Silence on the blog? Must be that there are no complaints. We haven't heard this much silence in at least four years. I have heard compliments being generously served up regarding the Interim. I love it!
While Tony is doing a fair job keeping the status quo, people have become disinterested in this blog and the flag waving and finger pointing that goes along with it. Anyone who posts an alternate view is accused of being an "Apple" and a Marks lover. The reality is, there are people who have alternate views, but they are discouraged from any posting by the name calling, sarcasm and finger pointing that goes along with it. If you want to discuss issues, provide a forum that is monitored and opposing views can be debated. Otherwise, you'll just have a blog that will wave the status quo flag. Have fun with that...
When you start by damning him with faint praise, you tip your hand. What we've all seen so far is that the guy is doing a good job. The Haynie group still tosses cheap shots whenever they can- never any "data" for their posts- just insults about some "status quo" that the Rookie preserved. If you don't believe me, how does a failed director of elementary ed become a high school housemaster? That's cronyism at its worst.
No, that absolutely isn't cronyism. It is called a collective bargaining agreement. When her job was eliminated, she had the right to a comparable position. There was a vacancy at one of the high schools, and she took it, plain and simple. Now, people might not be happy about that, but stop trying to make it into something it isn't.
Cronyism is when Marks tried to get that same person back into Central Office using whatever money she could find to create a new position, while simultaneously cutting crucial positions in the schools.
LET'S NOT FORGET . . . Marks paid her way too much for the housemaster job. Seems like Marks followed contracts when it suited her, but only when it suited her.
The reality is that there are only a few RedApples left. Name calling and spirited debates on differences of opinion are not disappearing in this country. Look at the political discussions taking place on a national level! Do you see the Fox network going away? Well, take your toys and run away! We who are quite content with moving forward and rebuilding will be here ready to take on the poor sports who don't have an agenda other than bad mouthing the Interim. Oh, and if you want to leave Norwalk, we will be there to help you pack!
But your beat gets weaker and weaker.....How does it feel to be on the losing team? A point of advice from the winning team......a hate agenda never comes out ahead. You need to give people a chance, and you never did!
Can someone explain why the BOE has to fund the City of Norwalk Pension fund $60,000? Aren't BOE employees considered City of Norwalk employees? Do the other city unions have the same type of cost? Very confusing.
With apologies for the long link, here is the link to the school department budget (or you can go to norwalkpublicschools.org, and click on the link to the "2013-2014 Budget Materials"). This budget reflects significant parent, citizen, teacher and administration input. There might still be some tweaking (particularly if it is not fully-funded by the BET), but I think it is a good effort to start rebuidling after the damage done to our elementary schools with the last budget.
Anyone think they could do a better job with a Board of Education "civility code"? I think Steve Martin got it right with his Grandmother's Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMAXuZOw_DY
Thank you, Anonymous at 2:26-- you brought back some very happy memories of seeing Steve Martin live in Boston around 1979 when he performed the Grandmother Song. As for the issue of a Civility Code, every BoE member, like every person, has to follow his (or her) heart. Regardless of a document we sign, if we were taught as children to live the Golden Rule, then we'll be respectful and civil to one another. The benefit of a written document is that it would serve as a reminder to those of us who sometimes display some human frailty and act less than nobly.
The truth is, the Civility Code has to be put in place because of Sue Haynie and her sidekick. All that will happen once it is signed by the BOE members, is Sue will be quiet but her friends will do her dirty work for her. Nastiness will simply go underground. Watch your back, Daddona.
The mayor and Wilms need to sign a Civility Code. Friends, family, and I wrote them during the budget crisis last year. Their responses to well thought out letters were downright nasty - and this is from people we stupidly elected.
Steve, you are being kind when you call it human frailty. It isn't too much to ask for a businesslike and more importantly, respectful, response.
Silence on the blog? Must be that there are no complaints. We haven't heard this much silence in at least four years. I have heard compliments being generously served up regarding the Interim. I love it!
ReplyDeleteTony is doing a great job. He is holding administrators accountable, and moving the district forward.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, 4:22 PM
ReplyDeleteWhile Tony is doing a fair job keeping the status quo, people have become disinterested in this blog and the flag waving and finger pointing that goes along with it. Anyone who posts an alternate view is accused of being an "Apple" and a Marks lover. The reality is, there are people who have alternate views, but they are discouraged from any posting by the name calling, sarcasm and finger pointing that goes along with it. If you want to discuss issues, provide a forum that is monitored and opposing views can be debated. Otherwise, you'll just have a blog that will wave the status quo flag. Have fun with that...
ReplyDeleteWhen you start by damning him with faint praise, you tip your hand. What we've all seen so far is that the guy is doing a good job. The Haynie group still tosses cheap shots whenever they can- never any "data" for their posts- just insults about some "status quo" that the Rookie preserved.
DeleteIf you don't believe me, how does a failed director of elementary ed become a high school housemaster? That's cronyism at its worst.
No, that absolutely isn't cronyism. It is called a collective bargaining agreement. When her job was eliminated, she had the right to a comparable position. There was a vacancy at one of the high schools, and she took it, plain and simple. Now, people might not be happy about that, but stop trying to make it into something it isn't.
DeleteCronyism is when Marks tried to get that same person back into Central Office using whatever money she could find to create a new position, while simultaneously cutting crucial positions in the schools.
DeleteLET'S NOT FORGET . . . Marks paid her way too much for the housemaster job. Seems like Marks followed contracts when it suited her, but only when it suited her.
DeleteCronyism is also when Marks testified that the Director of Elementary Ed was qualified as Director of IT, even though she had NO experience in IT.
DeleteThe reality is that there are only a few RedApples left. Name calling and spirited debates on differences of opinion are not disappearing in this country. Look at the political discussions taking place on a national level! Do you see the Fox network going away? Well, take your toys and run away! We who are quite content with moving forward and rebuilding will be here ready to take on the poor sports who don't have an agenda other than bad mouthing the Interim. Oh, and if you want to leave Norwalk, we will be there to help you pack!
ReplyDeleteAnd the beat goes on....
DeleteBut your beat gets weaker and weaker.....How does it feel to be on the losing team? A point of advice from the winning team......a hate agenda never comes out ahead. You need to give people a chance, and you never did!
DeleteExplain to me how mrs. emily agular (red apples) rate high enough to get on the Supt. search....
ReplyDeleteShe an't the brighest apple....
She is a Sue Haynie friend.
DeleteCan someone explain why the BOE has to fund the City of Norwalk Pension fund $60,000? Aren't BOE employees considered City of Norwalk employees? Do the other city unions have the same type of cost? Very confusing.
ReplyDeleteI think in past years the city did absorb the pension funds, but now wants to shift it over to the BOE. That's my memory anyway.
ReplyDeleteWith apologies for the long link, here is the link to the school department budget (or you can go to norwalkpublicschools.org, and click on the link to the "2013-2014 Budget Materials").
ReplyDeleteThis budget reflects significant parent, citizen, teacher and administration input. There might still be some tweaking (particularly if it is not fully-funded by the BET), but I think it is a good effort to start rebuidling after the damage done to our elementary schools with the last budget.
http://portal.norwalkps.org/npsdepartments/finance/Pages/default.aspx?RootFolder=%2fnpsdepartments%2ffinance%2f20132014%20Budget%20Documents%2f2013-2014%20BUDGET%20BOOK&FolderCTID=&View=%7b541AC8A5-031C-43FF-B24E-94D7A62CFF0E%7d
Anyone think they could do a better job with a Board of Education "civility code"?
ReplyDeleteI think Steve Martin got it right with his Grandmother's Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMAXuZOw_DY
Thank you, Anonymous at 2:26-- you brought back some very happy memories of seeing Steve Martin live in Boston around 1979 when he performed the Grandmother Song.
ReplyDeleteAs for the issue of a Civility Code, every BoE member, like every person, has to follow his (or her) heart. Regardless of a document we sign, if we were taught as children to live the Golden Rule, then we'll be respectful and civil to one another. The benefit of a written document is that it would serve as a reminder to those of us who sometimes display some human frailty and act less than nobly.
The truth is, the Civility Code has to be put in place because of Sue Haynie and her sidekick. All that will happen once it is signed by the BOE members, is Sue will be quiet but her friends will do her dirty work for her. Nastiness will simply go underground. Watch your back, Daddona.
DeleteThat's funny a bunch folks, mainly NPS staff suggest its the other way around.
DeleteThe mayor and Wilms need to sign a Civility Code. Friends, family, and I wrote them during the budget crisis last year. Their responses to well thought out letters were downright nasty - and this is from people we stupidly elected.
ReplyDeleteSteve, you are being kind when you call it human frailty. It isn't too much to ask for a businesslike and more importantly, respectful, response.