Category: Uncategorized

O’Neal Bans Former Student from Competing on Visiting Swim Team

Jen Schmitz – Director of O’Neal Aquatics

In a move that challenges the principles of fair play in sports, The O’Neal School’s administration banned a visiting student athlete and his family from participating in a swim meet just days after John Elmore responded to the community about the launch of this website.

Last year the Stefanik family faced a distressing series of events when their son was assaulted, unjustly expelled from school, and subsequently barred from participating in the O’Neal Aquatics team, a program notably open to the public. Overcoming these challenges, their son joined a new swim team and after three months of dedicated training his team was invited to a meet at The O’Neal School campus pool.  Eager to showcase his resilience and skill, the former student had been rigorously preparing to compete in multiple relay races and individual events.

However, on the eve of the competition, the student’s family received startling news from their head coach Chrissy Hicks.  Jen Schmitz, the Director of O’Neal Aquatics, had expressed reservations on the phone about the athlete attending the meet. Despite Coach Hicks’ advocacy for her athlete’s right to compete, the school’s decision was unwavering.  In a follow-up email Coach Hicks conveyed the distressing update: not only was the former student barred from competing, but the parents were also prohibited from being on deck effectively excluding the entire family from participating in or supporting their new team.

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John Elmore Responds to the O’Neal Community

 

In a letter to the O’Neal community regarding our website launch, John Elmore addresses concerns about the school’s safety policies particularly in relation to the juvenile assault “incident” last spring. Elmore’s emphasis on the implementation of new security measures like “locks, cameras, and resistant doors” seems misplaced given that the assault occurred next to the gazebo in an unsupervised area devoid of cameras. Opening the central campus without these systems in place raises questions about the school’s understanding and handling of student safety in a comprehensive and proactive manner.

More concerning is Elmore’s complete silence on the central point – his misuse of power and abuse of the victim of the violence.  The problem he ignores is less about cameras and more about the apparent centralization of disciplinary power in his hands.  A letter sent by O’Neal’s attorney to the Stefanik family unequivocally states: “Disciplinary decisions of any student are made by the Head of School in his sole discretion.”  This approach to discipline lacking any checks or balances such as input from an independent review board is deeply troubling. Furthermore, John Elmore’s written interpretation of the enrollment agreement reinforces that “negative comments about O’Neal or its faculty or staff, … will result in adverse action.” This stance effectively consolidates all decision-making power into his hands with the implication that any criticism could lead to termination. The aftermath of the assault involving victim silencing, targeting, and expulsion, seems to have been dictated by this unilateral framework.

The school’s assurance that administrators and faculty members “followed our policies throughout this matter” rings hollow when these policies grant unchecked authority to a single individual. It’s not just about following policies; it’s about whether those policies themselves are fair, just, and conducive to a safe and nurturing educational environment. The current situation at O’Neal, where the Head of School reigns with absolute control over disciplinary matters, can lead to decisions that are not only grossly unjust but also detrimental to the well-being of students. This authoritarian approach to school governance undermines the very principles of accountability and transparency that are fundamental to any educational institution.

 

John Elmore Addresses the O’Neal Community (Student Safety)

First Post

Today marks the first post of our watchdog website, a platform dedicated to upholding transparency, advocating for student safety, and demanding accountability within The O’Neal School community. Our mission is to shine a light on the shadows cast by those in positions of power who have lost sight of the core values that education should embody. The initiation of this site is not just a response to a singular incident but a commitment to all families who seek a safe and fair educational environment for their children. We stand for those families that have felt unheard and are dedicated to protecting the students whose well-being and rights have been compromised by the school’s administration.

We strive to pursue the truth, foster public awareness, and ensure that such experiences are brought to light. It is through this collective awareness that we can initiate change, challenge unjust practices, and promote an educational landscape in Moore County where integrity, care, and justice are not just ideals but realities for every family and student.