Here is the letter submitted to Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn from concerned parents at Saint Saviour's Elementary School, who are unhappy about the decision not to renew the contract of their longtime and highly respected Principal James Flanagan.
Also attached is his response.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Ed. D.,
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Dr. Chadzutko:
I am a parent of a Student in Saint Saviour Elementary School. I learned on Monday, May 11th, that Father Murphy is not renewing the contract of our principal, Mr. Flanagan. I have also learned that Father Murphy will not discuss the matter further with the community. As a parent and member of this community I find this situation very odd and questionable.
Not being originally a member of this church, we found St. Saviour when we enrolled my child into St. Saviour elementary and have called it home ever since. I am now forced to question my commitment and the commitment of your board that sanctions this type of behavior. Father Murphy has always stated during his sermons commitment, love and openness. Unfortunately I don’t presently see those qualities exhibited here.
Mr. Flanagan has always and will always be a Pillar and Champion of this school. He is Champion who has committed 25+ years of his life to the well being of St Saviour Elementary, it’s students and the community it fosters. St Saviour is a successful, well run attended school and is better for it through Mr. Flanagan’s leadership and dedication.
Mr. Chadzutko, please intercede for our school and mostly our students and have Mr. Flanagan reinstated as our principal! We appreciate you looking into this matter. Our children deserve the best and to replace Mr. Flanagan would be a detriment to our children and school. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Response from Dr. Chadzutko dated May 27, 2009
I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 18, 2009 in which you share you concerns regarding Mr. James Flanagan, principal of St. Saviour School
The office of the Superintendent ~ Catholic Schools Support Services has provided guidance to Mr. Flanagan regarding the policies and procedures that he must follow.
Please know that the Office of the Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services can only provide guidance to Mr. Flanagan, as the office is not the employer. In this light, we have shared you concerns with Fr. Murphy, pastor of St. Saviour R.C. Church.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns.
Sincerely,
Thomas Chadzutko, Ed. D.
Superintendent.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Save Our School - Save Principal Flanagan
As seen in the Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn -
http://onlytheblogknowsbrooklyn.typepad.com/
Thanks to our Friends at Blogs Knows Brooklyn for the link.
While numerous other schools have been closed or are being closed in the Diocese of Brooklyn, Saint Saviour's has thrived and grown and now has over 400 students. It is also an amazingly ethnically diverse school with approximately half of the students coming from out of Parish. The reason so many parents are willing to travel to and send their children to Saint Saviour's is because of the great education and religious teaching our children receive.
While the success of the school can be attributed to many factors, including incredible teachers and dedicated parents, the one constant has been our principal, James Flanagan, who has served as principal at St. Saviour's for the past 26 years.
Recently, we learned that our pastor, Father Daniel Murphy, has decided not to renew Mr. Flanagan's contract. Fr. Murphy has yet to formally advise the parents of the school of his decision and when asked for his reason for his decision, he has refused to discuss it. He was, however, quoted on Channel 12 news on May 20, 2009 of saying that the parents have no say in what happens at the school and that if the parents do not like the new principal they can just take their kids and go.
Obviously these comments are very troubling and unfortunately serve as an example of Fr. Murphy's tenure at St. Saviours. Fr. Murphy's decision is even more troubling given the fact that he has admittedly not stepped foot in the School for over two years and earlier this year, when asked directly by a parent why he doesn't visit the school, advised that he doesn't go to the school because it "drains" him.
Many of the parents have joined together and have sent numerous letters to both Bishop DiMarzio, the head of the Diocese, and Bishop Caggiano, the Aux. Bishop who is overseeing the schools. We have also reached out to Dr. Thomas Chutzutko, the Superintendent of Schools. Unfortunately, to date we have not received any response or even an acknowledgment from the Bishop's concerning our letters and the only response we have received from Dr. Chutzutko is that he has no power or authority to address any decision made by Father Murphy. Faced with the continued non-responsiveness of the Diocese, the parents have now begun to hold peaceful protests in front of Saint Saviour's rectory between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to let the public know what is going on.
The protests are intentionally small, usually less than 10 people, as the parents do not want to offend anyone but have no other way to let their voices be heard. There will also be a candle light vigil outside the rectory this evening. If this is a story of interest for you blog, we would all greatly appreciate any effort on your part to get the word out about our struggle and dispute with the Diocese. We did not choose this battle but feel we must face it head on for the sake of our children.
Note: Although Bishop Caggiano has not yet responded to any of the numerous letters sent by concerned parents, alumni and parishoners, Bishop Caggiano has assured Mr. Flanagan that he will respond individually to each and every letter sent. It is unknown when Bishop Caggiano's responses will be provided.
Stay Posted for any updates.
Please feel free to add comments and or post your letters you may have addressed to Father Murphy, Bishop Caggiano, and Bishop DiMarzio to this blog.
Parishioners and Parents of Saint Saviour must let the community and world know of the injustice and inhumane methods that Father Murphy used in dismissing Principal Flanagan.
Also - Follow us on Twitter at Save_StSaviour
http://onlytheblogknowsbrooklyn.typepad.com/
Thanks to our Friends at Blogs Knows Brooklyn for the link.
Peaceful Protests at Saint Saviour's Elementary School In Support of Principal
The longtime and well-respected principal of Park Slope's Saint Saviour's Elementary School may not have his contract renewed and the parents are furious.
I am not sure if this is necessarily something that you would blog about but I was wondering if you were aware of what was presently happening at Saint Saviour's Elementary School on 8th Avenue between 7th and 8th Street in Park Slope.While numerous other schools have been closed or are being closed in the Diocese of Brooklyn, Saint Saviour's has thrived and grown and now has over 400 students. It is also an amazingly ethnically diverse school with approximately half of the students coming from out of Parish. The reason so many parents are willing to travel to and send their children to Saint Saviour's is because of the great education and religious teaching our children receive.
While the success of the school can be attributed to many factors, including incredible teachers and dedicated parents, the one constant has been our principal, James Flanagan, who has served as principal at St. Saviour's for the past 26 years.
Recently, we learned that our pastor, Father Daniel Murphy, has decided not to renew Mr. Flanagan's contract. Fr. Murphy has yet to formally advise the parents of the school of his decision and when asked for his reason for his decision, he has refused to discuss it. He was, however, quoted on Channel 12 news on May 20, 2009 of saying that the parents have no say in what happens at the school and that if the parents do not like the new principal they can just take their kids and go.
Obviously these comments are very troubling and unfortunately serve as an example of Fr. Murphy's tenure at St. Saviours. Fr. Murphy's decision is even more troubling given the fact that he has admittedly not stepped foot in the School for over two years and earlier this year, when asked directly by a parent why he doesn't visit the school, advised that he doesn't go to the school because it "drains" him.
Many of the parents have joined together and have sent numerous letters to both Bishop DiMarzio, the head of the Diocese, and Bishop Caggiano, the Aux. Bishop who is overseeing the schools. We have also reached out to Dr. Thomas Chutzutko, the Superintendent of Schools. Unfortunately, to date we have not received any response or even an acknowledgment from the Bishop's concerning our letters and the only response we have received from Dr. Chutzutko is that he has no power or authority to address any decision made by Father Murphy. Faced with the continued non-responsiveness of the Diocese, the parents have now begun to hold peaceful protests in front of Saint Saviour's rectory between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to let the public know what is going on.
The protests are intentionally small, usually less than 10 people, as the parents do not want to offend anyone but have no other way to let their voices be heard. There will also be a candle light vigil outside the rectory this evening. If this is a story of interest for you blog, we would all greatly appreciate any effort on your part to get the word out about our struggle and dispute with the Diocese. We did not choose this battle but feel we must face it head on for the sake of our children.
Note: Although Bishop Caggiano has not yet responded to any of the numerous letters sent by concerned parents, alumni and parishoners, Bishop Caggiano has assured Mr. Flanagan that he will respond individually to each and every letter sent. It is unknown when Bishop Caggiano's responses will be provided.
Stay Posted for any updates.
Please feel free to add comments and or post your letters you may have addressed to Father Murphy, Bishop Caggiano, and Bishop DiMarzio to this blog.
Parishioners and Parents of Saint Saviour must let the community and world know of the injustice and inhumane methods that Father Murphy used in dismissing Principal Flanagan.
Also - Follow us on Twitter at Save_StSaviour
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
