My Stamford High School roots, like many in the community, span three generations.  Mom and Dad graduated in the 1940s and 1930s, respectively; my son earned his diploma the first year of this century.  I, too, proudly declare myself a graduate of the Class of 1969.

And, I am immensely proud of my alma mater.  Lately, though, she seems to have suffered a blow from which perhaps other schools, other staff may not get up off the canvas.

Do not believe it, not for one day, one hour, one minute, one second.

The Stamford High School teachers and staff I know, the staff I worked with nearly 20 years, will and are getting the job done every day.  The job?  Teaching and learning.  Like so many of us, they go to work and get the job done.  And the they to whom I refer includes teachers, para-professionals, security guards, office and custodial staff, School Resource Officers (SROs) students and their families.

Contrary to published reports, there is no crisis at Stamford High School.

Most recently, Dr. Winifred Hamilton, Superintendent, Stamford Public Schools, decided the principal and assistant principal, of whom we have read so much about the past months, will not return to leadership positions at the “school on the Hill.”

“When the going gets tough…” A cliché? Yes.

In case you have missed it, the going has gotten pretty tough for the Black Knight family these days.

We have witnessed one of our own break a personal and professional trust, commit the one sin we find almost unforgiveable.  The sin? Not protecting the students in our care, all students.

Are teachers upset?  Yes.

Are teachers angry?  Yes.

Why?  Very simple.  Go ahead; ask a firefighter how he or she feels if one sworn to run into a burning building while all others are running out commits arson.

Ask a cop about those same feelings when another officer gets arrested and found guilty of a criminal offense.

One of our own did not protect a student in her care.  We acknowledge and willingly accept the trust the public places in teachers.  We understand the simple and basic truth that when students’ parents or guardians deliver their kids to us, they are really saying, “Take care of my daughter.  Hold my son’s hand.  Teach them well.  They are special because they are mine.”

And, now, the courts have spoken about one of our own and this next phase of her life begins.

But, the State’s Attorney, Mr. Cohen, has indicted the Stamford Public Schools, too, in his recent remarks following the granting of accelerated rehabilitation to  the Stamford High School administrators. He seems to point out a greater guilt, a more pervasive problem than only two employees albeit those in leadership positions at the school.

Recently, some members of our elected bodies whether Board of Finance, Board of Representatives, have entered the discussion.  Certainly, citizens understand the weighing in of members of their elected bodies on matters which affect us all as this one does.  However, the Stamford Police Department has yet to release its report.  Also, the State Department of Children & Families continues its investigation.

The past week, the City hired the firm of Pullman & Comley to conduct an investigation into the District’s alleged failure to report a relationship to the State Department of Children and Families (DCF).  Retired judge Robert Holzberg will lead the investigation.

Still all this does not change what happened, does not undo the damage promulgated by a teacher upon a student.

Now, where do we go from here?  More specifically, where do Dr. Hamilton and her leadership team go to find the kind of inspiring leadership which has gone begging at the high school for some years now.

During my first six years at Stamford High, Tony Pavia led the school and under his leadership the entire school community thrived.  We have heard that good leaders require good followers.  We enjoyed both at school under Mr. Pavia.  In the 11 years following his departure, Stamford High School had eight principals, acting principals or interim principals!

Know any successful corporations, sports teams or other organizations which enjoy consistent success with this track record?

What does that say about leadership?  And, may I add, who does the hiring?  Certainly, not the teachers.

The Board of Education’s lawyer, Tom Mooney, of the firm Shipman & Goodman, would remind us the participation of teachers in hiring personnel is not a mandatory subject of bargaining.  We shall not here contest State laws and regulations governing public schools.

But, teachers do comprise one group of stakeholders as well as parent organizations and Central Office during the interview process for the hiring of new administrators.  Let us not mistake this as a vote at the table because the hiring recommendation comes strictly from the chain of command with final approval of the Board of Education.

Essentially, teachers have but lip service when it comes to truly mutual collaboration in the selection of school leaders.

The entire staff at Stamford High School now looks to Dr. Hamilton and her leadership team to bring in someone ready to lead a dedicated and passionate and fearless group of educators.  The teachers at 55 Strawberry Hill Avenue have been looking for a leader, a visionary, a fellow teacher, to lead them for too long now.  You see, the best principals see themselves first and foremost as teachers not administrators.

The best principals walk the hallways greeting students and faculty every day.  They go to football games, school plays, fundraisers, debates, proms, graduation.  They feel deeply when a student suffers a loss, a tragedy within his or her family.

They laugh easily, enjoy each day like the kids themselves.  They know the serious business of education but do not take themselves too seriously.  They speak well but, more importantly, are focused listeners.

The next principal of Stamford High School must have a heart as large as Boyle Stadium if not larger.  He or she must truly care about the joy in education of every student.

He or she, in other words, must conduct himself or herself like the teachers with whom I worked at Stamford High for the better part of two decades.

The entire community of Stamford High School, students and their families, deserve no less.  Our City of Stamford deserves no less.

Dr. Hamilton, we are waiting.  Members of the Board of Education, we are waiting.  The ball is in your court; serve us up a leader.

Michael J. Arcano

President, SEA