During the last two special school board meetings of the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees, staff has shown up in great numbers to show support for Superintendent Stephanie Anello as the Board of Trustees are holding her annual review.
Staff and members of the community crowd have overflowed the school board meetings into the parking lot to offer their support.
Some of the comments from the May 16 meeting include:
Tom Sellers, CSCA, spoke at the meeting stating why they appreciate Superintendent Stephanie Anello.
“She stands up to special interest groups, something that has been needed in this district for a long time. She is not afraid to point out the role of the school board and insist you work as a board and not individuals,” explained Sellers. “She insists you follow board policy, and some of you continue to violate it which she points out, she challenges the falsehoods you proliferate from the dais such as these board policies were never approved, we never received the documentation that we asked for and she points out the dates that they were discussed and approved by the board. Last, she insists on hiring the best people for the job based on fair and impartial processes and not based on personal agendas.”
Mark McClain, who has been in the District for 30-years, highlighted how he had seen many superintendents and employees who should and should not have been in the District.
“She is respectful, she is knowledgeable, she interacts excellently with all of the staff I know and everybody I know speaks very highly of her because of her commitment to the district, the students, the staff and the board,” explained McClain. “We have discussed some of the issues at length that plague our district and how we can adjust ourselves… none of them are easy, but superintendent Anello can keep us banded together in order to provide a unified front to face the problems this district faces on a daily basis and a yearly basis. I ask you support her in the same way my fellow staff members support her.”
Monte Gregg, Principal at Mission Elementary School, shared they are all aware of recent decisions that had been made by three of the board members.
“We are here for her (Stephanie Anello) not for three of you who don’t apparently like our District. Therefor we are putting you on notice that we are paying attention to you and will have a lot more to say to you to the days to come,” said Gregg.
Martha Steele Spellman shared how Anello is strong and creative women and how the Board should want that given what is going on in today’s world.
“It would be a sad day for Antioch to allow this dynamic leader to be a victim of this charter decision,” said Spellman.
Deb Hubbard addressed a comment made by Debra Vinson during the last school board meeting saying she was out of touch with the parents of Antioch Schools and then offered her support of Anello.
“She is one of our own, she has the heart for our kids. She stood up for all 17,000 students, not the few hundred parents who showed up for special interest and profit from education and public education dollars,” said Hubbard. “She stands up for all 17,000 students in this district, I wish all of you did that instead of standing up for a few hundred. She has continued choice for all 17,000 students, she has continued the choice for the middle schools and high schools with the choices with the different academies… how you could even consider losing her is beyond me. She has heart for our kids and she believes in a unified school district, not a segregated one dividing the haves versus the have nots because that is what this board did last week, shame on you and we are watching. I hope you elect to keep her in her position.”
Mary Rocha spoke highly about Anello and how she was involved in the community while wanting to make a best effort.
“She wants to make sure our district is involved with the City and with other organizations. I see her as a community person and not just a superintendent, a role model, a strong woman, superwoman maybe,” said Rocha. “One thing is her personality, I’ve been through superintendents myself in my time as a former school board member. I know some of the good traits and bad traits and I believe she has the best ones of all. I would be surprised if you say something negative about her on her evaluation because that would be truly a bad setup for the future as she goes on because she has done tremendous work here for all of us.”
Ken Kent reflected on his time in the District and how they have had bad superintendents in the past.
“Stephanie Anello is a dream superintendent, not for staff because she gives us what she wants. But because of the climate she creates in the District,” said Kent.
18 comments
I found it very disappointing that board member Vinson arrived late to both of these special board meetings. I wonder if she just doesn’t want to hear the support for the Superintendent?
Anello needs to go. She is bitter and hot tempered if she doesn’t get her way and don’t cross her or you are gone.
I’ve never had that experience. Of all the superintendents I have known, she is the most caring and compassionate toward students, staff, and community members. She has been a leader in offering academies to students. The same academies that are highly performing. She continues to innovate with programs designed to teach all children. She has integrity and follows that moral compass with her interactions at all levels. I support Stephanie Anello.
Plus she eagerly rubberstamps Union contracts without blinking an eye. gives out No bid/ Low bid Lotto contracts!
Of Course, there is such a love fest at these meeting.
Your not fooling anybody.
That is an interesting comment, have you personally worked with her? I have for over twenty years and your comments must be directed towards some other Stephanie, not the one I know. She is passionate, dedicated and has the highest amount of integrity. She leads with inspiration not intimidation.
I agree with you 100% Stephanie is compassionate, dedicated , hard working and driven and one of the most humble human beings I know !!
Having a respectful dialogue instead of your comments might mean that people take you more seriously. Can you provide any evidence of your claim? If not then please reserve your comments to yourself. These types of comments o my perpetuate non productive discussions and get the district and the Antioch community nowhere.
Julio have you worked with Stephanie? I have for over 20 years and have never seen or heard her exhibit what you say. What I do know is that she is caring of her district, passionate about student learning, and has the highest integrity in what she does. She doesn’t lead by intimidation but by inspiration. Maybe you are talking about a different Stephanie.
The support that Is shown to Stephanie by AUSD employees,community members, parents and students is based on deep respect not on money or union support. Stephanie treats all people well, she is hard working, intelligent, compassionate, approachable, principled and embodies all of the qualities of a strong leader. Stephanie has earned the respect of the people around her with twenty years of service to the Antioch Unified School District and to the community of Antioch. To suggest that Stephanie is anything other than the strongest leader that AUSD has ever seen is ludicrous.
Oh great! Another union pompom mouthpiece.
Smell the stench…the district is in shambles, the schools are crumbling and not being repaired. The test scores are laughable. Parents are leaving in droves….people are not considering locating to Antioch becuase of AUSD.
BUT, PARTY ON DUDES!
as long as the $$$ and the Champaign keeps FLOWING, and our Aw shucks ..nice guy…Superintendent, keep the machine going.
ALL IS WELL IN LALA LAND!
Did you mean champagne?
Oh man…so sorry. I meant DOM PERIGNON
He/she must not have gone to An AUSD school. Probably pronounced that “dom per-IG-non” as well.
I graduated high school not too long ago, but I’m not an AUSD graduate or affiliate of any sort. I live in Oakley and went to grade, middle and hs in upstate N.Y., however, anyone who has such positive things said about her character, work ethic and everything in between, must be a good person whom is also a hard worker and well liked. So good luck to her in her future endeavours.
Hmmm, I don’t smell anything
REALLY?!?
……..”Ken Kent reflected on his time in the District and how they have had bad superintendents in the past.
“Stephanie Anello is a dream superintendent, not for staff because she gives us what she wants.”……..
SMELL HARDER!
Nope, I still don’t smell a thing. Perhaps you should get your nose checked.
Perhaps he/she should wash his/her upper lip…..
What I find amazing is that “Iratus parente” isn’t honest or true enough to use their real name…speaks volumes in a world where cowards, liars and antagonists hide behind a computer screen.
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