Warren St. principal denied tenure
By MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-HeraldJOHNSTOWN - Warren Street Elementary School Principal Anne Christiano - the target of a letter from another school's teachers expressing concern about working under her - was denied tenure Thursday night by the Greater Johnstown School District Board of Education.
It was the second time she has been denied tenure by the board.
The board voted 5-4 at Johnstown High School on a resolution that would have granted her tenure as a district principal.
Christiano was the only one of seven people up for tenure who was denied by the board Thursday night. The board went into a 25-minute closed-door executive session to discuss "employment history of a particular person," but it was unclear if Christiano was the subject.
Voting against Christiano, who was appointed Warren Street Elementary School principal in July 2005, were: Scott Miller, Leslie Buggeln-Bosworth, Susanne Fitzgerald, Joanne Freeman and board Vice President James Levin. Voting for tenure were board President Robert Curtis, Russell Martin, Robert Kosowicz and John David Praught.
Following the meeting, The Leader-Herald attempted to interview Christiano about being denied tenure when former Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Matthew Trainor stood up and physically blocked the reporter's access to the principal, who hastily left the cafeteria and the school.
"She has no comment," Trainor told the newspaper several times.
Christiano also didn't return a phone call seeking comment this morning.
District Superintendent Katherine A. Sullivan identified Trainor as a relative of Christiano.
Sullivan and Curtis were asked by The Leader-Herald if tenure denial means Christiano's time at Warren Street Elementary School is over at the end of this school year. The resolution stated that her probationary period expires June 30.
"We have to talk to our legal counsel [before commenting further]," Curtis said.
In early April, teachers and support staff wrote a letter to the Greater Johnstown School District expressing "anxiety and trepidation" about possibly working under Christiano now that their school is closing.
The Leader-Herald obtained a copy of the letter, which was dated March 31 and was sent from Jansen's "tenured teachers and support staff" to Sullivan. Members of the district's Board of Education also were sent copies of the letter.
Jansen has been targeted for closure at the end of the school and Curtis says teachers will be dispersed to the schools as vacancies exist and based on seniority.
Jansen Avenue Elementary School kindergarten teacher Ellen Jones said previously there have been 31 teachers and other district employees who have "opted to leave" Warren Street Elementary School over recent years because of Christiano.
The letter, in part, read: "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 indicated 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."
Granted tenure by the board Thursday night were: Glebe Street Elementary School Principal William Crankshaw, mathematics teacher Craig Blowers, guidance counselor Deana Lenz, health teacher Kristy Lynch-Herringshaw, physical education teacher Jennifer O'Neil and elementary teacher Amy Shutter.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.
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dogman12
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05-03-09 10:34 PM
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Is this the same board that didn't hire my niece ? They hired some one who didn't have her masters ! They hired some one who didn't get the praise that my niece did from other teachers ! ( A friend of some one maybe ) My niece who has almost 70,000 in student loans to get her masters has played the game with these people and wishes she never got involved with this hire who is a friend and not who is right for the Job ! Of coarse i'm not saying this board is wrong about this teacher but I question all knowing how they work !
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Discobulous
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05-02-09 8:35 PM
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Same thingz true of marriage. Btw, you can't hold a witch hunt without a witch.
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ghettoboy
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05-02-09 1:44 PM
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Seems like the BOE decision not to grant Anne C tenure was like an old Salem witch trial. Accusations with no proof of creditbility was enough to "burn her at the stake" Those that voted YES you did the right thing. Those that voted NO...you don't have a clue. She does care about that school and how it should be run. How many principals delivered donated Christmas trees, gifts, and holiday food baskets to families from their school so there could be a bright spot in their lives during these hard times? SHE DID. Leadership, compassion and expectations are what a pricipal is made of. She has them. Hopefully it's not too late to make this right and keep Anne in the position she deserves.
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tinbucktoof
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05-02-09 11:40 AM
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The letter was from the "tenured teachers". Was this letter from the teachers who have had tenure under their belts for a few years now?? The ones who tend to coast once they have had tenure for a few years. Do the same ole same ole every year. Hand out the same xerox copies year after year. Do not come up with anything new year after year. Why?, because they are safe!!! If your one of those then you will have problems with any principal!!! To those who continue to be creative in their teaching...KUDOS to you!!!
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BMadonna
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05-02-09 11:05 AM
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It is my understanding that teachers get a set salary for the year. They get to choose if it is paid out over 10 or 12 months.
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tinbucktoof
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05-02-09 10:23 AM
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Maybe Mrs. Christiano made her staff accountable like most bosses do!! Maybe by doing this she rubbed people the wrong way. But hey, that is what it is like in the real world!!!
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mynamehere
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05-02-09 7:23 AM
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Nope the field and the auditorium were definitely not needed. I thought they said something about a drainage issue with regards to the field. I think grass is better for the environment. I know you can play football in the water LOL Blame it on Bush that's what I do LOL !!! That was a joke republicans ! Blame it on the liberals LOL ! Putting up with parents is part of the job. My kid is NEVER bad ! LOL So just teach him and do your job ! Your paid to be tortured LOL Once again joking. I don't think my sense of humor translates well into written words LOL Okay no more posts from me on this one. I do wish the best to all parties involved :) Put the kids first they are the future. It will all work out. Also if the letter was true give the principal an opportunity to change. She might have been just been stressed out. Or fight it out don't matter to me. It's just all kinda ugly you know. Best wishes to everyone I enjoy our chats :)
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mynamehere
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05-02-09 7:02 AM
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Hey I'm back with a spell checker see antidisestablishmentterrionism. I don't live in a world where spelling is important. I live in a world where computers check my spelling calculators do my math Puedo hablar en cualquier idioma (I speak in any language) and if there's anything I want to know from algebra to zebras I Google it. There's nothing I can't learn given enough time to study a subject. I can do this from my phone. So yes your the spelling bee champ but can you tell me where I'm wrong ? I saw a good point about this being her SECOND time denied tenured that was a valid point. I hope it was based on performance that would be fair. Far as teachers being the greatest. 'Teaching' is a wonderful profession. It's what keeps us from being cavemen LOL Passing down knowledge so it can be learned and expanded upon is an invaluable gift. 'Teachers' on the other hand are people. Some of which are amazing at their jobs. Some are a credit to this noble profession. Others collect a check.
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debater
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05-02-09 7:01 AM
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mynamehers- thanks for clarifying. My closest friend is a teacher and I see how hard she works and the kids she has to put up with whose parents think their kid possibly couldn't do anything wrong. Today, it seems teachers are the blame for many things that they don't even have anything to do with. Seeingitstraight- you must have beer goggles on. Obviously, you don't see it straight. If school districts had priorities straight to begin with they wouldn't be in the bind to even ask teachers to give up health care. Many districts' teachers have accepted less pay than other districts so they can have the health care, and they pay a portion of their own health care too. Did Johnstown need a brand new astro turf field? Did they need a brand new HUGE auditorium when enrollment has been declining? But, go ahead, blame the teachers for the financial state of the district, why not?
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mynamehere
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05-02-09 5:05 AM
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Maybe my post read wrong.. I love teachers ! I hate what's going on here though. I don't have the patience to be a teacher. I was just pointing out some benifits of the job is all. As far as summer vacation goes educators in my family are paid through the summer. Tier 1 maybe that means something to you I don't know. I didn't think the letter was signed by anyone specific so I call that annonymous. Far be it from me to debate teachers here as those are not my intentions feel free to substitute whatever word you like :) I didn't say teaching was easy by any means. Just maybe put the politics aside and worry about the kids. Sorry I don't know anything about pigs ! LOL Can't we all just get along ? HA ! I hate my boss too ! Oh wait I am the boss.. Suckers !!! My health care is way to expen$ive. Another time perhaps. Have a good one guys.
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Bosco17
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05-01-09 11:47 PM
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Whoever is under the assumption that teachers get a two-month paid vacation should get their facts straight before making such an assertion in print. If there is a school district in New York paying their teachers all summer long, please let me know where it is so I can apply for a job there.
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Discobulous
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05-01-09 9:45 PM
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I suppose whoever wrote the anonymous letter didn't sign it? Why shucks, Beulah, bring me my dictionary...thanks....here it is...it sez a 'gruntle' is a baby pig. That must mean a disgruntle is an unhappy baby pig.
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Seeingitstraight
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05-01-09 9:13 PM
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I was wondering how long it would take before someone brought the "teachers are the most awesome people on the face of the planet" argument into the equation. Give me a break. It's because of you people that school districts find themselves in such a bind right now, thanks to your stubborn unwillingness to make any concessions. Most private sector employees are going without pay raises, and yet we have to pay more in taxes to support you.
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debater
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05-01-09 7:52 PM
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mynamehere- I don't think a letter that didn't include any specific details is the cause for her not getting tenure. The article mentioned this is the SECOND time she was denied tenure. Besides, all those people who make minimum wage, they can choose to go to college. Don't hate the people who decided to get their masters degree and acquire a 50k loan for their education.
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Youareallwrong
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05-01-09 7:47 PM
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MYNAMEHERE, Maybe you should have went to college for six years and became a teacher if you are so envious. If you think that is what teachers do you must live under a rock. They put in a lot of hours outside of the school day. Where would you be if your teachers didn't educate you. I know I have had many teachers have an influence on my successes. If I could do it all over again I would be a teacher because I know they make a difference and I can't thank them enough for the positive influences they have been to my kids. Much to read here MYNAME.
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mynamehere
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05-01-09 6:30 PM
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Should you not say alledgedly written by the teachers and support staff. Seems more like a disgruntled employee to me. I wouldn't want anyone to speak for a whole school. How do you know that letter came from a teacher anyway ? In either case learn to play nice. As a parent I don't care about your personal differences or whether or not you get along. I care about results and performance. Most people hate thier boss anyway. An annonymous letter should not have affected someones tenure. Good luck to you all. I hope this works out. Enjoy your summer. Enjoy your job you work 5 days a week have a 2 month paid vacation every year not to mention holidays or the fact you only work 6 hours a day and still bring home more than minimum wage earners do in 8. Count your blessings. Let's wrap this up people nothing to see here. :)
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shopfan
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05-01-09 4:02 PM
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Wonderful reviews?????? If they were so wonderful, then why wasn't she given tenure LAST YEAR??? To say that there haven't been problems is extrememly naive. Open your eyes, besha28...this has been a long time coming. I'm glad the BOE made the right decision for ALL involved.
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Discobulous
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05-01-09 3:57 PM
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Must be she tried to innovate. Change is the kiss of death in Johnstown.
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besha28
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05-01-09 3:40 PM
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There are no problems. My son has attented Warren St. for 2 Years, he loves it there. Anne is a wonderful prinipal and person. All the kids that attend Warren St. are all looked at as human beings not just a number for state aide. This person who wrote the letter is just a person who has a grudge because she wasn't beggede to remain at Warren St when she left to go to Jansen. I like that people need to take a good look at the facts how about that when Anne was up for her evaluation she was given wonderful reviews now all of a sudden they won't give her her much deserved tenure. The Johnstown School distrint stinks and I wish I could go back in time because I would have never purchased a house in such a divided school district
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slider
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05-01-09 11:28 AM
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This should help ease many parents concerns about sending their children there. It was no secret to anyone that there were problems at that level. Good for the school board for taking action.
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wendy59
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05-01-09 11:15 AM
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If there is that many people that have a problem with Anne, then they should get rid of her.
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