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SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison
I just want to make a quick clarification here. Eric Von Metzke has been sentenced to 3 years in prison for having sex with a minor. The parent of this victim is not supporting Eric's actions. Nor is the victim. Concerned2016 is referring to another family.— June 23, 2017 3:19 p.m.
SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison
The Board and James Saba are mandated reporters. Actually anyone working at the theatre is a mandated reporter too. If they chose not to report inappropriate behavior by a teacher to CPS they broke the law. That is reason enough to cover up the abusive behavior. I honestly do not know why they would not make CPS reports. For anyone who works with children it is a part of the job. It has been said that JT did not provide their staff with mandated reporting training for years. They just recently had thier first training in over a decade. Once again JT is not being run by competent ethical people. By not providing their staff with proper training they have once again chosen not to protect the children and have left the theatre open to huge liabilities. It is time for a change.— June 23, 2017 8:41 a.m.
SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison
TruthTastesBetterThanChocolate, If you took the time to read the complaint you would understand that it does not ask for anyone to be rehired. You would also know that it was written to the Attorney General of California and sent to the District Attorney as well as other city officials - not the media. Over time the media has taken an interest and has read and quoted the complaint. The complaint requests an independent investigation of the organization and suggests removal of James Saba and the Board. The entire focus of the complaint is the safety of the children. If the Board and James Saba have nothing to hide they should welcome an independent investigation. Not only would it clear their names, but it would allow JT to heal and move on. If I were wrongly accused of such gross mismanagement I would speak up for myself. Their silence speaks volumes. It seems you agree that there are serious problems at the theatre. You should welcome city officials looking into this matter to protect the kids.— June 23, 2017 8:16 a.m.
SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison
Once again the Board has proven their lack of judgement and ability to run Junior Theatre. Eric Von Metzke was allowed to remain at Junior Theatre as a regular teacher after having a sexual relationship with a minor. The Board and James Saba exposed unsuspecting children to a known sexual predator. Are they really surprised he broke the law again and took advantage of another girl? Similary, James Saba was allowed to remain at the theatre after battering a minor. I fear for what child will be his next victim. The Board members are opening up themselves and the theatre to litigation which could lead to the closing of this organization. The theatre is already struggling financially. Why are they putting the theatre and themselves at such great risk? The Board is incapable of running this organization and refuses to put children's safety first. We need the Attorney General to step in and get control of this situation before more damage is done.— June 22, 2017 4:23 p.m.
San Diego Junior Theatre keeps up the Oz-like curtain
Many people are aware that our Mayor recently proposed slashing the city's arts budget. There is obviously not a dollar to be wasted. The Board of Trustees at JT has a history of mismanaging the tax dollars the organization receives each year. The city of San Diego needs to perform an independent audit of how JT's money is being spent.— June 1, 2017 9:40 p.m.
San Diego Junior Theatre keeps up the Oz-like curtain
Dear TruthTastesBetterThanChocolate, I am sorry to hear of your experience at JT. You are right - no one should be yelling at kids. If you agree that screaming at a child is grounds for dismissal, then we both agree that James Saba should also be fired. Not only did he yell at a child, he entered the dressing room unannounced and grab and shook her. The time you were yelled at has no doubt left strong feelings that you will keep forever. Now imagine being shaken as well. The people who tried to cover up this incident of abuse need to be removed from the Board. The kids at JT deserve better than this.— June 1, 2017 9:45 a.m.
Brouhaha or foofaraw at San Diego Junior Theatre?
Don: As long time parents of JT kids, Matt and I never had any doubts about the management of the program or safety of our kids before the Fall of 2016. That is why it was so shocking and unnerving to see what was really going on behind the scenes once we were forced to take a close look. We honestly didn't even know who the board members were before any of this happened. We brought our kids to classes, rehearsals and shows. We volunteered hundreds of hours over the years. Everything seemed to be fine. Looking at page 20 of the complaint you will see that serious financial issues became apparent to staff soon before Mr. Saba's alleged battery against the child occurred. A staff meeting was held to explain that the Communications Director's hours would be cut in half, and deep cuts of up to 20% across the organization were discussed. The staff was also put on an unpaid work furlough. According to the complaint it was at this time parents began to notice Mr. Saba was having "frequent angry outbursts" directed towards the cast and crew of "Goodnight Moon". Many people felt he was severely stressed. In answer to your earlier question I would say there was discontent among staff, although none of these financial issues were known to parents, before the dressing room incident. If Saba was struggling to fundraise appropriately he had no business spending extra work hours directing a show. He should have been doing the job he was hired to do - bring donors to JT. Thank you again for your work on this important issue. Jenn— May 6, 2017 3:47 p.m.
Brouhaha or foofaraw at San Diego Junior Theatre?
Don: Many parents felt (and continue to feel) afraid to speak up because doing so may have gotten their child blacklisted from the theater. JT was such a wonderful experience for many children. They did not want to take that away from their child. I know very few who were willing to take a stand. When we spoke out we were greeted by police, armed gaurds and banned from the building. We were used as examples so other parents would know what to expect if they spoke out against the Board. Best, Jenn— May 5, 2017 8:57 p.m.
Brouhaha or foofaraw at San Diego Junior Theatre?
Don: As long time parents of JT kids, Matt and I never had any doubts about the management of the program or safety of our kids before the Fall of 2016. That is why it was so shocking and unnerving to see what was really going on behind the scenes once we were forced to take a close look. We honestly didn't even know who the board members were before any of this happened. We brought our kids to classes, rehearsals and shows. We volunteered hundreds of hours over the years. Everything seemed to be fine. Looking at page 20 of the complaint you will see that serious financial issues became apparent to staff soon before Mr. Saba's alleged battery against the child occurred. A staff meeting was held to explain that the Communications Director's hours would be cut in half, and deep cuts of up to 20% across the organization were discussed. The staff was also put on an unpaid work furlough. According to the complaint it was at this time parents began to notice Mr. Saba was having "frequent angry outbursts" directed towards the cast and crew of "Goodnight Moon". Many people felt he was severely stressed. In answer to your question I would say there was discontent among staff, although none of these financial issues were known to parents, before the dressing room incident. If Saba was struggling to fundraise appropriately he had no business spending extra work hours directing a show. He should have been doing the job he was hired to do - bring donors to JT. Thank you again for your work on this important issue. Jenn— May 5, 2017 7:54 p.m.
Brouhaha or foofaraw at San Diego Junior Theatre?
Don: There is a lot in that complaint. I can see how certain aspects may be confused. I really appreciate your taking the time to read it and report on this situation.— May 1, 2017 5:51 p.m.