If you have information regarding the crimes occurring at V.V.U.H.S.D. such as dates and times of the playing of major movies, videotapes that you have made, you have noticed the huge shift in programming since 2/13/04, or just recall seeing major properties being displayed, please email me: vvhusdwhistleblower@hotmail.com

I originally requested a closed session for this meeting and was told to be there at 9:00 pm.  Then I called back a few days later and told them I changed my mind and wanted an open session.  I was told the time and date would be the same.  Doesn't that strike you as strange?  Amazingly, when I gave my presentation, there was no one present except for school district officials, school board members, and their attorneys.  Seems they picked the time carefully to insure that the public wouldn't be present.  Why?  Read on, you'll see.

“So I told my neighbor (Name removed for legal reasons), go on down there and hop on the bandwagon.  There’s room for everybody on the gravy train.”

3/31/03

At 7:30 am I went to Gloria McGee's office and was told she'd be in around 8 am.  She arrived around that time and I went in to talk with her.  Then I told her about the "Wizard of Oz" tape, and gave it to her.  She seemed to comprehend the gravity of the situation. 

Sometime between the 9 am call and the 2:30 pm call:

Gloria called.  She said "I talked to Jim and he said that the rights to those movies were owned by K-HIZ, and that they were not going to use them, so they said he could."

I replied "We'll see."

She said "That's what I thought too."

She said that they were continuing to work on it on her end, and we ended the conversation.

4/1/03, 11:00 am

Gloria called said "What we need for you to do is come down and turn in your keys.  Now you can bring them to the ROP office, that's ok."  I said no problem.  The dialog:

"We also need for you to bring down the tapes."

"I can't do that."

"Those tapes are stolen from the school district..."

"I'm a U.S. citizen who has witnessed a crime and I have confiscated evidence."

"You must give us the tapes."

"Send the cops to my house.  I'll hand them over to them, after we do a detailed accounting and inventory."

"Alright I will."

11:05 am

Gloria called and said the ROP office would be closed from 11-1.  She also stated that she wanted me to call Bob findling about the tape issue.  I told her that I would.

11:30 am approx.

Called Bob Findley.  He wanted to know the story, so I told him.

He informed me that I had to turn over the tapes.  I explained to him why I felt I couldn't do that.  He explained that he was trying to protect me, that the school district would have to charge me with theft. 

He said:

"Why do you want to hang on to the tapes?"

"because I don't feel this investigation is going properly.  Any TV station in the world would have fired this gentleman on the spot for not having the documentation to back up copyrighted material that he is playing.  For that reason, I believe that this may be swept under the rug, and I don't want that to happen."

He assured me that he was going to look into it and then said:

"Let me explain it to you as your personnel director.  I can only help you if you bring me the tapes."  And explained how bad it would be if I didn't have him on my side, don't recall the wording.

I explained that I received no benefit whatsoever from them, and thought that they were confiscated evidence, which I had every right to do.  However, after thinking about it, I told him that I would try & find a way to get the tapes back, without compromising my position.

"perhaps I can get some people together as witnesses, copy the tapes, and then give them to you."

He agreed that this would be a very good idea, and we ended the conversation amicably.  In closing I told him that I would be in touch with him as soon as I figured out what to do with the tapes.  He said fine.

4/2/03, 1:30 PM approximately

I called Bob Findling and gave this monologue

I called you because I last talked to you about those tapes.  But I don't wish to go over Gloria's head, so if I am, tell me now, and I'll stop and call her.

He said "no, no, go ahead."

As I told Gloria, I'm truly sorry to lay this grief on your doorstep.  Unfortunately, it's been on mine for quite a while.  I really appreciate your professionalism in our conversation yesterday.  Your communication skills are impeccable.  Because of that, I seriously gave thought to your words.  I do wish to take issue with one statement you made, however.  You characterized my holding of the tapes as a ransom.  I beg to differ, sir.   if I had some hate thing towards Mr. Hall, why not go directly to the district attorney with it, get him arrested?  This was a multiple instance of felonies to the tune of millions of dollars.  It's called "theft of intellectual property rights."  It wasn't a mistake, and I can prove that.  That would surely remove him.  I don't hate Mr. Hall.  I don't like him, but I don't hate him.  I just wish him away from the kids and me.  I'm trying to help the students above all and the district.  Sir, could you imagine recklessly and intentionally placing the school district on the hook for millions & millions of dollars?  For your own personal gain.  Would someone save you?  I'm trying to help the district.  I have an apco radiotelecommuncation license.  That means that the moment I was aware of the fact that the crime was being committed, I had to do everything in my power to stop it.  Nevertheless I've reconsidered the tape issue.  I contacted my attorney, but he's not specialized in this field, so he's trying to hook me up with someone with more experience.  As soon as I talk to that person, and if they say it's ok, I want to get the tapes back to you immediately.  I'm busily in the process of documenting them, so that when the time comes I can just bring them to you on the spot.

He replied "Great, that makes me very happy Mike."

4/3/03, approx 11:30 am

Our attorney called and told me the proper way to document the tapes.

4/3/03, approx. 12 noon - 4/4/03 approx. 11:00 am

documented tapes

4/4/03, approx. 11:10 am

Called Mr. Findling, received voicemail.  Left following message:

"Mr. Findling, you said that you would be looking forward to my call about the tapes, and I am pleased to tell you that I am prepared to hand over the tapes to you at any time.  I may have a logistics problem today, my daughter has to go to girl scouts, but I'm sure we can work something out.  Thank you."  End of message.

2:00 pm Approx

Mr. Findling called

"Mike, I just got in the office, I've been out all day, and I just got your message."

"Yes sir, as I told you in the message I have a logistics problem, my wife has the car and I don't have a way to get them to you."

He then asked where I lived and asked if I would mind if he came here and picked up the tapes.  I replied no problem, gave him directions, and then he asked if we could do it in about 30 minutes to which I replied fine.

4/4/03, 2:30 pm approx.

Mr. Findling showed up.  We went through the tapes thoroughly, doing an inventory together, I dumped all tapes out of the box and named them off and showed them to him as I placed them in the box, one by one.  He checked them off of a list I supplied to him.  He kept that list, and signed my identical list.  I had him verify that both lists were identical before we started.

We then placed the tapes on the back seat of his car.  He asked about me, and I explained once again my feelings about working with these gentlemen, and informed him that I had gotten a medical stress excuse good for 30 days.  He said "Good, because if you hadn't done that, I'd be sending you another letter in a day or so about job abandonment."  I replied "Sir, I wish to tell you that I am prepared to help you out in any way possible, I'll show up at the media center tomorrow if you need me, as long as those other gentlemen are not there.  In the meanwhile, I see no other option."

Mr. Findling, where are those tapes now?

************** Mr. Findling stated "The last thing I know of, I gave them to Gloria McGee."

Ms. McGee, where is the “Wizard of Oz” tape that I gave you on 3/31/03?

************** Ms. McGee stated "I gave them all back to Jim Hall, they were his property."

3/26/03

Joe Flores called on students in all three classes, one by one, to find out when they would have money for their t-shirts.  These are the t-shirts that he and Jim Hall decided they wanted the students to get.  At no time were the students given a choice as to whether they wanted a shirt, and they were not informed at the beginning of the semester that such purchases would be required.  When some students stated that they were unable to come up with the money for the shirt, Flores stated in an authorative tone, "Now, we've already ordered the shirts.  Do you know what that means?  That means that Mr. Hall & I are out $90 for these shirts.  That makes me very unhappy."  He told another class $200, rather than $90.  Same speech otherwise.  Several students intimated to me in private that they could not afford the shirts, and that they did not feel it was fair to be forced to pay for something that they were not told about in advance.  (Names removed to protect students) and are 2 that I recall.  (Name removed to protect student) also told me that he was given absolutely no choice, and was told the purchase was "mandatory".

3/27/03

I personally had a conversation with Mr. Flores on this issue:

"Let me ask you something Joe."

"What's that?"

"Don't you think it's outrageous to require these kids to purchase those t-shirts against their will, without notifying them that they would be required to make purchases like that in the beginning of the semester?"

"Well, I asked them if they wanted t-shirts and they all said yes."

"You asked all of them?"

"Yes."

I walked off shaking my head, end of conversation.

3/28/03

Today, immediately after roll call, as the students were still seated at their desks, I observed Mr. Flores call on the students who had not paid their shirt money.  One by one in front of the whole class, in bill-collector fashion.

A typical exchange went thusly:

"So & so, do you have your shirt money?"

"no, Mr. Flores."

"Well, why not?" (demanding tone)

There were two different types of responses that I witnessed.  This occurred with more than two students, but all fell into basically these two dialogs:

variation 1:

...(after some pause)..."I told you the other day Mr. Flores."

"OK.  We'll give you until Monday.  Then you MUST have it in.  Do you understand?" (demanding tone)

"Yes."

variation 2:

...(after some pause)..."I'll tell you later."

"See me before class is over.  Alright?" (demanding tone)

"Yes."

I wasn't privy to the "later" conversation if it occured.

3/29/03

Once again, the t-shirt money roll call.  Identical senario.

************* Ms. McGee stated "I'm not going to discuss that."

After I informed Ms. McGee that Hall and Flores were guilty of bullying the students, she had Hall and Flores, with no other adults present in the classroom, hand out forms to the students, making statements such as “now, so & so, you be nice.”  These forms had questions on them such as “Did you feel forced to purchase the T-shirt.” And “How would you describe the atmosphere in the Media Center.”  Then Mr. Hall & Mr. Flores would glare at the students until they handed the forms back to them.  Does anyone here NOT see what’s wrong with this picture?  This would be equivalent to the FBI handing a bank robber a similar form and saying “now you go get that bank teller to fill this out, saying you didn’t rob the bank, you stand right there and wait, and then you’ll be off the hook.”

I have additional evidence of wrongdoing in this abuse cover up that I intend to present to law enforcement, before the statute of limitations runs out on it.

Another recent case of abuse occurred in December of 2002.  I overheard Mr. Flores and Mr. Hall plotting against a student, (Name removed to protect student), whose mother is big around town in the school circles.  Apparently Ms. (Name removed to protect student) had some complaints about what was going on in the Media Center.  They were conspiring to give a project to (Name removed to protect student).  (Name removed to protect student) had had problems with them and complained to his parents about it.  Since his mother was a school principal in the area, this concerned the gentlemen.  I recall one statement in particular: "he'll never finish in time, he'll choke, and then that'll shut up Mama (Name removed to protect student)."   This statement was made by Jim Hall.  Knowing this, I strove to help (Name removed to protect student) finish his project in any way I could.  I also told (Name removed to protect student) that it was their intent that he not be able to finish.  He also doubled effort to complete the project.  I believe it was the intro/outtro for the Money Matters show.

He did complete it in time.  It was on a Friday.  Near 4 pm, which is our closing time for lab, whenever Mr. Hall decided to stay for lab, he dubbed the tape from the computer.  That particular editing suite has a particularly intricate audio system, as either (Name removed to protect student) or myself can demonstrate.  Joe Flores or Jim Hall couldn't possibly show you.  Neither can anyone else.  (Name removed to protect student) accidentally dubbed the tape without audio.  He wasn't aware of this.  He left after he turned it in.  When they put it in the machine and it had no audio, both Hall and Flores laughed and Hall said "that takes care of that."

McGee: We're here to discuss where we're going with the program.  We're here to see if there is some way we can work this out.

Lundeen: Before the investigation continues, and they haven't written a final report, we did have a preliminary meeting with (don't recall name), an attorney and Mike Defillipo who's an investigator.  So they're conducting an investigation, they've interviewed you, I assume?

Johnson: I've spoken to Mr. DeFillipo.

Lundeen: They suggested that we get together and see if we can resolve this.    Before they continue any further with their investigation.  That's why we've asked you guys to come on in.  so we can discuss this, we need to clean this up.

McGee: so you can work together.  I know Mike voiced some concerns and we've addressed the concerns, the programming that we have and the things that were copyrighted were pulled off.  And that was your concern.  Another concern was that you felt the students were being mistreated, we feel we've addressed that, the students were surveyed, no one has come forward with any complaints.

Lundeen: So that's where we are.  (Long pause)  Mike, any response from you?

Johnson: I would like to see the investigation continued.

Lundeen: ok.  jim

Hall: My understanding is that they're pretty well done with it.

Lundeen: There's just a little bit of a wrap.  I can tell you this, that they're not finding anything.  But they have not filed a finished report.  If there was something conclusive they would not have directed us to have this meeting.

Johnson: Nevertheless, I would like the investigation to continue.

Lundeen: Say it was found that there was no wrongdoing, now what happens if we go that way?

Johnson: Well, I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Lundeen: ok.  are we going to be able to get a resolution, I guess is what I'm...

Johnson: Well, i think it's premature, and let's see what the investigation comes up with.

Lundeen: You missed what I said, they're not finding anything conclusive yet.

Johnson: Well, then we'll continue, and I'll speak to Mr. DeFillipo.

Lundeen: ok, and if there's nothing conclusive found are we going to be able to get this working relationship going again?

Johnson: I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

End of meeting

So Mr. Lundeen said that the investigator is "not finding anything."  The investigator told me the very next day that he had discovered substance to 2 of the 3 charges I brought forward.

So, Mr. Lundeen tells me that the investigator suggested we should have that meeting, and the investigator stated exactly the opposite to me the following day. 

Now, in addition to the other crimes occurring in the Media Center on a daily basis, Mr. Hall has found yet another way to commit crime.  At least since February 6 he has been running a campaign commercial for Cynthia Matthews.  Here is a transcript of what she says on that commercial, I have many video recordings of it, it airs several times a day:

"Hello, my name is Cynthia Matthews.  I'm running for congressman, 26th district.  Remember to vote, March 2nd for Cynthia Matthews.  I support Instructional Television, and you're watching channel 18, Odyssey Instructional Television."

She states this while standing in the Media Center with (Name removed to protect student) and another student in the background.  Obviously made at the Media Center, with Media Center equipment, and broadcast on Charter Cable channel 18, the educational access channel.  Each and every one of these things I mentioned are public facilities.  I have given you a copy of California Government Code 8314.  I will now pause so that you may read it. (internet readers can find this law here)

Do you find the wording of 8314 unclear?  I don’t think it could be any clearer.  The criminal activity never stops.  He has also been running an ad for Proposition S, the same violation.  It goes on and on.

9/2/03, approx. 2:20 pm

Received call from Findling while not at home on my answering machine.  He said that I should have received a letter dated Aug. 25 requesting me to return to work.  He said "I need to know what your status is, Mike, so that the district can proceed with whatever it has to proceed with.”

9/3/03, approx. 2:30 pm

Called Findling.  Wasn’t able to reach him on this day.

9/4/03, approx. 1:55 pm

While traveling to Electra, TX with Ken Thomas, I stopped at a pay phone in Amarillo, TX and called Findling.  Ken Thomas watched me dial the numbers written on my "speech cheat sheet" and shared the phone earphone with me while we listened for Findling to answer.  He then heard my entire side of the conversation.

"Hello, this is Bob Findling"

"Hello Mr. Findling, this is Mike Johnson.  How are you?"

"Well, fine now that you've called" with obvious relief in his voice.

"Well, good, I’m glad that I was able to brighten your day.  Mr. Findling, I received the letter from Mr. Moore that you spoke of yesterday in your message on my answering machine."

"Uh huh"

"Because of the contents of that communication, I have been contacting attorneys to find one to represent me in this matter.  I feel that it would be better for the attorney to do my communications with the district from this point forward, due to the complexity of this case.

I think I can say, however, the situation has not changed, and my work area is still unsafe to me due to the attempted harboring of a person guilty of federal felony crimes, as admitted by himself..."

"yes"

"and several district officials"

"uh huh"

"including the investigator responsible for the investigation."

"Now wait a minute, Mike.  I need to tell you something, person to person, not as an employer.  Missing work constitutes job abandonment..."

I interrupted here, don't recall with what.

Findling: "Now wait a minute Mike, let me finish..."

Me: "No.  You let me finish!  This is not something like two days pay missing from my paycheck, this is a serious complex issue, and you have to give me time to get an attorney.  I don't have to work in a place where crimes are being committed."

Findling: "OK Mike." in what I felt was a threatening manner.

Me: "Good day."

Findling: "Goodbye".

9/7/03, approx. 1:30 pm

Just reviewed "latest" letter from Moore.  Having just returned from my trip to Texas, I was trying to sleep and heard someone at the door.  It was Robert Henderson, a janitor from the school with whom I'm acquainted.  He was dropping off a part for a computer that I'm fixing for him.  He told me that he had run into Jim Hall on Friday.  Jim Hall asked him if he had seen me.  Robert said no, in fact, he had been trying to get ahold of me to give me the part.  He said that Jim Hall said "have Mike give me a call."

He also related to me that his wife had talked to Joe Flores approx. two weeks ago.  She inquired about when I would be back and Joe Flores replied "He's not coming back."

9/7/03, 1:45 pm

Called Moore at 955-3200, ext. 273.  The phone system at the district was having many problems and I did not get hooked up with his office until 1:55.  It was his voicemail.  Here is the prepared statement that I made, with my wife listening on the extension phone:

This is Michael Johnson.

1st I would like to state that I think your most recent letter to me was very bad form, considering that I informed Findling on Sept. 4 that I am in the process of locating an attorney to represent me, and handle ALL of my communications with the district from that point forward.  I believe that it now appears that you are trying to railroad me.  Now I will repeat again what I communicated to Findling on Sept. 4.

Because of the contents of your 1st letter, I have been contacting attorneys to find one to represent me in this matter.  I feel that it would be better for the attorney to do my communcations with the district from this point forward, due to the complexity involved, what with the (business name removed for legal reasons) involvement and whatnot.

I think I can say, however, the situation has not changed, and my work area is still unsafe to me due to the attempted harboring of a person guilty of federal felony crimes, as admitted by himself, and several district officials, including the investigator responsible for the investigation.  I am certain that I cannot be forced to work in an area where federal felony crimes are being committed, nor can I be forced to work where I believe my personal safety is in great danger.  Beyond that, I have nothing further to say.

Good day.

This was my last contact with district officials until receiving Dr. Mark’s letter November 7, 2003.

10/16/03, 12:38 pm

I should have entered this a couple of weeks ago.  I had been building a computer for Robert Henderson, janitor at Victor Valley High.  He talked to my wife a few weeks ago on the phone and told her that his wife had gone to lunch with a group of office personnel including Armeda, the secretary who works right outside of Findling's office.  He told my wife that Armeda had said some things and he wanted to pass them along to me.  He didn't tell my wife what these things were.  About two weeks ago, he stopped by my house regarding the computer business and told me that indeed the lunch episode had occured and that Armeda had told his wife that they were bringing "job abandonment" proceedings against me, whatever that means.  I find it very interesting that I have not received any communcations about these supposed proceedings to this day.  I believe that the district personnel involved are frightened of the consequences of such an action, and for that reason have decided to sit on their hands, hoping this would all go away.

11/7/03, don't recall the time

Today I received Dr. Marks' letter dated 11/5/03 - Notice of disciplinary action - termination

11/13/03, approx. 10 am

Today I mailed off my response to Dr. Marks' letter to all parties.  This would include the California Dept. of Education and the Superintendent of S.B. County Schools.

11/17/03, 9:55 am

Called Dr. Marks' office to make an appt. as directed by her letter.  Her secretary told me that she was in a meeting, that she could make the appointment.  She arrainged an appointment with me for 11/21 at 10 am.  I told her that would be fine.  She then told me that this appointment was tentative, she would have to confirm it personally with Dr. Marks.  I told her that she could leave a message on my home answering machine as to the outcome.

11/18/03, 10:53 am

Mr. Moore called regarding my appt.  Here is a transcript of the message he left on my answering machine, an audio recording I still possess:

“Good Tuesday morning, this is Richard Moore calling from Victor Valley Union High School District, 955-3200, extension 207 or 273.  Just wanted to call in response to ah, message from ah, Mr. Michael Johnson on 11-17 around 9:55 ah, requesting an appointment with the superintendent to ah, ah, arrainge for that pre-disciplinary conference.  Unfortunately, this Friday the 21st is, (clears throat), not going to work with her schedule and I don't have a (sighs), an alternative date to offer you right at the moment, ah, ah, when we could get that rescheduled but as soon as I can get that arrainged, ah, we'll call with a message, maybe with a couple of alternate dates, and see if we can work something out, in the very near future.  If you have any questions, feel welcome to give me a call 955-3200, extension 207 or 273.  Thanks very much.  Bye-bye.”

11/25/03

Newspaper account of Dr. Mark’s decision to retire.

So to recap, Ladies and Gentleman, Joe Flores made the statement "He's not coming back” prior to 8/23/03.  On 9/4/03 and as far back as 4/2/03 Mr. Findling threatened me with job abandonment.  Prior to approximately 9/25/03, Mr. Hendersen’s wife was told by Armida that the superintendent intended to recommend my termination.  My last contact with district officials was on 9/7/03.  And yet, Dr. Mark waited until 11/7/03 to send me the termination letter.  This was clearly done to circumvent California Labor Code Section 1182.9, since they waited EXACTLY 61 days from my last communication with the district.  Make no mistake, I am being terminated for whistleblowing and I have been treated to an “Alice Through the Looking Glass” experience.

I informed the CA Dept. of Education of this, also the Superintendent of S.B. County Schools.  Shortly after, Mark announced her retirement.  It was certainly an odd time to retire, in the middle of a high profile threat of termination.