Angie Templeton made calls to parents requesting they participate in a “reading” program. It was a pretty large time commitment and apparently parents were not comfortable telling Templeton NO (rightfully so); they were not able to make that time commitment.
This parent went to the office (when she went in she heard papers shuffling in Chontel’s office and when she started talking she heard the papers stop, so she knew Chontel was listening) requesting to be removed from that project. The parent went on to explain that she had a child in X grade and in X grade and that she was more than happy to volunteer in their classes, but was not interested in anything further. The tax-payer paid secretary (devotedmother) responded with “well aren’t you SELFISH“. I guess the secretary had to let Chontel know she was maintaining the tradition.
The other PTC Board member present in the office at the time of this conversation said she too did not want to make the commitment that Angie Templeton requested.
Many thoughts on this . . .
(1) Should an office worker or any other school employee talk to a parent like that?
(2) Does a “friend” speak to another “friend” like that?
(3) Devotedmother is now PAID to be at the school now, right? Should she ridicule others for time they volunteer freely?
(4) Clearly, Chontel has set the example this type treatment of parents is acceptable.
(5) Are parents willfully volunteering (as reported by Chontel) or do they feel pressured by Templeton and the rest of the bullies?
How long will it be until this parent’s children feel the repercussions? Response: They are already feeling the reprecussions being forced to recant their stories in public, asking (or demanding) other parents to choose sides or friends. I am corn-fused are the kids in Elementary School or the adults?
Another year . . . same sad story!
Templeton really wants to be principal doesn’t she? You would think she would carefully work with parents in order to fulfill her “take over” dreams. Chontel, do you hear the bus coming? Are your “friends” working to throw you under it?
After all, you have “schooled” them on how to get what they want, right?
I understand that Mrs. Templeton does want to get into administration at some point and is currently the Dean of Students, whatever that means at the elementary school level. I don’t know if she wants to be the principal at Campus, especially with the events that have transpired.
I do know, however, that Mrs. Templeton is a good teacher and while my children were there she was very wonderful to work with. She welcomed me in her class and to be of help to her, and she was a caring teacher to those fifth graders. I will always remember the D.C. trips and she was very well-organized with them. She was, (and is), a sweet, caring person. She is one of the teachers I have been worried about if the principal decides to turn at some point against her allies.
I know that things have changed at C.S. under the current administrator, and that Mrs. T likes her and feels she has brought many positives to C.S. I have to trust that there are some good things that have happened. Unfortunately, there have also been many negative ones as well. I hope they haven’t changed Mrs. T a whole lot from the person I knew. Whatever has happened and continues to happen, I know that Mrs. T will cont to be a great teacher, only now to 4th graders.
I am wondering if maybe she had to call parents to help with the reading as there weren’t as many volunteers as usual and she had to get some more assistance and didn’t realize parents were feeling pressured.
I realize my experience with Mrs. Templeton may have been different from others posting. I just wanted to clarify my experience with her. My concerns for C.S. have not been with her, or the other devoted teachers who decided to remain at C.S., but have been with decisions made by the administrator.
Crusader, give the administrator some credit. If you look under “police reports” (at top of page) you will clearly see how she protects the teachers . . . . the ones in her favor!
I believe Chontel has an immense respect for the students of Campus School. I have heard nothing but positive reviews from parents and former teachers I know through facebook.
I believe two other things and I know your group doesn’t want to hear it.
I believe respect goes two ways: Chontel will show respect for you if you show respect for her. I have read nothing but “disrespectful” language on this forum. Communication is the key to it all. Yes, mistakes may have been made. She was a new administrator of the school and was trying to abide by the letter of the rules in place for the administration of Campus School. Early on she needed the support of parents and teachers like the ones on this forum more than anything. From what I have read and heard while at Campus School this summer, she didn’t get it. She had to deal with parents used to a certain level of freedom relative to their access to the school, she had to deal with vandalism on the school property, she had to deal with personal attacks on her and her character and all from “anonymous” “supporters” of Campus School. Give her a chance to succeed.
The second thing is this. It has become apparent by the research this group has made into the past of Chontel that you realize that she has had other professional “stops” along the way, much like a lot of us. My thought is that Chontel was given the job at Campus School because it was possibly known by her employer that hired her that there were a number of teachers that needed to find other careers or work somewhere else, parents who needed to go somewhere else or policies relative to parents accessibility to school grounds that weren’t being followed that needed to be followed. The administrators of Campus School wanted to make a change at the top and change for the better the direction of the school. That meant getting rid of possibly a number of those who post on this site. Your group may not like to hear this but that is too bad. If you are a current parent with your children in this school then support the school, life is too short to dwell on the negative, and support and show respect for your school’s principal. If you are a current teacher or employee of the school then show respect and support for your principal and make a better school for the kids you teach.
Campus School back in the 1970s was really a great place to be. It still is almost forty years later. What made it a special place was the teachers I had back then. They and the support of my parents made those years of my life special. I applaud your concern for the school. Let’s work together in a positive way in making the Campus School of the present and of the future a special place as well. This starts by showing respect for and support for your principal.
—–Original Message—–
From:
To:
Subject: campus
Hey,
. . . . . works at Cedar Grove Elem. 08-09 school year Dr Bridgeman was asst. principal. In Feb/March 09 the principal was given the job at the new Brown’s Chapel school and Bridgeman was given interim principal job. Immediately she started making changes. If anyone questioned or offered suggestion, they were written up as being insubordinate. Teachers were transferred or not rehired. Everyone wanted out guessing she’d be hired for the next year. Now the interesting part: Mr. Gill opened Cedar Grove and he has taken care of the school when changes needed to be made. Bridgeman assumed she would be given the position and was furious when she didn’t get it and got Campus School instead. Mr. Gill didn’t want the faculty and parents at Cedar Grove so upset……….so why send her to Campus School? This person wondered about it at the time and wondered if he thought that since the parent and student population was pretty different than Cedar Grove, he might have thought she’d make a better connection. Sounds like he knew he had a renegade principal and kept her anyway. What a shame!
What you call “renegade” I call a by-the-book administrator. My guess is those run off needed to go. What you heard from Cedar Grove is probably a one-sided opinion that is stated as if it were a fact which most likely was not. I don’t quite understand how you know what Chontel would have “assumed” and what Mr. Gill would have “thought”. My guess is you don’t know either person that well.
Chontel has supporters and non-supporters, which is true. I guess your research showed you that over half the teachers are gone, close to a third of families left, and – unfortunately- it isn’t over yet. Sixth grade is dying fast and probably won’t be around much longer. Chontel has told people she got rid of the “rich parents” who were controlling the school. These parents weren’t rich- but they did share their time and money to support the school.
Many of us have agreed that changes needed to be made-and were expected by a new administrator. We were open and accessible, and I totally get trying to be safer. But why did it have to become a hostile environment? Why do we have great, responsible caring people on two very different “sides”?
I don’t understand why Chontel didn’t talk with parents who were concerned or asking questions, invite them in to try and resolve problems, rather than telling them (several times) that they could just leave since it is a choice school.
I have talked with several who have worked with her before in other schools- and it isn’t pretty. Frankly, I don’t know how to show respect and support for this principal who has shown such disdain and intolerance for so many.
I do wish people could work together here, but the “sides” are so extreme. I’m not sure they can find common ground except of a love for Campus School. There have been such harsh words on both sides, allegations on both sides; because people care and are passionate about a school they love. There’s probably no going back. I do somehow hope Campus finds a way to go forward with less controversy…but can Chontel control herself long enough for his to happen?
I can sense your concern and apppreciation for the school. It may be possible that Chontel was sent there as possibly in other stops to adjust the faculty of the school to match her and her employor’s vision of how the school should be run. In general, as an employer if you have a number of subordinate employees for don’t follow the leadership of the one in charge you may find yourself looking for employment elsewhere.
I had someone on facebook tell me that one or two new elementary schools opened up around the Murfreesboro area. Could it be possible a number of those parents simply want there kids to go to a school that is newer and closer to home? I don’t know I don’t live in Murfreesboro anymore so you tell me.
About the sixth grade, my sources tell me the sixth grade should be back at full strength next year. So, I don’t see anything dying at Campus School. Not at all.
About your “rich” comment, my guess is Campus School is made up of families of varying levels of income much like 35-40 years ago. We had a few very rich and some maybe not so rich and a lot in the middle. Campus School is a great place because you can be from anywhere, from any nationality, race, language, you name it, and have a place there if you want it.
I like your thoughts, yes, less controversy is better than more.
Kevin,
Your remark about “subordinate” employees sums up Chontel’s feelings about the educated, professional, experienced teachers at C.S. that were run off. There is no working with someone that has those feelings…….she wants to dicate.
This doesn’t usually work well with professionals. Go figure?
Years ago I was told by one of my child’s teachers that they had the best principal. His method of leadership?…..He saw his teachers had what they needed, and then got of there way.
She obviously sees herself as superior……nobody will follow a “leader” like that. I hear many of the remaining teachers are very unhappy and afraid. This is NOT leadership.
Kevin,
I appreciate that you understand that I am both concerned for Campus, and appreciative. Words will never be enough to express the appreciation I have for this school. I have, however, attempted to use my words to express the concerns I have. I hope the recent postings by “campusmom” and “boromom” can convey to you the concerns from other parents, both current and former. So many are afraid to post, esp. those that still have children still there, as they are afraid of the retribution as occurred to parents last year.
I can state that Campus was my first and only choice when it came to the elementary school for my children. I have bright children and I chose Campus over McFadden for both of them. However, the educational climate in Murfreesboro has changed. Parents now much prefer McFadden or Discovery School if their children meet criteria. Which means many of the brightest students won’t even try for Campus, unless it is their only option as a third choice. How sad.
As for “new schools”- I drove past a brand new elementary school less than a mile from my home to take my children to Campus and never gave the drive more than a second thought as it was worth it! And at that time it was, but not nearly as many are willing to now.
Your sources have very different opinions from my friends who have fifth graders at Campus. They are adamant that this is their final year, which their children wanted to D.C., etc., but will def. be moving onto middle school for sixth grade, due to events that have transpired. (Again, we had a brand new middle school when it came time for my children to enter sixth grade- but under no circumstances was I taking my children out of Campus, even though it would have helped them for their athletic programs.) But again, it is a different climate now. Campus is the last remaining county elementary school with a sixth grade, and as wonderful as Mr. T is (and he is!) – I don’t think it is enough to save the sixth grade at Campus for long.
As to the concerns re: the current administrator, “Campusmom” nailed it on the head when she described new mgt coming into a successful business- would it really make sense to tear apart half of your employees and drive away a third of your clientele.
To also read that some of the cont. teachers are fearful and apprehensive, just seems such a shame…How can such an environment be conducive to learning?
Yes, I will keep using my words, hopefully as politely and eloquently as possible, to share my continued concerns. People are reading, listening, talking… and a few more are posting. Hopefully at some point the right person with the power and ability can help rectify this situation before it gets even worse. I don’t know what the answer is, but somehow, something has to be done so that healing can occur and a rebuilding of reputation can begin.
And Kevin, one last thing… If you are wondering who we are, those of us who are concerned, and how we are different from your friends… I can tell you one thing about us. We are those parents who a few years ago placed “Save Campus School” signs in our yards and businesses, talked to media and wrote letters to Dr. McPhee, all in the name to save Campus School. We love this school and we want to help her again. I still have my sign…
Kevin, I appreciate your taking an active interest in Campus School. Likewise, I planned to give time, money and effort to sustain a school that was so much a part of our life. As with everyone else posting here, I developed long lasting friendships with teachers, parents and students. I understood changes would be made with a change in leadership. What I didn’t anticipate was the lack of respect given to the teachers and staff who had EARNED respect by being the “best” in our system. Campus has been a highly regarded school for 80 years. Think of it in business terms…a very successful 80 year old company brings in new management. Wouldn’t good management make the effort to see what made this company different/successful? Would losing half of the strength of your company in the first year be in it’s best interest? Would losing a third of your clients be productive? That has been done to Campus School for whatever reasons.
My biggest complaint, at this point, is the total lack of concern shown by the current teachers and administrator for the staff and faculty who had their worlds turned upside down by leaving (whether by choice or not). These highly acclaimed teachers were not given the respect due. Because of their mean-spirited attitudes, I am no longer a supporter of Campus School. When parents approach the administrator with questions, but are then told, without explanation, they are free to leave and attend their zoned school. Because of this disrespectful attitude, I am no longer a supporter of Campus School. I agree with your statement that respect goes both ways. My Campus “family” has been hurt by that lack of respect.
Kevin, I was saying almost the exact things as you throughout the school year, my husband and I tried so hard to stay positive and support the administration. There is so much behind the scenes information that either people don’t know about or don’t feel comfortable posting, you really wouldn’t believe it. It is shocking. I know everyone will say then why don’t you post it, but I don’t think it’s my place. We left quietly and I wish everyone the best. It goes so much farther than just wanting to make changes and people resisting change. That’s what I initially thought too, and I thought everyone should just get over it. I am really tired of the people that left getting a bad rap, many are very nice families who just couldn’t take the drama anymore and didn’t appreciate being treated like a piece of dirt on the floor. I think that there probably were some teachers who needed to move on, but the way it was handled was inappropriate. You seem to have very fond memories of Campus and very good intentions, but I just don’t think you have any idea what’s going on. It’s really a sad situation. I hope that helps you understand what everyone is talking about a little better.
Boromom,
It may be helpful to the many reading and not posting if you would post some of what you know. There is so much more yet to be exposed.
Boromom,
I agree with “trthbknown”- any insight you can share will help those better understand our concerns and give more credence. I think truths can be shared in a respectful manner and can be heard.
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