Post by truthteller on Jun 11, 2008 9:41:45 GMT 3
Here is the great news:
Atkinson out at SISD
Departing superintendent will get $205,000
By Zahira Torres / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 06/11/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT
After deliberating in closed session for about an hour Tuesday, Socorro Independent School District's Board of Trustees announced to a packed room that it approved a separation agreement with Superintendent Sylvia P. Atkinson.
The 4-2 decision to annul the superintendent's multiyear contract will cost the district $205,000 and a year of health benefits. Atkinson's official date of resignation will be June 30.
Atkinson and the district also agreed to drop any claims they had against each other.
In a separate move, the board voted 6-0 to appoint Mary Benham, the district's associate superintendent of business services, as the acting superintendent beginning today.
The appointment is temporary until the trustees select an interim superintendent.
Board President Karen Blaine told supporters and critics of Atkinson that the decision was made primarily to reunite the divided board, community and district.
"There is still a lot of hurt," Blaine said. "I talked about there being this great division in the district. I don't think that everything was solved tonight, but I think this is the first step toward ending that division.
"Now it is our responsibility to bring everyone together. I know that the people that wanted Dr. Atkinson to stay feel hurt by the decision, and it's up to us to show everyone in the district that we do care about the kids, we are here for the kids and we want our district to continue to have high achievement, serve the needs of all of our
students and move forward together."
After the decision was announced Tuesday evening, supporters of Atkinson, who give her credit for increasing Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills scores, shared their disappointment with the board's decision.
Critics of the superintendent, who have constantly asked for her removal, applauded the board's decision.
Speaking to the crowd, Atkinson asked that her supporters make amends and work to make the transition smooth.
"It is definitely with a heavy heart that I leave because I feel that we have made some great gains here as a district, as a whole, and I felt that I was an important part of this organization and part of the success, and I still believe that," Atkinson said. "At this point, though, it is time to support the transition. I hope the Lord continues to bless this district and its students."
While a time frame to hire a new superintendent has not been set, students in the district will start the school year before a permanent replacement is selected. An interim superintendent will be named in the next month, Blaine said.
Dora Oaxaca, one of eight speakers who signed up to speak in favor of Atkinson, cried as she asked trustees to set aside political agendas and focus on the children.
"At the last minute when I came in and I noticed that people were picking sides to sit on, I saw that as a sign that there is a fracture in our district," Oaxaca said. "This is not about anyone other than the children in this district. I think we have lost focus of what our priorities are in the school system. We put everything as a priority except our children, whether it is political differences, budget concerns or differences of opinion regarding management style."
Atkinson has been the focus of much criticism during her year-and-a-half-long administration.
The besieged superintendent, who earns about $205,000 a year, has been criticized by teacher representatives and parents over a strong management style, which they say forced some top-level administrators to retire.
Critics of Atkinson, whose contract was extended until Jan. 15, 2011, by a majority of the board earlier this year, blamed her for the failure of a $397 million bond election.
Maureen Medrano, a parent of a student in the district, said that she was happy with the board's decision.
"I came out today to support the teachers of the district," Medrano said. "They are the ones that increased the scores. I was fortunate to have many of them come to my house and do group tutoring with different students. They weren't paid for that. I never saw Atkinson in my house. She should not get credit for increasing TAKS scores."
Blaine and Trustees Craig Patton, Ray Rodriguez and Joe Sarabia voted to approve the separation agreement.
Trustees George Salas and Willie Gandara voted against the decision. Recently elected board member Tony Ayub did not attend the meeting.
Does she give the same 'farewell' speech everywhere she's booted out? Just wondering...
Atkinson out at SISD
Departing superintendent will get $205,000
By Zahira Torres / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 06/11/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT
After deliberating in closed session for about an hour Tuesday, Socorro Independent School District's Board of Trustees announced to a packed room that it approved a separation agreement with Superintendent Sylvia P. Atkinson.
The 4-2 decision to annul the superintendent's multiyear contract will cost the district $205,000 and a year of health benefits. Atkinson's official date of resignation will be June 30.
Atkinson and the district also agreed to drop any claims they had against each other.
In a separate move, the board voted 6-0 to appoint Mary Benham, the district's associate superintendent of business services, as the acting superintendent beginning today.
The appointment is temporary until the trustees select an interim superintendent.
Board President Karen Blaine told supporters and critics of Atkinson that the decision was made primarily to reunite the divided board, community and district.
"There is still a lot of hurt," Blaine said. "I talked about there being this great division in the district. I don't think that everything was solved tonight, but I think this is the first step toward ending that division.
"Now it is our responsibility to bring everyone together. I know that the people that wanted Dr. Atkinson to stay feel hurt by the decision, and it's up to us to show everyone in the district that we do care about the kids, we are here for the kids and we want our district to continue to have high achievement, serve the needs of all of our
students and move forward together."
After the decision was announced Tuesday evening, supporters of Atkinson, who give her credit for increasing Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills scores, shared their disappointment with the board's decision.
Critics of the superintendent, who have constantly asked for her removal, applauded the board's decision.
Speaking to the crowd, Atkinson asked that her supporters make amends and work to make the transition smooth.
"It is definitely with a heavy heart that I leave because I feel that we have made some great gains here as a district, as a whole, and I felt that I was an important part of this organization and part of the success, and I still believe that," Atkinson said. "At this point, though, it is time to support the transition. I hope the Lord continues to bless this district and its students."
While a time frame to hire a new superintendent has not been set, students in the district will start the school year before a permanent replacement is selected. An interim superintendent will be named in the next month, Blaine said.
Dora Oaxaca, one of eight speakers who signed up to speak in favor of Atkinson, cried as she asked trustees to set aside political agendas and focus on the children.
"At the last minute when I came in and I noticed that people were picking sides to sit on, I saw that as a sign that there is a fracture in our district," Oaxaca said. "This is not about anyone other than the children in this district. I think we have lost focus of what our priorities are in the school system. We put everything as a priority except our children, whether it is political differences, budget concerns or differences of opinion regarding management style."
Atkinson has been the focus of much criticism during her year-and-a-half-long administration.
The besieged superintendent, who earns about $205,000 a year, has been criticized by teacher representatives and parents over a strong management style, which they say forced some top-level administrators to retire.
Critics of Atkinson, whose contract was extended until Jan. 15, 2011, by a majority of the board earlier this year, blamed her for the failure of a $397 million bond election.
Maureen Medrano, a parent of a student in the district, said that she was happy with the board's decision.
"I came out today to support the teachers of the district," Medrano said. "They are the ones that increased the scores. I was fortunate to have many of them come to my house and do group tutoring with different students. They weren't paid for that. I never saw Atkinson in my house. She should not get credit for increasing TAKS scores."
Blaine and Trustees Craig Patton, Ray Rodriguez and Joe Sarabia voted to approve the separation agreement.
Trustees George Salas and Willie Gandara voted against the decision. Recently elected board member Tony Ayub did not attend the meeting.
Does she give the same 'farewell' speech everywhere she's booted out? Just wondering...