To an outside observer, it’s not hard to imagine that, more than anything else, internal politics motivated the unexpected, involuntary transfers of two Guilderland High School teachers to Farnsworth Middle School, announced by Superintendent John McGuire late last month and upheld by the school board yesterday. Unfortunately, school administrators and boards of education can’t comment publicly on “personnel” matters, so one can only guess at the real reasons they felt these longtime social studies teachers, whose students habitually performed well on state Regents tests, had to be moved. But one thing is fairly certain in the cases involving Matt Nelligan and Ann-Marie McManus, and that’s that school officials handled the transfers, and subsequent public outcry, badly. Nelligan and McManus have been outspoken critics of what they feel is a cozy relationship between the teachers union and school administrators. Nelligan’s personal politics were also suspect: He is a staunch conservative who made no effort hide his feelings. Such things, especially in a liberal teaching environment, can get a worker in trouble with his or her colleagues, and when administrators decided to launch a formal “culture climate” inquiry into the two teachers, it was not surprising that there were a fair number of detractors. So off to middle school the teachers were banished. Transfers of this or any other sort, frankly, are a school administrator’s prerogative, but a superintendent and/or school board that supports them without much explanation has to expect — and accept — a fair amount of public criticism. This is where things went awry in Guilderland. Earlier this month, hundreds of angry parents and students stormed a board meeting in an effort to express their dissent but they weren’t allowed to: The school board president reportedly cut off people’s attempts to speak and adjourned into executive session. The board may have had a legal right to do so, but its action only infuriated the crowd further. It also played right into deposed teacher Nelligan’s hands: He grabbed a microphone and delivered a lecture. It was great theater on the 11 o’clock news, but a no-win situation for the school board. Officials may have had cause for wanting to banish Nelligan and McManus, and they may not have been able to discuss it, but they still shouldn’t have turned tail and run when the teachers’ supporters demanded to be heard.
Guilderland school board should dump its superintendent
Re July 8 article, “Teacher transfer decision remains unchanged, for now”: The actions of Superintendent John Mc-Guire and the [school board’s] response to the public outcry are so outrageous as to defy belief. Our country was founded on principles that citizens have a right to express their opinion; a right that was won with bloody battles. To walk out of a meeting at which citizens wished to speak, to cut off communication with those of us at home who were interested, is a threat to all we believe in and cherish. Supt. McGuire has a recent questionable record, which indicates to me that he isn’t fit for his job, using intimidation and harassment to gain his own personal ends. If [board members] support such behavior, I consider them no better. [They] were elected to be advocates for the children of Guilderland; [they] must fulfill this obligation by removing this impediment to the quality education that we citizens have come to expect. Everyone who is aware of the abilities and caliber of the two teachers who were removed from their areas of expertise knows that Mr. McGuire’s decision is not what is best for the students. Mr. McGuire is not fit for his job. Incidentally, in 25 years of public service in the county Legislature, the town board and four years as town supervisor, no elected body on which I served ever turned their backs on the audience and walked out. ANNE TUCKER ROSE Guilderland
The actions of Superintendent John Mc-Guire and the [school board’s] response to the public outcry are so outrageous as to defy belief.
What you fail to acknowlege Annie, is what defies belief is that people like you actually support teachers that feel protected by their union and can spit out sexist slurs at will. In this day and age of 'zero tolerance', these teachers are lucky they are still employed. If that were a student that behaved in this manner, he/she would be looking for another school to attend!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
maybe those teachers should have spent their class time texting/talking on their cell phones.....that is what Schenectady City schools is coming too.....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Guilderland residents teaching wrong lesson First published: Sunday, July 20, 2008
Before the recent school board vote upholding the transfer of two teachers, it seemed the only thing that the uproar in Guilderland was teaching kids was that if you work in a school district, you can make your own rules. It is no wonder that there are so few qualified superintendents left in New York. Why should anyone put up with this theater of the absurd? Superintendents don't make decisions in a vacuum. The school board finalizes these decisions and cannot be too weak to take the pressure from the community. Otherwise, this is exactly why doing the right thing for kids is so impossible. No one wants to be at the helm when every decision is treated as a crises.
If teaching were a true vocation for these teachers, they wouldn't be saying that they're going to sue. Really, what grounds will they sue on? We don't like our new assignment? Get a grip, folks, this is the real world, nobody gets to say exactly how they will work and where they will do that work.
The whole thing is a black mark on the community. Considering the issues that most school districts have, it is ridiculous to see community members with their kids protesting an administrative decision. Maybe the whole community would like to be advised every time the administration makes a decision; that way they don't have to wait to do their second-guessing.
Unless you've run a school district, I'd say you have no business involving yourself in a district's internal policies.
Guilderland has a superintendent who is obviously willing to make tough decisions. Would you prefer someone less willing to make hard choices for the good of your schools? Numerous districts in the area are paying top dollar for interim superintendents because they can't find someone to take the job permanently.
So count your blessings and stop acting like kids who dropped their ice cream. You want responsible leadership? This is it. Clam up and learn to live like the rest of the world.
In other words Laura - tought sh*t, just sit back and take it? No, we have the right to have our voices heard. Many died to guarantee us that right - many more today are still fighting so that our rights are upheld, and sadly more will die defending that belief - the basis, the core of America.
If you want to sit back and be dictated to, There's an OPEC Country in the middle east that would welcome your presence.
Come on here folks...we are talking about 'Guilderland Central Schools' here. Not the Schenectady city schools who now allow the kids to bring cell phones and game boys to school. If we all remember correctly, it was the Guilderland schools who finally canned Constantino. Something Mohonasen and the town gave him a pass on. Until I hear differently, and up until this point, I say the school super, did the right thing. I may eat my words somewhere down the road...but until then, I support the super's decision.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Bumble, while I agree with you on the Constantino mess - don't you think elected officials are bound to listening to the opinions and decisions of the people they represent - or do you think they should be allowed to push their own agendas?
The supervisor was acting within his/her rights to the position. They did NOT have to have a public hearing regarding this matter. Funny how the unions are right there to protect the teachers and everyone gets all up in an uproar. But when a supervisor of a school makes a decision regarding a teacher...people still get in an uproar.
Remember here folks...the school district and the teachers have a union CONTRACT. And as long as the district is acting within the confines of the contract a public hearing isn't necessary. This is between the school district and the teachers (union). Let them figure it out. THAT IS WHAT THE TAXPAYERS PAY THEM FOR.
And do you really think that it is 'ok' that these teachers are using sexist slurs in school regarding gays?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
"they" listened to the folks 'back in the day' and now the direction Book/foundation has been removed from our schools and what happens now, really doesn't have any authority now---does it?......I'm not sure where this is going other than to anarchy and chaos.......shame on 'us'....yeah, go ahead take your retirement while the rest of us eat it.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
I believe that senders is correct. Who actually is the authority here? It is pretty pathetic when a school district as good as Guilderland, gets a black eye from it's residents for doing their job. I actually applaud Guilderland school for not putting up with any nonsense from the teachers. It is clearly about time that schools take a stance. Again folks....they spewed sexist slurs regarding gays!! Does anyone find this acceptable in schools that demand 'zero tolerance'?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Guilderland High School principal on administrative leave
By SCOTT WALDMAN, Staff writer Wednesday, July 30, 2008
GUILDERLAND -- Guilderland High School principal Michael Paolino has been put on administrative leave at the same time that teachers allege he made racist and homophobic comments about staff members.
School board member Colleen O'Connell said Wednesday that Paolino was on paid leave because of an investigation. She declined further comment.
School officials and Paolino did not return calls seeking comment.
The Times Union could not confirm whether the investigation was related to the teachers' complaints.
Paolino has been principal since October and earns an annual salary of $110,000. He previously worked in the Voorheesville school district as an administrator and business teacher.
According to the teacher accusations, Paolino allegedly told a staff member he would send two African-American students ``back to Albany'' after he watched them playing around in the school's foyer.
Additionally, teachers claim, Paolino told a group of white staff members that they were ``the wrong color'' to date a female administrator in another school district.
During an end-of-year staff breakfast, Paolino jokingly said ``don't drop the soap'' in reference to a group of teachers performing a song as a barbershop quartet, according to multiple teachers who attended the event. He later apologized for his comments, which some construed as homophobic.
That alleged incident occurred on the same day Paolino notified social studies teachers Matt Nelligan and Ann-Marie McManus that they would be involuntarily transferred to Farnsworth Middle School.
Did anyone notice this here is Johnny Boy Palinos son?????? What in the heck is happening? Did he go and get involved in this here controversy to rid the school of the teachers who dared to be against abortion? We need to know more
Did anyone notice this here is Johnny Boy Palinos son?????? What in the heck is happening? Did he go and get involved in this here controversy to rid the school of the teachers who dared to be against abortion? We need to know more
'Abortion'? Where did you hear that one? Perhaps I missed something here, huh?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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