"I am a teacher in Queens who also has been following this. Why? Because it's disturbing. I saw it in the news on Channel 7 and googled the name PASSARELLA and SCANDAL and was lead to this blog. The entries read like a John Grisham novel. "There is no little irony in the news today from WalBloom about the limits of a 3020a hearing for teachers from THEIR point of view. But when it comes to principal, they can pretty much do what they want --- a double -- or quadruple standard -- they get 4x the protection a teacher gets. TAPCO principal Lyn Passarella is a perfect example. I'm betting they give her a network to run --- networks, the burial ground for passing the principal lemons.
"What is disturbing is the implication that the DOE not only knew about Passarella, but probably provided the training and the knowledge for her to operate as she did. I would like to know WHO concealed her. WHO was her mentor. What organizations advised her. And most important, now that she has been exposed, are any of those parties being held accountable?"
The above quotes from a Queens teacher were intriguing for the questions they raise about the system in general under the ed deformers. We have had a few posts on TAPCO on Ed Notes over the past few years (see links below). Tapco was the highest scoring school -- until the scandals erupted. People connected to the school have been dropping by some of the posts over the years, with one garnering over 140 comments so far.
The debate has been intense, including teachers and students. Sometimes there are some rough edges. I do not censor any of it unless someone asks me to look at a comment. But I don't remember taking anything out. This debate really gets into the fabric of a school culture and can be very illuminating.
I'm bringing it up today because of this comment today from a teacher who has nothing to do with the school but was intrigued by the comments.
(NOTE: I have comment moderation turned on after a day or two because of the influx of ads, not to censor anyone. So it you post it will be up within 24 hours when I get to it.)
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Another DOE Scam - TAPCO - Theatre Arts Production...":
I am a teacher in Queens who also has been following this. Why? Because it's disturbing. I saw it in the news on Channel 7 and googled the name PASSARELLA and SCANDAL and was lead to this blog. The entries read like a John Grisham novel.
What is disturbing is the implication that the DOE not only knew about Passarella, but probably provided the training and the knowledge for her to operate as she did. I would like to know WHO concealed her. WHO was her mentor. What organizations advised her. And most important, now that she has been exposed, are any of those parties being held accountable?
Indeed the Passarella story is not just an indictment on her, but on the system she has been able to succeed in. Think about it. Her lying and cheating and cooking the books lead her school to achieve the number one ranking in the entire NYC school system. Yet from what I read, her graduates could barely survive in life after TAPCO. Bad sign.
Justice needs to be served. Is it true her hearing is not until fall? And she continues to collect that $145K? Incredible. Simply incredible. Why can't they after a 17 month investigation hear her case within a month? Or freeze her salary until it is decided? Just think of all the useful ways that money could be spent to better her school, and undue her damage!
Here are the links I found on a search of Ed Notes:
Nov 30, 2010
I
find it interesting that TAPCO was discussed on this forum. Somehow,
the Theatre Arts Production Co. School was rated the number 1 school in
the NYC-DOE report cards this past month. When the principal announced
it, ...
Mar 09, 2012
I
am a former staff member at the school MS/HS225, also known as TAPCO.
Although I have not worked at this school for several years, I am
intimately familiar with the workings of the school and its principal,
Lynn Passarella.
Mar 11, 2012
This
comment below from TAPCO takes the UFT Chapter Leader who was owned by
the admin to task. But maybe you can't blame him considering he knows
the UFT doesn't have the ability to protect his back. Do teachers ...
The opinions expressed on EdNotesOnline are solely those of Norm Scott and are not to be taken as official positions (though Unity Caucus/New Action slugs will try to paint them that way) of any of the groups or organizations Norm works with: ICE, GEM, MORE, Change the Stakes, NYCORE, FIRST Lego League NYC, Rockaway Theatre Co., Active Aging, The Wave, Aliens on Earth, etc.
Please keep us posted on the verdict of Passarella's hearing. The fact that she's still drawing her $145,000 salary is an outrage. It's been mentioned how those funds can be used in other far more constructive ways.
ReplyDeleteThe system is broken. Only in the NYC-DOE can someone like Passarella operate for so long and get away with it. Had she not overdone it and scored the top ranking school in 2010 ... she'd probably still be principal at TAPCo and still being rewarded for her underhanded activities.
Passarella and TAPCo are not alone in this. I've read of so many instances where principals act in the same, exact manner ... mostly in the Bronx, mostly in district 10.
Interesting ... perhaps it's time to look at the superintendent. Perhaps she could have questioned Passarella's "success" when the middle school in the same building is failing? Did she turn a blind eye to the illegal activities? Did she encourage it?
Someone must have taught Passarella how to scape the system -
Graduation rate - implement NO FAIL policy. Therefore, all students graduate. Check.
Attendance - have Carol and Valerie personally tell you when the attendance rate drops below 98%. Then go change the attendance personally stating, "Oh, I saw that student!". Check.
Regents - bully teachers into over-awarding points on Regents exams. Oh don't forget having teachers give answers to students (Trig Regents 2010). Check.
Quality Review - have multiple PD's and spend tens of thousands of dollars for overnight retreats at the Hilton with dinner and all-can-drink booze at Philipe Chow's. Topic of the agenda: how to fool the Quality Reviewer. Check.
We don't need textbooks, computers, school supplies, or a copy machine. We can teach in 10-15 different classrooms.
Blame the teachers when students do no work, don't come to class, text and listen to iPods. Yes, Ms. Lynn ... stomp your feet and have another t*tty attack. That works.
This type of corruption is happening all over the DOE.
ReplyDeleteWhat can we do to prevent this type of abuse from happening in other schools?
ReplyDeleteUghhh!!!! And the sad thing is... EVERYTHING written in this post is true! Shame on you, Lynn. Shame on you.
ReplyDeleteInteresting...But yes i agree this type of corruption is happening all over the DOE...
ReplyDelete