Original Blog: See Click Fix

This was the original online posting place for the community’s comments when this all came to a head. Since then it was shut down by the hosting site. The comments are still viewable. If you're new to this situation taking a look at this will give you the backstory. Start from the initial post and work your way down.

 
Title: School Board Screw Up
Issue ID: 176537
Neighborhood: Wynantskill
Reported: on 2012-04-20

Description: "I cannot believe this was the best the Board could come up with for your Superintendent, this lady is a fraud. She ruined one school 6 years ago she will ruin this one. She is a parents nightmare. Wake up, just as she did here in the North Colonie she will due there is a matter of time. She is a very ignorant and arrogant person who actually is not as strong or knowledgeable as she appears. If things get too tough and screwed up she will walk away. Watch her every move and decision or you will get sued!"

Original Blog: http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/176537

(This blog has since been shut down for additional comments by the hosting site, as well as some of the content removed, however it is still accessible to be viewed.)

Board of Education: Statements Posted 07/18/13

(1)BOE Considers Outside Consultants to Review District Concerns

The Wynantskill Board of Education has begun exploring retaining consultants to look into the many concerns expressed by community residents at the Thursday, July 11 Board of Education meeting.

"The Board is considering ways to effectively answer the many questions asked at the last board meeting. We want to be objective and focus only on the facts," said Board President Andrea Paone.

Mrs. Paone said one option would be to hire outside consultants to carry out the work.

"The findings of someone within our district, even us as board members, might not appear impartial. We want this process to be completely aboveboard and unbiased."

She added that choosing consultants with strong backgrounds in Human Resources and education would give board members a clear picture of the district's personnel and education issues. There will obviously be a cost for these services, but the cost could be worth the getting expert, unbiased advice she said.

The Board of Education cannot formally act on this option until its next public meeting. Posted 7/18/13

(2)District Contracts with BOCES to Help Improve Communications

Responding to community requests for improved communications, the Wynantskill Board of Education has contracted with Questar BOCES for part-time communications service. "Our residents deserve to know what is happening in our school district. We learned at our board meeting on July 11, that we have to do a better job reaching out to our community," said Board Vice President Ann Marsh. The board decision reflects the members' belief that communications cannot be a secondary function. The communication person will work two days each week beginning Monday, July 22. His duties will include managing the district website, school newsletters, e-mail communications with parents and writing stories about student successes and district challenges. Posted 7/18/13

*copied from http://www.wynantskillufsd.org/index.php

Board of Education: Statement Posted 07/17/13

Board of Education schedules second meeting with teachers:

Representatives of the Wynantskill Board of Education will meet with members of the Wynantskill Teachers Association for a second time on Thursday, July 18. Board members Ann Marsh and Matt Hug met with WTA President Matt Lutz, former president Lisa Hancock, and teachers Jean Marie Steffek and Kate Cronin on Monday, July 8 in an attempt to resolve the issues currently challenging the school. Mrs. Marsh and Mr. Hug both described the meeting as candid and productive, but cautioned it was only a first step. They expect this Thursday to be the second in a long series of board and faculty communication.

*copied from http://www.wynantskillufsd.org/index.php

Grace Pfiefer’s Statement to the Board of Education 07/11/13

July 11th, 2013

I wonder if Dr. Henkel remembers me?  I remember her.

My name is Grace and I am a sophomore nursing major at Utica College.  I am also a cheerleader and member of the Student Nursing Association and Drama Club.  I am now a counselor of 6 graders at the Halfmoon Recreation day camp program.

I am speaking tonight because I don’t want another child to experience what I did at my school under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Henkel.

It took me years of counseling to restore my self-esteem and self-confidence.  I still have flash-backs of how I was made to feel about myself at Boght Hills School.  No 6 or 7 year old special education student should be humiliated, physically and emotionally harmed, at the direction of their elementary school principal.

My IEP which promised an inclusion classroom was ignored by Dr. Henkel who felt she was above any special education program designed for a student.  It was her school and things would be done her way. The teachers that tried to help me were reprimanded and remained silent at my CSE meetings fearing retribution. 

I still have flash-backs of the numerous times I ran away from that school building. The adults called it bolting.

Their “bolting” - I called “escape”.

Escape from constant emotional and physical abuse I experienced while a student at Boght Hills while Lisa Henkel was principal.

My last day attending Boght Hills was in May of second grade 2002.  By then my mother was in a hearing process due to numerous IEP violations.  Dr. Henkel instructed my teachers to engage me in a behavior in a locked room and video tape it.  This film Dr. Henkel would “use” as evidence that I did not belong in her school.  As my teachers incited my behavior Dr. Henkel called the Colonie Police to respond to school with two armed police officers.  I was seven years old and weighed 60 pounds.  My mother rescued me that day and I never had to go back to that school and see Lisa Henkel again.

I urge you to listen to the parents and teachers who tell you something is not right.  Something was very wrong in 2002 and the only way it got better was for me to leave.  No child, parent or teacher should endure the pain I did under Lisa Henkel.  It’s time to take a stand and get back your school as you know and love it.  Thank you.

"Grace Pfeifer who was a student at Boght Hills School while Dr. Lisa Henkel was principal there was asked to stop speaking during the Wynantskill Union Free School District BOE meeting. Teachers Union President Matt Lutz invited Grace to speak."