Good news is that positive budget work last year saved money and finally produced honest, accurate numbers for costs. I am concerned about lack of activity by the BOE- where is the interest on diversity hiring? Where is the movement on improving high school SAT scores (too low for too many who don't have money for private test prep)? Where is the effort to curb rampant underage drinking among high school students in Norwalk?
Shouldn't parents be held accountable for the rampant underage drinking? We raised our children on our own. We did not hold the school system accountable for everything that goes wrong with a child. The issue of drinking should be clearly defined to young adults by THEIR PARENTS!!
There must be laws governing where the school can punish students for drinking. Other than in-school, I can't imagine schools have any authorization to control drinking. Am I wrong? -Marjorie
A school's responsibility isn't to teach irresponsible parents that they shouldn't turn a blind eye to underage drinking in their homes. And it certainly isn't the school's job to instill in my daughters the self-confidence to resist peer pressure. But, it is the school's job to create an environment in which students are made aware of the depth of dangers of underage (and especially binge) drinking, a culture of respect is taught (or modeled or instilled) to help minimize peer pressure and students (and their parents) are offered counseling when they've been involved in underage drinking.
Does anyone think the general assembly elections will give us someone who can get ECS changed? Does anyone think Fred "Flip" Wilms will convince anyone that he is pro-education?
Don't know if you can discount that the guy knew enough to listen to Tom Hamilton.
Where Wilms got in trouble was when he would go to school budget meetings. He'd offer all kinds of advice about what to do. Then when the insurance deficit came up, Wilms was the first one to blame his republican Board of Ed. How did he know enough to give advice for years but then pull a Sgt. Schultz when there was a problem?
You know if "you" people stopped making him this immortal bogey-man, he would stop having any kind of influence. You realize that the teachers union does not campaign for candidates. They don't get out the vote, donate money, help out at the polls or do anything a campaign needs. That means that politicians don't care about an endorsement from Mellion. So he has no real power. Manny meets with Lyons weekly to go over Lyons latest demands. That doesn't make them friends. Same goes for Mellion.
Interesting question, and one worth discussing. In my opinion, the acid nature of politics exists in every corporation, every school system. I have worked for major corporations and have seen favoritism and politics play a major role in day to day operations and appointments. In school systems, I am told that promotions were largely based on whether you were of a certain nationality., whether you played bridge with the superintendent or played golf......I'm sure you get the picture. I don't believe politics, personalities or political differences will ever be removed from our working lives. It's not just Norwalk.
Nothing worth writing about is happening lately. That's why things are so quiet here and on NoN.
ReplyDeleteGood news is that positive budget work last year saved money and finally produced honest, accurate numbers for costs.
ReplyDeleteI am concerned about lack of activity by the BOE- where is the interest on diversity hiring? Where is the movement on improving high school SAT scores (too low for too many who don't have money for private test prep)? Where is the effort to curb rampant underage drinking among high school students in Norwalk?
Shouldn't parents be held accountable for the rampant underage drinking? We raised our children on our own. We did not hold the school system accountable for everything that goes wrong with a child. The issue of drinking should be clearly defined to young adults by THEIR PARENTS!!
ReplyDeleteThere must be laws governing where the school can punish students for drinking. Other than in-school, I can't imagine schools have any authorization to control drinking. Am I wrong? -Marjorie
ReplyDeleteA school's responsibility isn't to teach irresponsible parents that they shouldn't turn a blind eye to underage drinking in their homes. And it certainly isn't the school's job to instill in my daughters the self-confidence to resist peer pressure. But, it is the school's job to create an environment in which students are made aware of the depth of dangers of underage (and especially binge) drinking, a culture of respect is taught (or modeled or instilled) to help minimize peer pressure and students (and their parents) are offered counseling when they've been involved in underage drinking.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steve. You are missed.
DeleteDoes anyone think the general assembly elections will give us someone who can get ECS changed?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone think Fred "Flip" Wilms will convince anyone that he is pro-education?
He never fooled me- his first priority was his vendetta with Mellion. Didn't matter who got hurt in the process.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if you can discount that the guy knew enough to listen to Tom Hamilton.
ReplyDeleteWhere Wilms got in trouble was when he would go to school budget meetings. He'd offer all kinds of advice about what to do. Then when the insurance deficit came up, Wilms was the first one to blame his republican Board of Ed. How did he know enough to give advice for years but then pull a Sgt. Schultz when there was a problem?
Speaking of Melion, how come he is so quiet? He doesn't come to many Board meetings either. Anyone know why?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone care?
ReplyDeleteI care! He is running the system. The Superintendent and he are great buddies.
ReplyDeleteWould that be "running" or "ruining"!!!
DeleteYou know if "you" people stopped making him this immortal bogey-man, he would stop having any kind of influence.
ReplyDeleteYou realize that the teachers union does not campaign for candidates. They don't get out the vote, donate money, help out at the polls or do anything a campaign needs. That means that politicians don't care about an endorsement from Mellion. So he has no real power.
Manny meets with Lyons weekly to go over Lyons latest demands. That doesn't make them friends. Same goes for Mellion.
Will Norwalk politics or political commentary ever move beyond personality and personal differences?
ReplyDeleteInteresting question, and one worth discussing. In my opinion, the acid nature of politics exists in every corporation, every school system. I have worked for major corporations and have seen favoritism and politics play a major role in day to day operations and appointments. In school systems, I am told that promotions were largely based on whether you were of a certain nationality., whether you played bridge with the superintendent or played golf......I'm sure you get the picture. I don't believe politics, personalities or political differences will ever be removed from our working lives. It's not just Norwalk.
DeleteNo reporting of the Board of Ed meeting of May 20th- only one member (Artie) showed up! Is Artie Kassimis the only one who understands responsibility?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting!
Delete