Pittsburg High teachers sound off against principal
Majority of instructors ask for administrator's removal in vote.
Posted: 06/12/2010 03:10:45 PM PDT
Updated: 06/12/2010 03:23:24 PM PDT
PITTSBURG — Most teachers at Pittsburg High School delivered a vote of no confidence in the school's principal last month, arguing that he belittles teachers in public, puts unrealistic expectations on the staff, and violates terms of the teachers' contract.
The executive board of the Pittsburg teachers union read a four-page document before the school board at a May meeting criticizing Todd Whitmire's leadership style.
Of the 71 Pittsburg High teachers who voted, 59 wanted Whitmire's dismissal. The school has 99 teachers.
Pittsburg High teachers have had problems with Whitmire's "improper behavior" for years and district administrators haven't addressed the complaints, said Chris Coan, Pittsburg teachers union president.
"For the last year and a half, all we've gotten is 'we'll talk to Todd,' and nothing happens. It should have been taken care of years ago," Coan said.
Though most complaints center on Whitmire's evaluations of teachers, others allege that he discriminates