TERRE HAUTE — A falsified memo has been sent to Indiana public school superintendents that misrepresents the Indiana Department of Education’s views on issues currently before the Legislature.

The false memo, on IDOE letterhead, indicated the state agency has decided “to begin to listen to the thousands of teachers who have voiced their concerns over collective bargaining limitations, voucher programs and evaluations based on merit-pay rather than seniority.”

The false memo, purportedly written by State Superintendent Tony Bennett, states that “we have realized that teachers and their unions are the biggest influencers driving student success in our schools.”

The false memo takes on a conciliatory tone with teacher unions and calls for a “democratic process of negotiation.”

The falsified memo, sent electronically and dated March 13, generated the following response from Kim Preston, IDOE communications director.

“It has come to our attention that a forged memo has been circulating in the field. The memo appears on Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) letterhead, is dated March 13, and purports to be from Dr. Bennett. This falsified memo, entitled ‘Response to Teachers’ Protests,’ deals with legislation before the Indiana General Assembly, was sent from a gmail account, and asks administrators to distribute to all teachers. 

“We are working to quickly identify the source of this blatant attempt to misrepresent a state agency, impersonate a public official (which we understand could be a Class A misdemeanor, pursuant to I.C. 35-44-2-3), and deceive the public,” Preston wrote in her response.

All official IDOE communications would come from an address ending in doe.in.gov, she said.

Preston further wrote, “This is just one more example of the lengths to which individuals to whom the truth is not [an] obstacle will go in their attempts to defend the status quo. It is extremely disappointing that these individuals have resorted to scare tactics like this one during this year’s legislative session. While a small group of dishonest individuals continues to disseminate information that is inaccurate at best (and blatantly false at worst), the IDOE will continue its efforts to share up-to-date information on legislation and other news with education stakeholders across the state.”

The false memo states that any plan aiming to dramatically improve schools must “take into account the real value of collective bargaining agreements between school corporations and unions.”

It also says that Senate Bill 1  “will create job insecurity for teachers who will be evaluated on factors outside of their control. Senate Bill 575 will limit the scope of teachers’ contracts while compromising the professional protections teachers need.”

It also falsely quotes Bennett as stating that the organizations that represent teachers “are necessary for their democratic voices to be heard in their workplaces. This legislative session, these organizations have convinced us at the Indiana Department of Education that there is only one road that will lead to success: the democratic process of negotiation.”

Lauren Auld, IDOE press secretary, said the false memo “is obviously disappointing. It’s obvious that someone is trying to misrepresent Dr. Bennett and IDOE. We’re taking it very seriously,” she said.

IDOE is working to find out who authored the false memo, and if it learns the identity, “We will take appropriate action” which could include prosecution, Auld said.

The department learned about the false memo from superintendents around the state who had received it electronically. The state responded with its own memo to make sure superintendents and others realized it was a fabrication, Auld said.

Vigo Schools superintendent Dan Tanoos received a copy of the original (falsified) memo, and the IDOE memo written in response.

“Whether you agree or disagree with the state superintendent, there are limits to people’s actions,” Tanoos said Monday night. “I think people are stepping over the line when they send out misinformation and/or information that is not under their name. That doesn’t show much integrity.”

While Tanoos said he doesn’t agree with much of the Republican legislative agenda in the Statehouse as it relates to education,  “There has to be some decorum, class and dignity when we rally around these issues,” he said.

He forwarded both memos to his administrators. Initially, he thought the first memo might have represented some type of compromise between various parties, although it didn’t seem right. “Obviously, it wasn’t right,” Tanoos said. 

 

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.