The following is a letter I wrote in support of Valley Central School District administrator Tammy Coleman, which was to be read on my behalf at the June 13, 2022 Board of Education meeting of the Valley Central School District. Unfortunately, it was cut off and not allowed to be read in its entirety after two separate attempts.

To the members of the Valley Central Board of Education:

My name is Joan Babcock and I am a retired Administrative Assistant of the Valley Central School District Human Resource Department, as well as a homeowner and taxpayer within the district. I am writing in support of Tammy Coleman, who is being unfairly recommended for wrongful termination by Central Office administration.

I have known Tammy, both personally and professionally, for approximately 20 years and have always had the utmost respect for her dedication and commitment to the students and staff of Valley Central.  Throughout my career in the district, I have had the pleasure of working directly with Tammy on a variety of tasks and assignments.  She always handled herself in an extremely professional and courteous manner, never hesitating to ask questions, seek out workable solutions and get the job done quickly and efficiently.  Also, on many occasions, I observed Tammy coming in early, staying late and not taking a lunch break.

Prior to my retirement, certain Central Office staff members, myself included, were reassigned under a new and different reporting hierarchy in Central Office administration.  This change resulted in me working under the direct supervision of the office of the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, which has never been a part of the Human Resource department. Please note that this administrator knew very little, if next to nothing, about my role and responsibilities as an Administrative Assistant within the Human Resource department, nor did she ever attempt to educate herself in regard to my position.

Similar to Tammy Coleman, before long, I became subject to this administrator’s watchful and vengeful eyes, with her finding reasons to intimidate, belittle and embarrass me.

 Unfortunately, this behavior created an unhealthy and difficult working environment for me and ultimately contributed, in part, to my decision to retire from a position I had enjoyed much success in under prior Central Office administration for many years.

I am united with my former Valley Central colleagues who have stood before you at previous Board of Education meetings pleading with you to take a much closer look at the bigger picture and acknowledge who and where the real problem in administration is.  It is not, and never should be, with Tammy Coleman.  Please ask yourselves, in good conscious, when many of the highly qualified and hard working staff members are no longer employed by this district, who will keep the sinking ship afloat?

Thank you for your time.