Here is why Artie is the best choice for the position- he stands tall to political pressure and values the importance of keeping his word. It is really that simple. Plus, his calm and resolute nature is what the Board of Education needs to return to the important work that is needed for all of Norwalk’s students and families. He is committed, first and foremost, to advancing the educations of all our children and not principally to the wants of political ideologues
Why a normally unanimous decision is now subjected to intense political maneuverings requires getting into the weeds of Norwalk politics.
Understand that the Chairperson of the Board of Education matters. That person sets the agenda and will sets the direction for the Board. That person will be take the lead in the search for the next superintendent and will negotiate that person’s contract. The Chairperson makes all of the Committee assignments.
The background might be something that is only of interest to insiders and political junkies, but I will share it. Last November, an agreement was reached among four members of the Republican caucus that Jack Chiaramonte would have a second year as Chairperson, and I would have the opportunity to lead the Board the next year (which is this year). In October, I received an email directing me to support no changes in the Board of Education’s leadership team- it appeared (to me) that my responding to misleading statements about the alleged school department deficit and then daring to propose an alternative budget did not endear me to some political operatives (for what it’s worth, they did leak an email from Corporation Counsel to me about my budget votes and the GOP party chair did criticize me in the press about my alternative budget). With a whisper campaign, and then an overt email campaign to derail my support for chairman, and then learning that two members who had given me their word were reneging (although not from them), I believed that change was still needed in the leadership of the Board of Education and encouraged Artie Kassimis to seek the chairmanship. Artie needed convincing because he is a person who believes that his commitments mean something. But, Artie appreciated that it was his leadership style that was needed at this critical time. Democrats and Republicans both support Artie.
I believed that he could build the consensus that is needed to move our City’s schools forward. Even though he is one of my closest friends (Artie was the best man at my wedding), Artie and I vote on opposite sides of many issues—the fact that he remains friends with this slightly overly-opinionated lawyer is a testament to the patience that he would bring to BoE leadership.
There is no candidate who is the “choice” of the Republican caucus because the GOP caucus hasn’t met for several months—nor has there been any meeting among all of the involved parties with party leaders to discuss these issues. But, as I trust it is for the majority of Board of Education members, we seek election to serve the interests of Norwalk’s students, families and taxpayers. Artie, as Chairperson of the Board of Education, will serve those interests with passion, grace and fairness. That’s why I am supporting him wholeheartedly.
Steve, While making a spirited endorsement for your candidate, unfortunately both your's and Artie's actions indicate that you favor the status quo. Teamed with the union leadership you both succeeded in running a new superintendent out of town. You both half heartedly supported the new Norwalk High Principal. You have both drug your feet on the superintendent search and you're both too aligned with Mr. Mellion and Mr. Ditrio. All of this adds up to the same people...same problems and with 90+ years between all of them. Also, like many parents, I am not interested in hearing about the GOP or the Dems because education shouldn't be political. But the fact that we are on this blog sadly proves that it is.
Your allegations just don't quite measure up to the changes that have been advocated by both Artie Kassimis and me. First, I have pushed for greater transparency in the budgeting process and challenged the first two interim superintendents and Supt. Marks when their actions fall short of that mark (and did not comply with the clear rules of Board of Education policy and the City Charter). Secondly, I unabashedly insisted that detailed impact statements be provided before any cuts were proposed through the Finance Committee I serve as Chairperson. Requiring that school department leaders explain the educational impact of cuts, and then working with them to find less onerous alternatives, is hardly an example of someone who goes along with the "status quo". In fact, the old criticism was that I was too demanding of senior school department officials- that is hardly the hallmark of one who is beholden to the "status quo". Second, you seem to be suggesting that not voting for a particular appointment connotes an allegiance to the "status quo". Actually, both Artie and I explained the reasons for not supporting that candidate while both also hoping to be proven wrong. Having a difference of opinion as to whether a particular candidate is the "best" candidate is hardly the hallmark of one who favors the "status quo", but would, I suggest, indicate that the passion for improving our district is so strong we would not simply go along with an appointment even when faced with intense pressure to do so if we did not feel the appointment was the best candidate. We did not "dig our feet in on the Superintendent search". In fact, we supported the Superintendent search but at the meeting that vote was taken, a very serious financial issue had been presented which was not resolved. Approving a contract when there was no identified source of funds would be irresponsible. Once again, rather than take the path of least resistance, Artie and I suggested that the matter be voted on at the next meeting (which it was) when the financial data would be available. I find it odd that you do not take any exception to the last budget that was passed-- a budget which created unnecessary drastic cuts in elementary education. If I were a proponent of the "status quo", then why would I have stood alone among the seven BoE members at the meeting to vote against the budget? You also make these references to the union presidents and concoct some conspiratorial "alliance". Yet, look at my record when grievances have come before the Board and you will hardly find someone who votes lockstep with the unions. My Kids First Alternative budget plan, although not perfect, suggested some drastic cuts in staffing which was not favorable to members of any union-- however, I made those proposals to highlight that there were options that would have less of an impact on students' educations than those lopsided cuts that had been proposed. If you are of the belief that my support for smaller class sizes is, somehow, a union-endorsed idea, I would refer you to the U.S. Department of Education which provides class size reduction grants due to the wealth of research which indicates that smaller class sizes, particularly for at-risk populations, is educationally advisable. As for your final point- that education should not be political- I completely agree-- which is why I have been working to highlight that many decisions which are made involving the Board of Education have had a decidedly party-politics underpinning to them which has not been conducive to the open and honest debate which is needed to improve our educational system.
Now is the time for all Board members to roll up our collective sleeves, put past issues aside and work toward improving education for all of our children. I have every confidence in Mike's ability to lead the Board.
If you lived in Norwalk as long as I have, you'd know all about Mike Lyons. He's a conservative politician- very much a guy who puts the GOP above all loyalties. Doesn't make him a bad guy.
Here is why Artie is the best choice for the position- he stands tall to political pressure and values the importance of keeping his word. It is really that simple. Plus, his calm and resolute nature is what the Board of Education needs to return to the important work that is needed for all of Norwalk’s students and families. He is committed, first and foremost, to advancing the educations of all our children and not principally to the wants of political ideologues
ReplyDeleteWhy a normally unanimous decision is now subjected to intense political maneuverings requires getting into the weeds of Norwalk politics.
Understand that the Chairperson of the Board of Education matters. That person sets the agenda and will sets the direction for the Board. That person will be take the lead in the search for the next superintendent and will negotiate that person’s contract. The Chairperson makes all of the Committee assignments.
The background might be something that is only of interest to insiders and political junkies, but I will share it. Last November, an agreement was reached among four members of the Republican caucus that Jack Chiaramonte would have a second year as Chairperson, and I would have the opportunity to lead the Board the next year (which is this year). In October, I received an email directing me to support no changes in the Board of Education’s leadership team- it appeared (to me) that my responding to misleading statements about the alleged school department deficit and then daring to propose an alternative budget did not endear me to some political operatives (for what it’s worth, they did leak an email from Corporation Counsel to me about my budget votes and the GOP party chair did criticize me in the press about my alternative budget). With a whisper campaign, and then an overt email campaign to derail my support for chairman, and then learning that two members who had given me their word were reneging (although not from them), I believed that change was still needed in the leadership of the Board of Education and encouraged Artie Kassimis to seek the chairmanship. Artie needed convincing because he is a person who believes that his commitments mean something. But, Artie appreciated that it was his leadership style that was needed at this critical time. Democrats and Republicans both support Artie.
I believed that he could build the consensus that is needed to move our City’s schools forward. Even though he is one of my closest friends (Artie was the best man at my wedding), Artie and I vote on opposite sides of many issues—the fact that he remains friends with this slightly overly-opinionated lawyer is a testament to the patience that he would bring to BoE leadership.
There is no candidate who is the “choice” of the Republican caucus because the GOP caucus hasn’t met for several months—nor has there been any meeting among all of the involved parties with party leaders to discuss these issues. But, as I trust it is for the majority of Board of Education members, we seek election to serve the interests of Norwalk’s students, families and taxpayers. Artie, as Chairperson of the Board of Education, will serve those interests with passion, grace and fairness. That’s why I am supporting him wholeheartedly.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteWhile making a spirited endorsement for your candidate, unfortunately both your's and Artie's actions indicate that you favor the status quo. Teamed with the union leadership you both succeeded in running a new superintendent out of town. You both half heartedly supported the new Norwalk High Principal. You have both drug your feet on the superintendent search and you're both too aligned with Mr. Mellion and Mr. Ditrio. All of this adds up to the same people...same problems and with 90+ years between all of them. Also, like many parents, I am not interested in hearing about the GOP or the Dems because education shouldn't be political. But the fact that we are on this blog sadly proves that it is.
Your allegations just don't quite measure up to the changes that have been advocated by both Artie Kassimis and me.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I have pushed for greater transparency in the budgeting process and challenged the first two interim superintendents and Supt. Marks when their actions fall short of that mark (and did not comply with the clear rules of Board of Education policy and the City Charter). Secondly, I unabashedly insisted that detailed impact statements be provided before any cuts were proposed through the Finance Committee I serve as Chairperson. Requiring that school department leaders explain the educational impact of cuts, and then working with them to find less onerous alternatives, is hardly an example of someone who goes along with the "status quo". In fact, the old criticism was that I was too demanding of senior school department officials- that is hardly the hallmark of one who is beholden to the "status quo".
Second, you seem to be suggesting that not voting for a particular appointment connotes an allegiance to the "status quo". Actually, both Artie and I explained the reasons for not supporting that candidate while both also hoping to be proven wrong. Having a difference of opinion as to whether a particular candidate is the "best" candidate is hardly the hallmark of one who favors the "status quo", but would, I suggest, indicate that the passion for improving our district is so strong we would not simply go along with an appointment even when faced with intense pressure to do so if we did not feel the appointment was the best candidate.
We did not "dig our feet in on the Superintendent search". In fact, we supported the Superintendent search but at the meeting that vote was taken, a very serious financial issue had been presented which was not resolved. Approving a contract when there was no identified source of funds would be irresponsible. Once again, rather than take the path of least resistance, Artie and I suggested that the matter be voted on at the next meeting (which it was) when the financial data would be available.
I find it odd that you do not take any exception to the last budget that was passed-- a budget which created unnecessary drastic cuts in elementary education. If I were a proponent of the "status quo", then why would I have stood alone among the seven BoE members at the meeting to vote against the budget?
You also make these references to the union presidents and concoct some conspiratorial "alliance". Yet, look at my record when grievances have come before the Board and you will hardly find someone who votes lockstep with the unions. My Kids First Alternative budget plan, although not perfect, suggested some drastic cuts in staffing which was not favorable to members of any union-- however, I made those proposals to highlight that there were options that would have less of an impact on students' educations than those lopsided cuts that had been proposed. If you are of the belief that my support for smaller class sizes is, somehow, a union-endorsed idea, I would refer you to the U.S. Department of Education which provides class size reduction grants due to the wealth of research which indicates that smaller class sizes, particularly for at-risk populations, is educationally advisable.
As for your final point- that education should not be political- I completely agree-- which is why I have been working to highlight that many decisions which are made involving the Board of Education have had a decidedly party-politics underpinning to them which has not been conducive to the open and honest debate which is needed to improve our educational system.
Mike Lyons is the new Board of Education chairperson. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteNow is the time for all Board members to roll up our collective sleeves, put past issues aside and work toward improving education for all of our children. I have every confidence in Mike's ability to lead the Board.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't he support the Apple agenda?
DeleteMe thinks you doth protest too much
ReplyDeleteThinks whatever you want! LOL
DeleteIf you lived in Norwalk as long as I have, you'd know all about Mike Lyons. He's a conservative politician- very much a guy who puts the GOP above all loyalties. Doesn't make him a bad guy.
ReplyDeleteStarting to prep my turkey and reading about the new Board of Ed chairperson. Thankful for the jokes I've just made to myself.
ReplyDelete