Southern York County Life

I am a former Southeastern SD teacher who resigned recently.  I am new to this forum and I do not live in your community, but I would be happy to answer any questions from community members to help shed some truth on what the problems really are in the district.  I find the recent discussions intriguing and would like to give some honest answers to any questions that would clarify what the district is going through. 

The only way the community will truly understand what is going on, is if they get their information first hand, from someone who has lived it.  I welcome your comments and questions.

Why did you resign?

Did you participate in the exit interviews? Do you like where you are now?

Telll us everything!  This information will be great to hear first hand.

Pooch,

I always expect truthful and honest answers.  I would not want to see dishonest and untruths answers being posted.
I would encourge that postings not be anonymous.  You did not sign your posting.  An open discussion is needed and should take place.

Craig Brown (Zort2001) on this forum.

Rainsong - 04 January 2008 09:46 PM

Why did you resign?

I worked for SESD for over a decade.  I truly thought this was the place I would spent 30+ years of my life.  I was under the leadership of Dr. Corbo, Tom McShane, and Dr. Shank.  I can tell you that the work atmosphere in the district totally changed over the last two years.

I could not take the pressure of working where there was a spirit of fear that you would be the next one bullied and eventually be made to disappear.  All around me, co-workers were going....fellow teachers, principals, administrators (Tom McShane), building and grounds people....no one was safe.  The idea that if you spoke out about anything you disagreed with would make you a target of this bullying, keeps a lot of people silent.

I watched a teacher in my own dept, fired for petty errors that everyone had made over the years....the only difference was, he called administrators on what they were doing and how it was wrong.  In a few short months, he was gone!  I saw principals (yes, more than one) backed into corners on issues they were not willing to buckle on.  These principals were told to carry out orders that would cause them to lose sleep at night over....when they refused and stood up for what they thought was right....they mysteriously resigned. 

The atmosphere in the school buildings was one of fear....the union was fighting so many grievances they didn’t know where to start.  People I respected were leaving left and right.  Teachers longed for the “old days” when we truly felt like a close knit family.  No one should have to work in fear.  It effected what you did in your classroom day-to-day.  If effected your health (more and more people were on medication to deal with work).  It effected my professional reputation.  At graduate classes, people all over York County knew of the intimidation and knew SESD as the laughing stock of York Co.  College professors warned their new graduating teachers not to apply at SESD because it is a district sinking like the Titanic through the current leadership. 

I loved working for the old SESD; I loved working with my co-workers, I loved the students and parents, I loved the rural community and its members.  It broke my heart to have to leave.  But I could not work for a district that treated their employees (principals, teachers, maintenance, support staff) as easily replaceable objects.

I think more honest answers would come with anonymity.  I would rather have the truth than to know who is posting.  That being said, the school that was worked in would bring some context to the situations discussed.

dragon - 04 January 2008 10:14 PM

Did you participate in the exit interviews? Do you like where you are now?

Yes, I did participate in a telephone interview from a member of Students First.  I explained exactly why I left to him.  I have not read the collected interview responses, but I have heard that many of those interviewed echoed the same problems with leadership in the district.  I was at the board meeting where Students First presented them, but I did not get a copy of them, unfortunately.  I felt it was important that the board see, in living color, just how many lives have been disrupted by the nonsense that occurs at SESD. 

I was welcomed at my new school district, where many had heard of the troubles at SESD.  I can’t explain to you the difference in working for a district that has stable administration, principals in buildings with more experience than I have years of life, and NO FEAR.  You can literally feel a difference in atmosphere where you are respected, appreciated, and where bullying would never be tolerated. 

I miss my students, friendships, and co-workers from SESD dearly, though.

One thing the community needs to realize is that MANY, MANY people who appear like they resigned on the board minutes, were actually backed into a corner, told to resign and they would still be given a good recommendation for their next place of employment. 

Think about that...your superintendent is telling you that you are not capable or qualified to be employed by SESD- but they would gladly help you get a job at another sucker school, if you just go quietly without making a fuss???

This happened again and again...a softer way of being fired, I suppose.

Thanks for the sharing your thoughts.

Are the problems/changes due to the “elected” school board members or are they related to the administration which are hired by the “elected” board?

This may be a key point as a number of board members have changed after the recent election.

Pooch,
Thank you so much for sharing.  I know personally one teacher that left and she has said so many very similar things when we met over the holidays.  Her health has suffered while working under the conditions you both mentioned at SESD and she feels so supported now where she is.  I personally feel like this type of atmosphere is ultimately robbing the students of a positive learning environment.  Do you think the school board knew of the bullying?  Do you keep in touch with any of the teachers that are still working at SESD? Do you think there will be a breaking point soon?

pooch - 05 January 2008 11:26 AM

Rainsong - 04 January 2008 09:46 PM

Why did you resign?

The idea that if you spoke out about anything you disagreed with would make you a target of this bullying, keeps a lot of people silent.

I wish I had gotten involved with some of the things the faculty and staff were dealing with.  I started attending meetings in November and immediately started speaking out and questioning things that are not right.  I do not know anything about teaching but I would be happy to listen to current problems going on and help with the battle.  It just irritates the crap out of me when people are afraid of this administration.  I aint skeered!!

This is all very distressing.  As the grandparent of a middleschooler and elementary student, I have to wonder what impact, if any, is this having on the students?  Our school taxes are through the roof and should pay for quality teachers and administrators.  I am truly ignorant of what is going on and who is doing what.  How can WE help SESD get back on track???

pooch - 05 January 2008 11:35 AM

dragon - 04 January 2008 10:14 PM

Did you participate in the exit interviews? Do you like where you are now?

Yes, I did participate in a telephone interview from a member of Students First.  I explained exactly why I left to him.  I have not read the collected interview responses, but I have heard that many of those interviewed echoed the same problems with leadership in the district.  I was at the board meeting where Students First presented them, but I did not get a copy of them, unfortunately.  I felt it was important that the board see, in living color, just how many lives have been disrupted by the nonsense that occurs at SESD. 

I was welcomed at my new school district, where many had heard of the troubles at SESD.  I can’t explain to you the difference in working for a district that has stable administration, principals in buildings with more experience than I have years of life, and NO FEAR.  You can literally feel a difference in atmosphere where you are respected, appreciated, and where bullying would never be tolerated. 

I miss my students, friendships, and co-workers from SESD dearly, though.

Could you elaborate on “bullying” and perhaps give a specific circumstance?  I don’t know if you are younger or older, but one thing that I have learned in the business world is that younger people (say under 25) believe that they are being bullied by supervisors and administrators when they are really just being supervised or told how to do things. 

Before I get flamed, I am not saying this is the case here, but since Pooch asked us to ask specific questions, I am doing that.  I just want to be clear on what is happening.

Thanks,
Mark

I am hearing a lot of disturbing news from within the school district.  Volunteering at local venues gives me privy to talking with many different people.  This is what I heard today while at work.......That a ‘dean of students’ was appointed at Stewartstown Elementary on Friday.  The person appointed is a 2nd grade teacher who has built a repore with a class of 25 students and now they will get an unknown substitute to finish the school year.  This is devastating to those children.  They were visably upset during the school day.  Can this appointment be in the best interest of those children?  Apparently, it was a surprise to most people because the position was not posted for other teachers to apply and I don’t think it was approved by the school board. 
The district hired a principal for Stewartstown Elementary and are giving her a very nice salary. (Compared to starting rates of principals at other districts).  (I understand we have to pay our administrators more than other districts because it is hard to attract administrators to this district) ?
Is the position to much for her to handle?  Doesn’t this principal have enough years of administrative experience to administrate an elementary school?  Sounds to me like somebody should be asking questions.
I am sad for these little 2nd graders who are so fond of their teacher. 
Parents should maybe get involved.