Conniston Middle School

Here is a principal that joins an "A" rated school and immediately takes it to a "C". He's been there over 6 years and it is still a “C”. Discipline runs amok. I can quote him as saying, "discipline is not my problem. That’s the teacher's problem. My job is to maintain the building." I thought that was the custodian's job. He utilizes AP courses to bolster the school grade but without success. His focus is on the brighter students. He and the rest of the administration bow down to a particular parent that provides funding and resources from PBAU. I know this because I was told to make an exception for this parent and their son. This violates district contracts. The principal is unprofessional and loses his temper at teachers. I know because he roasted me in front of my colleagues. He provides no support to new teachers. They sought help but he did nothing. Eg. A dance studio that was without mirrors, no bars and definitely not enough room for 40 kids. The students that were placed in this dance class as well as the art classes were the bottom of the barrel. The students have a term for the lack of direction there. They call it Conniston chaos. I witnessed students doing flips off the side of the building and another jumping from the second story balcony to the ground. The kids are shouting and running through the courtyard. The administration did nothing. The principal does not do faculty meetings. Faculty meetings are important for communication and to prepare for upcoming events, including FSA’s. To avoid attendance issues, I will quote him as saying that, "when I started here there used to be long lines in the office for tardiness now I just let the students go straight to class and leave the responsibility to the teachers to mark the student late. This creates a security issue and a student accountability concern. There were a couple of students who posted on social media that a student was going to shoot up the school. The post went viral. The parents and students panicked. Putting fear into people is an act of terrorism. No consequence was issued to the students who started the threat and terrorized the school. I know this because one of the students involved was back in my class the next day. Fire drills were chaotic too. A real fire occurred and the evacuation took 30 minutes. Power was lost for 3 hours another day and there was no plan.

This school is a terrible place to work. The administration is not supportive of teachers, parents, or students.

Additionally, you better hope your child doesn't need ESE services because the department is lacking in all areas

The staff and teachers are amazing. The principal and assistant principals are outstanding. They each care about the students as if they were their own children. They will go above and beyond to help each one of the students succeed.