Describing an atmosphere of student disrespect, increased violence and substance abuse, teachers at Middleburgh Central School are calling for another full-time building administrator in time for September.
Their demand came days after voters approved the 2011-12 budget; it is the first anyone has spoken of the need to replace retiring Dean of Students Frank Herodes with someone who would handle discipline fulltime.
Teachers brought their concerns to Wednesday’s school board meeting, where they had the support of Superintendent Michele Weaver—but not school board members.
“We need to look at different ways of meeting the needs,” said Kim Smith, board president.
“One person coming into the district is not going to solve all of these problems.”
Wednesday was the first time the issue has been discussed publicly since MCS learned in early February that Mr. Herodes is retiring in June.
Replacing Mr. Herodes’ part-time post with a fulltime administrator wasn’t listed on the meeting’s agenda and was discussed under the “other” portion of the superintendent’s report.
Ms. Weaver, who recommended replacing the part-time dean’s post with a fulltime administrator, said it could be for grades six through nine and the money for it is in the budget.
Until two years ago, MCS had four building administrators: an elementary, middle, high principal and director of pupil personnel.
But in 2009, MCS combined the middle school and pupil personnel positions.
This year, the director of pupil of personnel services was made a separate position and Lori Petrosino became the principal for grades six through 12.
With three full-time administrators going into the new school year, Ms. Weaver said there’s a need for four full-time positions—and teachers Wednesday argued something needs to be done regarding discipline.
From her office on the first floor, secondary school nurse Stacey Simeon said she has a window on student behavior.
“It is so frustrating,” she said. Some students “wander the halls. There is no accountability. They don’t respect the teachers,” and problems are getting worse:
After not having to call the ambulance for years, Ms. Simeon said she’s had to call for an ambulance twice this year.
“There is violence in this school every day,” she said. “Substance abuse is huge…I feel we’re losing control and the kids are taking over the hallways.”
Discipline has taken a hit this year with a combination middle school-high school principal, added technology teacher Scott Gray, with more fights and bullying.
This has been one of the worst years in terms of discipline, he said.
“We’re losing the respect of our kids,” he said. “If we lose an administrator, we’ll lose the kids more. We need strong people. We have them but they’re spread too thin.”
Middle school teacher Lisa Stanton said things are especially bad there, with “morale declining…
“The middle school concept has begun to erode,,,They’re feeling frustrated.”
Board members took no action on Ms. Weaver’s recommendation to make the part-time position fulltime but could reconsider it at their June 8 meeting.
Board member Donald Wood said the public does not support adding another full-time administrator and the district could get someone else to serve in Mr. Herodes’ role as dean.
Fellow board member Bob Herodes and Ms. Smith said they would like to see different options considered.