S’okay, we know that students need to be more competitive in the math and sciences, so naturally getting rid of an AP chemistry teacher is a high priority. Knowing nothing whatsoever of the details, and apparently so was the BOE, they moved to table the item. Smart move. Dig in BOE members and find out what’s really going on over in absentee principal land. Now let’s go the video tape and insert the usual calls for Stuart Opdhal and Bruce Morris to be fired.
Mayor Richard A. Moccia, ex-officio member of the school board, advised members of the board of the option to table the decision and hold a special meeting on the topic. The motion to table ended in a tie with Moccia casting a vote in favor to take up the issue again on March 25.
Corso, who was present at the meeting, began teaching advanced placement chemistry and astronomy classes this school year and has received several negative performance reviews during that time.
“Last year, nobody passed the AP exam (in the class he took over),” Corso said. “I’m trying to fix a broken system.”
Corso said he has been teaching chemistry and honors chemistry at Norwalk High for several years, where he received “outstanding” evaluations. Corso added he has been making progress with students in terms of grades, relationship building and community support.
BOE members wanted to know what these performance evaluations contained and also to hear from the administration of Norwalk High before making a decision.“We’re talking about a man’s life here,” said BOE member Jack Chiaramonte. “I want more information before I make such a decision.”
Due to confidentiality, the information on Corso couldn’t be shared at a public meeting, said Superintendent of Schools Salvatore J. Corda.
After some debate on procedure and policy, board members agreed to a special meeting on March 25 where all the information can be presented.
The decision to let Corso’s contract expire has to be made before April 1 by law. If a decision isn’t made by then, the district then has to make a recommendation to terminate the teacher instead of simply not renewing the contract.
Several parents came to support Corso and many said they have seen improvement during his short time with their children.
There is increased enrollment, school participation and students are achieving higher grades, said Kathleen Mitchell, who has a son currently enrolled in Norwalk High.
Corso simply restated his dedication to Norwalk High.
“I want to work in Norwalk,” he said. “I made a commitment to the school district. I ask that you look at my whole history instead of just the last year. I ask that you continue to let me do my work.”
Meanwhile the BOE decided that a two week break in the winter was appropriate. All working heads of households will be ruefully trying to figure this one out. What are they thinking over there?
The Board of Education set a calendar for next year that will give students two weeks off surrounding Christmas and New Year’s Day, up a full week from this year.
During the next school year, the February break will fall when it usually does, on the week of Presidents Day. Earlier drafts of the calendar had included a midwinter recess a week earlier, allowing for a staff development day on Presidents Day.
Some parents had said moving the February break would disrupt vacation plans.
Four board members last night voted in favor of the calendar, while three members were opposed and voted for other options.
The last day of the 2008-09 school year will be June 23.
Board member Bruce Kimmel said he didn’t want to set a precedent for having two weeks off for the holiday break but supported the school year running later. This year, the school year was scheduled to end June 18 unless students had to make up time for snow days.
“I think the configuration of June right now is more conducive to what I want to see, ultimately,” Kimmel said.
source:The Hour, School board tables decision to terminate science teacher, March 19, 2008
source:Advocate, Norwalk students get longer holiday break, By Lisa Chamoff, March 19, 2008
