Teachers at Frankford High say they’re facing retaliation after speaking out against the principal

The planned transfer of several teachers out of Frankford High due to school district budget cuts is on hold as the district examines a possible violation of staff’s due process rights by the school’s administration, according to the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

As the Philadelphia School District faces a $300 million budget gap, schools around the city are trimming positions at Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.’s direction. Employees whose jobs are being eliminated have been notified in recent weeks as individual schools make their budgets that they’ll be transferred into other positions within the school district.

Monique Braxton, a district spokesperson, acknowledged the transfers were on hold “to better understand the rationale behind the number of staffing changes, particularly within specific content areas such as social studies,” but said there was no formal investigation.

More than a dozen teacher jobs are being axed at Frankford because of the looming shortfall. And though teachers union seniority rules dictate whose positions get cut, principal Michael Calderone’s administration attempted to circumvent the process, several staff members inside the school said. The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they fear reprisal, said administrators told affected staff the school was targeting teachers whom they believed had spoken out against Calderone.

Calderone, who is known as an outspoken, forceful leader, has been Frankford’s principal for 11 years and has clashed with some staff in his building. This is not the first time the PFT has intervened against Calderone on behalf of Frankford staff, sources said.

Jane Roh, PFT spokesperson, said the union “recently became aware of actions taken by the school principal that appeared to be violations of our members’ due process rights. PFT leadership contacted the district administration immediately, and at our instigation, those actions by the principal are now under investigation.“

Roh said the union would not comment further until “we are satisfied that the rights of our members at Frankford HS are not being violated.”

Though the teachers targeted for transfers had more seniority than others in their departments, staff members said, they were told they were being cut because they lacked secondary certifications such as English certifications for social studies teachers or ESL certifications for art teachers.

It’s common for principals to create positions that require dual certifications in order to have flexibility in making course schedules, especially when budgets are tight. Teachers commonly get second certifications, which allow them to teach in multiple subject areas, as a form of job protection, or as a way to expand their professional learning.

Several Frankford staff members said teachers with less seniority were warned by Calderone and others on his leadership team as much as a year ahead of time to get those secondary certifications, while more senior teachers were not.

Braxton said Frankford was focused on “social studies and other language-rich content areas that students are required to take” throughout high school in its planning for next year.

“As we continue to focus on our five year strategic plan, Accelerate Philly, and strengthen academic rigor for our most vulnerable populations, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners, Frankford High School is moving forward in its planning for the SY 2026-27 to increase the number of dually certified teachers,” Braxton said in a statement.

But only teachers who previously have spoken out against Calderone were told they’d be transferred for not having the dual certification requirement, the staffers said. Those affected include a Lindback Award winner and a teacher with Advanced Placement experience who has demonstrated proficiency in teaching writing.

“If you’re not a sycophant, you’re expendable,” said one teacher whom Calderone attempted to force transfer despite having more seniority than other members of their department. “If you speak out, you’re a target.”

The action comes at a crucial time. “Site selection,” the window in which Philadelphia teachers can apply for new district positions, opened Wednesday.