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Public outcry saves City College teachers
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Patrick Daniel, who teaches English and speech, and social studies teacher John Morrow learned of Principal Timothy Dawson’s decision to transfer them in letters dated July 2 from the school board.
Social studies teacher Sedrick Smith learned about his termination when he reported for summer school.
Their supporters surmised that Dawson took action because the teachers were liaisons for the Union Chapter Committee, a school organization the principal allegedly didn’t like.
Supporters were prepared to rally on the trio’s behalf at Tuesday evening’s school board meeting, planning to say the teachers played crucial roles in educational programs and extracurricular activities and, as members of UCC, were tireless advocates for improving the school.
However, the rally was called off just before the meeting after supporters learned the teachers would remain in their jobs.
When contacted Tuesday afternoon, schools spokeswoman Vanessa Pyatt said she was not aware of the situation.
But she said officials were looking into the matter and that typically, they are not at liberty to discuss personnel actions.
School board member Kalman Hettleman commented shortly after that “the matter is under review by Dr. [Andres] Alonso and the [school] board.”
Later, when a reporter contacted Daniel, he quickly responded, saying the matter had been resolved.
“Everything’s worked out,” Daniel said. “It looks like [Dawson] changed his mind and we all will be returning to our rightful positions.”
Morrow was out of town and Smith couldn’t be reached for comment.
Pyatt, when told of Daniel’s response, said she was unable to comment.
TEACHER’S LETTER LANDS ON MYSPACE
Teacher Patrick Daniel said in a letter to friends — and which made its way onto MySpace — that the trio had been accused of racially dividing the staff. He also described his transfer to Mervo as “retaliation for being a member of the Union Chapter Committee at City and fighting to improve conditions at the school.”
Why do you think Timothy Dawson reversed his decision about the three City College teachers? Respond below in our comment section.
Comments from Examiner Readers
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Examiner Reader said:
No it's not. There were two Morrows. One Jim and one John.
6 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
When I was at City from 1993 to 1997, I had a teacher named Jim Morrow who taught computer technology. Is this the same as the John Morrow in this story, or a completely different person?
8 agree | 8 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I agree with many ot he comments left on here, but a lot of administrators are union busters let the truth be told. If you are a very active union member and you up hold to the policies in the union contract most administrators will blackball you for following your union contract. There is no one making them accountable. Principals are able to hire and fire at will in Baltimore city. A lot of teachers are afraid to speak out. I am so happy you touched upon this issue. Also they are one of the reasons for the high teacher turnover in the city.
18 agree | 8 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Mr. Dawson reversed his decision because he was about to become involved in a big lawsuit. That's a known fact. Although he somehow persuaded those that signed off on the transfer/firing requests that his actions were legitimate, he could not persuade the strong team of people that were ready to take legal action against him. They were armed and ready. If you were to take a look at the teachers reviews, there is no way they should have been fired.
21 agree | 16 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Mr. Dawson is a bully and I can't seem to understand why he continues to get away with it. Personally, I know Mr. Sedrick Smith and am very familiar with the entire situation. I know him to be an excellent teacher that the students love and trust.He is very concerned about their education and has their best interest at heart. Hopefully, the new CEO of the school system will not let this situation continue to go unnoticed, but will look into the history of Dawson's mean, wicked and vindictive ways. Currently, Dawson is away (vacationing in Boston) for the entire month. He didn't have to face his demons at the school board meeting. I bet he didn't realize that Mr. Smith was very close friends with people in high places that got the ball rolling. HAHAHA. He has egg on his face. Kudos to everyone who assisted tirelessly in making sure "justice" was served.
18 agree | 17 disagree
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another city alum said:
I agree, an alumnus would be the optimal principal for City. From what I keep reading, having an alumnus running Poly has done wonders and school spirit, as well as grades and test scores, are up. I also agree that if the Alumni Association has excellent ideas for the governance of the school, then they should be involved as well, in some capacity. I would not want to doubt their sincerity in wanting the school to be better. I think that if the school is going to be run independently from North Avenue and the city's power brokers, that the school should have an independent board. There needs to be transparency as well as checks and balances.
29 agree | 20 disagree
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Sigai2005 Alumni said:
I agree with Mike also. There is so many unnoticed aspects of the before lives of the principal. it is totally absurd that he was even allowed to be in the school sysytem again. City College was a GREAT school when i was there from 2001 to 2005. Wilson (former principal) at BCC was strict but that is exactly what the students at City College need, someone that is going to be strict with them and not wanted to get rid of teachers because of some committee. Daniels and Morrow were teaching there when I was in attendance and they are great teachers and do not need to go anywhere. They are two teachers that got the point across in their teaching and that is what the students need. Everything in BCC needs to be revolved around that students and who cares about what committee who is on. IT DOES NOT MATTER!!!! THE STUDENTS MATTER!!! CITY FOREVER!!!!!!!!2005
37 agree | 13 disagree
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BCC1967 said:
I am in complete agreement with Mike. The only condition that I would add would be that whoever is assigned principal (Preferably an alumnus) be allowed to run the school without interference from city power brokers. The BCC Alumni Association is a fantastic group with excellent ideas and the best interest of the school at heart. Contrary to what has been said about them, they have NOT tried to run the school. They are very concerned about it and support the school and the principals when allowed to do so. They are an absolute godsend and should have a strong voice in who is selected as principal. They know the real thing when they see it! A big screen TV?? How in the world does that speak to "Instructional Leadership"?
31 agree | 19 disagree
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Mike 2006 alum said:
I can't believe he was allowed to become principal after what happened at his previous school. The place is a mess. A big screen TV in his office? now I wonder why he would need such a thing if he was running the school properly! I am sure glad that he is showing his true colors. He has already chased teachers out of the school, plus he has little control over the school with very poor leadership! The man cannot be trusted. Personally, I believe that he should be removed and replaced with an alumni who truly cares about the school, a person familiar with the history and integrity of the school.
38 agree | 13 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I believe Mr. Dawson was forced to reverse his decision. Once North Ave. did their homework they pressured him to reinstate the 3 teacher. I believe that the parent, teachers, students and alumni played a major role in the decision. The squeaky wheel................
35 agree | 21 disagree
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another city alum said:
What role, if any, did Dr. Alonso play in this?
37 agree | 21 disagree
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BCC1967 said:
Patrick Daniels is an honest and fair-minded individual. He is an excellent teacher and a stauch advocate for Baltimore City College and the students the school serves. John Morrow is an excellent teacher. Both have very high expectations for all students and serve as role models for their peers. Neither man is a racist. Both tend to speak their minds in their own different ways and that is as it should be. I worked with them both during a short stint. They have no idea that I am writing this and Mr. Morrow would probably be surprised. As a City College student of yester-year, they remind me very much of the old "City" faculty". Baltimore City College and its students need them to remain right there to uphold the proud traditions of excellence that City exemplifies. Thank God for them.
35 agree | 19 disagree
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City Alum said:
Will anyone be checking up to make sure that these reinstated will be treated fairly...
41 agree | 16 disagree
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City graduate said:
Hopefully Mr. Dawson will recieve repercussions. This is not the first time he has committed such an act. He did the same thing in Miami, FL at Killian Senior High School in 1999 when a teacher was trying to warn parents about the potential health hazards in the solvent-based paint and was an active member of his union. This principal has a history of union busting and I hope his past will reveal who he is today. I do not want my high school to fall to shambles just because the school system did.
42 agree | 18 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
So what repercussions will Principal Dawson face for his failed retaliatory strike at three excellent teachers?
39 agree | 19 disagree
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