Connecticut Post Online - Local/Regional News -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 5/31/2003
Last Visited: 5/31/2003
The principals' departure, though a loss for the town, is not totally a surprise, Board of Education member Joseph Schwartz said, "given the lack of obvious support the community has given [in] approving funding for the schools.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that these are dedicated people giving their all to the school system and there has been no support," he said.
...
"We got criticisms from within and outside the education community from people who are much more concerned about their own opinions than the facts," Schwartz said."It is difficult to deal with people who are constantly challenging administrators."
The budget season also has been a difficult one for school officials.The town spending plan that residents will vote on in a Tuesday referendum has a 2 percent increase over the current budget and, if passed, will require cuts in many areas, school officials have warned.
It also has been a difficult year for the two principals, Schwartz said.
Janis, who took over at Staples last July, replacing Donna Denniston, had to deal with the school's deteriorating physical condition, he said, which could have influenced her decision.
"The conditions at Staples were certainly something she didn't expect," he said.
And Sneideman bore the responsibility after an effort to hire an assistant principal repeatedly failed, Schwartz said.
Neither Janis nor Sneideman could be reached for comment Friday afternoon.