This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
An online petition calling for an investigation into alleged bullying tactics by Canyons School District officials had more than 700 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon.
Chad Iverson, who is running for Canyons Board of Education, said he believes an independent investigation of allegations against superintendent David Doty is needed. Iverson claims former district employees allege Doty uses bullying and intimidation to maintain control. Iverson is also calling for an anonymous survey of all district employees.
"These are just allegations, and I really hope they are not true," Iverson said. "If they are true, it's really concerning that we have the leader of 33,000 children using bullying and intimidation tactics."
Doty said he is prohibited by district policy from commenting on specific personnel issues, including those that involve him. He also declined to comment on the petition, as it could be viewed as part of Iverson's campaign strategy. But Doty said the district — only in its third academic year — has always been divided on some issues, including even the vote that created Canyons after an acrimonious split from the Jordan district. Some employees and parents have expressed frustration or reluctance to change.
"When that happens, sometimes you run crosswise with people," he said. "We are implementing an agenda that we believe is the best for the students of our district."
Canyons parent Delese Bettinson said she signed the petition because she has heard stories of intimidation from teachers and district employees, who told her they are afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs. Bettinson, a former human resources professional, believes that if there are complaints on any level, they should be investigated.
Some claim the bullying goes beyond district employees. Parent Rob Duffin feels the district has not listened to the community on such issues as school boundaries and choosing a name and mascot for the new high school in Draper. Duffin claims to have received angry emails from Doty, board president Tracy Cowdell and other board members, but declined to share them with The Tribune.
"The intimidation factors are not specific to employees," Duffin said. "They've actually been directed at constituents as well."
Duffin said he and other parents planned to ask the board at its meeting Tuesday night to launch an investigation.
The board expressed it's unanimous support for Doty Tuesday night, in a letter read by board member Paul McCarty.
"We are his direct supervisors, and for four years have worked closely with him as he has led our district," the statement said of Doty. "We believed he was the right person to lead this district when we hired him ... and we are even more convinced now that he is the right person to lead Canyons School District.
The statement went on to chastise KSL-TV for recent reports on the alleged culture of bullying, in which Doty provided written statements to reporters which were not included in their coverage. Those reports were "the product of shoddy, unethical and intentionally biased journalism" the statement said.
Iverson, the school board candidate, claims that at least two board members have indicated they would be willing to approve an investigation, but he declined to identify them. At least four votes would be needed to take such action.
Doty encouraged parents and staff to contact him if they have concerns or questions, and said he has tried to make himself available since becoming superintendent. He cited the 180 faculty meetings he has attended, four times at each school, as evidence of his willingness to listen, along with countless sporting events, school musicals and community councils he attends regularly.
"I've been in this position for almost four years, and I have not had a single one of my senior staff members leave," Doty said. "I would think that if I weren't being respectful to them, or supportive of them, I'd have a lot more turnover than I've had."
Twitter: @Katie_Drake