Someone who asked to be known as “Also Concerned” writes in:
Adam Holden should graciously step down…should realize that he and his decisions and his non-Jewish new administrators are very much hurting the reputation of this school. The Jewish community is reading postings on this site. The Jewish community is reading the Jewish Journal.
Writers on this site are asking how Adam Holden has so much power. Ask also how Judy Dash has been able to remain so influential for so many many years.
10 responses so far ↓
1 anonymous // Apr 15, 2007 at 1:27 am
Agreed, he is too pompous to do that and truly does not care about the school. Remember it is a job for him that pays his bills and supports his children in Kansas.
2 concerned insider // Apr 15, 2007 at 10:30 am
Unfortunately there are many things happening in the school as a result of Dr. Holden’s policies and it should also be noted.
On Friday, some wonderful teachers in the High School announced they would not be returning next year. The moral is at an all-time low, as you can imagine. Teachers at all levels have been told NOT to talk to parents or they could face termination! Yes, termination. It’s a fact! This policy was not created last week, it is a school policy established by Dr. Holden many months ago. Administrators are given a script on what to say about certain issues to parents. Teachers and administrators are fearful of talking in school hallways or offices. Teachers are told not to talk to parents, other than of issues concerning their child. I have learned that the teachers have had it! (I am a long-time parent by the way).
When we alter our society and are forced to script our words, it’s clearly a sign that something is amiss. When there is nothing to hide, we are able to speak freely, and we are not told which words we are aloud to express. It’s hard to believe freedom of speech is altered in a Jewish day school and board members think it’s alright! They standing blindly behind the leader they hired, despite a lack of regard or respect for those who educate our children.
But, we are witnessing the outcome. Exceptional teachers are chosing to leave and I assure you, they love our students! Who could work for an institution that dictates our words?
3 Anonymous // Apr 15, 2007 at 10:44 am
Agreed - - that is called a Dictatorship. Many of our Cuban Jewish friends should understand this first hand under the rule of Fidel Castro as do our Venezuelan friends under the rule of Hugo Chavez and our families of survivors under the reign of Adolf Hitler.
…..and now our teachers under the reign of Adam Holden, Rabbi Druin, and our esteemed Board. - - -
this is the United States of American - — we have rights and even better - we have obligations to our children - -
Stand up and let your voices be heard.
This is a dangerous pattern. History should NOT be allowed to duplicate itself.
Call other parents - alumni - and community members - - Everyone needs to know!
Rise to Action.
4 Aaron // Apr 15, 2007 at 11:31 am
You’re on the right track- We must focus on Holden. Remember, at the end of the day, Holden did ONE right thing: he removed the board for the day-to-day operations of the school.
Any dean (or headmaster or head-of-school) cannot do what needs to be done with their hands tied by the board.
We all know that there are certain board members who have used their positions to terrorize teachers and protect their children (at the expense of other children and educational standards). Thanks to Holden, that particular power is, if not gone, at least weakened. That is a VERY GOOD thing.
We shouldn’t be surprised that Holden would bring someone in from Kansas to run the High School because even if this new person does not have the proper talents (or proper ethnicity) for Hillel, this person brings something to Hillel that Holden needs more than anything else: LOYALTY TO ADAM HOLDEN.
Research must be done. Who is this new high school principal? What do those in Kansas think of him? How brown is his nose?
What can be done to make Rabbi Kaplan’s interim position more permanent?
This is a long fight. We must find a way to discredit and isolate Holden so that if he is not removed, he is at least made as irrelevant as possible. At the same time, we must not return the power to the board so that, after two years (I believe he has two more years left on his contract) whoever replaces him will have the power to run the school in an effective and proper fashion.
5 Concerned Citizen // Apr 15, 2007 at 4:20 pm
SO BASICALLY THERE WILL BE RULE BY DUUMVIRATE.
TOTAL DICTATORSHIP.
6 Concerned Citizen // Apr 15, 2007 at 4:25 pm
It is true: Teachers are more scared than they’ve ever been and they’re the only ones who can tell you what’s really going on because they’re not reading off the script.
I have heard that Judy Dach, well meaning but misguided, also destroyed the last school she was involved with.
7 concerned insider // Apr 15, 2007 at 4:48 pm
The information I have received is so disturbing that I have to continue my topic of the silencing of our teachers.
At staff meetings recently, teachers were told their working hours would be extended next year. They will not learn the length of the new hours until the fall. Longer hours without additional compensation, but that isn’t even the issue. Many teachers tutor or have other obligations, which will be addressed at a later time. Many teachers even agreed with the theory of having more time to plan lessons. However, when teachers questioned Dr. Holden, he told them if they didn’t like it, they could find the door and walk out. What a nice place to work. To say the least teachers were speechless. But they can’t discuss it with each other. Not only are they prohibited from talking to parents, they are not permitted to speak in the hallways to other teachers. As I was sadly told directly, they work in fear. I am a parent and I am disgusted that the board is watching idly as those who educate our children each day are insulted with these rules.
Is this the Hillel we want?
8 also concerned // Apr 15, 2007 at 5:55 pm
to concerned insider:
You are a parent. It appears you are the one who is able to undertake a plan of action. It appears that the cry must come from parent.
9 also concerned // Apr 15, 2007 at 6:09 pm
concerned insider. you are a parent. it appears you are the one in a position to do something.
10 Concerned Citizen // Apr 15, 2007 at 7:41 pm
I don’t think the parents have discovered this site at all yet.
I just spoke to another one today.
Until they do, there is no one who can help.
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