9486 in the collection
Erving parents want teacher back
Community Member Comment:
We want young people to enter the field of education. Logically, we should nurture them in the field once they have made that commitment. Instead, they are on probation for three years during which time any remark or opinion can get them fired. There is no room for error.
In employment at will, the employer does not need to give a reason for firing the employee. None was given to this great young teacher or to the public.
Losing this young teacher is a major loss to her school and to the community.
By Arn Albertini
ERVING -- About 50 parents packed the elementary school cafeteria Tuesday evening to express their outrage that a beloved teacher will not be coming back next year.
''She's just amazing,'' said Melanie Lewis, who collected 87 signatures of parents asking to have fourth-grade teacher Tara Boissonneault back on the job next fall. ''She loves to teach. She loves our kids.''
''We trust her with our children, with our lives,'' said Lewis.
Superintendent Joan M. Wickman told the crowd she could not legally say why Boissonneault was not re-appointed. Although it was ultimately Wickman's decision, she said she and two other administrators all had separate reasons for feeling Boissonneault should not come back next fall.
''Because we are in an age of accountability, the standards are different,'' Wickman said. ''It's a much more rigorous process.''
Because Boissonneault had only been a teacher at the school for three years she did not yet have professional, or tenured status. That means the administration can choose not to re-appoint her without having to give cause.
For about an hour and half, parents and teachers stood up to and pleaded with the Erving School Committee and Wickman to re-instate Boissonneault, often drawing loud applause from the crowd.
''She's lived here all her life,'' said Jayne Finn. ''She's an integral part of the community.'' Boissonneault also establishes a personal connection with her students, Finn said.
Although most of the discussion centered around Boissonneault, parents also raised concerns about how the administration handled disciplinary issues, changes in busing policy and changes in the recess policy.
''Communication is key if you want to bring back good feelings,'' said Robin Shtulman, the school librarian and a parent of students at the school. ''It may be your style to make these big changes, but it's not what we're used to in Erving.''
School Committee members urged the crowd to call them to voice their concerns.
Despite repeated pleas, Wickman said she would not re-hire Boissonneault.
''Our decision is final because it is based on reasons I am not able to share with you,'' she said. ''What you have said has not made a difference.
''I stand by my decision. It was for the betterment of the children.''
The crowd yelled, ''No, it wasn't.''
Several members of the crowed urged Wickman to include community members in the search for a replacement for Boissonneault.
''Everyone is pretty much in agreement we need to get rid of the administration,'' said Lewis after the meeting. She said she plans to take her concerns to the Union 28 School Committee, the board that hired Wickman.
— rn Albertini
Recorder.com
2007-06-20
INDEX OF OUTRAGES
Pages: 380
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