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Controversy has followed Chopra

By: Vanessa K. Nevarez

Issue date: 5/8/09 Section: News
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Mutinous Southwestern College faculty and employees critical of Superintendent Dr. Raj K. Chopra have been vocally making the case that the college has never before seen such a level of controversy.

Chopra and his inner circle argue that there is much to fix-especially with the budget-and that painful changes need to be made.

These themes have played out very much the same way in Chopra's last four superintendencies. Chopra has said he considers himself a "fix it guy," the type of experienced executive who can turn around a distressed organization. Boards that have hired him usually say the same thing.

No one can dispute that Chopra has been around the block, or around the nation. During his 33-year career he has led K-12 school systems in Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania and Arizona. He was hired in August 2007 to serve as superintendent/president of SWC, his first college job.

While written records, press accounts and eye witnesses from his first 18 years of administrative posts are difficult to find, the past 15 years are very well documented.

Clear patterns have emerged. Chopra typically received high marks early in his posts, often being praised for innovation, fiscal prudence and persistence. He insisted on cleaner bathrooms, more nutritional food and other student-centered changes. He raised test scores. He built early followings among board members, teachers and students. He passed bonds. He got high marks for connecting with the community and for showing genuine interest in local issues. He earned raises and contract extensions.

Past employers and colleagues said Chopra could be a brilliant strategic thinker with good ideas, but lacked the ability to get along with others.

Employees, board members and students said he would start well, then grew increasingly unwilling to listen, consider other points of view or discuss alternatives to his plans.

In a 2001 article by the Arizona Republic, former Marple Newton (PA) School District board member Richard Carpenter said that Chopra held a news conference stating his plans for the district without informing the board. The unilateral action upset the board to such an extent that Chopra left the district just 20 months into a five-year contract. Carpenter said he would not give Chopra a recommendation.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 13

Heather

posted 5/21/09 @ 8:36 PM PST

This is such an amazingly well-written story! Kudos to Ms. Nevarez. I thought 7 pages??? But when it got into it, it flowed so well, I couldn't wait till the next page came up!!! And, the fact that I work at the school and so much of the facts ring true, MAJOR KUDOS!. (Continued…)

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Long Time Staff

posted 5/21/09 @ 8:45 PM PST

Finally a real story about Dr. Chopra. The UT should have had this story instead of the one making him the Supper Hero. My congratulations to the staff of the SUN for having the huevos to publish this. (Continued…)

(4 replies)   Details   Reply to this comment

OCD Orthographer

posted 5/22/09 @ 12:24 AM PST

Never before has there been this level of controversy at SWCC?! You must be joking, right? Oh, I guess this means that things like sexual harassment of an employee are okay with SWCC's Faculty and Classified Staff, hence, Greg Sandoval and Arthur Lopez must have the full support of the aforementioned. (Continued…)

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OCD Orthographer

OCD Orthographer

posted 5/22/09 @ 1:03 AM PST

Never before has there been this level of controversy at SWCC?! You must be joking, right? Oh, I guess this means that things like sexual harassment of an employee are okay with SWCC's Faculty and Classified Staff, hence, Greg Sandoval and Arthur Lopez must have the full support of the aforementioned. (Continued…)

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OCD Orthographer

posted 5/22/09 @ 9:33 AM PST

There are many others who are supporters of Dr. Chopra, however, because the culture of SWCC is one that instills fear in those who would, under healthier circumstances, speak up about the myriad problems that exist at your institution, they will not come forward, lest they face your lynch mob, the same lynch mob that has turned its back on a valued employee such as Ms. (Continued…)

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OCD Orthographer

OCD Orthographer

posted 5/22/09 @ 11:02 AM PST

Does the collective think Dr. Chopra is a bully because he insists on excellence at all levels of operation at SWCC, or because he holds his staff members accountable for inappropriate behavior, or because he is in the unfortunate position of being your leader in an inescapably bleak economy, or is it because he has the courage to not go gently into your darkness?

Just asking. (Continued…)

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true witness

posted 5/24/09 @ 10:33 AM PST

Chopra is comparable to Cheney and Bush. Chopra believes in his mantra, acts on his impulses, and if YOU disagree, YOU are the one who does not understand, YOU are the child who needs guidance, YOU have the issue, and Chopra feels it is his job to tell you to be quite, sit down, do it HIS way, or YOU are fired!

People on the outside do not have the opportunity to see this and are critical of those who have the guts to question Chopra's decisions. (Continued…)

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OCD Orthographer

Lucy

posted 5/25/09 @ 7:58 AM PST

"Fire those who disagree, and there will be no opposition[. . .]"?

I rest my case.

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OCD Orthographer

Lucy aka OCD Orthographer

posted 5/25/09 @ 8:02 AM PST

Ditto above.

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