Tuesday, February 4, 2003
It is clear that a rapid disintegration of colossal proportions is going on at Sunnyland. Part of the problem, well, really the main problem is the principal. To overgeneralize if I may, she is more focused on style rather than on substance. The last few weeks of school have absolutely sucked ass.

To begin with, the day before the winter break, I was told by the AP, who was formerly on leave, that three teachers, including myself, were going to be moved out of our classrooms and into the auditorium because the portables were being demolished. When asked why the classes in the portables couldn't move into the auditorium, I was told that they were moving into our rooms. Except mine. Mine would be empty 'for a while.

For how long we ask? For the rest of the year he says.

Shouldn't the drama program use the auditorium? He says no.

Already the situation is fucked up. The other teachers moving into the auditorium, Mr. Melvo and Mr. Barry, are totally pissed off and wondering just how the fuck it is going to work with three classes being taught at the same time.

Even though he asks us 'what can I do for you,' it is clear that the AP is not listening when we tell him what our needs are. He is an asshole. We pretty much let him know that it is bullshit.

Better yet, we have 24 hours to make the move on the last day of school before the break.

I am pissed and vocal about the totally fucked up situation. It is a total clusterfuck.

It is clear that the timing of this is suspicious, so that by the time parents find out about the mass migrations, their kids will already be in a different learning environment. Instead of moving 2 classes, 9 teachers have to move their classrooms.

The Principal sees me after school and asks me what I think of the whole moving thing. She says, 'you are going to be a principal down the road, so how would you have handled it?' I make sure that she really wants to know.

She says she does.

I basically tell her the whole thing is way fucked. I held no quarter in detailing just how many kids would be affected by this. In fact, I gave a laundry list of reasons that it was a bad idea.

You can imagine my surprise when she indicated that she was not receptive to my ideas and told me that she hoped that her high regard for me would continue, despite my conversation.

I knew right then that I would be demoted to Junior Varsity for the rest of my time at Sunnyland.

Resigned to a role that I do not cherish, I move all of my shit on the Friday before break. Melvo and Barry don't even bother. While I am in the auditorium on Friday, I noticed that half the lights are out and there is no blackboard. I am told they will be 'working on it.'

Finally, I find some solace. I determine that the auditorium is wired for Internet access. I suggest to the Principal that we move the 6 computers into the auditorium for a mini-lab that over 400 kids a day can access.

She says, 'absolutely not,' and appears irritated that I would have the balls to present such an outlandish measure. She replies that we will just have to 'make it with a lot less than we are used to.'

Needless to say, her power ranking has slid.

Upon return from the break, we try it out for a month. Some days we enter the auditorium and there is an assembly scheduled. We are not even notified in advance.

The lights still haven't been fixed. Half of the auditorium is dark.

Here is the clincher…

Today, the word was that we were going to be asked us how we felt about moving back to our original rooms. Supposedly it was a done deal.

Melvo and Barry are totally pissed. I am laughing because it is clear that the school is being run by a group of clowns.

I cannot wait to interview for AP jobs over the next few weeks. This place is getting to be second rate..