Concerns about Warren St. head raised in letter
By MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-HeraldFact Box
CONTENT OF LETTER
March 31, 2009
Katherine A. Sullivan, Superintendent
Greater Johnstown School District
1 Sir Bills Circle / Suite 101
Johnstown NY 12095
Dear Mrs. Sullivan,
As is written on the Greater Johnstown School District's home web page, winter has dissipated and spring is emerging, and we, the staff at Jansen Avenue Elementary School, are preparing for a new season in our professional lives. Declining enrollment, the threat of a potential reduction in State aid, and ever-increasing operating costs have forced our Board of Education to make the difficult decision to close our school.
We feel that it is incumbent upon us to not only personally accept and respect the Board's decision, but to also articulate this change in both a positive and professional manner when speaking to our students, parents, and community members. We agree with the Restructuring Committee's view that redistricting our students has benefits. It will allow them to socially connect with new classmates and to be challenged by a larger cadre of excellent elementary teachers. We have confidence in our students' abilities to make the required transitions and we believe that because they are talented, responsible, and enthusiastic learners they will positively impact their new schools.
Our only serious and perhaps even impassible hurdle in making the move to new buildings revolves around the anxiety and trepidation we feel when we confront the possibility of working under the direction of Ann Christiano, current principal at Warren Street Elementary School. Many of us have had unpleasant encounters and disturbing conversations with Mrs. Christiano. Those of us who have not personally experienced her unpredictable nature have heard enough retellings from reputable sources to make us uneasy. We can't help but wonder why teachers, aides, secretaries, nurses, and custodians too numerous to count have opted to leave their positions at Warren Street School in the short time Mrs. Christiano has served as building principal. Some of us remember interviewing Mrs. Christiano in the spring of 2004 when she applied to fill the vacancy created when former Jansen Avenue Principal Mr. Richard Tucci retired. Even at that time we felt strongly that she was not a suitable match for our school community.
Conversely, our year with Ms. Colleen Lester as principal has been rewarding. We have enjoyed working for her and with her. She has treated each of us respectfully and in a considerate manner and has developed an excellent rapport with students and parents as well. We believe she would manage the increased demands of a larger combined elementary school well and she would have our support in doing so.
In closing, it is our sincerest hope that you consider and reflect upon our concerns. We are committed to providing the best education possible for our Johnstown students and we are asking that you take the steps necessary to provide us with effective leadership.
Saying good-bye to the students and families we have worked so well with, packing up years of accumulated educational materials, and the not knowing where we'll be next year causes us to feel enough stress. Need we have yet another worry?
Sincerely,
The Jansen Avenue Tenured Teachers and Support Staff
cc: Members of the Johnstown Board of Education
JOHNSTOWN - Jansen Avenue Elementary School's tenured teachers and support staff wrote a letter to the Greater Johnstown School District Tuesday expressing "anxiety and trepidation" about possibly working under Warren Street Elementary School Principal Anne Christiano now that their school is closing.
The Leader-Herald obtained a copy of the letter, which is dated March 31 and was sent from Jansen's "tenured teachers and support staff" to district Superintendent Katherine A. Sullivan. Members of the district's Board of Education also were sent copies of the letter.
Unable to be reached this morning were Sullivan, who was in Albany today, and Johnstown Teachers Association Co-Presidents Kathy Zajicek and Louise Carville, who were in Buffalo on union matters.
Board President Robert Curtis acknowledged today the letter was discussed by the board during a closed-door, executive session at Thursday night's board meeting at Johnstown High School. The reason given for the session was listed by the board as to "discuss the employment history of a particular person."
"We did discuss the fact we did receive a letter," Curtis said.
But the board president was quick to note the letter was not signed and didn't have anyone's name attached to it. He said he was reluctant to discuss it for that reason.
"I'm not going to ruin a person's reputation over an unsigned letter," Curtis said.
Curtis said he doesn't "buy it" if the people who wrote the letter are fearing reprisal or retribution by not attaching their names. He said if the district receives a letter that puts a student in "harm," the district is quick to act, but not in the case of an unsigned letter that is "defaming staff."
The other nine members of the school board couldn't be reached this morning. Christiano didn't return a phone call this morning seeking comment.
Jansen Avenue Elementary School kindergarten teacher Ellen Jones today said the letter is authentic, although she was reluctant to speak about it without having first talked to a Johnstown Teachers Association union representative.
"I think the letter speaks for itself," Jones said. "It was done professionally and tactfully."
She said there have been 31 teachers and other district employees who have "opted to leave" Warren Street Elementary School over recent years because of Christiano.
Curtis said the 31 figure is a "gross exaggeration."
He said Christiano's probationary appointment is due to expire in June and her "tenured candidacy" will be discussed by the board at its April 29 meeting at JHS. Last June, the board voted 6-3 to extend the appointment to June 30, but her name was not on a list of 12 district employees granted tenure by the board last April, although she was eligible.
Jones said she personally spent 18 years at Warren Street Elementary School before she asked to relocate a couple years ago because of Christiano. She said she finally got her wish last September when she was moved to Jansen, which the board recently decided to close at the end of the school year.
The letter, in part, reads: "Our only serious and perhaps even impassible hurdle in making the move to new buildings revolves around the anxiety and trepidation we feel when we confront the possibility of working under the direction of Anne Christiano, current principal at Warren Street Elementary School. Many of us have had unpleasant encounters and disturbing conversations with Mrs. Christiano. Those of us who have not personally experienced her unpredictable nature have heard enough retellings from reputable sources to make us uneasy."
The letter indicates that Jansen teachers and support staff "can't help but wonder why teachers, aides, secretaries, nurses, and custodians too numerous to count have opted to leave their positions at Warren Street School in the short time Mrs. Christiano has served as building principal. Some of us remember interviewing Mrs. Christiano in the spring of 2004 when she applied to fill the vacancy created when former Jansen Avenue Principal Mr. Richard Tucci retired. Even at that time we felt strongly that she was not a suitable match for our school community."
Sullivan said Thursday night that she will meet Tuesday with the Jansen Avenue Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association, but Curtis said that was set up prior to the letter coming out.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.
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shopfan
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04-25-09 8:54 AM
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Why don't you go over there and poll them? You'll be very surprised what you find out! Why don't you "poll" the others who have left Warren Street because of her? What's it going to take before you realize that this situation is a real problem???
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JoeJoe
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04-24-09 8:19 AM
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I believe Scott Lizio's Letter to the Editor: "Shame on those who defamed principal 4/16/09" tells the real story about the Jansen Staff. I find it hard to believe that every staff member in that building endorsed the letter that was sent to the administration against Mrs. Christiano. Perhaps we should poll each one publicly.
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shopfan
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04-22-09 6:49 PM
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Why don't you go over to Jansen and spend some time there and see for yourself..you'll find that your so-called "sources" are wrong. Again, just another example of people assuming things that they know nothing about. Don't believe everything you hear, JoeJoe. Find out for yourself.
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JoeJoe
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04-14-09 8:36 AM
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That's not what I'm hearing. I have several good sources, and people are talking. Believe it or not. That building has a bad reputaion.
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shopfan
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04-13-09 10:51 AM
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There are no staff problems at Jansen Ave...the people there all get along great. What problems are you referring to??
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JoeJoe
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04-12-09 10:14 AM
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Resident69, Shopfan isn't going to like your statement, but I agree, they should merge. Maybe Johnstown shoild merge with FFCS. They don't have a chance with Gville. I heard that Jansen was targeted because of the staffing problems within that building and the past history of that building (staff problems). No wonder their afraid of the Warren principal.
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resident69
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04-10-09 11:01 AM
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Fire everybody, merger all the districts into one County school district and start over.
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shopfan
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04-09-09 4:33 PM
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I have talked with people in the community. I now exactly what's going on and what has occurred. I'm very involved in this situation. I wish people who aren't involved and don't have all the facts would stop acting like they do, especially on this site.
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JoeJoe
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04-09-09 8:12 AM
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Shopfan, I only know what I have heard and read. Talk with people in the community and you will hear the real story.
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shopfan
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04-08-09 6:26 PM
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Gee, JoeJoe, thanks for explaining yourself. I did get the point of your post. I would like to ask you if you know this information first hand, or are you making assumptions about the jansen staff without knowing any of them and the situation they are going through. Were you on the interview committee that interviewed her? Do you truly know the reasons that she wasn't hired to be the Jansen principal? I don't think so.
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JoeJoe
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04-08-09 9:16 AM
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Shopfan, the Jerk Award implies that the Jansen staff should not have aired their dirty laundry in public and attack the repuation of a district employee (Mrs. Christiano. The letter to Mrs. Sullivan and the BOE should not have made public and posted on the Leader Herald website. You can be a Shopfan all you want, but the Jerk Award implies the unprofessionalism displayed by a group of educated adults who's shop is working with and teaching students. I have to ask myself this question? Would I want a staff like this teaching my children? I think any sensible adult knows the answer to that question. Going back to Mrs. Christiano, it appears that the Jansen staff is afraid of her. Could this be due to the fact that they black balled her when she was being interviewed for Jansen. I believe the letter to Mrs. Sullivan indicates that.
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shopfan
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04-07-09 7:43 PM
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No, Joejoe, the "jerk award" should definitely go to you for that ignorant comment.
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JoeJoe
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04-07-09 2:19 PM
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How unprofessional for teachers to be acting like this! Isn't their job suppose to be working with children and not fighting with leaders? Didn't this school win some kind of award? They should've won the Jerk Award. Johnstown should close all of their schools and let Fonda Fultonville take over. We would straighten them out. I would say Johnstown has a problem with their staff.
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Hilltopper
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04-05-09 11:53 PM
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It is not agreed by all that the letter should not hsve been leaked. If all agreed, it wouldn't have been in the paper. And, you are correct, the changes that I speak of that are vigorously opposed probably doesn't occur in schools. They include re-assignment to the night shift after several years of working days, a change in days off that means you will now work on the weekend, and re-assignment to a lower paying position after your job is moved overseas. Did you ever lose your health benefits ? Count your blessings. These are life altering changes, not personality conflicts.
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laker88
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04-05-09 8:29 PM
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I think it's agreed by all that the letter should not have been published. Since the origin of the letter was made clear, the question of individual signatures amounts to splitting hairs. A grievance is filed when an article in the contract has been violated. Nobody is denying the principal due process. Re change, I've seen many changes in my workplace over the years....no it was not vigorously opposed. You take a broad, general statement, to attempt to justify your opinion, and then try to apply it to this issue.
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Hilltopper
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04-05-09 3:41 PM
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I just threw that out for the sake of balance, to show how rediculous it is to report on a "personnel" issue based on one side of the story, and to present an unsigned letter as fact. Letters to the editor must be signed, and if there exists a mass uprising, why not have the courage to sign it along with the 30 others ? Why isn't her action being grieved ? Due process and "just cause" should be afforded all, not just the teacher. That being said, it is my experience that change in the workplace is vigorously opposed by thoses who are being impacted. And that is a fact.
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laker88
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04-05-09 3:12 PM
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hilltopper...from your previous post, you have formed your entire opinion on the idea that the principal is doing a great job because she's "asking teachers to step out of their comfort zone and do a little more." Where did you come up with that?? Are you basing that on any factual info specifically referring to Warren St??
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Hilltopper
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04-04-09 11:50 PM
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laker88: You are correct, we are all "here for the kids". Don't forget the mantra. And, oh yes, AROD is in Yankee Stadium for the fans.
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laker88
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04-04-09 9:31 PM
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At least, Lizzie, we have respectful disagreement...I don't think there's a need for signatures...but that detracts from the real issue, that being a decision which will best serve the students.
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lizzie
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04-04-09 9:09 PM
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Sorry laker88, but I don't think anything done anonymously is in the best interests of anyone. If you feel strongly about something, you shouldn't be afraid to sign your name. It certainly carries more weight if you do.
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laker88
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04-04-09 8:54 PM
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thank you lizzie for clarifying the "especially in education" comment....and as I said, I agree that LH was totally wrong to print the letter, and from what I have heard from many sources, many teachers were also upset that the letter was printed by LH. As for the contents of the letter, I thought it was professionally written, and simply a case of the staff expressing a concern. I hope whatever is decided is in the best interest of the students.
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lizzie
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04-04-09 8:13 PM
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The LH was wrong to print the letter. And, I'll stand by my statement that BOE's would never leak that info, because if it's traced back - lawsuit. You've released personnel information protected even by the Sunshine Laws. Do you think the BOE leaked Mr. Flint's infamous e-mails? No. If any administrator is "fired" or not granted tenure after such an incident, who stands to gain the most? Those who feel they were or might in the future be wronged. Is that a BOE? No, that's staff.
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lizzie
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04-04-09 8:09 PM
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laker88, if you read my entire post, you would have seen the last sentence - board members can vote no on any recommendation for employment or tenure. So yes, they do have the final say. Unfortunately, if the majority don't say the same thing, it's a moot point. And perhaps I should have explained my "especially in education..." comment. What other profession, after 5 years of college puts you in a room with 20-30 children and expects you to 1)maintain control 2)meet everyone's needs and 3)teach them what they need to know in the 6 hours or the 42 minutes they're in your charge. It was actually meant to say teachers right out of the box have it a bit more difficult than most college graduates. I might add the same could be said for new administrators. And if all of you think only Johnstown staff ask to be transferred when there's a change in administration, you're all wrong. I could give you an example, with similar "staggering" numbers, but I won't.
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laker88
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04-04-09 7:43 PM
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I agree with caring that the letter should not have been printed, and also that it was irresponsible to leak it to the press...but vehemently disagree with lizzie when she makes the commment, "unlike the teachers, they(bd members) aren't going to tell the LH."...that general quote slurs all teachers and that is equally irresponsible, especially coming from a Board of Ed. member.
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caringteacher
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04-04-09 6:53 PM
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It really is a shame that this is the only newspaper based in Fulton county. Unfortunately we have to depend on a paper that is run by an old boys club where you can only get a job if you are a local, that is certainly not freedom of press. With a family member who reports for a capital district paper I can tell you that letter would never have been printed, and especially not next to a news story. This "news"paper is closer to a high school newsletter, if even that. Hopefully people will depend more on reliable professional resources such as The Daily Gazette.
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