Keystone Oaks Teachers Blasted For Principal No Confidence Vote

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DORMONT, PA — Keystone Oaks teachers were "unprofessional and disrespectful" in going public with Monday's no confidence vote against high school principal Michael Linnert, district officials said.

Superintendent William Stropkaj and board president Theresa Lydon issued a response to the Keystone Oaks teachers union's statement Tuesday regarding the 44-2 no confidence vote. The Keystone Oaks Education Association also called for school directors to take immediate action to address its concerns.

"We are deeply disappointed in the union's decision to take a no confidence vote and to broadcast their allegations publicly, rather than address them through the proper channels," the response from Stropkaj and Lydon stated."Their actions are unprofessional and disrespectful, first and foremost, to Mr. Linnert, and also to the district’s administrative team and the board of school directors."

According to teachers, Linnert's faults include "inexperience, poor communication, lack of

student discipline and the absence of a clear vision for the future."

Stropkaj and Lydon offered a strong rebuttal to those allegations.

"In the three years that Mr. Linnert has worked for the Keystone Oaks School District, he has shown himself to be a dedicated, forward-thinking leader who always puts students first," their response stated. " The district and the board strongly support Mr. Linnert and the day-to-day and long-term decisions that he has made as a building-level administrator."

While disagreeing with the tactics teachers used to share their concerns, the pair said they take the letter seriously. They vowed to work with high school staff, union leadership and district administrators "to seek understanding and open the lines of communication."

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