Medina Music Teacher Charged

well, well, well, what do we have here? All you people who wrote scathing remarks to the posters who foretold of this looming black cloud should be ashamed of yourselves! The high and mighty tones you used to insult people for talking about the *precious* band director will now be given back to you.
I was in the band for 4 years and 1 was under the direction of drum major Scott Ballard, I know what it's all about. This is no surprise to many. This has been a long time coming and he will get his. Let's see how long it takes for the others to come forward--because if you think it was just 2 isolated incidents, then this community is way too naive. Good riddens Galante, good riddens Ballard! Who's next?

yep

Hilton, NY

I can count a few more to my knowledge...I used to be in band too. I lost all respect for that man when I found out what he did...shame on the people who still think he is a god. and to make things better...the medina home show is tonight...let's see if Hoffman can do better. Anyone miss ballard's predecessor yet?

ma ha

Finally this guy gets busted, took long enough though.

formermedinaband member

Rochester, NY

My third grade year was Ballard's first year as a teacher, I had the upmost respect for him. He is a very talented guy when it comes to music, but when it comes to real life... He isn't so smart. As a former marching band member, I had one year with Mr. Steele and four with Mr. Ballard. They both taught us a lot. As Ballard's years went on with being our marching band director it went from being the Medina Mustang Marching Band to the "Ballard Family Marching Band." After my fourth year in the band with him, his attitude totally changed. If you were not one of his or his sisters favorites you were nothing. My respect for Mr Ballard was gone when I found out about all of this, I was in band with both of the girls. They were both really nice girls, easy to get along with, if you needed anything they would try to help you out the best they could. With this all coming out it makes me ashamed to say I was part if the marching band....

To the actual band members
I'm truely sorry about this coming out a few days before your home show. But it was going to happen. No one can hide things forever. I know how important the home show is. I marched that field countless numbers of times. Its going to be weird at first but it will get better. You will learn new things and learn new aspects of life. I know alot of you guys liked him alot, but he got what was coming to him.

To Mr B.
You should have known better.. You taught us to always tell the truth and follow the right path. If the preacher can't, how are his followers going to?

laughingbuttoff

To you people a month ago on the Galante message board who stood up for this piece of crap, truly hope this is a pie in the face to you and you eat every last word you spoke on here. No one wanted to believe us on here.

See ya later jack ass. you dug your own hole, you can go lay in it now. Wonder if your mom can still bring you sandwiches in jail. Good riddance.

Jim Steele may have been a hard teacher at times, but at least his heart was with the band and carried tradition. Missing him yet? Bet you are. I hope all of the asses that stood up for Ballard the past 5-6 years wallow now because that is all you are good for.

Did not want to know the truth. TA-DA!!!

bandparent

Rochester, NY

This is a very sad situation, for the students. Kids that are anywhere from 12-18 are still very naive and don't usually see things clearly. The students idolize this man and very few want to admit that these things really happened. In fact, some of the students blame the girls for all of this. That shows that they don't understand the severity of the situation. Many people knew that these things were going on for years, but no one could stand up and say anything for fear of what would happen to their kid or to themselves.

Some of the band boosters are very close, personal friends of the entire Ballard family and you don't say anything against a Ballard without paying a very high price. I feel for the entire organization...the students, adult staff, boosters and even his family. Scott Ballard made the choice to have relationships with students, no one else made the choice for him. This poor choice will carry with him forever now.

I hope that the investigation doesn't stop here however. There are other offenders holding important positions that need to be brought down next. The adult staff for the band all knew what was going on, or at least 3/4 of them did.

I hope that the kids continue to work hard and show everyone that the band is what it is today due to their hard work and dedication.

First and Last Timer

Since: Sep 08

Just listen to all of the Steele fans spouting off!!!!!!!!!! Jim Steele was a fantastic band director, but you all KNOW this could have been resolved last summer, NOT on the eve of the Home Show...the last Home Show for 24 kids who didn't deserve to be hurt like this. Congrats to the "victims" and "former students" who decided to come forth in such a publicity seeking timely manner...small town, kids....just like CHEERS...where everybody knows your name....shame on you for being so vengeful at the expese of so many kids. You could have taken care of this long before now.
And I am not a close personal friend of the Ballard family, or even a Medina native, so don't even go there!

duh

Judged:

First and Last Timer wrote:

Just listen to all of the Steele fans spouting off!!!!!!!!!! Jim Steele was a fantastic band director, but you all KNOW this could have been resolved last summer, NOT on the eve of the Home Show...the last Home Show for 24 kids who didn't deserve to be hurt like this. Congrats to the "victims" and "former students" who decided to come forth in such a publicity seeking timely manner...small town, kids....just like CHEERS...where everybody knows your name....shame on you for being so vengeful at the expese of so many kids. You could have taken care of this long before now.
And I am not a close personal friend of the Ballard family, or even a Medina native, so don't even go there!

Listen to you blaming the victims for bad timing! Are you that clueless as to how the world works?? Reality check here-- the investigation started a long time ago, so for you to blame the girls for the bad timing shows how out of touch you are!! Blame Ballard, not those girls and their families. You have no idea what those girls have had to endure that brought them to the point of even deciding to talk about it. They saved future girls from being the next victims--you should thank them for saving your daughter, and future generations from the same fate.

First and Last Timer

Since: Sep 08

Blaming the victim? Are you nuts?...are you one of the girls?????????? Are you a family member??????
Are you any one who watched from the side lines (and a few parents will understand this)? Whatever happened, I definitely do NOT blame any of the victims in this awful mess. But I stand by my statement that it could have been resolved long ago. And sometimes "victim" is a relative term...it's hard to believe that Scott Ballard terrorized those girls and their families for years after they graduated...I have seen those families on very good terms, laughing and talking with the band director...maybe some suspensions brought this all on...We'll never know for sure what caused the final push, just as only two or three people will ever know the TRUTH about this whole thing; and we can all talk it to death, and it won't matter one bit. You'll go on hating him, and I feel badly for all of the people caught in this...who ends up feeling worse...you or me??
As for the "investigation". Hmmmmm...how convieniet that Galante got off with no punishment...and initiated this investigation as a little bonus to repay the district for letting him off scott free!
and PLEASE don't bother to reply to me again...twice is plenty, and we both know where we stand now....I respect your opinion, and your right to it...but enough already

laughingbuttoff

Judged:

bandparent from livonia,

you are 100% correct.

I feel for the kids. I worked my ass off for almost 7 years int hat program. I watched a sly,egomaniac take over the program a couple years after I graduated. He was NO GOOD from the start. Boss mccain and jim steele need to be brought to the forefront of this organization now. I am assuming this is not over with since i do know mr. new guy had 2 relations as well. keep going forward with information to the police former band members.

they also need to CLEAN HOUSE at that booster organization. Only a few should be kept who keep their minds to themselves but i do not know if they are even there anymore. An old fashion cleanup of that whole program. Pull boss from retirement and give him a interim position and bring back jim steele from the elementary school. its a waste of talent though he has worked wonders with those elementary kids and i have heard a few concerts. AMAZING. better than that middle school 6th grade. They go tarnished when they go there.

The marching band would be better off as well as the whole instrumental music program. Concert bands, wind ensemble, and the jazz bands. bring back the great ages. The vocal music program is amazing due to lisa roeseler. now bring back the 2 people that made this activity in medina amazing.

Kids, rock the DOME no matter what. do this not in spite of a man who preys on young girls but for the love of music, and that is why you do the activity. for the love of music

formermedinaband member

Black Creek, NY

bandparent wrote:

This is a very sad situation, for the students. Kids that are anywhere from 12-18 are still very naive and don't usually see things clearly. The students idolize this man and very few want to admit that these things really happened. In fact, some of the students blame the girls for all of this. That shows that they don't understand the severity of the situation. Many people knew that these things were going on for years, but no one could stand up and say anything for fear of what would happen to their kid or to themselves.
Some of the band boosters are very close, personal friends of the entire Ballard family and you don't say anything against a Ballard without paying a very high price. I feel for the entire organization...the students, adult staff, boosters and even his family. Scott Ballard made the choice to have relationships with students, no one else made the choice for him. This poor choice will carry with him forever now.
I hope that the investigation doesn't stop here however. There are other offenders holding important positions that need to be brought down next. The adult staff for the band all knew what was going on, or at least 3/4 of them did.
I hope that the kids continue to work hard and show everyone that the band is what it is today due to their hard work and dedication.

I marched with ballard as my director for 4 years. I quit my senior year because i couldn't look at him the same. I knew about this since 2004. And with the type of person i am I called him out on it so i became a target. Almost 90% of my graduating class(2008) knew what was going on but all of them in the band didnt want to ruin anything. And from what i have heard there has been more that just these two girls.

And you are right..... most of the band staff should be brought down with him. He wasnt the only one doing this..
People shouldnt be afraid to ruin their relationship with someone when it comes to breaking the law.

laughingbuttoff

Judged:

I would suggest formermedniabandmember if you have some information or know other people who do about this and other things, you contact the state police. This guy is a bastard and needs the true taste of justice. I would not be afraid, just contact them. I am sure every little bit counts.

classmate

Judged:

Unfortunalty this situation does not come as a shock for me as I have known him for many many years. I am happy that now people will see him for the kind of guy he really is as he has ALWAYS been a cocky jerk, even in elementary school. And now we can add perverted sleaze to that list of names.

Anonymous

Medina, NY

I've known Scott Ballard for years, I did band for 4 years and it's about time that they did something about Ballard's misconduct, because if they didn't Joel Fidanza should have been awarded an apology. But anyway, what the hell is up with these teachers? Good riddance. I guess he deserves this because he was nothing but a jerk to me and my family.
Woohoo another winner teacher!!
Go MEDINA!!

Anonymous

Cleveland, OH

This definitely started waaay before 2004.

wayb4

Way before 2004. I am thinking mid-late 90's

Just a Mom

No young teacher should start out in his/her home district...too much like one of the kids,maybe...and as for whispers, rumors,etc...I've heard them about prior music directors too...and tech teachers, and etc. and etc. and etc........try to teach your children to respect those who deserve it and cower before no one...and then back your kids up, every time. Blindly obeying authority figures will get your child into a place you don't want him/her to go!

wayb4

WELL SAID!

he never grew up. he never will because you know what? he would have kept doing it again and again and again. newsflash scott, you are not god

anonymous

Judged:

to:laughingbuttoff,duh,classma te,wayb4,etc:

Will expect to see all of you in court on the 29th! If Ballard is guilty as you say, you are ALL guilty of complicity by apathy. What a lovely bunch of hypocrites you all are to have allowed this to go on over and over. If you honestly believe what you are saying, you should all stand in front of that judge on Monday!!!!

laughingbuttoff