UPDATED (see below): Pacheco resigns as Assistant Principal at Trinity School, effective October 14th. Pacheco appointed interim teacher at Trinity Elementary School at Step 18 ($114,165) until end of 2011-12 school year.
UPDATED (see below): Journal News, New Rochelle school administrator reassigned to teaching post
Dear Concerned New Rochelle Citizens,
I am a parent in the district with many inside sources in the school system. From my sources, I have just learned that Mrs. Nadine Pacheco, Assistant Principal at Trinity School lost her certification in administration due to unfulfilled license requirement. Unknown to the school community, school district officials have asked her to resign, but she will remain in her office fulfilling the position of Assistant Principal. According to my source, the position will not be posted to allow her to finish her license requirements.
Mrs. Pacheco has been serving as administrator at Trinity for about 5 years. During this time, she even received a promotion from administrative assistant to Assistant Principal without completing certification requirements. It is well know that Ms. Pacheco has personal relationship with Jeffrey Korostoff. Is this why Mrs. Pacheco is getting special preferences?
Why is a new position being created so she can stay on the job while unqualified? Why isn’t this situation being disclosed to the school community? In these times of fiscal crisis, TA’s and other school support staff have been laid off. However, a special position is created for Mrs. Pacheco.
In the past, teachers who have not met certification requirements have been dismissed immediately, with no opportunity or additional time to fulfill requirements. The New Rochelle School District continues to settle and make decisions based on friendships and personal relationships, and ignores qualifications and performance ability.
How long are the students going to suffer and put up with nepotism and favoritism practices?
EDITOR’S NOTE (10/26/11):
Under Resolution 12-153-4, reviewed by the board at the 10/25 board meeting, is to accept the resignation of Nadine Pacheco, Assistant Principal assigned to Trinity Elementary School, submitted for personal reasons, effective at the close of business October 14, 2011.
Under Resolution 12-153-14, reviewed by the board at the 10/25 board meeting, is to appoint Nadine Pacheco as Interim Teacher to Trinity Elementary School at Step 18 ($114,165) effective October 17, 2011 to June 30, 2012.
NOTE: While it may have happened before, hiring someone as a new teacher at anything above Step 1-3 is unusual and I have NEVER heard of anyone being hired as a new teacher at Step 18.
UPDATED (see below): Journal News, New Rochelle school administrator reassigned to teaching post
Schools spokesperson Paul Costiglio quoted as saying:
No person can perform administrative duties … without a current administrative license issued by (the state Education Department). Nadine is presently maintaining only those leadership responsibilities which can be properly assumed under a teacher’s license.”
This is a simple issue — either Pacheco lied on her job application or the district knowingly broke the law by putting an unqualified person in an administrator position. In either case someone committed a criminal act and should be terminated for cause.
BoE President Chrisanne Petrone has told parents in an email that a statement from the district and from Pacheco will be forthcoming next week.
Board of Education Response Posted on the Web
Concerned parents and individuals in the Trinity community may want to log on to the New Rochelle School District web site (www.nred.org) to see the letters of response from the Board of Education and Mrs. Nadine Pacheco. Once on the site, click on “Directory,” then “Links to School Web Sites,” then select “Trinity Elementary School.”
You will find a link to a .pdf file (“Letters to Trinity Community”) that contains a letter from BoE President Petrone and Superintendent Organisciak, as well as a letter of explanation from Mrs. Pacheco.
A ConnectEd message sent this evening from Trinity Principal Rolando Briceño referenced hard copies of the letters being available in the main office beginning on Monday, Oct. 31.
STILL Waiting for Board of Ed. Response
To my e-mail of 10/26, I received an e-mail from Assistant Superintendent Korostoff on 10/27 stating the following: “Within the next day or so, further information regarding this matter will be disseminated to the Trinity School community. We trust that it will be responsive to your questions and concerns.”
To my e-mail of 10/26, I received an e-mail from Board of Education President Petrone this morning (10/28) stating the following: “Thank you for your email. The BOE will be providing additional information to the Trinity community shortly.”
Why are we still waiting for a response? What’s taking so long?
A letter to Commissioner of Education, Dr. John King, was sent by at least two concerned parties today requesting that he look into this ongoing matter.
Trinity Parent Outraged by Administrative Development
(Originally Sent via e-mail on 10/26/11. Edited for length.)
Dear Dr. Korostoff, Mr. Organisciak and Members of the New Rochelle Board of Education:
I am a believer of the adage “Cooler heads will prevail,” which is why I have not contacted you until this time regarding a concern I have with the administrative situation at Trinity Elementary School.
I have two sons at Trinity. I am also one of several concerned parents who met on several occasions with Dr. Korostoff during late spring and over the summer to address what members of the Trinity family/community consider to be deficiencies in the building.
While I have several areas of concern at Trinity, my most pressing issue right now is that of the status of/situation with Mrs. Nadine Pacheco. It was brought to my attention last weekend that Mrs. Pacheco’s School Administrator’s/Supervisor’s certification is no longer valid – that her Provisional Certificate expired 08/31/05. Additionally, according to the NYSED.gov website, there is no indication when doing a search on her name that Mrs. Pacheco ever received Permanent Certification for the School Administrator/Supervisor capacity… only for Pre-K/K and Grades 1-6, for which she does have Permanent Certification.
On Monday evening, October 24th, Trinity Principal – Mr. Rolando Briceño – sent a ConnectEd message to the Trinity community, informing families that “due to personal reasons,” Mrs. Pacheco had resigned her position as Assistant Principal for Trinity School, effective immediately. She would, however, remain at Trinity “in a teaching capacity.” While I commend Mr. Briceño for informing the Trinity community of this development personally, the whole situation brings to mind a number of questions:
1) How is it possible that an uncertified administrator could be allowed to hold a position in the New Rochelle school system as long as Mrs. Pacheco has? It is my understanding that she has been in an administrative role in this school since September 2007.
2) Who is responsible for ensuring that all personnel within the New Rochelle school system who hold positions that REQUIRE certification are duly certified? And, how can we be assured that this situation is not also in place in OTHER schools around the district – and that it won’t happen again?
3) Trinity Elementary has a large student body population, one which requires more than a Principal in the school building filling an administrative role. What is the New Rochelle Board of Education’s plan to fill the now vacant position of Assistant Principal, both on an interim basis immediately and on a permanent basis going forward?
4) Since the release of Mr. Briceño’s ConnectEd message on Monday evening announcing the resignation “effective immediately,” various individuals have seen Mrs. Pacheco working out of her office in the main office, walking around the school with a radio, overseeing the cafeteria and (presumably) continuing to work in her former capacity of Assistant Principal. How and why is this being allowed to continue?
5) I was pleased to see, when consulting the Faculty & Staff page of the Trinity website, that Mrs. Pacheco is no longer listed on the Administration page, having been moved to the Teachers page. I am curious, however, to see her listed as teaching out of Room 27. What grade/class is she teaching and, if that was an existing class since the start of the school year, what has become of the teacher who HAD that class previously?
6) Why is it that the parents of students in this school have had no communication from any of you – Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, Board of Education members – directly? I find it appalling that you appear to think so little of this development that it has not warranted any response from you to the concerned members of the Trinity community at all. I am not saying that this is the case, but it strikes me as a “circling the wagons’ scenario.
I am also not comfortable knowing that we have a principal who, apparently, also sees no problem in “circling the wagons.” The stated reason of “personal reasons” for Mrs. Pacheco’s resignation in the ConnectEd message from Mr. Briceño is inexcusable. If the information about her lapsed certification status hadn’t come to light over the weekend, honestly, would she still be Assistant Principal of Trinity Elementary School today?
The parents of New Rochelle send their children to school entrusting that the individuals into whose care we send them are qualified, forthright and caring. Everyone in the school district system – from Board of Education members/personnel right on down to the Custodial Staff at the Kindergarten level – expect that our children will go into their respective building each day prepared, ready to learn and willing to treat others as they wish to be treated.
In Trinity Elementary, the motto that the staff drills into the children each and every day is one of “Be Ready,” “Be Respectful” and “Be Responsible.” I ask you: is Mrs. Pacheco READY to be an administrator in this school – or in any school in the district? I say no. Has Mrs. Pacheco treated the students, parents and fellow colleagues in a RESPECTFUL manner while working under misrepresented circumstances? I say no. Has Mrs. Pacheco served the Trinity community in a RESPONSIBLE manner? I say no.
I have one final question for you all: What are you – the stated authoritative figures in the New Rochelle School District – going to do to see that this situation is rectified in a fair and expedient manner?
When a teacher is not teaching. . .
Based on your comment, and what my children and other parents are saying, Ms. Pacheco resigned for personal reasons, yet she is still in the building fulfilling the same job, under a teaching license. Why?
She is listed as a teacher, but apparently is not teaching but seemingly a way to keep her in the same position or give her time to fulfill the requirements she did not complete during the past five years. This made me wonder who else is in a school building, listed as a teacher, but sitting in an office,not teaching!
incompetent school principal
look around walk into some of the schools listen to them. listen carefully especially at graduations and you will notice they start talking about the students but then it all becomes about them and there staff and what a wonderfull school they have. they all use the same certain code words if you hear one you heard them all its pathetic there famous slogan is it all about the children but in reality its all about them and there power there ego and there total control.and im sure that Ms. Pacheco is not the only principal without certificationi hope bob cox looks into this im sure he will and you never know what he might find.
Why not check yourself?
Maybe every parent should go to the New York State Education Department website and verify teacher and administrator certifications.
Here it is:
http://eservices.nysed.gov/teach/certhelp/CpPersonSearchExternal.jsp?trgAction=INQUIRY
Just type in the name.
What are the School District’s Administrator’s Thinking?
I wonder whether the New Rochelle School District’s administrators realize that their actions create a negative atmosphere in the school system and the city as a whole. Cover ups and lies makes the general public mistrust the schools and their officials. This is why many taxpayers do not want to send their children to public school and prefer to pay for private school on top of paying school taxes. This is why taxpayers are unhappy in this city and many feel their money is not being used appropriately. This in turn hurts the economy and doesn’t lure the middle class to come to New Rochelle. Their actions are inexcusable and detrimental to the educational progress of the students and the economic development of the city as a whole.
trinity school
this is what we pay taxes for a disfunctional city i am sickend as what is going on in new rochelle. its time to seriously clean out the house starting in city hall and down to the schools. everyday i reading something new that goes on in this city. I sometimes wish i didnt live in new rochelle. one thing for sure is that at least my 4 children on not school age anymore because if they were i think i would have to consider moving or put them in private school.
I’m sick of all this BS too.
I’m sick of all this BS too.
My only suggestion is to make sure you go out and vote on 11/8. And vote for the Republicans. Your dissatisfaction is with the Democrats who run city hall (mayor & city council), the school board & the library board. All elected officials who we keep re-electing year after year after year.
Pacheco
please post whatever you have on the alleged relationship with Korostoff. The situation you cite is bad enough and the absence of control to have dealt with this earlier is yet another example of a system without controls or oversight.
Your post is clear and does not involves teachers who I hold in high regard as a rule in the community. Tara is correct and reinforces a point made often by Cox and others on this blog.
If parens and council members want to accept this sort of thing they do it at the risk of their children’s future and the reputation of New Rochelle as a whole.
What is Happening at Trinity?
Supposedly the relationship with Korostoff is of a professional nature. As I understand,she completed an internship under his supervision and they became friends.
Don’t blame teachers when administrators are unqualified
There are so many demands on teachers now for accoutability. How can a school system tolerate an unqualified administrator for so many years when there are so many people, even residents, with the right credentials? No wonder there is a north-south divide in this City. This is proof positive. How long would this administrator last in a north end school? I am sure I know the answer.
new rochelle teachers
tara i hate to brake the bad news to you but there are to many teachers in this district that get big fat pay checks and dont do there jobs. some have awfull attendance records and couldnt make it as teachers in other school districts yet they get jobs in new rochelle.and if there are so many demands put on these teachers as you claim there are well thats what they get paid to do its there job if they dont like it then they need to get out of the teaching profession. please dont get me wrong im not against teachers i just see what is happening in these schools lately and its the teachers and principles both of them the lot of them the are a bunch of tax payers money being wasted just look at the graduation rate of new rochelle high school its sad . perhaps new rochelle needs a man like joe clark to sort out the mess its in now