Kravetsky Supporters Question Dolan About Evaluations

Supporters of terminated Tamaques teacher Matt Kravetsky questioned school officials on Tuesday evening regarding a string of positive evaluations they say the teacher has received in his first three years on the job.

The evaluations, which Patch has obtained, point to positive ratings of the third grade teacher by Tamaques Principal Michael Cullen. Kravetsky was informed in April by Cullen that he would not be retained by the school district heading into the next school year and will not be granted tenure. Kravetsky is contesting the decision and the Board of Education is scheduled to hold a hearing on the case on July 7.

"I have read every year and there is not one negative comment," Kravetsky supporter Amy Norton said to the BOE.

Norton and other Kravetsky supporters directly questioned Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan and the BOE over the content of the evaluations and whether they were reviewed in making the decision to fire Kravetsky. Dolan has affirmed Cullen's decision and in a June 3 letter to Kravetsky said that the popular third grade teacher has not been renewed because he has "failed to provide consistently effective instruction for your students."

In her letter, Dolan points to a May 5, 2010 evaluation of Kravetsky by Regina Kiczek, the school district's math supervisor as part of the reason to terminate Kravetsky.

"The essential reason for your non-renewal is embodied in Dr. Regina Kiczek's May 5, 2010 summary of her observation of your Mathematics class: "It is possible - and in students' best interests - to create a classroom environment that is at the same time comfortable, welcoming, productive and academically challenging." You have succeeded admirably in fostering a supportive classroom environment for your students," Dolan wrote. "Your evaluations have consistently pointed out, however, that you have failed to provide consistently effective instruction for your students."

Kravetsky supporters note that Cullen informed the teacher about his termination on April 30, before the May 5 evaluation. The first Kravetsky supporters addressed the BOE about the subject during the board's meeting on the evening of May 4.

Norton and other Kravetsky supporters pointed to the end of the year summaries of Kravetsky's work by Cullen. In the summaries, which have been provided to Dolan and BOE members by Kravetsky supporters, Cullen speaks positvely about Kravetsky's work. The summaries provided, and cited at the BOE meeting, are not copies of the actual documents.

Dolan did not address the question, citing state law on the subject. Phil Stern, an attorney for the BOE, advised Dolan and board members to stay silent, noting that they cannot comment on an employee unless they provide a Rice notice to the employee. The Rice notice, which was not given to Kravetsky for Tuesday's meeting, informs the employee that the BOE plans to discuss their employment situation and is typically done in private session.

Kravetsky has exercised his right to hold a public BOE session for the July 7 Donaldson hearing on his future employment in Westfield.

In the reports, Cullen discusses Kravetsky's adjustment to the Tamaques community during his first school year as a teacher in 2006-2007. He says that Cullen has adjusted well to the school and has responded well to feedback on his work, along with developing good relationships with other teachers and parents.

"You have developed a good understanding of differentiated instruction, and you share ideas and materials with your grade-level colleagues, which has been mutually beneficial," Cullen wrote.

In the 2007-2008 second year report, Cullen says that Kravetsky has maintained a strong and organized classroom and has helped students grow from an instruction background. The report also cites his communication skills and relationship with teachers and parents.

In the 2008-2009 end of the year summary, Cullen praised Kravetsky's instructional abilities and said he has run a successful classroom.

"Matt, you continue to strengthen your instructional skills and your understanding of your students' instructional needs," Cullen wrote. "During our discussions of instruction, you have demonstrated a positive attitude regarding suggestions for improvement."

Each of the three evaluations ends with Cullen congratulating Kravetsky on the preceding year.

Each of the evaluations cover the entire year. It is not known what is in evaluations about Kravetsky which were conducted during the school year.

Kravetsky has not spoken during the meetings and has said few public comments about the case, except acknowledging that he has responded to Dolan's letter in addition to requesting the public hearing. He has declined to say what is in his letter to Dolan.

Kravetsky has gained a strong support in the Tamaques community, with several dozen parents jamming two BOE meetings to advocate for the teacher and over 300 signing an online petition in favor of the teacher. In addition, Kravetsky has garnered strong support from teachers in Tamaques. During Tuesday night's meeting, Patty Hughes, a second grade teacher at Tamaques who is retiring, spoke to the board.

Hughes echoed many of the same comments of other Kravetsky supporters and said he has remained popular with the teachers for his abilities. She noted that she has placed many of her students with Kravetsky and views him as a continuation of her legacy at the school.

"I have not heard one negative comment about Matt Kravetsky from the teachers," Hughes said. "What message are you sending to the non tenured teachers? Do you want them to work out of fear of being terminated for doing the best possible job?"