Nicholas DeLiberato, Retired Hillsborough Educator of Schroon Lake, N.Y.
I am a former Hillsborough teacher, retired this past July after 23 years in the school district. For nine of those years, I was a partner teacher with Christy Kanaby, who is a well-respected and devoted member of the teaching staff.
Through her, I met her husband Dave Kanaby, who has been a dedicated and exemplary member of the Board of Education, a supporter of staff and educational programs, and is a warm and caring human being. It greatly offends me that these two fine people are being presented in a negative light.
Dave and Christy made the decision to accompany their daughter on a once in a lifetime trip before Thanksgiving 2005, despite the fact that Christy’s pay would be docked for taking time off before a vacation, and I applaud their decision to support their daughter’s activities despite the consequences.
Of course, the consequences then included the former superintendent’s demand that Christy bring official HEA representation to a special meeting, which possibly could affect her continued employment. The fact that there were SEVERAL other Hillsborough teachers who had also taken time off before the vacation, and yet Christy was the only one to be summoned to a meeting by the Superintendent rings to me of disparate treatment bordering on harassment.
Unfortunately, many of us in Hillsborough, teachers and parents alike, have felt that we have had superintendents who have lacked accountability, rendering decisions which are intended to be accepted as the gospel truth.
Because someone is a superintendent does NOT give that person the right to make capricious decisions based on bullying or "payback". It is my feeling that Dave Kanaby should be applauded for standing up for what is right and fair and saying, "Enough! Account for your actions."
A fair and just superintendent is a wonderful thing; a superintendent who is not causes countless excellent teachers to leave our district, which negatively affects our children, and in this case causes tens of thousands of dollars to be spent on legal fees.
Bravo to Dave Kanaby for wanting to turn this situation around.
It is my feeling that the entire board should learn the lesson.
This awful experience that the Kanabys have been through hasn’t changed my opinion of them at all; in fact it’s reinforced in my mind that they are quality people who do not deserve the negative publicity they are getting.
I hope Dave Kanaby continues to serve the people and children of Hillsborough on the board for a long time to come.
This town needs more just, brave and supportive individuals like him, not afraid to tackle what’s right.
Nicholas DeLiberato
Retired Hillsborough Educator
Schroon Lake, N.Y.
