Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The comments were overwhelmingly in support of Anna Falcone, whose termination as principal of Connerton Elementary School was recently recommended by Superintendent Kurt Browning.
Anna Falcone’s job as Connerton Elementary principal is on the chopping block, but her supporters turned out Tuesday, April 16 to tell the Pasco County School Board that her recommended termination is a “great injustice.” Parent Kathy Zappe got choked up when addressing the board during the evening meeting. “I, like many, many, other parents, feel that Principal Falcone has been treated unfairly, and I wanted to let you know that she has been an incredible asset to Connerton Elementary School,” she said, her voice cracking. “She is always extremely friendly, kind and caring to the children and the parents.” Citing insubordination, School Superintendent Kurt Browning earlier this year recommended Falcone’s termination. The measure has drawn…
Saturday, March 30, 2013
News of Pasco County School Superintendent Kurt Browning’s decision to recommend termination for Principal Anna Falcone has Land O’ Lakes residents talking. What are your thoughts?
Saturday, October 6, 2012
They raised $30,000 for the school during the nine-day fundraiser.
Monday, October 1, 2012
They raised $30,000 for the school.
Connerton students and staff hit the ground running with a fundraiser recently—and it paid off. On Wednesday, students participated in a Fun Run, the culmination of a nine-day Boosterthon program that combines fitness, leadership and character building with fundraising, according to its website. The initial goal was to raise $20,000, PTA president Lori McCandrew said. But the school’s principal, Anna Falcone, is competitive, so she increased the goal to $30,000, McCandrew said. “We actually raised $29,950.00 but our reps at Boosterthon knew she wanted $30,000 and they proudly handed us $50 cash to meet our goal,” McCandrew said. “(Falcone’s ) competitive nature is always in the best interest of the school.” Teachers and staff helped with …
Friday, July 6, 2012
The elementary school principal at the center of recent controversy says there are always people who don't like some steps a leader takes.
She’s been called a bully, had threats made against her in public forums and faces a group of opponents who say they won’t stop speaking out until she is removed from her position. But the principal of Connerton Elementary School isn’t going anywhere, according to district officials. And rather than dwell too much on the ongoing hostilities, Anna Falcone is looking forward to good things to come in the fall. Falcone, who has two children of her own at the school, said Connerton "is like my third child.” Now, along with new vice principal, Claudia Steinacher, Falcone is ready to begin the mending process “so our kids can feel proud of where they come to school,” she said. Falcone has found herself at the center of a public firestorm since…
Principal Anna Falcone says that although she has not spoken to the former staff members for two years, she is willing to talk with those calling for her removal if they need "closure."
The controversy surrounding Connerton Elementary is being stirred up by a vocal few, Pasco school spokeswoman Summer Romagnoli said. And that controversy may in part be based on an old miscommunication. Two of Anna Falcone’s most vocal opponents—Peggy Lopez and Cathy Brown— never taught at Connerton Elementary, Romagnoli said. Both were employed at Sanders Elementary before the school was shut down in 2010 and the students, as well as much of the staff, made the move to Connerton. Falcone was hired as principal at Sanders in its last year, and facilitated its closing and the move to the new school. One of the accusations circulating among those calling for Falcone's removal from the school is that she targeted teachers from Sanders …
Monday, June 25, 2012
A letter from Peggy Lopez, an organizer of the movement to remove Anna Falcone as Connerton Elementary principal.
- SCHOOLS
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Monday, June 25, 2012
To Whom it May Concern, This letter is in response to the inadequate actions taken to correct the situation with the administration at Connerton Elementary School. First I'd like to make clear one very important fact: The group of people that are speaking out against the administration at Connerton Elementary School is made up of parents, students, grandparents, community members, business owners, past employees, and CURRENT employees. So while spin works a little, there are too many of us for it to work a lot. Second, we—that huge group mentioned above—have been very successful in our endeavor to expose the problem that exists with the principal at COES. Our own actions are all we have control over. Superintendent Fiorentino, however, has…
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The district's proposed transfer of the school's assistant principal is not enough, some say. Others say its time to focus on rebuilding a positive environment.
Connerton Elementary School may soon have a change in leadership, but its not the change that some wanted to see. "We are not done fighting," former school nurse Cathy Brown said. Others hope that the recent controversy surrounding the school will settle down soon, for the sake of its students. The district announced early Thursday that, pending school board approval, Superintendent Heather Fiorentino recommended that Wendy Carswell be moved from assistant principal at Connerton Elementary School to assistant principal at Denham Oaks Elementary School. Claudia Steinacher, the current assistant principal at Odessa Elementary School, is recommended for appointment as assistant principal at Connerton. “What they’re doing is senseless,” …
Several changes at the elementary level have been recommended by the superintendent.
Changes are in store for several Pasco County elementary schools, according to a press release from the district Thursday. Pending school board approval, Superintendent Heather Fiorentino is recommending that Wendy Carswell be moved from Assistant Principal at Connerton Elementary School to Assistant Principal at Denham Oaks Elementary School. Carswell has been at the center of some controversy recently at Connerton. Accusations of intimidation from former teachers and staff have been directed at Carswell and principal Anna Falcone. Claudia Steinacher, the current assistant principal at Odessa Elementary School, is recommended for appointment as assistant principal at Connerton. Other recommendations from Fiorentino are: Wendy Lane – …
Current teachers can't speak out against the school's administration for fear of losing their jobs, so former teachers and Connerton residents say they are speaking for them.
A group of parents, former teachers and others concerned about what they say amount to bully tactics by the Connerton Elementary administration has spoken out a lot recently, from a demonstration just off school property that coincided with a visit from Superintendent Heather Fiorentino to attending Tuesday's school board meeting to voice their concerns publicly before the board. Some incidents they refer to when voicing their concerns are not recent, so why speak out now? It's because they want to help other teachers who can't speak up for fear of losing their jobs, Cathy Brown said. "I was so emotinally exhausted at the time, I just gave up," Brown said. "But we're still friends with a lot of people there and they don't have a voice. …
Educator
10:50 pm on Friday, April 5, 2013
Did it ever occur to anyone the negativity at COES is teacher induced? Shelia Nero is an outstanding teacher. Anna Falcone is not a bully. Anna Falcone is a leader who is focused on what is best for children. I would be willing to bet a money that it wouldn't matter who the principal of COES was...unless they gave into teachers and let them do whatever they want they wouldn't be happy. Teachers … more ›