The Ancient History of Ned Corman and PHS
Hi Andy,
Thank you for asking about my PSCD job history. Nearly from the beginning, there, always, was so much "business" outside the class room, political stuff I never dreamed would be part of a teaching career, let alone mine. I'm, forever, proud that I took steps, 1968 - 1974, standing up for rights to administration and have consistently felt those steps, and how they unfolded played, a role, for the better, in the district's evolution. I'm not sure others, more removed from details, appreciated how costly the process was to Linda and me, financially and emotionally. The machinations took hours and hours out of our lives (too boot, we were newly weds, having married April, '68) not to mention anxiety caused by not knowing how I might be treated, next. Don Strickland and I never have had that conversation – about the impact on others beyond Linda and me – nor have I talked about the happenings with any other school district employee or observer.
Description of events will take a bit but I'll relate them because I'd like to re-live some of the memories. I caution you, the narrative will go on a bit. 'Tis no tweet.
First, let me correct some of the last paragraph of your email.
I was thirty years old when I began teaching in Penfield. After ESM graduation, 1959, I taught for four years before returning home to take a master of musicology degree at Penn State working with the wonderful British musicologist/violist, Denis Stevens. From PSU, I worked with Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians for two seasons followed by one season, '66 - '67, with a British musical, Half 'a Sixpence. My plan had been to move to NYC fall '67 and ply my way as a studio musician. After a few days in the Apple, while hunting for an apartment, poverty, all around, overwhelmed me. I decided I couldn't live in NYC and returned to Bellefonte.
Part of the mystique that evolved when I came to Penfield was the '66 Mercedes Benze 230 SL. Before moving to NYC, I had back-ended another leaving my wonderful '62 Saab totaled. Because I was planning to work in NYC, I decided not to buy new wheels. Accordingly, when the Penfield gig was offered, I didn't have a car. Earlier in '67, a friend, Tom Garbrick, who taught in Huntington, LI, let me know that he wanted to sell his 230 SL planning to buy a sedan in Germany when he visited the next summer. When the Penfield gig came along, I shopped for a US car, without luck. I called Tom who had not yet sold his MB. December 30 I took the train to NYC and the following morning, New Year's eve, hopped the LI RR to Huntington where I bought Tom's car. That day, I drove back to Bellefonte. New Year's day, I packed my new wheels, drove to Rochester and moved in with friends who were kind enough to give temporary solace. As I recall, school was dark January 2. I began teaching in Penfield January 3, 1968.
The man I succeeded in Penfield was Bill Bradley. I learned, after being on the gig a bit, Bradley and Don Burt were good friends but hadn't heard another call them best friends, although they may have been. Bill died, several days after Thanksgiving, 1967, at the Concord Hotel, Kiamesha Lake, the Catskills, while attending the annual New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) conference where he, probably, was chaperoning Penfield All State performers. Bill and I knew each other during the years I taught in Greece School District, 1959 - '63, and, as I recall, did some drinking at a at least one NYSSMA conference. In fact, Bill and I were good friends, professionally and socially, and played together from time to time, although not often because Bill was a Dixielander and I spent my time being a Bebopper. His wife, Ellie, was a very good singer. After Bill's death, Ellie and I worked together, annually, because she underwrote a yearlyl music scholarship for a PHS student. As of a year or so ago, Ellie remained alive. I had a call from her son, Scott. He and I lunch not having met, before.
At the time of Bill's death, Don Burt was PHS assistant principal to Wallace Howell. Neither Wally nor Don was part of my interview. I was told that Wally was out of town. Don Burt's name did not come up during the interview, as far as I can remember. I, also, don't remember the date I interviewed. It may have been late December during Christmas vacation but I think it was early December. Also, no junior high principal interviewed me even though the gig I would take was about evenly divided, Jr./Sr. Hi. I've never thought there was anything untoward that caused principal's not to be part of the process. I assumed that because of circumstances, getting all parties involved wasn't possible. Let me say a little more about circumstances. The story will make clearer why I emphasize I thought nothing untoward.
Jim Dumm was music department chair, a position be began July 1, 1967, having replaced the legendary Ruth Steese, in her time, the only female music department chair in the Rochester area. Jim was a little green when he and I met, I think he would agree.
I had been on the road for three seasons, 1964 - spring, 1967. After changing my mind about wanting to pursue a NYC playing career, told a number of colleagues who were public school teachers or in the profession that I'd missed teaching and wanted to return to that work. I made the "heads-up" calls September and October, 1967. One call was to my former boss in the Greece School District, Roy Thrall, a highly regarded teacher/band director with whom I'd student taught, and NYSSMA muck-de-muck. My call to Roy found its way to Jim Dumm. Within days after Bill's death, Jim called me in Pennsylvania where I had stayed with my mother when off the road following dad's death, 1966. Jim asked me if I would be interested in interviewing for the Penfield position. I said I would but added that I'd agreed to another season on the road and was scheduled to join On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, January, '68. Jim and I agreed to a Saturday interview. Mother loaned me her car and I came to Rochester from Bellefonte, a five hour drive, in those days. After the interview, I turned around and drove back to Bellefonte.
The amount of detail seems important to me because having an impression of both the district's and my interests has impact on the interview process or, more importantly, what, unintentionally I'm confident, was left out of the interview.
I arrived at Penfield Administration Building, early, and was greeted by personnel director, Phil Woods. I've always laughed, heartily, at the coincidence of name as has the Phil Woods whose playing you, no doubt, are familiar. Jim Dumm joined us, momentarily. Jim and I toured the high school as well as Denonville Junior High. As far as I could tell, both buildings were vacant. After the tour, Jim and I returned to his office and talked about the job. At one point, he asked to be excused. When he returned, he asked if I'd be willing to meet with the Superintendent. I agreed and followed Jim's directions to Mr. Elmer Peck's home. Not, you'll note, to Mr. Peck's office.
Mr. Peck introduced me to his wife and he and I talked business. He offered me the position at the appropriate wage-scale figure. I turned him down and counter-offered a figure quite a bit higher. I should mention that, otther than with Mr. Peck, I never bargained for pay and chose always to work "for scale." Must have been the farm-boy upbringing. I explained I wanted credit for all years teaching in and out of public schools, credit for time on the road, post-master's hours and I'm sure more. Mr. Peck acknowledged the district's dilemma – badly needing a music teacher with experience and energy – and accepted my counter offer. I reminded Mr. Peck I had a previous commitment with On a Clear Day and would contact that office, a union office, to learn whether I could be released. We agreed I would call Jim Dumm with my decision.
I was excused from my On A Clear Day agreement, called Jim and told him I was ready to begin work in Penfield School District, Tuesday or Wednesday, January 2 or 3. There was never a contract signed. I took the gig on Mr. Peck's handshake.
The District needed a qualified instrumental teacher. I'm fairly certain there was none unemployed with credentials as deep as mine, at least none in the Rochester area. The District was lucky I was available. We both were lucky I was released from On A Clear Day. I was lucky because I wanted to return to teaching and, arguably, Penfield's program was one of the best, if not the best, in upstate.
No time during the interview nor during the early days of my work in Penfield did anyone talk about Penfield High School Pep Band! I truly believe Phil, Jim and Mr. Peck all were so relieved to find a candidate with experience that they overlooked an important detail. I should add that I was looking forward to returning to my Rochester playing gigs; Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, extra; Town & Country Playhouse; Arrangers Holiday; and, of course, working with Chuck Mangione who, after several years on the road out of NYC, had returned to Rochester. In many ways, I was returning to a double-career,teaching and playing music.
In 1967, Bill Bradley, arguably, was PHS's most loved teacher. If his students dug him as much as I did, as a colleague, and I'm certain they did, his death had to have brought both the school and the Penfield community to a halt. It did. I'd accepted a very hard teaching gig with big shoes to fill. Too boot, Bill was a particularly easy-going teacher. Kids didn't act out but his rehearsals were, I'm told, to be kind, not very organized. By contrast, my scholastic, collegiate and professional experience had bordered on militaristic. Kids still in mourning were further shocked buy regimentation and learning rudiments.
I was very fortunate. Two leading PHS senior band musicians, Geoff Brede and John Woods, had attended 1967 Eastman School of Music high school summer session where they played for summer faculty Notre Dame's legendary Fr. George Wiskerchen. Rayburn Wright had brought Wiskerchen to to ESM and asked me to assist Wiskerchen. Without Geoff and John to give me cred with their fellow PHS-ers, things would not have gone as smoothly. Too boot, the group's tympanist, senior Jim Gamble, whose dad was School Board of Education President, took a shine to me and helped cut a swath. I'm confident I would have survived but because of Geoff, John and Jim, the transition was better for all concerned.
In early April, Jim Dumm asked to meet. He was eager to know my plans for Penfield's Pep Band, fall '69.. I told him I didn't have any plans and that, in fact, I didn't do pep bands. Jim explained that as high school band director, pep band fell to me. I responded I disagreed and reminded him that pep band had not been part of the conversation when I had been interviewed and, in fact, had pep band been part of the description, I would have passed the offer. I don't remember Jim's response beyond insisting that the duties were mine and that I should think about the issue and get back to him. I agreed but assured Jim my response would be no different. When Jim and I met, again, and remained at impasse, Jim said I would have to meet with Mr. Peck. I arranged a meeting with Mr. Peck. Mr. Peck, of course, held Jim's position about pep band and reiterated that high school band directors led pep bands. I told him I did not and reminded him that pep band had not been part of negotiations the previous December. I added that I was sure the detail being left out was oversight. He responded that if I would not accept the duty, he would have to fire me. I took it the deed was done – I'd been fired – and said I was disappointed both for myself but also for the District. I went on saying if I didn't believe Mr. Peck and Jim Dumm were honorable people, I might be inclined to believe they were doing "bait 'n switch," especially since, when we interviewed, all parties knew I had a gig and this district didn't have a qualified teacher or applicant. Mr. Peck closed the meeting saying he would have to let me go. I left his office believing I was fired.
I had met Jim Dumm's department chair predecessor, Ruth Steese, but did not know her well. Mrs. Steese and I had mutual friends. From those friends, I learned that the Steese's and Peck's were close friends and, in fact, shortly after my pep band meeting with Mr. Peck, the Peck's and Steese's were going on holiday, together. I called Mrs. Steese but did not tell her I knew about the upcoming Steese/Peck trip. I explained that things had been going well for me in Penfield, that after initial reticence, kids had warmed to the different style and were happy and playing well. Nevertheless, I thought I had been let go. Mrs. Steese told me about her upcoming holiday and said she would get back to me when home from vacation.
When Mrs. Steese returned from holiday, as promised, she called. Mrs. Steese said she and Mr. Peck were having tea on the patio, in Spain, I believe. She asked Mr. Peck; "How's Ned Corman doing?" Mr. Peck responded; "I think I'm going to have to let him go." Mrs. Steese responded; "Elmer, I'm sorry to hear that." End of conversation.
Shortly, Mr. Peck called me to his office. He said he'd changed his mind. I could stay on in the gig for the next year not being responsible for pep band. However, by April, '69, I could either agree to lead the pep band, fall 1970, or resign. I agreed. PHS had no pep band, football season, '69. '69 being the third year PHS played varsity football, I'm certain Mr. Peck paid a huge price for his decision, a cost we never discussed.
Early '69 rolled around. I'd been at the gig for a little more than a year and things were swinging. There were a lot of ESM faculty and RPO members living in Penfield. I'd studied and performed with some. They approved of my teaching. PHS band was playing better than ever. The stage band had become a jazz ensemble and with the change, had grown to twice as many members. I'd taken high school groups into the elementary schools and elementary teachers were recruiting more successfully. As Mr. Peck told me years, later, the only time we got together to "chat," after he and I both had retired; "I hired you, at least partially, because I thought the department had become a little dowdy and needed perking up."
I made an appointment to meet with Mr. Peck, early '69, to discuss what I'd agreed to the previous spring; take the pep band or leave. I told him I was going to renege and would not resign nor lead the pep band. He said I was fired and would receive a formal letter, shortly. I did. Word of my being fired spread. At the next Board of Education meeting, the meeting room which held, probably, one hundred, was filled with an equal number outside the room not being able to get in. The list of speakers decrying my firing was long. None spoke in support of dismissal. The following Board meeting, two weeks later, was attended by even a bigger crowd. The Board met in executive session and I was rehired.
A sidebar to the firings and rehirings (I've always felt I was fired and rehired in '68) includes a strong community undertow; football/soccer. As you may recall, Penfield's soccer program under George Steitz (and since) has been stellar. Penfield, as I understand, took its time coming to the football trough. In fact, the community was divided. As the soccer/football pendulum swung toward American football, there was a simultaneous change in the communities profile; the ratio of blue bloods to corporate-types. The community changed as developers built new homes. The change was manifest on the Board of Education; fewer blue bloods more win-at-all-cost corporate-types. That change, I believe, led Mr. Peck to retire years earlier than he would have, otherwise.
Before the district had come into being, Mr. Peck had been a math teacher. Word has it that when it was time for the district to become formal, folks looked around and said; "Hey. Mr. Peck's been doin' all right, let's make him Superintendent." And they did. In those earlier days, things were less formal. A handshake was sacrosanct. Your word was as good as an iron-clad contract. With changes, rigors outweighed pleasures and Mr. Peck retired June 30, 1973. I'd been given tenure January, '72, having, then, taught in Penfield three years. I've always enjoyed that the Superintendent who fired me, twice, and his Board, collectively awarded me tenure and, all I saw, had smiles on their faces in the process.
Truth is, I've long believed that Mr. Peck was a shrewd poker player and, although I never thought him Machiavellian, suspect he took advantage of my immovable stand and, along with public approval of my work, played those dynamics off against the footballers. Pep bands don't win football games. However, if "those who know" don't believe the music does something good for the game, there'd be no point it.
Verne Wyland, as you know, was hired to replace Mr. Peck, and began work July 1, 1973. Within a day or two, Verne called me to meet with him in his office. Verne said he understood there were band uniforms that hadn't been used for awhile. He'd like to see them used. They would look especially nice worn by the marching band. I replied the uniforms were wool twill and, uncomfortable, at best. The kids hated them, the reason we stopped wearing them. Too boot, the times were a changin'. I asked who would lead the marching band. Verne said; "You will." I pointed out "we'd" been down that road, twice, before, and the district had not prevailed, either time. It seemed to me, folly for him to begin his tenure – make his first major administrative and public decision – deciding to ride a twice-loosing horse. Within a week, I received a registered letter telling me my job description had been changed. Unilaterally! I was transferred from PHS to Denonville Middle School.
During my first four years teaching in Penfield, through good work and a growing community, the high school band program doubled in kids and also in number of groups. What had been a half-time job, earlier, now was a full-time position. Through spring '73, as when hired, I had divided my time about evenly between the high and middle schools. Fall '73, I had been assigned, full-time, to PHS. Verne, unilaterally, reassigned me.
I later learned that Verne had, in his pocket, a young band director from Verne's previous Michigan district, an eager marching band enthusiast, Mick Lutz. I never shared with Verne the irony that the family who bought the Corman farm from dad when he decided to retire in 1955, was Victor Lutz's, whose son, Larue, was my high school mate. Dad loaned Lutz's purchase money; dad carried Lutz's mortgage.
When I came to work in Penfield, teachers' bargaining unit was a leg of National Education Association (NEA). At the same time, there was a small but active group of teachers who belonged to American Federation of Teachers (AFT). One of my actions, beginning to teach in Penfield, was to join AFT and, although I didn't think about it at the time, the action must have raised eyebrows at least amongst older teachers and, probably, administration and Board. We were a Kodak town, ya know. Hiram Korpeck was president of Penfield AFT. Hiram taught at Denonville and, as soon as I began to work in Penfield, he and I became fast friends. I wanted to help Hi and his group make Penfield the first Monroe County School District to be union represented.
My attorney, beginning 1966, was George Hoffenberg. I met George when he showed up at the hospital, August 12, 1966, the day after a truck knocked me off my motorcycle, 490 E.,Winton Road, on the way to a summer stock matinee at Town & Country Playhouse. A friend had called George and, effectively, retained him to represent me against the truck driver. George, amongst other clients represented the Teamsters, Firemen, and was a life-long good Democrat.
Hi and I met to talk about my involuntary transfer, reviewed the contract. Hi felt the Superintendent had violated the contract. I told Hi I didn't want to be represented by an AFT attorney and asked if Hi would meet with George and me. Hi said that the union would not object to George being my representative and, in fact, would support the action, although not help pay George's fee. George had a labor relations rep. Penfield School District counsel was Nixon - Hargrave, now NixonPeabody. George, Hi, Linda and I met at George's office and agreed Hi would launch the District's first grievance proceeding. We would file for arbitration. And there began a baptism of politics and public relations vastly beyond anything I'd experienced.
Hi's job was to coordinate various contractual steps and make certain we fulfilled my end of the contract. Linda's and my job was to do all possible to be certain the transfer was always in Penfield Post and Penfield Press as well and D & C and Times Union. We collected a deep stack of "clippings" and, almost without exception,there was regular newspaper coverage and, often, there were TV cameras at school board meetings. The Board meeting following the transfer's announcement, as several years earlier, was overflowing. This time, however, kids demonstrated. There were lots of posters and, of course, plenty wearing tee-shirts, "Better Ned than Dead." Board protesters and speakers demanded I be reinstated. The board's makeup had swung and, ware-as, earlier the Board, in '69, reversed its position, the '73 Board held firm not just for one night. For lots of meetings protesters and speakers had their say.
There are/were several levels to the PCSD grievance process; The aggrieved appeals to the building principal. If rejected, the aggrieved appeals to the Superintendent. If rejected, the aggrieved appeals to the Board of Education. If rejected, the aggrieved and school district mutually agree to a mediator. A mediator was agreed and a hearing date set. George wanted folks representing me to be as powerful as possible. We settled on folks from various walks who would testify. George loved bringing Chuck Mangione to the group. We were three years past Friends and Love and Chuck, although not yet as hot as he became after Feels So Good, was already one of our communities best known figures. Chuck, of course, testified that I'd been one of his faithful musicians for nearly 15 years, never played a clam, always on time and clean shaven. Further, his parents, Frank and Nancy, thought even better of me than Chuck.
Around the same time, a time when I think Verne and others with his viewpoint thought Linda and I would move on, we decided to buy our home. We didn't come to the the decision thinking we would be making a statement, but it became apparent we were. "I plan to continue teaching in Penfield and work against a superintendent who, from my perspective, is not doing as much for kids as he should." In fact, at George Hoffenberg's suggestion, when school commenced, September, '73, I started attending School Board meetings and, with a possible exception of one or two, didn't miss a Board meeting 'till well into the 80's, years after Verne's contract had not been extended. Nearly 20 years is a lot of Board meetings! As George urged; "Let 'em know you've your eye on 'em." Part of the statement we made buying our home was the way we did it. We paid cash! Too boot, our home is in a pretty visible location.
We won the grievance. While I was teaching a lesson at Denonville, I had a message from the office to take a call. The call was from George saying he'd received the verdict. I was made whole. Linda and I and folks who supported my action celebrated.
Penfield teacher's grievance contract language called for arbitration, binding arbitration. Shortly after receiving the mediator's verdict, we learned the District planned to appeal, appeal to NY State's highest court, the appellate division. George assured we would not be reversed, and we weren't. Nevertheless, the state of limbo lasted months longer than needed. I'm not sure how much additional weight winning the appeal added. Winning mediation was strong, especially the first the district experienced. By virtue of the appeal, I'm told, my name is in Monroe County Court House archives. I don't remember chronology. I do know that, shortly, AFT won right to represent Penfield teachers, the first Monroe County school so Union affiliated.
For reasons I've never begun to understand, when I was involuntarily transferred, I was also assigned to continue leading PHS jazz ensembles. I suppose MIck Lutz didn't have jazz chops. Regardless, the decision was tactually ill-chosen. Monday's, Wednesday's, Thursday's and Friday's I taught jazz ensembles at the high school. Tuesday's, frequently, there were meetings held at the high school that I attended. Few days passed without Mick and me crossing paths. On learning of my involuntary reassignment, I made certain kids knew I wanted them to play for Mick. Some did. A lot did not. Amy Leenhouts packed her bags and went to Interlochen for the year. As far as I know, none of the kids who continued to play were anything less than cooperative with Mick. With a wonderful exception.
Tom Westbrook, Steven Gates and Channing Philbrick were not only fine players, they, also, were outstanding leaders. All played for Mick, action I encouraged. The example they set, I'm certain, made Mick's life lots easier. However, before graduation, the three launched a plan. The Wind Ensemble alternated years playing graduation with the orchestra. The band played even years. The trio distributed parts for Hogan's Heroes' March. When Mick dropped the downbeat for Pomp and Circumstance, the band broke into Hogan's Heroes. On principle, Linda and I had decided not to attend graduation. I've always regretted being absent.
To my surprise, after the verdict, Mick asked if he and I could meet to talk about possible plans for the next academic year. I chose the Penfield Tavern saying he could buy but I didn't mind splitting the bill. At the meeting, Mick proposed finding a way to work together. I said I didn't that would be a good idea. When school began, fall '74, we picked up where we left off. I think that may have been your sophomore year.
I've long forgotten details about went on within the music department after Verne arrived. I do remember there was turmoil. Within weeks after Verne became superintendent, he announced changes in department chair assignments. Previously, chairs taught one period and administered four. Verne changed the balance to, teach three, administer two. Jim Dumm had taken leave to work on his doctorate at ESM. When he learned about the department head change, he returned to the district to met with Verne to protest. His plea landed on deaf ears. Verne, as he was known to share, had been hired "to shape up the troops." Also announced were changes in teachers' loads. Accordingly, music department staffing was reduced. Verne and his supporters let it be know that the arts, in general, but music, in particular, had been pampered by the previous administration and were over-staffed.
As well as working within the department to protest Verne's actions, I reached out to school board members and others in Penfield who did not support Verne's appointment nor initiatives. We organized, primarily with an eye to school board elections and after six years, Spring, '79, won a majority of school board seats, four of seven. Verne's contract was subject for renewal. The Board voted not to extend, a move tantamount to dismissal. After seven years, I felt I helped prevail and that right had out. Dick Mace was hired to replace Verne. The day after Dick took office, I met with him. I told him how the music department had suffered under Verne's administration; that Bill Briggs has served as department chair as a labor of love and, by virtue of Verne's disrespect, Bill had suffered a nervous breakdown. Subsequently, Verne hired Charlie Reynolds to be chair. Charlie was a nice man but ill-equiped who learned, shortly, that he was a sacrificial lamb and tendered his resignation at the end of one year. A job search, still under Verne's administration, had been begun to find a new department chair. I inserted myself on the search committee which was stumped. Word about Penfield music department conditions was well circulated and that was underscored with Reynolds's haste leaving. No qualified applicant had put their shoe in the search process. Penfield had a bad rep.
I told Dick that no one in the department had administrative certification. Further, the search committee had received no qualified applications. There was an alternative. John Turner and I would volunteer to serve as co-chairs for one semester and wet-nurse the department, a stopgap step the department applauded. State administrative certification is required for an employee who is hired as an administrator two or more periods a day. Penfield department chairs taught three periods a day and were administrators two. By making John and I co-chairs, we, each, would administer only one period a day and fly under state regulations. Additionally, after one semester, Dick could bring a leader he knew to become music department chair, all the while giving the department much needed solace, and at the same time making a powerful statement for the district and community; the new superintend acts decisively and has legs sufficient to hire an outstanding teacher/administrator on short notice. Dick agreed. Shortly, he forgot the understanding was for one semester. John and I co-chaired for seven years. John never made anyone angry. However, by the time seven years had passed, I'd sufficiently pissed-off a number in the department and was past ready to return to being a full time teacher. I taught an additional seven years and retired from teaching June 30, 1994.
It is hard to know impact Corman actions, '68 - '74, standing up to demands that I'd not agreed and challenging Wyland and his Board, had on Penfield School District AFT growth. On arrival, I joined Penfield AFT, not NEA, because I felt NEA was a weak sister and ill-equiped to deal with changing school district labor relations. Penfield's school board, as others, I'm certain, increasingly, was made up of industry employees, people who, often, didn't see teaching as the honorable profession lots of us admired. Additionally, handshake agreements were growing out-of-fashion. The football mentality – winning is everything – was more prevalent. Employer/employee relations were becoming more tense and less gentlemanly. The natural, but unfortunate, extension is, of course, No Child Left Behind, teach-to-test and the rest.
I joined American Federation of Musicians (AFM) while at Eastman School, late 50's, not long after my 19th birthday, and, even earlier, knew that AFM was central to miusicians' lives. I think AFT representing Penfield's first labor arbitration was significant. Certainly winning mediation was an important day for AFT, Penfield, and beyond. Winning the appeal had to have been even more important for the union movement. Of course, if there wasn't an adversary, had Verne not been hired, there probably would have been no one with whom to do battle; there would have no action to contest. In that sense, Verne was responsible for AFT growth in Penfield and beyond. If there's no one to fight, ya can't have a fight. Shadow boxing would not have grown membership.
I've always been proud that I resisted Jim Dumm, spring '68. I've also been proud that I reneged on my spring '69 agreement with Mr. Peck, a decision to sacrifice character for what I knew/know was the greater good, a better Penfield music program. There was no hesitation about challenging Verne's involuntary transfer, his high-handed manor whose "We can disagree without being disagreeable" remains as disingenuous now as it was in '73. I've also always been proud about all that Linda and I were willing to invest in each of the controversial decisions. As I recall, our legal fees for the arbitration were in the low five figures, probably $100,000, today. Had that money been invested, retirement, probably, would be a little more lush. More costly, I suppose, was the tension caused in our lives and, of course, hours and hours devoted to making certain no detail was overlooked or mishandled. Our lives were consumed from nearly the time I began teaching in Penfield 'til the mid-70's.
Hope you have a Happy New Year.
See ya,
Ned Corman
