Windsor Locks, Ct. "Facebook" Supt. to Fight Dismissal.

[DawnCt1]

He may not have good judgment, but he is certainly familiar with his contract. Declining the offer to resign, Windsor Lock's "Facebook" superintendent plans to fight termination. It sounds like the School Board is giving him the same opportunity than he gave the "administrator" who was under the same threat; "retire or face termination". Apparently the "very private settings" on Facebook aren't so "private".

Windsor Locks Superintendent Placed On Administrative Leave
School Board Will Hold Hearing On Telesca's Employment Status
August 05, 2010|By SHAWN R. BEALS, sbeals@courant.com

WINDSOR LOCKS — — The board of education Thursday took a step toward firing the superintendent of schools when it placed him on administrative leave and voted to issue him a notice that his termination is under consideration.

David Telesca started his job July 1, and quickly was the subject of special board meetings after he made Facebook posts in his first days on the job.

He posted a message that said his first day on site with the school district involved "counseling an administrator to retire or face termination." He ended his post with a smiley face.

Board Chairwoman Patricia King would not comment on the board's reasons for making its decisions, but said those reasons would be included in the letter sent to Telesca.

After the brief meeting, attended by about 50 residents and watched over by local police officers, Telesca made his first public statement since the Facebook posts were made public.

Telesca said he declined a school board offer to let him resign, and intends to try to keep his job.

"The board's decision tonight to move toward termination is an impulsive over-reaction to the facts and circumstances and violates the terms of my signed employment contract," Telesca said.

He said he intended for the messages he posted on the popular social networking site to be private. He said his privacy settings were "at the strictest level possible" and that he was not connected on the site with any employees or residents in the district.

"I have taken and continue to take full responsibility for my lapse in judgement," he said.

Some parents said Telesca's credibility has been lost, despite his explanation of his actions after the meeting.

"I don't think anybody in this town is going to feel that they can trust him," said Bernadette Barile, who has a child entering the district this fall.

Telesca was hired by the board this spring after a search process that lasted several months. He had been the assistant superintendent in the Plainville school district.

Karen Giannelli, a South Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization official, said she found Telesca's facebook messages offensive, and said she was pleased with the board's actions to pursue his termination.

Telesca's lawyer, Gregg Adler, said Telesca tried to apologize to King and that the board did not ask for his explanation of the Facebook posts. Adler said Telesca's actions do not violate any of the five reasons the contract allows for termination by the board.

Gregory Blanchfield, the principal of Windsor Locks Middle School, was appointed as the acting superintendent by the board.

http://articles.courant.com/2010-08...man-patricia-king-windsor-locks-middle-school

 

[Holly]

What an arrogant idiot.


That type of personality shouldn't be responsible for an entire school system. Good riddance.

 

[DawnCt1]

What an arrogant idiot.


That type of personality shouldn't be responsible for an entire school system. Good riddance.

I agree. On the other hand, its clear why he is scrambling to keep his job. Where the heck will he get a job in Ct. after this? He has displayed incredibly poor judgment. I think it would be very difficult for him to stay and regain credibility with administrators, teachers, parents and students. I spoke to a couple of people who were at the meeting last night and one woman was screaming at him. Basically saying, "this is a small town. We all knew who you were talking about. We tell our kids to be careful what they write on Facebook and yet you did this".

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

My question is, would all of this happened if he and made this comment verbally to his friend instead of in writting? Was it a stupid thing to say or do? Sure it was, but not sure it was worth firing him over. Maybe I'm just more tolerant with people making stupid mistakes and getting a second chance.

 

[Carly_Roach]

My question is, would all of this happened if he and made this comment verbally to his friend instead of in writting? Was it a stupid thing to say or do? Sure it was, but not sure it was worth firing him over. Maybe I'm just more tolerant with people making stupid mistakes and getting a second chance.

I agree. Facebook aside, is the man competent at the tasks assigned to him within his job description? Would you throw an amazing administrator who gets things done under the bus because of an internet comment that people have chosen to take offense to? Doesn't anyone realize that this is how we get incompetent people in power who can say all the right things but are capable of producing absolutely results?

Personally, I'll take the racist, opinionated, outspoken fireman who's not afraid of dying any day over the PC wanna-be fireman who can find all the right reasons in the world not to go into a burning building. Only one of them is going to be capable of saving my life or my loved one's life.

So I'd have to know if the administrator is actually performing his job before I'd get all het up over an offhand remark that someone decided needed paying attention to.

 

[DawnCt1]

My question is, would all of this happened if he and made this comment verbally to his friend instead of in writting? Was it a stupid thing to say or do? Sure it was, but not sure it was worth firing him over. Maybe I'm just more tolerant with people making stupid mistakes and getting a second chance.

I am not sure that a teacher making a private comment on Facebook to "friends" or privately to a friend about a specific student's behavior, expulsion or suspension, would be given such a "pass". Once you reach the level of superintendent, there are certain things that one should know about being an administrator at that level. You don't discuss personnel issues with your friends; not in person, not on the internet in such a transparent manner.

I agree. Facebook aside, is the man competent at the tasks assigned to him within his job description? Would you throw an amazing administrator who gets things done under the bus because of an internet comment that people have chosen to take offense to? Doesn't anyone realize that this is how we get incompetent people in power who can say all the right things but are capable of producing absolutely results?

Personally, I'll take the racist, opinionated, outspoken fireman who's not afraid of dying any day over the PC wanna-be fireman who can find all the right reasons in the world not to go into a burning building. Only one of them is going to be capable of saving my life or my loved one's life.

So I'd have to know if the administrator is actually performing his job before I'd get all het up over an offhand remark that someone decided needed paying attention to.

There is no evidence that he is an "amazing" administrator "who gets things done", because he has never risen to anything above being an assistant. Part of being a Superintendent of schools is the ability to not only do the right thing but say the right things. It isn't about being PC. Its about an incredible lack of discretion when the job calls for it. Just because it isn't written that "thou shalt not blab about those whom you supervise" doesn't mean that one can. His first day on the job according to him, was sleeping until 10 am, surfing the "net" and blabbing on Facebook. Since then, it seems he hasn't been doing a "whole lot" and is now doing even less.....with pay....that he is on administrative leave.

 

[Carly_Roach]

There is no evidence that he is an "amazing" administrator "who gets things done", because he has never risen to anything above being an assistant. Part of being a Superintendent of schools is the ability to not only do the right thing but say the right things. It isn't about being PC. Its about an incredible lack of discretion when the job calls for it. Just because it isn't written that "thou shalt not blab about those whom you supervise" doesn't mean that one can. His first day on the job according to him, was sleeping until 10 am, surfing the "net" and blabbing on Facebook. Since then, it seems he hasn't been doing a "whole lot" and is now doing even less.....with pay....that he is on administrative leave.

If that is the case then the school should have have more than enough documentation of his lack of abilities to terminate his contract. No matter. The issue is between the Superintendent and the school he works for.

Personally, and this is just my opinion, I say if they have enough evidence that he's incompetent, then fire him. If it's just a matter of Facebook, public perception and a few easily-offended henny-pennys, then I still say all factors should be looked at before considering termination. But it's not like anything I say is going to make a difference in this private matter anyway.

 

[DawnCt1]

If that is the case then the school should have have more than enough documentation of his lack of abilities to terminate his contract. No matter. The issue is between the Superintendent and the school he works for.

Personally, and this is just my opinion, I say if they have enough evidence that he's incompetent, then fire him. If it's just a matter of Facebook, public perception and a few easily-offended henny-pennys, then I still say all factors should be looked at before considering termination. But it's not like anything I say is going to make a difference in this private matter anyway.

And what "evidence"would that be? This occurred during his first days at superintendent of Windsor Locks High School. Prior to that he had been Asst. Superintendent of Plainville High School. He is literally a "new hire". A few "offended henny penneys?" It is way more than a few and probably includes most of the teachers. One of the parents at the school board meeting shouted out that the School Board always listens to the citizens of Windsor Locks. If that's the case, he may soon be the "former superintendent".