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.
Chopra told the Arizona Republic he left the district because he had met the district's goals. Chopra worked at the Pennsylvania district from 1998-2000
Chopra's next position was at the sprawling Phoenix Union High School District. He served the 17-school, 25,000-student district from 2001-07. He was very popular and effective early in his tenure there, according to media accounts, former colleagues and employees interviewed for this article. Chopra is credited with helping the district weather the 1991-92 recession as well as raising academic, nutrition and hygiene standards for students.
A change in board personnel brought a change in fortune for Chopra. He openly quarreled with his overseers and at one point was even involved in an altercation after a board meeting. Chopra filed charges against a female board member when he said she struck him. The board member was later cleared.
Chopra's last years at Phoenix were rocky, according to published accounts and witnesses. One particularly controversial episode involved Kirby Weatherford, an honors student and the ASB president of Central High School in Phoenix. Weatherford said that Chopra had initiated a new two-part lunch schedule to allow students to have more time and feel less rushed while eating lunch. She said she conducted her own survey of the student body about how they felt about the split lunch. A majority of the students indicated they opposed the new schedule, Weatherford said, mostly because it conflicted with extra curricular activities. Many students told her that two period lunch day would cut into work schedules and other commitments.
Weatherford, now 22 and a university student, said she presented the students' responses at a staff meeting that Chopra attended. She said the presentation was polite and matter-of-fact. Chopra's response, she said, was not.
Chopra interrupted her with a "verbally insulting" "emotional outburst" and said she could not possibly understand what it was like to wait for food like he had as a young Indian refugee.
"It was very outrageous to have an older man tell me that," Weatherford said.
Central High School teacher Patrick Looper said he was present at the meeting and verified what Weatherford had experienced.
"When she began her statement it did not fit Dr. Chopra's vision," said Looper. "I firmly believe he forgot he was talking to a young student."
Looper said Weatherford was a star student, active at school and in the community. He said after the staff meeting he filed a complaint against Chopra. Looper said an investigation was opened which led to Chopra being exonerated.
"I feel he personally attacked someone who disagreed with him," said Looper.
Troubles for Weatherford and Looper were not over, they both said. Weatherford said she was unexpectedly pulled from a class one day and summoned to the principal's office. Waiting for her was the principal, the assistant superintendent and Chopra, she said. Weatherford said she was feeling scared and intimidated, and asked for Looper to be brought into the meeting as her advocate.
Her request was denied, she said, and that Chopra dominated the conversation. She said she asked why it was necessary to be pulled dramatically from class and summoned to meet with the superintendent. Weatherford said she was "basically told to be quiet."
Local media covered the story, and the Arizona Republic newspaper quoted Weatherford in an April 8, 2005 article as having felt "ambushed" and "it was very upsetting because (Chopra) communicates in a manner that comes across as threatening, whether he means it or not."
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