From:

Harshman, Karen HarshKar@wcps.k12.md.us Subject: Re: Meeting Comments

Date: June 8, 2016 at 9:03 AM
To: Wilcox, Clayton WilcoCla@wcps.k12.md.us, Hartings, Justin HARTIJUS@wcps.k12.md.us
Cc: BOE BOE@wcps.k12.md.us

Perhaps I was following previously acceptable activities on posts that were directed at Melissa,
Mike, and/or me in which a puppet, backed and brought in by you and the majority, to run for
the board, began attacking us with lies. He even accused me of activities that were clearly
reflective of another board member about dating students and cheating on her husband. She
even proudly admits to marrying her student. At those times "like" was posted on those
comments and information provided to assist with the attacks; in fact, Wayne called us
"hopeless hacks" and posted "like" DURING a board meeting on taxpayers time. When we asked
that the dog be called off, he was given a voice at our meetings to continue spreading his lies.
We were told nothing can be done about free speech. It all returns... Karen
________________________________________

From: Wilcox, Clayton
Sent: Tuesday, June 7, 2016 6:53 PM
To: Hartings, Justin
Cc: BOE
Subject: Re: Meeting Comments
This was what I was discussing. Subsequently Mrs. Guessford has continued. As I said, I
understand this comes with the territory in terms of the public - I don't necessary feel the same
about the members comments. She knows better and could have stopped it but chose inflame
the situation in an apparent attempt to undermine my credibility within the larger community. I
can send the other screen shots but I don't think it's really necessary.



On Jun 7, 2016, at 5:35 PM, Hartings, Justin <HARTIJUS@wcps.k12.md.us> wrote:
Clayton,
At the end of today's meeting you commented on social media posts that you said were directed
at you. I don't spend much time on social media these days. Could you please share with the
board the social media post(s) that precipitated your comments? Also, you indicated that
members of the community have tried to "block" you from seeing these comments. On which
social media sites/pages did these comments appear?
Thanks, Justin





From: Harshman, Karen HarshKar@wcps.k12.md.us Subject: Re: Meeting Comments
Date: June 8, 2016 at 2:27 PM
To: Wilcox, Clayton WilcoCla@wcps.k12.md.us, Hartings, Justin HARTIJUS@wcps.k12.md.us
Cc: BOE BOE@wcps.k12.md.us

Clayton,
I am far more inclined to believe those from whom my information came than someone who
has, time and again, been dishonest and disrespectful to those board members whose only goal
is to improve our children's education with no hidden agendas. On your watch, the board has
become more divided than ever to a point where the presidency has become a bargaining chip
to be "bestowed" on one who follows the plan. Your remark to Mrs. Brightman staying, "You
and I will do great things together," did not go unnoticed.
When an employee blatantly shows more respect for and interest in opinions of four of seven
superiors because they carry the majority, people look for the "trade off." When some are
excluded from plans while others are set up to cast a majority vote, it is obvious that you follow
Mrs. Brightman's law she so often repeated when I first served, "You need four." By switching
positions and philosophy, she was permitted to be president. And there are many other bits of
information that was poured on me by Mrs. Brightman prior to walking into my first board
meeting.
When I have educators saying, "He (meaning you) is worse than Betty Morgan," I cringe. I
taught under her dictatorial leadership, and I would not want to expose anyone to that
situation. By intimidation and bullying, she was able to spin ever incident and keep information
away from the elected board who believed she was doing a good job.
Concerns have been shared with you about similar bullying issues but rejected. In fact, the
unwarranted attack during the board meeting again was embarrassing and unprofessional.
Even I could not believe you would attack a board member's mother. When we objected to
attacks by someone with no vested interest in our county and a member of your Rotary, we
were told, "FREEDOM OF SPEECH."
My "anger" is more disgust when I feel someone is not living up to his/her promises in dealing
with my county. I only hope you will take all concerns to heart.
Karen


From: Wilcox, Clayton
Sent: Wednesday, June 8, 2016 9:43 AM To: Harshman, Karen; Har7ngs, Jus7n Cc: BOE
Subject: RE: Meeting Comments
Ms. Harshman, that is simply not true. I have never asked anyone to run for the Board, nor have
I ever condoned, provided information or encouraged personal attacks on an individual Board
member or group of Board members. Your anger and frustration is truly misplaced.


-----Original Message-----
From: Harshman, Karen
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2016 9:03 AM To: Wilcox, Clayton; Har7ngs, Jus7n



To: Wilcox, Clayton; Hartings, Justin
Cc: BOE
Subject: Re: Meeting Comments

Perhaps I was following previously acceptable activities on posts that were directed at Melissa,
Mike, and/or me in which a puppet, backed and brought in by you and the majority, to run for
the board, began attacking us with lies. He even accused me of activities that were clearly
reflective of another board member about dating students and cheating on her husband. She
even proudly admits to marrying her student. At those times "like" was posted on those
comments and information provided to assist with the attacks; in fact, Wayne called us
"hopeless hacks" and posted "like" DURING a board meeting on taxpayers dime. When we asked
that the dog be called off, he was given a voice at our meeting to continue7 spreading his lies.
We were told nothing can be done about free speech. It all returns...
Karen
________________________________________

From: Wilcox, Clayton
Sent: Tuesday, June 7, 2016 6:53 PM
To: Hartings, Justin
Cc: BOE
Subject: Re: Meeting Comments
This was what I was discussing. Subsequently Mrs. Guessford has continued. As I said, I
understand this comes with the territory in terms of the public - I don't necessary feel the same
about the members comments. She knows better and could have stopped it but chose inflame
the situation in an apparent attempt to undermine my credibility within the larger community. I
can send the other screen shots but I don't think it's really necessary.


> On Jun 7, 2016, at 5:35 PM, Hartings, Justin <HARTIJUS@wcps.k12.md.us> wrote: >
> Clayton,
>
> At the end of today's meeting you commented on social media posts that you said were
directed at you.
spend much time on social media these days. Could you please share with the board the social
media post(s) that precipitated your comments? Also, you indicated that members of the
community have tried to "block" you from seeing these comments. On which social media
sites/pages did these comments appear?
>
> Thanks,
> Justin




From: Brightman, Donna BrighDon@wcps.k12.md.us Subject: Re: Meeting Comments
Date: June 8, 2016 at 7:46 AM
To: Wilcox, Clayton WilcoCla@wcps.k12.md.us
Cc: Hartings, Justin HARTIJUS@wcps.k12.md.us, BOE BOE@wcps.k12.md.us, Trotta, Anthony
TrottAnt@wcps.k12.md.us
Clayton,

It is troubling that Board member(s) would implicitly or explicitly violate agreed upon Board
Norms and Procedures by publicly undermining the Board and Superintendent. Thank you for
bringing this matter to the Board's attention. The agenda committee will allow for additional
time during closed session on June 21st, under personnel, for a deeper discussion of this matter
and potential consequences.
Thank you, Donna
Sent from my iPad
Donna L. Brightman, President Washington County Board of Education 301-491-3178 /
www.wcps.k12.md.us






From: Williams, Melissa WilliMel@wcps.k12.md.us Subject: Re: WCTA Last and Best Negotiations Proposals
Date: June 8, 2016 at 4:38 PM
To: Wilcox, Clayton WilcoCla@wcps.k12.md.us
Cc: BOE BOE@wcps.k12.md.us, Steiner, Cheryl Steinche@wcps.k12.md.us, Wright, Richard WrighRic@wcps.k12.md.us
Thank you!
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 8, 2016, at 4:05 PM, Wilcox, Clayton <WilcoCla@wcps.k12.md.us> wrote:

Yes, WCTA negotiations begin at 4:30 PM. The -me was adjusted from Mary Newbys
original email because Ms. Francisco and the WCESP team is in session earlier in the
afternoon.
At the retirement function, the social hour is from 5:15 PM un-l 6:00 PM. At 6:00 PM Dr.
Michael will welcome everyone and make some opening comments. The invocation is
scheduled to begin 6:15, with dinner service ending at approximately 7:15, immediately
followed by the recognition ceremony.
From: Williams, Melissa
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2016 3:56 PM
To: Wilcox, Clayton
Cc: BOE; Steiner, Cheryl; Wright, Richard
Subject: Re: WCTA Last and Best Negotiations Proposals

So, correct time is 4:30?

Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 8, 2016, at 3:43 PM, Wilcox, Clayton <WilcoCla@wcps.k12.md.us>
wrote:
FYI
From: Wright, Richard
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2016 3:34 PM
To: Wilcox, Clayton
Subject: RE: Re: WCTA Last and Best Negotiations Proposals
You may want to alert the BOE that negotiations begins at 4:30. Marys message below
indicates 3 p.m., which was the original -me discussed. Im happy to send the note. Let
me know.
Richard Wright, APR | Communications Officer

Building a Community that Inspires Curiosity, Creativity, and Achievement.

301.766.2996 (office) | 301.730.7622 (mobile) | wcpsmd.com
Washington County Public Schools | 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740

From: Wilcox, Clayton

Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2016 9:58 AM To: BOE
Cc: Michael, Boyd; Francisco, Laura; Wright, Richard Cc: Michael, Boyd; Francisco, Laura;
Wright, Richard Subject: FW: Re: WCTA Last and Best Negotiations Proposals
Thank you Board members. Your authorization has us back at the table tomorrow
evening. We will work hard to craft a settlement with the Association. Given that this
session may stretch long into the evening I will ask Boyd to step in for me tomorrow
evening and offer some words I will craft later today. While I would wish to attend with
those of you who are attending, I believe my top priority is to help in resolving the
negotiations process. Thanks for your understanding.
Ms. Francisco forwarded the good news below to me this morning

---------- Forwarded message ---------From: "Newby, Mary" <NewbyMar@wcps.k12.md.us> Date: Wed, Jun 8, 2016
at 6:43 AM -0400
Subject: Re: WCTA Last and Best Negotiations Proposals To: "Francisco, Laura"
<FrancLau@wcps.k12.md.us> Cc: "cmellott@mseanea.org"
<cmellott@mseanea.org>
Laura,
We can meet on Thursday, June 9. We would be available to meet at 3:00, to give us more time to complete
negotiations.
Mary
________________________________
From: Francisco, Laura
Sent: Tuesday, June 7, 2016 3:10:06 PM
To: Mellott, Carlos [MD]
Cc: Brightman, Donna; Wilcox, Clayton; Fischer, Jacqueline; Williams, Melissa; Harshman, Karen;
Hartings, Justin; Guessford, Michael; Student-Rep WCBOE; Ridenour, Wayne; Becker, Neil [MD];
Newby, Mary
Subject: Re: WCTA Last and Best Negotiations Proposals
Carlos
Today we met with the Board in closed session and received authorization to provide a salary counterproposal and to continue our discussions on the two open articles. Please let me know when your team is
available to meet in open, public session to discuss our counter-proposals.
We had previously offered the 8th, 9th, 10th and 20th; if none of those work for your team, please let me
know some options that might.
Thank you Laura
Laura Lockard Francisco, SPHR, SHRM-SCP | Executive Director of Human Resources Building a
Community that Inspires Curiosity, Creativity, and Achievement.
301.766.2808 office | 240.625.6278 mobile | www.wcpsmd.com<http://www.wcps.k12.md.us/>
Washington County Public Schools | 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740
From: Carlos Mellott <cmellott@mseanea.org>
Date: Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 2:21 PM
To: "Francisco, Laura" <FrancLau@wcps.k12.md.us>
Cc: "Brightman, Donna" <BrighDon@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Wilcox, Clayton"
<WilcoCla@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Fischer, Jacqueline" <FischJac@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Williams, Melissa"
<WilliMel@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Harshman, Karen" <HarshKar@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Hartings, Justin"
<HARTIJUS@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Guessford, Michael" <GuessMic@wcps.k12.md.us>, Student-Rep

WCBOE <Student-Rep@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Ridenour, Wayne" <RidenWay@wcps.k12.md.us>, Neil

Becker <nbecker@mseanea.org>, "Newby, Mary" <NewbyMar@wcps.k12.md.us>
Subject: WCTA Last and Best Negotiations Proposals
June 1, 2016
Mrs. Laura Francisco,
Executive Director Human Resources/Chief Negotiator WCPS 10435 Downsville Pike
Hagerstown, MD 21740
SENT VIA INTEROFFICE MAIL AND EMAIL ON JUNE 2, 2016
Dear Mrs. Francisco,
Please accept this letter and attached documents on behalf of Mary Newby, WCTA Negotiations Chair.
Included you will find our Last and Best proposals on Salary, Workday 7.1, and Planning Time 7.15, as
well as our remarks and rationale at this point in the negotiations process.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlos Mellott
UniServ Director WCTA/MSEA 18047 Oak Ridge Drive Hagerstown, MD 21740
Cc: Members of the Board of Education of Washington County Dr. Clayton Wilcox, Superintendent
Members of the WCTA Negotiating Team
Carlos Mellott
Washington County Teachers Association
t. 443.766.9977 cmellott@mseanea.org<mailto:cmellott@mseanea.org> _______________________
[id:image001.png@01D0AF46.185DDB00]
Maryland State
Education Association marylandeducators.org<http://www.marylandeducators.org/> Great Public Schools
Great Public Schools
for EVERY Child
Guessford, Michael; Student-Rep WCBOE; Ridenour, Wayne; Becker, Neil [MD]; Newby, Mary
Subject: Re: WCTA Last and Best Negotiations Proposals Carlos
Today we met with the Board in closed session and received authorization to provide a salary counterproposal and to continue our discussions on the two open articles. Please let me know when your team is
available to meet in open, public session to discuss our counter-proposals.
We had previously offered the 8th, 9th, 10th and 20th; if none of those work for your team, please let me
know some options that might.
Thank you Laura
Laura Lockard Francisco, SPHR, SHRM-SCP | Executive Director of Human Resources Building a
Community that Inspires Curiosity, Creativity, and Achievement.
301.766.2808 office | 240.625.6278 mobile | www.wcpsmd.com<http://www.wcps.k12.md.us/>
Washington County Public Schools | 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740
From: Carlos Mellott <cmellott@mseanea.org>
Date: Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 2:21 PM
To: "Francisco, Laura" <FrancLau@wcps.k12.md.us>
Cc: "Brightman, Donna" <BrighDon@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Wilcox, Clayton"
<WilcoCla@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Fischer, Jacqueline" <FischJac@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Williams, Melissa"
<WilliMel@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Harshman, Karen" <HarshKar@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Hartings, Justin"
<HARTIJUS@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Guessford, Michael" <GuessMic@wcps.k12.md.us>, Student-Rep
WCBOE <Student-Rep@wcps.k12.md.us>, "Ridenour, Wayne" <RidenWay@wcps.k12.md.us>, Neil
Becker <nbecker@mseanea.org>, "Newby, Mary" <NewbyMar@wcps.k12.md.us>
Subject: WCTA Last and Best Negotiations Proposals
June 1, 2016
Mrs. Laura Francisco,
Executive Director Human Resources/Chief Negotiator WCPS 10435 Downsville Pike
Hagerstown, MD 21740
SENT VIA INTEROFFICE MAIL AND EMAIL ON JUNE 2, 2016 Dear Mrs. Francisco,
Please accept this letter and attached documents on behalf of Mary Newby, WCTA Negotiations Chair.
Included you will find our Last and Best proposals on Salary, Workday 7.1, and Planning Time 7.15, as
well as our remarks and rationale at this point in the negotiations process.
Respectfully submitted,

Carlos Mellott
UniServ Director WCTA/MSEA 18047 Oak Ridge Drive Hagerstown, MD 21740
Cc: Members of the Board of Education of Washington County Dr. Clayton Wilcox, Superintendent
Members of the WCTA Negotiating Team
Carlos Mellott
Washington County Teachers Association
t. 443.766.9977 cmellott@mseanea.org<mailto:cmellott@mseanea.org> _______________________
[id:image001.png@01D0AF46.185DDB00]
Maryland State
Education Association marylandeducators.org<http://www.marylandeducators.org/> Great Public Schools
for EVERY Child