In 2010 Newsweek ranked them 8th, in 2011 170, sources at the school aren’t even sure if they will be an A school next year. The problem might be massive teacher turnover. Since the beginning of this school year 12 teachers have left, 1 transferred to a district position, 1 was fired and ten decided to leave what was formerly one of the most prestigious high schools in the nation.
The problem however might be leadership.
Royce Turner formerly of Ribault high school, which had two Fs, and one D under his leadership, is now in charge at Paxon. What he did to merit the move is undetermined by the data, though Ribault has improved dramatically since he left earning a C grade this year. But that’s how the district does things. Sadly merit and ability are secondary to who you know in Duval County.
More on this to come.
I was one of those teachers who simply could not take it anymore and quit. Mr. Turner is absolutely inept, a pathological liar and a hypocrite. I also question his integrity, for very strange things began happening at Paxon after he took over. The big question is why is he protected, promoted, and allowed to literally destroy one of the few stellar schools in Duval County? Maybe he was purposely put at Paxon so he would destroy it. Or maybe he knows where the dead bodies are buried. Probably both.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear your story and if you felt comfortable put it on the blog...
ReplyDeleteAnd I am another teacher who quit this year, and I used to love teaching. Mr. Turner broke my spirit two years ago (I'm not going to go into how here), and I soldiered on until I couldn't take it any more either. I agree with my anonymous peer above in all respects-- he is a liar and an idiot, but he is a devious idiot with powerful friends. He's also smart enough to have his (smarter) assistant principal do the heavy lifting around the school. It is absolutely insane that no one downtown seems to have noticed (or cared) that the faculty is leaving in *droves*. I do know, however, that Carol Daniels (the previous principal, and what a principal *ought* to be) has recently been informed at some length. While she isn't over Paxon directly (that would be Larry Roziers, who is, if possible, stupider than Turner), she is certainly in a position of influence downtown. I am wondering if now things will start to snowball against Turner. I do truly hope so; unfortunately, one of the last things I heard from sources was that Turner was looking at a District promotion for next year. Congratulations, you managed to ruin Paxon, a school that *had* a stellar faculty that ran by itself like a well-oiled machine. Here's more money!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, thank you for speaking up. I never could, with things tenuous for me and my own family to consider.
Oh, and by the way, I don't mean to imply that all the good faculty is gone; far from it. There are many wonderful, brilliant teachers still at Paxon. What I was trying to convey is that, prior to Turner, the Paxon faculty had a remarkable degree of cohesiveness and camaraderie, which he has managed to largely destroy. The atmosphere is now more about "gotcha!" than teamwork, and people are afraid to talk to each other because you're not sure who's in Big Brother's pocket...shades of the Soviet Union.
ReplyDeleteInvestigate the $$$$$ irregularities training funds, internal school accounts where he was principal.
ReplyDeleteWhat is happening at Paxon? Absolutely nothing and that is the problem. We chose Paxon for our child based on the merits of then Principal Carol Daniels and the infectious spirit of teachers and parents. ROYCE TURNER, along with a few who have followed him from his previous school Ribault have summarily killed that Paxon pride . The countless and never-ending frustrations one encounters at ABSOLUTELY EVERY TURN at the school is beyond reason. I appreciate those teachers who have remained for the children and would hope that someone "downtown" would look at the statistics they love so much and recognize the havoc that is being wrought at this school before its to late. But then again, it may be...and that might be just want "they" want.
ReplyDeleteI was told by a friend who was very involved with Ribault's SAC that we would rue the day Royce Turner became principal at Paxon. I am stunned at how accurate their comments were. All talk and devisiveness and absolutely no substance. How sad it has been to see this scenario play out at what was once a good school. Is anyone paying attention?
ReplyDeleteI am paying attention and have just begun actively pressuring the right school board members to oust Mr. Turner. I left Paxon after being asked to do many unsavory tasks by Turner and LaShanda Allen, including attempting to con DCPS out of district magnet funds for a light up sign with a tv in front of Paxon.
ReplyDeleteAfter reAding such comments and posts I'd have to agree. I as a senior at Paxon have had my share of grievances because of this administration. When I was a freshman with mrs. Daniels as our principal, Paxon stood true to everything it stood for. Integrity, excellence, and so many other outstanding qualities of What a magnet school ought to be. When the new administration came, I was mistakenly excited because they all seemed so sweet with the fake smiles. After hearing so many teachers being put down and bashed for stupid reasons i saw through their hypocritical asses. If the admins focused more on academics then petty things like hallpasses, dresscode (in which some article of clothing do comply with the code of conduct) and unnecessary things like that, Paxon would no be in the crap hole it is today. I feel sorry for the future of this once outstanding magnet school.
ReplyDeleteYes, several teachers have left or retired. One was fired due to racial statements towards a student. One teacher who left by choice completed her masters degree during the school day on taxpayer's money. Students had busy work while she worked on her computer. I should know, I was a student in her class. How could these things happen at a college magnet school? Teachers are not monitored or held accountable so the bad ones make the good ones suffer. One of my teachers filled us in on how to act so he could receive high marks on his evaluation. He even stopped teaching what we were studying and made up some show off plan and gave us extra credit if we went along. That's how desperate teachers are now. I don't know where all of these comments will lead to, maybe just that they are making us feel better by writing them. No one who can do anything reads them anyways.
ReplyDeleteI'm a former student from Paxon. I'm very upset about how things went this year... last year wasn't a problem but this was a HUGE mistake. The teachers are very nice and caring but Mr. Turner and Ms. Allen... Not so much. All Ms. Allen cares about is dress code. She doesn't care if someone is touched in inappropriate places. I've noticed that there are girls wearing booty shorts and tank tops that show cleavage, yet they don't get in trouble. I was wearing skinny jeans and a tank top, which was not revealing at all, yet I got dresscoded. It's because I'm a foreigner�� She doesn't care if a white or black person wears something against the dress code. She is nothing but a prejudice, uncaring liar. The principal is letting the VP take over EVERYTHING. She is highly unfair to the student body. I had very high expectations for this school and they failed me big time�� This is why Paxon is very ghetto. Because the principle and VP don't give a damn about students getting molested or if someone is getting bullied. I'm really pissed off now. I hope for a better life at Stanton���� go blue devils!!!�� Have a good day����
ReplyDelete