Lehman High School principal Janet Saraceno is under investigation. Saraceno, appointed to head the 4,000-student school in 2008, has changed grades to help students graduate, past and present teachers told watchdog news source GothamSchools.
Saraceno took a $25,000 bonus when she agreed to transfer to Lehman and is eligible for another $25,000 if the school’s graduation rate increases. Although Lehman earned a “B” on its progress report for the 2007-2008 school year, its four-year graduation rate was only 48 percent. Saraceno replaced principal Robert Leder, forced out when an investigation revealed that he had paid assistant principals for non-existent work.
Teachers reported Saraceno in the spring and took the case to GothamSchools when they heard nothing from the Department of Education (DOE). DOE began its investigation in the spring, spokeswoman Ann Forte said.
“When we have findings we’ll report them and take action as necessary,” Forte added.
Teachers showed transcripts to GothamSchools. Some students were given credit for after-school courses never offered; others passed thanks to “credit recovery,” teachers told GothamSchools. Credit recovery via worksheets and cram sessions is permitted but Saraceno has abused it, teachers said.
Lehman guidance counselor Lois Geideman defended Saraceno. Geidman suspects that the whistleblowers are teachers loyal to Leder.
“I think [Saraceno] has nothing to hide,” she said.
Saraceno is a cautious principal, Geidman added. Thanks to the Leder investigation, Lehman is in the spotlight, she said. Saraceno is concerned that the investigation will harm Lehman students, particularly those set to apply to college, Geidman explained. Perhaps admissions offices won’t respect Lehman grades.
But a math teacher who asked not to be named is furious. Although Saraceno has never asked the teacher to change a grade, the teacher has heard rumors and wouldn’t be surprised if the GothamSchools report were true, the teacher said.
Saraceno has lowered math standards to achieve false success, the teacher explained. Exams comprised 70 percent of students’ math grades under Leder but comprise only 20 percent under Saraceno; “special assignments” comprise 25 percent. Saraceno has no faith in Lehman’s minority students, the teacher said. “I think it’s racism,” the teacher added.
John, 15, a freshman, agreed. “Kids who don’t know much math get [grades of] 70 and 80 percent,” John said.
If Saraceno is under pressure to produce results, she doesn’t ask Lehman teachers for help, the disgruntled teacher said.
