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Deanne Waitapu was the youngest teacher on the staff who had only been at the school for a term longer than Karla. She took music throughout the senior school as well as drama and math and was the home teacher for the Year 11 students and Level 1 of the NCEA. This was the government assessment and examination system. Roxanne had told Karla that Deanne had replaced old Harvey who had retired after being on the staff here and at the former Tuckett High School for close to twenty years.
Karla found Deanne conscientious who in many ways reminded her of Lexi McKenzie back at Tui Park School. The young teacher did, however find taking math for NCEA quite difficult. She knew her subject having taken several papers in mathematics for her degree but it was the students who didn't help. Last year, half the class had failed the NCEA Level l math so even though they were in Year 12 this year they had to repeat Level 1 in math and in several cases, other subjects as well. This was a difficult age and one where many of the the less talented students dropped out as soon as they reached sixteen, the end of compulsory education in New Zealand. In contrast the seventeen and eighteen year old students were self motivated and discipline problems were almost non-existent, well except for that use of the internet that Karla was still to follow up.
Karla was holding personal interviews with every teacher and in two cases had to tell the teacher concerned that she was not satisfied with their efforts, in one case his planning and evaluation for the seniors that he taught was inadequate and in another, the teacher really did nothing while the students did work over the internet. She was told quite frankly that if she did not improve she should look for another position elsewhere. Deanne was the last in the senior school to be interviewed. Karla had asked her to come in on Friday morning, earlier than her ten o'clock starting time. Due to the falling roll, Harvey's full time position had been replaced by a part-time position.
Deanne arrived, sat nervously in an office armchair and watched as Karla pulled up a swivel chair in front of rather than behind the desk.
"As you know, Deanne," Karla began. "One of the reasons I am here is to integrate the school into one unit, rather than two schools sharing the same site."
Deanne nodded miserably but did not try to make excuses.
"It directly affects you, possibly more than any teacher on the staff."
"I thought it might," the young woman whispered.
"Firstly, it is not your fault that the math pass rate from last year was so low that four pupils are repeating the level in Year 12. They are obviously not interested in math and are apathetic and disruptive. I shall be telling Gavin and Kirsty that they have one month to improve their attitude and marks in maths or they will be withdrawn from your class. In Gavin's case it also applies to two other subjects he takes."
"You can do that?" Deanne gasped.
"Oh yes. Why should a whole class have their chances ruined by a few louts?" Karla continued on with a positive comment on Deanne's, teaching, planning and evaluation in all the subjects she taught. The teacher looked a little more cheerful now but still apprehensive as if expecting a 'but you will need to...' comment.
"Your favourite subject is music and in a larger school you would like to just take subjects and activities relating to music such as a band or choir?"
"True."
"And you find the Room 10, our music room inadequate?"
"I usually go to the assembly hall to take music. The piano there is better and ..." Deanna became quite enthusiastic and gave several reasons why she preferred using the hall rather than the half classroom size music room.
Karla nodded but remained non-committal. "Considering our small size, what would you like to see happen in the music department?
Karla listened as Deanne made several suggestions, from buying more instruments to having some school performance or operetta sometime in the future.
"Involving the whole school?" Karla interjected.
"Yes. Why not?"
"Why not indeed!" Karla replied. "Because of our size again, I cannot take math teaching away from you but I can offer you additional music classes."
Deanna frowned. "Additional? But I have no extra time. I'm only here as a point eight teacher on a long term relieving contract that expires at the end of the year."
"Here's my offer." Karla reached across to her desk for a document. "I have several discretionary teaching hours I can allocate where I think it is useful. In your case I can offer you a full time permanent position."
Deanne stared at her but remained cautious. "A permanent full time position, you say?"
"Yes but you must agree to use those extra hours in the junior school."
"Doing what?"
"I want you to take all the four primary classes for music and dancing."
"So I'll be taking the whole school for music?"
"Almost. As you know, we don't provide music as a Year 12 and 13 subject but you will take every level from Brandi's Year 1 through to your own Year 11 home class."
"Is that possible?" She suddenly sounded flustered but excited.
"It is.'" Karla glanced up. "There's one more thing; I agree that Room 10 is useless as a music room or even general classroom. If you accept the position of course, I propose to shift you into the hardly used Room 3 in the Junior block. Incidentally, I intend to rename it East Block with the Senior Block becoming the North Block. This will be the first of many physical changes I'll be making so Tuckett becomes a proper composite school, not one in name only."
"Oh my God. After what I heard had happened to the others, I was sure you were going to tell me to buck up or my contract would not be renewed." Deanne accepted the tissue box offered to her and wiped her eyes that had begun to water. "Thank you Karla. I don't know what to say."
"That you'll accept the permanent position offered to you. You can have a week to think about it."
"No need," Deanna replied. "I'll take it! When will I begin taking the younger kids?"
"Next term but you can move into Room 3 and use it for all your classes as from next week, if you wish. The senior boys and caretaker can help shift the piano and other heavy stuff there. The remedial reading and other groups that use it now will go to Room 10 that will be perfect for smaller groups."
Deanne wiped her eyes again and they almost glowed. "Can I shout you down at the tavern tonight?"
"Why not? I'd love to come."
*
KARLA TOLD RYAN THAT he had to look after Alexis as she was going to the pub that evening. He raised his eyebrows, nodded but said nothing."Aren't you going to ask why?"
"Deanna's shout after you promoted her."
"What? I never promoted her and anyway how did you know?"
"It's all over town. The rumour is that Don will be walking soon. Some are calling you The Iron Blonde after you told those other two to buck up or ship out."
"That's an exaggeration, too."
Ryan laughed, gave her a kiss and told her that if she was going to get drunk she'd better walk the two blocks to the pub. She slapped his shoulder before she climbed into the car and backed it down the drive.
At the tavern she was surprised to find not only Deanne there but half the teachers sitting around a corner table. She frowned when three others arrived. Oh hell, it was Rita and Helen and Peter, two other Year 13s. Made up and in modern clothes the girls in particular, looked twenty.
"Hi Karla," Rita said with a laugh. "We're eighteen and allowed on licensed premises in this country."
"Hi Rita and you too, Helen and Peter. I didn't expect to see any of you here."
"Deanne said you'll be coming. First time is it?" Helen said.
"Well, with a two year old toddler to look after, my evenings are pretty well used up." She accepted the mug of beer Deanne placed before her.
"And so are your days straightening our lot out," Rita replied.
"Teachers or students?" Peter chipped in.
Karla grinned but ignored his question. "It's the first time I've ever been in a public bar with my students but no more school talk... agreed?"
She stayed for longer than intended but finally thanked Deanne and slipped out. Back home, Ryan met her at the door. "Hi Sweetheart. You're home early."
"Didn't like to leave you too long. How's Alexis?"
"Sound asleep. Want to go back?"
"No thanks. When one's pupils are in the pub with you it makes one realise how old one's becoming."
"But still the most beautiful lady in town." Ryan grabbed her in a massive hug and deposited a kiss on her lips.
*
EXCEPT FOR A SMALL social event when they had first arrived, the Monday evening meeting was Karla's first with The Board of Trustees. She had already researched the attitudes of the members and had found a diverse range of personalities. Keeping in mind John Cosgrove's comment that she could have the board disestablished if they were uncooperative she hoped but was by no means certain that her changes made or about to be brought in would be accepted.
Everyone had arrived early and looked serious as she walked in and accepted a seat at the end of the tables pushed together in the staffroom.
The meeting began with a lot of formal stuff such as reading of minutes, official mail, the paying of accounts and so forth. Finally, it was the time for her report. She stood up and without even glancing at her notes, told of her findings and suggestions. She attempted to be positive and as she spoke noted the body language of those there. The board consisted of five parents, the principal a staff member and a student representative. She knew that two of the parents, Adrian Flavell and Blake Turner supported chairperson Sonya Bray and the other two Don Trow. Jasmine Scott, the staff representative and Rita who was the student representative now appeared quiet and seemingly neutral. As well, Roxanne was there as a non-voting secretary and treasurer.
Karla finished her report by saying. "I hope to have a total integration of the two sections of Tuckett Area School completed by the end of next term. There are other issues such as trying to keep students here for their high school years and..."
"And you're doing that by making the high school into a primary school with just older children?" Don Trow stood up looking black across the eyes. "I totally oppose shifting the Year 11s and Deanne Waitapu into the very centre of the Junior Block and the idea of letting her take the whole school's music is ludicrous. She's had no experience and her math teaching is not getting through because she can't control the classes. But what do you do? You give her a pat on the back after criticising two of my long serving staff." He was shaking in anger as he glared at her with his arms out straight towards the table and hands flat on it with fingers expanded. "You know nothing about how a high school is run, Mrs Spicer and having a drink with them in the local tavern does not help." He turned to a now stern looking Sonya Bray. "I am placing a vote of no confidence in Change Principal Karla Spicer and put forward a motion that the Board of Trustees of Tuckett Area School ask the Ministry of Education to replace her with a Change Principal who comes from a high school environment and knows how they operate."
Sonya glanced up. "Does anyone second that motion?"
However even before there was a reply Karla, also angry and determined stood up. "If I can make a point of order, Madam Chairperson?" she asked in a determined formal voice.
Sonya almost looked relieved. "You may Karla."
"I wish to speak to you and Mr Trow in confidence."
"This is out of order," Trow thundered again. "I have nothing more I want to hear from Mrs Spicer."
"Oh it is your best interest that you hear what I wish to say, Don," Karla almost whispered and stared at him with a fixed gaze. He couldn't hold it and looked away
"Very well," he grumbled.
"This meeting is now in recess," Sonya said. "However, will members please remain here as we will reconvene after Mrs Spicer has spoken to Mr Trow and myself in private."
She nodded and Karla led the pair along to her office where her computer monitor was showing a screen saver.
"Take a seat," Karla said and waited as the angry Trow and serious but obviously curious Sonya sat and both fix their eyes on her.
"I have serious information about a hidden account of the defunct PTA that is being used for personal gain."
Karla clicked the monitor and the Fun World Casino - Where your dreams true come flashed on a purple screen. Don Trow's angry expression changed to a shocked look of almost fear.
"How did you?" he gasped.
"There's more..." In a quiet voice Karla told the pair everything Ryan had found out, leaving out only how he had hacked into the schools system to get the information. "There are no extra iPads coming here. The accounts are faked and the twenty five thousand missing dollars have been used by you to pay off gambling debts to this Russian Casino, Don," she said.
"Is this true?" Sonya spat with her own face looking angrier than Trow's had earlier.
"It wasn't only me." The principal almost whimpered like a child caught stealing in a supermarket.
"So it's true?" Sonya retorted. "We need to call in the police immediately, Karla. This is criminal behaviour!"
"I was going to pay it back. In fact, I already made one deposit of eight thousand back into the PTA account," the principal almost croaked.
Karla nodded and hit some keys on her computer. Ryan had set it up perfectly and the Income and Expenditure Account of the PTA flashed onto the screen. She zoomed in on one section and it did show that a deposit of the amount stated had been made only a few days earlier.
"That's all very well but..." Sonya began.
Karla held her hand up and turned to Trow. "I intend to keep this confidential in the meanwhile and will give you the time I am seconded here to have the stolen money repaid. Also, I shall be bringing in a central monitoring system that records every internet connection made within the school." She grimaced. This was already in operation but she wasn't going to admit it. "That includes the illegal downloads of music and videos made in the Year 12 and 13 common room."
"You're thorough," Sonya whispered.
"In exchange for what?" Trow stuttered.
"Withdraw your vote of no confidence and give me your full cooperation in my attempt to help Tuckett Area School out of the problems I was called in to solve."
"That's blackmail!" The tremor in Don Trow's voice could not be covered by his raised voice.
"It is, isn't it?" Karla smiled sweetly and turned the computer monitor off.
*
WITH THE MEETING RECONVENED in front of the curious board members, Sonya turned to the principal. "In light of the confidential information that Mrs Spicer has told us, you may wish to make a statement before the motion on the table is seconded, Mr Trow."
Trow stood up. "I wish to withdraw the motion, Madam Chairperson," he said. "Instead, I wish to place another motion that we accept Mrs Spicer's recommendations and offer the Board's full support of any future changes she wishes to make."
Everyone looked astonished but nobody spoke. Within moments, the new motion was passed by six to zero with two abstentions from Ian Holland and Tyler McKegg who originally supported Don Trow. A few final business matters were hastily covered before Sonya declared the meeting closed.
*
AS KARLA WALKED ACROSS the parking lot towards the schoolhouse, a car pulled up beside her and the passenger door flung open.
"Get in!" Soya called out..
Karla glanced around, noticed that all the other vehicles had left and shrugged. She climbed into the still cold car and gazed through the dim light at her companion.
"You're a tough old girl, aren't you?" Sonya said after leaving the engine idle so the interior would warm up.
"I don't know about the old bit, Sonya. Do you have reservations about what I did?"
"I would have called in the cops. The bastard's probably been ripping us off for years."
"And have him suspended and dragged through a criminal court? Oh, the school would get plenty of publicity. Imagine the six o'clock news on the main television channels? If that happened, we might as well close the school down and I'll go home, for nothing could be done to redeem the school and district's reputation, let alone improving it."
"Not only tough but brainy," Sonya retorted. "How did you find all this out anyway?"
Karla shrugged.
"It was Ryan wasn't it? I heard he was a whizz at anything to do with computers or the internet. He hacked into the school system, didn't he?"
Karla just grinned but said nothing.
"Okay, I get the drift. So what now?"
"You say nothing and leave everything to me."
"Fair enough but if Don Trow doesn't pay back the rest of that money by next year, I'm going to report him to the police. I want updates on anything you find out, too." She raised her eyebrows. "What was that bit about the Year 12 and 13 common room downloads?"
"They've been stopped. Ryan has placed in a firewall that I doubt if ever Peter can bypass. All they get is a little cartoon cat telling them not to be naughty and only go into official sites. He has also cut out Facebook and other social sites that teenagers go into."
Sonya grinned. "And what did they say about that?"
"Not a word but Rita, Helen, Peter and the others know that I know what they've been doing."
"You've said nothing to them?"
"Nope!"
"Not only tough and brainy but sneaky, too."
Karla laughed. "I'm here to make friends, not enemies." She frowned. "I had hoped I wouldn't need to pull rank on Don but I'm glad I had everything ready, just in case."
"You've forgotten one thing, Missie."
"And that is?"
"The rumours. I reckon every mobile phone in town is running red hot, right now."
Karla nodded. "I changed my mind. Don't leave everything to me. I'll leave it up to you to stop or neutralise the rumours that get around."
"How?"
"I don't know. You're the local. Make up a rumour of your own that sounds possible and squashes the other ones. Coming from you, it will sound authentic."
Sonya also laughed. "Leave it to me. I think I'll enjoy my new assignment."
*