UPDATE: Eckstine Hearing Rescheduled

UPDATED 5/8/12 @ 10:30 p.m.

The preliminary hearing for both John Eckstine and Jacqueline M. Alegado has been moved from May 11 at 10 a.m. to May 17 at 10 a.m. The location remains the same.

ORIGINAL POST

Spring-Ford students and alumni have set out to show the community that they care about John Eckstine, the school's former band director. Eckstine resigned from his position at the school on Friday in light of personal issues that resulted in his arrest on May 2.

According to anonymous sources, students have rallied around a Facebook event, which has invited more than 100 people to attend Eckstine's preliminary hearing. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 11 at Magisterial District Court 38-1-12 in Lower Pottsgrove. Sources also said the group is trying to get at least 20 people (if not all) out of those invited to go.

Court dockets state Eckstine was released from Montgomery County Correctional Facility on May 7 on $7,000 bail at 10 percent. Pending charges include:

• 1 count - Misdemeanor Stalking (repeatedly commit acts to cause fear)
• 5 counts - Misdemeanor Recklessly Endangering Another Person
• 1 count - Misdemeanor Simple Assault
• 1 count - Misdemeanor Furnishing Authorities with Information without knowledge
• 1 count - Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct (hazardous/physical offense)
• 1 count - Summary Subject Other to Physical Contact
• 1 count Careless Driving

The woman involved in the incident, Jacqueline M. Alegado of Limerick, will also have her preliminary hearing at the same time, date and location. She was released from MCCF on May 7 on $20,000 bail at 10 percent. Pending charges include:

• 2 counts - Felony Aggravated Assault
• 1 count - Felony Aggravated Harassment by Prisoner
• 4 counts - Misdemeanor Recklessly Endangering Another Person
• 1 count - Misdemeanor Simple Assault
• 1 count - Misdemeanor Ethnic Intimidation
• 1 count - Misdemeanor False Reports (reported offense did not occur)
• 1 count - Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct (hazardous/physical offense)
• 1 count - Summary Harassment Subject Other to Physical Contact
• 1 count - Summary Careless Driving

Over the weekend, Patch was buzzing with emotional reactions from the community including parents, students and anonymous users. There was also an influx of emails sent to the editor. One parent said Eckstine was a positive influence on their child.

"My son is new to the [high school] band this year so I don't know a lot of the people, but I have heard a lot of stories about how miserable this woman was making everyone," the parent said in an anonymous email. "It was terrible. Mr. Eckstine has been there since my older kids were in the high school. He has done [so] much for the program. I know [redacted] has changed so much this year for the better. He is more focused, more responsible, and so in love with music. He has direction that he never had before. That can't come from a bad leader.

"Situations have come up in the past similar to this and the school board and principal do nothing to defend the teachers. I spoke before them years ago when a drama teacher was suddenly let go without any investigation on his behalf. They brushed me off. The Music Association seems very strong. I am hoping the leaders will provide a way for all of the parents to stand up for Mr. Eckstine. Our children have really been hurt by this woman."

An anonymous student also chimed in praising Eckstine.

"Mr. Eckstine was the greatest teacher and educator I've ever had," the student said. "He's watched all of us grow as great musicians and people even if it was for one or four years. He always supported us and knew how to help us whether it be with music or life. Mr. Eckstine had a lot of stresses and drama throughout his life as a director and even though I (we) will miss him, I (we) are happy to know he can rest and not be as stressed all the time. He will always be a legacy in my mind. No one will ever replace him. We will dearly miss Mr. Eckstine."

Patch User Cathleen Bach, although feeling sad for the band, was not sympathetic toward Eckstine via a comment on Patch.

"While it is a shame for the band, which Eckstine worked so hard to build, he had no choice but to resign before the board fired him," she said. "No matter who started speaking to whom, he made the decision to get on 422 and pursue the matter in a careless, and life threatening manner. They were lucky no one was hurt. Eckstine failed to think about the impact of his actions before getting behind the wheel. As a 'professional,' who works with children, he knows his actions in his personal life can affect his professional life, and in this case, will probably end his career. I feel sorry for the band students, especially the seniors to have their high school career end this way. I hope they can hold their heads high knowing that they have a phenomenal music program at the high school, and should be very proud of their accomplishments."

Another anonymous student described the scene at school when the news of Eckstine's resignation hit the halls.

"Upon hearing of Mr. Eckstine's resignation, the kids in band were extremely upset," the student said. "Some could not continue to go about their normal school activities. A lot of kids don't even know what to do with themselves in this situation. The Spring-Ford band is just not the same without Mr. Eckstine."

One student alumnus had a very different opinion of Eckstine with a comment on Patch. He used the anonymous user name "Joe Everyman."

"To sum up, John Eckstine has thrown away a good thing, and has been given many more chances than he deserved," the user said. "He is the sole reason I did not continue with music, which I now regret."

The jazz and concert bands will still hold their performance on May 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the high school. Another anonymous source said the school will have a retired teacher from the district conduct the concert band and middle school Band Director Kris Jennings handle the jazz band.