GALEWOOD — The principal of a CPS school that critics said suffered from a "toxic" culture where "kids run amok" has resigned.
Suzana Ustabecir, the principal since 2009 at Sayre Language Academy, at 1850 N. Newland Ave. in Galewood, announced her decision to resign Wednesday, effective at the end of June.
RELATED: SCHOOL'S 'TOXIC' CULTURE LEADS TEACHERS TO QUIT, 'KIDS RUN AMOK'; CRITICS
Ustabecir faced harsh and pointed criticism of her leadership style, which opponents called abrasive and demeaning. A vocal group of parents, including members of the school's Local School Council, publicly voiced displeasure with Ustabecir and demanded her resignation in a petition and through rallies.
In her resignation letter, Ustabecir cited the LSC's pressure as one of her reasons for leaving.
"Recently the current LSC, which is the fourth LSC I have worked with at Sayre, let me know that they would prefer to work with a principal selected by them," she wrote in a letter sent home with students. "Their announcement presented me with a rather challenging decision with consequences for the whole learning community and all stakeholders."
Despite the public criticism, Ustabecir did not publicly defend her record or refute the claims. She didn't make a comment at the LSC meeting directly after the criticisms were made public, and sources said she had originally intended to keep her post.
Ustabecir said she wanted to stay on until her contract ended at the end of next year, but agreed to step down early. She was given a four-year extension in 2013.
"I would have preferred to fulfill the term of my contract, which still has one more year to go," she wrote. "However, wanting to avoid contention, which would disrupt learning, I have made the difficult decision to accommodate the LSC's request to vacate the position, in order to allow this LSC to select its own principal."
Her resignation came after officials had multiple meetings with parents about the climate at the school, where bullying had increased and where there was high staff turnover. Dozens of teachers left the school since 2011. Just 5 percent of teachers in surveys agreed that Ustabecir was an effective manager or ran the school smoothly. Families had also pulled their children out of the school or considered moving.
Some parents and teachers accused the principal of berating school employees in front of students, which they said set a bad example in the school, and bullying has increased.
"The kids run amok," the school's longtime clerk, Maggie Troche — who went on medical leave because of stress caused by what she said was a "toxic" environment at the school — said in January. "If you disrespect an adult in front of children, then they lose respect for" them.
There were "big smiles on lots of faces outside at dismissal," one worker said Wednesday afternoon. Staff had not been notified of her resignation ahead of time.
In her letter, Ustabecir defended her tenure.
She said when she took over in 2009 the school had seen "extensive leadership turnover" but she committed to creating stability and improving educational outcomes.
"I had a strong vision and many ideas for the school, and [I am] happy to report that I have seen most of them to fruition," she said.
She noted that Sayre improved from a Level 2 school in 2009 to Level 1 school in 2012 and then maintained that level. She said the school's "outdated and inadequate computer lab" was greatly improved while class sizes remained low under her leadership.
She encouraged the school community to stay united and said it was an "honor" to work at the school with its "amazing" students.
"Some of you will be upset by the change," she wrote. "Others may not be. Change can be challenging. I ask you all to please support each other as I know you can, respecting both my decision and the LSC's and, most importantly, to focus on the well being of our children," she wrote.
Ustabecir, LSC and CPS district officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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