Revolving Door at Holton

[Anonymous]

New poster (and parent). Our family has been at Holton over ten years.

Personally, I don’t care for the HoS. It is surprising how poorly she speaks and writes. Not a great example for the girls. But that is not a dealbreaker. However, the exodus of teachers this year is very worrisome.

Since my younger daughter is in high school, she is not going to switch schools at this point. But I do not recommend HA to friends when they ask. That’s a change from 2-3 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
No one believes you when you make anonymous accusations with nothing to back them up.

Tell us you are Penny's #1 supporter without telling us you are Penny's #1 supporter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
No one believes you when you make anonymous accusations with nothing to back them up.

Tell us you are Penny's #1 supporter without telling us you are Penny's #1 supporter.

Still making things up and avoiding the issue of proof. Not a good approach.

[Anonymous]

It is immaterial whether you think “proof” about the HOS’s management has been provided on this message board. The proof is being revealed across the school for anyone with eyes to see

Everything that people have predicted has come true

Year 1: Senior administrators who report directly to Penny will be ousted (by her choice or theirs). This has included all 3 division heads, DEI director, Development director, Facilities director, Communications director (x 3)

Year 2: Teacher exodus begins, including some of the best teachers who are eagerly snapped up by other schools, leaving behind a lower quality staff. We still don’t know the identity of all the departures. Some families begin to take note and leave in greater numbers than usual

When Penny came on board 2 years ago, I think parents were hoping for a jolt of energy and maybe a mild course correction. We instead now find ourselves in a complete overhaul which I don’t think anyone was looking for, one going in a direction that not many community members feel good about

Why? Why is this unwanted change allowed to continue at the behest of a newcomer to the community who was unceremoniously dismissed from her previous headship at a lesser school? All these new teachers better be as good as the people they’re replacing or the disquiet is going to get louder

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't assume that the remaining teachers or new hires are bad in any way. It's not some sort of competition.

But 70+ departures in two years is not normal. Poor treatment, rude, hostile environment, yelling, screaming, insults becoming the norm. Dismissive behavior toward staff and faculty. These are the reasons the school is losing faculty and staff and why so many of those who remain are on edge, angry and scared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't assume that the remaining teachers or new hires are bad in any way. It's not some sort of competition.

But 70+ departures in two years is not normal. Poor treatment, rude, hostile environment, yelling, screaming, insults becoming the norm. Dismissive behavior toward staff and faculty. These are the reasons the school is losing faculty and staff and why so many of those who remain are on edge, angry and scared.

The fastest way to roust the BoT is to have a meeting without administrators present and discuss collective action. If administration is unwilling to hear concerns and if the BoT is lending its early only to Penny, then a grievance letter and possible unionization are the way to go. Chicago Latin is a good example. If the parents genuinely care about their children's teachers, then they will acknowledge the problem with a putative leader who yells, threatens, and belittles.

[Anonymous]

Isn’t the President of the Board Penny’s biggest cheerleader? Didn’t she feel very strongly about drastic change at Holton which is why she didn’t enroll her own daughters there as soon as they were of age?

It doesn’t seem like she would be in favor of ousting the change that she championed.

I could have incorrect information, but lots of PPs say the the board should do something, but it might be that the board is pleased with these changes.

[Anonymous]

I think that's correct, which is why the PPS suggesting that staff and teachers take it up with the board are being so naive. It is not safe to go to the board.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure that the board members with final say support Penny for ideological reasons. The problem is deeper than that, however. She's an abusive and uninspiring leader. No matter where you fall in the cultural and political spectrum, you should understand that her behavior and treatment of others are bad for the school. She is not an educational leader. What a sad representative for a girls school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t the President of the Board Penny’s biggest cheerleader? Didn’t she feel very strongly about drastic change at Holton which is why she didn’t enroll her own daughters there as soon as they were of age?

It doesn’t seem like she would be in favor of ousting the change that she championed.

I could have incorrect information, but lots of PPs say the the board should do something, but it might be that the board is pleased with these changes.

That's the point...if faculty were to meet and later air their grievances, they could do things that would awaken the Board to pay serious attention to their concerns. They could issue a public vote of "no confidence." They could vote to unionize (now THAT would get the Board's attention real fast).

And let's be honest, certain voices among the faculty will carry more weight. For example, if the AP Calculus, Advanced Analytical Chemistry, and Advanced Latin teachers were to insist upon change, the Board would likely listen, knowing those people are hard to replace. There are vets among the lower school whose voices carry a lot weight.

But until the teachers meet and agree to take action, the Board (and likely Penny) will cast aside the gripes on this thread as needless noise.

[Anonymous]

Lol, well they forced out a LS vet teacher, so you clearly don't know what you're talking about.

[Anonymous]

It’s easy to urge others to take action, but it’s risky to be the faculty who rock the boat. Any individual speaking up can have his or her contract non-renewed. Even an attempt to unionize has risks. Sometimes people turn on someone urging collective action because they feel they can more easily curry individual favor by tattling and kissing up. Also, I’m not sure that a faculty movement will be more powerful than the HoS’s five-year contract. Teachers can be replaced, even when it’s difficult. The financial loss of paying out on that guaranteed contract cannot be recovered.

[Anonymous]

Staff and faculty have been told by the HOS that they are replaceable. They have also been reminded that she is the only one with a multi year contract.

All true.

But it still tells you a lot about the derision with which the HOS (and I suppose some other leaders who allow and support this sort of behavior) views faculty and staff. There is little respect for educators amongst some of these leaders. The idea that threats or expressions of concern from some vets would suddenly change the BoTs actions is incredibly naive. They have plenty of information about the damage Penny is doing. They continue to support and cover up for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t the President of the Board Penny’s biggest cheerleader? Didn’t she feel very strongly about drastic change at Holton which is why she didn’t enroll her own daughters there as soon as they were of age?

It doesn’t seem like she would be in favor of ousting the change that she championed.

I could have incorrect information, but lots of PPs say the the board should do something, but it might be that the board is pleased with these changes.

That's the point...if faculty were to meet and later air their grievances, they could do things that would awaken the Board to pay serious attention to their concerns. They could issue a public vote of "no confidence." They could vote to unionize (now THAT would get the Board's attention real fast).

And let's be honest, certain voices among the faculty will carry more weight. For example, if the AP Calculus, Advanced Analytical Chemistry, and Advanced Latin teachers were to insist upon change, the Board would likely listen, knowing those people are hard to replace. There are vets among the lower school whose voices carry a lot weight.

But until the teachers meet and agree to take action, the Board (and likely Penny) will cast aside the gripes on this thread as needless noise.

Unionize at a private school? Good luck with that!

Just move to another school with a perfect HOS. I am sure that there are plenty of schools like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Staff and faculty have been told by the HOS that they are replaceable. They have also been reminded that she is the only one with a multi year contract.

All true.

.

That is a super shitty thing to say to a group of teachers.

If true, it’s a disgusting thing to say, and counterproductive to say the least. But who knows whether it really happened the way it was reported out…