Gassaway
Rejects Restart Model And Possibly Millions in Funding for BGHS
BGHS Principal Bernard Gassaway says current
funding model will do little to improve his school
It appears that the
millions of dollars earmarked to save Boys and Girls High School may be in
jeopardy.
One reason is due to stalled
negotiations between the teacher’s union and the City around how to best implement teacher evaluations, which will
greatly impact the way teachers are hired and fired. But until an agreement is
reached between the two parties, the State will hold the money.
The second reason has to do
with the school’s principal Bernard Gassaway. In a letter he released to
Bed-Stuy Patch this morning, Gassaway presented a resounding objection to
Restart – the school reform model under which the money would be awarded –
insisting that most of the $3.5 - $6 million grant that may come with Restart
would be restricted primarily to professional development.
Gassaway has long stated a
preference for the Turnaround (Transformation) Model as the most viable
approach for student improvement at Boys and Girls, as it would grant him
authority to replace teachers he deems ineffective.
"Money alone is not
the answer," said Gassaway. "I have espoused that of all the models
being offered, Turnaround would give us the best chance to speed-up the reform
of Boys and Girls High School. While I defend all efforts to keep Boys and
Girls High School open forever, I do not defend the right of incompetent staff
to remain with children indefinitely.”
Boys & Girls High
School has ranked as one of New York State’s lowest performing schools for
the last two years, and less than half of its students graduated in 2010. In
December, the city narrowly spared Boys & Girls from complete
closure.
The Restart Model is one of
four improvement plans outlined by the Obama administration in its education
initiative designed to improve struggling schools, better known as Race To The
Top.
The Department of Education’s
reaction to Gassaway’s stance squarely addressed the stalled negotiations
surrounding teacher negotiations, which have imperiled the funds’ allocation,
but also made clear of DOE’s intention to implement the Restart model.
“We have been in near constant
consultation with the State Education Department about our intentions to use
Restart, and our plan is consistent with the law, so it’s unfortunate that the
State would change the ground rules at this late juncture,” Deputy Chancellor
at the New York City Department of Education Marc Sternberg said.
“We agree with the State
about the need for a rigorous and meaningful teacher evaluation system, but
thus far we have not been able to reach an agreement with the teacher’s union,
and that means we are likely to miss out on more than $125 million in federal
funds to improve these schools.”
Still, while negotiations
remain on the table regarding teacher evaluations, Gassaway has taken a hard
stance on the conditions of the funding:
“I know in my heart and soul
that the recent decision of the DOE to move forward with the Restart model is
not the best option for Boys and Girls High School,” Gassaway said. “In the
end, any model that we adopt must allow school leadership to aggressively
address staff incompetence.”
Tom Dunn, director of
communications at New York State Education Department, said the department had
no comment in regards to Principal Gassaway’s position.