City receives offer from accused school operator

[Anonymous]

Boonville eyes selling former Kemper Military School property.


By JOHN SULLIVAN of the Tribune?s staff
Published Monday, April 4, 2005
A potential buyer of Boonville?s former Kemper Military School property founded an organization accused of having affiliations with schools where child abuse allegedly occurred.

Boonville officials will discuss in closed session tonight a purchase offer from Robert Lichfield, the founder of World Wide Association of Specialty Programs, said Ned Beach, president of Boonville?s Industrial Development Authority.

St. George, Utah-based World Wide Association provides behavioral-modification programs for wayward teens.

Boonville purchased the Kemper property in April 2003 for about $500,000, and the Boonville development authority has a contract with the city to review the proposals for the property.

Lichfield made the purchase offer through Golden Pond LTD, an investment holding company based in Utah.

Beach declined to provide details about Lichfield?s offer, saying only that he was approached about the school two to three months ago by Randall Hinton, a former Utah resident who had moved to Boonville. Hinton later introduced Beach to Lichfield, Beach said.

If the proposal receives approval, Hinton will become the director of a new school on the property. Details about the school were unclear, and Hinton did not return calls from the Tribune.

City officials said that the meeting tonight will only review the contract and that a vote on the proposal in an open session is highly unlikely.

Several schools affiliated with World Wide Association have been shut down over allegations of child abuse. One investigation of an affiliate school, Majestic Ranch in Utah, resulted in a misdemeanor assault conviction, The Kansas City Star reported.

The allegations prompted U.S. Rep. George Miller of California to request an investigation into the organization by the U.S. Attorney General?s Office in 2003. The allegations include statements by former students of torture and brainwashing.

Ken Kay, president of World Wide Association, said in an e-mail to the Tribune that Lichfield?s business relationship with Hinton has nothing to do with the association. Kay said he has met Hinton, who formerly worked at several World Wide-affiliated schools, but said he does not have formal business relations with him.

"I am not involved, or is WWASPS, in any way with Mr. Hinton," Kay said. "For any information regarding" Hinton and Lichfield?s "relationship, contact Mr. Hinton or Mr. Lichfield."

Beach, of Boonville?s development authority, said a police review of Hinton?s background found nothing wrong.

Beach said he will be presenting Lichfield?s offer for the property to the city council at 7 tonight during the body?s regular meeting at City Hall.

[Anonymous]

Hm, so I guess Kay's telling the truth, and Hintons a nice guy after all?

[Anonymous]

As of today, Lichfield had raised his offer to the city of Boonville to $100,000 to open this new non WWASP school.  :flame:

[Anonymous]

On 2005-04-05 06:53:00, Anonymous wrote:

"As of today, Lichfield had raised his offer to the city of Boonville to $100,000 to open this new non WWASP school.  :flame: "

I think this is way WWASP is going.  They tried to pretend High Impact and Bell Academy were nothing to do with them.  Pillars of Hope won't acknowlege a connection.   Darrington and Eagle Point don't appear on the WWASPS website.  I think the WWASP/WWASPS brand name has become an embarrasment.  They won't be using it for new facilities.

[Anonymous]

Kemper suitors plan new military school


By JOHN SULLIVAN of the Tribune?s staff
Published Tuesday, April 5, 2005
BOONVILLE - The operators of a proposed new school on the Kemper Military School property have plans to turn the facility back into a military academy similar to the one that closed down three years ago.



Boonville city administrators are considering the sale of Kemper Military School property to a Utah buyer accused of operating schools that abuse children.  
Randall Hinton, 30, said he plans to seek accreditation and return Kemper to its military school roots, which trace back to 1844. The school closed in 2002, and the city of Boonville purchased the property for about $500,000.
Hinton is a former director of at least two schools and owner of one affiliated with World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools, which specializes in behavioral modification programs for difficult teens. The St. George, Utah-based organization is facing scrutiny from federal and local officials investigating allegations of child abuse.

The founder of the organization, Robert Lichfield, has been in talks with Boonville officials for several months about buying the Kemper property through a holding company, Golden Pond Investments Ltd. of Utah.

The Boonville City Council reviewed the offer at a meeting last night. A public hearing is planned on Monday.

Hinton appeared at last night?s meeting with his brother Russell Hinton and Russell?s brother-in-law, Warren Williams. Randall Hinton said he and his family would operate the school according to the principles in a book called "Positive Peer Culture" by Harry Vorrath and Larry Brendtro. The authors recommend the use of peer support to teach people to help and care for others, Hinton said.

Randall Hinton said his family belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He said the school will teach "principles and morals" but that students will be allowed to practice their own faith.

The school would teach seventh- through 12th-grade classes, and cadets would wear uniforms and follow behavior codes based on a mixture of Kemper handbook guidelines and positive peer culture, Hinton said. The cost would be $1,000 to $3,000 a month.

The cadets would not be able to go off campus unless authorized and supervised by a staff member, Hinton said. The former Kemper school allowed its students to freely go off campus.

Hinton, who would direct the new school, has worked as an assistant director or director for several World Wide Association schools, including ones in Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Mexico. At least one of the schools, Dundee Ranch in Costa Rica, was closed down amid allegations of child abuse. Tranquility Bay in Jamaica also faced allegations of abuse, including a charge that school administrators used pepper spray on students.

When asked about the allegations, Hinton said pepper spray was used at Tranquility Bay, where he worked eight years ago, for a two-month period as a "safer" way to control kids who would become violent.

"But it didn?t work," he said.

Hinton said the method of education at Kemper would be different from those used by World Wide Association schools. The academy, he said, would be run independent of the association.

Mark Farrell, secretary of the Kemper Military School Alumni Association, said he had a private meeting with Randall and Russell Hinton and found them to be "sincere, honest individuals."

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Apr ... ews002.asp

[cherish wisdom]

Why is Lichfield buying the school for this guy if there is no relationship?  There are so many red flags here.  He's worked at several facilities that have been closed as a result of reports of child abuse. The children will not be able to leave the campus unattended.  These WWASP programs are extremely controlling of children.  They are punished for looking the wrong way, rolling their eyes, speaking without permission.  The people of this communinity really need to be informed. Hopefully some people will show up at this city counsil meeting to expose WWASP for what it is.  We don't need another on in our country. I'd suggest again - like I have many times before - that all of you send letters to the editor to expose what happens to children who go to schools associated with the WWASP.   Does anyone know the web-address of the editor of the local paper in this area?  

God is the Asylum of Ignorance.
--Baruch Spinoza, Dutch-Jewish philosopher

[Anonymous]

I'm sure it's in the actual article. There's a link right above your post.

[Anonymous]

April 7, 2005

 
The WWASPS 'buzz'
By Theresa Schweitzer Krebs--Staff reporter


Since Boonville's purchase of the historic Kemper Military School property in April of 2003, a suitable proprietor for the significant real estate parcel has been sought by city officials.

Within the past two weeks, Sarah Gallagher, economic developer, working in conjunction with the city's Industrial Development Authority, announced a "serious offer" by Golden Pond, LLC. Golden Pond has financial-backing from Robert Lichfield, founder of the Utah-based World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools, a network of seven schools that provide behavior modification programs for difficult teens.
If the deal is approved by the city, Randall Hinton, 30, has said he will run an accredited, military-style program for children ages 14-18."

According to Hinton, the school will initially open it's doors for boys only, and prospective students will go through a screening process to "make sure we can work with the child," Hinton said. Although he indicated he would open the school with just a single student, Hinton anticipates that enrollment could grow to 300-500 students within two years."

"We will teach principals and appropriate behaviors using Positive Peer Culture (PPC)," explained Hinton. "We also will emphasize the morals, character, discipline, honor and leadership values that were emphasized by Kemper's program.

"PPC is a behavior modification program that is implemented on a daily basis with 'cottage meetings'," said Hinton. "Any problem that a teen has will fit into one of the 12 categories that PPC addresses."

Academics will be addressed using a combination of on-line curriculum - either the Plato or Alpha Omega systems - and certified teachers. Hinton described these programs as very extensive in the core subject areas and said, "the students will be in class six hours a day, six days a week. Instruction will be 80 percent on the computer and 20 percent teacher-led lectures."

In addition to high school diplomas, Hinton plans to offer courses in aviation, food handling, CPR and other areas of vocation training. "How great will it be for our kids to go home with a high school diploma and a pilot's license," he said. "That'd be awesome."

Although a veteran of the controversial WWASPS network, Hinton said Golden Pond will operate this program as an independent venture. Hinton was previously employed as a director of at least two schools, working at the Spring Creek, Carolina Springs and Cross Creek programs, as well as being an owner of the White River boarding school in Puerto Rico. All told, Hinton has been in the teen-help industry for about 10 years.

"WWASPS needs to fix their wagon," Hinton said. "We won't be affiliated with their programs in any way."

WWASPS affiliated schools have been the subject of international abuse allegations, with overseas schools closed by their governments in Costa Rica, Mexico and the Czech Republic. Currently, schools in South Carolina and New York are under investigation. A case against a Utah-based school - Majestic Ranch - was prosecuted by child sexual abuse by the Utah attorney general.

Hinton characterizes his strength as school administration. He stressed that he intends to keep the Kemper heritage, and is seeking alumni support. "We even plan to open up part of the school as a Kemper museum," he said.

To introduce the school to the community, Hinton, accompanied by his brother Russell, and Warren Williams, Russell's brother-in-law, is speaking at civic group meetings and networking through the chamber of commerce.
 

Warren Williams (left) Randall Hinton (center) and Russell Hinton (right), attended the Boonville City Council meeting, but were not invited to participate in the closed session on real estate. The Hinton brothers hope to open a school for troubled youths on the Kemper property. A public hearing will be held on the matter Monday, April 11, 7 p.m., at city hall. The Hintons will present their plan for the school at that time.

[Anonymous]

Boonville police urge caution on Kemper

By JOHN SULLIVAN of the Tribune?s staff
Published Friday, April 8, 2005
Boonville police officials are recommending that the Boonville City Council hold off any decision to sell the Kemper Military School property until a more thorough background check can be conducted on a controversial potential buyer.
Robert Lichfield, founder of Utah-based World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools, wants to buy the city-owned Kemper property and turn it once again into a military-style academy.
In a study released yesterday to the public, however, police officials cite news reports and other records that indicate World Wide Association-affiliated schools "regularly engage in physical restraint of children including the use of pepper spray, handcuffs, duct tape and wooden boxes to isolate the children."
The study is dated March 25 and was given the next day to Ned Beach, head of the Industrial Development Authority, and Sarah Gallagher, the city?s director of economic development. Beach and Gallagher requested the report. The development authority is overseeing the sale of the property.
World Wide operates behavior-modification schools for problem children. At least eight World Wide-affiliated schools and organizations in two states and four countries have closed or been shut down amid allegations of child abuse.
The Boonville police report mentions Lichfield associate Randall Hinton, who has moved to the city to operate the school. "Mr. Hinton himself is on videotape freely admitting he used pepper spray on one student and more than once per day. He states he has picked up children and had them" taken "to the institution within five hours," the report said.
In an interview with the Tribune, Hinton described the pepper spray episode as a failed two-month experiment to safely subdue students. Lichfield has not returned calls seeking comment.
The police report, signed by Capt. Donald Smith and Lt. Bobby Welliver, recommends conducting a thorough investigation, including "speaking to people who have made accusations and verifying information, which has been provided to us." The report also recommends interviewing Hinton, his brother Russell Hinton and any other principal or partner in the proposed venture.
The police report also looked into a program called the Thayer Learning Center, a behavior-modification school in the Caldwell County community of Kidder. The school, which was incorrectly identified in the report as "Fair Learning Institute," is facing a lawsuit from parents of a child who the county medical examiner ruled died from a spider bite. The lawsuit alleges medical neglect.
Welliver said this morning that his department heard a possible connection exists between Thayer and World Wide Association, although details of that connection remain unknown.
An interview with Caldwell County Sheriff Kirby Brelsford found no serious problems at the facility, apart from "occasional runaways who steal cars in an effort to leave the area," the report said.
Police officials also expressed concerns about placing troubled teens, some of them potentially violent offenders, within close proximity to parks and recreational facilities where children play. The report notes that the YMCA is located on the Kemper property.
Beach defended Lichfield and his organization. A review two days ago of financial records provided by Utah?s Golden Pond Investments Ltd., the investment company offering to buy Kemper, proved credible, Beach said. Criminal background checks of Lichfield and Hinton also came up clean, he said.
City Administrator Selby Myers said he provided city council members with a copy of the report last night.
 
Reach John Sullivan at (573) 815-1731 or jsullivan@tribmail.com.

[Anonymous]

:idea:
 I have worked with children in a classroom setting, disabled children in a hospital setting and teens in a facility setting for a total of over fifteen years.  I listened to what the Hintons said at the council meeting.  I know what it's like for a teen to not have structure or feel that anyone cares about them.  I've seen first hand what a setting like Kemper Military School & College can do to create a person we can all be proud to call friend, co-worker or family.  
I'm asking that the Hintons be given a chance to open this boarding school and use the name of Kemper Military School.  They can open it as any name and it will always be known as formerly KMS anyway. I've read their business plan and organizational plan and witnessed Randall Hinton tell the citizens of Boonville (that bothered to show up to the meetings) that they will not use duct tape, restraints or pepper spray. I hope the "affiliation" with wwasps and Robert Lichfield are no more than a My hairdresser has a cousin that is in jail situation.  From what I see the Hintons want to run a school that is NOT wwasps for a reason.  Many businesses are started with one worker setting out to make a better business or in this case school.
Boonville already has Valley Hope and I know suicidal, drug addicted teens that were sent there.  According to the Hinton?s plan they will not be accepting such teens.  Does Boonville think its citizens will allow any abuse to go on at any school?  The Hintons have promised an open door policy and I for one will be checking up on them often and I hope Boonville citizens have the same courage to do so for any school boarding ours or anyone else?s youth.  
I saw a lady on my street just the other day tell a reporter she didn?t want anything to open at KMS.  This is the kind of ignorance we deal with every day here.  Do they think nothing is going to open there?  Do they think we?ll have much of a say so?  I hope if the Hintons open a school it will be something to be proud of and something that will bring jobs and consumers to Boonville.

[Anonymous]

On 2005-04-14 10:02:00, Anonymous wrote:

" :idea:

 I have worked with children in a classroom setting, disabled children in a hospital setting and teens in a facility setting for a total of over fifteen years.  I listened to what the Hintons said at the council meeting.  I know what it's like for a teen to not have structure or feel that anyone cares about them.  I've seen first hand what a setting like Kemper Military School & College can do to create a person we can all be proud to call friend, co-worker or family.  

I'm asking that the Hintons be given a chance to open this boarding school and use the name of Kemper Military School.  They can open it as any name and it will always be known as formerly KMS anyway. I've read their business plan and organizational plan and witnessed Randall Hinton tell the citizens of Boonville (that bothered to show up to the meetings) that they will not use duct tape, restraints or pepper spray. I hope the "affiliation" with wwasps and Robert Lichfield are no more than a My hairdresser has a cousin that is in jail situation.  From what I see the Hintons want to run a school that is NOT wwasps for a reason.  Many businesses are started with one worker setting out to make a better business or in this case school.

Boonville already has Valley Hope and I know suicidal, drug addicted teens that were sent there.  According to the Hinton?s plan they will not be accepting such teens.  Does Boonville think its citizens will allow any abuse to go on at any school?  The Hintons have promised an open door policy and I for one will be checking up on them often and I hope Boonville citizens have the same courage to do so for any school boarding ours or anyone else?s youth.  

I saw a lady on my street just the other day tell a reporter she didn?t want anything to open at KMS.  This is the kind of ignorance we deal with every day here.  Do they think nothing is going to open there?  Do they think we?ll have much of a say so?  I hope if the Hintons open a school it will be something to be proud of and something that will bring jobs and consumers to Boonville.  

"

If Hinton will open and operate Kempper, he will use the WWASP program. The Program is abusive and harmful. It's not just the physical abuse (pepper spray, restraints, etc.)-- it's the psychological and emotional abuse used by the program to break these children down.

Do some research on the origin of The Program and the lies told by WWASP and their affiliates in the past. The Program is not a "caring structured environment". It is a destructive cult. Please, do your research, don't buy into their lies.

[Anonymous]

Even if he's tortured and abused children in the past you want the man to open and operate a school right in the middle of your town?

Unbelievable.

[Anonymous]

Randall Hinton = WWASPS = Torture, abuse, permanent mental and physical scars.

Take off your blinders!

[Antigen]

On 2005-04-14 10:30:00, Anonymous wrote:

I'm asking that the Hintons be given a chance to open this boarding school and use the name of Kemper Military School.

Sure! And while we're at it, I think we should give Chemical Ali another chance too!  :roll:

The age of ignorance commenced with the Christian system.
--Thomas Paine, American revolutionary

[Anonymous]

On 2005-04-14 10:02:00, Anonymous wrote:

"I saw a lady on my street just the other day tell a reporter she didn?t want anything to open at KMS.  This is the kind of ignorance we deal with every day here.  Do they think nothing is going to open there?  Do they think we?ll have much of a say so?  I hope if the Hintons open a school it will be something to be proud of and something that will bring jobs and consumers to Boonville."

Welcome to the forum, Bob.  Your brother Narvin came over to play some time ago but he didn't stick around long.  Wonder why?  :grin: