The day of the vote, Barton requested a meeting with PTA officers. Berinato said she was shocked when the principal began loudly berating her for trying to undermine him. He started yelling and jabbing his finger in our faces. Although he's personally never seen his boss yell at anyone, some people have obviously taken offense at the principal's intense, no-nonsense style. But she also says Barton realized early in his tenure that his temper needs to be reined in and has worked hard to improve.
Many current parents think so.
Tawny Hallan says her first-year experience at the school was so positive that her son will continue to attend Gatewood next year even through the family is relocating to Bellevue. Pam Schwartz, another parent, says her daughter has had a great experience at Gatewood. However, these numbers are significantly better than Gatewood's mid-1990s test scores. Schools are not places that are easily led. Even some of those who have clashed with Barton acknowledge that he has built an excellent staff.