Criticism of intermediate school principal not supported by facts

Criticism of intermediate school principal not supported by facts
EDITOR:
We would like the community of Girard to help us, the Girard Intermediate teachers, understand several comments made by Dr. Anthony D'Ambrosio, now superintendent of Trumbull County Schools. The comments were referred to in a written performance evaluation of our principal, Mr. Foley, that appeared in The Vindicator on July 25
Our principal was removed from our school, in part, because of his "inability to control his teachers." We find the word "control" confusing and degrading. The dictionary defines control as "to restrain; to curb. To regulate, direct or guide, as a machine." We can not find the relationship between that definition and our professional behavior.
Was the principal supposed to "curb" our desire to write the first thematic units in the district, which aligned our course of study with the state model?
Was the principal expected to "restrain" the pursuit of grant money generated by this staff totaling over $70,000 which benefited this district?
Was the principal supposed to "regulate" the creative strategies implemented by team teachers to integrate technology in the classrooms?
How was the principal expected to "control" the various projects displayed on the district's first technology bulletin board?
Does "lack of control" refer to our acceptance of state-modeled inclusive programs for our special education students? Who "directed" and "guided" the writing and implementation of the intermediate school's continuous improvement plans, which resulted in higher scores on the state proficiency tests?
Mr. Foley was also accused of "covering up for teachers who didn't perform." Again, we do not how that statement relates to our actions. Since the state considers student performance on the proficiency tests as a measure of the school's performance, we would like to look at our children's results. On the state proficiency and off-year tests, our sixth grade students passed four out of five tests, our fifth grade students passed five out of five, while the fourth grade, again, scored high and passed all five tests. In fact, our fourth grade has consistently scored among the highest in Trumbull County for every year scores have been published.
In addition, the fifth grade scored above the national average in the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.
We do not consider these statistics indicative of low teacher performance. We believe our performance to be exemplary.
This performance has not been covered up -- the district report card is published for all of Trumbull County residents to view and make comparisons.
We have thought of some behavior and actions that Mr. Foley could not control. He could not control our enthusiasm for teaching.
He could not control our sense of loyalty and dedication to the job of educating the children of Girard.
He could not control our honesty in reporting to the parents and the superintendent that the new building was adversely affecting the health of students and staff.
We also know he did not want to "control" us. He was, in fact, proud of us.
CHRISTINE DAMIANO NOTARESCHI
Poland
KAREN SUSANY
Girard
X The writers are Girard Intermediate union building representatives, writing on behalf of the the Girard Intermediate School faculty.
Tax rebates constitute raid on U.S. Treasury
EDITOR:
In yesterday's mail, we received a check for $600 from the Federal Treasury, identified as "tax relief for America's workers." This is a total scam. It is part of the proceeds from a reckless and cynical raid on the federal treasury, our federal treasury, thinly and unsuccessfully disguised as economic wisdom, but born of totally political motivation. It is the biggest bank robbery in history. To put it another way, we have a Pharaoh who is scattering the surplus reaped during the good years. But when the lean years come, the barns will be empty.
Only July 29, 2001, the National Debt stood at 5 trillion, 736 billion, 556 million, 518 thousand, 776 dollars and 14 cents. This figure amounts to $20,384.19 for every child, woman and man who was included in the 2000 census. During the recent election, we were incessantly told "It's your money!!!" But it's also your debt, Americans. Of course that's not what we heard last fall. That simple truth was conveniently ignored.
We are a retired couple living simple lives in a small town. There are dozens of ways we could spend an extra $600, but our good will and grandstand cheers are not for sale. We refuse to be bought with bread, circuses or a check from the Treasury. We have endorsed it back to the Bureau of the Public Debt, where it belongs.
Fellow Americans, what are you doing with yours?
BILL and KATE McLAUGHRY
New Wilmington
Atlantic City successful, why not Youngstown?
EDITOR:
In response to recent opinions and articles regarding the proposed legalization of casino gambling -- yes, please.
Before casino gambling, Atlantic City, N.J., was on the verge of bankruptcy, no revenue was being generated and the city was in despair.
If we can send a delegation to Italy and Sicily to learn how to fight organized crime, maybe we should send one to Atlantic City to see how it has prospered.
All of the opponents say we will get high crime rates, prostitution and organized crime. Wake up. We already have those elements in our city now.
Quit reading the comics and read what goes on here now.
The area church leaders fight it also, saying that gambling only attracts the poor who are trying to & quot;strike it rich. & quot; Really?
Let's compare the class of people standing in a casino against the corner-store lottery player or bingo-player. Maybe these leaders are afraid that members of their congregations will be the first ones in line.
We have the space to build, the people to employ and thus the money to generate for the Valley. For the sake of future generations. Let's at least give this a serious look. We don't have a lot of options.
THOMAS JONES
Austintown