Letter Not Published by The Herald To the Editor Herald News 1 Garrett Mountain Plaza PO Box 471 West Paterson, New Jersey 07424-0471 Dear Editor, The recent article by Karen Keller about Clifton Guidance Counselor Lou Fraulo (Teacher, Mentor, Coach and now retiree, June 21, 2007) was an interesting look at the work of a dedicated member of the teaching staff at Clifton High School. While he has certainly earned the right to a happy and healthful retirement, Mr. Fraulo's loss to the students and to Clifton High School will be revealed not only in September, but for many years to come. So too, will the unreported loss of at least 150 members of the Paterson school staff who have notified the Paterson Public Schools of their intention to retire from the system. These dedicated staff members have worked in the system for a cumulative total of 4,028 years teaching, counseling, guiding, comforting and encouraging the students of Paterson. That the Herald made no mention of the fact that this unprecedented exodus from Paterson schools has occurred is more than unfortunate. The average experience in Paterson of these dedicated staff member is almost 27 years. That experience, ability and wisdom cannot be recouped by the district. Sixty two members have 30 or more years in the Paterson Public Schools. What is even more unfortunate for the students of Paterson is that many of the people who have retired did so because of the machinations of the Glascoe administration. The letters from staff members at School # 1 and that of Angela Sigismondi Gencarelli both spoke to the anguish that some of our retirees faced at being transferred without thought or rationale by the school administration; about the agony they felt about being moved from their school after so many years, and their eventual decision to leave not because they felt the need to retire, but because they felt they were being forced out by the administration There can be no excuse as to why the Paterson administration chose to act as it did. The claim that budget reductions created the need for these transfers is bogus. There has been no explanation as to why these staff members would not be permitted to fill in for positions which were vacated by resignations, or retirements, or leaves of absence in their schools before anyone was transferred out. Nor has there been any explanation these needless transfers were going to save the District money. Quite a difference from the respect shown to our Clifton colleague as he chose to leave. The district administration instead made decisions that appear to be for the sole purpose of shoving these dedicated teachers out of the district. Valuing experience and dedicated service is more than just a formality in public schools. Paterson needs to retain every single experienced and successful teaching staff member we can. Treating staff with dignity and respect; respect earned over long and successful careers teaching Paterson students, must be a requirement for any administration that comes into Paterson. They deserve to be treated as our Clifton colleague was. They deserve to retire when they decide it is time, not pushed out on a whim. Sincerely, Peter A. Tirri, President Paterson Education Association 445 Straight Street Paterson, New Jersey 07501 Back