The latest in the NY Post from Sue Edelman shows that there are consequences to giving principals unchecked power. Some are using part of the school day to promote ed-tech products.
At least 12 NYC principals have lent their names and schools to be used in promotional materials for a software vendor, which raked in more than $1.1 million from the Department of Education this year.
The school chiefs may have violated ethics rules by helping plug Operoo, a for-profit company that sells a system to remotely manage paperwork and communicate with parents, numerous materials show.
In one instance, an April 14 webinar titled “Live Principal Panel: COVID-19, One Year On,” and viewed by The Post, took place at 2 p.m. on a school day. Widely advertised online, It featured six principals, including Mark Erlenwein of elite Staten Island Tech, and was hosted by Phil Weinberg, a former DOE deputy chancellor.
Weinberg, who hung up on The Post when called about the event, asked the principals “how they’ve harnessed technology to both survive and lead the transformation.” Each of the principals praised Operoo, one calling it “a godsend.”
“It’s outrageous that these principals are promoting a for-profit product like Operoo, and during the school day no less,” said Leonie Haimson, a DOE watchdog and executive director of Class Size Matters.
“During a very challenging and difficult year, they should be focused on ensuring kids are getting all the support and services they need, rather than acting as sales reps for the ed-tech industry.”
Other principals involved in the promotions included Karen Ditolla, Mark Twain IS for the Gifted and Talented; Deirdre DeAngelis, New Dorp HS; Trish Peterson, PS 8; Tiffany Hicks, Magnet School of the Arts; Moses Ojeda, Thomas Edison HS; and Nora deRosa, IS 7. None returned messages.
The Special Commissioner of Investigations has been informed according to the article. I predict nothing or next to nothing will happen to these principals. It will just be another DOE embarrassment. Had it been teachers using school time, even if it was non-teaching time, to promote products, there probably would be theft of services charges thrown at them and they would be facing termination hearings very shortly.
The DOE apparently is okay with the principals using school time to pitch ed-tech as long as they inform the Conflicts of Interests Board about what they are doing.
The principals did not ask permission, according to the DOE. Ethics officer Samantha Biletsky “reached out to remind them of the COIB rules,” said spokeswoman Katie O’Hanlon.
The principals were not compensated by Operoo, O’Hanlon said. While getting paid their DOE salaries, they are free to attend “education-relevant conferences” during work hours and “share their wisdom.”
The most egregious was Carranza. Handing out contracts and then getting hired by one of those contractors once he left under false claims of needing rest. I guess it was either that or get hired by the Uft. The DOE needs to be overhauled as far as ethics and conflict of interests are concerned. I remember the first year I was teaching middle school kids, I was warned not to except any gifts no matter how small from a student. it felt ridiculous turning down a heartfelt trinkets gift from a 12-year-olds, but I did. Guess I wasn’t and never will be principal material.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a coincidence that this is a who's who of "principals in need of improvement" on SI.
ReplyDeleteLol. Operoo sounds like Operating you out of a career. I guess even "the best and brightest' can't see the forest for the trees. It's like the chickens sitting down with the fox in order to teach the fox how to catch "the piglets" wink wink.
ReplyDeleteBut again, just like everything else principals do, this too shall pass. Kudos to Edelman though keeping principals in check.
ReplyDeleteFire them all. Violation of chancellors regulations. Take away their pensions.
ReplyDeleteAnything about no shows passing classes?
ReplyDeleteAnything like what? Isn't that what we all signed up to do when we were hired?
DeleteSo what is new? Worked in another building for one of those named. Daily order of business for years...
ReplyDeleteCheck out Dwarka from Bryant.....total scam.
ReplyDeleteMarx and Lenin differed on the corruption of the workers.
ReplyDeleteMarx famously siding with the workers and focused his critique on the leveraged capitalists, while Lenin feared the workers were valuable to corruption.
I'm not a Marxist but I think Marx has it right here: the principals in NYC are workers like the teachers, essentially rank-and-file and, while they should not be allowed to wield their power without watchdogs snapping at their not so well-heeled heels, we must not lose focus and fool ourselves into a battle with out managers on money. The money is dirty. But let us keep our heads out of the toilet.
The money and technic are going to replace us. \
Barking at Principals is barking up, not only the wrong tree, but away from the tree whose roots are the source of all evil.
It's good to follow the money, turn over stones, but to even tickle the toes of the monster we need to strike.
Stop the presses. A few Principals like a software program and recommend it to colleagues. Isn't that called sharing best practices? I don't think there's anything here.
ReplyDeleteOn school time? Giving business to a former deputy chancellor recently retired now doing business with the city. Conflict 9f interest for sure.
ReplyDeleteThis story is minuscule compared to grade fraud, transcript "updates", diplomas for everyone, nepotism, funds for friends, etc. School administrators are a huge contributors and proponents of the corruption of their own and the corruption instituted and mandated from the DOE suits.
ReplyDeleteI do not think there are many moral administrators in the DOE. I wish they were a little more concerned about recovering their souls than lining their pockets.
I agree. 80% plus graduation rate this year with 25% submission rate of assignments and 5% live attendance rate.
DeleteWhat a joke!
@641 am ...I agree
DeleteThe doe will change when enough parents demand it. Until then, the corruption or what the doe calls “best practices” will continue. Decades of corruption will not be changed by reporting corruption without the parents making the change happen. Lack of parent involvement allows for all ills plaguing schools. We have an auditorium that could hold one parent for every 2 kids in our school. About 6-10 bother to attend parent meetings. When free stuff was given away at meetings we got 40 or so parents. No free shit. Less parents. Most just don’t care enough to get involved. That’s why their kids are in shitty schools. If you want to change schools, you have to change the mindset of parents.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to make the leap to say they don't care. However I see it differently. A quality education is mandatory and yes parents are a main component to getting it. My perspective/opinion:
DeleteThe majority of parents want the best for their children. Some trust that their child's school will do right by them. Some are products of the public schools and know that it's a game. They may be the same ones who try to "win" a seat at a charter school. Some are working essential jobs and can't make it because they have more than one job or are too tired. Some see all As Bs and believe all is well. Some are overwhelmed. Some parents priorities are not in alignment with helping their children reach their potential for a variety of reasons. Yes. The mindset of parents must be changed. When? How? It's hard to make people do differently. Case in point: Mulgrew remains president despite elections. Why? Many educators don't vote. Many are tired. Many believe he will always be reelected. Some don't give a sh't. My point is it doesn't mean that they don't care. We raise hell about our raises (rightfully so) but there is very little outrage, pushback or even refusal about the quality of education or fake grades and we are educated people! (That is why i say parents are a component. Teachers are a component too) Finally, during the first weeks of Covid many educators continued to go into school buildings. We knew it was unsafe. What's more important than your life or the life of your loved ones--nothing. We knew better but we went in. Parents. Educators. We all have to change our mindset. How many educators have told those parents who do show up about what is happening with the grading? Scary right? Why put your career on jeopardy. I get it. But can you see how we all have to do differently? Just my perspective.
Did anyone read the expose in the Post on Sunday about the headmasters at the post private schools in Manhattan that are raking in $1,000,000 or more in salary, compensation and bonuses. One woman used the school money to provide maid service for her home while another used funds from the school for a $500,000 loan for a down payment on a home. I blame the parents though. They should be asking where all their tuition money is going. They should all pull their students out of those schools and enroll them in cheaper schools.
ReplyDeleteThanks WFS. Many things affect conferences. The best one I went to, the teacher had a timer for about 2-3 minutes. He said if we needed more time, we would make a separate appointment. One of the worst was the teacher who spent about 1/2 hour with a parent with other parents outside waiting. (That teacher became AP at the school.) Not too respectful of parents, especially after a long day at work, in my opinion. Also, for some reason, I had anxiety about meeting the teachers-and I was a teacher!
ReplyDeleteOverall, I was happy with my children's education. So many things affect a child's life. I don't know why some commenters don't just focus on the good they can do. Or focus on the lack of support from the DOE, admins and the union. Parents are natural allies.
Amen to that 11:43am.
DeleteThe people of Flint MI trusted that those in charge of the water were doing the right thing. Those workers who knew that they were doing wrong had an obligation to do right. It's the human thing to do. One can say "well why didn't the people just go out and buy water if their children were getting sick" or one can say, "I just followed my employer's directives. The people in my town would've spoken up. It's not my business to tell my employer what to do". When did it become okay to knowingly do harm to another and then put the onus on the "victim" to figure it out? The parents should absolutely demand change and the perpetrators should be held accountable too. All those who knew but remained silent should be outed.
ReplyDeleteJust on a side note. All ATRs check your emails. I just got one saying I would be permanently placed in my school and get my Seniority back. Finally justice.
ReplyDeleteThat was an automated email. I think we still have to wait until Friday to get more precise information specific to each ATR.
DeleteYes, but it said not all ATRs received it. It said most likely will be in the same school with Seniority.
ReplyDeleteHopefully
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