On Friday night at the Flanders Hotel, the Ocean City Education Foundation hosted "An evening to salute Dr. Kathleen Taylor", outgoing Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Taylor has been the districts' Superintendent for more than 15 years. The event was also a fundraiser, with proceeds going to the creation of outdoor wellness areas at each of the district's three schools.
Across the street, the recently formed organization, OCConcerned, gathered in protest. The group is comprised of former teachers, local business people, parents and grandparents of current and former OCSD students, and OCSD Alumni.
The protestors included students, parents, and grandparents who came out to have their voices heard.
"We are making a statement that the event this evening is part of a long running number of actions that are not in the best interests of the students of the Ocean City School District." said one of the event's organizers Patti Dougherty, retired teacher, coach, and supervisor at Ocean City High School for more than 30 years. She continued, "After more than a year of Covid restrictions, who should be the focus right now? The kids."
The group formed organically according to Dougherty, as friends and former colleagues talked about their growing concerns. They recently placed an ad in a local newspaper detailing those concerns and information they gathered from the district via Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. Among the list of issues:
'Over one million dollars spent to pay law firms in the last 6 years.'
'2 Public Relation firms hired to promote personal accolades and cover up ugly mistakes.'
'Favoritism towards selected staff and harassment of others.'
'This resulted in less time, services, & money spent on our students.'
Another of the organizers, Lloyd Hayes, retired teacher and coach at OCHS for many years, and former Board of Education member said: "I feel the students, the children, are being neglected. It's not about the accolades, it's always been about the kids. We have a community in which the parents, the businesses, the teachers and staff will give their whole hearts supporting the kids in this district. We need change. We need to do better for the kids."
Jennifer Shirk, OC Education Foundation Board President, issued the following statement regarding the event:
"Dr. Kathleen Taylor is one of the founding members of our board and has helped mold the Ocean City Education Foundation into what it is today. Her tireless efforts to support the students of the district and her continued promotion of our vision for the district are just two of the many reasons why we have decided to participate in honoring her with this retirement dinner after 15 years of service. She has devoted her time with the OCEF to achieve our mission, to identify and implement strategies and activities designed to support and to enhance health and wellness opportunities, as well as helping us provide many programs district wide, fund scholarships for students, fund teacher grants, as well as fund the Intermediate School Wellness Center.
We were approached by the event organizers to be the beneficiary for any funds raised to further our initiative to bring the already planned Outdoor Wellness Spaces to each school by the end of 2021, and we gratefully accepted. If you're interested in learning more about the wellness spaces, we'd be happy to provide you with that information."
