Fear and Loathing- Hoboken Reporter Expose on the Leadership of the Hoboken Public Schools

"Without any prior warning, Principal Dr. Lorraine Cella came into Hoboken High School on Friday, Feb. 12 to find her flash drive taken from her computer. Within hours, she was asked to vacate her office."

- so begins an excellent expose and investigative reporting on the part of staff writer Timothy Carroll as published in the February 20, 2010 Hoboken Reporter in a story entitled "Fear and loathing in the Hoboken School."

The article details Dr. Cella's accomplishments, the shock of students and staff when she was escorted from the building, the apparent disregard concerning the negative consequences of an abrupt transition of leadership at the school, and the general sense that "some members of the school board and the current interim superintendent are creating an uncomfortable work environment"- referencing the tone and manner of Dr. Cella's dismissal as being unprecedented.

The article also alludes to Dr. Cella being treated differently before Mr. Carter's arrival- however no specifics are mentioned. Some members of the political organization known as "Kids First" were interviewed for the article and disagreed that "fear was used as a motivator," yet no comment was made concerning the observation that no one interviewed would give their name for the article.

Finally, there are a number of quotes indicating the reason Dr. Cella was treated in such a manner was based on 1) unspecified accountability criteria, 2) because "people" were treated favorably/special in "the past" and/or 3) "that's what they do in business".

It appears that attempts by spokesperson(s) for the current board majority to reinterpret the events of February 12 are another indication that board leadership not only have failed to accept their own responsibility for the environment they have created but continue to blame their controversial and unpopular decisions on others (e.g. the previous administration).

Dr. Cella actually resigned to take a higher position as Assistant Superintendent. She would not have looked but for the undermining of certain board members and lack of support by the board as a whole. She had at least two outstanding evaluations but those along with all the data below were ignored. This doesn't seem to make sense. Beyond that, she resigned and asked to leave whenever the administration was ready. Why not make the transition smooth and orderly? Why not...some may say because you want fear and loathing.

You can read about some of my original thoughts on the resignation of Dr. Cella viewing my post in mid January- HERE.

What follows is a list of some of the accomplishments of Dr. Cella and her staff during her two and a half years as Principal of Hoboken High School. The list speaks for itself:

Improved Hoboken High School’s ranking, making it the second most improved high school in NJ according to New Jersey Monthly, August 2008, . (the school continues to make AYP.)

Awarded Bronze Medal (2008 and 2009), US News and World Report, for continued improvement measured by socio-economic factors.

Improved technology use and access and organized staff development opportunities for Moodle, Apple production software, Frame Forge and other cutting edge software programs.

Assisted in the development and implementation of a new curriculum based on Understanding by Design and the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards to include common assessment measures.

Restructured the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, two aspects of International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) along with IB Coordinator.

Created 9th grade interdisciplinary team, sophomore personal project, junior book publication project through Student Press Initiative, Teachers College, Columbia University and a senior service project.

Improved teaching effectiveness through training of supervisors and teachers in curriculum and instruction specifically Understanding by Design, Differentiated Instruction methodologies, and reading, writing and technology integration across curriculum.

Helped to procure and maintain the running of $300,000 grant from the Department of Children and Families for our School Based Youth Services Program.

Upgraded facilities to include an Apple Production Lab, 150 new Dells, Fitness Room, Television Studio, and refurbished science labs.

Designed and implemented In-School-Suspension Program reducing the number of suspensions.

Increased student accountability by designing and implementing clear discipline policies, new academic requirements, and fair extra-curricular eligibility requirements.

Established a connection between Student Press Initiative and Teachers College, Columbia, University that fostered a book publication project for all juniors.

Increased connection with Stevens Institute of Technology to include, a Robotics course and a chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.

Initiated and organized public relations events such as Town Wide Literacy Day, Scholarship Benefactors Dinner, Freshman Day, school tours and Public Readings from My Square Mile Life, SPI publication

Reorganized the PSO to include speakers about Financial Aid, the college process and Standardized Test Scores

Picture: flyer circulated- late February, 2010