Many tears were shed on Tuesday night when Principal John Powell was forced to end his 14-year career at the Stillwater Elementary School.
In a 7-2 vote, the district’s Board of Education voted to “accept his resignation,” a decision that was thrust upon him by surprise by the new Superintendent of Schools Patricia Morris, who told him of her plans to dismiss him on her third day on the job.
Standing in the high school media center surrounded by about 60 parents and teachers, many of whom spoke in support of Powell, he wiped away tears, hugged weeping supporters and said he will be looking for another job.
“I did nothing I would be ashamed of,” said Powell. “This is over small things that we could have sat down to be addressed. But the new superintendent made it clear to me she didn’t want me here.”
Prior to the vote, at least 20 spoke for 45 minutes in favor of the popular principal. They stood, many choking back tears, saying they didn’t know how they could tell their children that their beloved principal wouldn’t be there when they returned to school in September. Others called it a “political and personal” decision. Another called it a personal “vendetta.” They all begged the board to reconsider.
“I’m discouraged,” said Darrell Hazen who moved to the area for the schools. “At our last school, the principal was never engaged with the children. Basically, it’s typical, establishment, old-school teachers who didn’t get along with him. They didn’t like some of his decisions. But he always did what was best for the kids. The kids love him.”
Worse, say parents, is the decision to dismiss Powell was done so quickly that many parents and teachers were not even aware it was happening. The acceptance of the Powell’s resignation was added on to the agenda last minute.
“It wasn’t on the agenda they sent around to the parents and teachers,” said Brian Steinmuller. “We were not informed.”
Board President Timothy Hems said “it was a personnel matter and he could not comment.” In a statement just prior to the vote, he told the crowded room they only knew the half of it.
Dr. Stanley Maziejka, the retiring superintendent whom Morris replaced, said he was “sorry to hear this went down.”
“Every year I was there, the past nine years, I rated him highly effective,” said Mazikja. “I can certainly tell you that there is no more ethical, no more moral principal out there. He certainly did nothing illegal. Why the board voted to do this, I don’t know. If I knew they were planning this, I would have stuck around longer.”
Susan Hilt, who will be teaching second grade in the fall, is concerned the future of Stillwater Elementary without Powell.
“He was an absolutely great principal, a great leader. I was looking to him for guidance this year,” said Hilt. “The worse thing is, nobody knew this was coming. We didn’t get any official work, an email, nothing.”
This follows Stillwater being named one of the most improved area school districts in state math and ELA assessments. The elementary school ranked as the top in Saratoga County.
Assistant Principal Paul Morcone will act as interim principal.
In a letter on the school website, Morris wrote, “As with any change, we understand that this news may be greeted with mixed emotions, but we are confident that our staff and students will welcome and assist Mr. Morcone in maintaining the educational excellence for which the Stillwater Schools are recognized. It is our job to ensure that the integrity and quality of all our school programs will continue. I look forward to working with the school community toward the future success of our students.”