WVA truths from Connie Eli

Note: these emails were sent by Professor Eli to WVA parents.

Now that school is out I feel it is necessary to share with you the wicked termination letter that was handed to me by Mr. Kevin Summers while his wife Dani, and primary student success manager Jodi Dalton watched. I am sure that this letter was typed up while I was waiting in my car, since it took approximately 20 minutes to walk to the classroom, retrieve the 3 items that were written down, and then walk to me and my car while I was parked directly in front of the doors of WVA. I was also promised a video of this retrieval and never received it.

Any of you who may hear that this email is “not real” or whatever nonsense the WVA administration might concoct, please ask me. I am happy to prove that it is, indeed, very real.

The first thing that WVA took was my k12 email address. This email is owned by the state of WV- NOT WVA. Whoever changed my password did so unlawfully. I contacted the WVED and it was promptly returned to me. The WVDE is also appalled at this action, but not surprised.

Do you know that WVA’s finance AND HR person is also gone? HR stayed long enough to assist me in retrieving my classroom items (which I wasn’t allowed to get everything) and witnessed the remarkable unprofessional behavior of Holly Honeycutt, and Kevin and Dani Summers. Ms. Suji Kwon has returned. She told me herself that she would only be running the finance department. I wonder who HR is now? This in itself should raise red flags. When she left, she vowed to never return. She couldn’t handle John and Heidi Treu’s shenanigans.

I cannot believe that any of these people are allowed around children. They have lied and weaseled their way into West Virginia and they clearly DO NOT BELONG HERE. I have sat in meetings where Heidi Treu could not control herself. I have watched her become vindictive and angry with parents and staff. I am sorry that I did not stand up to this sooner. I truly am.

I attended the School Choice fair last year with Heidi Treu and literally walked behind her putting out fires. She spoke to others as though she were on some pedestal. I was embarrassed and, afterward, talked to several people about how she behaved. She was rude to all the other choice teams who were there. Although, she and John try to express their accomplishments in advocating for School Choice, they are only impeding the process. There are 5 charter schools in West Virginia. WVA is the ONLY charter who refuses to work with WVDE. The others use their services to assist in things such as, and not limited to, special education and employment. I encourage you to ask them why.

Holly Honeycutt told me that she was asked by the Treu’s to drive to Mylan Park and pick up a check from the Governor of WV, Jim Justice. When she arrived, she was greeted by the Governor, who presented the check in person. Holly got to have her picture taken with him! Oh, boy did this make Heidi Treu angry!

Heid, why were you so angry when WVA still received the money? Isn’t that what its all about?

They DO NOT have the best interest of our community at heart. The board, at my last count, consists of 5 of 7 members who are on the WVA payroll (2 married couples)! Heidi and John Treu, Holly Honeycutt, Dani and Kevin Summers are all getting paid for their “votes.” Where have all the parents and teachers who once represented these areas now?

It’s your turn to ask the questions.

Here is a link to Heidi Treu’s LinkedIn page. She hasn’t been able to hold a job for more than a year. Her accolades are pathetic. Without her family money she would be hard-pressed to be working at all. I encourage you to ask what her qualifications are and why her limited licensing has expired.

Heidi Drake Treu’s Post

I challenge you to compare our resumes.

It’s my understanding that there was a parent meeting held on June 4, 2024. In this meeting I was discussed. You were told that I “was a wonderful teacher and will be missed very much. It was never our plan for this to happen and this decision was not made lightly.” I will let the evil termination letter speak for itself about this comment and the fact that I was hastily fired on the day of the last Second Grade field trip. I encourage you to ask how this was putting your children first.

I have not been contacted by ANY administration from WVA. Not once to discuss my belongings, my pay, my benefits — NOTHING. This is another superior example of their continuing unprofessional behaviors.

One last thing, WVA families, although my name is on your report cards, I DID NOT GIVE THOSE GRADES. I encourage you to call and demand to know who and where those grades came from.

For your reading pleasure –

Please reach out with any questions. There is SO MUCH MORE.

Best, Constance “Connie” Eli

On Friday, May 31, 2024 at 10:01:19 AM EDT, Connie Huber <conniehuber@yahoo.com> wrote:

So many of you have reached out (thank you) that I thought this would be the best mode of communication for now. Until the dust settles.

I was fired on Friday, May 25 by Dani Summers, her husband, and Jody Dalton (who walked into the room about 4 minutes into the 8 minute process).

I was told I could not be on campus or have anything to do with WVA moving forward. I was NOT allowed to retrieve any personal items. I asked for my personal computer and they did bring that to me, while I was waiting in my car.

Thursday we went to retrieve my items. The HR director allowed it. While we were packing up, Dani, her husband, and Holly came into the room to bully me once again. This time, two of my friends and my husband were there too. I had to call the police ( who settled things down long enough for us to finish what we could). It was horrific.

I did not leave my room a mess. They made us leave.

I DID NOT LEAVE. I did not leave you or your children.

On April 30th, Heidi Treu hugged me outside my classroom door before cornering me in my classroom to attempt to suspend me for 3 days (paid). B. Fordyce was also there. This meeting initially was to “give me a break.” It turned into Heidi spewing hate toward me, sitting with her arms crossed, and angry. She told me the kids “hate me” and that I needed “time to plan.” The state special education department and the West Virginia Charter president, James Paul, were all to be in the building June 1.

On June 1 st I was invited to a meeting by Holly Honeycutt. During this meeting, Dani Summers, Jody Dalton, Bryce Fordyce, and Alayna Gaither all made an appearance. The meeting lasted 2 1/2 hours and I was allowed to come back June 2nd.

On June 2nd I was called down to the office to meet with the WV Sped teachers and I did not lie to them. Before I said anything, I asked these teachers if this was “a safe space” and they said “yes, absolutely.” At one point these ladies asked if ‘her” (Heidi’s) office was on the other side of the wall, in which I replied “I am not afraid of her.”

I also had a phone conversation that same afternoon, with Mr. Paul that went very well.

On May 13 ALL of Second Grade bus riders “missed” the bus. I was told to reach out to families, which I did. I sincerely believe that this was an attempt to “catch” me at doing something wrong, Once again, I used their emails and TEAMS messages to prove them wrong and it affected you, the families.

The past few weeks have been awful. My contract would have been up in June. The professional and the right thing to do for WVA and your families would have been to not renew my contract.

I will admit that I was unprofessional when I sent out messages on Thursday May 23 asking if I were being fired. I had heard this news from others and thought that if they knew, I should know too. Not to mention the fact that during the past few weeks every one of these people have called me a “friend.”

There are many good teachers there. They are dealing with discipline, scheduling, and lack of resources, daily, while administration sits in “meetings.” Administration had an opportunity to help me and they did not. I asked for training, sent concerned messages, and “stayed in my lane” once resigning as team lead on December 20, 2023 due to lack of communication from administration to carry out that duty.

The teachers are overworked and underpaid. There is no consistency and the selective discipline process is atrocious. Most importantly, teachers do not have a voice, and if they do…

I would like to genuinely say that I am sorry. I am in no way attempting to ruin WVA. There are so many kids who show up and make such positive changes for themselves and others! YOU FAMILIES have made a huge impact on school choice and you will change the world! I support you in asking questions and demanding better.

I encourage all of you to finish the year strong!

In my opinion, summertime is the perfect time for reflection and fun with family.You are almost there!