Amid speculation on whose decision it was, the media specialist gets her old job back.
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Published March 23, 2004
BROOKSVILLE - Longtime Powell Middle School media specialist Cecelia Solomon returned to her job in the school library Monday, after spending nearly two months teaching social studies against her will.
Ever since her principal, Michael Ransaw, transferred her to a classroom, Solomon had fought his decision. Her grievance, based on contractual grounds, went nowhere because Ransaw had the full authority to place teachers in any jobs for which they are qualified.
But Solomon's complaint that she was treated inappropriately for a 23-year employee went further.
On the evening last week that Hernando Classroom Teachers Association leaders planned to bring the matter to the School Board, superintendent Wendy Tellone called union executive director Sandra Armstrong to say Solomon would return to the media center.
Armstrong said she did not seek reasons.
"Issues had come before her regarding Ransaw. She decided to step in," Armstrong said. "I didn't ask her."
Human resources director Barbara Kidder said she was unaware of any mandate from Tellone, who was in a daylong meeting and unavailable for comment. More than likely, Kidder said, the move was Ransaw's choice.
Armstrong didn't buy that.
"He chose to make up invalid reasons to justify what he did. ... (Tellone) forced him to do what he should have done in the first place," Armstrong said. "He is taking the position he changed his mind. I know it's not his decision."
That matters little, though, she acknowledged, as long as the right thing occurred in the end.
Ransaw also was in a daylong meeting and not available for comment.
Teachers union president Missy Keller praised Tellone for doing the right thing, rather than asserting that Ransaw simply had exercised his authority correctly.
"The message that it sends is obvious," Keller said. "The teachers union and the superintendent's office are looking out for the best interest of the students and the teachers. We both came to the same conclusion, that Cecelia Solomon belonged in the same position that she had dedicated the past 18 years of her life to."
If there were any lingering concerns, Keller said, they focused on the shortened time left for Solomon to pursue National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification.
The application deadline is April 15. Spring break begins April 9, and Solomon has not been in the media center since late January.
Solomon's National Board certification status was crucial to her complaint against Ransaw. The state had paid a hefty fee to have her application evaluated as a media specialist, before Ransaw moved her from the library to a social studies teaching job she had not sought.
If she were to receive the certificate and not teach media for the year afterward, she could have been liable for the fee and could have lost a salary stipend that accompanies the qualification.
Keller said the union had to fight the move.
"Principals have the authority to make decisions on what is in the best interest of the students," she said. "But just because they have the right to do something, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the right thing to do."
Solomon answered the phone briefly Monday afternoon in the media center but said she could not talk because she was with students.
Later she sent a message to Keller.
"Thank you from the bottom of my feet," read the greeting card adorned with Winnie the Pooh. "I'd thank you more, but my feet don't go any lower."
