Since declaring "Education is not a business", surely attorney Gallo will return all of the monies he's collected so far in his ongoing campaign to the heights of political patronage. Even though CHARLIE had the first fundraiser before there were any cob webs on the ballot boxes, this sudden epiphany is clearly a signal that he no longer needs any money to conduct his campaign and plans to run on his merits.
Maybe he will follow my example since even though my campaign FAILED (Ouch, it hurts to say that), I raised the level of concern for education, caused the first ever petition-driven public hearing, and all with NO BUDGET!
I too found Charlie's "epiphany" comical, especially when he also said it was not political. Hey at least he said it was about education....Glad he cleared that up for all of us! Again, I would love to hear him, Ford and Capano answer questions about our schools and districts. They do not have a clue!! I am glad the Item included John Ford's intelligent and professional comparison of parents concerns and efforts to the slashing of someone's throat.
ReplyDeleteDon't you ever tire of sour grapes? Democracy entitles you to an opportunity to be heard. It doesn't guarantee that you get your way. Grow up.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous (boy there are an awful lot of you with that name)
DeleteIf you read and understood the post you would see that we did get our way. As Stanley so wonderfully put it, "I raised the level of concern for education, caused the first ever petition-driven public hearing, and all with NO BUDGET!"
Plus, if I am entitled to an opportunity to be heard, why does it clearly upset you when I act on that opportunity?
Nothing could be further from the truth, Lori. I don't begrudge you the hearing at all. Actually, I've found this entire process to be highly entertaining -- particularly in its futility. Some of my personal highlights include: failing to recognize that continuing to rehash this issue only detracts from the committee's ability to address other issues, as well as the self-aggrandizing albeit misguided assertion that collecting 160 signatures (aka ~1% of parents based on enrollment, aka 0.003% of registered voters) was a Herculean effort demonstrating a groundswell of support.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Hal
Hal:
DeleteFirst of all, we only obtained as many signatures as we needed to get the ball rolling and guess what? It did!! The outcome was as expected, but our efforts definitely raised more awareness about our failing schools and district and that is what we hoped for. Also, having the most qualified person to lead our schools and district is the most important issue the school committee will ever face!! Unfortunately, 4 members were afraid to post the position for fear of discovering that Dr. Latham may not be the most qualified. Almost every speaker who spoke on her behalf stated that "There is no other person out there who is better than her" or "We will never find another person out there" Well I challenge them and say, "How do you know, if you don't look?" Actions speak louder than words and their action not to simply post the position only shows they fear competition and therefore are not really as confident in Dr. Latham's qualifications as they claim to be. By the way, I never heard one single person deny that Lynn is full of failing and under-performing schools and that it is in fact a failing district being led by Dr. Latham.
The decision is about vector, not current location. The committee's vote reflects the majority's conclusion that Lynn schools are headed in the right direction, not that we've presently arrived at a Utopian ideal. The fundamental fallacy in your argument is that posting the position costs nothing. The opportunity cost of looking elsewhere is that in so doing current progress may be slowed, stopped or reversed. Obviously there are many variables at play, and reasonable minds can disagree as to whether the costs outweigh the potential benefits or vice versa. And therein lies my problem with this effort: your failure to appreciate that those who disagree with you also have the best interests of Lynn students in mind, and willingness to gleefully disparage their sincerity and motivations simply because they don't share your conclusion is childish and counter-productive. I sincerely hope that these are not the values you are instilling in your children.
ReplyDeleteWarmest regards,
Hal
I believe it is you who is getting upset because it is your failure to appreciate those who disagree with you. Also, there are 281 districts performing better than we are and only 15 districts performing worse. So when you speak about the progress we are making and that we are headed in the right direction, just what progress are you referring to and is the direction you speak of backwards? Thank you for your concern regarding the values we teach our children. I will say we do teach them to stand up for what they believe in and when they do, to have the courage and pride to let everyone know who they are and to not be ashamed or afraid to do so. So once again "Hal" my name is Lori D'Amico, I am a parent of a child who attends Lynn Public Schools, I was at the hearing last night where I proudly stood up, stated my name and address and expressed my concerns publicly to the full committee, every person in the room, and all those who watch it on television. Have a great day!!
DeletePosting the position should be background and have no affect on a performance... especially if the contract has an expiration date to begin with. I don't buy the excuses/
DeleteYou hit it on the head Katerina - excuses. Latham used adjusted numbers to inflate our "progress". Three years ago we had several "non-failing" schools, last year we only had two "non-failing" schools. This year we only have one "non-failing" school. You're right - we are progressively getting worse. Our SPED graduation rate ranges from 59% to 19%. Latham moves money from SPED to pay for admin. All of these great programs she spearheaded are already being done everywhere else. Lets talk about the smart boards, after school programs and 'wraparound' in our level 4 schools - who's going to pay for them once the level 4 money is gone? How about Reading 180? Advertised as an affordable reading program - too bad it only helps with fluency, accuracy and comprehension. I guess Lynners don't need to learn phonics. I could keep going on.
DeleteCool. Vote for a new school committee. You'll have the chance in two years. Its not a direct democracy. You vote for representatives who vote their conscience. Your input matters, but its not dispositive. Take it up with the Charter.
ReplyDeleteI did take it up with the CHARTER and that's why there was a hearing. Then certain people out there wondered how this so-called INAPPROPRIATE hearing could have happened. I guess they weren't charter members of democracy.
Deletefirst chocolate milk comment now this. why did anyone in their right mind vote this little fool in. he is part of that good old boy irish network run by the "wicked witch agnes ricko". she needs to go too!
ReplyDeletego get them rick! clean his clock!