Thursday, January 7, 2016

Hayden-McFadden principal to resign in June

Hayden-McFadden principal to resign in June

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

There goes another one of Pia's saviors. Her hires seem to work out really well. Two year self life before they expire.

Anonymous said...

To the ignoramus who commented and couldn't even spell the world 'shelf' properly, Catherine is a great person and principal. Could you turn around HayMac overnight? Moron. Keep your stupid comments to yourself. Why don't you go lead the school? Your ignorance is astounding. It's negative people like you who are bringing this district down.

Anonymous said...

Principal Zinni is loved by her staff.

Anonymous said...

Let me preface by saying that I do not know Zinni. She may be great and loved by her staff but it sounds to me that she has been thrown to the wolves because unrealistic results are not met in the Durkin administration. Maybe if Durkin likes you and you do not buck her you may be given another opportunity or cushy job somewhere else in the district. Could it be that if you contest her judgement and rational it will be certain what will happen; Resign or get fired. Sounds like Zinni has pride and dignity so she made the choice that'll clear her conscience. Chris Cotter, be the beacon of light needed in the district. Second poster, really, was your comments necessary.

Anonymous said...

Chris will get rid of the legal powers the commissioner of education has to place schools in level 4 and 5? What a man.

Anonymous said...

Hay mac won't change until the parents step up. Wasn't that Durkin's turn around plan for HayMac? She blames the teachers for things out of their control, so she failed HayMac, not the teachers , not the principal. Durkin failed , but she will always deflect the blame else where.. She is not qualified to run NB, she is a bully who threatens people, gives you a bad eval if you try and question her. I heard that she told ALL principals to give the teachers Needs Improvement". Let us evaluate her, She needs a major overhaul in every area! I guess working 12-14 hours a day isn't enough for her. She has failed this city, it's students, it's teachers and NB parents. Please, Mr. Cotter, don't whimp out and become a puppet like the rest of the SC.

Anonymous said...

If the teachers love the principal so much why wouldn't they at the very least say they support her to the Standard Times.

Unknown said...

I can say first hand that the staff at HayMac did work well under Ms. Zinni. When she was announced at the SC meeting, I will admit that I shook my head saying "Here we go! Another outsider appointee ". There is no shame in stating I WAS WRONG!! The staff took to her and appreciated what ideas she presented. When there was disagreement, which is bound to happen, Ms. Zinni listened and at times understood the reasoning and went to bat for the teachers! This is from teachers and NOT Ms.Zinni. Our children need stability not constant change

Unknown said...

I can say first hand that the staff at HayMac did work well under Ms. Zinni. When she was announced at the SC meeting, I will admit that I shook my head saying "Here we go! Another outsider appointee ". There is no shame in stating I WAS WRONG!! The staff took to her and appreciated what ideas she presented. When there was disagreement, which is bound to happen, Ms. Zinni listened and at times understood the reasoning and went to bat for the teachers! This is from teachers and NOT Ms.Zinni. Our children need stability not constant change

Anonymous said...

can anyone tell me how many times this year a member of the school committee including the mayor have visited a school this year (besides the level 1s) and talked to a teacher?

Unknown said...

Yes I have. Plan to do this more often as well

Anonymous said...

COTTER ALREADY AGREEING WITH DURKIN - THAT SHE WAS RIGHT TO APPOINT ZINNI. Wonder how long it will take him to agree with her on everything else!

Anonymous said...

The new principal of Hay Mac is an experienced NB principal with a good track record… finally some good news… not another outsider…

Anonymous said...

Deb Letendre was an experienced NB principal from a Level 1 building....good news...she was promoted to Turnaround Manager and then went back to the classroom in Middleboro last month.

Anonymous said...

People should really know the facts before running their mouths. Mrs. Zinni was part of a few candidates that were narrowed down and the final decision was made by staff at Hayden-McFadden. If you do not know what you are talking about, be quiet. Just because you are disgruntled and feel lousy about the state of your life does not give you the right to spread rumors that degrade the merits of other people.

Anonymous said...

The Standard Times came to the school to talk to teachers while there were children present. The staff at that school has enough decency to make sure the children are protected from as much of the drama that is happening as possible. The staff at Hayden-McFadden are class acts.

Unknown said...

Guess you don't know how to read? But it's all good

Anonymous said...

Anthony Tarby Richards
What was the average age of a teacher retiring in the New Bedford, prior to Pia Durkin arrival, versus to what it is now.. What have the union done for retention when many teachers and librarians were let go by the current superintendent. She said she will not rehire layoff/fired employees...why are they are being penalized and I have not heard anything positive from the union about that situation. I have been a proud union member of the telephone workers...and we never stand for such dictatorship conduct... shame on you..
I never work for the school system, but im a concern lifetime citizen of New Bedford and veteran of two wars.

Anonymous said...

I left the district. I could no longer stand Durkin's relentless bullying, unrealistic demands and DeFlaco swooping into my classroom telling me how to teach! Yet when asked to model the correct procedures, he runs with his tail between his legs.I have been teaching for 22 years! I am now working in another district that respects me, the children are held accountable for their behavior, not like in NB. I am so happy I am away from Durkin.

William Dutra said...

Anthony, thank you for your service to our country? What would you want the union to do?

Anonymous said...

Here are my thoughts on the response or lack there of, of the “resignation” of Principal Zinni of the Hay-Mac. This is simply an opinion of someone who has worked for NBPS for many years and who has been observing closely the reign of Supt. Durkin. It would be in Principal Zinni’s best interest not to speak poorly of her experience here with DR. Durkin and under what circumstances she is leaving for I would imagine that stipulation has been put forth by Durkin as a condition for a letter of recommendation towards her next job. I would expect those teachers who would not speak to ST in regards to this issue will continue to be silent in their feelings as to whether this “resignation” was simply that or was the principal’s personal decision to resign more of a “gentle” persuasion made by Durkin. With the scrutiny and control of the evaluation process held over the teachers of NBPS, I certainly understand why they would be hesitating to speak publicly. Unfortunately, Durkin knows this as well and uses that to control her dominion. Lastly, why on earth would Principal Morgan choose to leave a school like Pulaski where a wonderful achievement of becoming a level one school to take on the vast educational challenges inherent with the demographics that populate Hay-Mac. Could it be that you just “can’t say NO to Durkin”. Hence, maybe these are some of the reasons why there is such a large exodus of both teachers and administrators from NBPS.

Anonymous said...

HayMac is the new Parker. I was a Parker teacher and I can honestly say that all of the Parker teachers were so dedicated that even when Mr. Fay retired most chose to stay on at the school out of dedication and service to the children. We got those children to make gains despite having no extended day, coaches, or new curriculum. However, we were rewarded with level 5 status. Tenured teachers, in some cases, had limited bidding and could not pick the grades or schools they wanted to be placed at as in some cases it became the discretion of the principals in those schools if they wanted you. The non-tenured teachers had it even worse and in some cases were being hired literally the day before school started. So all of you HayMac teachers think long and hard about what you want to do. Having been someone who has worked not only for NBPS but also out of the district, the grass is not always greener elsewhere. Sure, you may have better behaved students and more parent support but you may not enjoy the same camaraderie you have with your coworkers. NBPS teachers generally help one another and are supportive. I can say that in other districts this is definitely not the case.

Anonymous said...

Dr. Durkin has made a very public mis-step by having Morgan leave her post at Pulaski to head up Hayden-McFadden. I am sure Morgan is capable, however, her school just became level 1. Morgan is not completely responsible for Pulaski's status. Those teachers worked hard and the children worked harder. It is hard to become a level 1 school, even harder to maintain it. It only makes sense for the leader facilitating that growth to stay at the school she is helping become more successful. Poor Mrs. Zinni...at least Mr. Fay had 3 years to facilitate change at Parker.

I was a Parker teacher. Mr. Fay retired and we got Mrs. Letendre from a level 1 school (Swift) and she was going to be our savior. Guess what, her time there was a flop. It just wasn't a good fit for her and she didn't have a clear plan for the school. Why is NBPS repeating the same mistake?

I am not totally against Durkin. She has definitely made some major improvements in the district. Sadly, I fear moving Morgan is going to be a flop. Time for people to speak up.

Anonymous said...

Please elaborate on Durkin's "major improvements" in the district.

Anonymous said...

Well, she did get that dead tree removed from the Admin building.

Anonymous said...

Morgan is not the reason Pulaski is a level 1 ,actually it's the teachers and probably getting rid of behavior problems.

Anonymous said...

The Morgan Miracle will not be replicated unless Pia infuses HayMac with more than any other principal was provided. And I don't mean TFA teachers and increased data analysis.

Anonymous said...

TFA is a joke! How about providing the parents with parenting classes so THE PARENTS and not the teachers can bring up their children . EX Teach your children respect, manners and responsibility. Don't bring up your children to be entitled and expect everything for free. Teach your children to WORK hard and succeed in life. Maybe then HayMac might succeed!