| By Bob Weaver
Arnoldsburg parents are upset over the hiring of former Maryland educator Dr. Gene Rizzo as the school's new principal.
They expect to express their concerns at the Calhoun Board of Education meeting Monday evening.
Rizzo, according to articles in the Washington Post, experienced problems in his personal life with two different school secretaries, once in 1996 and then in 2001.
He was accused of assault in both cases, but records indicate those particular charges were dropped.
In the 2001 case he was found guilty of 4th degree burglary and sentenced to 30 days in jail. He was required to take an anger management course.
News accounts said Rizzo planned to appeal, but the outcome of the appeal was not reported.
Calhoun school superintendent Ron Blankenship said "We're seriously looking at the matter and conducting further investigation."
Blankenship said he understands the concerns of parents and will have a statement following a discussion about Dr. Rizzo with school board members during an executive session.
Arnoldsburg parents accessed stories on the Internet regarding the educator's arrest in 2001, after which he was apparently dismissed from his job as principal of Calvert Elementary School, Maryland.
The award-winning educator reportedly entered a house belonging to his former girlfriend and secretary, after their relationship soured.
Jo Deanne Posey said Rizzo was hiding in her house for over two hours after she returned to the dwelling with her boyfriend at 11 p.m. Rizzo, according to the Washington Post, pulled back a shower curtain and stared at her after calling her on his cell phone from inside her home.
"Love drives people to do really stupid things, and my client did a really stupid thing," said Rizzo's attorney.
Posey claimed that Rizzo continued to harass her after their break-up and "His supervisors were unable to control him."
Rizzo was quoted as saying "I didn't hurt anyone. It's not a school matter. It has nothing to do with school."
Rizzo's dismissal drew protests from teachers, students and parents in 2001. They said his dismissal was harsh punishment for what amounts to a relationship squabble.
"We are devastated," said Stephanie Tayman, a fifth-grade teacher at Calvert.
PTA president Robin Stickler said ""I really do think, in talking to other parents, that his personal life should not affect his career or the school."
Rizzo was hired by Calhoun Schools at a recent board meeting. Superintendent Ron Blankenship told board member's he was the most qualified of all the applicants.
Tracey Lancaster of Arnoldsburg says she is going to Monday's board meeting. "I'm just concerned for my kids, and I want my voice heard and answers given."
Another Arnoldsburg parent, Heather McKown, who has two children in the school, ages seven and nine, said "I want to know what kind of problems the principal has had. I think parents should know what happened with his case."
McKown said she expects some representatives of the school's PTO to be present at the meeting.
"As a concerned parent I would like to know what was found when a
background check was run before hiring this new principal. I'd like to have something to set my mind at ease," said parent Cindy Siers.
Rizzo began his career teaching in Pennsylvania in 1974, after graduating from WV's West Liberty College, later going to Calvert County. He was widely considered an excellent educator, starting new programs with test scores rising.
"He turned the school into one of the best in the country," said teacher Stephanie Tayman.
He was one of 18 administrators who won the Washington Post's Distinguished Leadership Award.
Rizzo has more recently been working as an educational consultant.
A parent told the Herald "We don't want to crucify this man. There are just questions that need answers."
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