This blog is for your topics too. Your turn again......
Just a reminder, unless you identify yourself, I don't even know who you are.
Don't be shy, I promise you are anonymous.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Heard on the Streets.....
Several people inform me of the news on the streets, in the schools, etc.....
The latest news deserves to be transparent to all. Susan Marks is still trying to actively involve herself in Norwalk's school system. It has been reported that she would like to have more than a mild influence here. Does she not realize that she no longer should be involved? She no longer works here. It appears that she doesn't know when to let go. How many angry and bitter cooks do we need stirring the pot? Is it fair to Manny Rivera?
The latest news deserves to be transparent to all. Susan Marks is still trying to actively involve herself in Norwalk's school system. It has been reported that she would like to have more than a mild influence here. Does she not realize that she no longer should be involved? She no longer works here. It appears that she doesn't know when to let go. How many angry and bitter cooks do we need stirring the pot? Is it fair to Manny Rivera?
Monday, July 15, 2013
Hit the Ground Running
Let's look forward to a new superintendent! Manny Rivera said he would hit the ground running as soon as he started on July 18th. That's This week! Let's track his first 10 days, shall we? Please tell us if you are included in the first ten days of his leadership term. What does 'hit the ground running' look like to you? What do you expect from him during these days?
Friday, July 12, 2013
Superintendent Salary Criteria Released
HOLD YOUR HATS!
The base salary for the new superintendent may be $250,000 BUT
at the end of one year there is the opportunity for a 20% raise based on loose criteria.
THERE's more! The superintendent has 80 hours (two weeks) to work at his company, IN ADDITION to his vacation days.
Please correct me if I have misquoted, but I don't think I did. It's possible, though since I am in a state of shock.......
correction: The Hour states the base salary is $220,000 with a $30,000 annuity. The 20% is taken on the salary of $220,000, which is a bonus of $44,000 based on the discretion of the BoE. It would still make this superintendent the highest paid in the state. It also puts the superintendent in a position where he must be a puppet to the five members who will vote on that.
The base salary for the new superintendent may be $250,000 BUT
at the end of one year there is the opportunity for a 20% raise based on loose criteria.
That totals $300,000 per year! Where did the money come from, Mike Lyons? I thought we had a tight budget.
THERE's more! The superintendent has 80 hours (two weeks) to work at his company, IN ADDITION to his vacation days.
Please correct me if I have misquoted, but I don't think I did. It's possible, though since I am in a state of shock.......
correction: The Hour states the base salary is $220,000 with a $30,000 annuity. The 20% is taken on the salary of $220,000, which is a bonus of $44,000 based on the discretion of the BoE. It would still make this superintendent the highest paid in the state. It also puts the superintendent in a position where he must be a puppet to the five members who will vote on that.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Question and Answer Time
Ask a question and see if anyone knows the answer.
Your turn to ask something you want the answer to.
Just keep the topic related to the Norwalk Public Schools.
Thanks!
Your turn to ask something you want the answer to.
Just keep the topic related to the Norwalk Public Schools.
Thanks!
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Flawed
"The vote to approve Rivera was five in favor, one against and one abstention. Migdalia Rivas voted against the appointment, and Rosa Murray abstained. Chairman Michael Lyons and members Sue Haynie, Mike Barbis, Steve Colarossi and Heidi Keyes approved the hire."
The process was flawed. Thank you, Migdalia Rivas and Rosa Murray for being honest enough to state that. Unfortunately Colarossi and Keyes joined the other three in this appointment of a superintendent. As NorwalkSpeaks, I am disappointed in the process. Does my opinion matter much? No. But what about you?
Secondly, did you hear anything that excites you about this appointment? Was there anything new that every other superintendent didn't promise from the beginning? Are the promises doable in Norwalk? Is he going to be a nice guy to everyone or a hatchet man? Will he be two-faced? Will he start like a firecracker and fade away? Will he be surrounded by Apples and influenced by them? Or is he smarter than that? Do you wonder what the agenda of the 'five' who voted for him will be? Everything will reveal itself in time........what are your predictions?
The process was flawed. Thank you, Migdalia Rivas and Rosa Murray for being honest enough to state that. Unfortunately Colarossi and Keyes joined the other three in this appointment of a superintendent. As NorwalkSpeaks, I am disappointed in the process. Does my opinion matter much? No. But what about you?
Secondly, did you hear anything that excites you about this appointment? Was there anything new that every other superintendent didn't promise from the beginning? Are the promises doable in Norwalk? Is he going to be a nice guy to everyone or a hatchet man? Will he be two-faced? Will he start like a firecracker and fade away? Will he be surrounded by Apples and influenced by them? Or is he smarter than that? Do you wonder what the agenda of the 'five' who voted for him will be? Everything will reveal itself in time........what are your predictions?
Monday, July 8, 2013
Done Deal
Looks like the new superintendent will be appointed without the site visit some have been asking for. What's your opinion? Are you looking forward to his leadership? Taking a wait and see approach? Or are you concerned? What are you feeling? I've heard many comments around town, but I will wait for your input.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Major Flaw
Here is a statement meant to draw some interesting comments. Please join in the discussion....
There is a major flaw in a search for a Superintendent of Schools. There are some superintendents who have had an unsuccessful tenure in other districts, but who have been given the choice to resign with a letter of recommendation or to be exposed. As a result of the obvious choice, there is a legal agreement that prevents the Board of Education from revealing negative comments about that superintendent to other districts in search of candidates. Unsuccessful tenures can be defined as anything from being a terrible leader to someone who was stealing money from the system. In public school systems, where truth should be an expectation, what have we created? Is this where the problem exists for systems with a revolving door for superintendents? So many public school systems encounter less than adequate superintendents after lengthy searches. Norwalk certainly has had it's share of superintendents who were not leaders. How do we go about correcting this situation?
There is a major flaw in a search for a Superintendent of Schools. There are some superintendents who have had an unsuccessful tenure in other districts, but who have been given the choice to resign with a letter of recommendation or to be exposed. As a result of the obvious choice, there is a legal agreement that prevents the Board of Education from revealing negative comments about that superintendent to other districts in search of candidates. Unsuccessful tenures can be defined as anything from being a terrible leader to someone who was stealing money from the system. In public school systems, where truth should be an expectation, what have we created? Is this where the problem exists for systems with a revolving door for superintendents? So many public school systems encounter less than adequate superintendents after lengthy searches. Norwalk certainly has had it's share of superintendents who were not leaders. How do we go about correcting this situation?
Monday, July 1, 2013
NEW SUPERINTENDENT
NORWALK — The Norwalk Board of Education has selected Dr. Manuel J. Rivera as its new superintendent of schools, according to press release sent Monday afternoon by the BOE. -THE HOUR
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