OZARK, MO — Tom Swift, in his 28th year teaching at Ozark R-VI, says he didn’t sign a separation agreement with the district, which would have essentially paid him off to retire quietly.
However, Swift (who teaches at Ozark Middle School) says his concerns with the Ozark district is related to health and safety of the students, and he can’t just “take the money and run.”
APRIL 18, 2019
That’s the day Swift says Ozark School Superintendent Dr. Chris Bauman and other administrators crossed the line. From then on, Swift decided to stand his ground.
“That day (April 18, 2019) I met with Dr. Bauman, Dr. Curtis Chesick, Dr. Craig Carson, and then OMS Principal Les Ford,” Swift told the CCT.
RABBIT TRAIL:
CCT RABBIT TRAIL: Swift said Ford was a “decent man that was most likely run off by Dr. Bauman”… and that his replacement, Dr. Eric Russell (another Doctor in the house!) is the most “manipulative man I’ve ever worked with.”
The April 18 meeting took place because Swift had informed Dr. Carson of Bauman and Chesick’s negligence and careless treatment of a formal complaint of excessive wood dust in the shop class Swift taught. Swift had further notified Carson that Chesick had harassed Swift in front of students over the matter. Dr. Carson received notice of said harassment.
PAUSE BUTTON: FOR A COMPLETE RUNDOWN OF NAMES AND CURRENT TITLES, SEE THE “LIST OF DOCTORS” AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS ARTICLE.
BACK TO THE STORY
At the April 18 meeting, Bauman claimed Chesick was a “godly man who wouldn’t act the way I said he acted,” Swift told the CCT.
The whole thing became a posse of powerful suits and ties vs. the helpless broken arm shop teacher. They had their script. They had their marching orders. No one could dissuade them from circling the wagons and defending themselves.
WHAT NOW?
Swift is taking a few days off (October 2022) with PTSD like symptoms (headaches, anxiety, insomnia), he told the CCT Oct. 4.
“They wrote up my case in such a way as to bypass any hearing requirements (unlike Maj. Danny Cazier’s case),” Swift said.
“If they terminate me, it will be World War III. I will use every bit of my documentation to expose them for not creating a safe environment for kids.”
Swift says he’s already filed a retaliation charge against the district.
“If I resigned like the others (there have been several resignations by teachers recently) all of this gets swept away,” Swift continued.
“Their retaliation against me is affecting the kids I teach.”
STAY TUNED FOR PART 4
THE CAST OF “DOCTORS” WITH THEIR FANCY TITLES IN THE “OZARK HOSPITAL” …FOR YOUR REFERENCE
District Administration
Phone: 417-582-5982
Email: chrisbauman@ozarktigers.org
Dr. Chris Bauman
Superintendent
Ed.D. Educational Leadership – Evangel University
The Superintendent oversees the entire School District, reporting directly to the Ozark School Board.
Administrative Assistant – Ashli Price
Phone: 417-582-5951
Email: craigcarson@ozarktigers.org
Dr. Craig Carson
Assistant Superintendent of Learning
Ed.D. Educational Leadership – Saint Louis University
The Assistant Superintendent of Learning oversees all levels of curriculum development and implementation supervising the Executive Director of Secondary Learning, the Executive Director of Elementary Learning, the Executive Director of Special Services and the Executive Director of Student Services.
Administrative Assistants – Shanelle Leigh and Sue Showers
Phone: 417-582-5952
Email: curtischesick@ozarktigers.org
Dr. Curtis Chesick
Assistant Superintendent of Operations
Ed.D. Educational Leadership – Southwest Baptist University
The Assistant Superintendent of Operations oversees the transportation department, technology departments, nutrition and food services departments, communications department, maintenance department and the instructional technology department.
Administrative Assistant – Shana Sears
Phone: 417-582-5982
Email: loriwilson@ozarktigers.org
Dr. Lori Wilson
Assistant Superintendent of Business
& Chief Financial Officer
Ed.D. Educational Leadership – Southwest Baptist University
The Chief Financial Officer oversees payroll, benefits, human resources, accounts payable and classified staff.
Administrative Assistant – Ashli Price
Phone: 417-582-5962
Email: geraldchambers@ozarktigers.org
Gerald Chambers
Executive Director of Secondary Learning
Ed.S. Educational Administration – Southwest Baptist University
The Executive Director of Secondary Learning oversees secondary (middle school, junior school and high school) principals and instructional coaches.
Administrative Assistant – Sue Showers
Phone: 417-582-5974
Email: kimfitzpatrick@ozarktigers.org
Dr. Kim Fitzpatrick
Executive Director of Student Services
Ed.D. Educational Leadership – St. Louis University
The Executive Director of Student Services oversees federal programs, the health services department, school resource officers, intervention and counselors. Dr. Fitzpatrick also serves as the homeless and foster care liaison for the District.
Administrative Assistant – Sue Showers
Phone: 417-582-5953
Email: kentsappington@ozarktigers.org
Dr. Kent Sappington
Executive Director of Elementary Learning
Ed.D. Educational Leadership – Evangel University
The Executive Director of Elementary Learning oversees elementary principals and instructional coaches.
Administrative Assistant – Sue Showers
Phone: 417-582-5957
Email: jeffsimpson@ozarktigers.org
Jeff Simpson
Executive Director of Special Services
Ed.S. Educational Administration – Lindenwood University
The Executive Director of Special Services oversees the Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, gifted education, special education, process coordinators and therapists.
Administrative Assistant – Lacie Hart