all students who choose to participate.
Thank you Buddy for all your honest in-put!! I wonder why the BCSB never knew the truth and Banning a mom? Someone should call the FBI?? Kuddos again !!!
September 22nd, 2012 at 10:42 pm
The problems with the MSD cheerleading program have gone on for many years. I don’t know if it was the same coach or not, but these problems have persisted going back to Dan Traeger’s time.
The Area knew about this, the district officials downtown in charge of these programs knew about this, some of the school board members knew about this and asked the Area officials and district officials to handle this.
No one ever forced the principal(s) to correct this situation. It is indeed a disgrace, whether the problem originated with the coach, the students being bullied, or the parents of the students who may or may not have bullied the coach.
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:05 pm
this is a record for your site
49 responses
you touched a nerve, the momies are angery !!!
FROM BUDDY: Very good response, but not really a record. Browardbeat.com had over 100 comments on other pieces.
September 23rd, 2012 at 7:09 am
Allegations
September 23rd, 2012 at 9:29 am
^^^^^r…
Perhaps you should step away from the blog and consider spending some time on a grammar/spelling site…
September 23rd, 2012 at 9:51 am
If a Principal cannot correct a problem within his school, then I believe that the Principal does not belong in that school. We are talking about a cheerleading program! Think of how many other responsibilities the Principal has managing a school as big as MSD! Why hasn’t the Principal handled this particular problem?
September 23rd, 2012 at 11:34 am
These women have Buddy fooled. I wonder how that was done? It is is simply situation of rich women buying a lawyer to hassle the school system and a good, decent coach because their daughters couldn’t make it in cheerleading.
September 23rd, 2012 at 12:53 pm
^^^ Real MSD mom
I am a “real MSD mom also! and Buddy knows the facts, he has not been fooled.
decent coach?? the truth will come out, the cheerleaders that quit were great cheerleaders, they quit because of the injustice they were receiving from MSD and the coach!
Buddy, thank you for reporting the FACTS!
September 23rd, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Does anyone know if Mitch Kauffman’s (athletic director at MSD) wife is the person who hires SIU investigators or even district employees or Principals?
September 23rd, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Dear Real MSD MOM ,
If you knew all he facts I am positive you would not think this way . Everything Buddy has stated is true . Not just rules broken but clearly bullying kids to quit the team . Most of them are all stars on travel competition teams and most were on Varsity last year and competition team . So that blows your theory out of the water .
What’s crazy yet is that so many have quit , left or bullied off , the competition team is full of her jv team where last year they were all varsity . I personally feel that all that try out should make team . I do wish the girls on all her teams well , I just hope these girls do not ever have to put up with the treatment she gave our kids . I personally feel that all who try out should make the team if there is a uniform to fill . Last year we had 25 jv uniform and 25 or so Varsity . So why are they not filled with a cheerleader this year . Maybe because each uniform she filled last year gave money and this year it costs her money ?
So many questionable thing with her . Starting from her appointment of her Booster president last year , that women didn’t even have a child in the school . That started at the first meeting and them we were lied to ” don’t you remember voting for the booster president ” complete lie . That person even told us later that she was appointed . Melissa played the parents for fools , who is the fool now !
September 23rd, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Just a fact about the Varsity and Junior Varsity sideline cheerleaders for this year…..Two junior varsity cheerleaders were immediately moved up to varsity (called cross teaming)meaning they will cheer at ALL varsity games even though the judges clearly put them on junior varsity due to their lack of skills. This was done the moment Coach Melissa Nastase Prochilo stepped into the gym on her very first day as the coach. The two girls that were moved up…..1. Last years booster club presiden’s daughter 2. One of Melissa most outspoken supporters and coincidently this girl was on varsity last year got demoted by impartial judges,but Melissa immediately moved her up. Melissa only moved those two “special” girls up. As for the girls that were demoted and their parents had spoken out……they were told by Melissa Prochilo that her hands were tied and there was nothing she could do about changing them to Varsity.
September 23rd, 2012 at 4:17 pm
So Coach Prochilo is working with HER HANDPICKED TEAM…..not the team picked by the impartial judges!
September 23rd, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Wow!! The entire system needs to be looked at from the Coach to the administration that is at BCSB. Those “rent a cops” are no better than the woman who is corrupt like her husband. There should be polices regarding spouses in positions that can affect the public school system. I wonder if Kaufman and Prochilo are neighbors?? Maybe Kaufman went to school or college with Collado?? It is not what you know at MSD, it is who you know!!
No wonder it is taking these woman so long to get rid of the obvious. Maybe they should go to Tallahassee. They should go to BSO. Not the wasted tax payer money and use “Rent-a-cops” who have favors.
This is very obvious!!
September 24th, 2012 at 8:47 am
Is there a nepotism situation….with Mrs.Kauffman hiring all non instructional employees and her husband Mr.Kauffman being the Athletic Director at MSD?
September 24th, 2012 at 9:44 am
Hello Confused,
You would be correct. Mitch Kaufman’s wife Vicki Kaufman DOES indeed supervise the hiring of the SIU investigators and all other non-instructional employees. If you remember, former MSD Athletic Director Dave Grad was accused of improprieties and fired, and then Mitch Kaufman replaced him.
Buddy,
BCSB has a long history of blatantly violating their own written policies when it comes to covering up corrupt practices of their favored ones. This is especially true of SIU – the corruption and favoritism is unbelievable. Somebody needs to investigate the SIU or the School Board Police as they are now calling themselves.
September 24th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Is Athletic Director Mitch Kauffman checking all the sports teams at MSD to make sure all the athletes that are participating in sports right now have the required 2.0 GPA?
September 24th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Wow! Good job of putting the puzzle pieces together! Keep digging people!!
September 27th, 2012 at 8:44 am
Mia….to me….stands for missing in action! Why does the school respond that Melissa Prochilo does not work here when someone calls and asks to speak with her? Is Ms. Prochilo a full-time substitute teacher at the school? My child and others always see her in a golf cart! And usually with administration.
September 28th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Why is only the cheer program at Douglas High School being investigated? Why not other programs? For example, I had to pay for an English Vocabulary Workbook and some art supplies? Isn’t this public school? Why don’t you take a look at the Douglas payment system on their website and see just how many programs / classes are asking for money? Just a thought!!
October 1st, 2012 at 7:39 pm
EVERY athletic program at Douglas requires payment. Call it “mandatory fundraising” if you want to. IE. To play spring baseball each player has to pay / ” raise ” 1500.00, then 500.00 for fall ball, 3 or 4 hundred for “summer ball” – Now think about it, every baseball player, every football player , every cheerleader, every basketball player, soccer player… and on and on going out in the community trying to sell 400.00-500.00 banners 4x a year. Of course different sports have different “fundraising amounts”, I just used baseball as an example. It’s an insane amount of money requests nonstop.. not to mention if you want to play in the band, buy the vocab book, etc., – it goes on and on..if you want to be in activities at SDHS, bring your wallet.
FROM BUDDY:
Thanks for the comment. Raising money for athletic programs is permitted under the school system’s rules. The money, however, must be handled by the school. Tens of thousands of dollars were handled by parents without any safeguards. We’re talking about parents being required to pay more than a thousand dollars to participate. I doubt whether football players are required to pay-for-play.
October 1st, 2012 at 8:30 pm
Hi Buddy, Football players pay around 300.00 , however I get your point … I would guess 6-7 emails requesting it a week is reasonable. I do agree this Cheerleading issue is different and I do not know the details of it at all. Hopefully the facts will all come out soon. My point is simply that no activities are free or funded by traditional team fundraising activities alone at SDHS.
October 5th, 2012 at 4:50 am
The Cheer coach is not to blame for forcing that girl to compete, An athlete if they have a note diagnosing an Injury they must bring that note to the Athletic trainer Brian Reyes and Douglas Can be in a lot of trouble If the NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS ASSOCIATION FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, HE COULD LOOSE HIS CERTIFICATION AND LOOSE HIS JOB!
October 5th, 2012 at 4:53 am
PAY 2 PLAY IS IN EVERY STATE, IT’S IN EVERY HIGH SCHOOL THE TEAMS BUY THE EQUIPMENT WITH THAT MONEY THAT WAY IF THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH BOOSTERS FOR THAT YEAR OR IF THE BOOSTERS DECIDE TO DROP THEM THEY HAVE THE MONEY.
FOOTBALL, SOCCER, BASEBALL, CHEERLEADING, VOLLEYBALL, TENNIS, GOLF, SOFTBALL ANY SPORT YOU PLAY AND PAY. THE PRICE IS THE SAME $150
October 6th, 2012 at 12:20 am
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2213635/Mean-Girls-high-school-cheerleading-coach-Melissa-Prochilo-fired-bullying-allegations.html
October 8th, 2012 at 6:08 am
http://www.local10.com/news/blogs/bobnorman/The-firing-of-Coach-Melissa/-/3223354/16884040/-/8enkprz/-/index.html
FROM BUDDY:
Mr. Norman has his own opinion and that is what it is — opinion.
He doesn’t address the following:
(1) There was a requirement to pay large sums of money to participate in the cheerleading program in violation of School Board policy. The pay-for-play requirement automatically excludes any talented public school students who can’t afford thousands of dollars a year.
(2) Large sums of money were collected from parents and handled without the financial safeguard required by School Board policies designed to prevent the misuse of funds.
(3) There were violations of the School Board and state’s anti-bullying policy which require a record of bullying complaints be taken and the complaint handled seriously by the administrators. At Stoneman Douglas, these complaints were brushed off.
(4) There was a failure to report injuries in the program as required by School Board policy.
(5) There was a serious violation of field trip rules.
In addition, when a parent complained about the program she was banned from the campus by the principal without any due process. The principal decided she was disruptive and handed her a letter banning her from the campus, without allowing her any opportunity to give her side of the story. This is un-American and perhaps illegal.
All this is documented with financial evidence, including cancelled checks and bank statements. Other documents I have seen include cell phone records, screen captures from Twitter and other computer information, an investigative report and letters from the school system and interviews with both sides of this dispute.
When confronted with this situation, school system administrators did what they are best at: Nothing, except to cover it up.
The school system’s inaction in this on many levels is irrefutable. This is not a he-said, she-said. This is not just a bunch of angry women arguing.
This is widespread violations of the School Board’s own policies by staff and administrators. It will be interesting to see what happens next.