Over the last eight years I have written various articles on the DOE "double standard" when disciplining teachers and administrators. Our union leadership said this would stop with a new Mayor and Chancellor. However, under the disappointing Chancellor Carmen Farina, the DOE "double standard" continues. Today in the New York Post, there was an article that the City settled two sexual harassment suits against embattled Principal Howard Kwait for $275,000! That's right! The City paid off the two female assistant principals who allegedly suffered from unwanted sexual advances from the John Bowne High School Principal rather than fight the charges.
This was not the first time the City settled a harassment case against Principal Howard Kwait. Back in 2012, a pregnant Assistant Principal was forced to leave the school and filed a lawsuit against Howard Kwait and the City, after reviewing the evidence, decided to settle that case as well. He also cost the City $225,000 for falsely arresting a student of cyber bullying, Finally, he was fined $4,500 by the Conflicts Of Interest Board for taking a vacation with a female subordinate.
Astonishingly, the DOE, who claims to have "zero tolerance" for any sexual misconduct has allowed Howard Kwait to remain as Principal, despite the three separate lawsuits that the City had to pay the victims to settle their cases. Yes, this is the same DOE that put another Principal who was found guilty in a jury trial of harassing a female subordinate, in charge of Flushing High School. If that is not enough? How about the DOE's failure to remove Principal Carlos Borrero as he made sexual overtures to staff members and is subject to a federal lawsuit? The ICEUFT blog has a more personal observation of the Principal. Finally, who can forget the DOE's amnesia when it comes to Principal Namita Dwarka of Bryant High School?
Its obvious the DOE "double standard" continues when disciplining staff and administrators.
Bloomberg did ALL of this. Before he left, he made sure he left policies, connections, and threats in place so that what he started would be perpetuated. I think most of the barriers are at the state level. This is why waiting for a "better" chancellor ain't going to happen. He/she will be ordered to carry on or else. If you want change, you'd better start thinking in drastic terms. As in getting rid of most of the current Albany leadership.
ReplyDeleteTo 8:41,
ReplyDeleteBullshit. FARINA is one of Bloomberg's minions. She hasn't done a thing because she agrees with 99% of his policies. My life as a teacher was MUCH better under the Bloomberg administration. Mulgrew needs to take off his rose colored glasses.
To 841...
ReplyDeleteYour life was better under the Bloomberg administration?
I've been teaching for 20 years, and find that difficult to understand. Please elaborate, you loving fascist pig.
Guiermo
Dear Guiermo,
ReplyDeleteNo Monday and Tuesday afternoon torture sessions. Kids got suspended for cursing you out or assaulting you. I didn't have to stop teaching 30-40 times a day to plead with the kids to put away their cell phones. I didn't have to hear rap music and porn sounds all day long. I didn't have a superintendent observe me in addition to the AP and principal. We had scanning and metal detectors that stopped weapons. All the shit that Bloomberg put in is still there, except its been enhanced. You still got ATRs (and more to come), leadership academy principals, an army of lawyers ready, willing and able to get who ever they want into a 3020a hearing. If I'm a fascist loving pig, what does that make you? You and the rest of the UFT need to wake up.
The point you are missing is that NYS has become infiltrated by billionaires. They are in charge behind the scenes. The goals include breaking the Teachers union and privatizing public education. This will allow them to pocket ALL the tax dollars while simultaneously creating a bunch of low paid workers who will be employees at their will. How long do you think a chancellor will last that doesn't perpetuate their agenda? Within a couple months they will catch him/her breaking some type of law and then they will cart him away never to be heard from again.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to at least have a chancellor where that theory could be tested, that person certainly in not Carmen Farina. Saying that this could happen and using it as an excuse for why nothing is happening now, simply doesn't make sense. I've been teaching 25 years and have never seen it this bad. No animosity is intended to you. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThey are currently looking at District 14 Superintendant as a potential candidate. She is a perpetrator of the same agenda. I understand that you want proof. But you underestimate the power of money, the significance of the Billionaires movement, and the level of corruption in NYS. I would imagine that they are reviewing other candidates as well.
DeleteKwait is a horrible person, principal and leader. He has little if any character and should be removed asap
ReplyDeleteThe same as Dwarka, she is bringing the school to the ground.
DeleteOne has to wonder Why are these Abusive Principals protected? The regents scores in W.C. Bryant have plummeted, yet all type of wrong doing is swept under the rug.
ReplyDelete