On another post Anonymous wrote:
"Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "School performance profiles for 2013-14":
Perhaps a new thread?
I am compelled to write this evening in
response to some troubling allegations about what's going on at Perry.
Some I know first hand through subbing (which will never happen again by
the way) and some is from the mouths teachers, some from the mouths of
babes. All is disturbing.
First, there is ONE co-ed bathroom
available for over SIXTY faculty members--on the first floor. Teachers,
veterans and subs alike, line up during the four minutes between
classes and pray that their students aren't destroying their classrooms
while they wait to use the facilities. As a parent myself, if my
daughter went to Perry I would be terrified that my child was left with
thirty to forty other students in a classroom without supervision
because the administration won't give faculty members access to
restrooms just outside their classrooms! And it's not just faculty.
Students have VERY limited access to restrooms as well as administration
keeps them locked. Where is the ACLU?
This new administration
is ruling through fear and intimidation. The male assistant principal
appears to remain bitter after being demoted back to assistant status
and refuses to speak to most of the faculty (he has shared with several
faculty members that is has been forbidden to speak on a personal level
with any adult in the building other than administration); the female
assistant principal terrorizes students and teachers alike, shrieking
and bellowing through the halls like a possessed Tasmanian devil; and
the principal himself holds court behind closed doors in an office that
is off limits to any faculty unless they are being disciplined for
various and petty infractions. Late back to your class because you had
to urinate? Written up! Students have phones because the
administration refused to continue the phone collection policy? Written
up! Student walks out of class? THE TEACHER is written up! While
curriculum provided calls for a "messy" yet effective instructional
approach (group work, student discussion and encourage discovery
learning) any classroom found to be in any way "noisy" is written up.
The principal holds disciplinary meetings without following contractual
guidelines and dares teachers to cross him. Subs are used as indentured
servants, given no support, and we can't rely on security to even show
up when anything goes awry.
If harassing the teachers isn't
enough, students are being caught in the same net of intimidation.
Perry, like Oliver under Chakey's reign, leads the District in
suspensions and has the lowest student and teacher attendance compared
to each of the other high schools. Fights are common place. The number
of students on the school rolls is the lowest in the history of Perry.
At
Oliver, Chakey made it impossible to teach unless you were one of a
chosen few. As a result, there was a mass exodus of faculty. When even
subs stopped accepting assignments there, students were made to sit
through periods of "covered" classes where the adult in charge ended up
babysitting instead of teaching. Now that those few (four) teachers are
at Perry, Chakey is once again running out everyone else. Teachers are
retiring, taking sick leave and just plain quitting. Teachers who at
one time stepped up and ran various activities, clubs and teams have
stopped. No field trips, even if funded, are permitted. Morale is at
an all time low. Students are the ones, again, who are suffering. If
they haven't been suspended, they are sitting in classes with subs who
have no lessons left for them and struggle to simply maintain control.
Where is the equity? Why shouldn't students at Perry be getting the
same education as those at CAPA, Carrick or Brashear? Again, as a
parent it breaks my heart.
I guess what surprises me is the lack
of any outcry from the community. I see posts about Uprep, but trust me
when I tell you that things inside the walls of Perry are far, far
worse. Can't we fix this?"
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21 comments:
This is strange, because there didn't seem to be complaints when this principal was a Carrick. Maybe a "martial law" type situation at Perry due to the strains of adding Oliver?
And it's true, it is hard to understand why parents don't say anything. The most involved parents may just take their families and walk.
Carrick's suspension rate skyrocketed and their test scores plummeted under his leadership. Maybe you're right about parents walking away. Maybe that's why the number of students there has dropped so dramatically.
A bit off-topic, but take care when complaining about high suspension rates.
A low suspension rate does not imply a well-run school. In Pittsburgh, it usually just means students who should be suspended aren't being suspended.
Many principals will keep their suspension rates artificially low as a way to curry favor with central administration.
And before someone gets all worked up, yes, I know a suspension is not an ideal way to handle misbehavior. But a suspension is often the only reasonable tool available, unless you are willing to sacrifice the learning of an entire classroom to focus on one disruptive child.
Again a little off topic, but it always seemed like in-school (but out of classroom)or alternate-setting suspensions were better than a student hanging around at home or in the neighborhood.
Questioner, your comments about no complaints at Carrick are incorrect. There was plenty of comments on this blog. His "bully" tactics towards women teachers went on for a while. He was responsible for the forced retirement of the culinary arts teacher. (She commented herself on this blog) Most people will tell you he has high expectations from everyone. If you perform to his expectations, avoid contact with him and don't write up any students, you might be left alone.
He has a different administrative style. Just last week there was a Perry reunion. Principal Chakey was contacted for a tour of the building over the weekend. He didn't say yes, he didn't say no. He just ignored the request.
BTW, there are more faculty lavatories available in the building.
I'm interested to know where these additional bathrooms for faculty are located! I stood in quite a line in the faculty lounge and was told that was the only facility available. Not that I'm going back, but I'd love to know.
I worked at Oliver under Dennis Chakey for the entire time he was principal. I am veteran teacher with over 30 years experience. I personally witnessed his bullying tactics. He never handled his own dirty work, that was left to Travanti and Turnbull. He seldom left the office. He plotted ways to after the older teachers in the building so that he could keep the younger ones to coach sports. At that time is was accepted that he could "do no wrong". He was the boards "golden boy". His leadership style was to intimidate and belittle. There are other less than professional incidents that I could share, however, You would probably not post this.
Dennis Chakey and Derrick Hardy fit the classic definition of bully. They are destroying good people. If they could talk, any one of the EAP counselors would tell you that an overwhelming percentage of their clients come from these two schools. I know this, because I used to be one of those clients. I talked openly about what I saw going on under Chakey. My therapist confirmed that I was not the first person she was seeing from hid school. Chakey employs several sneaky tactic for writing people up. For instance, if your classroom is on the 3rd floor, he intentionally gives you a duty on the ground floor. This makes it impossible to to get to your duty on time and then back to your class on time. One way or the other, he writes you up for being late to duty or class. I have watched him do this for years. He also does not like the older teachers in a building. He will go after these teachers first. He definitely uses other people to do his dirty work. He's a bully and a coward. He has zero compassion for inner city students.
I agree with November 7,2014 7:44
Dennis Chakey is wimpy!!! He NEVER makes a decision. This has always been his style. He won't say yes or no. That way he can't be blamed when something goes wrong. It's all about keeping HIS hands clean. I know this first hand. I worked under Dennis for 3 years. I watched this go on everyday. Come on Linda Lane, ENOUGH is ENOUGH! Why do you refuse to address these administrates and their problems. Instead they're promoted. Maybe when I have retired, I will report some of the horrific things that this principal has said about staff and children.
Of course he goes after older teachers -- that's a good way to stay in the administration's good graces. Older teachers cost more. Far better to hound them with RISE and writing up and see if they'll resign or retire.
Then you can hire new younger teachers. Most will leave within a few years because of the conditions and lack of support. Those that don't can stay on...until they get to be too expensive and then they'll develop all sorts of bad habits that must be written up, too.
I too worked at Oliver for a short time as a full time sub. I could not believe the blatant harassment and discrimination against older staff. When there were cuts to be made and Mr. Chakey might loose one of his valued younger (usually male and could coach a sport), he would go after the older teachers to make room for his "chosen" few. This was know throughout the school. Everyone knew and raked about it, but the as nothing you could do. He is a bully in the true definition of the word. Bullying comes from a deep seeded insecurity. The PPS is not doing a good job of screening their candidates. Dr. Lane, please address these situations and stop hiding!!! These are the most vulnerable children and their teachers deserve better than this!!!
7:21 pm
Says-
A low suspension rate does not imply a well-run school. In Pittsburgh, it usually just means students who should be suspended aren't being suspended.
Many principals will keep their suspension rates artificially low as a way to curry favor with central administration.
This is EXACTLY Chakey's approach to discipline. He puts unrealistic expectations on the staff as far as classroom management. The teachers a not supported when it comes to discipline and the stud t's know this! Thank goodness someone is finally talking about Perry and Chakey!
Where is the union that we pay to help us handle these bullies/ When I spoke 5 years ago at a union meeting and said I noticed there seems to be a pattern of attacks on older teachers, they union said no. When I said that most of the focus teachers were older teachers, the union said that was not happening. I tried to fight against many of these things and it made me a target for the administration and the union. So who is going to speak up now to the union and take my place. I got especially fed up with many of my fellow teachers who DIDN'T even bother to vote in the last election let alone attend any meetings and actually speak up!
It is surprising there have not been age discrimination actions. Lately other types of lawsuits by employees against PPS have been settled and payments made.
Questioner 4:30 It is very difficult to prove age related complaints. When you are written up for in-subordination, negligence, under the influence, excessive and abusive of sick leave, assault on a student, Not following the script... ones age is never included in the complaint. No principal is that stupid to file charges of "being too old, out of shape, ugly, pregnant, or I just don't like him/her."
I have seen principals who choose a younger attractive person over a middle aged, balding, grey haired senior citizen.
I have never been a union member and never worked in a school. As a parent I have often wondered if a union executive's primary jobs are to lobby in Harrisburg for funding and rally to influence reforms, like Common Core. Shouldn't the teachers' union be doing something about how teachers are treated? Shouldn't they be intervening when unfair practices are the norm?
At one time, our union really did care about teachers- and students. Administrators were former union members so there was a mutual respect. Grievances were filed -- most were to resolve situations that were bad for students, too.
Many of the outrageous situations that we read about here, could easily be grievable- especially involving student and teacher safety. We all know that straightening out overcrowded classes, for example , benefits students. Behavior such as D. Hardy's wasn't tolerated. Often administrators would tell union reps to grieve decisions made by Bellefield. But the union of the past could pull off a strike-- today's union cant even get its members to vote!
7:24 PM Yes, the Union should be doing something support the members. Unfortunately, I watched first hand when Nina went toe to toe with an old school principal who operated the school like a well oiled machine. Everyone knew the rules and this meant students, parents and staff. The contract was followed to but there were always those few who thought they deserved preferential treatment. This principal refused to cave to Nina as well as Central Office. If an employee needed to be counseled out of the profession, they were and it was done expeditiously. There was no intimidation or bullying just facts. Now we are left with principals who are void of common sense and wonder why the union ever led the charge against these old school principals. Now we have nothing but retribution, intimidation, and bullying by principals who have no idea how to lead. Then again, you model the behaviors you are exposed to and these tactics are clearly from the MR, Lane, Lippert, Otuwa and French playbook. Too bad see the same continuance under May-Stein, Friez, and Bivens. Maybe the only respectable CO admin is Walters.
There were many complaints, just didn't make it to this website. No field trips, no calculators for classrooms, same fear for any one who crossed him. Teachers taught though and there was control in the building, so it looked good on the outside. If you aren't party of the good old boys club, you watched your back.
Anonymous wrote:
"After following the comments on Perry's new principal, I am left wondering how on earth the powers that be (Central Administration)would let this continue. As a parent, employee,and tax payer I'm ashamed that I allow my children to be educated in such a system. As educators we all face the burden and responsibility of the job, low success rates, lack of parental support, just to name a few. Now you add the stress of a Bully of a principal, mass exudos is soon to follow. My heart goes out to the teachers at Perry, it one thing to have the students challenging you at every turn, but it's another to have Chakey and Turnbull scrutinizing your every move. I question Chakey's and Turnball's real motives. Are they there to whip that building in shape, or are they there to harrass, bully, and intimidate the teachers out of a job.
[Character assessment deleted.] She doesn't think twice about beratting a teacher in front of student. She has no problem coming into a classroom and informing you in front of students a better or more effective way to do your job. The one good thing is she always says please and thank you. The way she talks to the students is appauling. She has yet to realize where she is and who she is talking to. I honestly fear for her safety, she's going to cross the wrong student at the wrong time. Chakey and Turnbull have sucked the life of that building. Hang in the Perry teachers, the students need you.
On another post Anonymous wrote:
"Being a teacher at Perry I can say thank goodness for the administration. I have been here many years, chaos, no rules, kids running the halls- impossible to teach. Now the halls are clear, kids are in classes, we have order and an administration that supports us. The [NAME DELETED] regime was one of "the good old [IDENTIFYING INFO DELETED]", that ate lunch constantly, came to work late, never seen in the halls & ineffective. An ineffective administration where students test scores plummeted and teachers did not grow, never did RISE. The hallways were filled with students walking. Now, students are in classrooms,and administration is holding teachers accountable to being professional, doing lesson plans and roll books. Yes we did not do that before!
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