Supt. Van Tassel takes five Savage Elementary teachers off their jobs

On Thursday, Jan. 21, two Van Buren Public Schools officials marched four teachers to the door with a single sheet of paper in their hands announcing that each has been placed on administrative leave.
On Friday, another teacher who was absent on Thursday, was shown the door.
School Supt. Michael Van Tassel had mentioned “potential discipline” of staff in an undated letter he had posted on the district’s web site this month, but parents and staff were shocked at the sudden appearance at Savage of officials working at the direction of Van Tassel on teacher removal.
Human Resources Director Shonta Langford-Green and Curriculum Director Jeff Moore removed the teachers from their jobs on Thursday, while classes were in session.
Savage Principal Amy Gee and Moore would not allow the Independent into the building, with Gee saying that was because classes were in session. A Michigan Education Association union official advised the Independent to call the MEA Plymouth office (and we are still waiting for a return call).
Removed on Friday were Kristen Belloni, Brent Held, Shelly Komaromi, and Rebecca Tennis. Pamela Bradley was removed on Friday.
On Friday, parents passed out fliers announcing the four teacher removals the day before, not realizing one more was targeted Friday.
“First Mrs. Villa and now four more?” the flyer was headlined, referring to the resignation last summer of Principal Kelley Villa.
“Did you know that four Savage classrooms have had their teachers taken away?”
“Our beloved Mrs. Tennis, Mrs. Belloni, Mrs. Komaromi, and Mr. Held were instructed to leave the building yesterday,” the flyer announced.
“They are gone after being accused of cheating on last year’s M-Step testing. A spontaneous investigation by top administration claims that our students couldn’t have done well on their tests alone, their teachers must have cheated!
“Van Buren School’s top officials recently had our Savage children pulled from their classes and interviewed regarding last year’s test without parent knowledge or consent, and no other advocate in the room. What were the questions? How did the children answer? No one knows.
“Did you know that these four teachers will most likely be added to the list of the dozens upon dozens other Van Buren teachers who have left since our Superintendent has taken over?
“Why is top administration abusing teachers and driving them out of the district?”
The flyer encouraged parents to attend the Jan. 25 school board work/study session and to contact school board members for answers. The group of parents also has a Facebook page called #SavageStrong .
On Monday, Jan. 25, it was announced that Jason Cooper, a music teacher at Savage, had resigned.