Byers Charter School CEO signals no change in course despite parent revolt

"Our school needs to return to teaching the whole child, and not focusing on teaching to the minute," a teacher told the school's board.

The embattled new chief executive of the Russell Byers Charter School sought to calm a growing parent revolt over changes she imposed at the start of the school year, but signaled that she was not about to change course.

Constance Horton apologized to a room full of angry parents, and some teachers, for any appearance that she had ignored their views when making sweeping changes to curriculum and setting new rules that have antagonized large sections of the school community.

But, at a school board meeting yesterday afternoon, she gave no sign that she was about to roll back any of the changes.

"I realize that it brought about a great deal of change in a period when there is already a great deal of transition," she said. "However, that is our plan."

Horton did not respond at the meeting to 42 complaints laid out in a document that accompanied a petition seeking her immediate dismissal. With signatures of 130 parents, some of whom have several children in the school, supporters say it represented a majority of students enrolled at the 485-student school.

Still, she acknowledged that she could have done a better job at communicating her changes.

"If at some point in this process I have made you think that your voice doesn't count, then I apologize," she said. "I just hope we can work together. Whatever I can do to make sure our relationship is a positive one, I want to do that."

Parents say Horton has made changes to the curriculum without explaining them; has eliminated some artistic or cultural classes in favor of core instruction in math and reading, and has set tough new rules for students, including requiring complete silence in corridors and imposing strict limits on when they can use restrooms.

Parents also allege Horton has spent "thousands of dollars" on remodeling her office while some girls' restrooms have broken doors.

The list of complaints accuses Horton of lacking the teaching qualifications and background to be a school CEO. But Fernando Gallard, a spokesman for the School District of Philadelphia, said such academic credentials are not required for the CEO position at a charter school.

Horton's changes have led to the voluntary departure of nine experienced teachers since the start of the year, following five others who were fired in May, when she joined the school, parents say. They also blame the new regime for the departure of at least five families since the start of the current school year.

At the board meeting, nine parents and two teachers made a series of emotional three-minute speeches, arguing that the changes have violated the school's mission of educating the "whole child" by putting too much emphasis on traditional academic instruction.

"It is my opinion, and it is the opinion of many, that the school has unraveled," said Rachel Rosser, mother of two current students and one former student at the school.

Quoting the school's bylaws, Rosser told the board that it had a duty to monitor the performance of the school based on parent and staff satisfaction, and to hear complaints about the school's operation.

Rosser, and her husband, Andrew, both said after the meeting that if Horton didn't change course, they would consider removing their children from the school.

Linda Hopkins, a teacher in her ninth year at Russell Byers, said she had misgivings about the changes.

"I decided to speak today because I am concerned about some of the changes that have been made to our curriculum and our schedule, and I'm not so sure they are what's best to support our children in their growth socially, academically and emotionally," Hopkins said.

She said the changes have resulted in shortened morning meetings and loss of time for games in class. "I notice the negative impact on my students," she said.

"Our school needs to return to teaching the whole child, and not focusing on teaching to the minute," Hopkins said to applause from other teachers and parents.

The school, at 19th & Arch Streets, was set up in 2001 in memory of Russell Byers, a Daily News columnist who was murdered during an attempted robbery in Chestnut Hill two years earlier. His widow, Laurada, is serving as temporary chair of the board, following the recent resignation of Ed Covington.

In a joint statement issued late yesterday, Horton and Byers pledged to work with parents to overcome their concerns, but didn't say how they would do that.

"We value and welcome the passion and input of our parents and teachers," the statement said. "In fact, we cannot operate without it. We are working together to address their concerns and create an action plan for our school community."

Their spokesman, Jeff Jubelirer, said Horton would not publicly respond to parents' and teachers' specific objections before she speaks with them directly. "They will be addressed," he said.