Courant reports BoE's failures, or are they the administration's failures?

The Courant is reporting today that according to Superintendent Dr. Marion Martinez a divided and argumentative Board of Education is creating a hostile environment which may be driving teachers and administrators from the district.

With one elementary school principal leaving at the end of the school year and two others looking for jobs, Superintendent of Schools Marion Martinez says she fears a flight of administrators is looming.

And the notoriously dysfunctional board of education could be to blame, she said.

During a recent meeting with the board, Martinez announced the resignation of Anna E. Norris Elementary School Principal Elaina Brachman and the possible departures of two other principals, Scott Nozik and Michael Litke. Martinez said the school board, known for its heated arguments and personal attacks, has intimidated administrators to the point where some are looking for jobs elsewhere.

Board of Education Chairwoman Mary Alice Dwyer Hughes doesn’t agree.

“I would love any principal to tell me that, since November, they have been afraid to come to the board,” Hughes said. “The board is different now. I wouldn’t allow anybody to be rude to any of the principals.”

Interestingly an anonymous person claiming to be a teacher at East Hartford Middle School has commented placing the blame on Dr. Martinez and not the Board of Education.

It is not the Board of Ed that is the problem. The administrators and the teachers have no respect for the Superintendent. As a teacher at East Hartford Middle School, I can tell you that the East Hartford schools, especially the Middle School are a disaster. Do not be suprised if a lot more administrators and teachers leave the district.

And

Once again, it is not the board of ed in EH that is the problem. It is the starting with Dr. Martinez. List of reasons why.
1. They hired a pedophile principal last year.
2. They implement reading and behavior programs which are not consistent costing the district money in failed programs.
3. She placed two Asst. Principals at EHMS as a result of demotions. One was a demotion over a disagreement.
4. The principal of EH Middle School was hired despite every person in the interviewing committee not recommending him. By the way, the school is a disaster.
5. The new head custodian wouldn’t let the school softball team practice on the school softball field unless they rented it out. The coach ended up having to get a waiver from the administration. Superintendent’s response was to leave the custodian alone because the building has never been cleaner.
6. There has been between 10-15 knife incidents at the school this year. They do a good job at hiding it from the public. Oh yeah, one kid brought a BB gun to a recent dance portraying it as a real gun.
7. In a recent school picnic the student body had hot dogs and hamburgers. Students who lost the picnic because of detentions were sent into a room and given peanut butter on hotdog buns. Way to step on 13 yr olds when they are down.
8. The superintendent has had two recent meetings with teachers about their concerns, yet nothing gets done.
9. East Hartford HS had a bomb threat during a statewide ceremony which included local and state officials.
10. The recent losses of our attendance officers, head of security, principals, and shortage area teachers has not been because of the board. It is because of a mean, vindictive, unprofessional,and teflon administration that blames principals, teachers, and now the Board of Ed for its failures.

And

Eric wrote:

Ever since the new superintendent came in to replace Dr. Fallon, the school system has gone downhill. In a school system like East Hartford, attracting and retaining valuable administration and valuable teachers should be the main goal. Ever since Dr. Martinez came in, she has done neither. Veteran teachers are deciding to retire earlier instead of putting up with her garbage. For new teachers, there seems to be a revolving door as most of them come and go. The school system isn’t what it used to be and any teacher who has been around for both superintendents will attest to that. It seems like more focus has been put on students failing and struggling, which is fine, but not when it takes away from the rest of the student body who has great potential. Changes need to be made, but it does not look like that will happen anytime soon. My suggestion is to now attend private schools or hope your child gets lucky in selection for the new magnet schools, which seem to be the only bright spots in East Hartford Public Schools.

I absolutely agree. As a resident of East Hartford, someone who has worked within the school system, and had children in the school system, I can tell you that Dr. Fallon did not have the same problems that Dr. Martinez has. Although, Dr. Fallon faced problems, the district and the board of education was not in a state of chaos.

While I don’t know the real story here I’m sure some of you have an insight. Feel free to share, meanwhile I guess I’ll have to pay more attention.