Updates

Charting A Path to Move Forward

In a recent development at The O’Neal School, a security issue involving a student making threats has been promptly addressed. The interim Head of School, Brenda Jackson, informed the community that this student would no longer attend O’Neal.  While ensuring student safety is a fundamental expectation, Mrs. Jackson’s decisive leadership in this instance is notable and should be commended for its contrast to the policies and decisions observed under the previous administration.

The feedback from the community about Mrs. Jackson has so far been positive, underscoring her respect within the community and her potential to guide the school through this difficult transition. Her leadership could be instrumental in steering O’Neal back to its foundational principles of character and integrity, qualities that have long defined the school’s legacy.  We sincerely hope she will be successful in accomplishing this goal and are willing to support her and the school in these efforts.

However, before moving forward, O’Neal must openly confront and address its past issues.  The narrative surrounding John Elmore’s resignation and the Board’s subsequent response lacks the transparency and accountability needed to provide closure for the affected families and the community at large.

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The O’Neal School at a Crossroads

Over the weekend The O’Neal School community was alerted to a security concern: a student had made threats, was subsequently identified, placed under police investigation, and barred from campus. Notably, this communication came directly from the Board of Trustees and not from the then-Head of School, John Elmore, marking a departure from the usual routine and setting the stage for more surprising news.

John Elmore – Former Head of School

Effective Monday, March 11, 2024, the Board announced a pivotal change to school leadership with John Elmore’s immediate resignation. This resignation came after discussions with the Board and was accepted “without question.” Within hours, a local newspaper article introduced Brenda Jackson as the new Interim Head of School. While Jackson’s history with O’Neal predates Elmore’s tenure, offering a fresh perspective at a critical time, it’s important to note that her position is temporary and the search for a permanent head of school is underway. Her immediate challenge is to lead the school beyond its current issues towards openness and resolution or risk continuing the existing toxic culture.

Amidst the management transition the Board of Trustees’ handling of the Stefanik family’s assault case highlights significant leadership failures. The Board’s communication with the family began with a phone call from Mr. Stefanik to Board Chair Lynda Acker on June 27, 2023, followed by an in-person meeting with executives on July 19, and a comprehensive written complaint submitted on July 26 detailing the administration’s misconduct. Despite these efforts the Board’s August 8 response effectively dismissed the Stefaniks’ concerns paving the way for continued threats and harassment from John Elmore. Further attempts to secure action, including a legal notice to both John Elmore and Lynda Acker on August 21 and a direct written appeal sent to nearly all board members on November 15 were met with total disregard.

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Board Backs John Elmore’s Decision to Keep Miryah Walters

During consultation with the Executive Committee of the Board, John Elmore successfully advocated for the continuation of Miryah Walters as the Assistant Head of School and Head of Middle School, thereby reversing the earlier announcement of her departure. This decision is extremely disappointing as it effectively endorses behaviors and actions that have been widely criticized.

Despite mounting evidence of administrative misconduct, the Board’s continued portrayal of the school’s response to an assault as ‘responsible and appropriate’ grossly misrepresents the gravity of the situation. In fact, the response was not just inadequate—it fell short of meeting the basic standards of care expected in an educational setting. This steadfast support for the current leadership in the face of significant community backlash undermines the Board’s credibility and raises doubts about their ability to govern.

The feedback we’ve received from commenters on our Facebook page paints a deeply concerning view of the culture and policies at The O’Neal School:

  • “I went to O’Neal for a LONG time. I BEGGED my folks for YEARS to send me somewhere else… anywhere else! My siblings did the same.”
  • “I wish I would have pressed charges on the kid who bullied my son while he was there. It’s the exact reason we pulled him out of the school.”
  • “I have heard stories of this school and things like this happening all of the time there. The more money you have the more your kids can get away with.”

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Pursuing Vanity Over Student Safety

In August of 2022, The O’Neal School embarked on a significant rebranding effort focusing many of its resources on the newly constructed pavilion at the heart of Konni’s Courtyard. This architectural masterpiece was intended to symbolize a new era of unity and progress for the school. Details of this undertaking and the events surrounding it have been chronicled in ‘The O’Neal Magazine 2022 | Annual Report 2021-2022.’

Logo of The O'Neal School with central gazebo symbolizing the site of significance.

“This month, O’Neal launched a new logo displayed throughout the campus and in our materials, including this magazine. The formal logo’s design, based on the beautiful pavilion in Konni’s Courtyard, was created as a community space for students and events, celebrating the School’s first 50 years. The structure at the center of campus unifies the divisions and symbolizes the vision of those who made the School what it is today. The new logo represents O’Neal’s next era and bright future.” – John Elmore

However, April 2023 unveiled a distressing truth when a child was assaulted near the gazebo. Lynda Acker, a key consultant for Konni’s Courtyard design, later revealed that surveillance cameras—a fundamental component of the original design—were omitted due to unresolved technical issues. She also acknowledged that supervision and monitoring in these areas were lacking. This admission highlights a significant oversight: despite having the financial resources, the school failed to implement essential safety measures before unveiling their new spectacle.

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Goodbye to Miryah Walters

We wish to inform our community about the impending departure of Miryah Walters from The O’Neal School at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. Although the reasons for her leaving have not been disclosed, our organization has raised serious concerns about her conduct and decision-making abilities especially regarding student discipline and safety. These concerns highlight the urgent need for a change in leadership.

Our expectation is that the search for a new Assistant Head of School and Head of Middle School will prioritize candidates who demonstrate fairness, integrity, and a strong moral compass. These qualities are essential for rebuilding trust among students, parents, and faculty. It is also imperative for any new administrator to assert and maintain independence from the overbearing influence of John Elmore.

We remain dedicated to holding school authorities accountable and advocating for an environment that supports the responsible care and development of children at The O’Neal School.

Miryah Walters – Assistant Head of School

 

Notice of Departure

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.