Co-workers, parents protest dismissal of AmCan teacher

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Saturday, March 17, 2007

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By KERANA TODOROV, Register staff writer

The reported dismissal of American Canyon Middle School's athletic director has whipped up a storm of protest.

Teachers, coaches, parents, students and others packed the Napa Valley Unified School District board meeting room Thursday to protest the school district's reported decision to terminate the contract of Matt Stewart, 46, at the end of the school year.

Stewart, who said he would have become a tenured teacher next year after five years of teaching at American Canyon Middle School, said he was given no reason for his dismissal.

"It's just unjust," said Stewart Friday. "It's just wrong and I plan to fight it."

School officials declined to address the subject, saying they cannot discuss personnel matters in public.

At the meeting, a group of about 30 teachers gathered in Stewart's defense, offering praise and noting his contributions to the American Canyon community. The comments lasted about 45 minutes, and were full of emotion.

School board president Jose Hurtado said the board is looking into the matter.

"I will be talking to district staff about what occurred, as of today we're not sure what other steps to take, or even if we will," Hurtado said.

Rose Ann Gasser, American Canyon Middle School principal, declined to provide specifics about the matter. "This is a personnel matter and it's confidential and I cannot comment on it," Gasser said Friday.

Among those who spoke in support of Stewart at Thursday's meeting was Greg Wright, former American Canyon Middle School vice principal.

"He's a wonderful teacher and a wonderful role model for the students," Wright said of Stewart. "He just loves the kids."

Besides his regular teaching load, Stewart makes sure the athletic fields are ready, coordinates student transportation to events and raises money for the athletic programs.

The students will be the ones who will suffer from Stewart's departure, said Simone Moultak, a parent and school volunteer.

"It was quite a shock," Moultak said of the district's decision. "He's a tremendous asset to the school."

Beatriz Bockman, Parent Teacher Organization president, said parents are considering a sick-out day to keep kids at home in protest of the decision to let Stewart go. Parents will continue to press the board for a reconsideration, she also said.

"We hold the school board accountable for providing good teachers," she said.

Stewart is also an American Canyon Parks and Community Services commissioner.

Register staff writer Cristina De Leon-Menjivar contributed to this report.

16 comment(s)

Westy wrote on Mar 17, 2007 11:20 AM:

" You say you hold the school board accountable for good teachers...Then let the school board do its job. It's about time the school board does something positive and forthright. The school board has shown itself to be impotent on most matters and totally intimidated by the teachers union. I for one would like to see if they have any gumption. "

Susan wrote on Mar 17, 2007 2:07 PM:

" Teacher morale is at rock bottom in NVUSD. Tenure should be abolshed. It simply gives teachers the right to retire in place and stifles initiative, drive and positive attitude. It is bad for morale, bad for teaching quality and bad for learning. Stand up to the teachers union and do the right think. "

M.G. wrote on Mar 17, 2007 4:33 PM:

" Coach Stewart is an incredible asset to the school and community. Anyone who knows him can attest to this. Firing him without cause will not prove that the school board has gumption or that teacher's unions have been put in their place. The children of the NVUSD will be the only ones who suffer. "

a Dad wrote on Mar 17, 2007 7:15 PM:

" I was recently a juror in a case brought by an exteacher who claimed to have been unfairly fired. In fact, the teacher had been Non re-elcted to the position as a teacher. You can think of this as a five year probation. If you do what is expected of you, no problem. In truth is that the contract says you can be non-reelected for any reason or no reason at all. In the case I was involved with, the amount of evidence brought forward by the paticular principal and the school district was overwhelming. Mr. Stewart has been non re-elected. He has recourses available to him. But I would have to believe that there may be things that have happened that his friends and other teachers may not be aware of. I say let the district do its' job. Confidentuality can sometimes be a double edged sword but it is in place to protect the rights of all involved. "

Educator wrote on Mar 18, 2007 8:10 PM:

" Teacher morale is low, so take away tenure? That makes no sense. Tenure protects teachers from fickle administrators who make capricious decisions that may be retaliatory and not based on the educator's professionalism. As the former Assistant Principal, Greg Wright, stated...It was Ms. Gasser who recruited Matt Stewart five years ago for his position. She also nominated him for a prestigious community award two years ago, which he won. His evaluations were all positive, and in one, Ms. Gasser described him as "passionate" about his work. So what happened? "

Melinda wrote on Mar 19, 2007 7:30 AM:

" This is the third time Gasser has had problems with staffing. It's not her who has raised American Canyon's test scores it's the teachers. Once again teachers will ask for transfers and she will administratively transfer those who do not willingly leave. American Canyon it's time you make a stand!! Do not allow this to happen again. "

Paula wrote on Mar 19, 2007 8:46 AM:

" Coach Stew is on of the best things that have happened to the school as well as the community. Napa Unified District Superintendent it's time for you to stop being afraid of the principal. You know what is best for that school! Now, DO IT! Tell Gasser to take a hike and keep the Coach! "

The Facts wrote on Mar 19, 2007 2:50 PM:

" We should weigh the facts, the facts are we have a teacher we love, the students react well with, unless they are being disciplained(none of them like it), this is a time when teachers get pink slips and they do it when they are reaching their tenure as well. It is sad for those who are not privy to the personnell decisions because we don't understand. Mr. Stewart, i believe, has the right to make the concern public if there is a problem, but the school district can not, his Union officials should be standing up, although the previous poster had stated that they are aware that they can be dismissed for any reason, rather re-instated. I know Mr. Stewarts wife id absolutely wonderful and her disciplain techniques are of no problem. I would not state that the Principal, because of her backing of the teacher previously, would be advised to not sign him for no apparent reason, there must be a reason. Mr. Stewart can tell us not anyone else. Anyhow it is always sad when this happens at pink notice time and who else is close to tenure, maybe there are or will be more notices, maybe he is not singled out, and maybe the principal had to conform to the school district., needless to say, we don't have and won't have the facts, but will have to stand by the fact he has been an asset to the school. "

fed up parent wrote on Mar 19, 2007 3:16 PM:

" Plain and simple they do not have to give a reason for not renewing contracts Kudos to Gasser...right on........ "

The Facts +1 wrote on Mar 19, 2007 5:53 PM:

" Those of you trying to plant the seed that "there must be some reason that Mr. Stewart was let go", are doing the public a disservice. This is where the frustration in Stewart's supporters lies. The whole point of this is that there are a million excellent reasons to keep Mr. Stewert at ACMS, yet not one to back the idea of his dismissal. To Ms. Gasser's credit, there doesn't have to be a reason to let him go. I'm wondering though, what lesson our kids will learn from all of this. If hard work, community involvement, and master teaching aren't enough to keep your job, what is enough? "

Fed Up Parent wrote on Mar 19, 2007 6:29 PM:

" It is unfair of the Parents and any teacher that involved the students of ACMS in this issue. There are two sides to every story except out of professionalism the other side will not be heard. The students have been unfairly manipulated in this situation and what is this teaching them? Challenge someone's judgement just based on one side of the facts. They are sure to be disappointed. Shame on the community for dragging our students through something that is an adult situation and highly confidential. I was offended my student was asked to sign a petition at school. It is time to be adults! "

Concerned Adult wrote on Mar 20, 2007 7:08 AM:

" Don't involve our students? Aren't they the ones who lose the most when good teachers are let go by administrators who release good teachers for personal reasons? Don't adults have the obligation to teach our children to stand up for what is right? Don't you want your child to know that they should fight for things that are important to them? If we are not willing to stand up for a good teacher, then who will stand up for your child when needed at school? "

By the Rules wrote on Mar 20, 2007 8:00 PM:

" It distresses me to hear people critizing the principal, Gasser. She came to ACMS almost 10 years ago and the school was in chaos. She put the school in order (which involved making some unpopular decisions and yes, administratively transferring some teachers) and built a strong educational community. She is a strong leader that is not afraid to stand up and do what is right. It seems that the teacher she is releasing is doing everying he can to keep his job at ACMS. This tells me the school isn't such a bad place to work! The district should back Gasser in her decision and the board should not let a group of teachers make this a political matter. Play by the rules and go ahead with the release. School Board--don't be bullied by a vocal few! "

Question wrote on Mar 21, 2007 6:12 PM:

" Anyone know how principals are evaluated? Teachers are evaluated every two years if "permanent" (there is no tenure), every year if temporary or probationary, or every year he/she is in a new position. But how are principals evaluated? Are principals evaluated? How and why do principals keep their job year in and year out? Is it just that much easier to replace a teacher than it is to replace a principal? "

Very Concerned wrote on Mar 22, 2007 2:08 PM:

" I am very concerned that people are making judgements about the appropriateness of this personnel issue without all the information. I have had 2 students go through ACMS and in my experience the principal has made descions that were fair and with the best interest of the students in mind. We don't know the reasons for this dismissal because they are confidential. I agree with "By the Rules". We should step back and remember the good things that have happened at the school and trust the principal, district and board's judgement. "

Sad Parent wrote on Mar 22, 2007 9:38 PM:

" My child was in Coach Stew's class and it was not a happy time. I never complained and I wonder how many more are out there. I wonder how many kids went through his class without compaining. I also wonder how many complained. Maybe the general public doesn't have the whole story. I wonder if there were complaints. I am sad that the district is being pushed so hard about a decision that they probably struggled with. The fact that Coach Stew has done so many great things makes this even more difficult for the district. I am sad that someone finally stood up and now they are being questioned. "

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