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Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
Last summer, I got a disturbing email from a teacher at Catalyst Charter School about a new principal, Willie Cole, who was apparently brought in by LaSalle Education at the last minute when the founding principal resigned and was, allegedly, making all sort of crazy changes. [You can see the details in the excerpts posted below.] I wrote a post about the situation, in extremely general terms and you guys weighed in with some (but not many) ideas: Getting Things Changed, Charter-Style.
Nearly a year later, things seem to have gone from bad to worse at the school -- with six teachers reportedly fired and 11 more notified that they were being let go at the end of the year -- including the teacher who wrote last year. [Again, see below for the emails.] There's supposed to be a meeting with the principal and parents today.
Once again to you for advice -- especially those of you who may be charter school teachers or know Catalyst. Is unionization the hammer for this nail, or is there something else? From July 1 2008
Our founding Principal resigned over irreconcilable differences with LaSalle Education Network (LEN). The Principal our Search Committee chose turned down the job. As a result, LEN chose another woman to come in--someone with no experience teaching or as a Principal. Since her start two weeks ago, our staff has grown extremely miserable. Seriously, many have been caught crying due to her oppressive strategies.
Already we work longer hours and a longer school year than other CPS teachers, and we're not paid as well as other Charter School teachers.
For example, our school day starts at 7:30AM and doesn't dismiss until 4:30 two days a week, we have meetings on the days when we dismiss at 3:30; so our average time of departure lingers about 5PM on a daily basis. And we are only paid 80% of the equivalent salary given to a CPS teacher.
Some of new Principal's "corrections" as she likes to call them include suddenly changing the teachers' last day from July 17 to July 19 (yes, a Saturday). Making it "mandatory" that we come to school on Friday July 18th as well as attend newly scheduled mandatory parent information sessions on Saturday July 12 and Saturday July 19. It doesn't matter that we may have previously scheduled vacations or plans based on what our last day was supposed to be. She says that "as paid employees, we have to get used to how things are now. If we have a problem with it, we should let her know and find another job." In addition she has changed the start date for next year from August 25 to August 20th, and taken away a two weeks of our vacation—one each from Christmas and Spring Break.
During a family event last Thursday that lasted until 8PM, she did not allow us to sit down.
She is making us wear the student's uniform.
She has eliminated 15 minutes of the Students' recess period effective yesterday, providing the students only 15 minutes rather than 30 minutes of recess during an 8+ hour school day.
These are just some of the grievances and problems. My question, do we have the right to form a teacher's union? Some teachers have told me it’s illegal. If we can, can you recommend a starting point? Does it simply involve gathering signatures or should we get a union organizer involved? Please help if you can...
From Friday:
The year was not the easiest with this principal, but nonetheless rewarding working with the students and families. Now after much strife, layoffs, petitions, letter writing, and protests to board members, the board has scheduled a meeting for parents only this coming Monday.
This is the latest of 3 meetings that parents hoped to attend, but for many reasons I presume, the meetings were closed or have been rescheduled. It's been determined also that only parents and board members can attend, not any staff.
Ms. Cole, our principal informed 11 of us that she will not renew our contracts for 11, plus fired 6 staff over the year, and has instead retained un-certified teachers. She herself is not certified or experienced in any academic area.
The parents are hoping to have media coverage for the
meeting on Monday. I would love to hear any words of wisdom you might
have or your take.
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Sat May 30, 2009 at 1:04 AM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
What "board" are you talking about -- Catalyst's board of directors or the Chicago Board of Education? By law, charters are held to the Open Meetings Act -- look it up at (105 ILCS 5/27A‑5) "(c) A charter school shall be administered and governed by its board of directors or other governing body in the manner provided in its charter. The governing body of a charter school shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act." For info on OMA: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/government/open_meetings.html
Contact ACTS through the CTU -- they have info on unionizing charter teachers. The total of 17 teachers fired/not renewed at least should be at that meeting -- inside is best -- but outside if not. Have teacher-friendly parents and student-friendly teachers ready to talk to media after the meeting. And get the word out: time, date and place. But, leave the students out of it. This is for adults only ... hopefully adults with students' best interests at heart.
Contact ACTS through the CTU -- they have info on unionizing charter teachers. The total of 17 teachers fired/not renewed at least should be at that meeting -- inside is best -- but outside if not. Have teacher-friendly parents and student-friendly teachers ready to talk to media after the meeting. And get the word out: time, date and place. But, leave the students out of it. This is for adults only ... hopefully adults with students' best interests at heart.
Sat May 30, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
The fact that, in Chicago, there are at least four applicants for every teaching job opening.
Only reason I can think of.
Only reason I can think of.
Sat May 30, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
The pay is worse, but you are more free from the CPS idiotic rules.
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
I hear a rumor, that something big was going to shake up the Office of New Schools this week, anyone confirm?
I wonder how this will affect the charter schools and how they are run? Who will watch them?
I wonder how this will affect the charter schools and how they are run? Who will watch them?
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
I am glad Alexander wrote his comment on Catalyst Charter School. The issues that teachers or a teacher is raising in relation to Catalyst are being reflected in relatively weak performance for the school’s subgroup of students with disabilities. All the data that follows comes from ISBE records or Court records from the Corey H case.
As some of you may know Access Living recently issued its report Renaissance 2010 and Students with Disabilities (April 2009). [It can be found on our website www.accessliving.org] Catalyst Charter School at Howland was one of the 37 Renaissance 2010 schools we looked at in the report. We did not isolate the data from this school in the report. The Illinois State Board of Education suppressed by rule all public reporting of 2008 ISAT scores for the Catalyst Charter School at all its campuses.
Depending on how one looks at ISAT testing records for Catalyst Charter School at the time ISAT (2008) were given in the 2007-2008 school year there were either 11 students with disabilities (IEPs) in grades 3-6 or there were 19. It appears that scores or 7 students were either lost or misplaced, because they do not appear in either the records for the Individual Alternative Assessment (IAA) or ISAT.
There were 11 students with IEPs whose records do exist for 2008 (grades 3-6) for these students only 18% were meeting or exceeding state standards in reading. If one looks at the average percent of CPS students with IEPs in grades 3-6 meeting or exceeding state standards in reading for 2008 you will see that about 19.4% met or exceeded standards in reading.
So to start with Catalyst is doing worse for its students with IEPs than is the district as a whole. Second even compared to other Renaissance 2010 schools Catalyst is enrolling a low percentage of students with IEPs, only about 5.2% as of June 2008.
I think that there are some empirical reasons for this weak performance for Catalyst’s subgroup of students with IEPs. First most Catalyst students with IEPs are being educated in regular classrooms for the vast majority of the school day. Catalyst Charter Schools has an enormous jump in its average class size from 3rd up to 6th grade. The average classroom size for third grade is 19 students, by grade 4 it jumps to 28, and by the time you get to grade 6 we are looking at the average class size of 29.5. If we compare Catalyst to CPS we see that the average CPS school has only 25.3 students in a 6th grade classroom.
Second, Catalyst Schools hire teachers with very limited experience. Of the 17 teachers working in the 2007-2008 school year only 50% were considered to be appropriately certified for the classes they were teaching and the average teaching experience for the faculty was 2.8 years. The mean salary of these teachers was very low, only $37,707. This salarly level is consistent with what Alexander put in his post. Only 6 of 17 teachers had graduate degrees.
The chaos that Alexander had depicted in his post is being reflected in the poor performance for Catalyst Charter Schools’ most academically challenged students, those who are disabled. When one looks at Renaissance 2010 schools as whole Catalyst Charter Schools are not the weakest in terms of performance of its subgroup of students with IEPs. But Catalyst Charter Schools in relation to students with IEPs are performing below the average for Ren 2010 schools which on average are functioning just about the same as traditional CPS schools.
Rod Estvan
Access Living
As some of you may know Access Living recently issued its report Renaissance 2010 and Students with Disabilities (April 2009). [It can be found on our website www.accessliving.org] Catalyst Charter School at Howland was one of the 37 Renaissance 2010 schools we looked at in the report. We did not isolate the data from this school in the report. The Illinois State Board of Education suppressed by rule all public reporting of 2008 ISAT scores for the Catalyst Charter School at all its campuses.
Depending on how one looks at ISAT testing records for Catalyst Charter School at the time ISAT (2008) were given in the 2007-2008 school year there were either 11 students with disabilities (IEPs) in grades 3-6 or there were 19. It appears that scores or 7 students were either lost or misplaced, because they do not appear in either the records for the Individual Alternative Assessment (IAA) or ISAT.
There were 11 students with IEPs whose records do exist for 2008 (grades 3-6) for these students only 18% were meeting or exceeding state standards in reading. If one looks at the average percent of CPS students with IEPs in grades 3-6 meeting or exceeding state standards in reading for 2008 you will see that about 19.4% met or exceeded standards in reading.
So to start with Catalyst is doing worse for its students with IEPs than is the district as a whole. Second even compared to other Renaissance 2010 schools Catalyst is enrolling a low percentage of students with IEPs, only about 5.2% as of June 2008.
I think that there are some empirical reasons for this weak performance for Catalyst’s subgroup of students with IEPs. First most Catalyst students with IEPs are being educated in regular classrooms for the vast majority of the school day. Catalyst Charter Schools has an enormous jump in its average class size from 3rd up to 6th grade. The average classroom size for third grade is 19 students, by grade 4 it jumps to 28, and by the time you get to grade 6 we are looking at the average class size of 29.5. If we compare Catalyst to CPS we see that the average CPS school has only 25.3 students in a 6th grade classroom.
Second, Catalyst Schools hire teachers with very limited experience. Of the 17 teachers working in the 2007-2008 school year only 50% were considered to be appropriately certified for the classes they were teaching and the average teaching experience for the faculty was 2.8 years. The mean salary of these teachers was very low, only $37,707. This salarly level is consistent with what Alexander put in his post. Only 6 of 17 teachers had graduate degrees.
The chaos that Alexander had depicted in his post is being reflected in the poor performance for Catalyst Charter Schools’ most academically challenged students, those who are disabled. When one looks at Renaissance 2010 schools as whole Catalyst Charter Schools are not the weakest in terms of performance of its subgroup of students with IEPs. But Catalyst Charter Schools in relation to students with IEPs are performing below the average for Ren 2010 schools which on average are functioning just about the same as traditional CPS schools.
Rod Estvan
Access Living
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
and to think that the Obama/Duncan administration is pushing for charters nationwide. sheesh.
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
I am confused about what is wrong working from about 7:30-5 and making 80% of other CPS teachers? That comes out to about a 50 hour work week and a salary near $40K? Several friends I know work in the private sector and work 50+ hours and make $35k+ ...
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
I totally agree with you C-SO. These teachers are making over $15 per hour, that's close to the $20 per hour I pay my cleaning lady. Its sounds like they've got some openings for next year. I'm getting my application in. How about you C-SO?
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
Your good pals running the union and running for office all make far over $80M/year. Figure out that hourly rate.
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
If this is what life in charters amounts to - longer days, less pay, demeaning work rules (If I had to wear a uniform, it would be festooned with grafitti) and dare I say - no input into curricular choices, then it is clear that Duncan et. al. want to de-professionalize teaching. I have talked to several teachers who have made the move from corporate America to the classroom - they refuse to join the union because they feel as professionals, unionism is beneath them. That is a constant refrain heard among charter proponents, however as we know, lack of union protection leads to capriciousness on the part of "administrators". It is particularly telling that the "principal" is neither qualified nor understands the construct of a school community.
My only question is this - when this grand experiment fails to address the education component of deep poverty, what will "the powers that be" replace it with?
My only question is this - when this grand experiment fails to address the education component of deep poverty, what will "the powers that be" replace it with?
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
You have absolutely every right to organize a union. If you need help getting started contact the Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (ACTS) at 312-738-3010 ask for Preston Johnson or contact Preston Johnson at preston@chicagoacts.org
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
"when this grand experiment fails to address the education component of deep poverty, what will "the powers that be" replace it with?"
It already is failing and they are replacing it with more charters that hire uncertified teachers!
The best thing would be if parents would pull out and go to the neighborhood school--vote wit their feet. Where is catalyst charter and what real public school is is near by?
It already is failing and they are replacing it with more charters that hire uncertified teachers!
The best thing would be if parents would pull out and go to the neighborhood school--vote wit their feet. Where is catalyst charter and what real public school is is near by?
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
Catalyst is in the building of a closed school. It has half the building and the other half is north lawndale college prep.
When Catalyst first opened, there were 2 teachers plus an aide in each classroom. The administration said they could remediate all struggling students and felt there would be no need for referals for special education or a need for a special education teacher. They were told that referrals would be needed in case a student transfered. I understand that they went for a considerable period of time with no special ed teacher. I don't know what the situation is now but that would be interesting to know.
I'm also curious if the teachers have an employment contract with the school. They must not or the school could not change hours, etc. with out violating the employment agreement.
When Catalyst first opened, there were 2 teachers plus an aide in each classroom. The administration said they could remediate all struggling students and felt there would be no need for referals for special education or a need for a special education teacher. They were told that referrals would be needed in case a student transfered. I understand that they went for a considerable period of time with no special ed teacher. I don't know what the situation is now but that would be interesting to know.
I'm also curious if the teachers have an employment contract with the school. They must not or the school could not change hours, etc. with out violating the employment agreement.
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
Can students there return to their neighborhood school?
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
The nearby neighborhood school, Pope, has made AYP for the past few years and has been selected as an Honor Roll school by ISBE.
When the Board decided to close Howland, they should have left the building closed to eliminate underutilization of other schools in the area. Instead, they opened Catalyst in an attempt to undermine the neighborhood schools.
When the Board decided to close Howland, they should have left the building closed to eliminate underutilization of other schools in the area. Instead, they opened Catalyst in an attempt to undermine the neighborhood schools.
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
it is a wonderful school. Do catalyst parents not know this. yes and an honor roll school too. How can the word get out to the catalyst parents to enroll there? yes, teachers there willlosse their jobs, but then Pope will need more teachers.
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
Hold on all...literally. One of my closest friends (who is VERY qualified) was contacted by someone from the Catalyst Charter Schools to find out whether or not she would be interested in taking this school over as principal. If she does, in fact, get the job...you all will be amazed by how fantastic she is. She is a true leader and is one of the most passionate people I know. She knows instruction and how to move a school forward.
Keep strong. It sounds like your nightmare will be over soon!
Keep strong. It sounds like your nightmare will be over soon!
Mon Jun 1, 2009 at 10:42 PM
.
What about all the damaged students. What really gets me is all the sanctimonious bull---t on this blog. Children are being abused and damaged on a daily basis by this scam privatization. All that engage in these activities should be put in prison. What will happen is what happened with the banks, POOF, all gone, money and people and we are left holding the empty bag.
the only problem here it that empty bag is a human being!
drk
the only problem here it that empty bag is a human being!
drk
Tue Jun 2, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
This is exactly why a union is needed in so many charter schools. So many teachers losing their job. "Crazy" decisions being made.
A worker and the STUDENT deserves a work place where teachers feel secure, at least know they have some sort of due process.
At a charter school there is NO due process for teachers.
If you are a charter school teacher and you feel like you would like to explore your options by speaking with other charter teachers who have already unionized contact Chicago ACTS: www.chicagoacts.org or call (312) 738-3010
A worker and the STUDENT deserves a work place where teachers feel secure, at least know they have some sort of due process.
At a charter school there is NO due process for teachers.
If you are a charter school teacher and you feel like you would like to explore your options by speaking with other charter teachers who have already unionized contact Chicago ACTS: www.chicagoacts.org or call (312) 738-3010
Tue Jun 2, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
I agree. But it depends on who is running the Union, their qualifications and what they are doing here and in Springfield. Teachers are not looking at the big picture. It stretches far beyond hours worked and school security. All important but do you know about the lobbying efforts in Springfield? Who's representing you? What information the leadership is sending out to you?
Until you all get involved and educate yourselves, you will be victims...with or without a union!!!
Until you all get involved and educate yourselves, you will be victims...with or without a union!!!
Tue Jun 2, 2009 at 12:09 PM
By: there will be a new principal
So what does that mean for the people at Catalyst who have been let go and have not had their contracts renewed unjustifiably?
Tue Jun 2, 2009 at 12:30 PM
North Lawndale At Catalyst Charter School
I'm a parent that child attend North Lawndale charter school. I was very unhappy with the school, this is my child 1st year and she loves her teacher. But now she has to ready for 1st grade and no longer will see her favorite teacher. This teacher gave her all never gave up and the school principal is letting her go at the end of the school year. There was a board meeting with brother mike, Gordon, and some other guy. No reason why they were getting rid of them, all they can say is they are restructuring the school. My child will not be attending another charter school!!!!
Tue Jun 2, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
I am not for the dissing. I am a parent who has her daughter enrolled at catalyst howland campus since the 5th grade the very beginning. My daughters greatest year was the 5th grade , their was a different atmosphere, and the teachers that were teaching at that time had an optimistic view of their duties and the families that they were assigned to teach. Mr sparber, and mr. rohan. We had a mr Mulberry who was a force to be reckoned with when it came to discipline. I don't know what happened to him and the reason why he moved on? if that is the case. Mr neiss good principal , structure, and organized, Minister Vivian wonderful outreacch professional , would make a wonderful assistant principal. My daughter is now in the 7th grade. If you want to know what has really happened I believe the best , honest source would be the students telling their experience. Ms. Beitler an awesome math teacher not at catalyst anymore. Their are teachers their that don't want to be their, their are teachers their who can't read, their are teachers their who lack grossly professionalism, their are teachers their who are not skilled to teach the grades that they are teaching, their are teachers their who are just their because it is an inner city school with so called problem black children and I can do and say just about what I want because their is NO ACCOUNTABILITY, NO STRUCTURE, NO MAPPING, NO enthusiasm for where I am or what I am doing. Believe this their are some very amazingly talented student,s, academically and creatively at catalyst howland campus. We desire teachers and leadership that can enhance and improve the diversity of richness that is housed in catalyst when it comes to the student body. Our catalyst community is much more than poverty, behavioral challenges, and academic deficiencies. Their is a mixture and their must be people in place to literally see how special we are and to be creative and wise enough to accomodate this mixture. By the way we do have gifted students. I am really fed up with our children being the experiment project precious time has been wasted and spent trying to get this right at the cost of our students academic advancement, socially, emotionally, and environmental. Their is a 7th grade class that didn't have a teacher for about 4 months the classroom was a revolving dorr in regards to stability for the students. However, a teacher was assigned at trheturn of a marking period and the majority of the classroom received F's why is that when their was no assessment of the circumstances taken into consideration? Why is their no recess, coolair system, field trips, or health delicious lunches ? why Isnn't their any ACCOuntability? We will have the first Graduating class coming out of Howland catalyst campus and we don"t have anything remotely in place to Celebrate their accomplishment for the trying times or for the years they have hung in to arrive at this point in their lives for GRADUATION 2010! Who are we suppose to collaborate with NOW!
Tue Jun 2, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
If your children read, write and spell on your levels, how do you expect ANY teacher to make a true difference? Look inward first before you criticize. YOU are their (correct spelling and application of the word) environment. THERE is a library in your neighborhood. Use it. It's free. Continue to educate yourself. THERE are plenty of books on child rearing and education. Start THERE. Perhaps it might also be a terrific time to evaluate how much time you have spent at your children's schools...volunteering, attending meetings, etc. It begins with YOU!
Tue Jun 2, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
I appreciate your comments. I hope your passion is rewarded and your child gets the good education she deserves.
Tue Jun 2, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
Please do not be so critical of the parents who post on here. My son takes piano lessons despite having a mother who cannot help him with his lessons. I hope someday he excels in math concepts that I cannot do.
A parent's job is to support their child in the learning experience, not necessarily teach them spelling or punctuation. Of course exposure and stimulation helps, but a parent can read with their child and take them to museums or libraries even if the elder's grammar is not too great.
A parent's job is to support their child in the learning experience, not necessarily teach them spelling or punctuation. Of course exposure and stimulation helps, but a parent can read with their child and take them to museums or libraries even if the elder's grammar is not too great.
Wed Jun 3, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
I would like to respond to the individual whose commented about my comments regarding catalyst howland campus. I am not sure where this individual is coming from. However, I am very familiar with several libraries in the northlawndale community, We own library cards. I attend parent meetings when the time is permissable, I received a parent of the year certificate last year nominated by my daughters 6th grade teacher Mr Sunseri. I visited my daughters classroom until Jan 2009, and I email all of my daughters teachers 2 times a month. I have a repoir with her teachers. I am very familiar also with being involved in the process of my childs academic success. She will be participating in the Science first program through the botanical garden in Glencoe Il. also she has obtained 6 A's and 2 B's. Any student that is on level will need to be challenged more academically. Not only my daughter but their are several other students at catalyst that are bright. Your response was appreciated in regards to my prior comments but really un neccessary unless the shoe is hurting. God Bless.
Wed Jun 3, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
By the way when I am expressing my thoughts and experiences in relation to the Catalyst community / school the information just flows I mis spelled a couple of words and am not familiar with how to make any corrections to my comments after reviewing and posting my comment. dWade
Wed Jun 3, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
By the way when I am expressing my thoughts and experiences in relation to the Catalyst community / school the information just flows I mis spelled a couple of words and am not familiar with how to make any corrections to my comments after reviewing and posting my comment. dWade
Fri Jun 5, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
I also wanted to mention if my memory serves me correctly, comments that are made are based upon what students have observed, witnessed and shared with me. The student body has mentioned that it has been a breach of confidentiality on the african americam social workers part by sharing student information with the social worker peers/ gossip. Also 2 new teachers that arrived this year to teach 2 of the 7th grade classes, were not very fond of Mr. Furland and they said some things and did some things that were not pleasant, plotting, and gossiping such as he has the worst seventh grade class, he isn't teaching the students and making comparisons with their classrooms, coming in and attempting to undermine Mr. Furlands character, teaching ability, and any vote in decision making regarding unity or plans regarding collective decision making for all of the 7th grade body, not including his classroom or getting his input. Treating him as if he doesn't have a say so about any of the decisions that are made. Mr Furland has been a staff member longer than the 2 teachers that recently came aboard no respect. He has seniority at Catalyst. One of the new teachers made comments about not wanting to be at Catalyst students hearing the comments, and tension between 1 of the new teachers and an instructional aide, such as harsh language and an utter dislike for the instructional aide. The new teacher students walking in at will into Mr furlands classroom being disruptive and the information being reversed by saying Mr Furlands students are being disruptive. If you wan't to know the truth. Have a meeting with some of the students. There are some students that are very capable in expressing themselves in an appropriate manner. Does anyone want to hear what the students have to say? or what they had to overcome and endure throughout the year?
Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
Today, Tuesday, June 16, 2009, Mr. Larry, Dean of Students at Catalyst Charter School-Howland, was terminated. He sent out an e-mail to the team members of administration and called the school and left a message regarding his absence to attend to some family matters. He then followed up with a second e-mail apologizing for inconveniences and not wanting to cause any confusion or misinterpretation of motives. He called Principal Cole this morning to continue following proper protocol and procedures and was told by Principal Cole that there was no reason for him to return. I'm not for sure how long the injustices will continue to go on at this school, but I hope that help is on the way very soon.
Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Carnage At Catalyst Charter School
Isn't the situation that occurred with Mr. Larry a civil lawsuit or something?
