The Double Standard World of DR Alison Coviello at PS 154 in the Bronx

I smoke. I know I shouldn't but I do. Maybe 10 cigs a day and I don't buy packs. I just buy loosies for if I have a whole pack with me I'll wind up smoking that pack.

I want to quit and know that I will be more or less stress free for the next 6 months I think this is as good as time as ever.

So why am I sharing this? Because one of the 19 charges against me was that I had been smoking a cigarette, outside, away from the school during that 5 minute lull we all have between the time we dismiss the students and when we have to start PD.

On December 12, 2012 As I was smoking, as per chancellor's regulation C-810 that was in effect at the time and written on May 3, 2005 (I shall paste only what pertains to me);

Smoking is prohibited on all school grounds and other DOE outdoor facilities, including playing fields, school yards, entrances and exits to buildings, parking lots, and the like.

Fine, no problem. However, DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx decided to add her own codicil to a Chancellor's Regulation. There was to be no smoking on the entire block the PS 154 was on. From East 135th between Willis and Alexander Avenues and on Willis up to 139th St and Alexander to East 137th St.

The spot I was smoking can be seen here (Click to enlarge);

I indicated my spot by marking it with "ME." The main entrance is where you see that white truck and by that tree that is indicated as where I was is a city park, not any park or property that belongs to the school.

In the disciplinary proceeding that followed several days later I asked how she can supersede a Chancellor's Regulation. DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx responded that she had spoke to someone at legal and they said it was OK. When asked the name of the person DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx responded, "I don't remember." Apparently her favorite words.

Yes, DR Alison Coviello's, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx edict was in the 2012-2013 Staff Manifesto about where to smoke but as we shall soon see, not everyone has to follow the edicts from the burning bush.

DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx did inform me that I was free to smoke directly across the street from the school however illogical as it would seem for in Chancellor's Reg C-810 it did say that children should not see their teachers smoke.

I was written up for this. I had never ever smoked where I was not supposed to, I always followed C-810, and never was disciplined for this. Why I couldn't get a counseling memo is beyond belief but if I was part of the inner circle, the few, the proud, the ignorant, perhaps, well not perhaps, nothing would have come of this.

As we ended the meeting I inquired if the cars are only allowed to be parked in spaces in the lot and not along the wall. DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx said yes as one can read in the school manifesto. I inquired as to why one of her Chosen, Gladys Rabinowitz has been parking her car there for weeks now. It is not as if DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx was not aware of this. DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx did one period of lunch duty and when she escorted the students to playground from the cafeteria she had no choice but to walk by Ms Rabinowitz's car.

This photo was taken just the next day or two days later. For the rest of the month the car was still there. Parked everyday violating the terms of the school manifesto.


When we came back after the break what was there to see? The car. Here is the car on January 14, a full month later;

And guess what? It was there at least through January 28.

Again, why do I get a disciplinary letter and the Nissan stays?

When we get to the hearing the defense we use is that I was following Chancellors Regulation's to the T. The smoking on entire block was never used by the DOE, but that I was too close to the school. But that was contradictory to C-810.

An updated C-810 came out on November 29, 2012. Which states (Click to enlarge);

In the hearing they now were nailing me that I was within 100 feet of the building as opposed to the May 2005 Reg which said not near entrances or exits. I was not near the playground, nor was I near the parking lot. I was not smoking near an entrance or an exit. I was complying.

And guess what? DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx never informed the staff of this change in Regs!!! Is that not part of her job?

Here is what the arbitrator had to say;

How am I, or any other teacher, supposed to know when a new Chancellor's Reg comes out? Does this not fall to the purview of a school leader to do so? Even using the arbitrator's convoluted logic that I was still in violation of the previous C-810 where is he getting being on the sidewalk is the same as being in the parking lot or the school grounds? These arbitrators pick and choose what they want to believe and try to find some distorted rationalization to fit with their perverted logic.

Again, if my name was Joe Blow or I was feminine, I don't get written up for this. No way no how. This was all part of the DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx method and conspiracy to do me in. She had one set of rules for her inner circle, her crowd, her boot lickers and another set of rules for those she hates.

Gladys Rabinowitz by being a favorite, a toady flouts the rules only because it curries favor, or has the opportunity to curry favor. DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx know how to divide and conquer the staff of a school.


Oh, one more thing. I know what I did wrong, in retrospect I should not. BUT, what became of this incident was not warranted. A true leader doesn't need to use the hammer all the time.