Brenda Holcomb (left) tells protest group they will have to take a leadership role, with former teacher and school board member
Lee Evans (right) saying group should "work with our representatives."
By Dianne Weaver
A group of Arnoldsburg area residents are getting ready to drive to Charleston Thursday morning to protest the hiring of Dr. Gene Rizzo as principal of Arnoldsburg Elementary School.
If the principal does not resign or be removed, Tonda Delaney of Chloe is organizing a protest group which will seek help from Charleston officials. They plan to protest at the state capitol.
Rizzo has reportedly already went to work. Friday is the first day of school.
During a meeting held yesterday at the Upper West Fork Park, about twenty individuals agreed to move forward with a Charleston protest.
 Delaney (pictured left) said she is transferring her child to another school, but others attending the meeting said they will either withhold their children from classes, sit with them in the classroom, home school them, or enroll them in another school.
Carlene Frederick, president of the local school board, said Dr. Rizzo has been officially hired, and the superintendent and board would have to find substantial reasons to remove him.
Superintendent Ron Blankenship said Dr. Rizzo is being punished for personal problems which he has openly owned, none of which have affected his professional life and his relationship with students.
Last Thursday's meeting of the protest group was filled with angry outbursts and accusations, demanding that school principal's should serve as role models. They said they are concerned about Rizzo's ability to control his anger.
Former Calhoun teacher and school board member Lee Evans encouraged group members to work "with our representatives," saying superintendent Blankenship has done "some positive things for the county."
"We support our school system when they are right," said Evans.
At last Thursday's meeting, Evans told Rizzo he should move on saying he "needs to be crucified."
Evans told the group yesterday "We don't want to act like a bunch of vigilantes."
He said he believed Rizzo's hiring "Fell through the cracks," saying parents had to find out his background on the Internet.
Opponents of the former Maryland educator, said they are concerned about his ability to control his anger, although there is no evidence he has had problems as a school administrator.
Rizzo told concerned citizens his primary concern has always been the children.
Brenda Holcomb, Arnoldsburg resident and grandmother of five children, has been the principal spokesperson for the group, indicated she had called CNN and has appeared on regional news opposing Rizzo's hiring.
Holcomb said several petitions have already been sent to Charleston, and she has talked to the governor's office.
Evans warns about being a vigilante group
Holcomb said she is often accused of "having the biggest mouth," but she now expects others to take a leadership role in removing the principal.
She suggested Rizzo be sent to Pleasant Hill School as a principal, or "start at the bottom and be a teacher."
Dr. Rizzo left the Arnoldsburg meeting last week after an unidentified man told the educator "It's a common fact that anybody who's been involved with the criminal system, as I was for 10 years ... starts out small, and continues just like I did. I went from little misdemeanor, minor, stuff because I had an anger management problem, until I killed somebody."
The man said "Mister, my son is going to that school next year, and you will not be there, do you understand that?"
At that point Dr. Rizzo chose to leave the meeting and declined further comment.
The protest group will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Big Otter exchange at I-79, if the principal does not resign or is removed. Delaney said she can be contacted at 655-8564.
Earlier Hur Herald stories:
8/23 Regional TV Covers Rizzo Problem
8/18 Holcomb Organizes Meeting Over Rizzo Hiring
8/17 Dr. Rizzo "Answered Our Questions With Brutal Truth"
8/16 Dr. Rizzo Bares Personal Life
8/15 Arnoldsburg Parents Want Answers
8/13 Arnoldsburg Parents Upset Over Principal's Hiring
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