Revolving Door at Holton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP with no connection to the school other than it’s near my house and we know a few grads. What’s the situation with the Board? Are they receptive to parent concerns? Are they independent or aligned with the HOS?

She's still there, so that tells you something. And board members who spoke out against her have left or have stepped down from leadership roles.

The board has some pretty troubling data to confirm the damage Penny has done to the community, but for whatever reason, they keep giving her more chances.

Much has been said about her problematic leadership in previous threads. This is is not the atmosphere one expects from Holton, and people who care about the school should be doing what they can to preserve all that's finest. Hopefully we will see positive change soon, but I doubt it will happen under Penny.

Troubling. Problematic. Damage. But that’s all just someone’s opinion. No actual facts though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:hasn't Penny pushed out all of the WOKE leaders that ran the school into the ground?

Several prominent Holton alumni (generational legacy families with deep pockets, this BOT families) refuse to send their daughters to HA because it went overboard with DEI and the wokeness.

Money talks

What’s wrong with that. That’s actually good and helpful

[Anonymous]

Didn’t she sign a long contract, maybe 5 years? So I think the board is stuck with her, or they’d have to pay out her contract. No way they could afford that, even if they did want her gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn’t the HOS be able to work wherever she wishes to work, particularly during the summer? Seems like that might be a perk of holding the top position.

Not when Holton provides a nice house right on campus for her/ her family to live in.

[Anonymous]

I get that people might be unhappy with penny. But not sure is the majority of parents at holton (what in practice is the more relevant people). I care more about the quality of education at the school not whether a few teachers personally like or dislike her. And then leaving a school because you don’t agree with the HOS is normal, maybe she will hire competent people that would agree with her.

It is very simple. If the reputation of holton was tanking, you would see more families leaving. You don’t see that. Just a bitter teacher complaining about penny.

[Anonymous]

I wish someone could please give examples of—actual examples— of what she has done that
Has upset so many teachers/administrators? I am really confused as to what actions she has taken to upset so many people. I am part of the community but not that involved, so I have no insight. However, my DDs are happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get that people might be unhappy with penny. But not sure is the majority of parents at holton (what in practice is the more relevant people). I care more about the quality of education at the school not whether a few teachers personally like or dislike her. And then leaving a school because you don’t agree with the HOS is normal, maybe she will hire competent people that would agree with her.

It is very simple. If the reputation of holton was tanking, you would see more families leaving. You don’t see that. Just a bitter teacher complaining about penny.

But there are a bunch leaving. Why so many leaving Holton for SR between 8th and 9th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get that people might be unhappy with penny. But not sure is the majority of parents at holton (what in practice is the more relevant people). I care more about the quality of education at the school not whether a few teachers personally like or dislike her. And then leaving a school because you don’t agree with the HOS is normal, maybe she will hire competent people that would agree with her.

It is very simple. If the reputation of holton was tanking, you would see more families leaving. You don’t see that. Just a bitter teacher complaining about penny.

It’s not that straightforward.

We are hesitating on applying for our DDs because we are concerned about the turnover. Our DDs are currently at a co-ed independent school and we are looking to move them to all-girls.

I understand Holton doesn’t have a problem filling its admissions slots, but the school isn’t going to get the best selection of girls if it’s gets fewer applicants.

No school is perfect, but happy and quality teachers and administrators are important to the student experience. I also don’t want my kids getting “new to the school” teachers all the time - it is a different experience than teachers who have been at the school for a few years. Same with administrators.

I’m concerned about what I’m hearing on DCUM because I have a relative who knows Penny from a previous position and didn’t have good things to say about her leadership style, and how she wasnt good about getting along or inspiring her co-workers. I discounted it when I heard it from them 3 years ago (when I heard Penny was coming), but now wondering if it’s true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t she sign a long contract, maybe 5 years? So I think the board is stuck with her, or they’d have to pay out her contract. No way they could afford that, even if they did want her gone.

This is the main problem, but the board should consider not just the cost of firing her early. What about the cost of three more years of her abusive and incompetent leadership?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get that people might be unhappy with penny. But not sure is the majority of parents at holton (what in practice is the more relevant people). I care more about the quality of education at the school not whether a few teachers personally like or dislike her. And then leaving a school because you don’t agree with the HOS is normal, maybe she will hire competent people that would agree with her.

It is very simple. If the reputation of holton was tanking, you would see more families leaving. You don’t see that. Just a bitter teacher complaining about penny.

It’s not that straightforward.

We are hesitating on applying for our DDs because we are concerned about the turnover. Our DDs are currently at a co-ed independent school and we are looking to move them to all-girls.

I understand Holton doesn’t have a problem filling its admissions slots, but the school isn’t going to get the best selection of girls if it’s gets fewer applicants.

No school is perfect, but happy and quality teachers and administrators are important to the student experience. I also don’t want my kids getting “new to the school” teachers all the time - it is a different experience than teachers who have been at the school for a few years. Same with administrators.

I’m concerned about what I’m hearing on DCUM because I have a relative who knows Penny from a previous position and didn’t have good things to say about her leadership style, and how she wasnt good about getting along or inspiring her co-workers. I discounted it when I heard it from them 3 years ago (when I heard Penny was coming), but now wondering if it’s true.

Same thing happened to me, from a friend. I took it with a grain of salt, but unfortunately the warnings were all correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t she sign a long contract, maybe 5 years? So I think the board is stuck with her, or they’d have to pay out her contract. No way they could afford that, even if they did want her gone.

This is the main problem, but the board should consider not just the cost of firing her early. What about the cost of three more years of her abusive and incompetent leadership?

I know what you are saying is just your opinion and not based on any evidence you have presented. Like one or two other PPs, I am interested in any specific examples you can share of abusive and incompetent behavior. Do you have any examples?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t she sign a long contract, maybe 5 years? So I think the board is stuck with her, or they’d have to pay out her contract. No way they could afford that, even if they did want her gone.

This is the main problem, but the board should consider not just the cost of firing her early. What about the cost of three more years of her abusive and incompetent leadership?

I know what you are saying is just your opinion and not based on any evidence you have presented. Like one or two other PPs, I am interested in any specific examples you can share of abusive and incompetent behavior. Do you have any examples?

No they don’t. Every head in dc has been derided in this forum by one or a few aggrieved people. They come here for to seek retribution with the cloak of anonymity. The vast majority of your school community is enjoying summer vacation and not following or interested in this. This thread won’t end as long people engage the axe grinder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t she sign a long contract, maybe 5 years? So I think the board is stuck with her, or they’d have to pay out her contract. No way they could afford that, even if they did want her gone.

This is the main problem, but the board should consider not just the cost of firing her early. What about the cost of three more years of her abusive and incompetent leadership?

I know what you are saying is just your opinion and not based on any evidence you have presented. Like one or two other PPs, I am interested in any specific examples you can share of abusive and incompetent behavior. Do you have any examples?

Yes, and I'm tired of listing them over and over again just for people to make excuses and attack me because you don't want to believe it. It's also risky for many of us to speak up about details that only a handful of people know. Even innocuous questions and criticisms have led to witch hunts bc the administration is more concerned about punishing critics than addressing issues of quality and propriety.

It's different when you experience and witness this behavior. If a board member wants to reach out to families, staff, and faculty, they can do that. They already distributed surveys that revealed serious concerns, but I'm sure there's spin for it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t she sign a long contract, maybe 5 years? So I think the board is stuck with her, or they’d have to pay out her contract. No way they could afford that, even if they did want her gone.

This is the main problem, but the board should consider not just the cost of firing her early. What about the cost of three more years of her abusive and incompetent leadership?

I know what you are saying is just your opinion and not based on any evidence you have presented. Like one or two other PPs, I am interested in any specific examples you can share of abusive and incompetent behavior. Do you have any examples?

Yes, and I'm tired of listing them over and over again just for people to make excuses and attack me because you don't want to believe it. It's also risky for many of us to speak up about details that only a handful of people know. Even innocuous questions and criticisms have led to witch hunts bc the administration is more concerned about punishing critics than addressing issues of quality and propriety.

It's different when you experience and witness this behavior. If a board member wants to reach out to families, staff, and faculty, they can do that. They already distributed surveys that revealed serious concerns, but I'm sure there's spin for it all.

If you have already listed examples of abusive and incompetent behavior, then you run no further risk by listing them again. Are you the cruelty poster? If so, do you have any specific examples of that?

Without specific examples, it’s impossible to believe this is anything more than your opinion. Especially the cruelty allegation. That’s pretty serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t she sign a long contract, maybe 5 years? So I think the board is stuck with her, or they’d have to pay out her contract. No way they could afford that, even if they did want her gone.

This is the main problem, but the board should consider not just the cost of firing her early. What about the cost of three more years of her abusive and incompetent leadership?

I know what you are saying is just your opinion and not based on any evidence you have presented. Like one or two other PPs, I am interested in any specific examples you can share of abusive and incompetent behavior. Do you have any examples?

Yes, and I'm tired of listing them over and over again just for people to make excuses and attack me because you don't want to believe it. It's also risky for many of us to speak up about details that only a handful of people know. Even innocuous questions and criticisms have led to witch hunts bc the administration is more concerned about punishing critics than addressing issues of quality and propriety.

It's different when you experience and witness this behavior. If a board member wants to reach out to families, staff, and faculty, they can do that. They already distributed surveys that revealed serious concerns, but I'm sure there's spin for it all.

If you have already listed examples of abusive and incompetent behavior, then you run no further risk by listing them again. Are you the cruelty poster? If so, do you have any specific examples of that?

Without specific examples, it’s impossible to believe this is anything more than your opinion. Especially the cruelty allegation. That’s pretty serious.

What's the point in trying to convince you? I didn't make up the cruelty accusations. I have seen and heard multiple examples of cruel behavior. I'm sorry I can't satisfy your curiosity for details. I know it's a serious allegation. I can't believe what the environment of the school has become in just two short years.