I am a parent of children attending Hillside schools. Most of us in Hillside community are aware of the events of the past school year revolving around the abrupt firing of Mrs. Charlene Baskerville, former Hurden-Looker School principal.
Although this generated much attention immediately following her "suspension", as it was initially referred, the matter has quietly dissipated in the minds of the parents and the community in general. I felt it was time to move on as well until a recent evaluation forced me to revisit the issue.
The event in question was the results of the fourth-grade Elementary School Proficiency Assessment exams in which Hurden Looker students scored higher than any other school in the district. I am certain, as are many parents of children who took the exam last school semester, that this was a direct result of Baskerville's commitment to academic excellence. She prepared and motivated the students and teachers as well. She dedicated her weekends right up until the time she was "forced off" the school property.
Also, despite the lack of support from other Hillside administrators, she continued to do her job. One of the criticisms she received was her lack of "professionalism" in basic office responsibilities such as being late for meetings.
Considering the recent inquiry on the Hillside Board of Education's handling of money one could use the analogy of comparing mountains to mole hills, the latter being Mrs. Baskerville's job performance.
In conclusion, I strongly feel that if Baskerville did not do her job the students would not have done so well. This is no way an attempt to discredit the fine teachers at Hurden-Looker School. However, an organization is only as good as the one who leads it.
