Due to the incompetence of a Pontiac staffer, the State of Michigan will not recognize it. The person has not been identified and has been reassigned within the Psychology Department in the school district. I had no idea that school districts had psychology departments. In a related story, a principal with poor social skills has retained her job at Herington Elementary after complaints from parents and staff. Sultana Gambrell is listed as principal at Herrington Elementary but is not listed in the Oakland Press story below. Thtere are other principals in Pontiac over the years who could have met the same fate as Gambrell according to first hand observers in the various schools. Hopefully Pontiac will be known for more positive things and I would love to do some positive stories. Some of the kids and teachers are doing great things. Let's see some of that news come out.
Pontiac school won’t get credit for progress; MEAP tests not delivered
The district’s new assessment coordinator was put on administrative leave while the district investigated why the tests from Whitmer Human Resource Center did not make it to the state office on time.
As a result of the findings, the administrator in charge will be returned to a vacant position in the psychology department as was allowed under her one-year agreement, said Pontiac school Superintendent Brian Dougherty.
At the same time, but in a different situation, the new principal of Herrington Elementary School, is being allowed to return to her position with expectations that relations with the faculty will improve, Dougherty said.
The new principal, who replaced former Principal Pam Farris, was placed on administrative leave because of concerns of faculty and community volunteers. Dougherty met with the principal and the teachers and has a plan for her return.
“She is new,” to the school and the district, the superintendent said. “They will be moving forward, working together. There will be more support for her, even beyond the mentoring program (for new principals),” he said.
“They had a time out. They are here for the kids and they need to put adult issues aside.
“Volunteer groups will be returning and the student farm will continue,” Dougherty said, adamantly.
At WHRC, the investigation into what happened to the MEAP (Michigan Education Assessment Program) tests at WHRC concluded the annual tests were taken as required and turned over to the district’s new director of assessment on time. However, they were left sitting, waiting for pickup by a commercial carrier for more than two weeks, Superintendent Dougherty said.
The commercial company was called to pick them up at least two or three different times, but never picked them up, he said.
Dougherty said the assessment director was informed each time the carrier was called, but didn’t follow through to ensure they arrived by deadline.
When the deadline passed and the tests were still in Pontiac, the MDE was notified. State officials gave the assessment department until Nov. 15 as the absolute last possible date to deliver the tests. But even then, the tests were not delivered, Dougherty said.
“We found out about it on Nov. 19 and the district notified the MDE that they were still here,” the superintendent said.
The state will still score the WHRC’s tests, and the results will be used by teachers to determine where students need extra help. But the tests will not be counted toward the school’s annual yearly progress, Dougherty said.
“The AYP (annual yearly progress) is determined by MEAP scores and with them not being there, I am assuming (WHRC) will be treated as having no scores, and there will be no AYP,” he said. However, he was still waiting to hear from the state to learn how it will be handled.
Dougherty said the new assessment coordinator took the position with the understanding that if she didn’t like the job she could leave at any time during the year. So she is being returned to her previous position under the Pontiac Education Association.
At the same time, the new principal of Herrington Elementary School was returned to her position after being on administrative leave while top officials investigated faculty and community complaints.
Contact Diana Dillaber Murray at 248-745-4638 or email diana.dillaber@oakpress, or Twitter @DDillybar.
When the deadline passed and the tests were still in Pontiac, the MDE was notified. State officials gave the assessment department until Nov. 15 as the absolute last possible date to deliver the tests. But even then, the tests were not delivered, Dougherty said.
“We found out about it on Nov. 19 and the district notified the MDE that they were still here,” the superintendent said.
The state will still score the WHRC’s tests, and the results will be used by teachers to determine where students need extra help. But the tests will not be counted toward the school’s annual yearly progress, Dougherty said.
“The AYP (annual yearly progress) is determined by MEAP scores and with them not being there, I am assuming (WHRC) will be treated as having no scores, and there will be no AYP,” he said. However, he was still waiting to hear from the state to learn how it will be handled.
Dougherty said the new assessment coordinator took the position with the understanding that if she didn’t like the job she could leave at any time during the year. So she is being returned to her previous position under the Pontiac Education Association.
At the same time, the new principal of Herrington Elementary School was returned to her position after being on administrative leave while top officials investigated faculty and community complaints.
Contact Diana Dillaber Murray at 248-745-4638 or email diana.dillaber@oakpress, or Twitter @DDillybar.
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