THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 3, 1996 TAG: 9604030394
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
A popular high school drama teacher who led an acclaimed theater group has been suspended and may be fired because officials say she failed to adequately supervise her students and staff.
Students in the group said this week that administrators questioned them about alleged sexual activity and alcohol and drug use while under the charge of Connie Hindmarsh.
Hindmarsh, who directed the Norfolk schools' Performing Arts Repertory for gifted and talented students, was relieved of her duties March 22, school officials confirmed Tuesday.
Hindmarsh, 57, became known to a generation of children in the 1950s and '60s as the congenial ``Miss Connie,'' who taught them to be well-behaved, good ``Do Be's'' and not ``Don't Be's,'' on the nationally televised ``Romper Room'' show.
For the past 10 years, as director of the performing arts company, she has nurtured the budding talents of another generation of children. Students from the city's five high schools, and some elementary and middle schools, participate in the program, based at Lake Taylor High School.
Norfolk schools Superintendent Roy D. Nichols Jr. said Tuesday that Hindmarsh, a 20-year employee of the school system, had been removed from her position and that she could be fired.
Nichols declined to discuss details.
``We made some inquiries into the repertory program and decided some changes need to be made,'' Nichols said. He did not elaborate on the changes, other than removing Hindmarsh.
Students and parents said this week that school officials questioned whether repertory students used drugs and alcohol during a trip last fall to a theater conference in Springfield, Va., and also inquired about students in the company having sex - including in a dressing room behind the auditorium stage at Lake Taylor.
Some students, however, said the accusations were based on hearsay and rumors started by a disgruntled student who was passed over by Hindmarsh for a starring role in the company's recent production of ``The Wiz.''
Hindmarsh referred questions to a Norfolk attorney, Allan D. Zaleski, who will represent her.
Zaleski said Hindmarsh, who was suspended with pay pending outcome of the case, will seek a public hearing to fight for her job.
``She's got to fight,'' Zaleski said. ``I think the hearing will show that she should be restored to her job - we will insist on that.''
Zaleski said the action against Hindmarsh, with her credentials and years of service, is ``certainly out of proportion'' to any alleged misconduct by students or staff under her charge.
It would take a vote of the School Board to fire her, Zaleski said.
Zaleski said school administrators summoned her to the central office building on March 22 and handed her a letter informing her of the suspension - but without explanation.
Hindmarsh wrote administrators asking for reasons. Nichols said the administration responded on March 27 explaining why she was suspended: Because she ``failed to report in a timely manner the misconduct of staff members and students under your authority'' and also ``failed to provide appropriate supervision to staff members and students for whom you are responsible.''
One parent who chaperoned students attending the theater conference said she doubts the allegations. Juanita Uranski criticized the school system's investigation, saying that administrators never talked to her and other adults who chaperoned the trip.
``I was in and out of every student's room - I saw nothing,'' Uranski said.
Uranski also said the administrators ``intimidated and pressured'' students, and she accused the officials of ``prying into the private lives of minors.'' She said the officials asked ``inappropriate'' questions that had nothing to do with the repertory company, such as who they were dating and whether they were having sex.
Uranski was among many parents and students who were angered by the suspension and rallied to Hindmarsh's defense.
``Theater is her life; how could they just take it away from her like that?'' said Stacey Russell, a 10th-grader in the repertory program. ``I think it's unfair, because it's hearsay that started all this.''
``This is not something the parents and students will just sneeze at - not without truly, truly understanding what happened,'' said parent Nell Armstrong. ``We've only felt that she's done wonders for the children, and it was such a positive experience.''
In her decade at the helm of the local company, referred to as a ``Fame School,'' Hindmarsh has staged 30 major productions and inspired hundreds of students. An estimated 14,000 people attended ``The Wiz,'' the company's last production of this season. The company has performed several times at New York City's Lincoln Center.
Nichols said Tuesday that the repertory company will resume production next school year - but without Hindmarsh.
That's something parents and students can't fathom.
``Without Connie,'' Uranski said, ``there is no repertory.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Students in the city's Performing Arts Repertory say administrators
questioned them about whether they had sex or used drugs and alcohol
during a trip last fall.
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK TEACHER SUSPENSION by CNB