Former Oswego School Superintendent Questioned In Goewey Hearing

by Steve Yablonski | July 28, 2008 11:32 pm

Oswego, NY – Former Oswego City School District Superintendent David Fischer was grilled on the witness stand for nearly five hours Monday.

Fischer served as superintendent of Oswego schools from January 2005 to June 30. On July 1 he left to become the superintendent of the Bellingham School District in Massachusetts.

He was in Oswego Monday to testify in the hearing against former Riley Elementary School principal Dean Goewey.

Following accusations of sexual harassment, Goewey was placed on administrative leave (with pay) in November 2006.

His hearing got under way the following year; Monday was the 21st day of testimony.

Goewey is being represented by Art Scheuermann

According to Fischer, his relationship with Goewey started off “both positive and productive.”

About a month or two as Oswego superintendent, Fischer said that he received an anonymous correspondence that conveyed concerns regarding Goewey’s “lack of leadership, follow through and a lack of visibility” in the school.

The correspondence contained other allegations, he noted.

So, he invited Goewey into his office to discuss the matter.

Fischer said he asked Goewey why someone would send such a letter. Goewey replied he didn’t know, Fischer testified.

He gave Goewey the letter and didn’t keep a copy for himself, Fischer said.

Fischer testified that, during the summer of 2006, he heard more complaints about Goewey from a number of other people, including then-school board member Sally Nettles.

Some staff members at Riley “were very fearful that there would be retribution, backlash, repercussions if they signed documents with Dean as their supervisor,” he said. “They were fearful of signing documents.”

At one point, Fischer told how he had met with Riley kindergarten teacher Kathy Carroll, from Aug. 17 to Nov. 7, 2006. Her information was used for nine of the charges against Goewey.

Fischer testified that Carroll informed him that Goewey (allegedly) had a vibrator/neck massager in his office and that he (allegedly) used a toy black monkey to mock an African-American parent who was in the school’s main office.

At this point, Hearing Officer Doug Bantle paused the questioning by Scheuermann and asked Fischer to clarify his testimony.

His recollection from the record is Carroll “testified vehemently” she didn’t want to talk to anyone about the alleged incident, Bantle said.

He added he has 399 pages of notes from the hearing and doesn’t recall Carroll, or anyone else, saying she told Fischer about the incidents.

However, Fischer replied that she did in fact speak with him from time to time between August and November 2006.

As part of Goewey’s 2005-06 school year evaluation, Fischer told him to create an improvement plan, Scheuermann said, adding his client submitted three separate plans (Oct. 4, 17 and 20, 2006); “all three were rejected by Mr. Fischer,” he said.

“I thought he took a very shallow approach to address the issues with the improvement plan,” Fischer responded.

After Goewey’ suspension, there was a “hostile environment” at Riley, “a clear division, an on-going division in the building,” between those who supported Goewey and those who didn’t, Fischer said.

Jim Tschudy was appointed interim principal in an attempt to heal the rift and get the focus in the school back on teaching students, he added.

If what the witnesses of the alleged sexual harassment say is true, Fischer testified, he would support terminating Goewey.

It would be “inappropriate” for the former principal to be in a leadership position or around children, Fischer said.

“The only problem I have with Dean Goewey is his blatant lies about things he said that I said (after the sexual harassment charges were filed),” Fischer continued. “They’re blatant lies; I didn’t say those things.”

Scheuermann asked Fischer about comments he allegedly made including, “You’re either with me or you’re shark bait” and telling Goewey, “The superintendent always wins.”

Fischer denied making such remarks and added he didn’t know why someone would say that he did.

Scheuermann asked Fischer about allegedly telling former Minetto Elementary School Principal Barb Parry, “You’re either with me or you’re gone.” He pointed out that within a year, she was indeed gone.

“She retired,” Fischer noted.

The hearing is expected to resume at 10 a.m. Aug. 4.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/former-oswego-school-superintendent-questioned-in-goewey-hearing/

---