I would like to briefly say two things:

1. Mr. Taylor says repeatedly that there are a lot of professionals (the school deputy, the vice principal at the time, the principal at the time and the attorneys) that advise that "something happened." 

There are absolutely no findings against me--be they from an authorized, trained, investigative source or even just an opinion put down in writing by the district's administration.

2. A board member said something, very serious, that was inaccurate.  Their attorney said basically that I couldn't point that out or question it since it was brought up during deliberations; that's something between the board members that they have to take care of.  Yet the board members didn't question it or talk about it at all.  I find it very troubling that the board members don't seem concerned with whether what they're basing their decision on is accurate or not.

Such a tragic scenario. Everyone involved loses. If I were Ms. Ogletree, I would move on. I would offer my teaching skills to others who would appreciate them and put this dark chapter behind me. One only has control over oneself. Life is certainly not always fair. Let the others carry their own burdens in this matter and be done with it.

Curious, HB. People, of course, make their own choices about what they want to stand up for or fight for. She's obviously choosing to fight. Wonder what you think about the principles expressed here, that is basically ignoring our system of justice in favor of innuendo.

I think that's what gets me most. I know life isn't fair. But if we all decided not to fight for righting injustices we see happening in the world, no change would ever occur and we would be entirely reliant on the good principles of those who decided to do the right thing.. where so many don't.  I believe that what is happening, for example, with nuclear power plants is not a good thing-should I move on and stop expressing my opinion? And, you know, that's just my opinion, even though the actions will affect me either way-how much more could someone whose reputation has been ruined and continues to be ruined be supported for her decision to fight back. It might not be what you would do. I honestly don't know what I would do in the same situation. But I admire her for not slinking away and letting the community know via speaking up at board meetings that these actions are not right, fair, and are at odds with our justice system.

I don't believe this situation is analogous to fighting against something like the dangers of nuclear power or war or the corporate takeover of America. I too, admire Ms. Ogletree for standing up for herself and what is right. However, the GRISD does not have to hire anyone they chose not to. And there is nothing Ms. Ogletree can do to change the power that the innuendo has exercised in ruining her reputation. It's sad, it's stupid and it's tragic. Of course it is her choice as to how much more of her precious life, attention and energy she wants to spend on this. And it is not for me to say what is right for her. I do believe however, that if I were in her shoes, I would have to draw the line here and move my life into a more positive direction. I wouldn't want to be involved with a school district that did not want me. This is simply my opinion. 

I mean in the sense that people decide what they want to fight for and put energy into. You and I put energy into fighting the dangers of nuclear power, etc. I do not have a situation, nor do you, where someone is maligning our reputation and character, but she does. People fight for or against items that they personally buy into.

For me, I have no idea whether her fight will be succesfful. But the reason *I* call it out is that I believe in our justice system and will continue to call out the irony of not showing respect for the law WHILE being in charge of educating young minds.

Calling it out, as you say, is the appropriate thing to do. But justice does not dissolve prejudice.  Ms. Ogletree has been absolved by the justice system. She has won that battle. But she has not been able to dissolve the prejudice of some and be restored to her previous place within the GRISD. Can she change this? I don't think so.

Again, it is up to her as to how much of her life she is willing to offer to this crusade. I've never been in her position, however I have had other battles in my life that presented a similar dilemma. The essence, in my opinion, is the question of how much investment should I make in a situation I have absolutely no power to change? How productive can I be in this? Is this the best use of my life? How is this affecting me, my life and my family?

impossibility of changing others. When this is acknowledged, one becomes  

Calling it out, as you say, is the appropriate thing to do. But justice does not dissolve prejudice.  Ms. Ogletree has been absolved by the justice system. She has won that battle. But she has not been able to dissolve the prejudice of some and be restored to her previous place within the GRISD. Can she change this? I don't think so.

Again, it is up to her as to how much of her life she is willing to offer to this crusade. I've never been in her position, however I have had other battles in my life that presented a similar dilemma. The essence, in my opinion, is the question of how much investment should I make in a situation I have absolutely no power to change? How productive can I be in this? Is this the best use of my life? How is this affecting me, my life and my family?

impossibility of changing others. When this is acknowledged, one becomes  

@HB, I do think you make a good point about how much time one devotes to a consuming *cause*, whatever that is. The civil case hasn't even made it to court yet, so perhaps part of fighting this has to do with the fact that the opportunity for her day in court hasn't arrived. Were I in this position, I woudl probably continue to speak up every year, even knowing the district was being arbitrary and unfair, not so much because of them, but because of the community. Again, I would expect that the dynamics of her life will change after the court disposition(s).

Boy—I don’t check in for a few months and look what happens!  Thank you very much for providing the videos and the backward links so I can piece together the latest events.

For as much as these issues continue, Ms. Ogletree still hasn’t made any real progress.  That’s how this system works.  As another poster noted—at some point you have to decide how long you want this darkness in your life.  Most people would have made that decision several years ago and given up. 

But this situation is exceptional.

You can easily distinguish Ms. Ogletree’s circumstance from similar circumstances by virtue of the fact that we, the public at large, can actually SEE what’s happening for ourselves.  While there are many others who have been wrongfully accused, I don’t know if there are others who were so EGREGIOUSLY and PERSISTENTLY accused in the face of OVERWHELMING EXONERATING EVIDENCE.

It’s somewhat surprising to me that the community outrage has not been more pronounced.  I have to admit that my mouth was agape while listening to Kevin “come here son and let me explain something to you” Taylor.  Mr. Taylor doesn’t need facts.  He doesn’t need evidence.  He doesn’t even have to pay a lick of attention to anyone who has bothered to take the time to examine the evidence, in detail, and publish a ruling.  That’s all a bunch of hooey.  All Mr. Taylor needs to do is speak to the “professionals” who were “around” at the time of the allegations.   You know, just casual conversation and gossip.  THAT is all you need to make a decision.  As he said—it’s tough to ignore.  Apparently, it’s easy to ignore the TEA.  I guess they don’t have any members in Mr. Taylor’s circle. 

While the fact that this drags on year after year is mostly to Ms. Ogletree’s detriment, there are some benefits.  One of the benefits is that eventually snakes like Mr. Taylor crawl out of their holes.  He didn’t have to say anything during deliberations, but he just couldn’t help himself.  While it wasn’t quite a Col. Jessup moment—it was pretty close.  The district can paste all the correct, defensible answers on top of the real reasons all they want—but the longer this drags out—the more Mr. “don’t try and confuse me with the facts” Taylors we’ll see that can’t hold their tongue. 

Ms. Ogletree has found herself in a fight not of her choosing.  There’s nothing she did to cause this problem and little she could have done to prevent it.  Of course, looking back on it, all of us can come up with some things she could have handled differently.  But, Ms. Ogletree didn’t have the luxury of viewing her every inconsequential action through the prism of this case back in 2002.  She was in the middle of it.  None of us can see into the future—and I think the judgmental folks who think she had no business writing the dreaded “coded notes” need to remember that. 

The GRISD has created an alternative reality—a type of fantasy world in which they have all agreed to live with regard to this matter.  In their world, accusations are facts and any information that contradicts the accusations, regardless of the source, is simply treated as though it doesn’t exist.  I mean—it never happened.

 TEA hearing?

What TEA hearing? 

Aborted trial because the witness was obviously lying? 

I don’t know what you’re talking about. 

Failed lie detector tests on national TV and the appearance of one of the accusers which results in him being caught in a lie right before our very eyes? 

I don’t know what you’re talking about—but we have coded notes and professional opinions and accusations and what more could we possibly need?

In a twisted way, it’s a brilliant strategy in its simplicity.  You can’t be put in a position to speak to that which you refuse to acknowledge.  Therefore, everything that happened after the initial accusations that didn’t support those accusations simply never occurred.   

Back to the real world—this matter has to be brought to a conclusion.  The legal process is all about precedents, and Ms. Ogletree has an opportunity to set the correct precedent for the country going forward.  It’s an awesome responsibility and I can’t imagine anyone more well-suited to carry this cross for the good of us all.  Stay strong.   As you know, there’s great power in the truth, against which the forces of ignorance and spite will ultimately succumb.

mcarapella, you articulate perfectly your clear understanding of the case and the importance of what I'm fighting for.  Thank you.