Mountain Home principal put on paid leave

I wonder if the school board ever heard of suspended without pay. I am not saying Mr. McCarrel is guilty but if he is then he should be made to pay back the money he is earning for not performing his duties.

Ok Old Guy. Please know what you are talking about before you say anything like this. Nothing is proven and all they can do is put him on leave. and he still needs a way to support his family. And the duties are being performed that he needs to do at this moment in time. So please just relax and know what is going on before you speak.

I just find it a difficult pill to swallow that the duties he is paid to perform are being performed by him. How is that possible if is on paid administrative leave? And notice I said IF HE IS GUILTY not that he is.

I'm with old guy on this one. He's been suspended. He's not taking care of the junior high. I can't possibly see any Principal-like duties taking place. More taxpayer money being flushed. Thank you, MHSD.

I agree with Heisinnocent on this one... there is nothing in this article that says why he was put on paid leave. Let's find out more about this situation before people start bashing the school district again...

So we can agree to disagree. I just pointed out that IF FOUND GUILTY, then Mr. McCarrel should be made to pay back the money he received while not performing the duties of a principal. If that is wrong then so be it but that is how this simple guys thinks, work hard for your money and if not then you should not receive anything. Guess I am old fashioned.

Well he is doing everything he can. It isnt his fault if someone files a complaint or what ever it is. I know that he is a man that doesn't deserve what he is being given. Not only has he been a good principal to the school, but he is a caring and loving father. One of the major money making vending machines at the school was filled by him going and buying the stuff and stocking it himself for the better of the students.

I agree to disagree. Anyone else that will respect the thoughts of others?

As a parent I wonder about all of the mystery. I think we have a right to know what is going on with one of our paid employees. This man works for us and with our children. We are adults instead of all the guessing, why not just let us know what is going on.

He wouldnt have been put on admin leave if a problem has been found. I just wonder why the SD took so long to let us know. If it was Boise we would have known the next day. Something was found to be wrong.

Funny, I got more information from my son, who was told by the teachers there in class, than this useless public servant has given us. Seems there will be much more to this story, if my son is right, than you know. But, I will be nice and wait for the SD to put out the info, as I am not one to play the speculative game.

My 2 cents. He was suspended, which indicates a problem, IMHO and I guess the opinion of the MHSD Board. They do not just suspend people to suspend them. It has been 2.5 weeks since he worked---if (IF) it was that cut and dry if (IF) he did do something wrong...he would either be back to work or fired. The fact that there is an investigation at all, should be an indication. Another indication is how long the "investigation" has taken and how long it took to be made public. Why such a secret? What (IF anything) are they attempting to hide? The MHSD wonders why the public is so skeptical of them all of the time...hmmmmmm...I wonder why?

If the MHSD was in that bad of financial shape...why do they have someone on paid leave? If (IF) he is fired or if (IF) it is found that he did something wrong, will the MHSD aka taxpayers ever see that money again?

As far as how great good ole Bill is...here is the scoop on that. This is the same guy who vowed to donate the remaining money for a portable stage for the "Acting Out Club, from district funds (per Betty Ashcraft at the WECRD Board meeting when she read a letter from Mr. McCarrel into the record). Responsible? Within his rights? Smart spending? I think books or a few computers would have been a better use of that money and could have been used by everyone as opposed to a select group. Filling a vending machine with crap?!?!? What a guy! Boy am I glad that the MHSD has employees who care that much.

Sorry folks but this does not sound like a school district that is short on funding. They are short of common sense and fiscal responsibility. Now let us see how the MHSD Board deals with the issue IF (and that was an IF) this man is guilty of anything at all that is. The MHSD Board is not exactly a moral compass either, IMHO anyway. The fish stinks from the head down. If you want change---VOTE em all out.

I agree with OG. If things go against McCarrel, he should pay the money back. That repayment can come in the form he received it or count against his accrued leave; get worked out in accordance with an existing severance package that covers dismissal, whatever. Not saying I'd go along with a lengthy "investigation" either. We don't need another reason to throw away money.

OM, et al ... Regarding the 'donation' of money to the Act Out Theatre group ... I'm not sure that is entirely correct although I do not have the facts. It is my understanding (as a parent of an involved student) that the group raised most of the money needed for the stage and McCarrel then allowed them to purchase the stage on a school district PO with that money and with the intention to pay the rest of the cost with ticket sales and further fundraising. This was done so the group would have their stage in time for their show. The group then paid the entire amount due back into the account from which it was taken once tickets sales were done. I believe the group paid for the stage entirely on their own, not with school district/taxpayer dollars. McCarrel approved this purchase because of the group had already raised most of the money and knew they would easily raise the rest in a reasonable amount of time. Not defending McCarrel, as from what I've heard, he's done around here ... just didn't want the kids or the theatre group to get a bad rap from this potential mis-information.

Actually I was curious enough that I called a few people who may know the answer to the previous question. "I (heart) my boys" is pretty much on the mark as far as I can tell. The theater group did end up covering the cost of their stage with fund-raisers and ticket sales. School district/tax payer dollars were NOT used.

You know, OM, this is not the first time you have used a harmless group of students to further your campaign against the WECRD and/or any group that is on your radar.

If you have complaints, it seems to me that they would appear much more valid if you kept to the facts. Whatever the "letter" read by Betty Ashcraft said, check your information...don't throw the names of groups or individuals around just to make a point.

I would really hate to see a group of kids get a bad name because you are trying to make a point. Let's just stick to the McCarrel issue. Personally I hesitate to say much because i do not know any real info about him at all.

I TRULLY THINK THIS GUY IS AN IDIOT...AND SHOULD NOT BE PUT ON PAID LEAVE BUT RATHER BE FIRED..

dont judge unless you lest yea be judged,

BMW Gal:

Get your facts straight. It was stated that the kids were 3K short for the stage and that Bill McCarrel decided to cover that cost. They raised part of that money...not all of it but it was stated that the money would be paid back when the kids were able to pay it back through fundraising, etc. The point of my post was that he promised money, to a limited group of people, during a budget "crisis." Clearly BMWGAL, you have never bothered to call the district office or the school to get YOUR FACTS!

I heart---if monies were "loaned" to this group for the purchase of this stage then tax payer funds were used regardless of if they were paid back or not. When I called to inquire on this I was told that the money was loaned to the group but would be paid back----not that it had been paid back. Funny! All of this right in the middle of a spending freeze. I could really care less why this guy was suspended but his use of taxpayer money is curious regardless of if it was paid back or not.

BMW Gal, I was at the meeting where the letter was read (the 3.5 hour board meeting as a matter of fact). I have my facts all in order. Perhaps you need better sources or should not believe all that you hear while at the salon for your monthly bleach job. Just an idea. Pick up a phone and ask questions. Do not believe all that your ill- informed circle of friends tell you.

Ok, it is now official. You are making me laugh. You have no idea how accurate my information is, and how INACCURATE I know your's to be. First of all, in an earlier blogg you named Betty Ashcraft as a volunteer of the theater group. She is not now, nor has she ever been a volunteer with that group. Considering the number of hours you have devoted to the WECRD and those involved, one would imagine that you would have that much information straight. I actually do acknowledge that you believe your information to be accurate, and that any inaccuracies are not intentional.

However, rather than point out how many of your other facts are blatent half-truths, I think it is time for my hair bleaching again.

Some one needs to step forward and let the public know what is going on. This secrecy needs to stop. The public has a right to know what is going on in its schools.

Okay, this is ridiculous, why are parents and loved ones not more involved in this. I get it; we do not want to seem stupid in everyone else's eyes, so we don't get involved. Our parents were willing to fight for our rights...no matter what!!!!! I think whether this is a sexual harassment case in the staff, or a mishandling of funds in all others' eyes, it needs to be dealt with accordingly. The definition of criminal according to Webster's' Dictionary is as follows: 1: relating to, involving, or being a crime ; 2 : relating to crime or to the prosecution of suspects in a crime ; 3 : guilty of crime; also : of or befitting a criminal

This needs to be evaluated by everyone. Does anyone at this point evaluate or ask what their own children had to see or witness on their own behalf?

What is stupid in the school districts eyes depends on what we tell them is stupid and what WE decide is unconstitutional. Is there anyone else out there that believes this, since we appoint them??? You are allowed to talk to them and give them input!!!

I was at the meeting where Betty said that the SD was going to loan the acting kids the money for the stage. Her story wasn't verified by anybody from the SD or the acting group but it was said.

The SD ought to have said something earlier. We all need to remember this kind of thing when we go to choose the people we put on there. As far as I'm concerned I think that a change would be refreshing.

BMW, you make me laugh too! Your ignorant salon gossip that you represent as fact is pretty funny. I would suggest you obtain a copy of the letter to the WECRD from Mr. McCarrol and then get back to us on the "facts." As far as Betty's involvement with the "Acting Out Club"---my info came from a WECRD Board Member directly. If that info was not correct as far as Ms. Ashcraft's part in that (the "Acting Out Club"), I am sorry. I can only go off of the "facts" given to me when I go directly to the source for the info. I would suggest you listen to the tape, obtain a copy of the letter and review the form that was filled out with respect to the building use for the event. It is however always easier to represent gossip as fact BMW...it is a sign of being lazy. Pay the 50 cents and at least have the facts.

While this argument will undoubtedly continue about the stage and the alleged incompetence of the school district and school board, I just need to say one thing... NOTHING has been released about the reason Mr. McCarrel has been put on leave, only the fact that he has been put on paid leave. All speculation as to why that happened is just that--speculation. I have spoken to teachers who work at the Junior High and at other schools... no one has been told the reason he was put on administrative leave. Why not wait until we find out the whole story before the mud-slinging begins?

Tiger87,

I could not agree with you more but since the MHSD has seen fit not to disclose to the taxpayers and parents as to what is going on, all we can do is speculate and guess as to what is going on. It would help matters if they were more TRANSPARENT with what is going on. That is just this taxpayer's opinion.

Did any one go to the meeting at the SD last night and get any answers? i had to work so wasnt able to go.