From: mandy@alsatianconsulting.com  
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2021 9:19 AM
To: 'secondaryccps@campbell.k12.va.us' 
Cc: 'elementaryccps@campbell.k12.va.us' 
Subject: Sean-Patric Boggs
Importance: High

Good morning Dr. Rinella (or James as I know you by),

I am hoping that all is well for you and yours.  I am writing today because I have serious concerns.  You have known my children for years now and they still speak very highly of you.

As you may (or may not) know, Sean-Patric has his degree in Music Education.  He has been working with Campbell County as the Asst. Band Director under Allison Shelton at William Campbell and substitute teaching for a while now.  When Allison was hired at William Campbell, Sean-Patric applied at Brookneal Elementary School.  He met with Mr. Bennett and after going thru the interview process, with several letters of recommendation, and other verbal recommendations, he was told that he was second in line.  Mr. Bennett chose another lady who didn’t work out so well.  COVID hit and Brookneal was without any music for the ending of 2019 and then the 2020/2021 school year.  Sean-Patric had been substituting and was working a long-term sub position for Ms. Creasy during the spring when Mr. Bennett approached him and asked if he would still be interested in teaching music at the school – that the position was going to be open.  Mr. Bennett was well aware that Sean-Patric was in the process of becoming licensed when he “offered” and initiated that conversation in the spring.  

Sean-Patric was so excited.  Now I know this to be true as Mr. Bennett was heard having that conversation with Sean-Patric.  Brookneal is a small town …. You know the score. 

Fast forward to when the job was posted.  Sean-Patric applied.  And then waited and waited.  The asst. principal and a couple other teachers asked if he had been called to interview.  Sean-Patric had to literally request an interview twice with Mr. Bennett.  This is the same man who had asked if he was interested in the job a couple months earlier.  When Sean-Patric went in for the interview, he was left waiting for over an hour and he told me afterwards that Mr. Bennett said that he had interviewed another lady with 7 years experience but that he would let him know by the first of the week.  That was over 3 weeks ago.  

Sean-Patric emailed Mr. Bennett and got a polite response back that he had offered the position to that same young lady.  During this time, there have been comments made about why Sean-Patric (or any of my sons) would never work for Campbell County.  You are aware of our history but the sins of their father should have nothing to do with my boys and I would always trust you to see that that never happened.    

He was turned down for the Band Director Position at WC even though he knows these kids, has worked in that program since he graduated high school – but it was given to someone else.  He made the choice to follow Allison as her Assistant Band Director to Gretna for this upcoming school year.

My question to you – is there something Sean-Patric is doing (or not doing) that is preventing him from being hired?   The job at BES – this is the second time now under Mr. Bennett that he has been “led” along and then told he was the second in line, sorry, so sorry.  There is a running joke at BES that Mr. Bennett only hires blonde, Caucasian, females in full-time roles.  I don’t know the man, have not been over there, but you know Brookneal --  well, people talk.  When I now have at least SIX different teachers in that school with the same information—generally where there is smoke, there is fire.  

I have a serious problem with the way my son has been treated in this county.  He lives here, is amazing with students, can hold down a classroom and still – nothing.  I get experience – at the same time, this is not how you treat someone who has worked in your county since he graduated high school in some form or other in music, has his degree, working towards becoming licensed – ON HIS OWN, and then simply be “led on”.   

Sean-Patric is in the process of becoming fully licensed, but at this point in time, he is starting to doubt that there is even a reason for Campbell County and I hate to say—I don’t blame him.  

I would respectfully request that someone at least reach out to Sean-Patric.

As always, thank you so much for at least reading this.  

Mandy  

 
Mandy Boggs
(434) 376-6579 * (434) 941-0996
Mandy@AlsatianConsulting.com