Three years ago lots of parents went out to vote for change. WE got Haynie, Halsey and Colarossi. Did we really get a change? It seems to me that the majority of BOE members are in the same mold as the Rosa and Jody and Susan Hamilton of years ago-- follow the superintendent, ignore the public and don't ever debate.
Until this past budget vote, I thought things were changing. For the majority to vote on a budget with huge cuts for the youngest kids' schools and not debate anything or ask questions was pretty sad. It reminded me of the (not so good) old days.
I'm tired of all the name calling and political posturing between the BOE, Mayor, Mellion, etc. None of it is helping the kids. None of it is inspiring people to work together. It's really sad that the "grown-ups" can't act like adults and find some common ground.
Finding it very hard to actually say everyone is in it "for the kids". As far as I'm concerned everyone seems in it for their salaries and big pensions!!
I think that this discussion highlights what my friends and I talk about (when we talk about the Board of Ed) . . . . can anyone on the Board articulate their vision and (and this is the big "and") how they intend to implement it. It's great for Haynie to scream about tenure- but she can't change the law. I get Jack's points about the union- but, collective bargaining is the law in CT so get over it. I appreciate Rivas wanting to look out for the minority kids- but she's got to propose something and not just abstain from votes to make a difference. These aren't bad people and they are certainly bright enough (you choose where your favorites are on that continuum). But, come on, can we try to figure out why they don't debate and try to tackle real problems?
I eagerly await what I thought might be the only solution to our problems for years.....Letting an insider, a person who really knows the union leaders, the Board, the staff, take over and see what happens. This superintendent is the one to back if ever there was a chance to get back to a 'kid centered' environment. I don't care what your personal thoughts are about him. Let him run the show and watch what happens. Just give him a fair chance and don't place back stabbing people in as his support staff. As far as I am concerned, this is Norwalk's last opportunity to prove we can turn things around. And Haynie, stay out of the way!
Good points- this old timer's opinion is a bit jaded. But hear me out. The interim superintendent has had to play politics for years. Just wondering if some have memories that are a little too long for anyone's good. I think his best bet is to go in shaking something up-- look for a way to hold the principals feet to the fire, then fight for the dollars to make the classrooms a little less crowded. If he does that, then he's deserved the job.
I'm another old timer people. Been there and done that you might say. Was invloved when Sloan was around, Muro & Carolyn. Probably one of the best supers Norwalk has ever had, but the Republicans chased hime out of town. Then the Republicans got their wonder boy from Arizona and we all know that story. What followed was a few years of retired interim cash cows that got rich off us taxpayers. Next up Sal Corda, who received the endorsement from the Democatics. He lasted 8 or 9 years before the Republicans finally got their shot to de-throne him. Next, more interim retired empty suits brought in to watch the store and get rich, while a "national search" takes place to find the new boy/girl wonder.Jack, Glenn and the other Republicans go crazy for a gal from Maryland. Two years latter they turn of her. Remember the old City marketing slogan of the 90's ......NORWALK ON THE MOVE.
Another "has been" checking in . . . . . Marks will go down as one of the worst superintendents in Norwalk's history. Big part of her problem was surrounding herself with the worst kind of sycophants and ne'er do wells. How she never saw through that Haynie is a blight upon the board of education and that the RedApples are just frustrated people who had axes to grind with teachers.
Does anyone else feel their stomach turn when reading the Daily Norwalk (which I guess is now the Norwalk Voice)?
This online rag quotes the RedApples all the time-- yeah, real credible. The people who post comments have one of two agendas-- Susan Marks isn't at fault for anything or the Republicans are weinies. As a result it is hard to believe anything that is posted there.
Is it ok if we don't annoint Daddonna, but wish him well and hope for his success? Maybe we can hold this guy accountable if he screws up- that way when he's praised it might mean something?
Three years ago lots of parents went out to vote for change. WE got Haynie, Halsey and Colarossi. Did we really get a change?
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the majority of BOE members are in the same mold as the Rosa and Jody and Susan Hamilton of years ago-- follow the superintendent, ignore the public and don't ever debate.
Until this past budget vote, I thought things were changing. For the majority to vote on a budget with huge cuts for the youngest kids' schools and not debate anything or ask questions was pretty sad. It reminded me of the (not so good) old days.
ReplyDeleteI'm tired of all the name calling and political posturing between the BOE, Mayor, Mellion, etc. None of it is helping the kids. None of it is inspiring people to work together. It's really sad that the "grown-ups" can't act like adults and find some common ground.
ReplyDeleteFinding it very hard to actually say everyone is in it "for the kids". As far as I'm concerned everyone seems in it for their salaries and big pensions!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Such big salaries and pensions. If that were true, these people wouldn't even be in education. I'm not one of the bog salary people, by the way.
ReplyDeleteI think that this discussion highlights what my friends and I talk about (when we talk about the Board of Ed) . . . . can anyone on the Board articulate their vision and (and this is the big "and") how they intend to implement it.
ReplyDeleteIt's great for Haynie to scream about tenure- but she can't change the law. I get Jack's points about the union- but, collective bargaining is the law in CT so get over it. I appreciate Rivas wanting to look out for the minority kids- but she's got to propose something and not just abstain from votes to make a difference.
These aren't bad people and they are certainly bright enough (you choose where your favorites are on that continuum). But, come on, can we try to figure out why they don't debate and try to tackle real problems?
I eagerly await what I thought might be the only solution to our problems for years.....Letting an insider, a person who really knows the union leaders, the Board, the staff, take over and see what happens. This superintendent is the one to back if ever there was a chance to get back to a 'kid centered' environment. I don't care what your personal thoughts are about him. Let him run the show and watch what happens. Just give him a fair chance and don't place back stabbing people in as his support staff. As far as I am concerned, this is Norwalk's last opportunity to prove we can turn things around. And Haynie, stay out of the way!
ReplyDeleteGood points- this old timer's opinion is a bit jaded. But hear me out. The interim superintendent has had to play politics for years. Just wondering if some have memories that are a little too long for anyone's good.
ReplyDeleteI think his best bet is to go in shaking something up-- look for a way to hold the principals feet to the fire, then fight for the dollars to make the classrooms a little less crowded. If he does that, then he's deserved the job.
I'm another old timer people. Been there and done that you might say. Was invloved when Sloan was around, Muro & Carolyn. Probably one of the best supers Norwalk has ever had, but the Republicans chased hime out of town. Then the Republicans got their wonder boy from Arizona and we all know that story. What followed was a few years of retired interim cash cows that got rich off us taxpayers. Next up Sal Corda, who received the endorsement from the Democatics. He lasted 8 or 9 years before the Republicans finally got their shot to de-throne him. Next, more interim retired empty suits brought in to watch the store and get rich, while a "national search" takes place to find the new boy/girl wonder.Jack, Glenn and the other Republicans go crazy for a gal from Maryland. Two years latter they turn of her. Remember the old City marketing slogan of the 90's ......NORWALK ON THE MOVE.
ReplyDeleteAnother "has been" checking in . . . . .
ReplyDeleteMarks will go down as one of the worst superintendents in Norwalk's history. Big part of her problem was surrounding herself with the worst kind of sycophants and ne'er do wells. How she never saw through that Haynie is a blight upon the board of education and that the RedApples are just frustrated people who had axes to grind with teachers.
Does anyone else feel their stomach turn when reading the Daily Norwalk (which I guess is now the Norwalk Voice)?
ReplyDeleteThis online rag quotes the RedApples all the time-- yeah, real credible. The people who post comments have one of two agendas-- Susan Marks isn't at fault for anything or the Republicans are weinies. As a result it is hard to believe anything that is posted there.
Is it ok if we don't annoint Daddonna, but wish him well and hope for his success?
ReplyDeleteMaybe we can hold this guy accountable if he screws up- that way when he's praised it might mean something?