The dismissal hearing for Farrell High School principal Lee V. McFerren began March 17, continued

The dismissal hearing for Farrell High School principal Lee V. McFerren began March 17, continued for three days, then resumed for three more days beginning Monday. Here are some notable statements from testimony and from lawyers’ arguments:

“You throw 75 children in a computer lab and it’s 100 degrees. It wasn’t a good move for the students. I wanted him to come and see the environment. He came up and just went off. I never got a chance to say anything. He said: ‘There’s five adults in this room and you can’t control these kids.’ He went off on me big time in front of the students. Their mouths just went open.” — Annette Pawluk, math coach, who described a visit she’d encouraged McFerren to make to an overcrowded computer lab.

“He said we needed to put differences aside. He was going to be superintendent in 60 days and teachers couldn’t do anything about it. He said he wasn’t going away. He said stop listening to and spreading bad rumors about him.” — math teacher June Allenbaugh about a conversation she had with McFerren.

“After school I went to his office with a rep and he said, ‘All you teachers are doing vicious things against me and I can prove it.’” — Allenbaugh on a confrontation she had with McFerren over not entering computer grades by a Friday instead of Monday.

“Once, in a computer room, a social studies teacher and Mr. McFerren got into it and McFerren screeched at this guy: ‘If your mother wasn’t on the board, you wouldn’t be here.’ It got very tense. People walked out.” — literacy coach Ron Reed on a confrontation he witnessed.

“I felt like he respected me. I always had a comfortable working relationship with him.” — guidance counselor Roshelle Green.

“Not as it appeared to me.” — Green, in response to a question by McFerren’s attorney, Barbara Seman Ochs, on whether he seemed drunk or high at a graduation practice last year.

“Discipline was chaotic. Out of control. There was no mutual respect. Teachers told students, ‘you’re too black.’ Students walked out and slammed doors. ... That changed when Mr. McFerren was hired. He had rules for everybody. ... He sent a message. He said ‘don’t wear do rags to my school. Pull your pants up.’ I would say he restored order at Farrell High School.” — Barbara Blue, former counselor for at-risk students.

“I’m sure there was nobody in that building.” — supervisor of custodians Willette Hosey, about Dec. 21, 2007, when students supposedly had sex at the high school after McFerren went against school policy and dismissed staff early for Christmas break. Hosey said she and McFerren checked restrooms, locker rooms and the auditorium and made sure the building was clear.

“It was said to me that Farrell needed a strong individual to improve the environment, hold people accountable and improve academic status.” — Lee McFerren, on his being recruited for the job of principal.

“Rubano asked me, [‘Are] you willing to get rid of some teachers?’ I said, ‘Absolutely. If you can show me and teach me how.’” — McFerren.

“I tried to emphasize punctuality and encourage teachers to take a leading role in improving the environment. ... I began noticing kids trying to get to class, to remember to bring pencils and textbooks.” — McFerren, on response to his first attempts at discipline.

“We had a plan. He was mentor and some day I would be superintendent. He believed I was the man for the job.” — McFerren, about Richard Rubano.

“[Carole Borkowski] never wanted to see me unless she wanted to blame me, accuse me. She made up facts and decisions based on lies, rumors and innuendos. I let her know I was sick of her behavior toward me. I made the remark, ‘Better be careful.’ It wasn’t a threat.” — McFerren. He said he meant that if Borkowski, acting superintendent at the time, wasn’t careful, “we’ll end up where we are today.”

“You demanded the board make you assistant superintendent?” — Andria Saia, attorney for the school district, in a cross-examination.

“I requested. The reason I came to Farrell High School is ‘cause Rubano encouraged me to become the next superintendent of the school district.” — McFerren’s reply.

“Mr. Rubano said he did not support you being named and it was nothing more than a title.” — Saia.