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Photograph by Christian Del Rosario

Teachers' union president George Gredasoff carries a poster-size "report card" to the school board meeting, grading Supertintendent Mary Panucci.

Teachers give boss an 'F' in education

Union blasts Panucci a week before the annual evaluation by the board

By Natasha Collins

The high school teachers' union put their superintendent through public humiliation last week, giving her a "report card" littered with failing grades and topping it off by asking her to resign.

The Fremont Education Association, soured by more than a year of negotiations with the Fremont Union High School District administration, did not spare any feelings at the June 3 board meeting. Union leaders gave Superintendent Mary Panucci an "F" in leadership, basic oral communication, visibility, knowledge of subject, educational honesty, interest in students, promoting learning, maintenance of schools and "creating staff morale."

Furthermore, they issued an "A+" for what they called her vindictiveness, budget manipulation, ability to twist the truth and destruction of the district.

Panucci did not return numerous phone calls placed by The Courier and hung up on a reporter when she was eventually contacted.

Some board members said they weren't sure what the union was hoping to accomplish by presenting the report card, but are confident it will not affect the negotiation process.

"This won't make the district more sensitive to their needs," said board member Homer Tong. "Everyone wants to point the finger somewhere."

School board President Randy Okamura said he thinks teachers were venting their frustation with contract negotiations.

"When people get frustrated, things get said and done," Okamura said. "There is a tendency to blame one side or another, but what we really need to do is work together."

The FEA timed its lashing to coincide with Panucci's official evaluation, which will be taken up by trustees June 10.

"We thought the board should have input from the teachers," FEA president George Gredassoff said. "She is a nice person, but she is lacking the basic skills necessary for her position."

The "report card" was composed of characteristics the district was looking for in a superintendent when it hired Panucci in January 1994, Gredasoff said. There were also items on the report card regularly included in teacher evaluations.

"We looked for a superintendent with certain characteristics, and she simply does not have them," Gredassoff said. "She can walk on a campus, and most teachers won't know who she is. They simply think she is just another well-dressed woman."

Last year, two-thirds of the district's 400 teachers issued a vote of "no confidence" in Panucci. That action also preceded the superintendent's evaluation.

Trustees originally wanted Panucci's name withheld from the FEA report card because they did not want her criticized publicly.

"Since it appeared to be a complaint, we wanted it handled under the special way we handle complaints," Okamura said. "When we learned that she was considered a public official and fell within different standards, that concern went away. The only problem is that the public doesn't know what is really going on."

Both sides have been working to reach a settlement and agree that the teachers are a valuable asset to the community, Okamura said.

"I am sure there are some people who have exception to how things are being handled," he said. "I am sure the negotiation teams will come to a resolution, and they are motivated to come to an understanding."

The FEA refused to remove Panucci's name from its presentation, citing as precedent a Scotts Valley court case that stated teachers have the right to publicly voice opinions about superintendents and school board members, Gredassoff said.

"The courts said that if she could be commended publicly she could be condemned publicly," he said.

Gredassoff doesn't believe the report card will damage negotiations.

"The tension, frustration and the morale of the staff couldn't get any worse," he said. "It is sad to say that a strike at this point seems to be inevitable."

The teachers will not strike before the summer break, but will plan a walkout for the beginning of the next school year, Gredassoff said.

"We don't want to ruin the happy time of graduation for the students and the families," he said. "We will be planning and organizing the strike over the summer so we will be prepared to strike in the fall."

Board members are hopeful that a strike can be avoided and an agreement can be reached.

"We need to let bygones be bygones," Okamura said. "We could settle at any cost, but that may not be the right decision for the students."

Both sides in the contract dispute are awaiting a report from an independent "fact-finder," who presented a settlement offer in April that was rejected by the union leadership. The fact-finder's report is meant to be used as the basis for further negotiations.

The next regular board meeting will be held June 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the school district office, 589 W. Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, June 11, 1997.
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