Peter Strauss outlines concerns about principal swap.
In an unusual action, an overwhelming number of Walsh Intermediate School teachers and staff made a strong plea via a petition last week to the Board of Education to keep Robin Goeler, the school’s veteran principal, in his post.
In response, Hamlet Hernandez, the Superintendent of Schools, told the Eagle afterwards that Goeler would leave Walsh to become the principal of Mary T. Murphy Elementary School come September as planned. The petition did not change his mind. The BOE apparently has no say in the matter since the transfer is within the school district and within Hernandez’s purview, the superintendent said.
In what amounts to a swap, Goeler would go to Murphy after decades at Walsh and Raeanne Reynolds would be sent to Walsh, after serving as principal of Murphy since January 2014. Before coming to Murphy, Reynolds served as principal at Edgewood School in New Haven. The Edgewood school serves kids in grades K‑8. Goeler has been at Walsh for 28 years, 15 as principal and 13 as assistant principal.
The plea to keep Goeler at Walsh came at the April 26 Board of Education (BOE) meeting when Chairman Michael Krause recognized a letter of support for Goeler, signed by 86 WIS faculty and staff. The text of the petition along with one page letter was not read aloud at the meeting, but a copy was obtained afterward by the Eagle. The names of those who signed the petition were not made public at their request. No member of the BOE reacted to the petition.
The one-page letter says in part that “it is the opinion of the faculty at Walsh Intermediate that the involuntary transfer of Robin Goeler to Mary T. Murphy does not represent the best interests of the student population here at WIS.”
The letter was sent to Hernandez and the BOE chair and members on April 12 and was signed by Carl Seeley, a history teacher at Walsh. Seeley is also the head of the Branford Education Association (BEA), the union that represents public school teachers in the Branford School district. Seeley signed off on their last contract, which ends in June, 2018.
No Search Undertaken
There was no search for a new Walsh intermediate school principal as is the case when a principal retires or leaves for another district. The petition says Goeler was moved to Murphy “involuntarily.” Under Branford school district rules, the superintendent may switch principals without any board oversight — -as long as both principals serve in the same district. It does not matter if the principals oversee different types of schools as in this case one oversees an elementary school and the other an intermediate school. Nor does it matter what type of experience they have.
As the petition is examined, it showed that it was signed by 57 teachers, six secretaries, 18 paraprofessionals, 12 janitors, and three nurses at Walsh. Seeley submitted the petition.
The petition praised Goeler for being the “one constant for the faculty and staff,” providing them with the “necessary resources in order to acclimate to demanding changes.” Goeler was cited as a “pillar of support” to the teachers and administrators. “Teachers who feel supported by administration are better equipped to deliver meaningful instruction to students.”
A Plea for Knowledge and Experience
The petition goes on to say, “The renovation and construction of the new hybrid building easily represents the biggest change and uncertainty for the faculty, staff, and students at WIS… there is no other person in this district with more knowledge of the building than Robin Goeler… He is well-versed in the philosophies and pedagogy that dictate the needs of the new building.
“So as we move into this new reality, the faculty, staff, and students need an experienced leader who is familiar with the needs of Branford middle school students, and who is familiar with the challenges of this building.”
The petition concludes, “… this petition is being presented in the spirit of collegiality and professionalism that are the hallmarks of the Branford School District. The ideas are not meant to be divisive, but rather reflect a unified belief in what is right for the staff and students at WIS.”
Seeley said in a subsequent interview that he has not heard back from the BOE since submitting the petition, nor has Goeler responded to it. He said that the signers wished to remain anonymous.
Seeley did not attend the BOE meeting. However, the now retired vice-principal did. Peter Strauss told the BOE that his former colleagues continue to be deeply upset by the process used to swap principals.
“I don’t understand how this switch will enhance the schools,” he said at the meeting. He said that Goeler has no elementary school experience and that it would be a short-term appointment that would result in another change. He said that while the certifications are the same, the skills and background are different. He believes such a change would “merit input from the board.”
“How will the Walsh building project be enhanced by removing the person most familiar with the school and its needs? How will Murphy School be enhanced by removing its capable principal and replacing her with one who has no elementary school experience and most likely won’t be there more than a handful of years, ensuring additional turnover in leadership at a school that has had more than its share?” He called the swap an “unusual one.”
He also observed that two top positions were being filled without standard interviews by parents and teachers from that school. He said he understood these types of decisions are typically the “sole purview” of the Superintendent’s office, but given how unique this situation is he said he hoped the Board of Education would step in.
Board of Education
The BOE members (pictured) did not respond to Strauss’s questions or observations.
The petition cited change as the “pervasive theme in education” and that Goeler has been the “one constant for the faculty and staff,” providing them with the “necessary resources in order to acclimate to these demanding changes.” Goeler was cited as a “pillar of support” to the teachers and administrators. “Teachers who feel supported by administration are better equipped to deliver meaningful instruction to students,” Strauss said.
Broadening the Definition of Bullying
Board member Kate Marsland reported on the Safe School Climate Plan, addressing state statutes on the definition of bullying and dating violence. Walsh, in particular, has struggled with the problem over the past year and a case involving a Jewish student was discussed extensively.
The state statutes (and that of the Branford school district) define bullying as repeated acts against a single student. Marsland made two recommendations for next year: (1) that a group of individuals be included rather than just an individual in how to handle such a situation and (2) if a complaint is investigated to determine whether an incident is considered bullying, communication must be made back to the parent within 48 hours even if it’s determined that the incident is not considered bullying.
Marsland said she wants the recommendations to go back to the committee to craft the language. “These recommendations go above and beyond requirements of state statutes,” she said.
BOE chair Krause noted that the recommendations would “improve communications,” stressing the importance of maintaining FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) to protect the privacy of students.
Hernandez said, “We’ve always had a plan… we’re updating and enhancing it. These are difficult issues.”
Walsh Renovation Update
Hernandez said the Walsh Project Design Development, i.e. the state portion of the funding for the proposed $88.2 million Walsh renovation, should be completed by the end of May and the school district should learn about a potential grant for partial funding by early July. It is not clear what will happen if the state budget is delayed, as it may be.
Hernandez added that a model 750-square-foot classroom is being developed to obtain feedback from staff.
Basketball Coach, ELL Program Honored
Jake Palluzzi (pictured), retiring Branford High School basketball coach, was recognized by the BOE for his achievements, which include being named to 2008 Branford Sports Hall of Fame, and a record of 302 wins and 293 losses, along with an 18 – 5 season win in his last year in North Branford before moving on to Branford in 1988.
Palluzzi, whose parents accompanied him, thanked the Board of Education and all the administrators. “I’ll be around,” he said, referring to coaching his son.
Hernandez extended thanks “on behalf of all young men you coached… you’re more than a coach.”
The BOE also recognized the town’s ELL (English Language Learner) programs, including Kimberly Volkens, district coordinator, and her staff, who work with ELL children, and Paul Dzialo, East Shore Region Adult and Continuing Education director, who works extensively with ELL adults. The program has a multi-generational approach, working with kids and adults.
The Blackstone Library and its director, Karen Jensen, were also acknowledged for their ELL efforts. The library’s Welcoming Branford program, which highlights narratives by various residents, including ELL students, was described as collaboration between school and community.
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Sally E. Bahner contributed reporting for this story.
