Johnstown band leader loses posts
District also decides on principals, waits for wordBy MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-Herald
JOHNSTOWN - The Greater Johnstown School District Board of Education Thursday night decided on the two candidates it wants to fill open elementary principal positions and also stripped award-winning music teacher Daniel Jones of his role as director of the school's marching band, jazz band and winter guard.
District Superintendent Katherine A. Sullivan today said the board interviewed three principal candidates Thursday night at Johnstown High School, reaching a "consensus" on choices for principals at both Warren Street and Pleasant Avenue elementary schools.
This morning, both Sullivan and board President Robert Curtis said they couldn't release the names of the two people they have made offers to because the finalists want to take the weekend to decide whether to take the positions.
Curtis said the district should know by Monday if they are taking the jobs, and after that, the board will take formal action.
The board did formally decide not to rename Jones as director of three school music groups and offered no comment for the moves.
Curtis waived off reporters' questions following the meeting, saying he couldn't respond publicly to what is a confidential district personnel matter.
Curtis further stated this morning he "doesn't like it" when he can't comment, but personnel issues sometimes come down to legal issues involving integrity and the "protection" of the employee himself.
"It's an ugly situation for the board," he said. "It's like being in a boxing match with your hands tied behind your back."
Jones couldn't be reached for comment Thursday night or this morning.
Jones' name came up three times for co-curricular appointments for the 2009-10 school year, each time being rejected.
The board voted 6-3 to dump Jones as Johnstown High School marching band director. He was also rejected 7-2 as Winter Color Guard director, and voted down 8-1 as Jazz Band director. Jones had taken the Winter Color Guard to many tournaments over the years, capturing first- and second-place awards.
Jones was selected as Wal-Mart's State Teacher of the Year and honored with this prestigious award at a surprise celebration in the Warren Street Elementary School gym on Oct. 18, 2007. Wal-Mart presents this award annually to one educator in each of the 50 states. As part of its acknowledgement of Jones' dedication to children and teaching, Wal-Mart presented a $10,000 educational grant to the school district. Winners of the state teacher award are selected through a partnership between Wal-Mart and the Phi Delta Kappa international professional education association.
The three director roles carried collective stipends of $6,854.
Curtis said the district will advertise for the director positions. The board did name his three Marching Band assistants - Peter Cutler, Stacy McLean and Corrina Pelkey - for the coming year.
Curtis would not say whether the decision not to reappoint Jones was connected to his public criticism of the board at a May 7 meeting. At that board meeting, he was choked with emotion as he asked the board to restore one and a half positions cut from the district's Music Department.
The district decided not to replace retiring elementary school music teacher Patricia Zullo and cut JHS vocal teacher James Morrison's position to half-time.
In other personnel matters Thursday night, new district physician Dr. Richard Solby introduced himself to the board.
"I'm really excited to work with the nurses in the district and the Board of Education," he said.
The board approved the resignation of teacher aide Emily Cox, retroactive to June 30. The board also created four special education teacher aide positions, effective Sept. 9.
Michelle Kuhne was appointed school bus driver, effective Aug. 26, and made the appointment of school bus attendant Wendy Sievert.
Michael McHenry received a probationary appointment as a new teacher at Warren Street Elementary School, effective Sept. 30, at an annual salary of $37,434. He was in attendance and told the board, "I'm really excited to work at Warren Street. I look forward to the next couple years."
Other teachers named were: Karlene Ray, special education; Tracy Ringer, elementary; and Melanie Szumowski, earth science.
The board accepted the resignation of guidance counselor Andrew Jablonski, effective Tuesday.
Given special education teacher appointments were Michela Riccio and Kelly Watson.
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ChristopherM
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08-14-09 10:02 AM
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dogmanguy, you are just posting a bunch of nonsense and it is really getting annoying
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DogManGuy
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08-13-09 7:28 PM
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PatriciaL- I think Dan got into kid's faces with various weapons, effectively murdering them. There is no other logical explanation. ~Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark~ DogManGuy
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PatriciaL
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08-01-09 7:47 PM
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Yelling is different then getting into the kids faces!
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youngandhopeful
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08-01-09 9:24 AM
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PatriciaL- so I am certain that there are no other extra curricular heads aka sports coaches in GJSD or any other school district who raise their voice at a student.....please, take a look at the sidelines at the next football/basketball game, if that is cause for relinquishing of duties then you would have an empty school...
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PatriciaL
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07-31-09 10:14 PM
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Doneitb4- Your comment disturbs me: as a parent if you raise your tone of voice do you have an anger management problem too. Are u justifying that it is ok for Mr Jones to yell at these kids? A parent yellng at their child is totally different than an educator. So if someone else's child is in your home visiting it is ok for you to get in their face? I have been told by many that this is what Mr. Jones does. Maybe you don't know the law too well! Very SCARY!!! You are comparing apple and oranges!! Again thank god my children are older!!!! Sometimes even good or even excellent educators get burned out. Change is good!! The music program will survive with or without Mr. Jones!
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mandiandsalena
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07-31-09 1:21 PM
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Ummm, DONEITB4U, FYI I am in TOTAL support of Mr.Jones!!!! I don't know why you think I said something bad about him but I DIDN'T! I am totally confused and upset by your comment. I have never said a negative thing about Mr.Jones. I went to the meeting at the JCC I am in the process of writing letters on his behalf and so is my daughter. Once again I NEVER made any accusations and I don't appreciate being accused of swearing at my kid or letting her watch R rated movies. I really hope that this comment was a mistake and meant for someone else, or maybe I'm reading it wrong.
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trishc
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07-29-09 7:18 PM
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We have known and worked with Mr Jones for 20 plus years and anyone to pass negative judgment on such a kind hearted, hard working person is EXTREMELY wrong!! I have watched, heard, and seen Mr Jones go above and beyond year after year, season after season for only to benefit the children involved into the music program and their families. I have watched him pay out of his pocket for instrument repairs to be completed for some families just so the student could have their horn back. I have watched him support not just the kids in the program but for the school and the community as well. I know a great deal of musicians and music teachers and I can asssure you that you will not find that many music teachers as dedicated as Mr Jones! You are doing the wrong thing no matter which way you look at things. The music program is going to suffer and most importantly so are all the musicians involved!! Music can continue thru out your life, when not taken away!
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doneitb4u
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07-29-09 1:31 PM
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Mandi & Salena, Just thought you should know that I invited the leader herald along for tonights meeting. FYI it was a group of parents and their kids who chose to disassemble Mr. Jones. He did not steal anything, nor does he have a drinking problem, nor does he have an anger management problem as this group is stating. If you have questions contact those marvelous parents. I also must ask you, because I know you never once did this, as a parent if you raise your tone of voice do you have an anger management problem too. Certainly you must have said in your own home some not so nice words, or of course watched a movie with some not so nice scenes in it. How is that any different???? Mr. Jones does not come to practices under the influence, are you listening to your own accusations? 2 board members disagreed with the removal. Mr. Beck,& Mrs. Mraz. Thank you, because you know Mr. Jones is not capable of putting anyone in harms way and is loved by a lot of parents and students
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mandiandsalena
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07-28-09 5:47 PM
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There will be a meeting tomorrow evening at 7:30 at the Johnstown Area Community Center to discuss what we will be doing to keep the programs going and bring Mr. Jones back. (Letter writing, sign making, BOE meetings, meeting the Supt., etc.) Please make sure to attend so that we have support of current, future and past band and winter guard members and families.
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doneitb4u
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07-28-09 1:42 PM
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I know that I personally do not know all the details. But I do not believe that Mr. Jones is thief if that is whats being applied. He takes really good care of the kids. Watch the ax, there is more to come from your leader. We seem to be losing more and more great teachers, I wonder why??????
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doneitb4u
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07-28-09 1:23 PM
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You are so right about the BOE & Mrs. Sullivan. They never show up is right. Don't tell me there is no fluff in the School Budget. If it is true about the $5000.00, big woop. Lets start looking into the people we pay that work for the district without supervision and see how much money we wasted on payroll. If you are going to treat Mr. Jones the way you are, you better be prepared, There are people in your own school that have done dishonest things. How about your own sports department. Do we always play golf when at a Doctors appointment??? Do we allow criminal offenders on field trips? Oh of course not we check out everybody. cont.
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justathought
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07-28-09 2:08 AM
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Ok, one more thought ...before I have to change my 'name.' Mafariello had a good point but lets take it further. Band Camp, which meets in August for one solid week, 6 hours a day, has not seen admin or BOE. They put on a "parent show" on the last day and I do not recall, in my 10 years of volunteering, seeing any admin or BOE present, but Mrs. Freeman. If I'm wrong, someone correct me. I've been to practices, bringing popcicles on hot days and hot cocoa on cool ones. I even know how tired the kids got hearing the same drill "25 to the eyeball .. or 15 to the Tylenol" .. and I doubt if anyone but a band member or PeteCutler even knows what I'm talking about! Perhaps the BOE and Admin should have gotten more involved in JHS Music, BEFORE they decided to tear it down; and that goes for the whole music dept. The face of JHS looks rather strange with their nose missing.
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justathought
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07-28-09 1:53 AM
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As far as money goes, sometimes plans go haywire. The BOE and Admin. should know this; can you say, capital project screw up? If there was a problem concerning the Carnegie trip, that is unfortunate, but not the end of the world. 15 years of service to our kids and one financial screw up is not a bad record. Sad and unfortumate but certainly not deliberate. I agree with you about ways of dealing with these and any other problems that may or may not exist. The Admin and BOE have taken their grand old time in other situations, it surprised me that they jumped on this one so quickly. If part of the problem is 10 kids and their parents, I DO hope there was a parent/teacher/principal conference, first. We've had to do that before, with other teachers and all but one got to keep their job. The one that left, was not tenured; and certainly was not Teacher of the Year! I no longer live or work in the district. If I could help, I would; in a heartbeat! JHS Music Support Group, where are you?
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justathought
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07-28-09 1:35 AM
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As parents, we had our own squabble with Mr. Jones but dealt with him directly and did not run to the Administration or the BOE. I was involved as a parent before Mr. Jones came and I jumped on board with Marching Band, leaving several years AFTER my youngest had graduated. I've seen Mr. Jones speak carefully to irate parents; handle "difficult" kids; settle some "language" problems with assistants; work in the rain, snow; help families out at trip time when more than one child was involved. He's washed uniforms; gone over drills one on one with slower learners; Did he ever lose his temper for no good reason? Of course! Who hasn't? Does he apologise? Yes. He's apologsed to me on occasion. He apologised to each of my kids on several separate occasions with minor intervention on our part. In short, he taught by his actions, words and talent. I encourage you to carry on for the sake of these kids, even if the Marching Band is smaller this year. Re-organization happen
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mafariello
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07-28-09 1:24 AM
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Regardless of what the "private matter" entails, ALL people are innocent until proven guilty. The BOE members took it upon themselves to demolish a program without due process. The BOE never made any attempt to understand how the programs worked, and rarely attended performances to show members support and respect. When people don't understand or appreciate something, they can easily dismiss it. Being a part of the JHS Music Department was something I was always proud of. I can unequivocally say that I am not proud of and refuse to support a district that mindlessly acted to ruin a dedicated educator and successful programs. As a former member of the JHS winterguard, marching band, and jazz band, I urge students, parents, and alumni to support a person who has always supported them: Mr. Jones.
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justathought
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07-28-09 1:22 AM
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PeteCutler, thank you for your encouraging post! What the future holds for Mr. Jones is anybody's guess but I know, without a doubt, he will encourage "his" kids to work hard, paste a smile on their face and show the district what they are made of. People who do not know Mr. Jones, do not realize that Marching Band and Winterguard is not about him but about the kids, music, choreography. There are some parents and kids who will diagree with me but that's bedcause they have their axes to grind because they did not get their way or whatever ... I knew too many of them and diagreed with most. My love for music and children went far beyond any disagreements I may had have with Mr. Jones. Two of three of my kids learned from him. Leraned music; learned diplomacy; learned how to stand up for what they thought was right. In the end, despite a few squabbles, they enjoyed their Marching Band experience. to be cont'd
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PatriciaL
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07-27-09 10:19 PM
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PeteCutler. You seem to know what the issue was that the board had. Oh please do tell! You mention: I can tell you that any concerns and questionable areas the board has brought up could easily have been corrected without taking the detrimental action they did. What were the concerns? A group of parents? My neighbors' sons are involved in band and one meeting he was telling me that he was asking about a spending finance report and one of the parents told him he was going into uncharted waters! What does that mean?? Also he mentioned that the district had a bill from Carnagie Hall of $5000.00, why should tax payers pay this bill? It is not our fault he did not sell all the tickets! Mr Cutler, my friend, seems like you do not know all the issues!! It is a shame however the one peron who did this was Mr. Jones himself! Stop trying to blame others, Mr. Jones take ownership of your issues!
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doneitb4u
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07-27-09 3:03 PM
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Can we schedule one? Who is organizing this? Time is wasting and we need to put that group together now. Go Marching Band, we will be behind you all the way.
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doneitb4u
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07-27-09 2:47 PM
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OMG watch out Mr. LaCoppola and Ms. Healey, you might be next. We need to make more room to pay someone else for another job. Hopefully you are on her good side. The dominoes effect is just beginning. Oh I think I saw the Roberts Rule book in Mysteries on Main St. Call them.
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PeteCutler
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07-27-09 2:45 PM
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I believe I said virtually impossible...not totally impossible. I also do believe I said these were the hardest working and most determined kids I have ever worked with. So yes you are right...they do deserve a chance to voice their opinions and what they want to do. But when will that chance come?? Next BOE meeting? Probably not. Special meeting called by the Superintendent? Sounds good to me...but will it happen?? Every day they wait is a day closer to the death of these programs and a jewel in the community of Johnstown. They acted before taking in to consideration the full ramifications of their decision.. It's time to clean up the mess now....
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doneitb4u
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07-27-09 2:42 PM
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Lets put out lawn signs for support of the Marching Band Leader Mr. Jones. Bring him back, bring him back, WERE NOT QUITTERS AND WE WILL FIGHT FOR MR. JONES.
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doneitb4u
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07-27-09 2:39 PM
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oops, meant to say, stop taking all the things we love so much away from us. My bad.
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doneitb4u
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07-27-09 2:37 PM
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I would also like to mention that their is no support from Mrs Sullivan or the BOE at these shows from beginning to end. The whole group of them are clueless, and shame on you Mrs. Freeman, you were a band parent thanks for all your support!!! What we need is to bring in the heavy hitters from prior years, Mrs. Steenburgh, Mrs. Yost, Mrs. Coppola, Mrs. Fariello, Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. LaVicka, Mr. & Mrs. Quinn and too many othere to mention. I loved Mr. Jones Class and everyone that came out of that class was respectful and we were a unit. Were kids, stop taking that all the things we love away from us.
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doneitb4u
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07-27-09 2:14 PM
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Mr. Cutler I beg to differ about being able to put a marching band together this year. To start a season with negativity put the students in a negative mind. I know these kids, and they are more than capable of doing anything. First of all it all starts in the Music Dept and they will do it for Mr. Jones. If there is no program this year, you might as well kiss it goodbye, and that is exactly what they are hoping for. How about we ask the students what they are capable of and get their vote. This is their baby too.
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PeteCutler
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07-27-09 2:01 PM
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Lastly, Between this action and the freezing of all spending in the district it is virtually impossible to put out a competitive marching band this season. Mr. Jones and myself were working on a plan using our collective resources to make it happen before this decision was made. I will work my hardest to keep something alive in this community as these students deserve that. I have never worked with a more dedicated and determined group of students in my 15 years of being involved with this activity. These students deserve more then what is being given to them and I will do whatever I can to make that happen. Anyone can feel free to contact me. Peter Cutler "Appointed" Assistant Marching Band Director Petercutler(at)me(dot)com
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