ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT ACTIONS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL ...

Table 44
Interpersonal Strife--Failed Relationships with Followers and Superiors
Case Year State Action PP
Housley v. North Panola Consol. School Dist. 1987 MS NR S
Rogers v. Kelly 1989 AR T SPLIT
McFerren v. Farrell Area School Dist. 2010 PA T E
In Housley v. North Panola Consolidated School District (1987 U.S. Dist.), Housley was
cited for poor interpersonal skills with his faculty and staff in his non-renewal notice. Moreover,
he also created a great deal of strife with the school board because he allowed the vocational
education center’s program offerings to diminish greatly during his time as principal. In Rogers
v. Kelly (1989 U.S. App.), Rogers exhibited a great deal of disrespect to followers and superiors
with yelling and confrontations where Rogers always claimed that racism was evident. Rogers
was reassigned twice prior to his case for termination. Lastly, McFerren v. Farrell Area School
District (2010 Pa. Commw.) details McFerren’s issues with dealing with teachers and school
board members. McFerren was hired to turn around a failing school, which he did to an extent,
but he came under fire for yelling at teachers and students in front of board members and other
school employees. These incidents crippled McFerren’s support within the school, but he did
prevail in his termination case as the court found his behavior to not be the best choice but a
reasonable choice nonetheless.
Interpersonal strife was an important issue that became evident during the literature
review and carried over to the case briefing process. To be simple, administrators are middle
managers, and they must strike a balance between keeping their follower happy and supportive
of their work and keeping their superiors happy and supportive of their work. Simple people
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