Franklinton Elementary

Solid B+ all around the board. Keep up the great work. Continue to build on your skills and rework new practices.

Franklinton Elementary (FES), gets a bad rap. I taught at FES for most of the 2017-2018 school year, so I have an accurate view of the school. Most of the students at FES aren’t unruly; the problem is most of the teachers and administrators don’t know how to effectively discipline them. The primary problem at FES is the “leaders” who have served there. The administrators at FES are some of the most unknowledgeable and unprofessional “leaders” I have encountered. The administrators were unknowledgeable of effective behavior management techniques (which is part of the reason many teachers’ classrooms were so chaotic), instructional strategies, and managerial tasks (such as tornado and lockdown drill expectations). They were not visible in classrooms and the principal has spoken to the students, as well as the staff members in an univiting tone on multiple occasions, through yelling and intimidation. Often the administrators cornered and intimidated teachers who weren’t in their good graces, which caused myself and several other teachers to resign before the end of the school year. The principal only saw the children as test scores and the teachers would be berated, if the student testing results weren’t on par with her standards. Teacher autonomy was looked against and teachers would be disrespected and reprimanded for trying to use teaching methods they were most comfortable with. The administrators at FES have created an environment without trust and mutual respect, as well as a fear among teachers to express issues that are important to them. Furthermore, teachers don’t have a voice and are discouraged from holding students accountable and using in-class consequences, due to possible backlash from parents.There are many other things I can say about the administration of FES, but I will stop here. I left meetings in tears, due to how unprofessional, mean-spirited, and hateful the administrators treated me. I could no longer stay in such an environment or do what was best for my students, so I resigned. I was replaced by a non-certified substitute, so the student did not receive instruction from a certified teacher, during the ending of the school year. The public deserves to know the true nature of the “leadership” occurring at FES. I would caution any new teacher to FES to be cognizant before accepting a position there.

lack of discipline, lack of parental involvement, poor attitude by students, little to no school spirit, poor leadership, overworked and tired teachers. my oldest went to FES because we were redistricted there. after attending her grades dropped significantly and her whole attitude went from positive and upbeat to downtrodden. My youngest will be starting kindy next year - in a different school. the schools scores are so low you can opt to attend another school, and i will not hesitate to do so!

I feel that the principal is doing what needs to be done to turn this school around. Upon entering school this year my daughter learned a lot more than I expected she is reading simple chapter books and will be entering the first grade. She is an easy learner. However she would not have come this far with out a well experienced teacher who knew how to get the job done regardless of the disruptions, negative attitudes and misconduct that she also had to deal with in her classroom on a daily basis. Although my child is very strong willed and independent. I never thought I would see a day when her attitude became cold and harsh I am sad to say this is one behavior I feel she picked up while at FES.