Parent Wants Board to Keep Falcone at Connerton

When Pasco County School Superintendent Kurt Browning announced his recommendation for the termination of Connerton Elementary School Principal Anna Falcone, local parents reacted.

Some applauded Browning's recommendations and expressed their satisfaction with the decision on Land O' Lakes Patch. Others, however, say Falcone is an asset to the district and they want to see her remain in Connerton's principal's office.

Browning recommended Falcone's termination following allegations of insubordination. His decision was announced right before Pasco's spring break. The school board doesn't meet again until April 16. It is unclear if the termination request will be taken up at that meeting. Parents, however, are already lining up to take sides.

Parent James Kyle submitted a letter supporting Falcone to the school board April 5. Here's what he had to say:

Honorable School Board Members,

Mrs. Falcone is an amazing educator. She is a true leader with our children at heart. She expects things to be done correctly as any great leader should want and require from all of those involved. She lead the faculty and students of our wonderful school to an A rating! Mrs. Falcone is the type of principal that should have been promoted to the position of Head Principal of Pasco County, NOT fired and completely disrespected. I just can't believe this tragedy has happened in our community. She has always made great decisions for the children. I have been a parent volunteer many times and have personally worked side by side with Mrs. Falcone at events and she was always professional, getting her hands dirty with the other staff and most importantly, you can see her true desire was to make the children and their families happy.

I understand she questioned the accuracy of the climate survey. Well, I took the parent survey, and I would question its accuracy too. From what I saw, anyone could have gone onto that survey, from any school or neighborhood or county and taken it and done so more than once. It was not an accurate survey.

I’m infuriated that our Superintendent, Mr. Browning, is recommending termination of Mrs. Falcone to our School Board. I sincerely hope our School Board members are listening to all of us in our community and deny his request for termination. We are all in this community together and I wish we would all start acting that way. We love her as our principal and will be devastated otherwise.

I am not an educator in our school system, but I am an educator in the golf business. I have spent the last 20 years becoming a leader in my business. Junior golf is my passion, just as Connerton Elementary was Anna’s. It’s about doing what is right for the children and that’s the bottom line.

Our children need educators and leaders like Anna Falcone, not teachers who are just there to teach. We have a sincere job to inspire our children and that’s exactly what she stands for. It’s what we all should be standing for!

Thank you for your valued time in this serious matter.

Respectful regards,

James Kyle, PGA

Connerton Parent

What do you think, Land O' Lakes? Should the board change the leadership at Connerton Elementary School? Share your thoughts by commenting below.

See Also:

• Connerton Principal Out: What You’re Saying
• Connerton Principal Responds to Criticism
• Letter to the Editor: 'Inadequate Actions' Taken By School Board
• 'Helping Those Who Can't Help Themselves' at Root of Connerton Movement
• Connerton Vice Principal Recommended for Transfer to Denham Oaks