Yet another "Leadership Academy Principal" has turned up apparently "acting badly". This time its the "embattled" nine year Principal of PS 106 in Far Rockaway, Marcella Sills. Interestingly, Ms Sills was actually appointed as Principal by Cathy Cashin when she was a Superintendent, maybe its good that she didn't get the Chancellor's job. In today's New York Post the article by Susan Edelman shows the many problems found at her school. Worse, if you go back to the 2007-08 school year, Norm Scott for the newspaper "The Wave" and reprinted on his blogs, wrote articles about the problems with Principal Marcella Sills at PS 106, Here and also Here Interestingly, over the nine years of Ms. Sills tenure Tweed ignored the problems at PS 106 as children suffered, teachers were retaliated against, and the administrative shortcomings that went on at the school. Furthermore, during the years 2005-07 a second grade girl was sexually assaulted in the school and Ms. Sills never bothered to called the police and initially refused to authorize a transfer for the girl from the school despite the abuse. The Post also reported how in a school with deep poverty, she required 5th graders to rent tuxedos and prom dresses costing over $100 to go to the formal the video is Here.
Marcella Sills has been accused of some very serious actions by the New York Post artice and they include the following allegations:
- Ms. Sills is a frequent "no-show" and is often late when she shows up at the school.
- The students have no physical education or art courses.
- No substitutes are hired and the kids are dumped into other teacher's classes.
- No special education co-teacher for learning disabled students.
- No reading, writing, and math books aligned to the "Common Core".
- The Library is a mess and refereed as a "junk room".
- The Nurse's office lacks the necessities like a refrigerator, sink, and cot.
- The Kindergarteners sit in a dilapidated trailer that reeks with animal urine.
update: Chancellor Carmen Farina will send a Deputy to check out the problems at PS 106 but didn't mention if the Principal will be removed, pending an investigation. The double standard continues.By the way, according to the New York Post Marcella Sills showed up at 7:30 am and wasn't removed as of today.
69 comments:
Good for her. She knows these kids are dumb stupid shit that will never amount to anything so why should she kill her self.
If the board of ed knew about this and they did nothing then they also know the same. If the parents did not complain then they also know the same. Seems to me that the only ones who are complaining are the teachers.
Why? I have know idea. Here is some advice to the teachers. Stop complaining. Maybe these kids are dumb stupid shit. If you have a principal who never shows up and leaves you alone what is bad about that. I wish I had a principle who never showed up. Furthermore if you are watching movies great. No work for you to do. To bad seniority transfer rights no longer exist. I would transfer there in a minute.
Principal Sills was a student in the Leadership Academy where one of her teachers was Shael Suransky. He helped her along and had her back. She would often brag how she knew him. Way to go Shael!
Chaz,
Your website is going to take off big now since Gothamschools switched over to a really badly designed website that has literally no updated stories. Also, you can't comment Anonomously anymore so there's no real stories from real insiders cause there's no way they are risking their name. Congrats man! Anyway, this principal should be disciplined by the new chancellor, if she's anything like people say she is. My guess is that Fariña is going to do NOTHING like Mr Wallsnot. Make an example of this bitch DeBlasio, dump this chicken head! Tweed is the problem, the kids deserve better. Fariña talks a good game.
What's the story?
Supposedly you have been nominated to serve on the ATR advisory committee.
Anon 3:43 pm
You will know when I know how the ATR advisory committee will be constructed and any recommendations that are agreed upon.
If you have any suggestions then please feel free to use my comment section as a sounding board.
A negotiated buyout/retirement incentive.
please don't let us be assigned permanently anywhere without a choice - that would be terrible - how would any of us survive if we were assigned permanently with no choice to campus maggot - springfield gardens -east-west - beach channel or far rockaway to name but a few. We must have choices that are reasonable for a commute and for where we fit in. this is an absolute must!
and the other person is right the new gotham schools website is awful!
Where was the oversight? It seems the superintendent should be held accountable here. And teachers are being targeted all over the city / yet this is allowed to go on, The Gotcha Squad is in full force at the DOE but I guess it doesn't apply to administrators.
Chaz, your article from July about Randi Weingarten also being responsible for the mess we are in is right on target. The givebacks were out of hand. She has not served the members well and harmed teachers with their careers. I hope the pendulum swings back the way (wishful thinking). Keep up the good work with your articles.
Superintendent needs to be investigated . How is this even allowed to happen?
To answer the question of, "if she is anything like people say she is", YES and WORSE !!! Norm Scott exposed her years ago. Theft of Services is the least of her crimes. This should result in a major investigation that will bring down lots of people -all those who knew, but chose to look the other way.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING.
Aside from that, what's up with the first poster?!?!?
'
Chaz. What "Network" is responsible for ps106? Where's the Network Leader? Isn't this what Networks are supposed to "help" with or "support"? Dumb ass bs networks. They were MIA too!!
the first poster has no sense...you just have to pray for him or her. But on the situation that's going on at P.S 106Q is a shame. My kids attended that schools years ago & it was consider one of the best schools in the Rockaways oh how things have changed. I believe when the assistant principal Mrs. Pierce retired the school went down. Instead of hiring a Principal who lied to the parents and only cared about her looks they should have hired within & made Mrs. Pierce the Principal what a shame that a good school has become the worst school in the Rockaways....Everybody in that building should be held accountable & Mrs Sills should be fired & never again be able to run a school...Mrs. Loyd-Bey where are you?
Regarding the 10:30 post, you are correct in that PS 106 was considered one of the best but make no mistake, everybody in that building except the principal and her cronies have been held overly accountable, every teacher that tried to blow the whistle wound up themselves getting investigated for fabricated charges made by sills, Ms. Pierce included. She could not take it anymore and it was a terrible loss when she left. As for as Ms. Lloyd-Bey, yes she was at the school recently. She gave Sills a stellar rating for her quality review.
Here's Queen Bee Marcella's personal email. Have fun: marcellasills@gmail.com
Ms Sills became drunk with her own power. She falsified teacher data according to who she liked at the moment. She used false students lists and ended up getting rid of good teachers who truly cared. She has been creating false investigations or anything she can to retaliate against dedicated teachers. Hopefully things will change for the better for students so that the focus will be on guiding students to academic excellence. Instead of personal vendettas and manipulation of the school system.
I bet those kids you are calling dumb could write a more coherent, grammatically correct post. You have "know" idea what you are talking about.
The "Worst" example of the "Leadership Academy" fiasco can be found at JHS13 Jackie Robinson Complex! Jacob Michelman makes Ms. Sills look like a Paragon of leadership The level of criminality at this school will result in a major upheaval in Harlem! Serious questions will be asked about SCI Richard Condon & the Racist coverage directed at Black & Latino Teachers & Amin!s
The network is cluster 05. Whatever that means. There's a few names on the schools page from DOE web page. The entire network should be reprimanded and removed. Then again, networks receive no consequences.
Carmen Farina should get all the paperwork from the superintendent and network that shoes their involvement with this school. Or lack thereof . Aren't there checks in place. Someone had to sign off on something along the way.
The writing was on the wall years ago as norms article indicates this behavior by this principal. Bloomshit and puppy walcott never addressed this principal and MANY MANY others. Carmen Farina and our diblas will have to start getting rid of the stench of shit principals smothering our schools!!!1
Chaz,
What is stopping you from disclosing what you know already about Amy Arundell's unannounced ATR advisory group. For example, how were you and the others chosen, how did Amy explain her turnaround on ATR representation after blowing us off for the past two years, why haven't you insisted on elections rather than than passively accept Amy's topdown selection, what was discussed at first meeting, when was it, what did Amy promise, if anything, to do with your advice, and, regarding her integrity, do you believe that she used the word "Gestapo" at the 2012 Brooklyn borough meeting as I claimed and she later, much later, and unpersuasively denied absolutely without demanding a retraction or apology or providing any back-up from her UFT colleagues in the room? In other words, why trust anything Amy says? Philip Nobile
the teachers at that school are too scared to say anything for fear of retaliation. the principal rules by fear and intimidation. the community needs to rally and protest and actually give a damn about their kids education.
The principal showed up at 7:30 am the Post reports today. Deputy Chancellor is there, etc etc. Please don't tell the public that the New & Improved DOE with Fariña & co. is actually considering giving this principal another chance. What????
Principal Sills has run away good teachers. It has always been a popularity contest in the school. No regard has been given to students real progress. Often parents and teachers have been afraid to speak because she threatens people with bogus investigations that have actually required teachers to fight made up charges. She altered data to accommodate teachers she liked but ruined reputations of teachers who honestly tried to do their best for the students. Many teachers worked above and beyond to help the students succeed. One teacher spoke up about the unfairness of students constantly being required to sit and watch movies during academic preps. The repercussions she suffered were immeasurable. Sad to say things probably won't change. Teachers and students experiences are often ignored even by union officials. One day schools will focus on student progress and balance power so that it is not abused by administration.
cause were stronger than the storm oh yeah aaaa christy fat ass thie
What a disgrace Marcella Sills seems to be. I actually am enjoying the NY Post's articles bring her into the light.
Why do I have the feeling that nothing will change in light of today's report? I certainly hope this time I'm incorrect; I have a son that attends that school as I did when I was a child. That principle is beyond disgusting, and lets' not forget the assistant principle who should have stepped up to the plate when her "boss" was not around-she's no better. The non-existent leadership at PS 106 is very obvious. Perhaps they should use her tacky fur coat to patch the holes over there. She and Ms. West are just the worst kinds of people I have ever met. Do rubbers rooms still exist?
Oh great, now it's being leaked that Walcott was pals with this principal. No wonder. Two pieces of garbage!!!!!!
Thanks for the mention Chaz. One interesting sidelight was that she became principal when Kathy Cashin ruled Region 5/District 27 and was Sills was rumored to be under her protection. Note that PS 106 uses Core Knowledge, the Cashin baby. I wonder of there would be DOE investigators at the school today if Cashin had become chancellor. I was just over to the school. Some great press action out there with more to come so stay tuned.
Info is flowing into Ed Notes and I have a post coming on the entire network connection. Would you believe the name Tisch pops up in the chain?
am shame having my kids there kids are not dumb they all have the right to learn n she has no right to take advantage of that, water is not safe to drink security guards seems not to care for kids ,school suppose to open at 750am for breakfast and they open at 8am forcing working parents to leave kids alone. some of them stayed outside playing in the cold weather even go on the street, I personally opens the door for kids because this guards always on their desk listening to music. some teachers are rude with kids,
What a dumb comment. How can you allow it?
I allowed the dumb comment only because there was no profanity.
Obviously,I do not feel the commenter is correct.
Hi. Can you please tell us how to find your article when it's posted. I'd live to see the network connection. Where can we read it? And when?
Guys check out the progress report record for this school. The past year they got a "N/A." I don't know what that means. The previous two years they got an "B" and an "A." Hard to believe Tweed had no knowledge of these atrocities when they rated the schools "B" and "A."
Is there any documentation or other way to verify the Shuransky relationship? I don't doubt it, but it could be explosive if some evidence could be shared.
Wait a minute. This principal still has her job? What an embarrassment on the part of our new Chancellor.
The grades are as phony as a three dollar bill. That's why the de Blasio Administration is eliminating them.
He was her teacher at the Leadership Academy. Everyone downtown is aware.
This is absolutely disgusting. The fact that this so-called "educator" (Marcella Sills) is a frequent no-show to work and has let this decay and neglect happen is outrageous. Contact her and demand change: msills@schools.nyc.gov
Chaz-That first comment is bothersome. I also has profanity. Take another look see. Thanks
Please no racial remarks, just talk about the issues
The DOE's double standard regarding principals continues. Teachers with time and attendance/incompetence/neglect charges like Ms. Sills would have been removed, 3020'ed and most likely terminated. But DOE principals always get a way out, whether it's a quiet transfer to Long Island, retirement, some job in central DOE, or worst case scenario, they get demoted to become AP in some other school. It's quite disgusting.
From a former teacher of the school:
The Dedicated, true professional educators who lasted , at PS 106 under Sills, always gave their all to their students. Unfortunately, most if not all of them got shafted by Sills via her bullying techniques, evil inclinations and gross incompetence. Having superintendent Lloyd Bey protect this grossly incompetent Principal is even a greater shame for the entire education community. Joel Klein and his buddy Bloomberg did a great injustice to the NYCDOE by creating that Mickey Mouse Leadership Academy at which they accepted candidates that had no business being anywhere near students and true educators. From the day Sills appeared as Acting Principal at 106, she has been nothing but an embarrassment to the pedagogic world. God willing some intelligent superior will realize what an error it was to put her in a CEO position, and will finally remove her from the school.
If my child was a student of Marcella Sills then she and the administrator / lawyer covering up for her would disappear.
Have Americans become cowards? This is your country and your children.
Stop being such pathetic cowards post on some anonymous board and do something.
So far, it doesn't seem as if Marcella Sills will be replaced by our new Chancellor.
According to an article I read, the Chancellor has said that: "The school is functioning, the classes are disciplined, and the students are learning".
Huh? I'm not a NY Post fan, but it doesn't seem possible that what was reported about this school could be THAT fabricated.
Seems like business as usual for the DOE. So much for the "Tale of Two Cities" mantra.
Sills ought to be thrown in the slam.
Chaz....let me keep it real with you and put all pc nonsense to the side...I know that some my find the term "coconut" offensive...but the behavior of some of these "educational leaders" sees the application of clanish "coconut" logic. The DOE has hired an overwhelming number of black women from Jamaica and other islands in the Caribbean and put them in "leadership" positions. They have purposely chose to do this as opposed to hire Black men for leadership positions of equal qualifications and aptitude. I have worked for 3 Jamaican women in my career and they are all cut from the same cloth in terms of their demeanor and "management" style. They definitely bring their culture into how they deal with staff and run their buildings. And if you don't think they don't discriminate against African-Americans, there is a bridge I can sell you. I know for a fact that they view their jobs with a sense of overwhelming power and influence.....so much so that the education of children is a nuisance to them....they are too busy trying to impress their fellow immigrants from the island and their people back home. This is a bonafide reality. And the way Marcella Sills is carrying herself is indicative of that.
Many schools are cheating the system. Check out john bowne high school and the passing grades teachers are forced to give.
lets see what the new mayor does, he campaigned on education reform. and cleaning up the schools, so far nothing another wind bag liar. should have been at the school the day after story broke. but did nothing. end result a few months from now she will retire with a nice pention, and a good chance of become the school chancellor down the road
now fat christy wants to impose a longer school day....hey fatso get job in law cause that is what you are a fat lawyer
Sills is another example of the African-American Sorority Sistas Club of Failed NYC Principals. other Alumni are Sharon Smalls from Jane Addams High School and Joyce Mills-Kittrell from Samuel Gompers H.S.
She hasn't even been fired yet? Wow.
Unless the press starts showing up every day at every school this behavior is going to continue all over the system.
Government education has failed.
Vouchers now.
What the hell is going on here Chaz? This principal is still in place? She wasn't at her post for periods of time (stealing time) amongst the numerous other infractions. I have just lost all respect for Team DeBlasio and his beloved chancellor. Are you kidding me? They actually left this principal at the helm? What a disgusting backdown by Team DeBladio. Bunch of fake suckers. I just can't believe it. I actually thought I'd see a change. We all expected at least a removal by Queen Fariña. Wow, she just lost points, BIGTIME.
At Anon 6:39, are the higher-ups at Tweed West Indian? I think not. They're the ones ultimately responsible for turning a blind eye to Sills' mismanagement and gross incompetence. They're the ones who have given the school "good" grades despite all the evidence that the school is (literally) rotting from within. Mismanagement and awarding bad behavior from administrators is an epidemic at Tweed, and most of the Tweed admins are white males. So let's not bring race into this.
I am a teacher in the Bronx. I happen to work for a Jamaican female principal as well. Let me tell you, it's awesome!!!! She's clueless, does whatever she wants and follows no type of steady proper organization. I figured her out though. It took me a few years, but I finally figured her out. I'm very polite to her. I dance when I see her (pretending to know how) so she gets a good laugh. I get her and her children little gifts for X-mas. I give an "end of year" bottle of Rum. I do a Black History month showcase with the kids. I got her eating out of my hand. My little Jamaican princess principal be sucking her teeth real good, but not at me.
Wow!! This awful administrator has created quite a stir amongst the "Education Blogging Community". All kinds of "wounds" being opened up. Bottom line-if Tweed does not get rid of her, then DB's people "aint worth a dime". There were reporters at school today after 12PM. Makes one wonder just how capable the DoE investigators are!!!
PLEASE tell me that you made a mistake by stating 'let's not bring race into this'. I'm a BLACK AMERICAN MAN and I know factually 95% of white people ONLY SEE BLACK!!! They do NOT see the difference in black cultures and nationalities. I for one have never wanted to be grouped-in or associated with West Indians. Between them and the Africans, they're pulling Black America DOWN! This coconut bitch isn't worth the paper her check is printed on. I DESPISE WEST INDIANS!!!!!! She is walking, talking proof of many Black Americans disdain for that culture!
I still think calling people "coconuts" is inappropriate.
Teachers will continue to bust their butts for these kids while working in a hostile environment with no support. It's an environment where even the toughest and most poorly behaved children actually want to learn and are extremely frustrated as are the teachers. The CCLS is ridiculous. Try teaching to it without any curriculum or books. Not even a lousy teacher's edition.
I feel for the kids and the teachers.
Why isn't anyone stopping this? False investigations, orders of protection, and "progressive discipline" are why most teachers, parents and even a few bold students stopped speaking out. Every time they rally together the "higher ups" protect her and more punishment ensues. That is why majority of texts have been anonymous. No one can believe in a system of justice or a "voice" to be heard if they have never seen it work before.
no where is any other industry do you see black sistas in positions such as principals. the doe has more sistas in principal and other leading positions but the fact of the matter is they are lazy people who have no management experience, no financial management experience...so when these principals get budgets of 10 million a year, they start to get furs and bmws..only at the doe will you find this....hopefully the new diblasio administration will pick up on this
Regarding the N/A grade the school was probably flooded out by Sandy and the children moved to other buildings. All the ethnic essentialism on display here is not positive. Finally this story is much ,much bigger than one principal. One of the local news teams was shouting question s about the availability of books at Ms. Sills. As an ATR I can tell you that at least tens of thousands of students are taking Regents in subject areas without a text to take home in many cases not even a classroom set. This was a story that any news organization could have reported on, on any day for the last dozen years. But they didn't. Now DB is in for a couple of days and the investigations start? Please. Go in front of a school and ask do you have texts to take home?
Anon 8:52
You are so right. Interesting they gave Bloomberg and his Chancellors a pass on this but wants to hold De Blasio and Farina accountable. What hypocrites they are.
Dear Anonymous,
to be honest, the real question is not what Marcella Sills has done..the real question is if this matter is public knowledge, why hasnt anything been done? AND, most importantly, why are teachers being made to feel as though they should be grateful to work with these very horrible examples of leadership- so Ms.Sills joins the famous Andrea Belcher who blazed the trail for incompetancy, predjudice and misappropriation of funds. When she first took over at PS181, it was an "A" school. Within 4 years, the DOE could not even figure out how there was enough money to keep the doors open. Let's not forget the lower grades and the handful of teachers who she made up lies about and forced into retirement. Along with that went the conspiracy of silence, teachers afraid to speak out and a UFT rep who retired in disgrace because she did absolutely nothing to protect the staff or school. Wait, there is much, much more... fake payments to "consultants" who never worked a day anddddd...a personal parking spot painted on the ground in front of the building which everyone knew that had better not park in or an announcement would be made to move your car..The list is endless. And the consequence, nothing because even at this writing, Andrea Belcher still draws a salary and works in the very same district she took from
One might say " If I did that, I would be arrested? Humiliated?" But , as usual, no one says anything.
Marcilla Sills tried to extort money from a film shoot looking for a catering space in August 2013 and the NYC School System let her get away with it. Sills promised the film company access at the normal board of ed rates, and then more than quadrupled the price at the last minute. When the film company requested clarification, she demanded payment or threatened to revoke the permit. Then she revoked the permit to hide the evidence from the board of ed. The Film shoot left the area instead of being taken advantage of her extortion she tried to inflict upon them under duress. The board of Ed let her get away with it despite the evidence of Sills criminal intension to extort money.
i taught in the rockaways.....Ms lloyd bey was epic as principal.....supt etc etc..i cannot believe this sills woman slipped through the cracks....and that $$ graduation? doesn't prior permission have to be obtained to do this? someone was really asleep at the wheel...this is the tip of the iceberg for sure.....back in the day this would NEVER have happened...now?i have my ideas wy M sills got away with all this....
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