Students Speak Out Against Suggested Teacher Transfer

Current and former students gathered at the board of education’s work session meeting Thursday to speak out against the possible transfer of one of the school’s teachers.

Linda Johnson, a longtime math and computers teacher at the high school, is one of six teachers within the Kinnelon school district being considered for an “assignment to transfer” for the following school year to another position within the district, according to Superintendent James Opiekun, who has suggested all of the transfers.

Johnson, specifically, or “Miss J” as she was called by the students during the meeting, is being considered for a move from the high school to

“If Miss J is moved down to the middle school, it would be a huge disservice to the high school students,” said junior Dan Fresella, who has taken Johnson’s Computer Programming and Intro to Calculus courses. “Miss J is best fitted for mature students, to prepare them as they get ready for college.”

Many who spoke focused on what they considered to be Johnson’s proficiency at preparing them for college, noting that she provides letters of recommendation for many of the students.

William Clark, who graduated from the high school in 2008, said he didn’t think he would have been as successful with getting into college if he didn’t have Johnson as both a teacher and mentor.

Many of the current students, such as Fresella and junior Jennifer Bertollo, told the board of education they had planned to have Johnson for Advanced Placement Calculus in the fall, complimenting her instruction style.

“Her teaching style is one that fully explains the material while challenging students to seek the results and fully embrace the subject,” Bertollo said. “She really cares and wants us to succeed, not just in her class, but in other classes, our personal lives and going to college.”

Junior Brian Toohey presented a letter to the board signed by more than 50 high school students, mentioning that Johnson “works tirelessly” and is always around for assistance.

Before the students took to the podium, Opiekun spoke about transfers in general, noting that this topic is usually an emotional one and seeking to clear up any misconceptions about what a transfer means.

He first clarified that an assignment to transfer does not negatively reflect a teacher’s job performance.

“Basically, the reason for transferring is that, with the 200-something teachers in this district, my job is to make sure we achieve the best possible chemistry and educational benefit with the placement of our staff,” he said.

He also said that a transfer “in no way, shape or form” should be considered a demotion.

“In fact, I think considering it a demotion does a disservice to the people teaching in that school and at that grade level,” Opiekun said.

Additionally, teachers still receive their same salaries and are fully protected under the terms of their employment.

In response to Opiekun’s statement that some people embrace change and some resist it, Bertollo said that “moving one of the greatest high school teachers to the middle school is not necessarily the answer.”

Opiekun said there is usually always resistance when a transfer is first proposed. However, he said, when teachers are approached later and asked if they would like to return to their old positions, they often choose to stay in their new ones.

Although those who spoke were largely opposed to Johnson’s transfer, two dissenting opinions were offered, one from a mother who said the transfer should be looked at as a positive change and another from senior August Koch.

“I have nothing against Miss. Johnson personally, and I think she’s a nice lady,” Koch, who currently has Johnson for AP calculus, said. “But I think we all feel we’re not prepared for college, and I feel that will be glaringly apparent with our AP scores.”

Johnson was not present at the meeting. Neither the superintendent nor board members listed reasons for transferring Johnson. The names of the other five suggested teacher transfers were not mentioned at that time.