If Vitti keeps Brennan at First Coast it is time for him to go too (rough draft)

I have held out hope over and over that Vitti will do the right thing. That he will stop trying to outsource our kids’ education to for profit charter schools, that he will use data to make his decisions and that he will treat teachers as professionals and valued individuals rather than easily replaceable cogs. What little hope I had last may have been dashed as WJCT is reporting that he will not make any changes at First Coast high school.

From WJCT

Although some speakers pointed fingers at the school’s administration, Vitti says he will not be changing leadership at the school.

Dr. Alvin Brennan is principal at First Coast and Vitti says he’s one of the best in the district.

“[Principal Brennan] is a Veteran, a proven leader,” Vitti said.

Vitti says he’s working hard to get Brennan the staff and tools he needs.

http://news.wjct.org/post/vitti-responds-concerns-over-first-coast-high-violence

The staff he needs? First years and Teach for America Teachers who don’t know that principals shouldn’t be allowed to bully them and make them miserable.

What does Brennan have to do to be removed? His bullying has been well documented here and the culture of violence he allowed to foster has been well documented everywhere.

The climate survey was abysmal, only something like 12 percent of the staff said he had made the school safe and inviting?

What about the dozens and dozens of staff members how have left? Doesn’t that speak volumes? They know how toxic he has been.

Then there is the community members and parents who spoke on Tuesday, over two dozen that represented hundreds more. They don’t want him

If not what about what the mother of a murdered boy has to say?

I spoke briefly to the mother of Jonhnell Johnson at the school board meeting. It was just by chance I was standing near her when somebody else did and I overheard part of the conversation. After they had finished I told her I was so sorry about what had happened to her son and since she had a speaker card told her she had to turn it in if she planned to talk.

Fighting back tears she said, I don’t know, I think I have to much to say and then she paused and said, we went to Brennan for help, this had been going on for a long time and he just dismissed us.

Read that again, he blew her off. If that alone does not disqualify him from being the principal at First Cast then I take back everything I have ever said about charter schools and vouchers and parents take your children and flee.

Viti can ignore the climate survey, the teachers who have left and the community that wants a change but he should not be able to ignore Johnell Johnson's mother, because if there were a competent principal at First Coast, one who cared there then her son might be alive. 

Vitti's not being a leader, he's saying I have the biggest %$#^ and I will do what I want and who cares if students, families, teachers and the community pay the price.