We have had a request for a space to vent. There is so much frustration and anger with the Board of Ed, Susan Marks, Moccia......
Here is your space...Tell them what you are thinking! They do read this blog.
If you were at the "ignore the parents" budget meeting, you heard Mayor Moccia make a promise to help the schools. Yeah- the last time he helped, he conned Susan Marks to save ALL high school sports but cut INTERVENTION AIDES and CROWD CLASSROOMS. Let's tell the Mayor and the BET that they don't run the schools.
Good that we put Rosa Murray back on the Board of Education. Who else would make a deal to give Bruce Morris a small pay cut and stick it to the kids? Any one find it funny that Marks was pushing to cut Morris by 40%, but then changed her mind and cut his pay 20%-- surprise, surprise- Rosa votes for the worst budget ever passed.
I'm a Columbus parent. Can anyone tell me why Heidi Keyes voted against her own children's school? Heidi Keyes voted to eliminate our AP, our librarian, our utility aide, our parent liason and FOUR of our assistant teachers. Being a nice lady isn't enough to help our kids.
Dear Columbus parent, the other 11 elementary schools have the same cuts as Columbus. All of our kids are missing out. Your aides still kept their benefits? Think of the number of jobs that might have been saved if they lost their benefits but still kept their jobs. We all hope this can be resolved. Its about the kids.
Saw an article online about how Marks wants to try and ameliorate the situation and reinstate assistent principals. Assistant principals? That doesn't directly benefit kids -- having more teachers and smaller classes benefits kids.
If you can get a little wiggle room, use that to cut fewer teachers, not APs.
also how can you justify Briggs--they cut 5 teachers and a guidance person. they dont have the enrollment. only 11 students graduated, what does that tell you? why keep a director salary for that? Why keep it open? Why not put it back in the both high schools for them to handle for the year? The housemasters were restored. what is a few more students to the high schools? They are losing enrollment as it is.
Marks and the Mayor's Puppet BoE didn't vote to cut the extra guidance person at Briggs. They just cut five teachers. Did you know that Briggs has 2 English teachers, 2 math teachers, 2 social studies teachers, 2 science teachers, 1 art teacher and a gym teacher (who splits time with McMahon) plus a nurse and a full time health care clinic. All that for 70 kids. To think, the 300 kids at our average elementary school are getting a heck of a lot less. Please don't get me started on how THEY shafted the kids in the Transportation Tech program at Norwalk High School.
Yes, what is this? An alternative program for how many students? What is the actual enrollment there? It has always been a mystery. How many staff members do you need to run a building with so few students? Save lights, heat, a big salary for director and put back into schools at least for now! Also did we cut any athletic programs? Sports are great but look at the test scores of both high schools...how many years in need of improvement? It is high...on low test scores. Ask for numbers What about NHMS? Another hidden mystery on achievement. How many students really achieved mastery? concerned taxpayer, parent, and educated professional. If I am asking these how come the BOE is not and what about other power brokers?
Come on- Dickie's wannabe heir apparent Freddie Wilma didnt want sports or band cut. His will be in high school so why should he care about anything else. I was at the meeting. Steve C tried to cut sports to save auto shop at Norwalk High. No one supported him.
If the test scores are so bad that one of the comments suggests, then who has been watching that? So many years, so many failing test scores, what will more money do make more scores go down and not up? Who is matching funds with student achievement? What about this Briggs thing? Don't have children in the high schools, but it makes me wonder why and where the money is spent? Yet no achievement. Who are the ones responsible for monitoring high schools? Middle schools? Elementary schools? Before I would support more monies, I would want some of the answers. I am not into politics, but this is about accountability. We do need to look at everything--not just hot potatoes of athletics, or shop, if the scores show we are not doing good--then what will make us do better?
I thought Rosa Murray would have fought for us. Embarrassed by her silence.
We knew Keyes wasn't going to fight for anything. Not disappointed by her. I will know better for the next election.
Haynie is supposed to be the chairperson of the Personnel Committee. She had nothing to offer about how jobs were changing. Wonder why? Rhetorical question- it's because Mike Lyons and Ms. Lisa "RedApples" Thompson didn't tell her what to ask. Haynie is no leader- and she is a pseudo intellectual who is on her third college still looking for a degree. It does make it easy to know who I'm voting for in the next BoE elections- I'll take the preacher and the bull in the china shop- at least I know they will take a stand for our kids.
You are so right. The only thing I want to add is that Sue Haynie is one of the most unqualified, obnoxious BoE members ever. She has gone after educated, certified administrators in a shameful manner. She is the one with no degree at all. Get rid of bad trash.
I agree 100%! Look at the disgraceful way she attacked Colarossi to get him out of the budget debate. Problem with Haney is that she thinks she's bright and she is far from it. No ideas, just venom.
Did anyone else get a Barbis nasty-gram if you dared email him to save your child's school? I was offended by what he wrote to me. Note to Barbis: I'm a parent, you're the big elected official. My job is to protect my kid. YOUR JOB is to figure out how to balance the budget. I'm doing my job. You're not doing your job.
Parents- Dickie Moccia thinks he knows what's best for the schools. He is going to insist that the BoE restore all the librarians in the elementary schools. Doesn't he know that if we keep 30 kids in a class the kids won't be learning to read, so libraries are not the first priority. Don't forget that this is the same guy who agreed with all of the Puppet Superintendent's cuts.
I disagree. Libraries are a priority. Besides, you get approx. 3 library clerks for the price of one teacher. Also, one more vote against Hanie and her vitriol.
I am just so sick and tired of the politics. Too many politicos who attack and toss cheap shots but won't debate. Why debate a budget that crucifies the elementary school children? Isn't it more important to be home by 8:30? Catching the end of Duets should require your attention more than my kids' educational needs. Glare at the one guy trying to get answers after you failed to bully him into submission. If he kept it up, the liquor stores might be closed on your way home so you wouldn't be able to buy that self-congratulatory bottle of champ-ale.
Been to enough meetings. Seeing Haynie try to make a point is like watching Sanjaya sing opera. It's painful to watch but seeing someone with no talent crash and burn is worth the pain. Barbis is just a wannabe powerbroker who is equal parts sycophant and makebate. Together you have enough venom for a pit full of snakes but not enough brain power for a headache.
I applaud the BOE, Moccia, and Marks for holding firm with budget. It gives them leverage to get the Teacher's Union to the table and speak about concessions on their side.
11:44, you have got to be kidding. Do you think the unions are stupid? You think they don't know that Moccia and Marks are playing this game? Of course they know ands they won't be falling for it.
A couple of things - Norwalk already gutted the elementary and middle schools of certified librarians. I don't doubt for a minute the library aides do a wonderful job, despite always being on the chopping block and having limited control of their environments and virtually no money. Mr. Moccia along with the BOE seem to think eliminating money for libraries isn't a big deal but I would beg to differ, as would the ALA: http://connect.ala.org/node/181888.
If you were at the "ignore the parents" budget meeting, you heard Mayor Moccia make a promise to help the schools. Yeah- the last time he helped, he conned Susan Marks to save ALL high school sports but cut INTERVENTION AIDES and CROWD CLASSROOMS.
ReplyDeleteLet's tell the Mayor and the BET that they don't run the schools.
Good that we put Rosa Murray back on the Board of Education. Who else would make a deal to give Bruce Morris a small pay cut and stick it to the kids? Any one find it funny that Marks was pushing to cut Morris by 40%, but then changed her mind and cut his pay 20%-- surprise, surprise- Rosa votes for the worst budget ever passed.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Columbus parent. Can anyone tell me why Heidi Keyes voted against her own children's school?
ReplyDeleteHeidi Keyes voted to eliminate our AP, our librarian, our utility aide, our parent liason and FOUR of our assistant teachers.
Being a nice lady isn't enough to help our kids.
Dear Columbus parent,
Deletethe other 11 elementary schools have the same cuts as Columbus. All of our kids are missing out.
Your aides still kept their benefits? Think of the number of jobs that might have been saved if they lost their benefits but still kept their jobs.
We all hope this can be resolved. Its about the kids.
I think the Columbus' parents point was that Heidi Keyes didn't offer anything to help the elementary schools.
DeleteSaw an article online about how Marks wants to try and ameliorate the situation and reinstate assistent principals. Assistant principals? That doesn't directly benefit kids -- having more teachers and smaller classes benefits kids.
ReplyDeleteIf you can get a little wiggle room, use that to cut fewer teachers, not APs.
also how can you justify Briggs--they cut 5 teachers and a guidance person. they dont have the enrollment. only 11 students graduated, what does that tell you? why keep a director salary for that? Why keep it open? Why not put it back in the both high schools for them to handle for the year? The housemasters were restored. what is a few more students to the high schools? They are losing enrollment as it is.
ReplyDeleteMarks and the Mayor's Puppet BoE didn't vote to cut the extra guidance person at Briggs. They just cut five teachers. Did you know that Briggs has 2 English teachers, 2 math teachers, 2 social studies teachers, 2 science teachers, 1 art teacher and a gym teacher (who splits time with McMahon) plus a nurse and a full time health care clinic.
DeleteAll that for 70 kids.
To think, the 300 kids at our average elementary school are getting a heck of a lot less. Please don't get me started on how THEY shafted the kids in the Transportation Tech program at Norwalk High School.
70 kids enrolled - how many do you think attend school regularly - 50 percent on a good day.
DeleteYes, what is this? An alternative program for how many students? What is the actual enrollment there? It has always been a mystery. How many staff members do you need to run a building with so few students? Save lights, heat, a big salary for director and put back into schools at least for now!
ReplyDeleteAlso did we cut any athletic programs? Sports are great but look at the test scores of both high schools...how many years in need of improvement? It is high...on low test scores. Ask for numbers
What about NHMS? Another hidden mystery on achievement. How many students really achieved mastery?
concerned taxpayer, parent, and educated professional. If I am asking these how come the BOE is not and what about other power brokers?
Trust me. The last act has not been played yet. Moccia still wants one more bow.
ReplyDeleteCome on- Dickie's wannabe heir apparent Freddie Wilma didnt want sports or band cut. His will be in high school so why should he care about anything else.
ReplyDeleteI was at the meeting. Steve C tried to cut sports to save auto shop at Norwalk High. No one supported him.
If the test scores are so bad that one of the comments suggests, then who has been watching that? So many years, so many failing test scores, what will more money do make more scores go down and not up? Who is matching funds with student achievement?
ReplyDeleteWhat about this Briggs thing? Don't have children in the high schools, but it makes me wonder why and where the money is spent? Yet no achievement. Who are the ones responsible for monitoring high schools? Middle schools? Elementary schools? Before I would support more monies, I would want some of the answers.
I am not into politics, but this is about accountability.
We do need to look at everything--not just hot potatoes of athletics, or shop, if the scores show we are not doing good--then what will make us do better?
I thought Rosa Murray would have fought for us. Embarrassed by her silence.
ReplyDeleteWe knew Keyes wasn't going to fight for anything. Not disappointed by her. I will know better for the next election.
Haynie is supposed to be the chairperson of the Personnel Committee. She had nothing to offer about how jobs were changing. Wonder why? Rhetorical question- it's because Mike Lyons and Ms. Lisa "RedApples" Thompson didn't tell her what to ask. Haynie is no leader- and she is a pseudo intellectual who is on her third college still looking for a degree.
It does make it easy to know who I'm voting for in the next BoE elections- I'll take the preacher and the bull in the china shop- at least I know they will take a stand for our kids.
You are so right. The only thing I want to add is that Sue Haynie is one of the most unqualified, obnoxious BoE members ever. She has gone after educated, certified administrators in a shameful manner. She is the one with no degree at all. Get rid of bad trash.
DeleteI agree 100%!
DeleteLook at the disgraceful way she attacked Colarossi to get him out of the budget debate. Problem with Haney is that she thinks she's bright and she is far from it. No ideas, just venom.
Did anyone else get a Barbis nasty-gram if you dared email him to save your child's school?
ReplyDeleteI was offended by what he wrote to me.
Note to Barbis: I'm a parent, you're the big elected official. My job is to protect my kid. YOUR JOB is to figure out how to balance the budget.
I'm doing my job. You're not doing your job.
Parents- Dickie Moccia thinks he knows what's best for the schools. He is going to insist that the BoE restore all the librarians in the elementary schools. Doesn't he know that if we keep 30 kids in a class the kids won't be learning to read, so libraries are not the first priority.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget that this is the same guy who agreed with all of the Puppet Superintendent's cuts.
I disagree. Libraries are a priority. Besides, you get approx. 3 library clerks for the price of one teacher.
ReplyDeleteAlso, one more vote against Hanie and her vitriol.
Come on! Can't ANYBODY stop Sue Haynie and her misguided needs? Do we really need to get out the tar and feathers?
ReplyDeleteI am just so sick and tired of the politics. Too many politicos who attack and toss cheap shots but won't debate.
ReplyDeleteWhy debate a budget that crucifies the elementary school children? Isn't it more important to be home by 8:30? Catching the end of Duets should require your attention more than my kids' educational needs.
Glare at the one guy trying to get answers after you failed to bully him into submission. If he kept it up, the liquor stores might be closed on your way home so you wouldn't be able to buy that self-congratulatory bottle of champ-ale.
Been to enough meetings.
ReplyDeleteSeeing Haynie try to make a point is like watching Sanjaya sing opera. It's painful to watch but seeing someone with no talent crash and burn is worth the pain. Barbis is just a wannabe powerbroker who is equal parts sycophant and makebate. Together you have enough venom for a pit full of snakes but not enough brain power for a headache.
I applaud the BOE, Moccia, and Marks for holding firm with budget. It gives them leverage to get the Teacher's Union to the table and speak about concessions on their side.
ReplyDeleteSeriously?
DeleteIt's not the size of the budget- it's the stupidty of the cuts.
11:44, you have got to be kidding. Do you think the unions are stupid? You think they don't know that Moccia and Marks are playing this game? Of course they know ands they won't be falling for it.
DeleteHOLDING FIRM WITH THE BUDGET?
DeleteSupt Marks overspent and created a part of the deficit. She has failed to spend within her budget.
A couple of things - Norwalk already gutted the elementary and middle schools of certified librarians. I don't doubt for a minute the library aides do a wonderful job, despite always being on the chopping block and having limited control of their environments and virtually no money. Mr. Moccia along with the BOE seem to think eliminating money for libraries isn't a big deal but I would beg to differ, as would the ALA: http://connect.ala.org/node/181888.
ReplyDelete